Day 4

Wednesday July 20, 2012 - Grey Cliff Campground to Eureka Junction

Length: 130 miles (primary route)

Gas: Ennis, 95 miles or so from Manhattan.

Click on thumbnail above to enlarge. Download routes and waypoints in the the .gpx file here.

The "primary" route for Thursday (GE wpts, Red on the map, 130 miles) follows the Madison River from Grey Cliff Campground turning West to Norris. From Norris the route heads West to Sterling, SW past the Revenue Mine, then West to the confluence of Meadow and Washington and Saw Log Creeks. From there, the route follows North Meadow Creek SE, then West along the South Meadow Creek Road then SE along Granite Creek to Hwy 287, then East to Virginia City.

From Virginia City, the route follows 287 to Ennis where gas will be available. The Varney Road is then followed South past Varney to the Gravelly Range Road which is followed to a bivouac recommended in the area between Clover Meadows Campground and the Eureka Junction.

NOTE: According to the USFS, the Gravelly Range Road may be impassible from Ennis to the Centennial Valley this time of the year. It is possible that it will be impassable on the July 20 and / or 21. We recommend that riders call the USFS office in Ennis to check on the status (406-682-4253).

We are showing an alternate (Blue on the Day 4 Map, AC- waypoints) that would involve going West on Hwy 287 from where the Granite Creek road intersects Hwy 287 to get gas in Sheridan, then back to Alder to Ruby reservoir then along the Ruby River Road to Eureka Junction..

Things to See and Do:

• • The highlight of this day's ride will be the 30 miles of the Gravelly Range Road between 8,500 and 9,500 feet in elevation.

  • Riders might also like to spend some time in Nevada City and / or Virginia City.

Camping, Related:

• • Clover Meadows is a developed campground along the Gravelly Range Road.

  • Primitive camping is possible between Clover Meadows and Eureka Junction as well.

  • If the alternate route is taken, there is a KOA at Alder and there are plenty of places to camp along the upper Ruby.

  • ( You can take Warm Springs Rd, FS rd. # 163, off of the Ruby River Rd and intersect the primary route just before Clover Meadows camp on this route also. -Horse607)

Updated 02/09/2011