St. Joe River Scenic Byway

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

Rode this road from St Regis to St Maries today with 4 other bikes (a Goldwing 2up, 2 Harleys and a NC700). The gravel section is all in Montana and is 10 to 12 miles long.
Conditions have changed since the last review because there was lots of loose gravel on the hard pack underneath. I'm thinking they spread fresh gravel at some point. If you don't like gravel, you won't like this section of the road currently.
With that said, the Idaho portion of the road was incredible and would be worth riding the paved section to the MT border and then riding back if you despise gravel.

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

My Wife and I rode this road from St. Regis to St. Maries in August of 2017 two days after the eclipse. She rides a big Indian Chieftain and has a strong distaste for gravel. Based on another review of the gravel conditions, I almost did not risk leading her across this road. Turns out, the gravel portion of the road was graded and fairly well packed and neither of us had any problem with it. We did have to stop to let the dust settle whenever we met an oncoming logging truck but it really wasn't an issue. Once we hit pavement, this turned out to be one of the best rides we found in Idaho. The pavement was good, the curves were big sweepers and the scenery was fantastic! Perhaps best of all was the total absence of other vehicles. Great ride! Don't let the gravel scare you away.
Big Red

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

Ride update. This route is amazing, but a few notes need to be made. **WARNING** If going west and starting from St. Regis you need to know you will riding uphill on a dirt, dusty, loose gravel (NOT HARDPACK) road for 15 miles, up to the top of the mountain, to the Montana/Idaho border. Inexperienced rides and those without physical stamina would be better served taking I-90 or the Lolo pass (U.S. Rte 12). The 15 miles on a sport bike, tourer or sport tour will be exhausting. Dual sports will love this road. Having said all this, you will be rewarded when you get to the top and to the Idaho border. Beautiful views stretching for miles. The road in Idaho is amazing!! Well maintained for the first 20 miles or so. A few rough patches here and there as you get down in elevation and ride along the river. This is a bit of a technical road. Lots of blind corners, but it is a lovely ride, especially at a spirited pace. Not much traffic. I only passed 1 car in the first 30 miles. After you get to Avery, you will find a few more cars. I highly recommend this route in conjuction with the Lolo pass if you want to do a loop, but plan on a 12 hour day with some stops and grabbing a good bite of food in Missoula.