Lolo Motorway (aka FS Rd #500)

Total Miles
93.6

Elevation

2,138.46 ft

Duration

9 Hours

Technical Rating

Moderate

Best Time

Summer

Trail Overview

The Lolo Motorway(Forest Road 500) is a roughly 95-mile narrow, winding primitive road. The single-lane road, partially built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930, travels close to the Nez Perce Trail. Portions of this road are single-lane, and there are washouts. High clearance 4x4 only, and be prepared for a long day if you are not camping on the trail. This took us over 8 hours to complete. Be prepared for down trees and changing trail conditions. The road is free from ice and snow in mid-July and usually accessible into October. Lewis & Clark followed the Nez Perce Trail across the Bitterroot Mountains in 1805 and returned in 1806. Several stops along the trail contain information on Lewis & Clark's journey. The Nez Perce used the trail to access hunting, fishing, and food-gathering areas. This route includes a 1/2 mile side trip to Rocky Ridge Lake. Please remember a large portion of this trail follows the historical Nez Peace Trail - please pack it in, pack it out, and respect the area.

Photos of Lolo Motorway (aka FS Rd #500)

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Difficulty

There are sections that I would definitely call a trail with washouts, rocks and a section on a single-lane shelf road.

Technical Rating

Status Reports

There are no status reports yet for this trail.

Access Description

The trail can be ran either west to east or east to west. From the east access is off Highway 12 near Milepost 162 near the Powell Ranger Station. Take Parachute Hill Road (#569). From the west follow the National Forest access signs posted alongside US Highway 12 by the bridge that crosses the Clearwater River at Kamiah. Turn right onto Kamiah-Pierce Road 100 and proceed to Lolo Forks Campground. From Kamiah to Powell it's 119 miles.