Weekend Roadtrips

WEEKEND ROAD TRIPS

MM JEEP TOUR. // PHOTO: S. MICHAL BENNETT

Central Idaho’s Epic Mountain Town: McCall, Idaho

By S. Michal Bennett

MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR I’ve been asked, “Where’s McCall?” Situated almost exactly halfway between Coeur d’Alene and Boise, McCall, Idaho, is the largest city in Central Idaho’s Valley County. Originally a logging town, it’s now an outdoor recreation and adventure destination begging you to take a weekend trip south.

McCall is located on the southern end of Payette Lake and is surrounded by the Payette National Forest to the north and east and rolling meadows to the south. The best place to view the lake is from the sweeping granite cliffs at the far end of Ponderosa State Park, a verdant peninsula near downtown that also offers camping, hiking, and fishing.

At the top of the lake sits North Beach where the North Fork of the Payette River flows into the lake, an area sometimes referred to as “the Meanders.” This lazy stretch of river is perfect for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding and is surrounded by soaring ponderosa pines, lush wetlands, and a wonderland of wildlife. Other water adventures await at Goose Creek Falls, just north of the town of New Meadows, and Zims Hot Springs a few miles up U.S. Route 95.

If you’re looking for less of a crowd, head 14 miles south to Donnelly and camp at a state park on the shores of Lake Cascade. Tamarack Resort, just up the road from the lake’s east shore, is nestled close to Mica Ridge, a difficult-to-reach but scenic peak. Visit McCall also has great resources for other hiking and mountain biking trails in the area.

If exploring the backcountry on wheels is more your style, you can rent an ATV from Mountain Meadow Adventure Rentals or drive up the rough road to the fire lookout on No Business Mountain. Mountain Meadow also offers boat, wave runner, SUP, and snowmobile rentals in addition to snowmobile, RZR (a sporty side-by-side), and Jeep tours in the Donnelly and McCall areas.

McCall isn’t just a summer and fall destination. With Brundage Mountain Ski Resort to the north, Tamarack Resort to the south, the Manchester Ice Center downtown, and Nordic ski trails throughout the area, there is plenty of play to be had during the winter months.

Just want to cozy up in a vacation rental, enjoy some great food and drink, and soak up the mountain town life? Here are some of my favorite McCall eating and drinking establishments: McCall Brewing, Evening Rise Bread Co., Café 6 three 4, Blue Moose McCall Drive Thru, Lonchera Rosita Mexican Food Truck, Rupert’s Restaurant (for cocktails), The Sushi Bar, and Frenchie’s on Third. For more McCall road trip resources, check out Visitmccall.org.

A FROSTY AUTUMN MORNING ON WENATCHEE'S SADDLE ROCK. // PHOTO: AARON THEISEN

Experience Fall Harvest and Adventure in Wenatchee

By Lisa Laughlin

WASHINGTON IS RENOWNED FOR ITS APPLES, and there’s no better place to test that claim than an orchard-centric Central Washington town come autumn. For a fall road trip filled with top-notch produce, hiking, mountain biking, and wine tasting, head three hours west from Spokane to the town of Wenatchee.

Located in the foothills of the Cascades, Wenatchee is a mix of arid basalt plateaus and forested hills, with the Wenatchee River churning through the heart of it. You’re likely to find more sun than rain as you explore this rain shadow area. Horse Lake Reserve is home to dreamy singletrack that will give you a stunning view of the valley. Mission Ridge, the local ski hill, doubles as a beautiful trail access point. Explore the 5.3-mile Devil’s Spur Trail just off Mission Ridge Road or take a short hike to Clara and Marion lakes. To stay closer to town, gain elevation in the Saddle Rock Natural Area for a great view of the Columbia River. These locations also double as mountain biking paths.

Between your morning and afternoon explorations, stop by the Pybus Public Market, a hub of local produce and goods such as wine, honey, cheese, artisan meats, seafood, gelato, and crafted works. This indoor market is open every day from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. and is located on the paved, 22-mile Apple Capitol Loop Trail running through town. Families can take off on a bike ride, in-line skate adventure, or walk or run along the river, while younger kids can enjoy a miniature train ride at Wenatchee Riverfront Park. Another fun family venture includes a stop at Ohme Gardens, a hillside garden oasis complete with hidden ponds and a wishing well. It’s a great place to take in that late-afternoon fall glow as the sun gives nearby hills a purple tinge come dusk.

After a full day in Wenatchee, book a stay in the nearby Bavarian-themed Leavenworth village. Leavenworth is deserving of a fall trip on its own, so waking up here will be the perfect start to a Sunday of hiking on the Icicle Ridge Trail, bouldering at Icicle Creek Canyon, or perusing the many unique shops, restaurants and wine stops downtown. Depending on when you go, snow may already top the Enchantments in the background of this village, but the fall foliage will still be bright and full.

WEEKEND ROAD TRIPS

GLAMPING IT UP AT TWIN CEDARS VACATION RENTALS ON LAKE PEND OREILLE // PHOTO: AARON THEISEN

Head to Lake Pend Oreille for Glamping and Fall Singletrack

By Aaron Theisen

LIKE MOST LAKE TOWNS IN THE INLAND NORTHWEST, Sandpoint shines on shoulder-season bike trips, after the crowds have gone home but before snow shutters the local singletrack. Of course, lodging is a little easier to come by in the interval between summer tourism and Schweitzer’s ski season too.

Splitting the difference between beachside camping and chic hotels, Twin Cedars Vacation Rentals offers a Stargazer bell tent rental that sleeps four just a step from Lake Pend Oreille’s rocky shore. Replacing their popular tipi rentals, the bell tent (and its two-person twin just across the road) is fully furnished and fully waterproof—perfect for fall, when longer nights and later mornings require a little more stretching-out room than your pup tent.

If autumn is the grand finale to bike season, fall colors are the fireworks show. With a beachside basecamp on Hawkins Point on the north end of the lake, the birch forests of Mineral Point and Gold Hill are within easy reach, as are the huckleberry shrubs of the High Point Trail and the orange foliage of Upper and Lower Flo. You can also put your spring and summer conditioning to work on long backcountry days on the Beetop-Roundtop or CliftyKatka trails. The bedside coffee maker and outdoor shower with on-demand hot water take care of warming up pre- and post-ride.

The water is just as welcoming as the dirt this time of year too, made all the better by the dramatic dip in boat traffic. It’s fairly common to have temps in the 60s and 70s well into October, and while the water temperature may not be conducive to all-day swims, it’s warm enough for a post-ride dip off the end of the dock. That’s even easier when you have a fire pit or space heater to huddle around. Plan your trip to the Sandpoint area now for perfect fall riding conditions.

THE GLOWING SNAKE RIVER OUTSIDE PULLMAN. // PHOTO: LISA LAUGHLIN

Find Fall Hiking, Biking, Food, Drink, & Family Fun in the Palouse

By Lisa Laughlin

THE HILLS OF THE ROLLING PALOUSE, just south of Spokane, are a sight in any season, but they’re spectacular come autumn when grasses turn gold and brush flares red and orange. It makes this a great time for a road trip through countryside that’s been compared to Tuscany. And there’s a lot more to do than just admire the view—the Palouse offers fall biking, hiking, fishing, disc golf, and more.

On the drive from Spokane to Pullman, take a quick stop at Steptoe Butte State Park, a tall quartzite bluff just off Highway 195 with a stunning 360-degree view of the fields around you. With a paved road spiraling to the top, you can walk or drive your way up to the informational signs that explain some of the geological phenomena that shaped this area.

Once you’ve arrived in the Pullman/Moscow area, take in the fall scene at the Moscow Farmers’ Market (Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Alongside artisan goods such as pottery and woodwork, produce will be on-point as local vendors bring in their harvest from the year. Locallyowned lunch spots include Humble Burger, Maialina Pizzeria, and Mikey’s Gyros. From Moscow, you can walk or run in the University of Idaho arboretum area, bike or hike the trails of Moscow Mountain, or hit up the paved, 8-mile Bill Chipman Palouse Trail spanning from Moscow to Pullman.

From the Pullman area, fish or paddleboard on the nearby Snake River, a wide body of water framed by steep hills. Bring your own disc golf set and play at the hilly Sunnyside Park course for a chill afternoon. If you’re looking for a hike, check out the 298-acre Kamiak Butte, an intersect of field and pines that will make it feel like you’re exploring a small, landlocked island.

Post-adventuring, Pullman offers beer tasting at Paradise Creek Brewery, wine tasting at Merry Cellars, and bites at local restaurants such as Birch & Barley or South Fork. It can’t go without mentioning that you can catch football at either university on a home-game Saturday to experience serious small-town passion for the sport.

In October, the city of Palouse puts on “Haunted Palouse,” an event with pumpkins, beer, live music, and a hayride where you may be chased through the haunted woods. Stay in any town you’d like in this area, but on day two make your way back to Moscow to The Breakfast Club for endless diner coffee and huckleberry-stuffed French toast.

However you decide to experience the Palouse, fall is the season to take it slow and take it in. //