The second part of this journey takes no back seat to the first part for excitement and work. One would think that once we all returned to the vehicles, we could put the packs down, ride in comfort right back to our couches and showers at home. Unfortunately, to get back, we opted to head west, over what we later found out to be the Battle Creek road. This would be charactorized as a very nice road in some third world places. Conestoga wagons rolling across this part of Idaho might even call this fairly good. All in the party were quite used to dirt roads, rough roads, and lots of rocks and holes, but not for Battle Creek! This road takes the prize for the roughest, longest place to put your wheels that I have ever seen.

Several mud hole and creek crossings were in order. This one almost swamping DJ's little pickup. Surprisingly, it was the only vehicle not to make it through this crossing. Even the four wheel drive Subaru was able to make it through. Below, you'll see Mark in his "Barney" suit giving the signals to Dennis, towing DJ on up the other bank. DJ's advice - Don't go into this country without four wheel drive.

Once we made it across this last crossing, things eased up a bit. We bounced over several rough places, but mostly just kept going until we arrived at the campground for the last night. All in all, everyone was very tired, but very happy to have made this trip. Happy enough to want to return for the next years annual trip to the Owyhee county.

Dennis, DJ, and David working on the bridge over the washed out part of the second big crossing. One by one all the vehicles made it across. Each time one went across, the railroad tie bridge had to be rebuilt.