We’ve spent time in Idaho over the last six years, but hadn’t explored the western side of the state along Highway 95. We left Bitterroot Mountains, and continued on Highway 12 along the Lochsa River, eventually joining the Clearwater River and descending into the valley and the small town of Kooskia (koos-ski). The drive along the Lochsa River is one of our favorites; rugged mountains, tall trees, beautiful river – AND it’s downhill. There’s not much out here, a few Forest Service and State Highway facilities; otherwise it’s just miles and miles of unspoiled scenery. 
In Kooskia, the scenery changed from forested mountains to grassy hills with a winding, up and down road. To our East stretched the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, an area of over one million acres, while to our West were the rolling hills and farms of the valley. We spent a night in Grangeville, at the Bear Den RV Resort, a great Passport America park with the cleanest laundry and recreation room we’ve ever seen. 
We took a ride down the road to see the White Bird Battlefield, the first of what would become a number of battlefields during the journey of the Nez Perce. As we stood at the battlefield overlook, we noticed the sign describing the history of White Bird Grade, and we could see the old road in the distance. 
If you click on the picture and look closely, you can see how the old road goes back and forth, back and forth, as it climbs up the grade. And yes, we had to try it. It was an interesting drive and we had to wonder how big rigs must have struggled going both up and down. 
From Grangeville, we travelled down White Bird Grade (the new one), a slow seven miles of 7% grade. At the bottom, we once again met the Salmon River, and continued along the valley to the small town of New Meadows.
We got into the utterly forgettable Meadows RV Park early in the day, and drove into the mountains to visit the resort community of McCall. Located on the South shore of Payette Lake, McCall is a community of condos, marinas, and the typical assortment of galleries and gift shops. It’s a pretty place, and the lake view, with the mountains in the distance, demanding that we take a break to sit in the shade and relax before heading back to the park.
We’re on the road, heading for Boise – C’mon back and visit with us!
