Take a trip back in time on the Nez Perce Trail

If you’re looking for a spectacular fall weekend trip, consider jumping onto a segment of the Nez Perce (Nee-Mo-Poo) National Historic Trail.

One five-hour, scenic leg follows Highway 12 between Lewiston and Lolo, Mont.

The entire Nez Perce Trail stretches 1,170 miles from the Wallowa Valley of Oregon to the Bear Paw Battlefield on the plains of northcentral Montana.

Today, RVers can retrace the approximate route of the 1877 nontreaty Nez Perce flight from the U.S. Army by following an auto tour system that traverses all-weather roads.

There are also Adventure Routes “for those who want to get off the highway and onto a more authentically historic route,” says Nez Perce Trail administrator Sandi McFarland.

“Those routes, however, are often on primitive, single-lane gravel roads,” she says, “and we do not recommend RVs or towed vehicles. These ‘Adventure Routes’ are more for high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles.”

There are illustrated auto tour brochures for five segments of the trail.

“I love road trips,” says Barbara Loste, writer of the brochure that covers Wallowa Valley, Ore., to Kooskia, Idaho, “and I appreciate it when someone makes the land come alive for me. That’s what we attempt to do with these brochures.”

Each of the multipage pamphlets takes vehicle users along a segment of the trail and provides enough information about historically and culturally significant sites to make the route stimulating and meaningful.

The segment that includes Highway 12 between Kooskia and Lolo Pass “is an especially beautiful drive when fall colors come out,” says McFarland. “It is a slow, winding, two-lane road along the Lochsa River, a designated Wild and Scenic River Corridor, and it is magnificent.”

McFarland suggests that drivers fuel up before leaving Kooskia, if coming from the west, or Powell Ranger Station at Lolo on the east.

“Gas stations are few and far between along that 100-plus mile section of Highway 12,” she says.

Information

“ For information on the entire 1,170-mile Nez Perce National Historic Trail write to the NPNHT Administrator’s Office, 12730 Highway 12, Orofino, ID 83544, or call (208) 476-8334.

The Web site (www.fs.fed.us/npnht) provides detailed descriptions and spectacular photographs by Harold Pfeiffer of Spokane.

“ The Forest Service has a toll-free line that provides national forest visitors with weekly updates on fall foliage color changes. The hotline number, (800) 354-4595, is active through mid-November. An online “Fall Colors 2006” page is at www.fs.fed.us/r1/news/fallcolors.shtml.

“ Idaho travel and tourism information is available at www.visitidaho.org. Call toll-free (800) VISITID (847-4843).

“ Idaho has more than 650 privately owned RV parks and public campgrounds. Information is available online at www.rvidaho.org or write for a brochure to Idaho RV Campgrounds Association, P.O. Box 7841, Boise, ID 83707, call (208) 345-6009 or e-mail: info@rvidaho.org.

Square dance at Lolo

If you’re interested in adding a little square dancing to your fall scenic trip, stop at the Square Dance Center and Campground near Lolo on Highway 12, about 30 miles southwest of Missoula.

You do not need to be a square dancer to camp; however, the campground closes at the end of September for the season. Overnight cost for full hookups is $21; water and electricity only is $18; dry camping is $14 (plus tax).

“We’ll be having square dances all winter,” says Barry Bartlette, manager with his wife, Bobbie. “Just call us or check our Web site for upcoming events.”

Contact the Bartlettes at (406) 273-0141, go online to http://home.bresnan.net/~sqrdance or drop a postcard to Square Dance Center and Campground, 9955 Highway 12, Lolo, MT 59847.

FYI

There will be no Wheel Life columns for the next two Saturdays because I will be on the road.

When I return, I will be writing about “winter roosts” for RV snowbirds. I have heard from people who are heading to Arizona. Is there anyone who plans on going to Mexico or Texas?

Drop a line to Wheel Life, The Spokesman-Review, 999 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane, WA 99201; call (509) 459-5435; or e-mail juliannec@spokesman.com.