Hells Canyon, Joseph Or, Lewiston Hwy

[VEGASRIDER]

Even though I miss Vegas, I am taking more time to explore Idaho.
I left Boise around 0730 last Saturday morning and from Cambridge Idaho took Id Hwy 71 towards Hell Canyon Dam.





Once you get to the turn off, it's a 24 mile private road up to the Hells Canyon Damn. I guess the road belongs to the power company?

[VEGASRIDER]

Headed towards Joseph Or via National Forest Road (NR-39). The road was paved all the way, with it's occasional share of pot holes. Road is kind of technical, being that it's not that wide, the yellow lane divider was primarily absent and very little or no curve signs. But fun! The road by far was dominated by motorcycles! Very few cagers.

Took a 3 mile detour to the Hells Canyon Overlook. The overlook was kind of disapointing but the 3 mile road to get there made up for it. It was in great condition, recently paved.







There was more danger in Open Range than wildlife for me. Came across several encounters with open range. They don't move, they just like to stare right at you.



The town of Joseph Oregon was dominated by motorcycles. After a nice lunch, it was just a short 2 mile ride down to Wallowa Lake.

[VEGASRIDER]

I've heard from several riders, that the Lewiston Hwy from Enterprise Oregon to Lewiston Idaho is not to be missed. I have ridden all of the roads in Malibu Canyon, Palomar Mt, ACH, Ojai, Sonora Pass, etc the list goes on and this has got to be the top motorcycle road I have ever ridden! It was just recently paved on the Washington side, so the pavement can't be more than a couple of months old. They call it the Rattle Snake!

A quick look at Oregon Highway 3.



From Oregon Hwy 3 turns into Washington Hwy 129. You can see the Welcome to Washington sign.





Washington Hwy 129, just repaved! It just went on for miles and miles, and after a while, I was actually begging for some straightaways. It was just sick!











The familiar Hwy 95 and the Salmon River, approaching sunset and here comes the bugs. Riding at dark does not bother me, and I'm use to it as this is really the time you can beat the heat if you ride anywhere it's scorching hot. However, the desert never had any bugs. Fortunately, I only had to put up about one hours worth.





So I did this ride in one day. Left at 0730 and got back at 2200. 640 miles.

[tomy]

Nice pics kenny. keep us posted on the good roads up there.

[JetMech]

Very nice!!!!!

[The Doctor]

Trip over track! Definitely!

[green_dragon]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing!

[ars0n]

Awesome kenny!!!

[vegaseric]

That last road looks awesome... nice pics Kenny!

[VEGASRIDER]

(08-29-2012 08:53 PM)The Doctor Wrote:  Trip over track! Definitely!

Hopefully I have conviced others too. My next ride will be over the LoLo Pass on US Hwy 12 over to Montana. Not sure if I will be able to do that in one day, but I'll try.