I'm riding to Canada with some friends this summer. They're planning on heading up I-15 to Butte, then west to Missoula and up to Columbia Falls.

I'm thinking about ditching them in Idaho Falls and taking 93 through Challis, Salmon, Hamilton, MT and meeting up with them either in Missoula (where I must stop at the Big Dipper for an ice cream cone) or that night in Columbia Falls.

Anybody have thoughts about the relative merits of those two rides?

 

That sounds like a excellent detour. Got a friend that talks about seeing the old dredge up around Chalis, but not sure if the road is paved or exactly where it's at but I'll find out if you'd like to do some sightseeing there. He said it's pretty cool if your into that type of stuff. Let me know
I haven't been to a Big Dipper in years, that and the Tasty Freeze, but well worth the stop for that!

 

Your friends are making a big mistake if they don't ditch the interstate and ride 93 with you.

 

I've done both routes multiple times. If you're in a hurry and time is critical then stay on I15; if time is not critical then take 93 - beautiful road/ride. You won't regret it.

 

93 is fantastic, but it would be a shame to ride right past the Lolo Mountain Pass on 12 between Missoula, MT and Kooskia, ID. IMO, the Lolo Pass is the most amazing road in that whole area.

 

Thanks for the responses. Time is NOT critical. We just want to be to Columbia Falls by nighfall. The Highway 93 route is 500 miles from Idaho Falls, only about 70 miles further than the interstate route. It will be a long day, but it sounds like it will be worth it.

My friends are most likely spending the nigth in Dillon, MT. I have a place to stay and people to visit in Idaho Falls, so I'm going to spend the night there. Rather than try to catch up with them, I think I'll take the scenic route and see them when I get to Columbia Falls.

I'd love to do Highway 12, but I don't see how I can fit it into this trip. We rode that in '09 and I loved it. One of my favorite roads for sure.

 

I live in Eureka (up on the border), the wife and I decided to follow Hwy. 93 down to Challis and then ride back the next day. Beautiful ride along the Salmon River and over the mountains. Time is no issue, well worth it.
Watch for the sheep, we came around this long sweeping curve do'n 70 and was by them before I knew it..

 

My friend's son was in Eureka last fall and winter on church mission. He loved that place and the people who live there. Thanks for your thoughts about the trip. I'm pretty sure I'm going that way.

 

Note:
Once you pass the town of Salmon and start to climb up to Lost Trail Pass, you can take Hwy. 43 to the Big Hole Battlefield. Its an interesting side trip you might enjoy, its only 17 miles to see a bit of history...
Enjoy your ride !!

 

OK, so I've convinced my friends to join me on Hwy 93, at least from Lost Trail Pass. Most of them will still be spending the night in Dillon, MT and coming up the 278/43 and meeting us at the pass.

My in-laws will be joining my daughter and me to spend the night in Idaho Falls. Our plan is to head to Salmon via 28, then up 93 to Lost Trail Pass and on to Missoula and Columbia Falls. That gives us about a 430 mile day, which I think will be about all my MIL is going to want (and probably a little more).

My question is whether it's worthwhile to take Hwy 20 west from Idaho Falls, heading through Arco, picking up 93 and heading north through Challis. That adds about 50 miles to the day. I've heard that from Challis to Salmon is fantastic, and that from Idaho Falls to Arco is pretty bad. Anybody care to compare 28 to Salmon vs. 20/93?