McCall, ID

[gregsmith212]

My new bride and I are going to be traveling from McCall, ID to the Sacramento area. Any ideas on cool things to see along the way? We've got up to four days to make the trip home.

Greg

 

[Aldercrest]

I'd suggest a trip up the Steens Mountain Loop in SE Oregon. On the way, you'll pass through the Malheur Wildlife Refuge where you should see a lot of birds if your timing is right.

There are also some interesting posts about Pyramid Lake north of Reno somewhere on this forum. We have driven through the area but haven't camped, so maybe someone else here can provide some details.

 

[gregsmith212]

Thanks Aldercrest!

 

[daveb-SMB]

It might be slightly out of the way and I don't know how cold it is there right now but Craters Of The Moon? If you're from ID you've probably been there though.

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

And if you go by Craters of the Moon, be sure and stop at EBR-1 - the first nuclear reactor to produce commercial power. Now decomissioned and open for self guided tours.

Mike

 

[scatter-SMB]

Pyramid Lake is neat, but the good camping is (was) on the east side of the lake and the Indians have shut that off to overnight stays. Day use only. :a7:

 

[Ed in Montana]

I'm not sure what the winter has been like down at Craters of the Moon National Monument this season, but last year we stopped by on the way back from our Mojave Desert tour. It was the fourth week of March, and the park visitor center was open, but all the roads in the monument were still closed by snow. That chunk of lava covered country is a few hundred feet higher than the rest of the Snake River Plain and pulls down more winter precipitation it seems.

 

[jage]

I thought the Crystal Basin area was pretty neat. There are a lot of great campgrounds spread out around the lakes, some of which are free. Might be a good place for your last night.

 

[JIMAPAL]

If you go by the way of Malhuer NWR and Steen's Mountain, Oregon, there is a great camp ground (Page Springs) on the south end of Malhuer at the base of Steen's Mountain. Also check out the wild horses on the south side of Steen's.

 

[charlie56]

If you are going to take main highways, take 395. Once you get into California and the Sierra's , the mountain scenery is fantastic. You go from high desert to conifer forest. Tour the Gold country to the N.E of Sacramento. Grass Valley, Nevada City, etc.

If you have that much time are you planing for a backroad adventure?

 

[gregsmith212]

Thanks everyone, for the great ideas! We're actually making the road trip from western Colorado to McCall, ID via Moab, UT. I haven't seen Arches Natl. Park since I was a kid! After McCall, I think we'll take the Steens Mountain suggestion on the way back to Gold Country. Thanks for all the input. I never would have found that area on my own.

 

[saline]

Thanks everyone, for the great ideas! We're actually making the road trip from western Colorado to McCall, ID via Moab, UT. I haven't seen Arches Natl. Park since I was a kid! After McCall, I think we'll take the Steens Mountain suggestion on the way back to Gold Country. Thanks for all the input. I never would have found that area on my own.

If you are going through the GJ/Fruita Colorado way on I 70, make sure you take the drive through the Colorado National Monument. Then on your way to Moab take Hwy 128. Much more scenic route to Moab.

 

[gregsmith212]

We just got home, what a great trip! Thanks for all the travel tips and out of the way places. We posted a few pictures of random hot springs that we found along the way. Only in a SMB can you have a powder day and a hot spring night........ Thanks again.

 

[scatter-SMB]

Great photos and sounds like a super trip. You going to keep the locations of the hot springs secret??

 

[gregsmith212]

I'm out of town right now, but I can get you the gps numbers for the high desert hot springs in a few days. It's in the Jordan Valley off I95 in southern Oregon. I think around mile 178? We could only see three small lights on the horizon, other than that it was all ours. The spring with the granite was Crystal Hot springs just south of McCall Id., both worth stopping at. We made it to two other springs, but they were more commercial and not as photo worthy. Happy soaking!

 

[GregandBrooke]

My bad, mile marker 117 off of I95. Just north of McDermitt, NV.

 

[scatter-SMB]

Thanks for the info, I'll be heading up that way later this year and will have to make a stop!

Nothing like a desert soak, my sweetie, and a cool libation....

 

[gregsmith212]

Yep, worth the stop. Drop me a email gregsmith212@yahoo.com and I'll scan you the very verrrry detailed directions....... take dirt path on the right go 1.34 miles and look for a pipe sticking up in the sage turn left on the two track and go .34 ect...... have fun and don't mind the cow pies!

 

[Angel-SMB]

Are you talking about EASTERDAY (MC DERMITT) HOT SPRING in south east Oregon? My Hot Springs book has it south of milemarker 117 off US 95, etc. ...etc.. I have not been to that area yet. Or, is it one that is not in the book? I love those.

Angel