A much better ride today than yesterday, even though a bit longer. A gentle climb all day with some ups and downs. The Clearwater River valley morphed through the day from forest, back to drier high desert, and back to forest. As we moved upstream more and more rapids came into view. Class 2? Bird life was abundant, kingfisher, merganser, osprey and eagle.
Traffic thinned out considerably upstream of Kamiah. Except for one insolent truck driver all was good. We met a couple of other cross-country bikers, one of whom (Mike) is generally following my route so maybe we will link up again. Mike, started in Portland, OR.
Lot’s of historical markers regarding Lewis & Clark.
Pictures below as we moved upstream.
Our destination Three River Resort (cabins and campsites) where the Selway and Lochsa Rivers join to form the Clearwater River. We struck up a conversation with Idaho Fish & Game personnel at the entrance. They were removing a broken fish counting trap. We talked for a bit and the conversation moved to sockey salmon, which tend to wander and not necessarily return to the river of birth. Some of you may remember the alarm regarding “Lonesome Larry” – the only sockey to return to Redfish Lake (in the Sawtooth Mtns) several years back. Larry was whisked away to a secret location (under armed guard?) and females brought in from downstream. Upshot – the sockeye are now again returning to Redfish Lake.
All-in-all a perhaps our best day yet. The temp was ideal, the ride not too difficult, traffic getting less and beautiful scenery. Movie clip below.
Clearwater River - video link
Three Rivers Resort - our cabin on the right.
Thank you to all those that have contributed to the fund raising for the Granite Falls food bank! I received an update today that the $6,000 goal has been achieved, so long as I finish the trip. I’ll keep pedaling, hopefully the donations will keep coming in. Let’s blow past the goal, and hit it out of the park.
https://pledgeit.org/ride4granite
By the numbers:
Dist - 54.8 miles
Elev Gain - 1,238 ft
Elev Loss - 656 feet
Moving Time 6:20
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