Tuesday, July 13, Day 68
Kooskia to Riggins, Idaho (76 Miles)

The day started brisk but under sunny skies. The temps were in the high 50’s. These conditions are great considering we were about to enter into an almost 30 mile climb. We passed the town of Grangeville and did our final climb. The road had a strange name “Old White Bird Hill,” and this stretch of road took us to an elevation of 4,300 feet.
Our overnight has us at 1,200 foot elevation.
As we got to the top and took our last turn toward level ground, I looked to the left with Steve and could not believe my eyes. Before us was the most beautiful valley I’d ever seen and this actually was more magnificent than the Lochsa River and Clearwater area.
We could look off into about 50 miles of trees and green hillsides that looked like they were painted on canvas. Sooo, we both look at each other and said I can’t believe we are in Idaho. From that point on, the day got only better. We descended 12 miles down old Route 95 on a series of switchbacks that took us to the town of White Bird back to 1,600 feet of elevation. It was just remarkable.
From there, we followed the Salmon River for another 30 miles to the town of Riggins.
The river was a series of rapids following many twists and turns surrounded by hills and trees and our trip was a series of twists and turns without the rapids.
Today has to be another best day of our trip. Bike Ted and Fast Steve.