After leaving the Little Salmon River in Idaho last Friday, we took the long way back to Spokane, following the Clearwater River along Idaho Hwy. 13 north to Kooskia, then northeast on Hwy. 12 along the wild and scenic Lochsa River.
Absolutely spectacular. None of my photographs did it justice.
After crossing Lolo Pass, from Hwy 12. we turned left (northwest) on Fish Creek Road (Forest Service Road 343).
This is a mostly single-lane gravel road, that makes a ‘short cut’ to Interstate 90 coming out at Exit 66, 37 miles west of Missoula.
The public-private land ownership is checkerboard throughout the region, so look carefully for posted signs before pulling off the road to dry camp.
It was late afternoon when we found a lovely little spot about 13 miles along FS 343. We pulled about 100 yards off the road, figuring this would be a safe spot to boondock and do a shakedown of all the Lance’s systems.
Beautiful location. $0 campground fees. Packed everything out.
For another take on the trip, click on Jimmy Smith’s ‘Another View.’
Photos: Boondock location off Forest Service Road 343 near Fish Creek on the Lolo National Forest in Montana. Bottom: Jimmy Smith sitting on his new back porch. Photos by Julianne Crane
