Our Idaho programs planned for the coming season emphatically reflect our concept of Adventure Cycling. Once again, we'll journey through the Sawtooth National Recreation Area in the context of the Bitterroot/Sawtooth Rambler. For those seeking a truly unique wilderness experience, the River-of-No-Return Bike/Raft Adventure returns to our program following a 2-year hiatus.

River-of-No-Return Bike/Raft Adventure

Date: (9 days, 8 nights; Sat-Sun) July 24-Aug. 1

Assembly Point: Missoula (airline and bus service to Missoula; Timberline van transfers to and from transportation terminals)

Tour Cost: $1,895 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, [includes lunches on rafting segment] 4-day raft trip, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps and narratives)

The Salmon River, often romantically referred to as the "River-of-No-Return," remains one of the few undammed waterways in America and roars through the heart of the River-of-No-Return Wilderness, the largest single wilderness area in the lower 48 states. The rugged mountains through which this mighty river winds are home to thriving herds of deer and elk, black bear, mountain goats and many other species of wildlife. The awesome Salmon River Gorge carved by this river ranks second in depth behind Hell's canyon in the contiguous 48 states.

As a designated wilderness area, the Frank Church/River-of-No-Return Wilderness Area has no roads and, of course, mountain bikes are prohibited. So we've chosen a "highway" of a different sort to explore this region of incomparable natural beauty. We've joined with Idaho Afloat, to create a 9-day combined cycling and rafting program through the heart of central Idaho that promises to be an adventure you'll not soon forget.

We'll assemble in Missoula, MT, and cycle the quiet backroads of the beautiful Bitterroot Valley. We'll overnight in Darby on the northern edge of the Bitterroots, climb Lost Trail Pass early the following morning before descending into Idaho's Salmon River Valley.

Our destination on Day 2 is North Fork, where we'll spend the evening. We'll join with Idaho Afloat early-morning of Day 3, leave our bicycles behind, and we're off on a 4-day journey through the spectacular Salmon River Canyon. You'll need a sleeping bag for this segment—there are no lodges in the wilderness.

We'll float through the wilderness with the Main Fork of the Salmon to Riggins where the Timberline van will be waiting with all of those abandoned bicycles.

Following an extraordinary overnight at the magnificent Riggins Hot Springs Lodge, it's back on bicycles and the adventure continues. We'll follow the Salmon north of Riggins on Day 7 and climb awesome White Bird Mountain, with it's impressive elevation gain of 3,000 feet and 15 switchbacks. We'll overnight in Lowell on the banks of the Clearwater River and then trace the course of another of Idaho's wild rivers—the Lochsa—to its source among the high peaks of the Bitterroots. Our final evening at the historic Lochsa Lodge at Powell Station is special. We'll climb Lolo Pass early the next morning and descend to Missoula where our tour concludes.

Total Cycling Mileage – 333

Bitterroot/Sawtooth Rambler

Date: (9 days, 8 nights; Sat-Sun) Aug. 14-22

Assembly Point: Missoula (airline and bus service to Missoula; Timberline van transfers to and from transportation terminals)(Note that tour originates in Missoula and terminates in Boise. Van shuttle return to Missoula will be available on Aug. 23 for those who need to depart from Missoula)

Tour Cost: $1,695 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps & narratives)

We've searched for some time for a venue to explore the mighty Sawtooth Range of central Idaho. That search culminated in the creation of the Bitterroot/ Sawtooth Rambler, an exciting 9-day experience in some of the most pristine, high country to be found in the Rockies.

The Bitterroot /Sawtooth program is more than mountains alone. The beautiful Bitterroot Valley of Montana and Idaho's Salmon River Valley to the south, the high plateau of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and the excitement of Sun Valley—these are the variety of experiences that are vital to the excitement of the Bitterroot/Sawtooth Rambler.

We'll gather in Missoula and ride in the shadow of the Bitterroots to Darby, where we'll spend our first evening. We'll climb Lost Trail Pass (6995') in the heart of the Bitterroots and then descend into Idaho's Salmon River Valley and an overnight in Salmon.

On Day 3, we'll ride the Salmon River Scenic Route to Challis and then enter the Sawtooth National Recreation Area the following day. We'll spend our first of two evenings in the tiny village of Stanley on the banks of the Salmon. A spectacular climb to the Galena Summit (8701') and the headwaters of the magnificent Salmon River highlights Day 5. A long descent follows along the Wood River to the exciting resort village of Sun Valley where two nights and a layover day are planned. A number of non-cycling activities are available, including hiking in the Sawtooths or a day of whitewater rafting on the Salmon.

We'll retrace our route through the Sawtooths for our second evening at Stanley and then ride into the wilderness setting of Grandjean and our final night at the Sawtooth Lodge. Our adventure concludes in Boise the following afternoon.

Total Mileage – 520