ACTIVITIES

Burton Peak is a 5.2-mile out-and-back hike with just over 1,700 feet of elevation gain. I’d rate it as moderate to hard—it’s a steady climb from the trailhead to the summit, but the reward is more than worth the effort.

If you’re looking to spend a day among some of the most beautiful mountains and mountain lakes in northern Idaho, look no further than Roman Nose. This popular trail system showcases some of the most beautiful scenery in the Selkirk Mountains, about an hour-and-a-half drive north of Sandpoint.

On the edge of the Steen Mountains and the Alvord Desert lies a great day hike ready for exploring. While Pike Creek Canyon Trail is nearly 7 miles in total, it’s easy to turn it into a shorter out-and-back (which we did due to heat) or if you’re looking for some additional adventure, you can extend it for several more miles if you’re willing to do a bit of scrambling, climbing and bushwacking.

If you’re looking for a challenging hike served up with a side of epic views, the Moose Lake Loop trail is for you. At just about 7 miles long, this is the perfect day hike that offers a variety of scenery and terrain.

Located at the end of Pack River Rd. Just north of Sandpoint, the Harrison Lake trailhead is easy to find and accessible most of the year.

To celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary, Kyle and I decided to road trip through central Idaho. We took a full week to hit up Salmon, Goldbug Hot Springs, Mt. Borah, Sun Valley (Ketchum, specifically), Stanley and Redfish Lake (another post about Redfish Lake, here), Kirkham Hot Springs, and then make our way back home through Boise, McCall, and Moscow.

The Cougar Bay Nature Preserve is home to over 27 species of birds as well as other wildlife like deer, moose, beaver, and otter. The tall grasses and marshy landscape provide a refuge for waterfowl and great hunting grounds for osprey.

For years Kyle has had a dream to take a motorcycle trip down Highway 101 along the coast, and I gladly welcomed the idea. Visions of hugging the coastal curves, camping among the redwoods, and peering down the tall sea cliffs to the water below beckoned us west. We took the first week of September to meander our way down the coast, hitting some pretty great stops along the way.

Nestled in the Methow Valley, Winthrop has become a hub for nordic skiers thanks to the extensive Methow Trails system. With over 200 km of impeccably groomed trails, it’s the largest cross-country ski area in North America.