Lewis and Clark/Lolo Trail

[TrailPatrol]

This is another of those "Long Rides" that IMBA wants to "Long Live."

Part of the new Lewis and Clark National Historical Trail, if you read Stephen Ambrose's "Undaunted Courage" you will know that the Lolo Pass was the most difficult part of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery's journey. The 145.3-mile Lolo Trail closely follows the approximate route the Corps of Discovery took through the Bitterroot Mountains. The rugged, mountainous terrain is on mostly one-lane narrow gravel/dirt roads. Services and water are scarce. The Clearwater National Forest, which administers the Lolo Trail, is beginning a lottery permit system in 2003 to limit travel on the Trail. Cyclists will need a permit. For more information on how to obtain a permit go to: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/clearwater/LewisClark/LewisClark.htm

I hope to ride this trail in late September of this year.

Ride safe,
Hans
:banana:

"Explore on two wheels" Adventure Cycling, 2003

[rfd425]

http://www.modthesims2.com/images/smiley/bump.gif


I'm actually leaving Friday to go ride this trail with a couple of buddies, one of whom lives in Missoula. We are planning on doing it as a round trip in four days max, but that may only include the Lolo Motorway proper, which is about 80 miles each way ("motorway" is a misnomer; it's basically a doubletrack 4wd trail). An option will be to extend the ride another 40 miles each way (on gravel and paved roads, from what I understand) and ride all the way into Kamiah, ID, which would allow us to sleep in a motel one night and eat a real meal or two. Our biggest concern is water, as water sources are apparently scarce on the trail and require purification. We are planning on carrying two days' worth of water, along with a purification system.

Anyone have any experience on the Lolo trail?

[TrailPatrol]

Rich,

Contact Adventure Cycling in Missoula, (www.adventurecycling.org (http://www.adventurecycling.org) or 1-800 755-2453) and get Map #6 in the Lewis and Clark Bicycle Trail-Missoula, MT to Clarkson, WA. The L&C series has just been updated, so you will have the most current print information, trail profile, etc. (Tell them I refered you, please. I am one of their "ambassadors" in MN) Then contact the US Forest Service Powell Ranger District in Lolo, MT. (www.fs.fed.us/r1/clearwater (http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/clearwater) or 208-942-3113) for the most current conditions on the Motorway. They also have a downloadable map and information for the trail on the "Lewis and Clark" section of the website.

Take LOTS of pictures! Then post them here!

Make sure you visit both Adventure Cycling and the Lolo Pass Visitor Center while you are out there, and the USFS Smokejumper Training Center/Museum if you get a chance and want to know what it is like to jump out of a plane.

BTW, who is the attractive young lady with the White Witch in your avatar? :confused:

Ride safe. Bring back legends,
:banana:
Hans

Ride

[rfd425]

I'm pretty sure my buddy who lives out there already got all the info & maps he could from Adventure Cycling. I suggested that to him a while back, having seen your old post above, when we were originally planning this trip. I don't know whether or not he knew about Adventure Cycling before I told him about it. If I get a chance to stop in at the AC office, I'll definitely give you a plug. Thanks for the info!

I'm planning on taking some pictures and maybe even some short video clips. Hopefully, I will return from the trip with photos and tips for anyone who might wish to ride the Lolo trail in the future. Being relatively inexperienced, I think this will be a real challenge for me.

The young lady is actress Natalie Portman. The small avatar-size pic doesn't do her justice; I have a hi-res version as my desktop background on my laptop. It looks like she was dressing to impress Hillary.