Distance: 95 avg: 12.6
Idaho gave us a chance to really work on some technical high-speed turns. The 13 heading out of Grangeville has some intense downhill winding roads. No traffic meant we could really corner and get strategic.
After our ‘free’ miles and a ton of rest we felt we could really go the distance today. We decided to push all the way to a hot spring we’d heard about. We got a tip that it was around milepost 142 and that it wasn’t marked. It was a 95 mile trip but the thought of relaxing in a hot spring afterwards was too tempting.
The trip up was truly stunning. Idaho is beautiful and undisturbed. It was mile after mile of clear rivers and beautiful pines.
The long ride started wearing on us, but we made it to the turnout. It was late so we made camp fast then took off to find the hot spring. We hike over a ‘trail’: around snow, around fallen trees, across rivers on fallen trees, and over practically vertical hills. Short but adventurous. Finally we make it to a rocky outcropping, steaming off the side of a hill. We jumped in. After 95 miles there’s nothing better! The view of the forest was just as relaxing.
We hiked back in the dark, as if it wasn’t adventurous enough! A quick dinner later and straight to bed. This will be a day to remember!
