Elk City WT/Magruder/Lolo loop (9/6-9/13)

[mtndog]

Took a week off to do the Elk City & Magruder trails and return on Lolo motorway. Elk City was a bit fun following the trail guide and trying to find the remains/interests...but could never find the carved up tree. The road traveled between private farms on asphalt but eventually turned into an easy dirt/gravel road...just have to watch out for the cows as they aren't in any hurry to move.
[URL="http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/mtndog_photos/magruder_lolo/smallcammagruder_lolo054Large.jpg[/IMG[/IMG"]http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/mtndog_photos/magruder_lolo/smallcammagruder_lolo054Large.jpg[/IMG[/IMG[/URL]]

Magruder was the best trail and had the most most views/sights. I thought it was the most technical (sharp loose rocks near summits and steeper ascents/descents) of the 3 trails but still very easy. The Sabe Vista area was the narrowest part and had very few turnouts but you could see far enough ahead to determine if there was another vehicle coming. Observation Point is a great campground with incredible views at 7600'. It took me 1-1/2 days to do both Elk City & Magruder using about 5.5gals and 9.5gals of gas, respectively.
[IMG][IMG][URL="http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/mtndog_photos/magruder_lolo/largecammagruder_lolo48.jpg[/IMG[/IMG"]http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/mtndog_photos/magruder_lolo/largecammagruder_lolo48.jpg[/IMG[/IMG[/URL]]
[IMG][IMG][URL="http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/mtndog_photos/magruder_lolo/smallcammagruder_lolo045Large.jpg[/IMG[/IMG"]http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/mtndog_photos/magruder_lolo/smallcammagruder_lolo045Large.jpg[/IMG[/IMG[/URL]]

Magruder just opened the week before due to forest fire. It was an eerie feeling driving thru as you could still smell the ash and smoke.
[IMG][IMG][URL="http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/mtndog_photos/magruder_lolo/smallcammagruder_lolo060Large.jpg[/IMG"]http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/mtndog_photos/magruder_lolo/smallcammagruder_lolo060Large.jpg[/IMG[/URL]]

 

[mtndog]

Reaching MT, I travelled around camping for a few days just going wherever the map told me. I highly recommend the Rd 38 over Skalkaho Pass then north up Rd 348 along Rock Creek. Beautiful scenery and a few campsites on rivers edge.

While travelling Rock Creek, this little guy popped out and I almost ran him over. I managed to get stopped and enough sounds to get him to stop climbing and turn around. I assume a black but the ears are maybe too round? Any experts out there?
[URL="http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/mtndog_photos/magruder_lolo/largecammagruder_lolo126.jpg[/IMG[/IMG"]http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/mtndog_photos/magruder_lolo/largecammagruder_lolo126.jpg[/IMG[/IMG[/URL]]

In return, Lolo took me only one day and was pretty much all dirt and shall I dare say a bit boring - the western half is mostly under canopy with very few views as compared to the other trails. In hindsight, I should have turned north at Cayuse Junction up Tobaggan Ridge (Rd 581) and into the Kelly Creek area and follow the north fork Clearwater river out.
[IMG][IMG][URL="http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/mtndog_photos/magruder_lolo/smallcammagruder_lolo102.jpg[/IMG[/IMG"]http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/mtndog_photos/magruder_lolo/smallcammagruder_lolo102.jpg[/IMG[/IMG[/URL]]
[IMG][IMG][URL="http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/mtndog_photos/magruder_lolo/smallcammagruder_lolo100.jpg[/IMG"]http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/mtndog_photos/magruder_lolo/smallcammagruder_lolo100.jpg[/IMG[/URL]]

Overall, the Taco/Finch handled perfectly with no problems nor complaints. Never needed 4wd for traction but I did use 4lo for some of the descents along Magruder to save brakes.

Funny thing, I was about 5 miles in on Magruder when two Grandby's were heading towards me. Turns out it was Sean D., a FWC dealer from Wisconsin, and his buddy (forgot name) behind him who has been travelling/living in his FWC for the last year and still has a second year to go. Talk about hardcore. Great to see those guys.

Todd

 

[craig333]

Great pics. Hope I can get up there some day.

 

[LAWNMOWERMAN]

Back in 2006 I went from Shoup,Id to Horse Creek Hotsprings to Red River Hotsprings to Elk City.Id on the Magruder road.That was alot of dirt road!I have posted a couple of pictures-Horse Creek Hotsprings and a section of the road and fire damage

 

[K6ON]

Thanks For Pics

Hey MTNDOG, great pictures, thanks for posting..
Couldn't help noticing the Diamond dual-band antenna... Do you do any HF
from the truck?? Callsign??