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  Bikepacking Roots

WWR Segment 2

Segment 2 Description
The Clearwater and Bitterroot country of central Idaho is particularly remote and rugged. Leaving the Clark Fork Valley from Superior heading south, a well-maintained gravel road climbs 3,000 feet back over the Bitterroot crest into Montana. A 25+ mile descent along the scenic Clearwater River leads to the tiny town of Pierce before 60 tough miles of exposed climbing on active and abandoned logging roads over the Clearwater Mountains before dropping steeply to the Selway River where limited services and numerous campgrounds are available. A 25-mile-long 4,700’ climb with reasonable grades takes riders out of the Selway Valley and toward the incredibly secluded and welcoming community of Elk City. East of there, the infamous and stunning Magruder Corridor and another crossing of the Bitterroot Mountains begin – 90 miles of rough and taxing dirt and 4x4 roads sandwiched between two of the largest Wilderness areas in the Lower 48. Do not underestimate this section – it is demanding, exposed, incredibly wild, and is one of the most remote sections of the entire WWR. Leaving Elk City, it is 125 miles with a whopping 14,000’ of climbing to the hopping and touristy town of Darby, MT. The final 35 miles of that are a paved descent to the end of the segment, some of which riders will retrace if continuing south on Segment 3.

Segment length: 326 miles
Total climbing: 31,000 feet
Recommended number of days: 6-8
 
% Paved (approx.): 20%
% Dirt road (approx.): 40%
% 4x4 road/2-track (approx.): 40%
% Singletrack (approx.): 0%
% Rideable (approx.): 95%
 
Average physical difficulty* (1-10): 7
Average technical difficulty** (1-10): 5
Bikepacking challenges: Limited resupply options, very remote, summer heat, grizzly bears are rare in this region.
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 125 miles / 2-3 days
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 40 miles / 1 day

Alternate route options: None

Western Wildlands Route GPS data, guidebook, and mobile app:
Visit the download page!

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Bikepacking Roots is the only non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing bikepacking, growing a diverse bikepacking community, advocating for the conservation of the landscapes and public lands through which we ride, and creating professional routes. We value human-powered experiences and an inclusive, engaged, and informed membership (6,000 strong) that makes a positive impact as we adventure by bike.

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Our Business Partners that support the bikepacking community, conservation, and public lands:
Our organizational partners that support bikepacking, advocacy, conservation, and outdoor recreation:



Bikepacking Roots is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization (EIN 81-2622394)

All content and route data copyright 2016-2021 Bikepacking Roots.
Bikepacking Roots and our logo are registered trademarks.

  • Home
  • News
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Issue Submission
    • Where we stand
    • Who are bikepackers?
    • U.S. Public Lands History
    • United States' wild lands at risk
    • Bikepacking Community Survey
    • Archive of submitted public comments
  • Routes
    • Our Routes
    • BPR Route Rating Scale
    • In development
    • Western Wildlands Route >
      • WWR Updates
      • WWR Downloads and Guides
      • WWR Segment 1
      • WWR Segment 2
      • WWR Segment 3
      • WWR Segment 4
      • WWR Segment 5
      • WWR Segment 6
      • WWR Segment 7
      • WWR Segment 8
      • WWR Segment 9
    • Bears Ears Loops >
      • Bears Ears Loops Downloads and Guides
      • Bears Ears Loops Updates
    • Plateau Passage >
      • Plateau Passage Segments
    • Colorado 14ers Loop
    • Craters and Cinder Cones
    • Orogenesis
    • Northwoods Route
    • Pony Express Route
  • Community
    • Bikepacking Community Survey
    • BIPOC Bike Adventure Grant >
      • BIPOC Bike Adventure Grant Application
    • Go Bikepacking! Teton Valley
  • Join/Give Today!
  • About
    • Mission
    • Who we are
    • Route Test Team
    • Partners
    • Contact
  • Store