Idaho Highway 12 (Lewiston, Kamiah: construction, gas, rating)

[pw72]

I have occasion to travel Idaho Highway 12 from Lolo Pass to Lewiston about once a year. Usually, it is a difficult, (curves for the next 99 miles is one sign that still stands), drive that I don't look forward to.

However, this past weekend I drove it and was amazed how smooth and easy the drive was. Part of my delight was a one-lane stretch with a construction stop on the Montana side. This was actually a blessing in disguise as I was the first in line so had virtually no traffic ahead of me when GO time occurred. Imagine a beautiful mountain/river drive with no traffic! Plus, they had just finished the repaving, so the road was smooth and comfortable.

My point here is that sometimes when the roadway God's come together, it can bring immense pleasure. Kudos to ITD for a nice repaving job...(I'm sure there are many who were caught in the fray earlier this summer). But when you hit a beautiful stretch of highway, just finished, with hardly any traffic, it reminds you how roads can inspire us.

[Haakon]

On the map that looks like a beautiful drive, of course there isn't any traffic on the map. What do you think is the best time of year to make that trip? I bet the snows last a long time up there.

[pw72]

Originally Posted by Haakon

On the map that looks like a beautiful drive, of course there isn't any traffic on the map. What do you think is the best time of year to make that trip? I bet the snows last a long time up there.

Definitely fall. And yes, it can be a nightmare during snowstorms.

[Keim]

One of my favorite drives around here. Not usually much traffic on it. Especially east of Kamiah to the MT border. But:
1. I simply don't take it if there is much snow on the ground.
2. Since it is two lanes it is a real b... if you get stuck behind a slow car. Not many good passing spots.

Interesting to think about the 200 megaload trucks the gas companies are proposing use that road over the next few years.

[aelwero]

I actually enjoy all of those roads... the trick to enjoying em isn't trying to avoid getting stuck behind the slow guy, the trick is to BE the slow guy

[KTMMan]

I drove alot of Idaho backroads this summer and their was construction at one place or another on virtually all of them. The upside to this is all were in great shape, We didn't have to wait more than 15 minutes anywhere and all the flagmen/women spoke ENGLISH

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by Keim

One of my favorite drives around here. Not usually much traffic on it. Especially east of Kamiah to the MT border. But:
1. I simply don't take it if there is much snow on the ground.
2. Since it is two lanes it is a real b... if you get stuck behind a slow car. Not many good passing spots.

Interesting to think about the 200 megaload trucks the gas companies are proposing use that road over the next few years.

Keim, there's been a lot of development on that story, about the megaload trucks along the Lochsa (and 12 runs along the Lochsa); the locals are fighting for all they're worth, trying to have the trucks stopped.

Edited: I tried to put in three links to the Spokesman-Review articles from August, but all of them were dead. I'll try to find something recent about the story; the upshot was that because of local protests, the situation was being reconsidered.

[IdahoMormon]

I love that drive in the Spring. There are some absolutely beautiful mountain scenes. Lots of wildlife. Don't do it at night if you can help it.

[rxpwas]

The road betweeen Lolo Hot Springs and Kamiah, Idaho, is absolutely one of the most beautiful drives I have ever been on, rating up there with Banff/Jasper Parks in Canada, Beartooth Pass Road in Montana, the Blue Ridge Parkway (and Skyline Drive) in Va. and N.C., U.S. 441 between Gatlinburg, Tn. and Cherokee, NC., and U.S. 1 from Key Largo to Key West, Florida.

[shades_of_idaho]

OH that really is a lovely drive. We would always pack a picnic lunch and pull off some where along the way and enjoy the area. Once we were traveling there and there were thousands of butterflies migrating. Was amazing site.

Joe just went that was to get that side by side in Montana. Said the roads were great. He was stuck in construction earlier when he went that way to get his snowmobile. Sheese this man needs to stay out of Montana. They have all the good toys. Hehehehe

Chris