The Great R'Idaho Trail #2
Northern Loop - Route Description
Stage 2: Pierce to Powell
Distance in Miles
Miles of Trail
Minimum Elevation in Ft
Maximum Elevation in Ft
Interactive Maps To See Detailed Route.
(Full Screen) Download GRIT2-NoLoop Tracks
Legend
- Navy Blue: Designated motorcycle trails or notably tougher ATV trails
- Green: Designated ATV trails or just too easy motorcycle trails
- Red: Advanced Difficulty Trails
- Magenta: Roads. Dirt Road most often, but occasionally paved.
- Light Blue: Easier Bypass Detours or optional side-trips. Only the first section of a detour is color coded when the route splits.
- Black: Special Test Detours. Only the first section of a detour is color coded when the route splits.
This stage takes us to the gorgeous Lochsa Lodge near the Powell ranger station with lots of long single track trails. We take roads out of Pierce to get to Dan Lee trail to the top of Hemlock Butte Lookout. Take the roads on the main route, or take the special test trail combination loop to get us to the skinny sidehill Larche Butte trail and popular Weitas Creek Trail that ends at 12 miles saddle campsite for a lunch break. The next trail head is just north of the campsite but hard to see, so look at the waypoint to make it easier to find the star quality Windy Ridge Trail. Then the main route turns right onto Windy Bill and up over the long narrow Junction Mountain single track. But this main route can be long and tiring for some, so we also offer the Cook Mt (light blue) option for those that seek the more intermediate route. Both Junction Mountain and Cook Mountain are only open after Aug 1 so if you are earlier then this, you have to take the Scurvy Mt option. All options end with dirt roads to the Lochsa River. Get your reservations early at the popular Lochsa Lodge cabins due to high summer demand or camp at the nearby campgrounds.
