Wednesday 6/13/18

White Bird to Lowell

Slept very well at the Baptist Church. We wanted to get going to start the climb before the day warmed up. After a breakfast of cheese sandwiches, fruit and coffee we headed out.

We were on the old highway 95 which was an amazingly beautiful ride out of the Salmon River Canyon. The road had tight switchbacks making the grade fairly gental. The 4700 feet of climbing over 8 miles was relatively easy. The sharp switchbacks made for great views of the valley below. Once we creasted, the road stayed on a ridge with a gradual descent into Grangeville. Occasionally there would be a break in the pines and you could look on to the agricultural valley below.

We made it into Grangeville for a nice sit-down lunch. We enjoyed the meal immensely after the mornings climb.

The scenery out of Grangeville dramatically changed to open agricultural fields from the evergreen forests and mountains.

Finally we made it to Kooskia and made a grocery store stop. After a short meal eaten out front we headed up the Clearwater River Canyon. We were back to the scenery we gotten used to.

We stopped just short of Lowell at Wild Goose Campground. A primitive National Forest Campground right beside the Clearwater River. Tonight Nishanth and I will fall asleep to the background sound of the roiling river. Much better than sprinklers!

Miles rode today about 65.

Tomorrow we travel about 70 miles of very isolated highway without services. We have some extra food bought and I purchased water purification tablets.