Where The Deer and The Antelope Play
I’ve been wanting to take this drive for years, so I finally did while living in McCall for a month. This deceptively long, 75 mile drive takes you up and around the Payette lakes and over to Riggins on Highway 95.
Where the Deer and the Antelope Play
Departure Time:
Earlier the Better or the evening sun will be in your face for most of the drive
Car Checklist:
Some kind of satellite communication device (no cell service)
Good tires and a full size spare
A tire patch/plug kit
A hand saw, axe, or chainsaw
An extendable pry bar or tow strap (for removing the rare small boulder if necessary)
Water
A full tank of fuel
A drone if you have it - you’ll get incredible footage here.
Dan’s Notes:
I’ve been wanting to take this drive for years, so I finally did while living in McCall for a month. This deceptively long, 75 mile drive takes you up and around the Payette lakes and over to Riggins on Highway 95. The views here are some of the best in the area, and it’s a relatively easy drive for anything with some decent tires. This is the perfect drive for a Subaru or stock 4wd. This would also be a really fun drive for those lucky few of you with Safari built 911s.
When it comes to coffee, start your day at Fogglifter Cafe in McCall. They really are the best in town and the line moves quick. If you haven’t grabbed breakfast, you’ll want to do that as well as this drive typically takes 4-5 hours in good weather.
Be careful as you make your way up and around Payette Lake on Warren Wagon Rd. Not only is the speed limit low and the police count high, but it’s low for a reason. I saw moose, deer, elk, ground squirrels, and fox on this road almost every single time I drove up it and they’re not exactly afraid of cars or standing mid corner. It’s low for a reason and the view is beautiful the whole way up anyway, so give it a rest and enjoy the view here.
As you reach the end of the pavement you’ll make the turn onto Burgdorf Rd/NF-246. Don’t let the scary sign fool you as just about any modern vehicle with even mild ground clearance can drive this road with relative ease. It’s not that bumpy (for a gravel road) and well maintained even. In the Raptor it might as well have been a gravel highway.
Speaking of gravel highways, there is A LOT of dust kicked up on this route. If you’re driving a truck everything in the bed is going to be covered in dust, cover or not. I made the mistake of keeping my recovery gear back there once and ended up washing it all in the driveway. Not the most fun use of time.
As you get up to Burgdorf Hot Springs, you’ll notice it’s unfortunately closed in the summers or accessible via reservation only. Still, it’s a cool spot to see on your way over the mountain. The road continues to climb slowly until you start the long switchback road down. Careful on the corners here as they are often blind and VERY narrow, meaning someone will have to back up to a pull out point. Be courteous here. Idaho is a friendly place even if is not all that diverse.
As you come down from the gravels roads and across the river you’ll find the road change very quickly to a 1.5 lane blacktop road. A perfect, winding, AMAZING blacktop road that is in great condition. In the right vehicle, this is a hell of a drive, but it was still fun in the Raptor. This road is pretty busy with people coming to fish, but I still had a good time and I’m sure you will too.
Route Hard Link: https://goo.gl/maps/hwffQMozmb1BG3R49
The War Eagle
This route is rough, but not necessarily difficult, barely even requiring 4wd. While the many dips and sharp rocks do warrant a proper off-road tire, just about anything with proper tires should get you up to the top of War Eagle Mountain.
The War Eagle
Departure Time:
Any time works for this drive, but it would be great at sunrise or sunset if you have auxiliary lighting.
Car Checklist:
Some kind of satellite communication device (no cell service)
Good tires and a full size spare
A tire patch/plug kit
A hand saw, axe, or chainsaw
An extendable pry bar or tow strap (for removing the rare small boulder if necessary)
Water
A full tank of fuel
A drone if you have it - you’ll get incredible footage here.
Dan’s Notes:
This route is rough, but not necessarily difficult, barely even requiring 4wd. While the many dips and sharp rocks do warrant a proper off-road tire, just about anything with proper tires should get you up to the top of War Eagle Mountain.
Taking notes from the drive over to Riggins, you’ll want to start with coffee and understand that you will be gone a while. While this is a short drive in distance, it’s also a slow drive due to boulders, narrow roads, and unforeseen delays. I used my axe and my saw to get to the top, so I always recommend you carry them, but this is a popular and relatively well maintained trail by hunters, offroaders, and snowmobiles in the winter.
The one thing I want to make sure people take note of on this drive is how rough this trail is; take it easy. There are THOUSANDS of ground squirrels counting on you an the potholes will break shocks if you’re not ready for them. A slow and steady pace will reward you with beautiful views and curious wildlife.
Also take note that the fire tower is a LIVED IN structure by the rangers. Holler for them as you arrive and let them know you came to visit. Bring cookies or something; show them we appreciate them!
