Summer in Idaho: Sawtooth Wilderness Spotlight

  Photo Credit: Pxfuel.com Summer is here, bringing with it those long sunny days. There is no better time to get outside and explore the nature Idaho has to offer, and there is no better place to do it than the Sawtooth Wilderness. The Sawtooths are a mountain range in Central Idaho and are legendary for rugged, sharp peaks, crystal clear alpine lakes, and spectacular vistas. Start planning your Sawtooth trip this summer using this guide! Redfish Lake: Redfish Lake is a stunning alpine lake that sits right outside of Stanley, Idaho. It has been a popular destination to relax and unwind since the 1800s, and was inhabited by the Sheepeaters tribe much earlier than that. Redfish gets its name from the bright red Sockeye Salmon which swim upstream to spawn at the lake each summer. It is said that back before dams and overfishing reduced the Sockeye numbers dramatically, there used to be so many spawning fish returning to Redfish that you could walk on their backs across the lake. Nowadays, visitors flock to enjoy the camping, hiking, boating, and fishing that surround this remarkable lake. Whether it be a day trip or a weekend getaway, Redfish Lake is a staple of the Sawtooths and a must-see! Photo Credit: Unsplash Hiking: Hiking in the Sawtooths can include some serious elevation gain, but the views at the top make the trek very rewarding. Since the sheer number of trails can seem overwhelming, here are our top 3 choices that are worth the effort: Goat Lake:  This trail is an ~8 mile out-and-back hike that leads to a breathtaking alpine lake surrounded by impressive mountains. This trail is challenging with a lot of elevation gain, but jumping in the cold lake at the top helps to refresh and cool off for the hike down. Fishhook Creek Trail: A family-friendly option, this 5 mile out-and-back trail has minimal elevation gain and ends up with views of the Sawtooth mountains sprawl beyond a gorgeous meadow. Bench Lakes: A nice intermediate-advanced option is the Bench Lakes trail, which starts near Redfish Lake and goes 8 miles out and back to five different alpine lakes. From the tranquil lakes, you can see craggy peaks of the Sawtooths and even spend the night in one of the countless campgrounds at the 5 Bench lakes. Photo Credit: Kaija Zoller Camping: The Sawtooths are a part of the Central Idaho Dark Sky reserve and once the sun sets on the sharp peaks and vast wilderness of this mountain range, the real show begins. When it comes to camping in the Sawtooths, there are two main options: campgrounds and dispersed camping. Campgrounds will typically have much more amenities such as bathrooms, picnic tables, and trash; reservations are recommended and can be tricky to secure. Dispersed camping is camping anywhere in the Sawtooth National Forest outside of designated campgrounds, meaning you could sleep right next to alpine lake and under the tall peaks of the Sawtooths. This is very popular among backpackers and although it can require more gear, it is useful in splitting long hikes into multi-day trips. Remember when camping to Leave No Trace, and pack out or throw away everything you bring in. Whether you're driving up to a campsite for a night or backpacking into an alpine lake, camping is an amazing way to experience the Sawtooths both at day and night!  Photo Credit: Kaija Zoller Wildlife:  The Sawtooths are home to countless species of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects and it is almost impossible to enter this National Forest without seeing wildlife. At lower elevations, you might see elk and mule deer, coyotes, snowshoe hares, chipmunks, pine martens, and even the rare black bear. At high elevations, you may be able to spot a mountain goat or a bighorn sheep, which are more common than you would think. Birds you might see include golden and bald eagles, a variety of sparrows, meadowlarks, and red winged blackbirds among many others. Photo Credit: Kaija Zoller        

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10 Fun Summer Activities to do in Idaho

Southern Idaho is the perfect mix of quiet country and bustling city, offering boundless opportunities to get out with friends, family, or a significant other. One of the best times of the year to enjoy the great Idaho outdoors is during our beautiful summer season! From the back country of Marsing, ID to the heart of downtown Boise, ID we're here to share some of Idaho's greatest hidden gems and add 10 Fun Summer Activities to your bucket list!   1. Jump Creek (Photo by: Xander Lacy) A tranquil waterfall can be found tucked away in the canyons of Marsing, Idaho. This hidden gem features a variety of outdoor activities and adventures including multiple hiking trails, lush greenery full of wildlife, and the best part - a relaxing pool of water below the falls!  Located only about an hour drive from Boise, this destination makes a great day trip!   Jump Creek Recreation Area, Marsing, ID 83639 VisitIdaho.org Cost: Free   2. Terace Drive-In Theatre (Photo by: Canva.com) Thinking about taking the family out to see a movie? Or maybe a date night with your significant other? Instead of driving to big box cinemas, support a local business and make it outdoors all in one! Located in Caldwell, Idaho, the Terrace Drive-In Theatre takes you “back to yesteryear” by offering a fun, 1950’s experience for everyone! No need to stop for popcorn and candy along the way, the concession stand is full of yummy snacks to enjoy throughout the movie!   4011 S Lake Ave., Caldwell, ID 83605 (208) 455-1433 | TerraceDriveIn.com Cost: Adults $10.00, Senior Citizens (60+) $7.00, Children (4-11) $3.00   3. Lucky Peak State Park (Photo by: Katie Wallace) Beach day? Some may say there’s no such thing in Idaho, but we’re here to tell you they’re wrong! Located just within a 30 minute drive from downtown Boise, Lucky Peak State Park offers a variety of summer activities to keep you busy for an entire weekend! From paddle boarding, fishing, camping, picnics or boating, this short road trip will keep you busy from sunrise to sunset.    Located off ID Highway 21 (208) 412-2278 | Parks and Recreation Idaho Cost: Free   4. Float the Boise River (Photo by: Canva.com) Want to beat the heat during a 80+ degree summer day? Then the Boise River Float is a “must do” on your bucket list. This six mile long water adventure begins at Barber Park and ends at Ann Morrison Park while carrying you through an oasis of forestry and lush greens. Don’t have your own raft? Boise River Raft and Tube Rentals offers a variety of flotation devices.    Barber Park Website Cost: $   5. Quinn's Pond Boise (Photo by: Canva.com) Quinn’s Pond located in Boise is adjacent to the Greenbelt and the Boise River near Esther Simplot Park in the West End. This popular hangout spot is surrounded by sand, definitely giving off beachfront vibes perfect for picnics or catching some rays of sun! Quinn’s pond is most well-known for its water activities such as fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding.   3206 W Pleasanton Ave, Boise, ID 83702 Cityofboise.org Cost: $   6. Boise Farmers Market (Photo by: Shelley Pouls) Do you love supporting our local community by purchasing fresh, healthy produce? If the answer is yes, then check out the Boise Farmers Market, where Boise brings the farms to you. This event takes place every Saturday morning from 9am to 1pm at 1500 Shoreline Drive in downtown Boise. Come out and enjoy those crisp, fresh weekend mornings and take home even fresher fare to make for dinner.   1500 Shoreline Dr, Boise, ID 83702 208-345-9287 | Website Cost: $   7. Boise First Thursday (Photo by: Alden Skele) Thursday is the new Friday! If you are a lover of art, family fun activities, fine dining, and live music then Boise First Thursday is the hangout spot for you. This event takes place in the heart of downtown Boise during the first Thursday of every month. Did we mention the event typically runs from 5pm to 9pm? No need to worry about work getting in the way, Boise First Thursday is the perfect evening event to relax and rewind before those busy summer weekends!   600 S Walnut St, Boise, ID 83712 208-385-7300 | Website Cost: Free   9. Ste Chapelle Winery (Photo by: Danyelle Tolan) Kick back, have a drink and relax at Ste Chapelle Winery located in Caldwell, Idaho. This picturesque winery is perched on rolling vineyards overlooking the Snake River and Lizard Butte. Soak up some sun while enjoying a glass of wine and a delicious charcuterie board on their wrap-around patio with breathtaking views from every angle. Ste Chapelle also hosts afternoon events such as wine tasting and live music from local musicians.    19348 Lowell Rd, Caldwell, ID 83607 (208) 453-7843 ext. 3 | Website Cost: $   9. Payette Brewing Company (Photo by: Canva.com) Our fur babies love to enjoy the fresh summer air as well, and what better place to take them than Payette Brewing Company! Not only do they have tasty beer, this local brewery is one of the most dog-friendly in all of Boise! Payette Brewing offers a unique beer garden with an outdoor fire pit and yard games! Dogs and local beer...it doesn’t get any better than that!   733 S Pioneer St, Boise, ID 83702 Website Cost: $   10. Hike Table Rock Trail (Photo by: Toelynn Christopher) If you live in Boise and have not visited Table Rock yet, you are missing out! The Table Rock Trail is a 3.7 mile pet-friendly hike located in the Boise foothills. This trail offers amazing views of downtown Boise, the Botanical Gardens and the historic Old Idaho Penitentiary. At the top of Table Rock stands a 60-foot cross that can be seen throughout areas of downtown Boise, especially when lit up at night. One of the best times to hike the trail is right at sunrise and right before dusk, to catch those breath-taking skyline sunset views!   15 Table Rock Trail, Idaho 83712 Alltrails.com Cost: Free    

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5 Events in Boise and Beyond - April 29th & 30th

5 Events in Boise & Beyond 1. Trash or Treasure in Meridian When: Saturday, April 29 & Sunday, April 30th Time: 8 am - 8 pm EVENT DETAILS HERE   2. Whiskey Weekend at Koenig Distillery Where: 20928 Grape Lane, Caldwell, ID When: Saturday, April 29 Time: 1 pm - 5 pm EVENT DETAILS HERE   3. Cabernet & Crochet Where: The Warehouse Food Hall When: Sunday, April 30th Time: 4 pm - 6 pm EVENT DETAILS HERE   4. North End Artisan Sale Where: 723 N 15th Street, Boise, ID When: Saturday, April 29th Time: 9:30 am - 12 pm DETAILS HERE   5. Ste Chapelle Winery After Hours Where: 19348 Lowell Road, Caldwell, ID When: Friday, April 28th Time: 6 pm - 9 pm DETAILS HERE

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