Trip to White Clouds Mountains of Idaho and the McKenzie river in Oregon

[ridenorcal]

Hi all,
I have enjoyed reading lots of your posts here and so I thought I would share a few photos from my last little trip to Idaho and Oregon.
I've owned different camping rigs over the last 10 years, but this last spring took delivery of a new Eagle Shell model (with propane heater and stove added) and put it on a Tacoma. I love it! Simple, agile and allows me to get just about anywhere.
I take it on mountain biking trips all over the west. Alaska is in the future (I drove up there with the family in 2012, but want to go back and explore more now that I have the 4 wheel drive).
Honestly there are so many trips I want to do, the trick is just finding the time...
Anyway, here are a few pics - hope you enjoy.

 

[ski3pin]

Where at in the White Cloud Peaks? One of our favorite places.

 

[ridenorcal]

More photos

 

[ridenorcal]

Last few pics

 

[ridenorcal]

Camping near Castle Peak. Just south of Stanley - about 10 miles into the white clouds on the east side of 75.
Was pretty smoky from the eastern Oregon fires so left after a few days and went over into the Cascades.

 

[Smokecreek1]

Interesting country, nice trip and hope you have allot more!

Smoke

 

[Ronanmd1]

Those are some great pics. Thanks for sharing

 

[ski3pin]

Yup, recognized Castle Peak immediately. There are many special places in the White Clouds. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Enjoyed the photos. Thanks.
Your Taco looks good with the camper.
Frank

 

[longhorn1]

Nice. Thanks for sharing. jd

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Wander The West mobile app

 

[kmcintyre]

I'm not sure when you took those photo's, but that area is now a designated wilderness (about a month ago) and the picture with your mtn bike is now, not allowed. Hopefully you went before the wilderness was declared (and if not) as that trail is closed to mtn bikes now. I bet it was a hoot coming down (we were just there before the fires all started).

 

[Mic]

Nice photo's!!! I am headed over that way sometime next week...no place chosen yet...fires will dictate camping spots I guess!!!

 

[ridenorcal]

It is true that portions of the White Clouds have been designated wilderness (as of beginning of August). The forest service in the area is still in "educational mode" and no signs or proper designations have been posted, but they are coming.
So next year you can still legally bring up to 20 pack animals down these small trails to graze and poop all they want - but if you have a 2 inch wide wheel (less wide than a hiking boot) that is human powered you'll get a ticket. Government land use polices...

Mic - In terms of dispersed camping - there are just so many choices it's amazing. I camped up near Galena Pass, one night on Pole Creek and then did some camping down near Ketchum also.
Coming from California it's just amazing to see all the options! That is one of the most beautiful parts of the county for sure. Have a great time!

 

[kmcintyre]

Just to let you know, I had a conversation with people in the "know" and signs are up now about mtn biking. I agree that bikes do less damage than pack animals and I think that stems from the original wilderness bill and when it was enacted; there were no mtn bikes then so things could change. Given how long it took to get the White Clouds Wilderness designation though, I doubt it'll change anytime soon. The only advantage I see for pack animals is that they can carry equipment, supplies, etc. to maintain the trails, but they do a lot of damage (albeit not as much as motorcycles which couldn't go into the area already but they could skirt around it).

 

[jackattack]

It's too bad the White Clouds Wilderness land grab didn't get national attention until the 11th hour, especially with the National Monument designation hot on it's heels. I'm glad you got to experience it by bike before it got closed to access. Great pictures.