77 K20
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2012
- Posts
- 3,076
- Reaction score
- 3,051
- Location
- Montana
- First Name
- Mike
- Truck Year
- 1977
- Truck Model
- K20 5" lift
- Engine Size
- HT383 fuel injected
I don't have access to all my pics I took on this trip yet, but still thought I'd start a thread on what I did last weekend.
My trip ended up taking me 760 miles and the main purpose was to drive the Magruder Corridor road which goes from Idaho to Montana and goes between 2 very large wilderness areas. In fact the one wilderness area itself is the 2nd largest expanse of wilderness in the US. #1 is Death Valley. When I first heard about the road years ago some called it "the wildest road in the lower 48 states." The 117 mile long is a single lane for most of it and enables a traveler to drive between two wildernesses: the 1.2 million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness to the north, and the 2.3-million-acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness to the South. The road itself has changed little since its construction by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s.
They say the average speed for driving this road is between 10-15 miles an hour. I agree. Way too bumpy, too steep, too many switch backs, blind corners... to go any faster.
The main part of the road I wanted to go on was a little off shoot road that goes up to Burnt Knob lookout. This cabin was built in 1930.
I'd heard the road was rated a 2.5 in some places. The road was the bounciest drive I have ever been on. For 1.5 miles in, I was thrown about like a rag doll in my cab. Once I got up to the top my neck and stomach were sore. The road had a lot of erosion, was very narrow, and was often over boulders and exposed rock. Basically imagine yourself driving over 1.5 miles of curbs while going up a very steep hill. Once on top there was a little parking area, and a great 360* view.
The trip down was worse than coming up. In 2 wheel drive low (needed to be able to steer) and in 1st gear was way too fast. Had to ride the brakes most of the way down. Luckily I didn't meet anyone coming up at the same time. In fact in the 2 day trip I only saw 6 other people the whole time. 4 motor cycles, and 2 four wheelers.
My trip ended up taking me 760 miles and the main purpose was to drive the Magruder Corridor road which goes from Idaho to Montana and goes between 2 very large wilderness areas. In fact the one wilderness area itself is the 2nd largest expanse of wilderness in the US. #1 is Death Valley. When I first heard about the road years ago some called it "the wildest road in the lower 48 states." The 117 mile long is a single lane for most of it and enables a traveler to drive between two wildernesses: the 1.2 million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness to the north, and the 2.3-million-acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness to the South. The road itself has changed little since its construction by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s.
They say the average speed for driving this road is between 10-15 miles an hour. I agree. Way too bumpy, too steep, too many switch backs, blind corners... to go any faster.
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The main part of the road I wanted to go on was a little off shoot road that goes up to Burnt Knob lookout. This cabin was built in 1930.
You must be registered for see images attach
I'd heard the road was rated a 2.5 in some places. The road was the bounciest drive I have ever been on. For 1.5 miles in, I was thrown about like a rag doll in my cab. Once I got up to the top my neck and stomach were sore. The road had a lot of erosion, was very narrow, and was often over boulders and exposed rock. Basically imagine yourself driving over 1.5 miles of curbs while going up a very steep hill. Once on top there was a little parking area, and a great 360* view.
You must be registered for see images attach
The trip down was worse than coming up. In 2 wheel drive low (needed to be able to steer) and in 1st gear was way too fast. Had to ride the brakes most of the way down. Luckily I didn't meet anyone coming up at the same time. In fact in the 2 day trip I only saw 6 other people the whole time. 4 motor cycles, and 2 four wheelers.
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