US Route 12 Lolo Pass

The Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the beginning of the trail across the Bitterroot Mountains in mid September 1805. Snow already covered the mountain tops but they had no choice but to continue because the pass wouldn't be clear of snow until the next summer. The 200 hundred mile trek took eleven days. They had to kill and eat several colts because there wasn't any game. The horses suffered from lack of forage and water and often fell and slid down the steep, rocky hills. This was the hardest part of the expedition's journey and they spent about a week with the Nez Perce tribe at Weippe Prairie recovering and resupplying.

The trail still exists as a primitive unpaved road built by the CCC in the 1930s - high clearance recommended. Fortunately Route 12, which follows the valley south of the Lolo Trail and winds along beside Lolo Creek and the Lochsa River, was completed in 1962 and is an easy and scenic route through the mountains. 

We drove west along Route 12 from Lolo, Montana to Kooskia, Idaho and made a few stops along the way. Our first stop was just across the Montana/ Idaho border at Lolo Pass Visitor Center. The parking lot has long RV spaces. Exhibits in the center focus on Native Americans and the Louis and Clark expedition. A short paved and boardwalk trail makes a loop though the forest and wetlands. The trail is accessible but the bridge over a small stream does not meet flush with the ground at either end. 

We also walked/rolled along the Glade Creek Loop Trail which I think is a cross country ski trail. It starts out wide and smooth and goes gradually uphill. It becomes narrower and gravely then starts downhill. We turned around at that point because we didn't know how long it was or if the terrain would become more difficult. We stopped back at the visitor center to ask about the trail and I think we could have completed it. Doable with a strong helper. 

Our next stop was at Devoto Grove Trail which is an accessible paved loop trail though beautiful old growth western red cedar trees. The largest parking pull off is on the opposite side of the road. 

 Mountains rise up on both sides of US 12 so we didn't expect to find many accessible trails but we decided to try Warm Springs Trail that follows Warm Spring Creek to Jerry Johnson Hot Springs. The first challenge is a steep downhill then after the bridge over the creek, a steep uphill. The trail starts out wide and smooth and we thought it would be okay but then we hit the rocks. Time to turn around. We gave it our best but it's definitely not accessible. A large parking lot with a vault toilet is on the opposite side of the street. 

We spent three nights along Route 12 - in a pull out, at Powell Campground, and at Knife Edge Campground. There are many pull offs along US 12 and none that we saw are signed "No Camping". Due to the number of people driving along Route 12 and the small size of the forest campgrounds, the pull outs can be a welcome overnight stop if all the campgrounds are full.  

Powell Campground has both electric and non-electric sites. All but ten sites can be reserved so electric sites may not be available. We camped in site 9, one of the few non-electric sites available in late afternoon. We didn't see any accessible sites but many are usable. Amenities include tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Restrooms with running water and flush toilets are located near the camp host's site. 

Knife Edge Campground does not have a sign indicating that it is open for camping. The only sign is for a boat launch. This may be because the campground is very small and gets heavy use in the spring when the Lochsa River is high. From May 22 to June 30 half of the campsites are closed and the spaces are used for parking. The boat ramp is very rocky and seems like it's made for launching rafts, kayaks, and other small boats. We camped in the first site on the left which is a very long pull though site. We parked sideways for a better view. Amenities include tables, fire rings, a vault toilet, and changing rooms. None of the campsites are designated as accessible but they have tables with extended tops and high fire rings. 

US 12 is a winding road with 50 MPH as the highest speed. There isn't a lot of traffic and the road is suitable for any vehicle. The pull off are long and the campgrounds have spaces long enough for most RVs. US 12 Lolo Pass