Lonesome Highway — Centennial Road to Challis via the White Cloud Peaks Backdoor and Patterson Creek
White Clouds without the permit lottery.
Most people fight the crowds at Redfish Lake. You won’t be going there. Patterson Creek Road climbs out of the Pahsimeroi Valley and angles northwest through open sagebrush benches and lodgepole timber toward the eastern flanks of the White Cloud Peaks, eventually descending into the upper Salmon River drainage near Challis. The route runs approximately 55 miles from the Patterson area south of Salmon to the Challis vicinity, crossing the Salmon River Mountains on graded gravel and dirt that gets progressively rougher as you climb. Key waypoints include Patterson Creek itself — a reliable water source — and the high saddles around 8,500 feet that deliver eye-level views of the Boulder-White Clouds wilderness without the permit lottery nonsense of the trail system below.
A stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle handles this fine in dry conditions; a two-wheel-drive truck with decent ground clearance can squeak through in summer but will suffer on the wetter grades. Snow can linger at the high saddles into late June and return by October — mid-July through September is the reliable window. No permit required. Fuel in Salmon or Challis before you commit; both towns are roughly 30-40 miles from the high country. Cell service is nonexistent once you leave the Pahsimeroi Valley floor. Dispersed camping throughout Salmon-Challis National Forest land. This is exactly the kind of road that reminds you why you bought a 4×4 in the first place.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 55 mi / 88.5 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8600 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Challis, ID |
| Land manager | Salmon-Challis National Forest — Challis-Yankee Fork Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Salmon-Challis NF Challis-Yankee Fork District Salmon-Challis National Forest main page |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run this without any mods?
Yes — stock 4WD high-clearance is the floor here. A factory 4Runner, Wrangler, or similar rig handles the route fine as long as you're not running low-profile tires. Lifted rigs will be more comfortable on the rougher sections near Patterson Creek, but it's not required.
When does this route actually open each year, and is snow a real concern?
July through September is your window. The high points push 8,600 ft and snow can linger into late June — sometimes July after a heavy winter. Check with the Challis-Yankee Fork Ranger District before heading out early season, especially if it's been a big snow year.
Do I need a permit to drive this route or camp along it?
No permit required to drive the route. Dispersed camping is allowed under standard Salmon-Challis National Forest rules — 14-day stay limit, camp 200 ft from water and roads. No fees, no lottery, no reservation system — that's the whole point of coming this way instead of fighting for a White Clouds hiking permit.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect there?
The Patterson Creek corridor throws the most at you — rougher surface, tighter terrain, and the water crossings land here. Nothing technical enough to call it dangerous for a capable stock rig, but the crossings can run higher early season and the road gets loose and rutted after summer storms. Take it slow and read the water before you commit.
There's no cell service — how far is the nearest fuel and should I carry extra water?
Challis is your closest fuel stop at the south end of the route — top off there or in Salmon if coming from the north. Carry at least 2-3 gallons of extra fuel for the full 55-mile run given the elevation changes. Water crossings exist on route, but treat or filter anything you take from the creek — bring enough drinking water to not depend on finding a crossing.
Trail track
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