Lolo Pass

 The big thing on Idaho highways is to watch for Rock. They even have thousands of signs to remind you to...

Where Is Rock?

The signs make no mention of which Rock. Kid Rock? Rock Hudson? It is very confusing.

One thing for certain is that highway 12 goes over 5235-foot Lolo pass, and our mission for today is to ride over the pass into Montana.

We start out in Grangeville, because that is where we spent the night, at a Best Western that offered scrap towels to clean your bike, which we both did, even using the using the rooms rubbish bins to mix up some of the Sun Wash that I have been packing around since who knows when.

With clean bikes we started out passing through the towns of Kooskia and Lowell, both tiny bergs on the outskirts of civilization.

It was not too far out of Lowell where we crossed the clearwater river for the first time, and it was by this crossing that people were holding up high visibility hand lettered signs stating, “Coffee and a Prayer”, and right before the crossing they had set up a small table where I presume they prayed over their coffee.

I know I know I should have pulled in and brewed them up some Kaladi, and I would have but I feared giving Christians real coffee could have pushed them over the edge, causing them to speak in tongues, and babble on about talking snakes, and virginal birth.  Maybe next coffee and prayer I will stop!

Highway 12 continues along the clearwater river following the steps of Lewis and Clark. There are a few hand trams that lead to cabins on the other side of the river, and a few bridges that offer access to public lands, and hiking trails

One of The Hiking Track Bridges Over The Clearwater

The speed limit is set at 50mph on this road, and it is perfect. You can cruise through the sweeping curves at 50 and just enjoy the ride. In fact this ride is reason enough to keep a motorbike in the lower 48.

Somewhere along the way is the mother lode of 1950’s era Chevrolet Trucks

Highway 12 Truck Showroom

Keeping a Watchful Headlight On The Highway

The rapids in the river grow in intensity as we ride towards the summit. We spot a couple of kayakers floating along, and we stop by some impressive rapids, hoping to see someone come along. No one does, but further along we see rafters bouncing along the river

The Clearwater River

Further up the meandering highway I notice that the road is wet. Once again being pure of heart mostly we have missed a drenching rain shower. Not much further we encounter rain, and my favorite condition hail. It only lasts a short while but being pelted by hail is always great fun, and so much for being pure of heart mostly.

Nearing the summit snow is still around the sides of the road but pose no threat to us. We stop for photos at the shuttered visitor center.

Lolo Pass Visitor Center

Fortunately, the washrooms were open. Once back on the road we discover that we have crossed into Montana, where the speed limit goes to 65 or 70, but I keep cruising at 60 until we reach the highway and have to speed up.

All in all a great ride on a blue bird day.

 

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