Motorcycle Dreams To File Under Someday: Highway 12 and The Lolo Pass

Few things can excite a motorcycle rider like a sign that reads “Winding Road Next 77 Miles“. Living here on the eastern end of Long Island I find it hard to believe that such signs exist out there in the world. Surely they are just the stuff of legend like the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot.

Route 12 in Idaho and Montana is one American road that can boast such claims. Following along the Lewis and Clark Trail through the Bitteroot Mountains of Montana and Idaho, Route 12 sweeps through the Lolo Pass and the Lolo National Forest. It wriggles on alongside the Lochsa and middle fork of the Clearwater Rivers. Where there are rivers, there are wiggly roads.

No traffic, no people. Just you on your motorcycle in the warm glow of the rising sun. There you are just quietly cruising along; left, right, left, right – racing no one but the river running along side you. Can’t you just picture it? I sure can. Put a tick in the “Someday” column for me.


Photo Credit: John Paul James

Have you ridden Route 12? Tell us about it!

  • Does anyone happen to know where the ‘Winding Road Next 77 Miles’ sign is located on the western end of route 12? I can’t seem to find it on Google maps. It would be a shame if I had to ride all the way out there just to find it. /sarcasm

For More Information:

Fuzzygalore

Rachael is the whimsical writer behind the 20+ year old Girlie Motorcycle Blog. As a freelance blogger, she is on a mission to inspire laughter, self-examination, curiosity, and human connection. Girlie Motorcycle Blog can be found on several Best Motorcycle Blog lists.

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18 Responses

  1. FuzzyGalore says:

    Motorcycle Dreams To File Under Someday: Highway 12 and The Lolo Pass http://goo.gl/fb/rWTN

  2. Pimmie says:

    Is it summer yet? If you ever go there and you dont mind me tagging along give me a shout… 🙂

  3. Quacka says:

    WOW I’m in too. You make me want to ride now. That pic. reminds me
    of the dacks. (wow this winter stuff sucks.)

  4. redbone says:

    i always like the Idaho mountains that i seen in books. this ride sounds like a dream…..

  5. The Dude says:

    Rode Lolo this weekend. Starting from Kamiah, ID and finishing in Lolo MT Lolo Pass is a seductress. It starts from Kamiah with gentle sweeping turns on smooth pavement to relax you and build your confidence. Slowly the curves increase causing greater accuracy and attention to the road. She finishes you wish decreasing radius curves with multi layered asphalt. This is one hell of a ride and one that is not to be missed. 99 miles of curves because 100 miles would be too much. One of the greatest 2 wheel rides in North America. Take the journey and enjoy the ride.

    • Fuzzygalore says:

      Dude, you make it sound too good! You’re just trying to make us all jealous, huh? 🙂 I’m glad you had a great ride.

      It’s still on my To-Do List but it looks like its a little ways down for now. But i guess you never know. Life is very mysterious.

  6. Highway 12 needs your help. Please get involved.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyPqqUu4ojw

  7. TODD says:

    The CURVES NEXT 77 miles sign has been taken down and replaced with a new sign last year. It now reads Curves Next 99 miles. Beautiful place. If you get up this way check us out we are right outside Kamiah about a Mile. All the bikes stay here and keep coming back. Lewis-Clark Resort. Lewisclarkresort.com

  8. concreteartist says:

    Truly a wonderful ride. My wife and I did it in August this year and were blown away with the road and the scenery. There is another hwy 12 ride that is amazing also, and that is hwy 12 in southern Utah

  9. Mike says:

    Just took the trip on Tuesday, Aug 7th, 2012. It was slow slow slow. There was miles and miles of Chip sealing, you know the stuff where they pour oil on the roadway and drop a bunch of pebbles on it. Freaking construction in several areas. Idaho State Police out in two areas, further reducing speed. Many RV’s out on the road slowing everything down, and if that isn’t bad enough, RV’s towing other vehicles!!! Jerks. One of the biggest RVs I have ever seen was towing a Dodge 3500 Diesle, you know for that quick trip from the campsite to the store. Also there was a 18 wheeler involved in an accident, blocking the whole road!!! Imagine an 18 wheeler on this cow path. What a loser. This 4 hour ride turned into 6 plus hours of foot dragging slow speed riding.

  10. Georgie says:

    Hey Fuzzy, he’s right, the sign does now say 99 miles. And not only is it awesome for the curves but along with it is some of the most beautiful scenery you will see. It really is a must do.
    This corner of the US is truly a cyclists dream.

  11. Fuzzygalore says:

    Thanks, Georgie~
    I don’t doubt it for a minute. I hope my travels take me there one day soon! Sure looks gorgeous.

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