THE CORRIDOR: Driving the Only Road in 3.5 Million Acres of Wilderness

[@SDck5940]

My wife and I were RVing in Montana, and we happened to stop in a grocery. My wife was a person to whom random people would walk up and tell their life stories. So she got in a conversation with someone in line who told about a good road thru the forest that we should take. It was the Magruder Corridor. We pulled out at the log cabins, and a ranger flagged us down and told us about the place and pointed out all the free camping. So we pulled off at the next opportunity and found a perfect site next to a stream, could have been the same site you showed. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes were so thick we were stuck inside the RV. The pine trees had beautiful new growth, and it snowed lightly overnight creating a wonderland to drive through. Now I'm 83 and housebound, enjoying travel memories and your videos.

[@hairydogstail]

I built bridges, ground the road surface with a in-place processor, put in culverts, fixed wash outs and installed the gabions on that road..I hiked the Selway wilderness back in 1971 while in Boy Scouts. We started at Hoodoo lake and came out at the Selway falls. I also ground the road going to Selway falls in 2000... I worked in the woods my entire life growing up in Montana..What a great life I have had..

[@edwardtaylor923]

Even if I never make it to this place, it is reassuring to know that places like this still exist in our great country. Let's hope it remains like this for generations to come. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Edward! I have similar thoughts. And when my kids and grandkids drive this road, it'll be a bit less burned-looking 😄

[@robertplant9694]

Lookup the frontier hypothesis

[@COMMANDER-ONE]

@@robertplant9694 I did. Good articles!

[@trakyboy5128]

Amen friend !!!! The world is shrinking. And it saddens me !! I wish I could have been around 150-200 years ago !!!

[@williamweiss6128]

Just spent a few days up in CDA NF. Idyllic, magical area.

[@beach3girl459]

A hundred miles along a dirt road...heaven! So many trails...so little time.

[@SUVRVing]

Agreed! Thanks for watching.

[@kwpp7]

The Jeeper in me is dying to go!

[@benkoehler7397]

Small world...I went to high school with Joel (the boy that was attacked by the cougar). He has some scaring across his belly where the cougar grabbed him but his dad apparently came to the rescue basically by just punching the cat in the face until it let go. Very lucky but no major lasting injuries from it. He is an outdoor adventure/climbing guide now I think which is awesome.

[@vickyagnew1651]

Thank you for all the effort and time you put into making videos for strangers. They are much appreciated. I'm a woman who enjoys traveling alone, often taking unknown roads, etc. Your videos inspire me to do even more.

[@charlieswearingen500]

@22:57 "Wow, that view!" Nothing but mountains and wilderness as far as you can see. I had to watch this video again. It's my favorite...

[@dougiehiker]

Hi, love your videos. I was on this road in 1997. I slept at poet creek campground. The next day I drove up a 4x4 road one mile to the top of a ridge. I then hiked 9 miles to a lookout, I think it was called sheep mountain lookout. There was a woman and 2 dogs manning it for the summer. I then hiked 9 miles back to trailhead. It’s a beautiful place.

[@joanpearl1454]

Fav part - the abandoned fire lookout. Keep narrating! Surprised at the negative comments. I enjoy the geography and history lessons. 👍

[@TheUTVAdventureRider]

I’ve run the Magruder about 7 times from Darby, MT to Elk City, ID. Never gets old. Great vid.

[@thebackflowguy]

Cool trip, wife and I did this summer of 2020! The Idaho side was way rough until we got to the top of the mountain @ the Pack camps, then it was a highway to the Selway River! We crawled up the road to the lookout you hiked to! What an ADVENTURE! This is remote BACK COUNTRY and anyone whom attempts it should be prepared to be stranded in the wilderness!!! Cool channel! Bob&Julie from CDA

[@Sophie-ei6zh]

Beautiful scenic views. I like how you add some interesting tidbits like the dams and their effects on the salmon population 😟, and historical facts. I also like the details you include, like how long it took to drive the road and the road conditions. I felt like I tagged along on the trip with you. Thanks again. Can’t wait for your next adventure!

[@valmurray869]

So glad you enjoyed the Magruder, Tristan. Loved your coverage of it. I do the route every few years, always making it a multi-day trip. My wife and I "collect" fire lookouts and Burnt Knob is certainly one our favorites. Take care.

[@jmpmusva]

Never heard of the place. This video will change all of that. Sure that people will be heading that way in the future. Nice work....your happiness shows on your face.

[@IdahoSewing]

Looks like you took that road the same month we did! I did a KZbin of the trip also, and it is the most-watched on our channel. I live in Elk City (about 20 years now), and have only been across once (both directions). It about rattled our rigs apart. Since then, I've been out that direction twice on the Ambulance, and am pleased to say that they are actively maintaining the road. Especially between Salmon Mountain and Poet Creek. As an aside--they tell me that if an EMT has never thrown up while working in the ambulance, he isn't doing his job. Well, after 5 years and a lot of close calls, I finally earned my "certificate" of emesis on the way back from Dry Saddle. (The skill of the driver does have an effect, but we had our best driver at the wheel that day. It's a long road.) Also, it was the only run I've been on where we had to use chainsaws to clear the road. Thankfully we had a heads-up on that. Another odd aside-- just a few weeks after you and I passed over that road, several Idaho State Police officers, off duty, were camping out at Sabe Saddle, probably the exact same campground my group camped in the first night. During the night, they were attacked in their tent by a drunken fool who had the audacity to come in their tent, fire his gun, and order them out of "his" campsite. The training kicked in, resulting in extra paperwork. Fortunately, when we were there, the only thing we had come creeping while we were sleeping, were some noisy mule deer who wouldn't quit stomping and snorting. The other interesting encounter, was when we went up to Burnt Knob, we met a couple who had seen a cougar that sat in the road for about 5 minutes. Yes, I'm happy to live and work this close to such an amazing place!

[@patfox3988]

My parents manned the Burnt Knob Lookout in about 1947. They are up there now. I've been up there about 4 times over the last 20 years. Holds a special place in my heart.

[@carolbrown2501]

Hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed this. A perfect way to start our Saturday morning. Thank you!

[@johnmcdonald1306]

You made me LOL when you said I'm setting on furniture which was a log before starting another journey

[@OswaltSamuel]

I am lucky enough to live 4 hours away from the Mcgrudder corridor. I have driven it on on my duel sport motorcycle a few years ago and in my Tacoma a few months ago in mid October. The road was cover in six inches of snow for most of the way. No matter what vehicle you drive down this road, it's amazing. I highly recommend driving it if you get the chance.

[@kimsargeant8126]

Incredible views for sure! You mentioned the CCC before in a video and wondered if the East had CCC. We sure did. I’m in Vermont and at least some of our State Parks have features built by them. I believe there are still leantos built by them and some have stone fireplaces. There is even a lovely stone lookout at the end of one, short hike.

[@kendallsmith1458]

There is a CCC museum at N Higgins Lk State Park in northern MI. Most of Great Smokey Mtn NP was built by CCC.

[@danielvonbose557]

The CCC was also active on the west side of lake Worth near fort Worth TX as there are a number of structures that later became incorporated into the fort Worth nature center and refuge, the largest city park in the country.

[@charlieswearingen500]

@ 21:10 ~ Burnt Knob Fire Lookout was first used in 1922 when an alidade was placed on the summit. The cliff-hanging log lookout was built in 1930 and staffed until the 1970s. It's listed on the National Historic Register of historic places and should be refurbished...

[@jtwanderer6328]

So much untouched wilderness! Reassuring to know it's there. Thank you for exploring for us!... and for braving that spooky mountain top cabin.

[@ATravelingAddictSolo]

I am so hooked on your channel! There's so much to discover out west!

[@BBQDad463]

Thank you for this video. Sweet country. At 22:57, shut the door as you exit.

[@andychase7693]

I was really excited when I saw you were going to drive the Magruder Corridor. I have read about it and traced the route out on maps. It's definitely on my backroad bucket list! Thanks for the informative video.

[@farrendavis4143]

beautiful area and great video! i have lived in Idaho for over 40 years and never heard of this route through the wilderness area. should have taken the drive a long time ago when much younger!

[@christopherbennett4559]

I spent time here 2 years ago. I worked a job in soda springs. This place is simply beautiful. It is a memory ill never forget as long as i live. Thank you for sharing God bless. 🥰

[@SUVRVing]

Soda Springs is a fun little town. Thanks Christopher!

[@Carsonoma]

Great Video Tristan, brings back lots of memories for me. I was a IDFG game warden stationed in Elk City. The Corridor was part of my patrol area. The lakes are worth a trip in/of themselves. I used to do "Mountain lakes surveys"(fishing) to see if there was any natural reproduction. Some really good fishing! But that was almost 40 years ago, and hardly any fires. The area has changed quite a bit.

[@michaelclld]

Every see a Bigfoot or know anyone who did? Or any weird things?

[@IdahoSewing]

@@michaelclld I put Bigfoot in the same category with UFO's and aliens and seances. Usually responsive to beer and shamans. They exist, but not in a dimension I wish to meddle with.

[@helenvwalker7919]

My favourite bit was that you are still awestruck by the beauty office is nature when you walked out of the 2nd fire watching station.😊

[@debralewis3864]

In a huge forest wilderness like that, fire lookouts much needed. Keeping one’s own eyes on the sky advised too! Great tour, Tristan.

[@patriciadickerson6628]

Love seeing all that wilderness! It would be a joy spending a few days exploring the corridor.

[@iQuantium]

Favorite part, I couldn't pick just one. Clear rivers and streams, the little look out shack perched on the rocky promontory. I cant wait to drive my 4Runner up the 4X4 road leading to it. Thanks for sharing your trip.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@alnewby]

Discovered the area and Corridor years ago after enjoying Marilyn Monroe's, "River of No Return". Tristan, thanks for the video experience!

[@tinaanderson9501]

Wow!! I have never seen the western mountains quite like this. Thank you so much for taking us along. What an amazing special place!

[@MozeeWest]

Gotta say, we’ve just found your KZbin videos. We have totally been convinced that this is the life for us! Going to be working on our FJ the next month and maybe we’ll see you out there somewhere! You keep this up! People are looking for a way out of this craziness right now. We think you’ll be a super star! Thanks for all of your inspiration and tips! Happy travels my friend! ❤️

[@thelakeman5207]

Thanks for posting. Love your videos of "off the beaten path" places you go. This is how I like to travel, away from the tourists !

[@drayland]

I've done this route twice. One trip we camped beside Deep Creek; the other, at the Paradise campground in the site. This was 30 and 20 years ago, but it does not appear to have changed much at all. Beautiful area. Thanks for the video.

[@josephranker5716]

Ah, I know it well, I drove through there in 1975 , 78 and 82 in an Opel Manta.. stayed in paradise trail head. The roads look like hiways, so wide and smooth!

[@davidwilliams-xt7pe]

Any big foots

[@josephranker5716]

@@davidwilliams-xt7pe not that I saw

[@davidwilliams-xt7pe]

@@josephranker5716 oh, I thought there were big foot everywhere in the USA. Looked prime big foot country. Probably their, but you did not see them.

[@josephranker5716]

@@davidwilliams-xt7pe I always carry a camera.. and we know they can tell and stay away. so they may be out there but not for me.

[@davidwilliams-xt7pe]

@@josephranker5716 true

[@DrJohn493]

A Saturday morning double feature! Thanks for the geography lesson on the Magruder Road. I’m gonna add it to my list of things to do on my Binge the Rockies tour next summer. The CCC did some amazing work and the bridges are a work of art.

[@leedanielson7452]

Now that’s what I call beautiful!

[@TheSunGoethDown]

This was a great video. I loved seeing the Lincoln log cabin and the views from the fire lookout. Thank you for taking us along.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidwilliams-xt7pe]

@@SUVRVing any big foot? Looks like prime big foot country.

[@Bitterrootbackroads]

Great video! I made that trip, same direction, with my little dog in a Honda Fit in 2014 and drove Lolo Motorway the next year. Once I got to Elk City I took the Wagon Road the rest of the way to near Grangeville. I’m a flatlander from MN and the prospect of a 100+ mile backroad drive through scenery like that was what got me headed to Idaho every year. I didn’t take time for the side trips but still intend to next time. Covid has spoiled travel plans for 2 years now. I don’t know how you got that far in one day, it seemed like I spent hours dodging rocks at 5 mph and only got as far as Poet Creek with no side trips. Took pics of a couple parked John Deere machines with rock pulverizing roller heads ready to go to work. Maybe it’s a little smoother now.

[@JesusChristOrBust]

That's the one place in Idaho I haven't gone but have really wanted to. I could just get lost in that silent beauty forever.

[@timothysexton1532]

Such a wonderful place. I'm glad to know huge wilderness places like that still exist. Hopefully, I'll get to go there someday.

[@steveflaim2656]

Loved the two fire lookouts!

[@gaypreator8547]

Branching out on short hikes or just exploring a little, what a great forestry experience. The air must be so earthy and fresh. The morning air would be intoxicating. Great video makes me want boiled coffee.

[@christianburrell5564]

Solid “Tristan Trip”. Beautiful country.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Christian!

[@johnmcdonald1306]

Your narrations of observations are much better than a drone video and boring narrations of nature from Nat Geo proves real people make the difference

[@donmccormick4034]

Camped at Elk River, ID. Had a nice big turnout at the campground. Was surrounded by trees. They also have a small airfield if you wanted to fly in. Have a great restaurant and a nice bar. Wonderful small town. They also have a couple of RV parks, not sure of the cost.

[@RicG.]

Had never heard of this road before. Love it. It's on my bucket list now! Thanks Tristan.

[@doctorartphd6463]

I have been wanting to take the Magruder Corridor for some time. I live in Noxon, MT and was hoping to make this drive this summer. Thanks for a great video !

[@jonathandrew3313]

Drove the Magruder in my Jeep Wrangler on the 12th. We camped at Magruder crossing, then drove the rest on the next day. Drove up to Burnt Knob Lookout. That was a blast, had to drop into 4-low and into 1st gear on the way down because it was so steep. You should do a rafting trip on the Selway River that starts just down from Paradise Guard Station. Permit only but if you draw you'll get to see some unbelievable country. One of the top whitewater experiences in the country

[@moloko4]

planning a trip later this year from montana to washington. think i'm going to include this in the route. thanks for this!

[@DAllenMartinphotos]

That river looks like it would be great place to do some fly fishing!

[@guylamullins3602]

My favorite spot on the planet.

[@wendy4498]

Thank you for all the info on your trip. Absolutely beautiful! I had no idea we had all this in our back yard so to speak.

[@joharmon2148]

So sad to see all the dead trees caused my the bark beettles, but its still very beautiful. Enjoy the journey and thank you for sharing

[@geraldallen8230]

Maybe beetles, but fires burnt a large portion of the forest, I fly over the wilderness as much as I can.. live on the Montana side...

[@davidcolinstillman5585]

BREATHTAKING BEAUTY COLORS VIEWS SCENERY VIDEO ! GORGEOUS PEAKS AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE ! THE STONE WORK TO THE BRIDGE WAS BEAUTIFUL ! THANK YOU ! BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS ON YOUR JOURNEYS ! ENJOYED !

[@michaelsonleitner5724]

Thanks Tristan, really enjoyed this “older” video. On to the next!

[@annarmartin2713]

This is my second time watching this video. I was excited the first time when I recognized the name McGruder and part of the story sounded familiar to me. McGruder was a good friend of an early ancestor of mine who owned a hotel/tavern in Idaho by the name of Hil Beachy(Beachey) who was the one who went to CA and brought them back to justice. I do enjoy your videos. I love road trips and am ready to go on another. Thanks for the gift of sharing your interests and skills. I identified with your statement of wanting to see what was around the next bend.

[@noragodley1270]

Beautiful trip! I loved the lakes along the way.

[@SUVRVing]

They were beautiful, for sure. I need to go back and pay them a visit! Thanks Nora.

[@neilmartinsr4610]

Excellent video. That's a section of the IBDR. I'm in Nampa Idaho. I hope there's a video of more of your trip.

[@marieliessewise]

Thank your for all those great episodes! You might have read this book already but if not you will enjoy Indian Creek Chronicles. It’s Pete Fromm’s “account of seven winter months spent alone in a tent in Idaho guarding salmon eggs and coming face to face with the blunt reality of life as a contemporary mountain man”.

[@LindaVHill]

I recently discovered this wonderful video and shared it with a friend who reminded me that it's likely the site of Fromm's memoir. Thanks to you Marie for pointing that out here! It's an amazing tale, as is his other memoir The Names of the Stars. Must reads for backcountry fans!

[@michaelchase5751]

Tristan, thanks for another great video. I live in SW Idaho and have driven the Magruder twice during the last 20 years. Glad you made it through before the air got smokey from the fires. Best to go July right after they open it up to early August because often there is smoke after that. The put-in for the Selway River wilderness paddle trip is at the end of the road where you turned around. It requires a permit and only one launch per day is allowed. The one comparable wilderness paddle trip is the Middle Fork of the Salmon which is 105 miles long, all through wilderness. Glad you're getting to see some of Idaho's great wilderness country.

[@davidgodley521]

That's some beautiful scenery. I wouldn't mind visiting there sometime. On another note, I retired in April and traded my SUV for a Ford Transit van with a mid height roof and moved into it. I'm now a vandweller. I'd like to get some off road tires for it. The engine is a V6 310 hp EcoBoost.

[@coolgrandma4952]

David Godley Enjoy your retirement Dave!

[@rouxchat6033]

OMG, this is definately on my bucket list! Love the coast. Love the desert. But, thrive in the mountains and forest. Thank you so much for sharing. I'd love to do some fishing there and stay for as long as is allowed in one or two of the sites by the water. Also want to do some hiking. Shorter day hikes are what I do these days as I'm in my 70s so no more packing in. The two you showed to the lookouts looked ideal. Thanks again, an Oregon nomad 🌲💗🐺🐶💗🌲

[@IdahoSewing]

You can stay for up to 14 days in a site. So each location could allow 14 day-hikes or fishing days. And don't forget the Running Creek spur road! It takes off near Granite Springs. Also, on this end, you can drive to Mackay Bar and Whitewater Ranch on the Salmon River.

[@rouxchat6033]

@@IdahoSewing Thanks!

[@jaysonschor]

Every time I come to one of your videos, I literally say I was literally just there.

[@rob9147]

Nice couch!!, live entertainment!! Fresh air...sweet!! Riding a mountain bike this route would be epic..

[@TheDenisedrake]

I LOVE how you do the maps on Adventure Know How site! Very helpful and some near us in Sacramento, CA. Last weekend we drove past the Kyburz Flat one in Tahoe National Forest. I need to check your site before going out! Thanks!

[@bluecruiser2019]

Nice video! I know this is an old video, but we are heading up next week to do the Owyhee and Magruder. Good to see somewhat of an idea of what to expect. Thanks 👍

[@barbarafuhrman7395]

Rode on this a while back was out for a ride and found this now I need to do it again. All of it so beautiful my kind of adventure Thanks for the video.

[@calliepieters3446]

AWESOME ! I'm going to have to take that road. I love forrest service roads that go for miles. and lots of free camping. thanks a heep !!

[@robertwaid3579]

A Footnote here: That gap, valley and area was one of the natural routes, our "Forefathers", pioneer ancestors traveled through, along with several others North/South, too open up this Great Land, and Country we call Home!!!!

[@longrider42]

As some one who has worked as a fire wood cutter and such, those logs are way to perfect. I suspect it was built from a kit, and yes kit log houses have been around, and still are, for some time.

[@DeeMoback]

Great great video ..... thank you....btw, there is a video on youtube where a woman bought an old firetower and converted to a tiny house....yup

[@itsnick37]

That’s an amazing idea! Any chance you remember what channel name is?

[@dvdschaub]

Accidentally found this video today. I live in north Idaho, so I hope to do it this summer.

[@scottgordon1721]

My my my your videos are national treasures seriously informative and spectacular. Thank you

[@MaxZomboni]

Great scenery. I'm looking forward to you going back and hiking that area.

[@RebeccaGillan-wm1si]

Loved staying at the cabin!!

[@keithsparling5537]

Really good video! Ive been looking for something in this area. You gave a birds eye view. Its good to know there are still some true wildnerness areas. Thank you!

[@1ACL]

My favorite part was the possibility of camping by that river.

[@swikfors]

This was absolutely stunning, Tristan! I sure hope someone restores the Burnt Knob lookout post.

[@parkspursuit7515]

What a very cool area. Idaho is still a very unexplored area for me. I've been all over Utah, Montana, and Wyoming and have only managed to shoot into Idaho for quick overnight stays etc. Never really explored it . I need to remedy that someday.

[@florencerozner2344]

Wow so beautiful I enjoyed

[@vanessaboman8143]

Totally beautiful trip! Thank you for sharing!

[@56kicki]

Your video is excellent as is your narration and speech. Beautiful video of gorgeous scenery. Thanks! I just found you, so now I will enjoy your previous and future videos.

[@virginiarocks]

Those lookout buildings and views were lovely.

[@lizsteilkie]

I'm so excited. When I drive Natchez Trace Highway ,which compared to that is highly developed it was very spiritual...

[@johnfeit5314]

Thank you for the video - it is very helpful for planning our own trip!

[@thomaselkins2774]

Great video man! Might change my Tom Miner campground trip for this.

[@johnlowry5311]

Thank you for sharing your trip. Magruder Corridor is on my bucket list. Happy trails

[@lindabojko9771]

Loved your narration while traveling on the awesome road along the water !!

[@John-ve3gg]

I was unaware of this road before it's definitely something I am want to do I've been to Elk City I've been to Darby but that seems like a perfect trip in between the two thanks for sharing. I appreciate all your videos thank you

[@mikearchibald8651]

Try it on a bicycle. Un forgettable

[@reggiebald2830]

Some of those beautiful mountainside looked suspiciously logged; just saying. Liked the 1st campsite! Right on the river! 2nd lookout a favorite, too. Great view!

[@kc195556]

Reminds me of traveling the Alkan Highway. Beauty abounds.

[@samanthadodd8112]

Thanks for always telling us about the road conditions. I'm still debating what vehicle to convert and a lot of the roads will be hard to go down in a van, so..... still thinking.

[@HikerBikerMoter]

4x4 van u

[@countingcoup]

Great segment! I was hoping you would get to the Nez Percé trail... Hope you get back there with more time on your hands to explore it in more detail and historical significance 👍🏽

[@henrijakubowicz1421]

The scenery is beautiful. Nice video.

[@Alaska610ish]

Awesome! Been looking for a Idaho video from you! Thanks buddy

[@randallhughes3062]

No drones. Well , pretty good air shots anyway. (haha).I am at this moment trying to figure out how to get there before it gets cold. This is classic road trip camping, just me and my dog!

[@stevepowsinger733]

Randall Hughes yes “No drones”. Maybe they say “No bears shxdtng in the woods” too. 🤫

[@JimHabash]

This is a very good video, great content- good exploration in the time allotted.