Yellowstone to Stanley, ID

[desertvince]

Doing some trip planning and looking for comments/thoughts on a segment of the trip. Relevant information: Winnebago Journey 32T + toad. Leaving Yellowstone 2nd week of June (West entrance). Route is HY 20 south to Idaho Falls, further west on 20 to Craters of the Moon Nat'l Monument, then HY 75 north to Sanley (via Ketchem and Sun Valley). Any concerns about HY 75? The issue is probably upon leaving Stanley, east on 75 through Mountains to Chalis, ID??? Altitude gain, tight switchbacks? Is that a ? Thanks in advance.

[stuhly]

Traffic thru Hailey and Ketchum is goofy at best. After Ketchum you will start up hill over Galena Summit. Good road, some curves going up and down the. other side. Then it is down hill following the Salmon River to Challis.
The river road from Stanley on north has some sharp curves along the river
for some distance. Watch for animals and dummys walking and biking on two lane road.

[richardcoxid]

I live in Idaho Falls and go to the Stanley area a couple of times each year.
If you go the way you suggested you will have to go over Galena Summit (8990 ft). From Stanley to Challis you are going down stream on the Salmon River. On the down side of Galena (be careful when crossing the uphill traffic lane) there is a pullout with a spectacular view of the Sawtooth Mountain Range and the Stanley Basin. About 12 miles downstream from Stanley toward Challis be sure to stop at Sunbeam (at the turnout look at the remains of the only Dam that was ever built on the Salmon River), then go north on the Yankee Fork road to the old Dredge and the ghost town of Custer. May be this would be a “day” trip with your toad. From Custer you could drive the old toll road the back way into Challis and return by the highway.
The other way is to take #93 from Arco to Challis over Willow Creek Summit (7161 ft and not as curvy) then upstream from Challis to Stanley. Either way will be “OK”. I generally will go this way because I don’t like to drive the “tourist/resort” traffic from Bellevue to Ketchum/Sun Valley. On the other hand I will sometimes go one way and return the other way just for a change of scenery. You didn’t say where you are going next but maybe make a loop out of it.
I might add that about 4 miles s/w of Challis on #93 there is a turn (left) off to Challis Hot Springs and Campground which is about 4 more miles at the end of the road, a delightful small facility (24 camping sites I think) off the beaten path. The hot pools have gravel bottoms where the hot water seeps up through the gravel.
If you wish more information PM me.
Richard
May you have following seas and fair winds!

[skigramp]

I suggest you add "Mountain Directory West for Truckers, RV, and Motorhome Drivers" to your library ... this book describes the driving conditions that we care about on all state and US highways west of the Mississippi River.


It is available at Amazon.com or the publisher
R&R Publishing
P.O Box 941
Baldwin City, KS 66006

phone: 1-785-594-4054

[richardcoxid]

I forgot to add that you can save some miles if you take hwy # 33 west from Rexburg and join #20 a few miles before Arco.