this 2002 spring trip to big southern butte was my first real adventure ride and more of a trial and error experience than anything else.

here my klr is packed for the trip and now feels somewhat like driving a waterbed ;)

it was equipped with the kawasaki tank bag and saddle bags. i then strapped my own duffel across the top of the rear.  this configuration allowed me to carry a tent, sleeping bag, stove, food and other supplies.  easily enough for an overnight stay, but hardly any more than that food and beverage wise.

i left later than expected one friday evening and, taking the back roads, began working my way towards blackfoot.  it took quite a while before i began to feel comfortable with the load and fighting the winds that are so common here in south-east idaho.

i set up camp on the south-east side of the butte and spent a reasonably warm night for an early spring trip in the idaho desert.  i managed to camp within 100 yards of a sage grouse lek and was awakened early by the boomers strutting their stuff.   that was a nice break!

the campsite on the south-east side of the butte. the road up the butte is actually on the north, but i didn't know that at the time and as it turned out camping here was better than closer to the road anyway.

breakfast is on!

looking south from a short hike up the southern side of the butte.  my little tent is out there somewhere fighting the winds and it actually managed to survive.

mr snake is out enjoying the morning sun with me!

here is a view of the sign explaining the ins and outs of big southern butte and in the distance you can see the canyon up which the road climbs to the top of this butte.  hang gliders use the road often to reach the top and launch.  there is a lookout tower up there as well, but it is abandoned.

i never did reach the top on this trip as the road was still snowed shut.   i did return later in the year however and ride all the way up.  that is when i realized just how differently heavy bikes react to steep sandy grades as opposed to lighter dirt bikes ;)

all in the the trip was a great success for what it taught me, the most informative of which was that camping on a motorcycle is less attractive to me than staying at a motel and eating out ;)