River of No Return I: Pinyon Peak, Mines, Yankee Fork RR
#1
02-06-2012, 04:07 AM
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SW Idaho
Posts: 4,507
River of No Return I: Pinyon Peak, Mines, Yankee Fork RR
Ride reports have been a little slow lately, so I'll post one up from late last summer.
WARNING:
Quads/four wheelers are involved. I'm the only one on a bike of our group. I know, I know. It just ain't right for a m/c forum. But I like these guys. They don't ride bikes. And I like to ride with them. And what the heck? If you don't like it...well....you know....whine away or go away. Flame me. Get an admin to delete it. Whatever....
So, with disclaimer provided, our plan is to camp out in the River of No Return Wilderness Area, Salmon Mountains, Idaho, and ride a loop over three days / two nights. I'm working out the kinks of dual-sporting campouts off road with the benefit of having those four-wheeled things there to carry those items that otherwise wouldn't go: coolers with lots of ice, mixers, fresh food and beer, camp chairs, two-burner stove, lanterns, etc. My buddy has a saying...I don't necessarily agree with it...but it works for him: "why go light in a world of plenty?" He doesn't get it, but that's okay. I was relying on them for those extras, but at he end of the day, my bike saved their butt.
Planned Route: Stage and camp first night in a dispersed (no-fee) camp area on Knapp Creek near F 82 Lake, ride up Knapp Creek to Winnemucca Creek, Beaver Creek, Feltham Creek Point Lookout, Pinyon Peak Lookout, Canyon Creek, Casto, and Loon Creek to Tincup Campground for the night. Day 2 back up Loon Creek to Mayfield Creek, Loon Creek Summit, Jordan Creek, Yankee Fork, Custer, Bonanza, and Polecamp Flat Campground for the night. Day 3, cross the Yankee Fork and ride a serious looking quad trail back to Knapp Creek, running north of Stanley. This last day scares us. We don't know anything about this trail, and can't find much out. Most all of the rest of the trip is Forest Service road with traffic expected. But the last day's quad trail is a complete unknown.
Now for the pics and story
All loaded up
There's room for the bike. Not much. But enough.
Even room for another trailer for coolers and all that superfluous stuff that makes camping complicated.
WARNING:
Quads/four wheelers are involved. I'm the only one on a bike of our group. I know, I know. It just ain't right for a m/c forum. But I like these guys. They don't ride bikes. And I like to ride with them. And what the heck? If you don't like it...well....you know....whine away or go away. Flame me. Get an admin to delete it. Whatever....
So, with disclaimer provided, our plan is to camp out in the River of No Return Wilderness Area, Salmon Mountains, Idaho, and ride a loop over three days / two nights. I'm working out the kinks of dual-sporting campouts off road with the benefit of having those four-wheeled things there to carry those items that otherwise wouldn't go: coolers with lots of ice, mixers, fresh food and beer, camp chairs, two-burner stove, lanterns, etc. My buddy has a saying...I don't necessarily agree with it...but it works for him: "why go light in a world of plenty?" He doesn't get it, but that's okay. I was relying on them for those extras, but at he end of the day, my bike saved their butt.
Planned Route: Stage and camp first night in a dispersed (no-fee) camp area on Knapp Creek near F 82 Lake, ride up Knapp Creek to Winnemucca Creek, Beaver Creek, Feltham Creek Point Lookout, Pinyon Peak Lookout, Canyon Creek, Casto, and Loon Creek to Tincup Campground for the night. Day 2 back up Loon Creek to Mayfield Creek, Loon Creek Summit, Jordan Creek, Yankee Fork, Custer, Bonanza, and Polecamp Flat Campground for the night. Day 3, cross the Yankee Fork and ride a serious looking quad trail back to Knapp Creek, running north of Stanley. This last day scares us. We don't know anything about this trail, and can't find much out. Most all of the rest of the trip is Forest Service road with traffic expected. But the last day's quad trail is a complete unknown.
Now for the pics and story
All loaded up
There's room for the bike. Not much. But enough.
Even room for another trailer for coolers and all that superfluous stuff that makes camping complicated.
Last edited by IDRIDR; 02-06-2012 at 04:09 AM.
#2
02-06-2012, 04:22 AM
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SW Idaho
Posts: 4,507
Day 1:
We got to camp kind of late in evening, unloaded, had a great dinner, and enjoyed the camp fire. The next morning was just a little frosty which was great because it was going to be a warm day. Loaded up the bike:
I pack more gear than I would otherwise for a few reasons: test the bike's ability (it rocked), see if I can break the subframe (it did fine), and get used to a big load on the little 250. I know if there is a problem, all my gear can be strapped to any one of the four quads, let alone distributed among them. This is a test. A trial. An experiment. In the end, it all worked just fine for the KLX.
We do a last-minute refresher of the maps and ride plan.
At the trail head on Knapp Creek:
I think this was Beaver Creek or Feltham Creek.
We head up to Feltham Lookout
Wildfire in the distance.
Kids and their phones
The lookout has been long abandoned. What you see above is the remains of the lookout foundation.
to be continued....
We got to camp kind of late in evening, unloaded, had a great dinner, and enjoyed the camp fire. The next morning was just a little frosty which was great because it was going to be a warm day. Loaded up the bike:
I pack more gear than I would otherwise for a few reasons: test the bike's ability (it rocked), see if I can break the subframe (it did fine), and get used to a big load on the little 250. I know if there is a problem, all my gear can be strapped to any one of the four quads, let alone distributed among them. This is a test. A trial. An experiment. In the end, it all worked just fine for the KLX.
We do a last-minute refresher of the maps and ride plan.
At the trail head on Knapp Creek:
I think this was Beaver Creek or Feltham Creek.
We head up to Feltham Lookout
Wildfire in the distance.
Kids and their phones
The lookout has been long abandoned. What you see above is the remains of the lookout foundation.
to be continued....
Last edited by IDRIDR; 02-07-2012 at 09:31 PM.
#5
02-06-2012, 06:35 PM
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SW Idaho
Posts: 4,507
This is the scenery for much of the ride
Heading up
to
I dig lookouts. It would be a very interesting place to stay during an evening thundershower.
Back on down the trail.
We head to Tincup CG.
Heading up
to
I dig lookouts. It would be a very interesting place to stay during an evening thundershower.
Back on down the trail.
We head to Tincup CG.
Last edited by IDRIDR; 06-26-2012 at 04:25 AM.
#7
02-06-2012, 07:04 PM
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SW Idaho
Posts: 4,507
Yes, it is. Idaho in the summer. It's a desert here. We generally ride far apart except for the kids because they don't seem to care/know better/haven't figured it out yet/impatient. I'm the lucky one on a bike because I usually ride up front as I'm quicker, my dusting is less, and it's easier for me to warn oncoming motorists or turn around for a missed turn and guide the others in. Summertime rains are a blessing unless you're a farmer cutting grain or hay.
I was saving this pic for later, but may as well dump it now. I waited for at least a minute or two for the dust to settle before following along.
I was saving this pic for later, but may as well dump it now. I waited for at least a minute or two for the dust to settle before following along.
