CENTRAL IDAHO ONE OF THE SUN’S FAVORITEFAVORITE HANGOUTS | OFFICIAL IDAHO STATE TRAVEL GUIDE TRAVEL | OFFICIAL STATE IDAHO 98 Craters of the Moon Hope you don’t mind heights, because you’re about to enter Idaho’s most moun- tainous region—a jaw-droppingly gorgeous landscape of peaks and passes just waiting to be explored. The jagged Sawtooth Mountains stand guard over the Stanley Basin, an area where endless hiking, biking, and snowmobile trails wind past cold, clear streams and glacier-carved lakes. Mount Borah, the state’s highest peak at 12,662 feet, looks out over the sweeping plains near Mackay, beckoning hikers and climbers to ascend its slopes. From the small western town of Stanley, travel Highway 75 over Galena Pass to the romantic Sun Valley–Ketchum resort area for world-class skiing and hiking, mountain biking, and art-gallery browsing. Ernest Hemingway settled here in his later years and was particularly fond of the Silver Creek area, now a preserve known for fantastic fly-fishing and its rich habitat for birds, elk, and even mountain lions. The Salmon River, ranked by National Geographic as one of the world’s top white- water adventures, begins in this region. This region is not new to adventure—this was the home of Sacajawea, the brave Lemhi-Shoshone woman who served as interpreter for the Lewis and Clark expe- dition as they made their way west to the Pacific Ocean. For more central Idaho adventures, go to visitidaho.org/central Follow Visit Idaho on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and other social media channels. visitidaho.org | 99 #VisitIdaho CENTRAL IDAHO ‹ DULL MOMENTS DON’T STAND A CHANCE Stanley Basin STANLEY BASIN recommendations. The kids will love Redfish Lake’s sandy beach and easy Careful now—people have been known trails, and you’ll love the view. to pick up and move to Idaho after a visit to Stanley. Its romantic, rugged The premier central Idaho adventure is Western beauty is one for the picture a guided rafting trip on the Middle Fork books—maybe because it always of the Salmon River through the Frank seems to be perfectly cast in a light that Church–River of No Return Wilderness, makes its meadows greener, its peaks the largest wilderness area in the craggier, and its crooked fences more Lower 48. This trip is five to seven rustic. Stanley Basin is surrounded by wondrous days in the Idaho outdoors, the Boulder–White Cloud Mountains— with crystal-clear waters, natural hot portions of which were designated as springs, catch-and-release fishing, and wilderness in 2015—and the Sawtooth Dutch-oven riverside dining. Not only Mountains, where the mighty Salmon is the Middle Fork a national Wild and River begins as runoff from winter Scenic River, National Geographic ranks snows. Backpackers, hikers, mountain it as the third-best whitewater river trip bikers, horseback riders, and boaters in the world because of its challenging will find endless adventure within the Class III and IV rapids, unspoiled 756,000-acre Sawtooth National Rec- landscape, and abundance of wildlife. Salmon River reation Area, including 700-plus miles Stanley sits in the heart of this area, at of trails, hundreds of alpine lakes, and the junction of three very picturesque 40 peaks over 10,000 feet. Just east in Stanley Basin routes: Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway the Jim McClure–Jerry Peak Wilderness, on Highway 21, Salmon River Scenic sagebrush gives way to alpine tundra, Byway on Highways 93 and 75, and the a landscape that’s home to some of Sawtooth Scenic Byway on Highway 75. Idaho’s best wildlife habitat. Stop by You’ll find plentiful cabins and motels the visitor center north of Ketchum on in and around Stanley for year-round Highway 75 or the Redfish visitor center excursions. Enjoy a rustic-luxe vacation at Redfish Lake for maps and trail at Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch, where | OFFICIAL IDAHO STATE TRAVEL GUIDE TRAVEL | OFFICIAL STATE IDAHO 100 Follow Visit Idaho on all your favorite social media channels. #VisitIdaho you can set out on any number of out- Valley Pavilion. Take a scenic ride on door adventures and return to stargaze the Roundhouse Express Gondola up from a rocking chair on the front porch. to the top of Mount Baldy, where you Kick off any adventure with the coveted can hike, bike, or enjoy a meal and homemade cinnamon rolls from the an awesome view at the Roundhouse Stanley Baking Company and Cafe. restaurant. SUN VALLEY/ Less than a mile away is the mountain town of Ketchum, where Ernest KETCHUM/HAILEY Hemingway spent his last years, from Sun Valley Part of the larger Wood River Valley, the late 1950s until his death in 1961. spend happy days discovering trails Take time to browse Ketchum’s many and quiet fishing spots amid quaking shops and galleries, grab a drink at the aspen groves, dense mountain forests, famous Whiskey Jacques’, and choose and wildflower meadows. Book a trip from an eclectic array of eateries for a along the Big Wood River and Silver taste of regional cuisine. Creek with the top-notch fly fishermen Head to Christina’s for a casual and women at Silver Creek Outfitters; Tuscan-inspired breakfast, brunch, they’re passionate about teaching the or lunch, complete with fresh-baked sport to beginners, too. Take it all in breads; enjoy distinctive Northwest from above and add elevation to your cuisine in the gorgeous garden at vacation on a paragliding adventure the Grill at Knob Hill; or find a more with Fly Sun Valley. industrial, Mediterranean vibe at Town Sun Valley is the West’s storied ski Square Tavern. Raspberry’s is a local resort, with a long history of movie favorite, offering eclectic, organic eats stars and other royalty escaping to in a cozy atmosphere. its secluded slopes. Today, people In March, independent cinema comes come from all over to experience the to screens around town during the old-world charm of this cozy alpine Sun Valley Film Festival. Readers and village on the edge of the wilderness. writers gather in July for the Sun Valley You’ll find deluxe accommodations Writer’s Conference and in September throughout the resort, from condos for the Ernest Hemingway Festival. Over and cottages to the historic Sun Valley Memorial Day weekend, get motivated, Lodge. Beautifully renovated guest do some yoga, and grab a massage rooms, a full-service spa, a yoga studio, at the annual Sun Valley Wellness Ketchum and boutique shops make the Lodge a Festival. This valley gives a big nod to premier luxury destination. Sun Valley its Western roots with events like the is bustling year-round—so come hit Hailey Rodeo over the Fourth of July, the greens at its beautiful golf courses, the Wagon Days & Big Hitch Parade on take a guided trail ride at Sun Valley Labor Day weekend, and the Trailing of Stables, and watch world-class figure the Sheep Festival each October. skaters practice and perform at the Lodge’s ice rink; the popular Sun Valley If you’re not staying at the Sun Valley on Ice show runs Saturday nights Resort, Ketchum and the nearby town all summer long. Also, almost every of Hailey offer an assortment of hotels evening in summer, catch national headliners, local bands, or the Sun Valley Summer Symphony at the Sun REGIONAL INFO Sawtooth Mountains ‹ LARGEST CITY HAILEY Population: 8,134 ‹ REGIONAL CLIMATE Summer Average High: 85° Winter Average High: 30° Annual Precipitation: 10" ‹ ELEVATION Highest: 12,662' (Mt. Borah) Lowest: 2,875' (Salmon River) Redfish Lake REGIONAL MAP CENTRAL IDAHO ‹ ENJOY OUR ROADSIDE DISTRACTIONS C 93 North Fork Salmon River Scenic Byway A Salmon Lemhi River 28 Tendoy B Lewis & Clark 93 Backcountry Byway Leadore Middle Fork of Salmon River Challis Land of the Yankee C Fork State Park Sacajawea Ponderosa Pine Historic Byway Scenic Byway Bonanza SCENIC DRIVES F Custer Peaks to Craters 75 Scenic Byway 21 Little Lost 28 D River ‹ Salmon River Scenic Byway Stanley A 208-727-5013 Big Lost River 22 ‹ Lewis & Clark Backcountry Byway Mackay 33 B 93 208-756-2100 Sawtooth 33 ‹ Sacajawea Historic Byway Scenic Byway C E 800-727-2540 ‹ Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway Sun Valley Arco D 20 208-527-8977 Ketchum B 26 ‹ Sawtooth Scenic Byway 26 E Hailey 208-774-3411 Craters of A Bellevue Silver 93 the Moon ‹ Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway Picabo Creek F 208-727-5013 Fairfield Big Wood River Carey 20 Magic Res. For additional information, 46 93 75 go to visitidaho.org/things-to-do/ state-parks-byways SKI AREAS A ‹ Soldier Mountain Ski Resort soldiermountain.com B ‹ Sun Valley Resort sunvalley.com C ‹ Lost Trail Powder Mountain losttrail.com skiidaho.us | OFFICIAL IDAHO STATE TRAVEL GUIDE TRAVEL | OFFICIAL STATE IDAHO 102 ‹ EXPLORE IDAHO PARKS! and bed-and-breakfast inns. Enjoy craft Ridge causes many to turn back close ales from Hailey’s two breweries at the to the top. The mountainous terrain Sawtooth Brewery Tap Room and the surrounding Mackay is ideal for hiking, ‹ OUR ROADSIDE DISTRACTIONS Sun Valley Brewery Pub, and catch a biking, and backcountry drives; a fun ENJOY performance by the Company of Fools drive is the self-guided Mackay Mine at the historic Liberty Theatre. Hill Tour, which gives you a glimpse into the area’s mining heritage. If you’re into Silver Lake C FAIRFIELD off-road action, join fellow OHVers for 93 There’s more than meets the eye near scenic and technical riding at the pop- the tiny rural town of Fairfield. The ular Rally in the Pines ATV event each nearby Sawtooth and Boise National July.