Camping and Hiking near the Lochsa River

Exhausted after driving only 60 miles (but it took us 4 hours with all the sightseeing) we decided to camp at Whitehouse Campground just 15 miles west of Lolo Pass.

It was a little jewel of a campground.  We were nestled in a cedar and fir forest and our campsite was only yards from the Lochsa River.  Our most beautiful campsite to date!  It was very rustic, only 12 campsites and just a handful were occupied. Drinking water was available but no other amenities – except the wild and scenic river which whispered us to sleep for four wonderful nights.



Our campsite at Whitehouse Campground on the Lochsa River

View out our camper window - not bad!

We hiked several trails in the area and that is really the best way to understand the hardships the Lewis and Clark Expedition endured.  Although stunningly beautiful, these mountains and rivers are deceptively more rugged than they appear from the road. The forests are so dense, almost impenetrable in places. Heavy underbrush, downed trees, bogs and constant creek crossing are the norm.

I slipped on the logs making one river crossing and went for a very cold swim in Cooperation Creek (not very coopertive with me…). Maya swam in after me but changed her mind about mid-stream as she was swept against the logs. She swam safely back to David.  The water was not that deep, just very swift and except for being cold and having my pride hurt a little, all was well. (David can go first next time.)

Good thing it was warm that day as we had a 2 mile hike back down to dry clothes.  The other good thing is that we had just passed hot springs near the trail, so I was able to warm up quickly with a good soak (although putting on my wet, squishy boots and walking another 1.5 miles back to the trailhead was not that much fun).

Sorry, picture of Cindy & David in Hot Springs is not available...

David made it all better by grilling chicken and vegetables for us on our campsite grill.  Nothing like hot, grilled food after a hard hike and unexpected swim. We slept that night to the soft sound of rain falling while we were warm inside our RV under down blankets. Modern advantages make our adventures fairly safe.  I am in awe of the hardships the Lewis and Clark Expedition endured during their passage of the Bitterroot Range.  It wasn’t just hardy men that made the that passage – Sacagawea and her infant were with the expedition during much of their trek through the Bitterroot.