Gospel Hump Wilderness 

The Gospel Hump Wilderness Area is in the central portion of Idaho north of the Salmon River.  It is unique in that there is a very good, passenger-car quality road which travels right through the middle of the wilderness area.   This road provides great access to lands I could never see otherwise.

As you can see in the photos, the road is wide, gravel, and in great condition.  I must say though that at certain points on the way to the lookout, there are major drop-offs of almost 3,000 feet!

There are multiple approaches to reaching the Gospel Hump Wilderness.  

Maybe the best road in is to use the Grangeville to Salmon River Road.  This road leaves from the east side of Grangeville and heads south eventually goes through the ghost town of Florence, Idaho and then down to the main fork of the Salmon River.  The first 1/2 of this road are paved.  Signs will direct you to the lookout.

The Grangeville to Salmon River Road may be travelled in the opposite direction and come into the Gospel Hump Wilderness from the south.  If doing this, plan on a long and initially very rocky ride.  I met a man in a Suburban on the grade climbing from the main Salmon River to Florence.  He was changing a tire due to a flat.  Come to find out it was his second flat on that section of road!

I have ridden a dual sport motorcycle to the Gospel Hump Wilderness from White Bird, Idaho using Banner Ridge Road.  It intersected the Grangeville - Salmon Road.  We were shocked to see the pavement in that location.  My son and I had two young wolves cross the Banner Ridge Road right in front of us and we saw a mama black bear with twin cubs.

I know that you can also access the area by driving up Slate Creek, but I have not done so.

There are a lot of roads and trails in this area.  Using a GPS and mapping out your access route before leaving home is prudent.