For 60 years after construction was completed in 1915, White Bird Grade, across the valley, served as Idaho’s only north-south highway. Its many tortuous curves and switchbacks, which if placed together made 37 complete circles, allowed the old road to climb 2900 feet in 14 miles. Reaching an elevation of 4429 at its summit, the route represented a significant engineering and construction achievement. A new grade did not replace it until 1975.