June 26, 2020
Day 13: Idaho City to Lucky Peak State Park (end)
We awoke today to what would be our final day on the trail. What an extraordinary route this has turned out to be. Challenging, yes, but oh so rewarding. Central Idaho is a special place, a place I will not soon forget.
We intentionally set our alarm to wake up at 6:30am, which would allow us to get an early start on the climb up and over into the Boise River Valley. The morning was cool, but quickly heated up as we pedaled up the pass. We were pleased to find that the switchbacks were not nearly as steep as in previous climbs, and that the grade was relatively consistent from the base to the summit. However, the final few miles of the road had been recently cut by a road grader and were thus extraordinarily rocky. As a result, we found ourselves walking our bikes up in order to actually make forward progress.
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Once at the summit, we were greeted by fields of wildflowers and throngs of butterflies and bees. The view was endless. However, with the sun beating down on us, we also hoped to get back down into the shade of some trees, so we took a quick break before heading down the 3,000ft descent.
This descent was, without a doubt, the hardest of the trip. The road was washed out in multiple places, and sandy in others. We thus found ourselves slipping and sliding as we rocketed off the mountainside. Adding to this were the countless little fiestas of butterflies, bees, and flies, all of which would flutter upward and directly into our path, making it hard to see at times. The road was so rutted, in fact, that Caleb and I both fell within two miles of one another, each becoming a little more bruised and shaken in the process. We hadn't fallen at all previous to this descent. Luckily none of our injuries were too severe, and we were able to continue on, little worse for wear.
After what felt like an endless descent, we rolled in together to the intersection with the Boise River, which had passed through not 12 days previous. We gave one another celebratory high-fives for completing the full loop, and continued on.
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It was remarkable to see how much the road from this intersection back to Lucky Peak Reservoir had changed since we had last passed through. The valley that used to be green and lush was now parched, and the road dusty and severely washboarded. We both remarked how grateful we were to have completed the route when we did, as it was now searing out and the road condition was pretty disheartening.
After 14 miles of jostling and coughing, we made it back to the state park, where we indulged in ice cream bars and electrolyte drinks while awaiting the arrival of my cousins. We were both exhausted, but each held that same sparkle of joy in finishing a truly wonderful bikepacking route.
I will have more to reflect on and share once I've been able to fully process our trip and rest up a bit. For now, though, we celebrate together. Thank you all for joining us on this fabulous, mountainous, breathtaking, wet, bumpy, thrilling, itchy, and introspective journey.
Today's ride: 43 miles (69 km)
Total: 582 miles (937 km)
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4 years ago
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4 years ago
Great pictures Well done both of you.
4 years ago
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