jmac
Casa Grande, AZ
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Anyone take this route up thru McCall, New meadows where it hooks back into 95, north to Coeur d lene?? How narrow does it get thru there, big MoHO okay???
thanks
jmac
Jerry & Judy McDonald
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donn0128
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Guess no one has traveled that road recently. From my understand it is a fairly common route from Boise to McCall, but I have always gone west on I84 and connected with hwy95 north. I will tell you though that there are several pretty good climbs on 95. First one is out Fruitvale, next is out of White Bird and the last one is out of Lewiston. All will tax your pulling power. And don't plan to be in any sort of hurry on 95. It is slow, twisty in places.
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RCMAN46
NorthWest
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Both White Bird and Lewiston are in fact a good pull. Both have 7% grades. White Bird has 8 miles of steep grade and Lewiston is 6 miles. Both are multilane roads so you will not have to worry about holding up anyone behind you. Both are north of where 55 comes back to 95.
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ramblemutt
Mountains of Utah-7000'
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Other posters right on. Lots of RVs take this route..no worries. Not sure when you plan to go. If in late summer, plan on HOT down along the river.
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paulj
Seattle
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Since McCall is higher than New Meadows, the climb on 55 will be somewhat more than on 95. There is a winding section where it follows a scenic river south of Cascade. There is also a short winding climb where it climbs below the Cascade dam (the town level) to reservoir level. Otherwise there are major flat and straight stretches. The drop from McCall to New Meadows may be the narrowest section, though I'm sure it is all regulation 2 lane. Also it isn't that long.
The drop on 95 to Riggings (Snake River level) is gradual. The climb back up to plateau level between White Bird and La Grange is significant, but relatively new. I haven't driven it myself, since I took to the old route down that hill past the Battlefield trailhead. The old route winds a lot more, but may actually have a gentler grade.
Basically on this drive, McCall is the highest point, while Boise, Riggins to White Bird, and Lewiston are all at the Snake River level, with Lewiston being the lowest point in Idaho. And once in Lewiston you have to climb back up to plateau level. Here too I've driven the old snaking route, but not the main one.
I think all of the route is visible on Google Maps streetview. Google maps terrain mode also shows contour lines if you zoom in far enough. Idaho DOT also has web cams at a number of points along this route.
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Bucky44
Henderson,NV.
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Paulj is right on!!BUCKY
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B. BOOMER
lost somewhere in america
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An option out of Lewiston is to take 195 north through Washington and then cut back over at Pullman-Moscow. Longer but quicker.
However at the top of the "old" Lewiston grade off 95 is a terrific viewpoint. If it's not too crowded there would be enough room for you to stop. The OLD grade is REALLY twisty!!
http://www.milebymile.com/main/United_St........tates_Idaho_road_map_travel_guides.html
* This post was
edited 05/09/09 11:44pm by B. BOOMER *
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wasjemek
Washington
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paulj covered it all well. It has been a few years since we towed up that way. We went to Boise and then traveled up to Cascade for a family reunion and then headed up 95 to Lewiston to head back home to Washington.
I can say we got lucky...as the fuel pump went out on the truck...we have no idea at what point. But the truck died when we slowed to cross the railroad tracks in Cascade.
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RCMAN46
NorthWest
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Sorry but paulj information is a little old. I believe White Bird and Lewiston hill were rebuilt almost 30 years ago. The new roads are very good with passing lanes the full distance. The hairpin curves are gone. The old roads back in the 60's were very steep and had some 180 degree hairpins. As for going around Lewiston hill you still have to climb almost 2000 ft somehow by the time you get to Moscow. I would take Lewiston hill as it is shorter and the road is very good.
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RCMAN46
NorthWest
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195 will not let you bypass Lewiston hill. 195 branches off of 95 at the top of Lewiston hill. If you want to bypass Lewiston Hill you would have to take 12 west and that would be a couple hunred miles longer and would bring you pack through Spokane. You still have to gain about 2000 feet of elevation by the time you get to Spokane.
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