My family and I are doing this trip in July 2019. I'd love to have some NWOL folks join us, as its going to be epic and there is safety in numbers. I'll post updates as the date approaches - specific concerns are snow pack elevation in Mid July (hopefully mostly gone by then) and of course the ubiquitous wildfires, which I dealt with when I was out there last Summer.
Dates: Saturday July 13-Thursday 18 2019
Meetup: Fernan Lake Village Ranger Station 2502 E Sherman Ave, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
Plan: Meet at the 'meetup' point in Cd'A and rally to Superior MT via I-90 East and then hit the trail. Folks from other areas can rendezvous with us in Superior MT.
Route Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29012762
Vehicle: Any high clearance vehicle can do this route - but there are some super-tight switchbacks on the Magruder Corridor section what will be challenging to do with a trailer. You need a full-sized spare tire and 1/2 tank extra gas, due to the remote nature of this route.
Gear: Bear spray (!), recovery gear, recovery points on your vehicle, toolkit, first aid kit, satellite PLB or Garmin Connect. And do not forget your fly rod. Bring enough stuff for 4-5 days of remote camping. There are a couple of towns half-way through the route to resupply (Elk City, etc)
Camping: there are a number of developed camp sites on the route, a few of which I've marked on the map (see link above). Plenty of wild camping spots too.
Water: there is no shortage of water on this route
Gas: No gas or services for 120ish miles once we enter the Magruder Corridor, which ends in Darby MT.
Coms: HAM radio for sure 146.420. Get licensed ! Very few repeaters in that area. No cellular coverage for most of the route. Bring a satellite PLB or Garmin Connect.
Trip Description:
Starting in Superior, MT (just off I-90) we are launching an overlanding expedition into the remote wilderness of the Bitteroot Mountains, following the Clearwater River and entering The Magruder Corridor with a final destination of Darby MT. Incredibly remote, this route connects two of the largest Wilderness areas in the lower 48 states. The wildflowers in bloom, excellent fly-fishing, and wolves howling in the evenings will make this an unforgettable adventure. This is a family-oriented trip, with plenty of time set aside for camping, fishing and making new friendships. With a relaxed pace, the route will take four to five days to complete (but you may never want to go home). There are a few bail-out points along the way (Elk City and Pierce ID). The route will conclude in Darby, MT. Most of the route can be easily driven in a stock high-clearance vehicle. I rode a good portion of the route on my bike last summer. However, due to the very remote nature of this expedition, gear requirements will include a full-sized spare, and a half-tank's worth of reserve fuel.
Post your comments and questions below. I've posted a 'Event' on the Adventure page of this site.
@nathanbthomas are you bringing your winch on the winch tray ?
I don't plan on hustling out to Riverbend MT either - its a 115 mile drive from our meetup at Dd'A. A two hour drive or so with the requisite stop for food/gas/water in Superior or Riverbend. We can wait for anybody that's slow.
Being as I have the only 50-55 mph top speed vehicle in the group now, where shall I meet you folks and at what time?
Sweet!
According to the Forest Service's Nez Perce-Clearwater FB page - the Magruder Road is now OPEN!
https://www.facebook.com/NPClwNFs/posts/road-update-the-magruder-corridor-road-468-is-now-open-please-contact-the-red-ri/1801704096521591/
We're in business !
Just a quick update on radios- looks like I have three of the Baofengs in Bellevue I can bring. If we need more than that let me know and I can grab one more from Stehekin this weekend.
Also, is anyone else bringing a chain saw? I have a small Stihl, but if someone else has something I’ll leave it and just bring the KatanaBoy.
Sean - bummer to hear. I'm glad you've diagnosed the gearbox issue at home and not while we're in the middle of nowhere.
Scott and crew. Unfortunately I'm going to have to bail on this trip. I've run into a gearbox / transmission issue that i need to sort out. Better to find out now then on the trail.
Hey everybody - we've got a nice sized group signed up for this adventure.
I've updated the GPX map with relevant camp grounds, ranger stations, bail out points, towns with gas etc...
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29012762
Take a look at the link and download the GPX file - then upload into your mapping software of choice.
I'll be calling the relevant ranger stations in the next week to get a sense of 'road' conditions and closures (if any), so there are no surprises.
Current Magruder Road Condition report is here ... as of 6/27/19, the 35 mile section between Poet Creek CG and Observation Point CG is closed due to snow on North facing slopes, but it is melting out.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5158968.pdf
Obviously, we need to follow up on this, as there are no re-routes that deep into the Magruder Road that I can see.
Wondering about what fishing license I should get?
Just a heads up for the group - we are bringing our dog Kai, he is a 80 lb neutered male Vizsla and is wonderful around kids. Feel free to bring your dogs !
Hello Scott and company,
Just wanted to let you know that we have signed up for this expedition. The whole family is planning on going (likely all 6 of us). I also have a slow vehicle like Sean above. Interesting that I can’t see anybody on the guest/planning on going list. Would love to chat about any particulars.
Kevin Hubert & the Hubert Family.
Sounds like a plan, thank you @nathanbthomas
Scott can't wait for this trip! I plan on camping at Liberty Lake Regional Park on Friday. Good to meet up anytime on Saturday. Word of warning my rig is a little slow on the hwy 50-55. I'm not opposed to getting a head start on everyone on Saturday and just meeting up in Superior. I'm not HAM licensed so I'll be on the CB.
Yeah, I was figuring I would get out there Friday as well and stay in a hotel. 9am Saturday is great for me.
Nathan ! Great to hear that you're interested in joining us ! I'm thinking about 9am-ish in Cd'A - but totally open to other plan to accommodate folks. I was going to drive out to Cd'A on Friday and stay locally, then meet up Saturday morning.
Hey Scott, what time on the 13th are you thinking of meeting up in Cd'A?
Hey Scott, really looking forward to this one. I just wanted to give you a heads up that Patty and I will be traveling in one rig; she is registered separately but we will only be in one vehicle.