Steamboat Springs, Kingston, Idaho

July 12th, 2016-- 37 miles
I was leading the group with a GPS, a MVUM  Forest Service map and my smart phone with the Avenza pdf, Forest service map downloaded. The Avenza helped three times to keep us on the track, and the direction we desired. I'm not sure how the compass  works, because at camp, we don't have phone service, but Avenza was still tracking us.
We camped north of Kingston, 16 miles from the Exit 43, Interstate 90. Go north on Hwy 9, turning Left after 5 miles, at the Bumble Bee Campground sign, crossing the bridge and turning right on the Old River Road. Drive out 6 miles, then turn Left, after crossing another bridge, onto FS rd 400. Drive 5 more miles, where the paved road ends, you will find a Forest Service, dispersed camping spot.  It is at the fork of Steamboat creek, east and west forks.

For our ride of 37 miles and 6hrs, we headed south on FS rd 400, about 2.5-3 miles, to the Right on FS rd 257. There are a few dead-end trails off of this road, that was interesting to explore. Then we got on 1005 / 965 roads. (The roads are some times two tracks and a little bumpy, just the way we like it)

Then we got on the 803 trail, which winds along the side of the mountain. There are some dips, where creeks come down the hill, keep watch for the drop offs! At the intersection of 803A, we stopped for lunch.  Just a short time after heading out we came around the corner and saw a bull moose, 60ft ahead, right on the trail! We stopped to give it time to go off the trail, if he would like. When we rode on, we did see his tracks, but he had disappeared. Once on the road, we took 409A and 260 to Riley Saddle where we turned right on 900 for 8 miles back to camp. It was a great ride, seeing the moose was a bonus, and the rain didn't stop us.

Day 2 –54 miles                                                                                                                                                                     We headed up 2329 FS rd, to Grassy Mountain, an open area to see the views.  There are a couple areas which had been burned off in the past.  Spyglass Peak (gated) and Lookout, just around the corner, you can see for miles.

On 265 and over to Magee to see the Landing Strip, Ranger Station Historic Cabin. Built in 1922.  There is also a Forest Service Cabin that you may rent for a night. From camp it was 18 miles.

Then we went home on routes 534, 911 over to Leiberg Saddle.  My favorite trail was 260 over to Stull Saddle , then back to camp on 409, seeing valleys of forest, mountains, moss thick on the trees. We saw 2 Spruce hens. This leg of the day was 36 miles. Once again I used the Avenza map on the smart phone, it was very helpful at the numerous intersections along the way. Be sure you have a Forest Service MVUM map with you.

• INFORMATION>North Eastern Washington ATV club
  LOCATION>   NEAREST CITY=Kingston, Id   DIRECTIONS=North of interstate 90, read above
  AREA >   TYPE OF LAND=- forest, mountain  , OWNER=  Nat Forest
  QUALITY >  Pro-100s of miles / Con-can get confussing /  Length of stay-4 / Rating-stars-5 out of 5
  TERRAIN>  MILES OF TRAILS, hills /  forest / dust  /elevation           TRAIL MAINTENCE   - Yes   NEAR BY TRAILS-4th of July Pass, Wallace, Id, St Joe River area, St. Maries, Id 
  REGULATIONS> Permit required –some/ Campinp-Dry camping and Forest service campgrounds /whip-no / helmets req.-age / width req.-some trails
  FEE> Camping / Entry-no
  KEY SERVICES> Camping / Gasoline / Diesel / First Aid /  Water /  Dump/ Propane / Food=Exxon Gas Station @ Exit 43
  GPS POINTS>I just used maps
  SIDE TRIPS>4th of July Pass, Wallace, Id, St Joe River area, St. Maries, Id                   CONTACTS>Forest Service Office in Coeur d’Alene, Id.