Lehmi River Valley (Idaho, United States) | Easy Ride - 1 Oct, 2023

Sunrise or sunset? Aren't these purple skies simply amazing?

In this part of the Intermountain West, we refer to these gravel-dirt roads with a strip of vegetation in the middle as two-tracks. UTVs are very capable machines and can go anywhere you want them to. However, responsible recreation using UTVs means restricting travel to existing roads and two-tracks. This minimizes impacts on vegetation.

Even though UTVs are restricted to existing roads and two-tracks, it is incredible to see how many exist across the American West. Every draw and valley has an existing road. On the one hand, it is great for exploring the area. On the other, it makes me sad to see the landscape so chopped up and divided. 

As I enjoy the scenery, bouncing along in Can-Am UTV, I ponder whether to include this portion of my trip in my blog. On the one hand, I am still traveling and having different experiences. However, on the other hand, I am no longer traveling on foot, and my adventures are no longer abroad.

I admire the scenery as we work our way through the foothills of the Bitterroot Mountains. The scenery is incredible, and despite the dust, I am enjoying the ride. UTVs are essentially small open-air cars with rear engines. Despite the heat from the engine behind the seat, I managed to stay cool during the ride. 

Finally, I decided to include these adventures in my blog. The Intermountain West is a fantastic landscape with a rich history. Even though the past is not as old as other parts of the world where I have traveled, it is still remarkable. Further, several of you continue to follow my blog and have never seen this landscape. Through these adventures, I can share another part of me and places special to me with you. I hope you enjoy it!

Although it is difficult to see the two-track from this angle, we followed Jeff and Chris in their Polaris UTV and Tyler in his Honda UTV up the steep hill to the rock shelter (black hole in the picture). The view from atop is spectacular. It overlooks the Lemhi Mountains across the interstate to the west. Unfortunately, the sun had shifted west by the time we arrived, making it impossible to take a decent picture. This was a nice little warm-up ride for the afternoon. Tomorrow, we head up into the Lehmi Mountains.