Idaho | Jimbo's Journeys

Stopped in Idaho Falls

Traveling from the Leadore BLM I made a stop at the Walmart in Idaho Falls, ID to pick up some supplies. Then it was a pretty drive along the Snake River out to the Riverside Campground just down stream from the dam. I was thinking of going to the Calamity campground and the instructions were to turn right at the dam and drive over the dam and then up to the campground.

Well that was not going to happen. Ever since 9/11 the government has closed off all the dams and traffic is not allowed on them. I did see a sign for the Riverside Campground back about a mile and so I turned around and headed back.

When I was approaching the entrance I was greeted by the camphost driving a golf cart. I asked him about the Calamity Campground but he stated it was about 5 miles up a washboard gravel road so this campground seemed like a good spot. Plus it was right on the Snake River. He lead me to a nice spot and I got settled in.

About an hour later this guy pulls up and told me I have his spot. I had already paid for the spot and put my receipt on the post. By the way there was no other receipt on the post at that time. I mentioned that the camphost had directed me to the spot as well. He left but soon returned with the camphost. The camphost explained that the weekend camphost had assured him that spot. He had camped in it for several days prior to me taking it over. I pointed out that there was no receipt on the post and that it was his responsibility to post it.

To make a long story short, the camphost offered to let me stay in a double spot on the river side of the road with a path to the river at the same rate. I would have stuck it out and told the guy to take a hike except that he mentioned that his wife had difficulty being in the sun. The spot he wanted was partly shaded. Anyway I gathered up all my stuff and moved to the nicer spot. What a way to start the day. YUK!

I signed up for 6 days here as I have to return to Idaho Falls Walmart to pick up a prescription. When I came through there it was too soon to get my prescription. What a bummer. Here is my campsite.

Right on the Snake River.

Right below the dam

The campsite is located right below the dam and Chica and I had many nice walks all around it Her is a pic of the dam.

All the water is released on the right side of the dam. Here you can see some fisherman out trying their luck at catching something.

I also got a pic of this seagull taking a break on the roof of this small building.

Headed up to Calamity Campground to check it out

I decided one day to drive up to Calamity Campground to see what I missed. It was about 5 miles on a washboard gravel road and mostly up hill until a mile from the campground where it goes down hill. It is a really nice campground and one that I would prefer except for the road going there. I could have made it OK with the rig, but everything would have really got bounced around.

There are three loops and one is expressly for tent campers only. Down below there is a large boat ramp that has access to the reservoir. This was taken from Loop A.

Scenery was beautiful

It was really beautiful up here although very dense.

An Aspen grove.

Lots of curves and dust.

I am heading out tomorrow to drive back to Idaho Falls where I can pick up my prescription and other supplies. I also want to take Chica to the Petsmart there to have her nails clipped and teeth cleaned. Then it is off to Gros Ventre just outside of Jackson, WY to meet up with many LD’ers who are there through Labor Day. It should really be fun.

Out of the forest

I decided it was time to descend out of the forest and head on down the road. I have been in the Warm Springs Campground for 4 days and figured that was enough. Besides I had to find a dump site and get some groceries.

I checked the atlas and noted that the Sula Country Store and RV Park was only 5 miles away so I headed out of the Bitterroot Forest for the last time and drove over to the country store. It was a quaint little spot just off of highway 93 and a full hook-up site was $25.

I pulled in and found a pull through site so I wouldn’t even have to unhook the “Sami”.

It was nice and cool here and didn’t even have to run the A/C. The store was very small and everything was rather expensive so planned on hitting a Walmart soon.

This place is right on the Bitterroot River and you could walk right down to it.

Treated myself to a great breakfast

This little country store had a restaurant as well that was open for breakfast and lunch. Since I didn’t have any breakfast fixin’s left in my rig I decided to have someone else cook breakfast for me. Two eggs over easy, sourdough toast, bacon and coffee. YUUUUM!

Oops – took the the wrong turn

When I left the next day I filled up with gas and turned left on the 93. My goal was to turn east on the 43 over to Wisdom, MT and then up to Butte, MT. I wasn’t paying much attention and continued down the 93 for a ways then realized I should have turned right coming out from the gas station. By this time I had climbed up a rather steep pass and almost down the other side. I didn’t want to have to turn around and go up that pass again so checked the atlas to see what was available in Idaho.

I passed a recreation site but it was right off the highway. Then I came to Leadore, ID where there was a ranger station. The nice lady inside told me of a couple of spots. One was a forest service campground about 10 miles up into the mountains and the other was a BLM site about 4 miles out of town. Since I was only going to stay one night I opted for the BLM campground. It was a nice little campground and again had a stream running about 20′ from my rig.

It was also at the base of the the Beaverhead Mountains, which run along the Continental Divide.

Found an old miner’s cabin

There was a old mine around there somewhere and I happened to spot this old miner’s cabin while on a hike.

It was very dilapidated. I walked around the cabin to see if I could find any relics, but all I saw were a bunch of ammo shells. Someone else must have cleaned it out.

Run Chica Run

I am very careful to always have Chica on her leash, especially in campgrounds and around other dogs. I am also aware of birds of prey such as hawks or eagles. There was another couple camping but they were at the far end of the campground. I also didn’t see any hawks or other animals in the area. So I let her off her leash for a short time. We walked around and with a bit of coaxing she walked out on the bridge to see the creek.