Highway 12 and Wilderness Gateway

HIGHWAY 12

My journey along Highway 12 began in Kooskia, ID, and ended at Lolo Pass, MT. It is world famous. Especially for this sign:

It follows almost exactly the Lochsa River and thus has a spectacular view for just about the entire journey. It also has historic markers referencing the indigenous people who lived there and the beginning of the white incursion with the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805. The result of the reports that Lewis and Clark brought back were white fur trappers, followed later by white gold miners and then white settlers. 

At one of the historic markers, I was invited to drive along the “Lolo Motorway” that approximates Lewis and Clark’s path more closely than does Highway 12. But the sign also read as follows, so that was a hard “no” for me and the van.

And here is beautiful Lochsa River from the drive along Highway 12.

LONG WEEKEND IN WILDERNESS GATEWAY

As mentioned in an earlier post, a few of my parkup plans have been less planned than is my norm. I am a planner! You should see the maps and calendars and folders of reservation confirmations I have, just for the first three weeks of this trip! But I have learned to plan for spontaneity: to leave some room to change my mind, go a different route, stay at a place longer, or leave sooner. 

For my long 4th of July weekend, I did not have a campsite reserved, but on Friday the 1st, I headed directly to a campground that sounded promising: Wilderness Gateway. I was so happy with the spot I found that I paid for all 3 nights there and put up my little note on the post that says I paid and it’s mine, and then waited to get kicked out, thinking I could not have gotten this lucky to find such a great spot. I don’t know what that says about my ability to be spontaneous. I truly did not leave that spot the whole weekend. I hiked from trailheads right there at the campground (there are a lot, though, to be fair). Here are some photos of the delightful stay at Wilderness Gateway.

MISSOULA AND ONWARD TO GLACIER

I am now wrapping up a shortened work week from an AirBnB in Missoula. Richard arrives tomorrow and we will spend a weeklong vacation (vacation!!) at Glacier National Park. I don’t expect to post anything until after we return. I am hoping for hikes with views (not too long and not too steep, please!), bear sightings (from the perfect distance to take a photo but not have to run away), and good company, which is especially welcome after these weeks of traveling alone.

Onward to what’s NEXT!