Devil's Tail Ride

[painman]

Well you've heard of the Dragon's Tail on the east coast, but this Devil's Tail on the Snake River on the way to WFO makes the Dragon look like kindergarten and looks very interesting. I haven't been there and the road from Homestead to the Dam is only 22 mi., (44 mi. round trip), my question is has anyone done this road from the Idaho side? ie, hwy 95, then hwy 71 (Cambridge) to Homestead, then to the dam and back?

I'll more than likely be on my own but this area looks too incredable to pass up! While physically I'm not sure how I'll be when I get to that area and if I consider it, it will depend on how I feel when I get to the turn-off. I would love to see the Snake river in that gorge. This is the lowest motorcycle road in the US, not to be confused with Death Valley. Devil's Canyon is 2000' lower than the Grand Canyon!

I know this is not one of the official routes/rides planned for WFO but anyone done this? Or offer up some cool lookouts?Teaser

 

[blufjr]

Well you've heard of the Dragon's Tail on the east coast, but this Devil's Tail on the Snake River on the way to WFO makes the Dragon look like kindergarten and looks very interesting. I haven't been there and the road from Homestead to the Dam is only 22 mi., (44 mi. round trip), my question is has anyone done this road from the Idaho side? ie, hwy 95, then hwy 71 (Cambridge) to Homestead, then to the dam and back?
I'll more than likely be on my own but this area looks too incredable to pass up! While physically I'm not sure how I'll be when I get to that area and if I consider it, it will depend on how I feel physically when I get to the turn-off. I would love to see the Snake river in that gorge. This is the lowest motorcycle road in the US, not to be confused with Death Valley. Devil's Canyon is 2000' lower than the Grand Canyon!

I know this is not one of the official routes/rides planned for WFO but anyone done this? Or offer up some cool lookouts?Teaser

I did the 23 miles into Hells Canyon Dam from Moscow and back for dinner at WFO-3. It was well worth the ride. I have done it twice since.

If you are coming up from the south, you should do the ride from Cambridge on 71, excellent series of 20 mph corners at Brownlee reservoir. After you finish the ride down to the Hells Canyon dam and back, cross over the river and head towards Halfway, but turn right on NF-39, Willowa Mountain Rd. and go to Enterprise (all paved two lane) then Hwy 3 toward Lewiston. This road will put you down and up a 20 mile section with around 180 corners called Rattle Snake Grade (Clicky). Once in Lewiston, you can climb up the grade on the North side of the river called Old Spiral Hwy. Then you just follow 95 to Moscow. From Cambridge to Moscow is about 250 miles and takes 6 hours +.

This is a must ride if you are in the area.

 

[painman]

Well you've heard of the Dragon's Tail on the east coast, but this Devil's Tail on the Snake River on the way to WFO makes the Dragon look like kindergarten and looks very interesting. I haven't been there and the road from Homestead to the Dam is only 22 mi., (44 mi. round trip), my question is has anyone done this road from the Idaho side? ie, hwy 95, then hwy 71 (Cambridge) to Homestead, then to the dam and back?
I'll more than likely be on my own but this area looks too incredable to pass up! While physically I'm not sure how I'll be when I get to that area and if I consider it, it will depend on how I feel when I get to the turn-off. I would love to see the Snake river in that gorge. This is the lowest motorcycle road in the US, not to be confused with Death Valley. Devil's Canyon is 2000' lower than the Grand Canyon!

I know this is not one of the official routes/rides planned for WFO but anyone done this? Or offer up some cool lookouts?Teaser

I did the 23 miles into Hells Canyon Dam from Moscow and back for dinner at WFO-3. It was well worth the ride. I have done it twice since.

If you are coming up from the south, you should do the ride from Cambridge on 71, excellent series of 20 mph corners at Brownlee reservoir. After you finish the ride down to the Hells Canyon dam and back, cross over the river and head towards Halfway, but turn right on NF-39, Willowa Mountain Rd. and go to Enterprise (all paved two lane) then Hwy 3 toward Lewiston. This road will put you down and up a 20 mile section with around 180 corners called Rattle Snake Grade (Clicky). Once in Lewiston, you can climb up the grade on the North side of the river called Old Spiral Hwy. Then you just follow 95 to Moscow. From Cambridge to Moscow is about 250 miles and takes 6 hours +.

This is a must ride if you are in the area.

Thanks blufjr, this is the kind of info in which I was seeking. I really didn't want to transverse any gravel or secondary dirt roads while on the FJ so thanks for pointing out the paved part. I love the area up there but only have got to see it basically through the windshield of an 18 wheeler for only a few months in the early 90's. I use to work for a large trucking company out of Spokane doing flatbed work. The only real excitement was I once almost lost my brakes coming down hwy 3, I believe near the Potlatch river. Can you say 8.5% grade for the next 8 miles weighing 80,000lbs.?

I just wish I could have more time to really explore the beautiful riding you guys in WA, OR and ID are blessed with. Some say CA is the place to ride, IMO were in second to third place. Look forward to whatever riding I can get in and especially looking forward to meeting the great folks from the forum who will be at WFO. Thanks again, PM. <>< :yahoo:

 

[bikerskier]

Blufjr is right! This is an awesome route and in my top 6 or 7 rides. You will re live it many times and want to do it again.

 

[MCRIDER007]

Great ride! You can now cross the Hells Canyon Dam to the Oregon side and there is a small visitors center about 2 miles down river...and be aware that it gets extremely hot in the afternoon at Hells Canyon during the summer. Try to get there in the morning to avoid the heat and very slippery tar snakes.

 

[jzzmusician]

+1 to Bluefjr's advice. I did that ride last year. The ride and scenery were spectacular!

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Great ride! <snip>...and be aware that it gets extremely hot in the afternoon at Hells Canyon during the summer. Try to get there in the morning to avoid the heat and very slippery tar snakes.

I concur. And.., when S.O. & I rode thru there, years ago, I distinctly remember seeing her rear wheel slide-out as she accellerated thru a curve on that road in the canyon. She handled it well and there was no drama (for her) -- but, it scared the heck out of me. It may be more than tar snakes -- maybe the actual material used in that macadam..?

I did especially enjoy the ride on OR 86 thru Halfway -- that was a very memorable ride thru beautiful open country. No traffic, great views -- fine sport-touring (IMO).

 

[painman]

Thanks for the input guys. This is definitely on my to-do list. Days are getting closer as we speak......PM. <>< :yahoo:

 

[HaulinAshe]

Question for all...

If you had to choose, would you run through Sawtooth coming from the southeast, or beat feet to Oxbow and do Devil's Tail?

I already have a loooong day on that stretch and it looks like there's no reasonable way to accomplish both.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Question for all...If you had to choose, would you run through Sawtooth coming from the southeast, or beat feet to Oxbow and do Devil's Tail?

I already have a loooong day on that stretch and it looks like there's no reasonable way to accomplish both.

No joy -- when an answer opens more doors....

I see, according to the map, you've omitted riding up the very nice ID 55, along the Payette R., north thru Cascade and McCall -- a very nice ride that rolls up and down and around the cascading river.

By "would you run through Sawtooth coming from the southeast" -- do you mean going thru Ketchum and Stanley v/s the route you have hi-lited? Or something else?

 

[MCRIDER007]

Question for all...
If you had to choose, would you run through Sawtooth coming from the southeast, or beat feet to Oxbow and do Devil's Tail?

I already have a loooong day on that stretch and it looks like there's no reasonable way to accomplish both.

Is all of that a one day ride? If it is, I would skip most of the part that is in eastern Washington. Not much to see except wheatfields and wastelands and roads are pretty straight. Highway 95 to Lewiston is a pretty good road but not as good as Highway 12 (past Orofino) or FR39 from Highway 86 to Enterprise. Going over the Sawtooths to Stanley and then west to Lowman and Banks is very good.

 

[FJRay]

Question for all...
If you had to choose, would you run through Sawtooth coming from the southeast, or beat feet to Oxbow and do Devil's Tail?

I already have a loooong day on that stretch and it looks like there's no reasonable way to accomplish both.

Is all of that a one day ride? If it is, I would skip most of the part that is in eastern Washington. Not much to see except wheatfields and wastelands and roads are pretty straight. Highway 95 to Lewiston is a pretty good road but not as good as Highway 12 (past Orofino) or FR39 from Highway 86 to Enterprise. Going over the Sawtooths to Stanley and then west to Lowman and Banks is very good.

+1. The road from Ketchum through Stanley and across through Lowman and Banks is one of the best in Idaho. North from Banks through McCall to 95 and south to 71 at Cambridge gets you to Hells Canyon and on to Enterprise where you can go north to the Rattle Snake grade and then the Spiral Hwy out of Lewiston. Good fun.

 

[HaulinAshe]

Is all of that a one day ride?

Coming up from Salt Lake City, my overnight stay is at Point-39 in Salmon Rapids.

Then the next night is Grand Coulee WA, Point-49.

 

[blufjr]

Question for all...
If you had to choose, would you run through Sawtooth coming from the southeast, or beat feet to Oxbow and do Devil's Tail?

I already have a loooong day on that stretch and it looks like there's no reasonable way to accomplish both.

Is all of that a one day ride? If it is, I would skip most of the part that is in eastern Washington. Not much to see except wheatfields and wastelands and roads are pretty straight. Highway 95 to Lewiston is a pretty good road but not as good as Highway 12 (past Orofino) or FR39 from Highway 86 to Enterprise. Going over the Sawtooths to Stanley and then west to Lowman and Banks is very good.

+1. The road from Ketchum through Stanley and across through Lowman and Banks is one of the best in Idaho. North from Banks through McCall to 95 and south to 71 at Cambridge gets you to Hells Canyon and on to Enterprise where you can go north to the Rattle Snake grade and then the Spiral Hwy out of Lewiston. Good fun.

Ditto what FJRay says. The ride from Lowman to Idaho City is one of my favorites but it takes you out of the way from going more directly over to Hwy 55 on the Banks Lowman Rd. which isn't quite as tight but fabulous none thee less.

 

[HaulinAshe]

(...) Highway 95 to Lewiston is a pretty good road but not as good as Highway 12 (past Orofino) or FR39 from Highway 86 to Enterprise. Going over the Sawtooths to Stanley and then west to Lowman and Banks is very good.

Not sure if I can swing far enough north-northeast to pickup 12 through Orofino. Time may not permit.

My maps show NF-39 from Hwy-86 over to Enterprise. Is it paved all the way?

 

[MCRIDER007]

Is all of that a one day ride?

Coming up from Salt Lake City, my overnight stay is at Point-39 in Salmon Rapids.

Then the next night is Grand Coulee WA, Point-49.

If it was my trip I would head north at Twin Falls to Stanley, west to Lowman and Banks, north to New Meadows and then south SW to Cambridge and spend the night there (a couple of motels and at least one RV/campground with hot springs). The next day I would go to Hells Canyon Dam, backtrack to Highway 86, take NF39 to Enterprise (yes, it is paved all the way), and then go north on Highway 3 to Clarkston. Still an easy ride to Grand Coulee if you want to enjoy the eastern Washington desert and heat.

 

[blufjr]

Is all of that a one day ride?

Coming up from Salt Lake City, my overnight stay is at Point-39 in Salmon Rapids.

Then the next night is Grand Coulee WA, Point-49.

Haulin,

You mean Riggins at point 39?

I agree with MCRIDER007 about skipping all the SW Washington stuff. Do the Stanley to Lowman, the cut across to Hwy 55 and turn towards McCall then turn south on 95 to Cambridge and spend the night there. I have stayed at the Hunters Inn a number of times and the rates are okay and rooms are clean and good. Gas across the street at the Sinclair Stn. In the morning head out on Hwy 71 to Oxbow.

 

[Niehart]

And Jeff, just when ya thought you had it all mapped out .. :lol:

 

[HaulinAshe]

And Jeff, just when ya thought you had it all mapped out .. :lol:

One thing for sure, it's much easier to revise it now, than to change hotels and everything the day before.



Is this what everyone is suggesting?

Overnight stay is now in Cambridge.