Just got back last night from traveling/camping the Magruder Corridor that runs between Darby, MT and Grangeville, ID. The trail itself is approximately 110 miles of windy, narrow, mountain dirt road. Trail guides suggest that high clearance and 4x4 are required. However, I saw a Nissan sedan at one camp site and honestly cannot say I saw any reason a Toyota Camry cannot drive from end to end! That being said passing vehicles is sketchy in many places. And, unfortunately for us, every vehicle we came across was on a blind curve and resulted in panic braking. You'll likely drive the majority of this trail at 15-20mph as it is very narrow, windy, and has many blind turns.
There are, however, unmarked/unnamed side trails that may require 4x4. For example, we took the trail up to Burnt Knob fire lookout. This is clearly marked as being "maintained for 4x4 vehicles only". I would not say it is "maintained" though! LOL We went up in 4H very easily, though it was a really bumpy ride. However, I decended in 4L 2nd gear to control speed as it is very bumpy/rocky and steep. Thankfully we never came across another vehicle as passing one another on this trail would be really sketchy.
Much of the forest here has been ravaged by fires in recent years. This results in clear views from the trail - however the views themselves are mountains and valleys filled with burnt trees. Our trip was hampered a bit by the thick haze of smoke from regional fires - ironic.
Burnt Knob fire lookout:
Views east of Burnt Knob - very sheer drop off the ledge!
Green Mountain Fire lookout:
Views from Green Mtn
There are many places you can camp along the Magruder trail. This trail is an 8 hour or more drive if you do the whole thing in one day. I'd definitely advise making this a camping trip. Be sure your vehicle has plenty of fuel, water, and food. The corridor is only open from July until the end of hunting season due to in-climate weather and impassibility during winter. Be watchful for other vehicles along the trail. We narrowly avoided two head on collisions on our way up hills because opposing traffic was traveling too fast around blind curves.
Your best places for gas are either Darby, MT (on the East end at 3,885ft) or Grangeville, ID (on the West end at 3,399ft). You'll ascend and descend quite a bit. I believe the highest point we reached atop Burnt Knob was approximately 8,200 feet.
For those with radios I can tell you that although I programmed the only regional repeator (Grangeville, ID) you'll find no ability to call for help once you're in the Magruder. There are so many mountains and valleys that radios are likely useless for anything other than short range traffic.
If you're a deer hunter - mule deer are plentiful and not afraid of humans!
There are, however, unmarked/unnamed side trails that may require 4x4. For example, we took the trail up to Burnt Knob fire lookout. This is clearly marked as being "maintained for 4x4 vehicles only". I would not say it is "maintained" though! LOL We went up in 4H very easily, though it was a really bumpy ride. However, I decended in 4L 2nd gear to control speed as it is very bumpy/rocky and steep. Thankfully we never came across another vehicle as passing one another on this trail would be really sketchy.
Much of the forest here has been ravaged by fires in recent years. This results in clear views from the trail - however the views themselves are mountains and valleys filled with burnt trees. Our trip was hampered a bit by the thick haze of smoke from regional fires - ironic.
Burnt Knob fire lookout:
Views east of Burnt Knob - very sheer drop off the ledge!
Green Mountain Fire lookout:
Views from Green Mtn
There are many places you can camp along the Magruder trail. This trail is an 8 hour or more drive if you do the whole thing in one day. I'd definitely advise making this a camping trip. Be sure your vehicle has plenty of fuel, water, and food. The corridor is only open from July until the end of hunting season due to in-climate weather and impassibility during winter. Be watchful for other vehicles along the trail. We narrowly avoided two head on collisions on our way up hills because opposing traffic was traveling too fast around blind curves.
Your best places for gas are either Darby, MT (on the East end at 3,885ft) or Grangeville, ID (on the West end at 3,399ft). You'll ascend and descend quite a bit. I believe the highest point we reached atop Burnt Knob was approximately 8,200 feet.
For those with radios I can tell you that although I programmed the only regional repeator (Grangeville, ID) you'll find no ability to call for help once you're in the Magruder. There are so many mountains and valleys that radios are likely useless for anything other than short range traffic.
If you're a deer hunter - mule deer are plentiful and not afraid of humans!
