Monday I left Bear basin camp spot for Hailey. Camp spot was just a spot to sleep, the back of my van was maybe 10′ off the road. Road construction is going on beyond me w/ large dump trucks hauling in rock. Daily the road is watered which keeps the dust down as they go by. The spot was close in but off the highway about 2 miles. I usually pick a gravel road off a hard road and drive back a ways for a camp spot me believing that the distance separates me from the opportunists looking for trouble.
My drive plan was down rt 55 to Banks then a paved FS road to Lowman & st 21 to Stanley. My front hub needs Chris King grease. I researched Boise and identified 2 shops for service. I would drive to Boise then back to Banks if a shop had grease. Struck out. Next stop is Hailey and Chip’s shop for his lube.
Off down rt 55 I lumbered. twisty road. Made Banks and turned up the Payette river on a more twisty USFS rd. I stopped @ Lowman RS to obtain a list of hot springs. I decided on Grandjean that was off the well traveled path. Plan was to have a soak and camp. Drove back 6 miles of a washboard road. Found widest parking spot all but hanging over the river bed. Only rig around. Several trails lead from the road down the river bank to many cobbled pools. The first one I tested w/ my feet and legs. It al but first degree burned my legs. Lesson learned: gently lower a digit to test. Found 1 pool that was constant temp w/ a gravel bottom. I soaked for 10 mins on the stop watch then got out and walked a few feet into the roaring cold river to chill off. I checked other pools that were either too hot of too cold. Plumbing is needed to mix the hot and cold waters.
Found an approved place to camp back off the road and on the river bank. Pretty. Rushing water for company. In valley bottom. Clear skies. I felt the brisk temp, checked the van thermometer that showed 41 degrees. Cold enough to run the heater on low for the night. This AM it was 29 degrees and frost was on the lupine.
Today was final push to Hailey first stopping at frequently recommended Stanley bakery. 5 miles of washboard road back to the pavement. Sawtooths. Valleys. Reminded me of Yellowstone. A guy at the bakery greeted me and gave me a ride description b4 I could eat my sticky bun treat. Aspen are turning on Stanley side of Galena summit. Over the summit thru Ketchum to stop at Hailey.
Chip let me work on servicing my hub. Bitch all way around getting the spring clip off then reinstalling the seal and clip. I spent several hours wrestling w/ the process amusing Chip w/ stories. Finally put hub back together: little noticeable difference.
Little rain has fallen here to dampen the dusty trails. Chip gave me ride suggestions. Grocery shopped then drove out to Democrat gulch camp spot. Sage brush covered slopes. Not as cold.
My satellite receiver really is on the fritz. Need to replace it, found one in a Best Buy in Twin Falls.
Off to clean up the galley then bed. Camped @ 5800′.