Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Epic road trip in my Jeep (dedicated to Flave) because he hates Jeeps, :)

Since turning 60 yrs old I have been feeling a little nostalgic, for places in my past that held great memories with family and friends.

So I dreamed up a road trip down memory lane.

This trip would encompass 2500 miles with as much as possible on dirt roads (a thing they call overlanding today) It would be me, the dog and my Jeep.

For the grand finale at the end I would meet an old high school buddy and do an epic Jeep trail.

The wife wanted no part of it as it meant sleeping on the ground for a couple weeks.

So I departed my cabin in NW Montana and headed south to Darby, Mt. from there I hit the dirt. I would travel south to the River of no return (Salmon river)

Years ago I did a float trip with friends down the middle fork of the Salmon and our takeout was close to Shoup, Idaho. The float trip was an epic adventure in my life and a very special memory.

This is also Bob Hagel & Elmer Keith country, for years Keith had a place on the Salmon and Hagel was just up the road in Gibbonsville. Special country in my book.

First pic is heading up the pass towards Idaho,



Looking into Salmon river country from MT...






My trusty steed...

Awesome!

Descended a steep mountain pass to the river, main fork of the salmon...



Shoup, Idaho.



Elmer Keiths old place? have no idea, but possible...



Headed south towards Challis.

Congrats...color me envious

nice pics.......nice trip I'm sure.....no current wildfires in the area ?

MT & ID are fuggin' awesome !

Plans soon to head in that direction

But....you know I'll be in my ole '03 Lexus LX.....(:

Bob Hagel, ain't heard that name in a long while.

From Challis I would pass through Stanley and Sun Valley, didn't waste time in either location as neither is my kinda town.



Headwaters of the salmon river in the valley bellow and the end of the sawtooths in the back ground

come on man .

where's the dog pics ?????????

Next stop Jarbidge Nevada... oh the memories. Several hunting trips and one 4th of July...

En route...



Jarbidge river.



The town...

I hate Jeeps.

Most excellent trip man!

Wow, pretty country!

Your trip looks outstanding. One of my wife and I’s favorite thing to do is explore in her Jeep.


I love the Pintlers. My favorite Wrangler wheel.

Do you like the Patagonias?

my kinda guy.......

T O Y O D A

Thanks for sharing these beautiful images.

My thoughts as well,,,

Looks like a fun adventure.

Beautiful country. That looks like a great road trip!

Jarbidge...a tiny lesson in standing up to the Feds....semi successfully. Year 2000, Sagebrush Rebellion, Shovel Brigade.

Outstanding. Did you stop at the bar in Jarbidge and at least have a drink?

Great pics and looks like a great trip.

From there it was off to my final destination... the Rubicon trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains of N. California.

Years ago in my previous life me and friends and family were really into 4 wheeling and we did the Rubicon trail every year and at times a couple of times a year.
The last time through for me was 30 years ago. The first time through was 48 years ago as a child with my family in the family Jeep.

So I picked up my old buddy and we headed for the trail. Our plan was to do it solo... something you should never do ! but my old Jeepin buddies had quit years ago and took up more leisurely activities... solo it was... ha

The Rubicon for those not familiar is the grand daddy of Jeep trails. It's not the hardest, it's not the most dangerous, it's not the longest.... but it is the best and you had better bring your "A" game as it is relentless and unforgiving.

A mistake of a few inches of vehicle placement could end your trip , result in breakage or getting really stuck.

And since we were solo with no support group we had to be extra careful.

The trail was even more challenging than I remember it. Asked a few people if my memory was correct and they said Yep! the rock buggies with 40" tires tear it up every year and if would have waited a couple of weeks the Jeepers Jamboree would have had an army of people filling holes with rocks to get the dudes through!

I will let the pic's tell the story.....

Jeepers jamboree support chopper.

Some beautiful and rugged country. Once did a dirt track from Elk City to the Salmon River at Mackey"s Bar where the road ended. Epic. Envy the trip you are doing.