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On our final day, we ride west toward Boise on the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway. From Stanley, we start our climb to Banner Summet, one of Idaho’s highest monntain passes. The Byway squeezes between two of Idaho’s wilderness areas. On the left is the Sawtooth Wilderness Area and its 217,000 pristine acres of coniferous forest lands and wilderness lakes. On the right, the Salmon-Challis National Forest, entryway to the 2.3 million-acre Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, with more contiguous acres of roadless wilderness than anywhere else in the lower 48 states.
Continuing southwest, we cross the Payette River and proceed along a narrow two lane road filled with hairpin turns. We continue our ride through the Boise National Forest and soon arrive at Idaho City.
Soon after the discovery of gold in the Boise Basin, Idaho City became on of the largest cities in the Pacific Northwest. By 1865 it was home to some 7,000 goldseekers; nearly one quarter were Chinese At its peak the basin was home to some 20,000 miners. The area around Idaho City was one of the largest sources of gold ever discovered. More than 20 pioneer buildings from the 1860’s and miles of dredge workings are still visible. The population of Idaho City today is 458.
All to soon, we arrive back in Boise from where we started this adventure a short five days earlier.
We return the Harleys® to the dealership, after which you will have time to relax at the hotel prior to the evenings Fairwell Dinner.
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