How To Get There: When traveling from the north, west or south, you will eventually end up on US 95 and arrive in Grangeville, Idaho. Turn off of US 95, follow the signs that say to Elk City which lead through the center of Grangeville, and head north through town. About 300 yards past the Maverick Gas Station (on your right), at the north end of town, turn right on State Highway 13. (NOTE: Grangeville is the last place you can get gas, as Elk City doesn't serve EF!ers) Just before you turn off on this road, you can see the Nez Perce National Forest Supervisor's office just ahead on your left. Continue on the main road one mile. Follow the main road around a 90-degree bend (to the left) at the abandoned drive-in theater. Don't continue straight or you will end up at a ski resort. Follow this road (about eight miles) until it merges with State Highway 14, where you will turn/merge east. From here the directions are the same regardless of where you are coming from.

When traveling from the east, travel west on US highway 12 until Kooskia. Turn south on Idaho highway 14.

From here go about 40 miles (about 60 miles, if going from Kooskia), until you reach the giant timber mill (Shearer Lumber, the corporation cutting the heart out of Cove/Mallard). Here the road forks. Take the right fork (Forest Service road 222) toward Red River (don't continue on Highway 14 to Elk City). Continue on this road for about 15 miles, till you reach the Red River Ranger Station. Just before the station, the road forks. Take the right fork (don't continue on the road toward Red River Hot Springs), which is still Forest Service road 222, and go past the Ranger Station. Continue up this road for about 15 miles until you get to the Dixie Summit where the road turns to gravel. Veer right and go about 5 miles (down) through the town of Dixie. Go through the town (you are still on road 222), past the store and past the sign to the cemetery. At a place called the Groves, turn left onto road 222D. Stay on this road (it has some steep hills) and don't turn off to go to the Southern Star. Go about 4 miles on road 222D. Follow the signs that say basecamp and park.

GEAR LIST: SUMMER
Summers at Cove/Mallard are cold and rainy; be concerned about hypothermia if you don't bring the proper gear.

Wool/polypropylene/polar-pile socks, pants, shirts, gloves, hats, pullovers. COTTON IS USELESS WHEN IT GETS WET, WHILE WOOL, POLYPROPYLENE, AND POLARPILE KEEP YOU WARM WHEN IT GETS WET. Three pairs of socks and extra polypropylene shirts for extra dry clothing. Polarpile gloves are the best kind of glove for rainy and snowy weather. Cotton clothing is ok when it's hot (mid July to mid September).

Goretex (or similar material) jacket. Goretex keeps some water out and "breathes" so your sweat doesn't get you wet. Rain poncho or jacket and waterproof pants. Leg gaitors. Camo or drab green and brown clothing is good to blend into woods.

Backpack, daypack-camo or drab green/brown. Plastic bag to line backpack. Sleeping bag: synthetic material. NO DOWN; down is useless when it gets wet!

Good quality hiking boots, preferably water proof. Disposable shoes for actions.

Compass, watch, whistle, Swiss army knife,bandana, sunglasses/sunscreen, vitamins, medicinal herbs, teas/echinacea. Cayenne pepper (for warm toes), mirror (to attract attention in emergency), emergency space blanket. First-aid kit: band-aids, tape/gauze, anti-bacterial ointment, ace bandage, splinter kit (needle, tweezers, razor), snakebite kit. Compact, high-energy food. Cup, bowl, spoon, 1 or 2 quart cooking pot. Campstove (optional), lighters, matches, dry paper for firestarter (in ziploc bags), ziplock bags, camera, film, paperclips, duct tape. Patch kit for tent and groundpads. Tarps-camo, drab green/brown. Tent, with good rainfly. Tent is optional if you have a 10' x 12' tarp for use as a shelter. However, tents keep out biting bugs the best! Rope, twine (at least 20') to string up shelter. Groundpad (thermarest, ridgerest, etc.). This insulates you from the cold ground. Rubberbands, safety pins, twine, bungee cords, spare shoelaces, sewing kit. Flashlight/headlamp, spare batteries, candles, red lenses or cellophane. Waterbottles; water filter or purification tablets, crucial phone numbers (memorize if possible).

GEAR LIST: WINTER
You will want the same things as for summer with some extras: Extra warm sleeping bag (again, NO DOWN); a 20 below rating is good. Also, a lightweight bag to slip into the heavier bag. Two sleeping bags will keep you warm! Sorrels; the thicker the soles, the better. Extra sorrel liners. Wool pants. Overmitts for hands. Glove and sock liners. 10' x 12' tarp or plastic for snow shelters. Snow shovel. High fat foods, like cheese, miso, peanut butter. Fat keeps you warm!