Day 2 - Lewiston, ID to Helena, MT - 379 miles
Rise and shine!
First order of business was to drive the Old Spiral Highway north of Lewiston. I missed the turn off on my Wallowa trip 4 months ago.
Nice road - and it climbs and winds it's way up the hill past farms, vineyards and houses that have great views. The elevation gain is 550 meters.
Some friends got in the way
Made it
From the top you wind back down to the Clearwater River along Hwy 12 and head east. You then meander along the river for 170 miles of a spectacular winding road (but not too much) along the river and through the forest. There are really no services for the last 120 miles past Kooska.
It's this for virtually 100 miles. Few cars - just you, the road, the river and the trees.
There's a very nice Rest Area at the top of Lolo Pass.
The pass marks the border of Idaho and Montana and we headed for Missoula. Home of the Montana Grizzles
Missoula County Courthouse
We left Hwy 12 and headed up Hwy 200 into the mountains. Finally, new territory. After 80 miles we rejoined Hwy 12 and cruised over McDonald Pass on the last 40 miles into Helena, the capital of Montana.
Got some great fading light on the capital building.
Explored their old downtown, grabbed dinner and called it a day.