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Greer Grade: Highway 11, Clearwater River, Idaho
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Drives Idaho North Idaho

Greer Grade: Highway 11

ID 11, Greer Road · Greer → Pierce

Sweeping29 mi50 min3,100 ft climbHigh point ≈ 3,500 ftOne way
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The drive

Highway 11, the Gold Rush Historic Byway, starts at US 12 at Greer. It crosses the Clearwater River and climbs about 2,000 vertical feet out of the Clearwater valley by switchbacks, the Greer Grade. The original grade was a Nez Perce trail, and a wagon road was built on it during the 1861 gold rush.

A motorcycle-roads guide describes tight winding curves on the grade, then a long flat stretch on top, and tighter curves again heading down toward Pierce. The road passes Weippe, where a marker notes the meeting of the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Nez Perce, and a marker for Canal Gulch, Idaho's first gold strike, before it ends in Pierce. The drive is 29.3 miles and takes about 50 minutes.

Along the way

  1. Greer (US-12)
  2. Weippe
  3. Pierce
Elevation
3,100 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 3,500 ft
GreerPierce
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
GreerPierce
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The pavement is rough in places, with potholes and cracks from hard winters.
  • Check for snow and ice, even in May or June. The byway is open year-round, but parts may close in winter.
  • Weippe and Pierce have full services; Greer has partial services.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Idaho 511.

Questions about this drive

How long does Highway 11 from Greer to Pierce take?

The Greer Grade drive from Greer to Pierce is 29.3 miles and takes about 50 minutes.

How steep is the Greer Grade?

Highway 11 climbs about 2,000 vertical feet out of the Clearwater valley by switchbacks.

Is Highway 11 in Idaho open in winter?

The Gold Rush Historic Byway is open year-round, but Visit Idaho says portions may close in winter and the road can be icy.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Greer Grade: Highway 11, from Greer to Pierce