How hard is it to find Forest Road 020 off Highway 75? Harder than you would think. Today we elected to do an easy hike just north of Ketchum, and after some GPS challenges, we were treated to a two mile hike on Fox Creek trail that shows off the varied vegetation and foothills of East Idaho. One mountain can be covered in pines; the next only in sage.
Aspens wearing their fall color of yellow were everywhere, including one with a potential "arborglyph," sheepherder tree carvings, which my 2023 Trailing of the Sheep Festival handbook tells me is a disappearing western art form. While sheepherders do pass by the Fox Creek Trail, I suspect this may just be the handiwork of a lovelorn teen.
After our hike, and getting a little hungry, we took a drive to Galena Summit to eat at a lodge there. At about 8,000 feet, it had a sprinkling of snow. In the distance were the Sawtooth Mountain range. The Sawtooth range covers four counties and 678 square miles. And yes, its peaks do resemble the teeth of a saw. But our first lodge at Galena was closed, so we continued on to the delightful Smiley Creek Lodge.
quon
Smiley Creek Lodge has everything the adventurer might need - ebikes, paddleboards, snowmobiles, a cafe, restaurant, bar, yurts, cabins, and now luxury tiny homes. All of this at the base of the Sawtooth mountains and alpine lakes.
As the restaurant was closed, we elected to enjoy a "liquid lunch" with Manny's local beer on Smiley's outdoor patio, near the chainsaw bear sculptures.
We also viewed a few of the luxury tiny homes, with views to die for. Book now!
No comments:
Post a Comment