This summer we are looking to really celebrate every sunny day we can get. But sometimes, our short summers feel like they fly by and we miss doing some of our quintessential “summer in McCall” favorites. But never fear! We have put together a fantastic list of options for you to create your own itinerary this year—craft that bucket list so you can enjoy all of your favorites.
Soak in the sand, sun, trail dirt, and crystal-clear water. Eat the ice cream. Book the tee time. Take in the views. Extend your weekend for that exquisite extra day to adventure. And let the fresh mountain air work its magic.
As you adventure, be sure to sign the McCall Promise and help us keep all of our favorite places here better than we found them. Learn more at
Chad Case Visuals
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One of the great joys of living in a mountain environment—or frequently spending time in one—is anticipating the transition between seasons and savoring what each new season brings. While nature ultimately sets the agenda for these recurrent shifts, when it comes to reawakening high-elevation golf courses from their winter slumber, human intervention—and expertise—is crucial.
Turfgrass science (yes, it’s a thing) comes into play on all of our local courses every year, but this season, the particular challenges of overwintering take on extra importance, as a brand-new Par 3 course opens at Jug Mountain Ranch and the celebrated Osprey Meadows Golf Course is fully resurrected at Tamarack Resort.
Whether a mountain course is newly built or long established, maintenance through the changing seasons requires a combination of art and science. It would be natural to assume that a mild winter would make it easier to prep the courses for late spring and summer use, but in fact, the opposite is true.
“A perfect winter would be where we get a good frost where the turf hardens off and isn’t growing and then we need a foot or two of snow, no rain and no warmups,” says long-time McCall Golf Course Director and Superintendent, Eric McCormick. “Normally, the snow will insulate the ground and keep it from freezing, so if we do get a rain event, it can percolate on down through the snow layer and into the ground.”
But—if the snow isn’t deep enough or if it melts off repeatedly during the winter, that same rain event can be an absolute disaster. Instead of seeping through the turf into the ground below, an ice layer will begin to form and thicken. If the ice stays too long, more than about 40 days, the turf starts to suffocate and die.
Maintenance teams don’t wait until spring to learn the fate of their turf. They dig test holes throughout the winter to see—and smell—what they’re dealing with.
“Normally, when it’s dead, it really smells bad,” says McCormick. “There’s a smell to dead turf that you can’t get out of your nose.”
“It’s just…wrong,” says Jug Mountain Ranch Pro, Dustin Ames. “Think of hot compost in the summertime, you can’t escape it.” When one local course gets a whiff of ‘the stench’, everyone goes on alert.
“Once one person starts looking, everybody starts looking,” says Ames. “You’re digging through the snow to get down to the grass and see if there’s ice and what kind of ice there is and if there’s a smell to it or not.”
“Clear ice is really bad. Clear ice is hard and nothing goes through it,” says McCormick. “If it’s cloudy, then that means the ice is somewhat porous and the gas exchange has been happening that’s been trying to bubble up through it.”
If a solid ice layer persists for too long, it begins to choke off the turf. That means maintenance teams are constantly monitoring conditions and looking for breaks in the weather in case they need to free the turf and let it breathe.
“We used to go out and blow off all the greens and then come
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back and try to melt the ice,” says McCormick. “And we’ve discovered if you blow a green off, the ice is soft right then. When the sun is out, you can peel it off fairly easily. But if you leave it sitting while you blow off all the other greens, then the sun just blazes it and it becomes clear ice and it becomes harder to remove and also more damaging.”
Ice damage is the most labor-intensive problem that reveals itself in the Spring. That’s why winter maintenance starts way back in the fall, with treatments to prevent snow mold and protect from the worst of the ice problems.
“We usually spray a fungicide on the greens and tees, and then we have a couple of greens that are north-sloping and in the shade that are notorious for ice problems. We cover those greens with a black mesh Enkamat, and that has really helped us with the ice, too,” says McCormick.
Sharing information—and even equipment—is a hallmark of our local golf scene.
“If any golf course up here needs a piece of equipment for any reason, any one of us would loan somebody anything,” says Ames.
At the McCall course, prepping for winter takes extra steps because the course is right in town. The cart paths are maintained for public access for walkers, leashed dogs - and inevitably used by other outdoor adventurers.
“After we get the covers down, we stake and rope off all the greens because if the cross-country skiers make tracks over the greens, we have an ice layer there. We also put up some fence around the two greens right by the clubhouse because the kid’s tubing area is right next to there. Then we have to keep checking those stakes and ropes all winter because the deer knock them down,” adds McCormick.
McCormick has been at the McCall Golf Course for 18 years now, and his track record for maintaining and improving the course has earned him the undisputed respect of course managers across our area. McCormick tells us that he will be retiring after this summer. He’ll spend his final season passing on years of accumulated knowledge and techniques to his new assistant. That’s an ideal way to pass the torch, because not all golf course personnel have experience with ice, or with irrigation systems that need to be depressurized and repressurized every year.
“There are certain ways that we can charge it up. There are certain ways that we drain it,” says McCormick. “And sometimes
there’s obviously multiple ways to do things. But I’ve seen people blow up pipes if they don’t do it carefully.”
McCormick will also get the chance to wrap up a few key projects before he retires.
Last year, the McCall Golf Course maintenance team removed railroad ties and rebuilt tee boxes with a lower profile and sloped grass around all the edges. They’re now more accessible to those with mobility challenges, and easier to mow around and maintain.
The rebuilt tee boxes now have four sets of tees (blue/white/ silver/gold) to help individuals with a wider range of skills choose to make their round more or less challenging.
The last of the tee boxes will be rebuilt this year, but the most noticeable improvements for 2024 will be centered around the clubhouse, which is getting a new staircase and improved ramp at the front entrance.
While Eric enjoys the sport of golf, the passion he’s brought to his work in McCall for nearly two decades is driven more by his love of growing turf than growing his skills with a club.
Continued page 12
“There are two kinds of people who do these jobs. One type are the people who love golf, they are good golfers and they got into the business because of golf,” says McCormick. “And I golf because of being in the business. Coming from agriculture, I’m more of a grower. I like to maintain the product and make it work, so I play golf because of that.”
Another ag-based authority in the local golf scene is Kirk Kundrick. Kundrick has worked as superintendent at the MeadowCreek Golf Course in Meadows Valley since 2011. Prior to settling down in our area and focusing on course maintenance, Kundrick’s work centered around course construction. Building golf courses start to finish gave him a special appreciation for the bones of a course, the parts that can’t be changed.
“When I first toured this course, I noted the beauty around MeadowCreek and the routing, which is the placement of the golf holes in their relationship to each other,” says Kundrick. “The holes at MeadowCreek are individually placed and laid out farther away from the nearby holes, so the infrastructure is good and here to improve on.”
While the holes are well spaced, the fairways are narrow, which makes the course challenging.
“Golf is a challenging game and a lot of people need to feel like they’re good at things to enjoy them. If you have a frustrating experience, you lose a bunch of golf balls, and your score’s high, it’s not as fun,” says Kundrick.
That’s why Kendrick is always looking for little ways to make the course more playable for a wider range of golfers, like limbing up trees to make it easier to hit out of the rough.
Making sure the course is enjoyable from day 1 of each season is a priority for Kendrick. High-elevation golf courses have a short window of operation. Fewer months open means fewer chances for golfers to play and less time for the courses to cover their expenses. That’s where Kendrick’s decades of experience help keep the big picture in perspective.
“Say we open a week early. If you only get a week of growing weather on the greens and they’re spotty and they’re bumpy, well, people drive up from Boise and they play bumpy, slow greens,” he says. “And they go back and say, you know what? That place was a dump. I wouldn’t go back there. But a week later, you come back and play, it’s a big difference.”
And while the snow melts off sooner at MeadowCreek’s elevation, being 1,000 feet lower isn’t always an advantage.
“It really isn’t any easier because you still have snow cover from November to April. And sometimes we get more rain events, which contribute to the ice buildup more than snow does,” says Kundrick. “And we may be four weeks ahead of Long Valley when in comes to spring snowmelt, but the soil temperature doesn’t really hit until Memorial Day, so we don’t really get a head start on growing seed before we open.”
Continued page 14
MeadowCreek Golf Course Photo courtesy MeadowCreek Golf Course
The short growing—and operating—season makes it extra challenging to repair winter damage. Grass seed is much more affordable and easier to source than sod, but it can only be used when temperatures—and timelines—allow.
After a particularly mild winter in 2012, the wrong kind of ice built up at Jug Mountain Ranch. “You could have gone ice skating on hole #6, that’s how much ice we had on the fairway,” says Ames. “I think we spent $120,000 just to seed it alone.”
While they normally shoot for a Memorial Day opening, that year, Jug Mountain Ranch couldn’t open until June 15. In that situation, sod was not an option. Not just because of the expense. At that time, the vast quantity of the type of sod they needed simply wasn’t available.
Fortunately, when Jug Mountain Ranch started work on its newest offering, a six-hole Par 3 course, they designed grow time into the planning process. Ames says 95% of the new turf was grown from seed, with sod used strategically on just 5% of the course, mostly in sloped areas around the perimeter of the greens.
“When you’re growing greens in, the seed has to stay wet. So you’re watering it probably four times as much as you are a regular fairway that’s been seeded, and having a ring of sod around the edge keeps the seed where it’s supposed to be,” explains Ames.
Construction on Jug Junior started in 2022, with multiple big bulldozers and excavators removing dirt from pastureland, stacking the fertile topsoil to the side, contouring the lower layers, then moving the topsoil back in. They used the same seed as Jug’s original 18-hole course, so the two courses will match aesthetically and functionally.
The addition of a Par 3 course at Jug is extra exciting for Ames because it offers great options for coaching young and beginner golfers in a logical and effective learning progression.
“Most beginners get focused on trying to hit the ball as hard as they can to make it go far down a regular fairway,” says Ames. “With the Par 3 course, we’ll be able to use multiple clubs in their bags and teach them how to play from 100, 130 yards to focus on a wider range of skills.”
As Jug Mountain Ranch owner David Carey points out, you don’t need to be a beginner to enjoy a shorter, less intimidating course.
“Young or old, pro or newbie, Par 3 courses are fun,” says Carey. “We already have an excellent practice facility with a large driving range and putting and chipping greens, so this Par 3 course truly rounds out the low-pressure practice experience in an affordable way everyone can enjoy.”
The setting of the new Par 3 course is no less spectacular than the original course, which opened in 2004 after years of careful planning. The course was designed by Don Knott, former Senior VP of course design for Robert Trent Jones Jr, with particular emphasis put on blending the course in with the natural environment around it.
“Over the years, Don and my father worked closely walking the ranch to cherry pick some of the most interesting parts of the property,” says Carey. “They were spoiled for choice and did an amazing job of playing with views, native creeks, large established reservoirs, dry sage brush pasture and heavily treed areas. It is a very natural course that reflects some of the best landscapes in Valley County.”
And—it’s a pleasure to play.
“Jug Mountain Ranch is a true championship golf course, with six holes in the meadow, six holes in the trees, and six holes in water. It has a modern design with an unmatched mountain backdrop,” adds Ames. “We give a country club service at a resort that’s open to the public.”
Continued page 22
Jug Mountain Ranch Golf Course
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It’s hard to resist comparing Tamarack’s Osprey Meadows golf course to the mythical Phoenix, which is often depicted as a beautiful and majestic creature that obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its fire ravaged predecessor. Osprey Meadows opened to acclaim in 2005, quickly garnering accolades and awards from GOLF Magazine (Top 10 New Courses, Top 100 Courses), Golf Digest (#1 Public Course in the U.S.) and Golfweek (Top 100 Resort Courses).
After operating for ten years through Tamarack’s early financial struggles, the course eventually shut down in 2015 and was essentially returned to nature. Signs of resurrection came in 2021 when MMG Equity Partners took full ownership of the resort and negotiated a deal to re-acquire the dormant course.
Tamarack engaged architects from the firm that designed the original course, Robert Trent Jones, Jr, to lead the
restoration. This summer, golfers will get the chance to play the entire re-designed 18-hole course, plus an additional “Gambler’s Hole” that sits near the clubhouse, driving range, and expansive putting green.
The restoration allowed Tamarack to improve on the alreadyexceptional course by making a few adjustments to make it more player-friendly.
“We moved bunkers around on the new design to make sure there’s a more open path to the green,” says Dustin Simons, Director of Golf at Tamarack Resort. “With the original course, really good players would want to come back and play it again. With the new design, people with a broader range of golf abilities are also going to find it fun and want to play it multiple times.”
They also made playability changes to the former 18th hole (now the 16th hole) which was known for its difficulty. They moved the green down to the island and pushed the tees back. It still plays as a Par 5, but with only one forced carry.
Bringing the course back from the ashes was no small feat. Deconstruction work began in 2022. Dead grass was removed from 15 of the original holes, and all the dirt below was thoroughly tilled. Sand was dug out from the bunkers and set aside so it could be reused after the course was recontoured.
Osprey Meadows Golf Course
Photo courtesy Tamarack Resort
Three brand new holes on the north half of the meadow side of the course were built from scratch—designed for both playability and to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
In addition to making Osprey Meadows more playable, the rebuild also presented an opportunity to make the course more maintainable…and sustainable.
“Reducing the overall acreage of the bunkers means the maintenance team will spend less time raking them out. A lot of the original tee boxes were narrowed, so they are essentially one width of the sprayer, so we don’t have to go through one and a half passes. We can just do one,” says Tamarack’s Director of Agronomy, Sean Parsons.
“Throughout the year, with bentgrass greens and bentgrass tees and the way we have it set up, fungicide, herbicide, insecticide use will be at a minimum.”
Carefully considering which treatments are used on the course is a top priority for Parsons’ team, especially with the waters of Lake Cascade nearby.
“The way we use water is very responsible,” says Parsons. “We log everything we do and make sure we’re only using what we need. We also create a lot of habitat for wildlife; especially small animals and birds.”
Osprey Meadows has invited Audubon International to visit the course this summer, to prepare a plan that will allow the course to work toward certification as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
Dialing in the best products and practices can take years of trial and error. Fortunately, Parsons, a recent addition to the Tamarack crew, has more than a decade of experience at an even higher “level”.
Continued page 24
AUGUST 9-11, 2024 Join us for a fun-filled weekend to celebrate all things huckleberry!
Eric McCormick’s journey in Golf Course management began at Rutgers University in 1995, where he honed his skills in the art and science of golf course management and earned his qualification in this world-class program. In 2006, McCormick joined McCall Golf Club, where his impact was immediate and lasting. He not only managed the course, construction projects and its facilities with precision but also took charge of marketing initiatives, attending golf shows to showcase the club’s offerings across the Northwest.
“The last course I worked on, we were at 8,000 feet elevation there,” says Parsons. “So what I brought here is a lot of winter injury knowledge and experience with how to prep for the winter and also how to wake the course up in the spring. All the tools and techniques that have grown grass at 8,000 feet work really well here at 5,000 feet. So everything from timing of fertilizers, to irrigation, and all the other stuff that we have to do.”
That knowledge will help prepare Osprey Meadows for its grand opening on July 27, and prepare it to withstand the annual freeze/thaw cycles yet to come.
“The big thing is trying to get the grass acclimated, so it gets used to the winter,” says Parsons. “So we start raising the height of the cut on the grass. When we do that, the grass will say, “Hey, it’s starting to cool down. Our shoots are getting longer. We should start putting all of this fertilizer energy into growing roots and storing carbohydrates.” And so we want to make sure we’re fertilizing properly so that the grass is growing those roots and getting all the carbs it needs to get through winter. And then also at the same time hardening itself off.”
“The impact of Osprey Meadows reopening will extend far beyond just the local golf community,” says Tamarack Resort President, Scott Turlington. “It will extend throughout all of Idaho and the region and that has always been a key part of Tamarack’s long-term plan.”
His role extended beyond day-to-day operations as he served as a liaison between the contracted Golf Professionals, multiple men’s and ladies’ clubs and the Golf Advisory Committee, fostering collaboration and strategic planning. In 2020, McCormick’s expertise was pivotal in guiding the McCall Golf Course Master Plan, shaping the club’s evolution as a city-run facility prepared for the future. McCormick’s dedication and vision have been instrumental in the ongoing success of McCall Golf Club, and the McCall City Council and staff would like to thank him for 18 years of exceptional service.
In a less cooperative community, the managers of competing golf courses might be nervous to see Osprey Meadows back in the mix and competing for golfers. But here in Valley and Adams Counties, everyone seems to welcome its re-emergence.
“A rising tide lifts all boats, as they say,” says Kundrick. “I think we’ll get a boost off of it as it draws more attention to the area and all the great golf that’s available here.”
Continued page 26
Established: 1934 (first nine holes), 1968 (second nine holes), 1994 (third nine holes)
Travel time from McCall: 0-5 minutes
Course notes: Three nine-hole courses (Aspen • Birch • Cedar) feature tree-lined fairways, meandering water features, and Operated by the City of McCall, the Golf Course has a full-service pro shop and clubhouse, with a restaurant (Banyans on the Green; operated separately). Convenient access makes this course popular, golfers are advised to book tee times 7–10 days in advance during peak periods. www.mccall.id.us/golf-course www.mccallgolfclub.com (208) 634-7200
Established: 2004
Travel time from McCall: 18 minutes
Course notes: Both the original 18-hole course, and a new Par 3 course (opened in 2024) were designed by Don Knott, former Sr VP of course design for Robert Trent Jones II. Scenic beauty abounds as the course rolls through natural meadows and grazes the treed foothills below stunning Jug Handle Mountain). The clubhouse is modern but low-key, with delicious lunch and dinner service six days a week. Book tee times a week in advance during peak season.
jugmountainranch.com/golf (208) 634-5072
Established: 2005 (closed in 2015)
Reestablished: 2024
Travel time from McCall: 35 minutes
Course notes: Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, Osprey Meadows features 18 holes that traverse through wetlands, wildflower meadows and aspen groves before stepping up to pine tree-framed holes on higher ground. A new Gambler’s Hole (19), will add to the energy around the clubhouse, along with an expansive putting green and driving range.
tamarackidaho.com/activities (208) 325-1458
Established: 1983 (as Kimberland Meadows)
Travel time from McCall: 23 minutes
Course notes: This public course features 18 holes that wind through the pine forests and meadows of scenic Meadows Valley, with views of Granite Mountain and Brundage Mountain. MeadowCreek’s tee sheet tends to be less full than the more centrally located courses, making it easier to get last minute tee times. The MeadowCreek driving range is a bit of a hidden gem, perched in a particularly scenic spot in the valley.
meadowcreekgolfresort.com (208) 347-2555
Established: 1970
Travel time from McCall: 36 minutes
Course Notes: This lakeside 9-hole course is a local’s favorite, with a chill vibe and plentiful views of Cascade Lake and the mountain peaks surrounding it. The Lakefront Bar & Grill offers pub-style food with indoor and outdoor lakefront seating. www.golfcascade.net 208-382-4653
Established: 2002
Travel time from McCall: 0-5 minutes
Course notes: Whitetail Club’s award-winning golf course is a private course for members of the Whitetail community. Designed by Roger Packard and Andy North, the scenic course is known for great sight lines, impeccable maintenance and how it gracefully blends in with its natural surroundings. Those interested in learning more about Whitetail membership can inquire at: whitetailclub.com/club/golf-course
Established: 1963
Travel time from McCall: 48 minutes
Course notes: The 9-hole course is the first course in the area to open each spring (usually in March) and has been making on-going improvements in recent years. Golfers can expect firmer and truer greens and noticeable improvements to the 7th hole, along with the benefits of a newly-acquired beer and wine license and stunning views of Council Mountain.
councilgreensgolf.com (208) 271-1212
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208-630-6600 dmhlt@hotmail.com
Hearthstone 1308 Hearthstone Ct. McCall, Idaho 83638 800-574-6377 hearthstonemccall.com
Hotel McCall 1101 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-8105 hotelmccall.com
Hotel NoBo
500 N Main St. Cascade, ID 83611 208-382-5621 hotelnobo.com
Idaho Heartland Hotel
211 N Norris Ave. New Meadows, Idaho 83654
208-849-1745 idahoheartlandhotel.com
iTrip Boise—McCall Boise, Idaho 83702 208-991-4991 itrip.net/boise-mccall
JASK Management LLC
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-477-1280 jaskrentals.com
McCall Idaho Vacation Rentals McCall, Idaho 83638 208-630-3333 mccallidahovacationrentals.com
McCall Property Services/McCall Outfitters
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-630-6257 mccalloutfitter.com
McCall RV Resort
200 Scott St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-5646 g7resorts.com/rv-park/mccall-rv-resort
McCall Vacations
805 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-7056 mccallvacations.com
Mundo Hot Springs and RV Park
3024 Upper Goodrich Creek Rd. Cambridge, Idaho 83610 208-257-3849 mundohotsprings.com
No Business Lodge
296 Smylie Ln. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-6445 nobusinesslodge.com
Nordic Inn
400 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7671 www.nordicinnmccall.com
Palooza Basecamp and Eatery
112 N Main St. Cascade, Idaho 83611 208-733-0507 paloozabrands.com
Payette National Forest
500 N Mission St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-0600 fs.usda.gov/payette
Pilgrim Cove Camp and Conference Center
1075 Plymouth Rd. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5555 pilgrimcovecamp.org
Ponderosa State Park
1920 Davis Ave. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2164 parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/ponderosa
Ranch View Venue
3523 South End Rd. New Meadows, Idaho 83654 208-469-9029 ranchviewvenue.com
The RV Landing at Carlson Ranch 1526 Big Salmon Rd. Riggins, Idaho 83549 208-628-3132 thervlanging.com
Salmon Rapids Lodge
1010 Main St. Riggins, Idaho 208-628-2743 salmonrapids.com
Scandia Inn
401 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7394 thescandiainn.com
...the mountain wedding venue you’ve always dreamed of. As the evening closes in, the Scandia grounds come alive with an unforgettable atmosphere illuminated by bistro lights and fire pits. This outdoor venue is ideal for your ceremony, dinner, and celebration. The lodge provides a stylish, modern space for receptions. Make your wedding weekend one of romantic bliss through the unique Scandia experience.
photography by quincys.photos
Mention this ad for 10% off your event.
Shore Lodge
501 W Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-2244
shorelodge.com
Spiegelman Family Properties
Almost Heaven & Annie’s Place donerightmanagement.com
Tamarack Resort
311 Village Dr. Donnelly, Idaho 83615
208-325-1000 tamarackidaho.com
Vacasa
1000 N 2nd St., Apt. 104 McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-7766 • 800-863-8415 vacasa.com/usa/Idaho/McCall
WorldMark McCall
805 Sorrel Ct. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-2063
worldmark.wyndhamdestinations.com
By McKenzie Kraemer
Call us old school, but there is just something special about hot pavement, warm sand, melty ice cream, sunscreen, and jumping off a dock on a hot day. This combination is its own sort of magic—one that leaves a lasting impression. These summer days are the ones that imprint on our memories, not unlike our favorite summer songs…
…cue “Here Comes the Sun,” “Walking on Sunshine,” “Good Vibrations,” and “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay”.
Looking to add more summer experiences to your bucket list? We have you covered with the perfect blueprint to create your own family-friendly, kid-approved itinerary. Whether you have little kids, big kids, teenagers, or a combination of ages, use this as your no-hassle guide to planning a day (or three or four) in McCall that everyone can get on board with. An easy, foolproof way to create and capture that nostalgic summertime magic.
Continued page 36
Photo courtesy Samantha Sais Photography
Hang out at Legacy Park Beach & Splash Pad
Jump on a Payette Pedal Party Tour
Art Roberts
Park photo with the “Bears”
Start With the
Relax at the Brown Park Playground and Beach
Sometimes you just need “a day.” Every parent knows that feeling… you’ve been on the move all week, running here and there, packing in the summer action and now you just need something easy everyone in the family (yep, including you!) can enjoy. When you need an easy activity day, the lakefront parks in McCall make the perfect basecamp.
You have two options to set up your home base: Legacy Park and Brown Park. Legacy has the bigger beach with a designated swimming zone so if soaking in some sunshine on the sand is your aim, we would recommend going with this option. Plus, there is a splash pad for the littles to enjoy. If you have kids who need a bit more action, Brown Park is a great choice. Fresh off a major overhaul in 2023, Brown Park has an outstanding playground, small beach with shallow area for the smaller kids, ample green space with picnic benches, and even a vintage ski chair swing where you can sit and enjoy the views.
Realistically, you could spend all day at either park, grabbing a quick lunch at any of the nearby restaurants or eateries, but if your family gets antsy, there are lots of ways to break up a beach day downtown. The thing we love the most about McCall is the walkability. No need to jump in the car, just saunter down the street a ways to get to any one of these easy activities.
First up, if it is Wednesday or Saturday, make a stop at the McCall Farmers’ Market. This seasonal market runs from mid-June to mid-October and is host to a wide array of local produce, baked goods, meat, and handcrafted goods and art. It runs from 10am to 1pm along 2nd street. One of our favorite vendors to visit on a hot day is Deez Squeeze for one of her cold-pressed juice popsicles.
After the Farmers’ Market, make a quick stop at Art Roberts Park and snap a family photo with the bears at the “Bearing Wall.” A photo with the four bears that make up this iconic statue is one of those quintessential McCall bucket list items! From here, head to the Manchester Ice and Event Center and cool off at the ice rink. Why does it feel so decadent to be able to ice skate in the heat of the summer? Check their schedule (posted on the doors of the building and on their website) for daily public skate times and ice bumper car sessions.
McCall Farmers’ Market Bounce
If you aren’t quite ready to head back to your beach blanket at the park just yet, consider a tour of Payette Lake with McCall Lake Cruises or the Payette Pedal Party. If you want a laid-back way to get out on the water for 90 minutes, book a seat on The Idaho, the 62-foot vessel used by McCall Lake Cruises. Each low-key cruise is full of fun facts and history about the lake and an on-board snack and liquor bar keeps everyone happy. Wanting a longer lake experience that requires more action on your part? Hop aboard the Payette Pedal Party. As the name implies, this boat cruise is all about pedaling! Ten pedal stations complete with cushy beach cruiser seats power this vessel. But don’t worry, there is also a motor ready to take over if you get tired. Each cruise lasts about two hours. Public tours are available daily or you can rent the entire boat for up to 15 people.
Whether you cruised, pedaled, skated, or just lounged at the beach all day, you can’t go home until you have had a mountainsize ice cream scoop from Ice Cream Alley. Seriously, even the kiddie size, affectionately called the “Lil’ Sharlie” is a monster. Get a scoop, shake, banana split, or sundae to put the cherry on top of a magical summer day in downtown McCall.
Continued page 46
EVENT AND WEDDING PLANNING
DeLish and McCall Weddings
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-1646
sberry@delishcatering.com
DJ McCall
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-469-9200 dj-mccall.com
Harlow’s McCall
14030 Hwy 55 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-1089 goharlowsmccall.com
KB’s Burritos
616 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5500 kbsburrito.com
Luminaire
114 N 3rd St., Ste. 3
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-630-4913
reneesilvus.com
McCall Party Rentals
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-315-4474
mccallpartyrentals.com
McCall RV Resort (Northfork Lodge)
200 Scott St.
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-5646
g7rvresorts.com/rv-park/mvvall-rv-resort
McCall Weddings
700 Virginia St., Ste. C New Meadows, Idaho 83654
208-634-4567
mccallweddings.com
MeadowCreek Clubhouse
2975 Kimberland Dr. New Meadows, Idaho 83654 208-347-2555 mcpoa.com
Mustard’s Meridian, Idaho 83680 208-941-7033 mustardsone@gmail.com
No Business Lodge
296 Smylie Ln. McCall, Idaho 83638
Ranch View Venue
3523 South End Rd.
New Meadows, Idaho 83654 208- 469-9029 ranchviewvenue.com
Seven Devils Delights
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-484-3469 camihedges@gmail.com
T. Rents Vintage
McCall, Idaho 83638 713-208-7720 trentsvintage.com
Tamarack Resort
311 Village Drive Tamarack, Idaho 83615 208-325-1146 tamarackidaho.com/groups
Tates Rents
106 S Mission St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5709 tatesrents.com
MUSIC AND NIGHTLIFE
Bistro 45
203 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-4665 cheftopple.com
Broken Horn Brewing Company
201 S Mission St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-315-5472 brokenhornbrewing.com
Brundage Mountain Resort
Smoky’s Bar & Grill
3890 Goose Lake Rd. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-4151 brundage.com/smokys
Foresters McCall
304 E. Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-630-6701 forestersmccall.com
Lardos Grill & Saloon
600 W Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-8191 lardogrillandsaloon.com
Mile High Marina & Grille
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day
1300 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-8605
milehighmarina.com
The Mill Steak and Spirits
324 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-7683
Palooza Basecamp and Eatery
112 N Main St. Cascade, Idaho 83611
208-733-0507 paloozabrands.com
Rupert’s at Hotel McCall
1101 N 3rd St.
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-8108
rupertsathotelmccall.com
Salmon River Brewery
411 Railroad Ave.
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-4772 salmonriverbrewery.com
The Activity Barn
141 Moonridge Dr. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-3298 Winter Hours
208-634-4151 Year-Round brundage.com/snow-tubing-mccall
America’s Rafting Company
85 S Superior St. Cambridge, Idaho 83610
208-317-3862
idahooutdoortourscom/americasraftingcompany
Backwoods Adventures
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day
North Beach Boat Launch
Warren Wagon Rd. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-469-9067 backwoodsadventuresmccall.com
Bear Basin Nordic Center 3635 Hwy 55 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5691
payettelakesskiclub.org
Brundage Mountain Resort
3890 Goose Lake Rd. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-4151
brundage.com
Burgdorf Hot Springs
404 French Creek (FS#246) Burgdorf, Idaho 83638
208-315-6657 burgdorfhotsprings.com
Cascade Aquatic and Recreation Center
333 Kelly’s Parkway Cascade, Idaho 83611
208-382-5136
cascadeaquatic.myrec.com
Cheap Thrills Rentals
303 N 3rd St.
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-7472
cheapthrillsrentals.com
CM Backcountry Rentals
313 McBride St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-0017
cmbackcountryrentals.com
Drift West
616 N 3rd St., Ste. 115A McCall, Idaho 83638
208-315-6445
www.drift-west.com
Fly Fish McCall
Riggins, Idaho 83549 208-628-3862
flyfishmccall.com
Gravity Sports
503 Pine St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-8530
gravitysportsidaho.com
Harlow’s McCall 14030 Hwy 55 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-1089
goharlowsmccall.com
Hells Canyon Adventures
85 N Superior Cambridge, Idaho 208-257-4564
hellscanyonadventures.com
Hells Canyon Raft
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-6366
hellscanyonraft.com
Home Town Sports
300 E Lenora St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2302
hometownsportsmccall.com
Idaho Mountain Guides
Boise, Idaho 83701 208-856-0291
idahomountainguides.com
Jug Mountain Ranch
13834 Farm to Market Rd. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5072
jugmountainranch.com
Kelly’s Whitewater Park
330 Kelly’s Pkwy. Cascade, Idaho 83611
kellyswhitewaterpark.com
Little Ski Hill
(Payette Lakes Ski Club)
3635 Hwy 55 McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-5691
payettelakesskiclub.org
Manchester Ice and Event Centre
200 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-3570
manchestericecenter.com
McCall PILATES Studio
www.mccallpilates.com
208.315.3730
Providing Pilates & Movement in McCall since 2014
McCall Angler
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-315-6445
themccallangler.com
McCall Area Snowmobile Club
PO Box 354
McCall, Idaho 83638 snowmobilemccall.net
McCall Curling Club
200 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 facebook.com/mccallcurlingclub
McCall Golf Club
925 Fairway Dr. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-7200
mccallgolfclub.com
McCall Heli Tours
336 Deinhard Ln. McCall, Idaho 83638
308-315-5769
mccallheli.com
McCall Lake Cruises
203 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-5253
mccalllakecruises.com
McCall Mountain Canyon Flying Seminars, LLC
104 S 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-1344
mountaincanyonflying.com
MeadowCreek Golf Resort
2975 Kimberland Dr. New Meadows, Idaho 83654 208-347-2555
meadowcreekgolfresort.com
Mile High Marina & Grille
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day 1300 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-8605
milehighmarina.com
Mile High Power Sports
13924 Hwy 55
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7007 mhpsmccall.com
Mountain Meadow Adventure Rentals
2445 W Mountain Rd
Donnelly, Idaho 83615 208-325-1500 mountainmeadowrentals.com
Mountain River Outfitters
411 Main St. Riggins, Idaho 83549 208-628-3733 idahoriver.com
Outdoor Voyagers
Riggins, Idaho 83549 208-477-9905 outdoorvoyagers.com
Payette National Forest
500 N Mission St.
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-0600 fs.usda.gov/payette
Payette Pedal Party
Art Roberts Park McCall, Idaho 83638 208-631-3997 www.payettepedalparty.com
Payette Powder Guides
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-6793 payettepowderguides.com
Redline Recreational Toys
13876 Hwy 55 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-695-2288 redlinerectoys.com
River Adventures Inc.
122 Main St. Riggins, Idaho 83549 1-800-524-9710 hellscanyon.tours
Salmon Raft
McCall, Idaho 83638 800-350-6654 salmonraft.com
Salmon River Helicopters
1526 Big Salmon Rd. Riggins, Idaho 83549 208-628-3133 srhelicopters.com
Salmon River Tours & China Bar Lodge
229 Rapid River Rd. Riggins, Idaho 83549 1-888-893-2820 chinabarlodge.com
Tamarack Resort
311 Village Dr. Tamarack, Idaho 83615 208-325-1000 tamarackidaho.com
Unique-ARs
McCall, Idaho 83638
888-982-8386 unique-ars.com
Valley County Pickleball Club 12995 Ponderosa
Donnelly, Idaho 83615 208-301-8013 valleycountypickleball.com
Valley Wake Charters
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-639-1260 valleywakecharters.com
Yahoo Corrals
2280 Warren Wagon Rd. 208-634-3360 ya-hoocorrals.com
Zims Hot Springs
2995 Zims Rd. New Meadows, Idaho 83654 208-347-2686 zimshotsprings.com
Zip McCall Adventures
Boulder Lake Rd. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-271-1440 zipmccall.com
SALON, SPA, HEALTH AND WELLNESS
208 Med Spa
125 Commerce St., Ste. D McCall, Idaho 83638 208-408-0976 hydrate208.com
Aboutkneads Massage 1101 N 3rd, Hotel McCall McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-1603 hotelmccall.com/amenities
Alpenglow Spa
212 N 3rd St., Suite B McCall, Idaho 83638 208-630-6585 alpenglowmccall.com
Be Well and Tell McCall, Idaho 83638 775-544-9578 kristinadobler.arbonne.com
Bespoke Well Spa + Boutique
409 S 3rd St., Ste. 4 McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-4169
bespokemccall.com
Your ultimate whitewater rafting experience on the Salmon River!
• Day & overnight trips from Riggins, ID
• Perfect blend of adrenaline-pumping excitement & family-friendly fun
• Family & group rates available
• Use code McCall2024 for 10% off
outdoorvoyagers.com 208-477-9905
by Adrian Centeno
The Cove at Shore Lodge
501 W Lake St.
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-630-0280
thecovemccall.com
CrossFit Acclivity
405 Knights Rd. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-305-7481
crossfitacclivity.com
Eye of the Owl Art Tattoo
114 N 3rd St., Unit B McCall, Idaho 83638
208-315-2408
eyeoftheowl.art
Gather Pilates
1016 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-315-7137
gatherpilates.com
Headwaters Yoga
115 Commerce St., Unit B McCall, Idaho 83638
208-671-5444
headwatersyoga.com
Isagenix
McCall Pilates
335 Deinhard Ln., Unit 3
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-315-3730
mccallpilates.com
RDH Endurance Training
McCall, Idaho 83638
773-575-6040 rdhendurancetraining.com
Simply Be Massage
331 Deinhard Ln.
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-0863 www.simplybemassage.com
The Spa at Tamarack
75 Arling Center Ct. Tamarack, Idaho 83615 208-325-1570
www.tamarackidaho.com/spa
Vibrant Med Spa
203 E Lake St., Ste. 7 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5729
unwindmccall.com
Whole Mountain Health
Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach McCall, Idaho 83638
208-352-3132 wholemountainhealth.com
Convenient, Affordable Option for McCall
The new St. Luke’s Urgent Care, housed in the Allen-Nokes Center, is now open to serve patients. It’s a great option for those who aren’t experiencing an emergency but can’t wait for an appointment.
• Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Walk-in facility.
• Same-day, affordable treatment.
The first clinic of its kind in our area, Urgent Care provides residents and visitors alike the right care, right when they need it. Thank you to our generous donors, McCall Memorial Hospital District and local support. You made it possible!
Building for the future. The right care, right here.
200 Forest Street McCall, Idaho 83638
208-630-2590
Soak at Burgdorf Bonus! Stay overnight in a historic Burgdorf cabin
Canoe, kayak, or SUP the Meanders
One of the best ways to experience McCall in the summer is on the water. And there is no better place to canoe, kayak, or paddle board than the “Meanders.” This lazy stretch of river was meant for (you guessed it) meandering. The calm, crystal clear water is perfect for kids who want to learn how to paddle on their own. Beaches along the way make it easy to stop for a break or a picnic lunch and the odds that you spot an eagle, deer, fox, or even a moose are pretty high. With only the scenic splendor to distract you, it is a perfect setting to catch up on some quality family time. Trust us; laughter just seems to sound better when it carries over the water!
Plan a beach day on Payette Lake or Cascade Lake
Sometimes you just need an easy win with a no-fuss hour at the beach. A few snacks and some sunscreen and you are good to go! There are plenty of options on both Payette Lake and Lake Cascade to get some sand between your toes.
Check out the area map on page 101
Kick off your day on the Upper North Fork Meanders with a hearty breakfast in town at Café 634, Fogglifter Cafe, the Cutwater at Shore Lodge, or Brunchette on the Lake. We recommend launching at the North Beach boat ramp. If you need to rent equipment you can do so in town from McCall Sports, Home Town Sports, or Gravity Sports —you will just need a vehicle that can get them to your launch point. You can also rent from Backwoods Adventures at the launch. With any rental, it is best to call ahead and reserve your canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and life jackets in advance.
If you haven’t had enough water after your paddling adventure, you can always hit up a hot springs! Up the road from the North Beach launch site is Burgdorf Hot Springs. This historic gem is a bucket list item in the summer and the winter with its natural mineral springs that fluctuate between 100 and 113 degrees depending on the pool. There is a fantastic shallow area perfect for the younger kids that connects to the larger pool. Reservations are required to soak. To book your soak or stay at one of the historic cabins on site, visit burgdorfhotsprings.com.
Payette Lake:
• North Beach
• Davis Beach
• Legacy Park Beach
• Rotary Park
• Brown Park
• Ponderosa State Park
Lake Cascade:
• Donnelly Boat Docks
• Tamarack Resort Waterfront
• Lake Cascade State Park Van Wyck Day Use Area
While the lakes and rivers get most of the attention in the summer, the mountains pack a punch of family fun to rival any day at the beach. From mountain biking to horseback riding to a scenic chairlift ride, there is no shortage of adventures to wow the kids (and wear them out).
Whether you are staying for a week or a weekend, plan to spend at least half a day mountain biking at one of four bike parks: Brundage Mountain, Bear Basin, Jug Mountain Ranch, and Tamarack Resort. Each offers a variety of terrain for every skill level…everyone in the family, no matter their age, can find a trail to fit their mood and skillset.
At Brundage Mountain , we like the Greenhorn trail for an easy out-and-back lollipop. With minimal elevation change and a few fun, unintimidating features like berm turns and soft rollers, this is a great introduction to single-track riding. This trail also connects with some of the other lower mountain trails so you can extend your ride if everyone is having fun. Lift-serviced trails are also available for kids (and adults!) wanting a downhill riding experience.
Continued page 48
Practice your skills at the Pump Track
Before you head to the mountain, give your little ones a bit of practical experience at the Pump Track near the McCall-Donnelly High School. The park features a pump track, jump lines, a log skinny, and berms so new riders can hone their skills.
Ride
Greenhorn at Brundage Mountain
Photo courtesy Case Conti Visuals
Photo courtesy McCall Area Chamber
Cruise North Elk at Jug Mountain Ranch
Just north of town there is a hidden gem of trails at Bear Basin . Along with a fun skills park, one of our favorite trails for less experienced riders is the Sleepy Hollow loop. A few turns off the main drag and it feels like you are in the middle of a forest. The single track trail winds through the trees in a dense wooded area and features some fun elements like a bridge and optional rock features to keep things interesting.
Explore Sleepy Hollow at Bear Basin
At Jug Mountain Ranch , younger kids will love the North Elk Loop for their wide, flowy turns without the intimidation factor. On the weekends, you can also grab a shuttle to the top and take a scenic, leisurely ride along the Upper Jug Creek Reservoir on a trail called the Dam Loop. After your ride, swing into the Clubhouse Restaurant for an afternoon appetizer or dinner overlooking the Jug Mountain Ranch Golf Course.
If you choose to ride at Tamarack Resort, be prepared for a lot of options! Along with lift-serviced downhill trails, Tamarack is also home to a huge network of meadow trails that wind down along the Osprey Meadows Golf Course as well as some great beginner trails higher up the mountain in the famous Tamarack Grove in the Wildwood area. For an easy ride with kids, we like to start from the Lodge at Osprey Meadows and take the Lodge Trail to Pelican for an easy cruise around the perimeter of the meadow.
Once you have conquered the bike, its time for a new animal…literally. We can’t say enough about a horseback ride with the amazing team at Yahoo Corrals
For kids six and up, Yahoo offers two options, a 90-minute and four-hour trail ride experience through some of the most beautiful terrain in the area. The gentle horses and knowledgeable guides make it easy for beginners of any age to feel comfortable. Have kids under six? They can still get in on the fun with pony rides at the corrals or a family horse-drawn carriage ride and dinner experience.
Not quite ready to saddle a horse or hop on a mountain bike? You can still see the mountain in a whole new way with a scenic chairlift ride from Brundage Mountain or Tamarack Resort.
There really is something unique about riding a chairlift in the summer…and the view from the top feels like you can see the entire state of Idaho on a clear day. Scenic chairlift rides are a great activity for a family with a variety of ages—from young to young at heart, riding a chairlift is an easy, accessible activity everyone can participate in together.
This event calendar represents typical happenings you can find throughout the year in McCall. Please visit each group or business website for specific information on each event.
Idaho Free Nordic Ski Day
Youth Ice Fishing Day
Grom Games: Tamarack Resort
McCall Re-Mastered Nordic Race
Idaho Sled Dog Challenge
Saturday Après DJ Series: Tamarack Resort
Bear’s Den Snowcat Dinners: Brundage
Mountain
IFSA Big Mountain: Tamarack Resort
Ice Break Up Contest sponsored by AWeSOMe!
Heritage Night: Little Ski Hill
Demo Days: Tamarack Resort
McCall Snowmobile Club Annual Fun Run
Valentine’s Day Dinners: Shore Lodge & Rupert’s
Bass Camp Festival and Cardboard Box Derby: Tamarack Resort
Winter Jamboree: Cascade
Women with Bait Tournament: Riggins
Cascade Cup Fishing Tournament
Destination: Beer
Winemaker Dinner: Shore Lodge
McCall Starz on Ice
Saturday Après DJ Series: Tamarack Resort
Bear’s Den Snowcat Dinners: Brundage Mountain
Payette Land Trust’s SweetHEART Party & Auction
Tiki Trek Fridays: McCall Golf Course
McCall Winter Carnival: Last weekend in February
Beer & Gear Festival: Brundage Mountain
Women with Bait Tournament: Riggins
Snowmobile Crab Feed: Warren
Brundage Mountain Diva Days
St. Patrick’s Day Events: Salmon River Brewery & Foresters
Spring Break Lunch & a Movie: Shore Lodge
Saturday Après DJ Series: Tamarack Resort
Bear’s Den Snowcat Dinners: Brundage Mountain
Idaho State Pond Skimming Championships: Tamarack Resort
Brundage Mountain Brewlympics, Gelande Quaff & Cardboard Classic
Salmon River Jet Boat Races: Riggins
Easter Brunch: Shore Lodge & Rupert’s
Community Easter Egg Hunts
Cascade Easter Activities
New Meadows Week of the Young Child Events
Arbor Day, McCall Celebration of Trees
McCall Music Society’s Spring Concert
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
Idaho Gives
Mother’s Day Celebrations
Riggins Rodeo and Parade
GIG Foundation Annual Fundraiser and Silent Auction: Bistro 45
Historic Roseberry Open House and Volunteer Picnic
Memorial Day Observance
Friday Karaoke: Tamarack Resort
Donnelly Farmers Market every Wednesday, 3-6pm
McCall Farmers Market every Wednesday and Saturday, 10am-1pm
Meadows Valley Farmers Market every Saturday, 10am-2pm
Tuesday Trivia and Friday Karaoke: Tamarack Resort
McCall Arts and Humanities Creative Campus Series
TGIF Summer Concert Series: Brundage Mountain
Seven Devils Playwrights Conference
Northwest Mountain Challenge Bow Shoot: Tamarack Resort
Idaho Free Fishing Day
Father’s Day Celebrations
McCall Public Library Summer Reading Program
Summer Operations Begin: Brundage Mountain
Summer Concert Series: Tamarack Resort
Kaleidoscope Children’s Art Festival: Central Idaho Historical Museum
Cowboy Trade Days & Antique Fair: Roseberry
Progressive Club Fashion Show
Ponderosa Park Run for Payette Lakes Ski Club
Northwest Cup Downhill Mountain Bike Race: Tamarack Resort
Hells Canyon Jam
Riggins Rattle the Canyon
Payette Land Trust Conservation Day BBQ
WCM Interactive Arts Festival in Cascade McCall Airport Open House
Photocourtesy Ryan Zimmer Photo courtesySamanthaSais Photography Photo courtesy Samantha Sais PhotographyDonnelly Farmers Market every Wednesday, 3-6pm
McCall Farmers Market every Wednesday and Saturday, 10am-1pm
Meadows Valley Farmers Market every Saturday, 10am-2pm
McCall Arts and Humanities Creative Campus Series
Tuesday Trivia and Friday Karaoke: Tamarack Resort
Tuesdays at the Terrace: Ponderosa Center
Roseberry Wednesday Night Concert Series
TGIF Summer Concert Series: Brundage Mountain
Summer Concert Series: Tamarack Resort
McCall Public Library Summer Reading Program
4th of July Celebrations and Fireworks: McCall, Donnelly, Cascade & New Meadows
4th of July Music Festival and Summit Cat Track
10k: Brundage Mountain
4th of July Music Festival and Fireworks: Tamarack Resort
4th of July Fireworks Show: MeadowCreek Golf Course
Lakeside Liberty Fest: McCall
Thunder Mountain Days: Cascade
Roseberry Arts and Crafts Fair
Payette Children’s Forest Take It Outside Event
Mile High Mile Annual Swim (Payette Lake)
McCall Amateur Golf Tournament
Yoga on the Mountain: Brundage Mountain
Roseberry Summer Music Festival
Annual SAVES Event: Meadows Valley Fire & EMS Dinner
McCall MusicFest presented by McCall Music Society
Adams County Fair and Rodeo
Riggins Hot Summer Nights
Creative District Artisans Tour
Donnelly Farmers Market every Wednesday, 3-6pm
McCall Farmers Market every Wednesday and Saturday, 10am-1pm
Meadows Valley Farmers Market every Saturday, 10am-2pm
McCall Arts and Humanities Creative Campus Series
Tuesday Trivia and Friday Karaoke: Tamarack Resort
Tuesdays at the Terrace: Ponderosa Center
TGIF Summer Concert Series: Brundage Mountain
Roseberry Wednesday Night Concert Series
Summer Concert Series: Tamarack Resort
McCall Public Library Summer Reading Program
Payette Lakes Classic and Wooden Boat Show
Yellow Pine Harmonica Festival
Huckleberry Festival: Donnelly
MWSC’s Ski Bum Scramble
Pioneer Picnic: Roseberry
Payette Lakes Fine Art and Craft Fair
Big Mountain Enduro Race: Tamarack Resort
Art & Wine Festival: Tamarack Resort
Cascade Medical Foundation Golf Tournament
Payette Lakes Ski Club Mountain Triathlon
Yoga on the Mountain: Brundage Mountain
Fosdick Benefit Golf Tournament: MeadowCreek
Valley County Fair and Rodeo
Chalk on the Walk: Cascade
Art in the Courtyard
Mountain Brewfest
Roseberry’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social
Donnelly Farmers Market every Wednesday, 3-6pm
McCall Farmers Market every Wednesday and Saturday, 10am-1pm
Meadows Valley Farmers Market every Saturday, 10am-2pm
Tuesday Trivia and Friday Karaoke: Tamarack Resort
Tuesdays at the Terrace: Ponderosa Center
Summer Concert Series: Tamarack Resort
McCall Area Chamber Business Expo
Meadows Valley Days—Labor Day Weekend
Fun Run benefitting the Shepherd’s Home and Toby’s Place
McCallywood Car Show
McCall Senior Wood Bat Tournament
Bikes, Brews & Bluegrass Festival: Tamarack Resort
Alpha Nursery Fall Harvest Festival
Oktoberfest and Top of Tamarack Race: Tamarack Resort
Judge’s Fishing Day: Cascade
Payette Lake Run
Fall Fest presented by the McCall Chamber
McCall Farmers Market every Wednesday and Saturday, 10am-1pm
Meadows Valley Farmers Market every Saturday, 10am-2pm
Skate By The Lake Hockey Tournament
McCall Curling Club Roktoberspiel
Cascade Lake Run
McPaws Oktoberfest
OCTOBER CONTINUED
New Meadows Fall Harvest Festival
Payette Lakes Ski Club Ski Swap
Witches and Wizards on the Water (Payette Lake)
Light Festival presented by the Ponderosa Center
Harvest Fest: Donnelly Elementary
Haunted House: Little Ski Hill
Halloween in Donnelly Trunk or Treat on Mainstreet
Halloween Movie Night: Tamarack Resort
New Meadows Trunk-or-Treat in the Park
McCall Trunk or Treat
McCall Zombie Crawl with the McCall Area Chamber
Cascade Holiday Bazaar: Hotel NoBo
Thanksgiving 6K Turkey Trot: The Club at Aspen Village
McCall Festival of Trees
Small Business Saturday
Brundage Mountain’s Pray for Snow Party
Pray for Snow Preseason Rail Jam: Tamarack Resort
Thanksgiving Dinner Specials
Community Thanksgiving Dinner: Cascade
Shop Local, Shop Late
McCall Downtown Tree Lighting & Visit with Santa
New Meadows Tree Lighting & Parade
Snow Ball benefiting the Payette Lakes Ski Club
Toby’s Place Winter Wonderland Celebration
Backcountry Film Festival
St. Luke’s McCall Holiday Happenings
Cascade Community Center Christmas Craft Fair
McCall Music Society Christmas Concert
Breakfast with Santa: Shore Lodge
Pictures with Santa: Various Locations
Santa Paws
Christmas in Donnelly Holiday Boutique
Christmas Cookie Decorating: Shore Lodge
Christmas Eve Dinner: Rupert’s
Christmas Dinner: Shore Lodge
Santa Skis: Brundage Mountain & Tamarack Resort
Holiday Ice Show: Manchester Ice & Events Center
Light Up the Night: Brundage Mountain
NYE Fireworks and Torchlight Parade: Tamarack Resort
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Finding a trail with a gentle slope and manageable distance for little legs without sacrificing scenery can seem like a daunting task. But McCall is home to a plethora of short, stunning hikes the entire family will enjoy. And if all else fails, finish a day on the trail with a milkshake from My Father’s Place. We promise you really can’t go wrong!
A few of our favorite family-friendly hikes include:
Just about every trail in Ponderosa State Park is a great option for little ones, but this trail comes with great interpretive signs that make this a fun learning experience. This is a foot traffic only trail, so there are no worries about running into mountain bikers with little hikers in tow. The full loop is just under two miles, but there is a good option to cut that hike in half by taking the Fir Grove Cut-Off a half mile in. Trailhead Directions: The trailhead is well marked on the right, just over half a mile on the main road after entering the Park. We like to park at the Activity Center and walk the short distance to the trailhead.
For a longer hike with an easy slope, Pearl Lake is the gold standard. There is plenty to keep little ones entertained on the trail with wildflowers, Teardrop Lake, and a couple of easy creek crossings before reaching your destination. While the hike is a manageable 3.5 miles out-and-back, the road into the trailhead is a bit rocky, so plan to take it slow. Trailhead Directions: Follow Warren Wagon Road just under 14 miles and turn right at the Crestline Trailhead 7 sign (you will cross a bridge). Continue 7 miles up the dirt road to the trailhead, keeping straight at the first two junctions and veering right at the next three.
This great little hike starts out at 6,600 feet and has a gentle climb of 300 feet in just over a mile. The lake is a great day trip, but there are also some great campsites along the lake’s perimeter that make this a perfect first overnight backpack with kids. Trailhead Directions: From McCall take Lick Creek Road, taking the right fork. From the fork, drive 16 miles. On the left will be a large parking area and trail head.
Continued page 54
PhotocourtesyMcKenzieK raemer
While the shortest hike on our list at just 1.5 miles out-and-back, Josephine Lake may also be the most stunning. The 8,286-foot Squaw Point rises out of the emerald green water for a breathtaking destination. Trailhead Directions: Travel along Warren Wagon Road, passing Upper Payette Lake and Secesh Summit. Three miles after the summit, take a left on Forest Service Road 316, marked “Josephine Lake.” The road to the trailhead is a bit bumpy so a vehicle with good clearance is recommended.
Perhaps the most well-known hike on our list, Boulder has earned its reputation as a favorite for good reason. The trail winds through beautiful terrain and the infinity edge of the dam make Boulder Lake one-of-a-kind. While a bit longer and steeper than the rest, Boulder is a great option for kids looking to take hiking to the next level. At 3.2 miles out-andback with 800 feet in elevation gain, the trail is still manageable for
Enjoy a signature milkshake & burger at My Father’s Place
families. Trailhead Directions: From McCall, drive south on Highway 55 and turn left onto Elo Road. Take the left fork after 2.8 miles onto Boulder Lake Road. Follow this road to its end at a campground about 5 miles in and turn left to park. The trailhead can be found at the base of the Boulder Meadow Reservoir dam.
This short hike is great for a first overnight trip with younger kids. The hike in is beautiful with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, but short and sweet at just under one mile. The lake is stunning and several well-established camp sites are nestled along the water’s edge. Once there, you can also explore nearby Trail and Frog Lakes if you are up for a bit of off-trail hiking.
Trailhead Directions: Follow Warren Wagon Road 21 miles and turn right onto Forest Service Road 431. Follow this dirt road about 2 miles to its end at a small parking lot.
Continued page 56
Hike to Deep Lake Bonus points for overnight campout Photo courtesy McKenzie Kraemer Photo courtesyMcKenzieKraemer
Mix
We are suckers for live music any time of year, but in the summer, live music feels easier to bring the whole family out to enjoy. The summer venues combine that fresh mountain air with ample space for kids to run out all that pent up energy in a fun, safe environment. While you can find live music in just about every corner of town on any given evening, the free weekly concert series at the Ponderosa Center Terrace, Brundage Mountain, and Tamarack Resort are our favorite picks for families.
Start a week of live music off with an evening at Tuesdays at the Terrace in downtown McCall. Hosted by the Ponderosa Center, this concert series runs every Tuesday evening from 7pm to 9pm in July, August, and September. With views of Payette Lake as the backdrop to the stage, concert-goers can kick back and relax while sipping a glass of wine and enjoying dinner from a food truck located inside the venue. The fenced area is great for kids who can get up and dance at the stage or play tag in the back when the urge to get up and move hits.
Want to maximize your time downtown?
Start early and grab dinner at Frenchies on Third to go or a pizza from Growlers Toll Station , or Salmon River Brewery and picnic at Legacy Park ahead of the concert!
When Friday rolls around it’s time to head up to Brundage Mountain for the TGIF Concert Series. Each summer the base of the mountain is transformed into a terraced lawn that creates the perfect amphitheater for live music. There really is no bad seat in the house! Pack a lawn chair or a blanket and camp out under the Bluebird Express lift.
Grab a drink or dinner from Smoky’s Bar and or from the tents on the lawn. If you
Weekly music is amplified by some amazing (and family-friendly) music festivals throughout the region. Two of our favorite outdoor festivals are the Roseberry Music Festival (July 18-20, 2024 | thesummermusicfestival.com) and the Yellowpine Harmonica Festival (August 1-3, 2024 | yellowpinefestival.org). We also love McCall MusicFest presented by the McCall Music Society. This classical and pops festival hosts events July 23, 25, and 27, 2024 including a FREE matinee concert on the 27th just for kids where they can experience the sights and sounds of a full 55-piece orchestra. Learn more at mccallmusicsociety.org.
Kick Back at a Tuesdays at the Terrace Concert
have little kids, pack a net and an extra change of clothes. There are several small ponds on site with resident frogs kids can’t resist trying to catch. Don’t worry, the pools are shallow, but inevitably kids come back from frog chasing soaking wet!
Round out the week with live music every Saturday for the Tamarack Summer Concert Series running from June to September. The setting in the heart of the Tamarack Village is superb with food and cocktails close at hand. Before or after the concerts, grab dinner at any one of Tamarack’s eateries. We like the Seven Devil’s Taphouse for families. Here you can find delicious fare like brisket, pulled pork, wings burgers and more. And 40 self-pour regional beers, ciders, and wines.
Find your groove at a Tamarack Summer Concert
Forged from over 35 years of tradition, “My Father’s Place” is a family owned and operated restaurant that blends just the right amount of vintage charm, contemporary style and unforgettable tastes to create a dining experience that transcends generations. The menu at “My Father’s Place” boasts some of the best charbroiled burgers, fries and shakes in the great state of Idaho.
Albertsons
132 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-8166 albertsons.com
The Bar at Shore Lodge
501 W Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2244 shorelodge.com/dining
Banyans on the Green 925 Fairway Dr. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-630-6575 banyansonthegreen.com
Bistro 45
203 E Lake St.
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-4665 cheftopple.com
Café 634
500 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-4634
Checkpoint Wine Bar & Tapas at Hotel Nobo
500 N Main St. Cascade, Idaho 83611 208-382-5621 hotelnobo.com/checkpoint
Clearwater Coffee Company
760 Village Drive #102 Tamarack, Idaho 83615 208-325-1017
tamarackidaho.com/dining/clearwater-coffee
The Coffee Shop at Shore Lodge
501 W Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2244 shorelodge.com/dining
Cutwater Grill at Shore Lodge
501 W Lake St.
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-2244 shorelodge.com/dining
Fogglifter Café 1003 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5507
Frenchie’s on Third
319 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-630-6104
Frenchiesonthird.squarespace.com
Growler’s Pizza Grill
501 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-7755 growlerspizza.com
Hometown Pizza & Pub
337 Deinhard Ln. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2596 hometownpizzamccall.com
Ice Cream Alley
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day
310 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-4700
The Intersection BBQ
206 Virginia St.
New Meadows, Idaho 83654
208-347-4499
Jug Mountain Ranch Clubhouse
Restaurant
13834 Farm to Market Rd. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-5072
jugmountainranch.com/clubhouse-restaurant
KB’s Burritos
616 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-5500
kbsburrito.com
Lake Fork Café
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-315-6464
lakeforkcafe.com
Lardos Grill and Saloon
600 W Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-8191
lardogrillandsaloon.com
Mile High Marina & Grille
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day 1300 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-8605
milehighmarina.com
The Mill Steak and Spirits
324 N 3rd St.
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-7683
Miner’s Grab N Go
147 N 3rd St.
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-2004
minersgrabngo.com
Mountain Java & The Back Room Bar
501 Pine St.
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-2027
mountainjavaroasters.com
My Father’s Place
901 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-4401 mfpmccall.com
The Narrows Steakhouse at Shore Lodge
501 W Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-2244
shorelodge.com/dining
Natural Grocers
209 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 naturalgrocers.com
North Fork Coffee Roasters
204 Lenora St., Ste. 100 McCall, Idaho 83638
208-630-4433
northforkcoffeeroasters.com
Paikka Bakery 14120 Highway 55 McCall, Idaho 83638 917-860-7913 paikka-baked.com
Palooza Basecamp and Eatery
112 N Main St. Cascade, Idaho 83611 208-733-0507 paloozabrands.com
Pueblo Lindo
1007 W Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2270
Ragazza Di Bufalo
319 Main St. Donnelly, Idaho 83615 208-325-3463 cheftopple.com/bufalodonnelly
The Rendezvous
Includes El Pueblo Taqueria, Triple B Diner, and Summit Bowls
780 Village Drive #103 Tamarack, Idaho 83615
208-325-1123
tamarackidaho.com/dining
The Reserve
760 Village Drive #101 Tamarack, Idaho 83615
208-325-1014
tamarackidaho.com/dining/menues/the-reserve
Rupert’s at Hotel McCall
1101 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-8108 rupertsathotelmccall.com
Salmon River Brewery
411 Railroad Ave. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-4772
salmonriverbrewery.com
Steamers Steak and Seafood
308 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-1411 steamersrestaurant.com
Subway of McCall
320 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-2855 order.subway.com
Subway of New Meadows
505 Virginia St. New Meadows, Idaho 83654 208-347-4000 order.subway.com
The Sushi Bar
414 Railroad Ave. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7874 sushibarmccall.com
Tamarack Resort
311 Village Dr. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-325-1000 tamarackidaho.com
Toll Station Pizza
410 Railroad Ave. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7818 tollstationpizza.com
Village Market
760 Village Drive #103 Tamarack, Idaho 83615 208-325-1012 tamarackidaho.com/dining/village-market
Wild River Java
201 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5282 wildriverjava.com
Yellow Pine Tavern
330 Yellow Pine Ave. Yellow Pine, Idaho 83677 208-633-2233 facebook.com/yellowpinetavern Get
Smoky’s Bar and Grill
at Brundage Mountain Resort
3890 Goose Lake Rd. McCall, Idaho 83638
Or
208-634-4151 brundage.com
Stacey Cakes
136 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-2537
staceycakes.online
Miner’s Grab N Go Sinclair Miner’s Diner
• Local Craft Beer
• Unique Candies and Chocolates
• Dippin Dots
• Healthy Snacks
• Breakfast Served All Day
• Ethanol-Free 91 Fuel Available
• Summer Hours: 6am-10pm Mon-Fri; 7am-9pm Sat & Sun
• Fresh, delicious tacos, burritos, bowls, & quesadillas available Mon-Fri
• Pulled Pork & Brisket Plates Sat-Sun
• Ice Cream Smoothies
• Drive Thru
• Online & Call-In Ordering
• Door Dash Delivery
• Summer Hours: 11am-8pm Mon-Fri; 11am-6pm Sat & Sun
Summer is all about that ice cold beer and backyard flavors! And our friends at Broken Horn and the River Grill certainly know how to create that state of summer bliss.
If you haven’t been to Broken Horn yet, put this local brewery on your list! You can drive or take the paved city pathway that parallels Mission Street if you want to walk or bike for a bite and a beer. Enjoy a pint in the taphouse or on the expansive deck and patio area (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas). In addition to the locally brewed beer and guest cider taps, Broken Horn also hosts weekly live music on Saturdays, trivia on Thursdays, and local jam sessions on Mondays.
In 2023, Broken Horn partnered with the River Grill food truck to offer year-round eats in addition to their amazing brews. The River Grill is perhaps best known for their incredible smash burgers, but their entire menu is worth sampling. From the BBQ sliders to the chicken Caesar pitas, you really can’t go wrong. And new this summer…the River Grill will be open for lunch. Swing by to enjoy on site or order ahead online to pick up and take with you on your summer adventure.
Want to take a bit of this amazing duo home with you? Pick up a growler or 26 ounce can from Broken Horn and whip up this amazing recipe from the River Grill for a perfect summer meal.
Continued page 64
Photo courtesy McKenzie Kraemer
INGREDIENTS:
Garlic Aioli
1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup ketchup
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 pinch sugar
Cheesesteak
8oz shaved prime rib (sub ribeye if needed)
1 red pepper, diced
1 green pepper, diced
2 Tbsp garlic paste
1 tsp Tajin
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 Walla Walla sweet onion, diced
4 slices pepper jack cheese
2 hoagie rolls
Make the garlic aioli sauce. Add all ingredients into a bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
Heat up a flat iron grill. Add the shaved prime rib, peppers, and onions to the grill. Toss until onions begin to caramelize. Top with pepper jack cheese and a dollop of garlic aioli sauce. Toss to mix until cheese is melted.
Meanwhile, spread garlic aioli on the hoagie rolls and toast on the grill. Once golden, remove from heat, add the cheesesteak mix and enjoy!
Pair your cheesesteak sandwich with a signature brew from Broken Horn. We love the Hells Canyon Jalapeño (5.5% ABV, 25 IBU). This light, drinkable beer has a spicy kick that we can’t get enough of. If an IPA is your go-to, we highly recommend the Initial Attack IPA (6.8% ABV, 68 IBU), one of the flagships at Broken Horn and a fan favorite for more than 10 years. To switch it up, don’t discount the deliciousness of the Sasquatch Stout (6.8% ABV, 39 IBU). Perhaps this darker brew is a bit unexpected in the summer, but the Squatch drinks smooth and easy.
Photo courtesy McKenzie Kraemer Photo courtesy McKenzie Kraemer
You may have heard of Sharlie, our friendly lake monster. She resides in the depths of Payette Lake and makes infrequent appearances only a lucky few have been able to witness. She is a bit elusive, and a whole lot mystical. And despite the rarity of seeing her in action, everyone who lives here understands that she is a major thread in the fabric of our local lore.
But she isn’t the only legend in McCall.
Set on Mission Street, just to the west of the McCall airport, there is another elusive, and somewhat mystical being…the McCall Smokejumper Base. Like Sharlie, an occasional glimpse of a smokejumper may catch your eye as they make a few practice jumps in the spring. But you have to be in the right place at the right time. Most of their work is done in the heart of the wilderness, over impassable terrain that many of us will never set foot in. And while we may not always see the work they do, there is no denying the impact the men and women who have earned the title of
Jim Alexander and open chute on ground
“McCall Smokejumper” have on our community. Like their lake monster counterpart, they too are an integral part of the history and flavor that is uniquely McCall.
This past April, the McCall Arts and Humanities Council provided a rare opportunity to bring these local legends into the light at their annual Heritage Night. This is a night dedicated to hearing stories and celebrating the people, traditions, and culture that make this community special…and this year, Heritage Night celebrated the McCall Smokejumpers. This stage gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a smokejumper—from training to what it’s really like to jump out of a plane to close calls and amazing feats.
From the history to the training, the call to the jump, the story of the McCall Smokejumpers was brought to the surface, and here, we do our part to share some of that magic.
Continued page 68
Continued page 68
Photo courtesy McCall Smokejumper Base
“straight up or on the rocks? shaken or stirred?”
mccall’s finest spirits are handcrafted at the bar.
Serving signature drinks and fantastic food, indoors and out.
Smokejumping was originally proposed in 1934 by T.V. Pearson, Regional Forester of the Intermountain Region. His theory was that fresh, self-sufficient fire fighters could parachute into rugged terrain and provide a quick, targeted initial attack on forest fires. The response from the superiors in the Washington DC office were more than a little skeptical, going so far as to say “All parachute members are more or less crazy and just a little unbalanced. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be engaged in such a hazardous undertaking.”
Despite the initial skepticism, the “smokejumper experiment,” as it was referred to at this point in time, persisted. In October 1939, sixteen participants engaged in a trial to test the viability of parachuting. They were divided into three teams: the ground crew, the aircrew, and the parachute crew. Through these trials, each group photographed or filmed activities and outcomes and kept meticulous journals to record observations. Over the course of this experiment, modifications were made to equipment, jump suits, protective gear, and protocols. In the end, the “smokejumper experiment” proved that not only was delivering wildland firefighters by parachute possible, it was vital to fighting remote wildfires.
On July 12, 1940, the first live jump was made by Rufus Robinson and Earl Cooley into the Nez Perce National Forest to fight the “Rock Pillar Fire.” That first jump was the beginning of an elite division of wildland firefighters who continue to play a significant role in fire management efforts throughout the nation (and even abroad) today.
The McCall Smokejumper program was established in 1943 and led by the godfather of Region 4 smokejumping, Stewart Lloyd Johnson. By 1947, McCall had a permanent base and was home to 50 smokejumpers and their families.
“Around this time, the CIA also started recruiting McCall smokejumpers for clandestine operations throughout the world due to their highly specialized training,” explains Todd Haynes, class of 2002 with 472 jumps and counting, and the McCall Smokejumper Base Manager. “For more than 25 years, area smokejumper participated in operations in locations such as Tibet, Vietnam, Laos, and the Arctic Circle.”
Over the years, new partnerships would emerge and major milestones would be achieved in McCall. Like in 1974, an assignment in Alaska kicked off what would become an annual migration of many McCall Smokejumpers to bring support to the Alaskan fire season. Or in 1981, when Deanne Shulman successfully completed rookie training in McCall and became the nation’s first female smokejumper. Or in 2016, when McCall smokejumpers started a historic parachute transition away from the round parachute that had been used since the 1940s in favor of the modern ram-air canopy used by the military and sport parachute jumpers.
“Today,” says Haynes, “the McCall Smokejumper Base is home to 72 smokejumpers, 36 smokejumper spouses, and, perhaps most importantly, 41 kids of smokejumpers who are members of our community.”
“It was the first day of rookie training in 1998, and I was standing near the ops box waiting for roll call,” recalls Joe Brinkley, class of 1998 with 373 jumps. “Brink” as he is called by his fellow jumpers got his wildland firefighting start in 1991, was hired as a rookie smokejumper in McCall in 1998,
Todd Haynes Joe Brinkley Morning exercise at the old McCall base across from High School.and would stay at the base for 24 years, retiring in 2021 as the McCall Base Manager. But before he could do all of that, he had to get through the first day of training.
“At 0800 sharp, the operations foreman belts out ‘when I call your name come out in front of the box and face the crowd,’” he says. Then I hear “Brinkley! And I hustled to the front and turned and faced over 50 veteran jumpers staring back at me—and I swear most of their eyes were red.”
Rookie training is no joke. And the hiring process is tough. “We typically see around 150 wildland firefighters apply each year and only 6 to 8 are selected,” says Brinkley. Applicants must have between five and ten years of wildland firefighting experience before applying for the position and be able to pass a rigorous array of minimum physical requirements.
On the first day, rookies must be able to complete seven pull-ups, 25 push-ups, 45 sit-ups, a one and a half mile run in under 11 minutes, carry a 110-pound pack for three miles in 90 minutes or less, and complete a capacity test by carrying a 45-pound pack for three miles in 45 minutes or less. And that is just the first day of training.
Continued page 70
“The intent of rookie training is to push rookies to the absolute limit so trainers can assess how they handle stress in a dynamic environment,” says Brinkley. “It is countless push-us, sit-ups, pullups, burpees, dips, and running…always running.” When they aren’t running, rookies, affectionately called “Neds,” practice parachute and cargo retrieval, suit ups, and jump counts while learning equipment nomenclature, wildfire operations, management tactics, and smokejumper history.
Enter week two. “Most consider this the most challenging part of training,” says Brinkley. The focus is on practicing timber letdowns, aircraft exits, parachute landing falls, and parachute malfunction and emergency procedures. “There is lots of running up and down the three-story tower in blistering heat with 70 pounds of jump suit and gear on.”
Then, for the next three weeks, rookies move on to the jump phase. “They will jump twice a day, every day,” Brinkley says. “In high winds, in no wind, into timber and onto ridges. They make mistakes and pay the price with an impromptu run back to the base.” Once they reach jump 25, they complete training and go on “the list,” but they haven’t earned the title of “smokejumper” just yet. They will need to jump a fire to earn that title.
“After 24 years on the smokejumper base and retiring as the base manager,” says Brinkley, “I can tell you that one of the hardest things anyone smokejumper will do, and one of my greatest accomplishments, is to get through rookie training and become a McCall smokejumper.”
All smokejumpers are on “the list.” This list determines who goes where when a call comes in. To be considered “available,” a jumper must be able to commit to 14 days, the maximum length of an assignment. But as Eric Brundige, class of 1977 with 586 jumps, explains, “it isn’t as easy as just going down the list.”
Frequent requests include a call for a “booster crew,” or reinforcements to a base that needs additional jumpers. “For this type of request, we start at the top of the list and people can accept or pass,” Brundige explains. “But if you get to the bottom of the list and we still need more people, we go back to the top of the list and those jumpers are automatically assigned.”
But why would a jumper turn down an assignment? “There are lots of reasons,” says Brundige. “For example, if a call for a booster crew comes from the Redding base, there may be a bit of hesitation. It is absolutely beautiful country out there,” he laughs, “but most of it is covered in poison oak.” In addition, many requests can transition into new assignments within the 14-day commitment. “Sometimes if you are on a booster crew
Continued page 72
Photo courtesy McCall Smokejumper Base Eric Brundige
and an active fire needs additional resources, you can easily find yourself assigned to a hand crew and on a bus to a fire camp with 2,500 people in it.”
The most popular request is the initial attack call. “When that call comes in, the siren goes off and the top eight people on the list get on the airplane and go,” says Brundige. But what is it like to hear that siren sound and know you are headed directly into a fire?
the person on the intercom starts talking. It is so faint it is hardly noticeable, but you become trained to hear it.” Sometimes, that click is just a precursor to a routine personnel announcement. But when it isn’t you hear something like “Otter load to the Frank Church” and the buzzer rings out.
Once a fire call comes in, there is a small frenzy of activity. “You get to your gear and when everyone is suited up, you get a high five and a ‘stay safe and have a good jump,” says Esparza. “We really just look like overstuffed teddy bears waddling around in our jump suits,” he laughs. Teddy bears or not, they head out to the jump ship and wait to hear where the fire is going to be.
Kacey Rose, class of 1989 with 300 jumps, says there are two types of people when it comes to jumping out of an airplane. The first are the “put me in coach” folks and the second are the “I’d never jump out of a perfectly good airplane” people. “But,” she laughs, “smokejumpers would say ‘there is no such thing as a perfectly good airplane.’” Except perhaps for Jordan Silver.
Kyle Esparza, class of 2010 with 284 jumps and counting, says there is always a lot of anticipation. “You never quite know what to expect,” he says. “You could get a call and jump a fire and be back the next night or you could be gone for two weeks in another state.”
At the base when you are on call, Esparza says there is always one ear trained toward the intercom. “You are always listening,” he says. “There is this really faint click you can hear right before
Silver has been a pilot at the McCall Smokejumper Base for six years and has more than 8,000 hours of flight time, more than half of that in the backcountry. “If anyone knows anything about flying then you know that the Twin Otter is THE airplane,” he says. And the Otter is what is used by the Forest Service for smokejumping. They originated in the 1960s and were built to go low and slow. “They are just the greatest airplane ever,” says Silver. “If I had to pick one airplane to fly for the rest of my career it would be a Twin Otter.”
And a few years ago, Silver had to put the Twin Otter (and his flying skills) to the test. “It was early spring and we got a call for a fire,” he says. So, he started doing his typical routine, what
Continued page 78
Jordan Silver Photo courtesy McCall Smokejumper Base
AND PRINTING
Idaho Business Review
4696 W Overland Rd., Ste. 180 Boise, Idaho 83705
208-336-3768 idahobusinessreview.com
Mapp Designs
New Meadows, Idaho 83654
303-807-8123 mappwebdesigns.com
Mantra Copy & Marketing
13395 Black Pine Rd.
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-315-7137 jeankeese.com
Micael McKenzie Inc Creative
Web Design, Graphic Design & Marketing
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-271-6158
micaelmckenzieinc.com
McCall Mailboxes
411 Deinhard Ln., Ste. 7
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-4048
Payette Ink & Embroidery
212 N 3rd St., Ste. C McCall, Idaho 83638
208-630-6520
Payetteink.com
Rocky Mountain Signs
122 Mission St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-2045 rm-signs.com
Sparklight McCall, Idaho 83638 208-455-5555
ARCHITECTS AND BUILDERS
Buildsmith Construction McCall, Idaho 83638 208-841-5557
Buildsmithnw@gmail.com
Crestline Engineers
323 Deinhard Ln., Ste. C McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-4140 crestline-eng.com
Edgewood Log Homes 13526 Idaho 55 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-0055 edgewoodlog.com
Epikos
303 Colorado St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-4540 epikosdesign.com
Falvey’s Earthworks 14059 Burr Ln. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2021 falveysearthworks.com
Franz Witte Landscape Construction
530 Hwy 55 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-1001 franzwitte.com/mccall-location
Jug Mountain Builders
409 S 3rd St., Ste. D McCall, Idaho 83638 208-816-9243 208-305-1540 jugmountainbuilders.com
Luminaire Smart Homes Garden City, Idaho 83714 208-781-8301 boisesmarthomes.com
Maupin Homes McCall, Idaho 83638 208-954-6846 maupinhomes.com
Mountain Element Construction, LLC McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-0256 mountainelementconstruction.com
Mountain Town Homes
215 Commerce St., Unit 2 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-866-3701 mtntownhomes.com
Payette Builders, Inc. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-9477 payettebuilders.net
Pinetop Custom Homes
112 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-0090 pinetopmccall.com
Robnett Properties 616 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-3113 robnettpropertiesmccall.com
Bruneel Point S 617 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2252 pointstire.com/mccall
CKR USA
Kart Racing Chassis & Components 225 Commerce St., Ste. C McCall, Idaho 83638 208-384-5278 ckr-usa.com
Glass Pro McCall
325 Commerce St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5050 glasspromccall.net
Lakeview Chevron Service
300 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7544 lakeviewchevron.com
Les Schwab Tire Center
500 Deinhard Ln. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-6042 lesschwab.com
Miner’s Grab N Go
147 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2004 minersmccall.com
Alturas Wealth Management & CPA Services McCall, Idaho 83638 208-991-8789
AmeriTitle McCall
507 E Pine St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-6363 amerititle.com
The Brandon Roberts Group 411 Deinhard Ln. #F118 McCall, Idaho 83638 714-585-3230 Brandonroberts360.com
Charity Andersen State Farm Insurance and Financial Services
409 S 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-630-6134 charitysf.com
Lexi Dean, Guaranteed Rate McCall, Idaho 83638 208-202-7807 rate.com/lexidean
Edward Jones Financial Advisor–Tama Lamm
216 N Third St., Suite 105 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5855 edwardjones.com
Edward Jones–Michael A. Vineyard 616 N 3rd St., Ste 105 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5855 edwardjones.com
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.
331 Deinhard Ln., Ste. A McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-4056 fairwayindependentmc.com
Flying S Title and Escrow
616 N 3rd St., Ste. 101 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-4705 gofirstam.com
Idaho First Bank 475 Deinhard Ln. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-1000 idahofirstbank.com
McCall Mortgage Company
310 E Lake St., 2nd Floor McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-8253 mccallmortgagecompany.com
Mutual of Omaha Reverse Mortgage McCall, Idaho 83638
303-514-8983
mutualreverse.com/lo/kelsey-jorck
PrimeLending
114 N 3rd St., Ste 2A McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2200
christine.reino@primelending.com
Signet Mortgage
3060 S Rookery Ln.
Boise, Idaho 83706
208-634-2767
signetmortgage.com/boise
TitleOne
1101 W River St., Ste. 201 Boise, Idaho 83702
208-424-8511
titleonecorp.com
Umpqua Bank
900 2nd St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-8185
umpquabank.com
U.S. Bank Home Mortgage—Dan Margolis
905 N 2nd St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-271-1881
mortgage.usbank.com/id-mccall-dan-margolis
Washington Federal Bank
204 E Park St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-2121 wafdbank.com
Wealth Management Associates
873 E State St. Eagle, Idaho 83616
208-344-1900
wealth-mgt.net/idaho/our-team/ron-coate
Elk Creek Church 14102 Highway 55 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-631-1938 elkcreekchurch.com
McCall Church of the Nazarene 223 Hewitt St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5775 mccallnazarene.org
McCall Community Church 901 N 1st St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5430 mccallucc.org
McCall Seventh-Day Adventist Church 3592 Long View Rd. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-0053 mccallid.adventistchurch.org
Mountain Life Church 14180 Hwy 55 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-3037 mymlc.org
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church 1001 Gable St. McCall, ID 208-634-2796 Standrewsmccall.org
CITY, COUNTY AND STATE GOVERNMENT
Adams County 201 Industrial Ave. Council, Idaho 83612 208-253-4561 co.adams.id.us
City of Cascade 105 S Main St. Cascade, Idaho 83638 208-382-4279 cascadeid.us
City of Donnelly 169 Halferty St. Donnelly, Idaho 83615 208-325-8859 cityofdonnelly.org
City of McCall 216 E Park St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7142 mccall.id.us
City of New Meadows 401 Virginia St. New Meadows, Idaho 83654 208-347-2171 newmeadowsidaho.us
Idaho Department of Labor 550 & 555 Deinhard Ln. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7102 labor.idaho.gov
Valley County
219 S Main St. Cascade, Idaho 83611
208-382-7100
co.valley.id.us
CLEANING SERVICES
Disaster Kleenup
701 N Kings Rd. Nampa, Idaho 83687
208-887-0004 iddk.com
Disaster Response of Idaho 13888 Hwy 55 McCall, Idaho 83638
208-315-3100
disasteridaho.com
Done Right Flood & Fire Services
4735 W Chinden Blvd. Garden City, Idaho 83714
208-215-2577
donerightfloodandfire.com
High Mountain Cleaning and Property Services, LLC
208-741-2395
hmcleaningandproperty.com
Lakeshore Disposal
200 Industrial Loop McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7176
McCall Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning
411 Deinhard Ln., Ste. F233 McCall, Idaho 83638
208-315-7603
mccallcarpetandair.com
One Clean Day, LLC
270 N Main St., Ste A Donnelly, Idaho 83615
208-315-1894 onecleandaymccall@gmail.com
Pim’s Carpet, Rug and Upholstery Cleaners
208-628-4211 pimscarpetcleaners.com
SERVPRO of McCall 907 W Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-849-4095 servpromccallid.com
COMMUNICATION, TV AND CABLE
Family Inspirational Radio:
KDZY/KUJJ Radio
707 Mission St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-3781
kdzy98.com
Mountain Valley Networks
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-994-5999
mountainvalleynetworks.com
Sparklight
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-455-5555
877-687-1332
sparklight.com
4 Corners Communications
3208 Hwy 55
New Meadows, Idaho 83654
208-347-4100
4cornerscomm.com
May Security and Infinite Home Theatre
345 Commerce St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-8200
maysecurity.com
Valley Office Systems 5523 Kendall St. Boise, Idaho 83706
208-384-5954
valleyofficesystems.com
Adams County Health Center
205 N Berkley Ave. Council, Idaho 83612
208-253-4242
achcid.org
McCall Rehabilitation and Care Center
418 Floyde St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-2112
mccallrehab.com
Payette Lakes Medical Clinic
211 Forest St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-2225
stlukesonline.org/communities-and-locations/facilities/clinics/ st-lukes-clinic-payette-lakes-family-medicine
Solace Natural Medicine
301 Colorado St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-7289
solacemedicine.com
St. Luke’s Hospital—McCall
1000 State St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-2221
stlukesonline.org
Trinity Home Care & Resource
106 E Park St., #106 McCall, Idaho 83638
208-908-2791
trinityhomecareresource.com
A-1 Heating and Air Conditioning
140 Commerce St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-1586
a1heating.com
Adventure Floors and Window Coverings
135 Commerce St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-3115 adventurefloors.com
All Seasons Refrigeration New Meadows, Idaho 83654
208-995-5498
ASR21AP@gmail.com
Silver calls “pilot math,” and figuring out how long is it going to take to get there, how much fuel is on board, how much time to get to where they need to go after, how long they can fly, what the current conditions are, and the like. “I was feeling pretty good and did what no one should ever do…I got comfortable,” he says.
It was a wet winter, and an early call. “I am figuring this call will be pretty routine,” Silver says, “maybe a tree or two to put out, quick and easy.” But as they approached the coordinates, a large plumb of smoke appeared. “Enter the ‘Elkhorn Fire’ and the deepest hole you can imagine on the Salmon River and a fire raging,” he says. After circling the area, his spotter identified the necessary jump location and that is when the realization hit. “I am looking at this drainage and I know immediately that this is the most challenging position I have ever been in in an airplane,” Silver says. “Honestly, it scared me.”
But with a job to do, Silver and his team got the jumpers in and the cargo dropped. “The wind was coming down over the top of the mountains and the smoke was incredibly thick, but we worked together to get everything out of the door and after it was over, we settled back after that intense experience to head back to the base for the day,” he says. Which is right about when the radio call came through—they need another load of eight jumpers to this location. “So, we flew home and then turned around to do it all again.”
It was that call, says Silver, that had him asking the question, “Why am I doing this?” Why not take the cushy airline job in a city with reasonably priced homes? And the answer was actually pretty simple. “Legacy, community, and mission,” says Silver. “The legacy is unrivaled, and as for the community, I get to work with the best people on earth.” Plus, the mission means something. “This is some of the most challenging flying terrain in the lower 48,” he says, “and I get to go out and utilize beautiful airplanes with great people to do something that matters.”
“It’s all about the jump!” says Rick Hudson. And he would know. With 35 years and 609 jumps, Hudson has seen just about everything. “A smokejumper’s life is divided between the time before they became aware of jumping and after becoming a smokejumper,” he says. “Once you jump, you look at the world differently.”
Admittedly, some jumps are better than others.
“Picture yourself having finished lunch at My Father’s Place,” says Hudson. “The buzzer at the base goes off announcing the fire call and your heartbeat races, your adrenaline spikes. An hour later you are circling a fire somewhere out over the Salmon River breaks. A dark thunderstorm is just leaving the area and moving up the Main Salmon, but the air is still rough and turbulent. The plane is circling. The spotter is looking for a good jump spot and the plane is circling. As the spotter looks for a possible water source, the plane is circling. As the spotter looks for a place to retrieve the jumpers once the incident is over, yes,” he reiterates, “the plane is circling. You are hot, and sweating and uncomfortable in the confining harness and jumpsuit and you are not the first jumper out of the door. The nausea you are feeling is churning in your stomach as you try to keep your lunch down and focus on the impending jump. But the longer the process is taking the more uncomfortable you feel until eventually you don’t care what is out there. You just want to get out the door and a into the fresh air.”
“Now it’s your turn to jump and you can hear the roar of the aircraft engines, the wind rushing by outside and you listen to the spotter shouting instructions inches from your face. You do your best to comprehend all that information. You nod your head in understanding, but you are actually just concentrating on not throwing up. You wait as the plane banks left for the millionth time. And you wait. You’re clear. The spotter shouts as he checks your static line and you wait, wait for the signal.
Continued page 80
Then the spotter slaps your shoulder and you part the wind with your helmet as you pitch forward. And you’re falling from the aircraft.”
Hudson paints a vivid picture. He says the sense of descending isn’t that noticeable at first. A bit of a breeze through the face mask and the sense of forward motion, but it isn’t until you get closer to the ground that you really notice the speed. “We are taught in training to look where you want to go, not at the hazards” he says. Hazards like rocks and snags and fallen trees. “Hazards will pull you in like a magnet. Look where you want to go instead.”
“So, you look to the jumpers on the ground holding the drift stream as a wind indicator. You see other jumpers running around and yelling but you can’t hear what they are saying. You line your chute up and prepare for the landing. Oh, get ready. Here comes the ground rush. The last 100 feet of the descent seems to accelerate as you and the earth come together. Sometimes,” Hudson says, “your training and experience just click and you execute a perfect roll and pop up on your feet, a textbook landing. But most of the time you’re not that quick and coordinated. You smack the ground like a heavy sack of Idaho potatoes and sometimes knock the wind out of yourself.”
“But you have survived another jump. Better get going towards the task you were sent here to do... the fire. You sit up and remove your helmet and realize why the jumpers on the ground were yelling a few minutes ago as a cloud of mosquitoes swarm your face.”
Which is why the number of jumps you make is a badge of honor. “It’s an accomplishment and survival,” says Hudson. And the best part of the job.
While jumping out of a plane may feel glamorous, it doesn’t come without its risks. Eldon Askelson, class of 1966, was both a jumper (with 116 jumps) and a pilot for the McCall base. It was 1966, his first year as a smokejumper. It was a terrible fire year and resources were thin.
He was just coming off his third fire in four days to get restocked when another call came in for a new fire start toward the south fork of the Salmon, just east of Smith Knob. An airplane out of Idaho City had been called in because all other planes from the base were out on other calls. The pilot, Bob Duncan, and spotter, Bobby Montoya came along as part of the package. “It was a Turbo Porter,” recalls Askelson, “and very different than the planes we typically used.” It had a long skinny nose with two porthole windows on the side just next to where the clamshell doors opened.
Because of the plane’s configuration, Askelson and the three other jumpers on board that day had to sit on top of the cargo packs which had shovels and Pulaski handles sticking out the sides. As they approached the jump spot, the jumpers prepared to exit the plane. “The exhaust configuration of the design meant that we had to jump from the left side of the plane and jump out to ensure we cleared the door,” says Askelson.
With the first three jumpers away, it was his turn. He lined up at the door and waited for the signal to go. When he felt the shoulder tap, he jumped…then stopped. “All of a sudden my forward motion stopped and I found myself slamming against the side of the airplane,” he says. “I thought, this is not a good place to be.” He knew he needed to Continued page 82
Eldon Askelson
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get back to the door. If his parachute opened, it would take down the entire plane.
“I managed to pull myself back up and was just able to reach the bottom edge of the door with one hand,” he says. “Then I dropped my static line and was able to grab the port window with my other hand. Once I got to the door, I realized that my leg strap had been caught on something sticking out from the cargo pack I had been sitting on.” In this precarious position, Askelson says he looked up and saw the spotter, Bobby Montoya in the door with his knife. “I knew from training that in this kind of situation, we are taught to cut the line to save everyone else,” he says. “But I was thinking in my head, ‘Pick me! Pick me.’”
And he saw a quizzical look on Montoya’s face before he disappeared back up to talk to the pilot. During this time, Askelson knew if he had any chance of getting out of this situation he had to get back into the door. So he put all of his effort into getting better purchase on the port window. As he did that, he says he looked up and saw Montoya come back to the door and felt him take hold of his harness. “I saw him yell at the pilot and in an instant, I was back inside the plane, both of us crashing in a tangle in the back of the aircraft,” says Askelson.
“For 56 years, I thought it was our combined effort that got me back into that plane,” he says. Not so. It turns out that there is no chance of pulling someone back inside an airplane by sheer strength alone. Instead, Montoya had worked out a plan for what Askelson now knows was a Zero G Maneuver. “That maneuver made me float outside of the airplane for just enough time for Bobby to pull me back in,” he says. And saved Askelson’s life.
Fast forward to 2007. Garrett Hudson, class of 2007 with 368
jumps and counting (and yes, the son of Rick Hudson), is listening to a tour going through the McCall Smokejumper Base for the umpteenth time. “There is this one part of the video we show that mentions the phrase ‘esprit de corps,’” he says. “I didn’t really know what that meant and never took the time to look it up until recently.” Turns out, “esprit de corps” describes a feeling of pride, fellowship, and a common loyalty shared by members of a particular group.
“And that really sums up what it means to be a smokejumper,” says Hudson. “It is the folks that you work with every day that keep you coming back, ready and excited for the next fire.” It started in 1943 and continues today. It’s the reason rookies fight to make it through training, the reason smokejumpers want to be on “the list,” the reason for the anticipation of the fire call and the helping hands to make sure everyone is suited up and safe. It’s the reason pilots push themselves to get jumpers to challenging locations and why jumpers are willing to brave the heat, nausea, and rush that comes from jumping from a plane to put out a fire. And it is why Elton Askelson is still alive.
If that isn’t mystical, if that isn’t legendary, we don’t know what is.
Photo courtesy McCall Smokejumper Base
Photo courtesy Central Idaho Historical Museum
Tamarack Realty has been an integral part of Tamarack Resort and Valley County since 2008 with over $1B in real estate sold. Whether Valley County natives or from afar, each Tamarack Realty team member proudly calls this place home, boasting an intimate knowledge and deep affection for the region.
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Alpine Southwest Pest Control
Weiser, Idaho 83672
986-221-1621 alpinesouthwest.com
Americool Heating & Cooling 707 W Avalon St. Kuna, Idaho 83634
208-922-3816 americoolid.com
Austin Excavating and Tractor Service 918 Flynn Ln. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-3431 austinexcavatingandtractor.com
Bespoke Properties Idaho 13 White Swan Ct. Donnelly, Idaho 83615 208-614-1025 bespokepropertiesidaho.com
Bosch Lighting Cascade, Idaho 83611 208-984-0008 boschlighting.com
Bullseye Blinds McCall, Idaho 208-315-0459 bullseyeblinds@gmail.com
DF Development LLC PO Box 111 Cisco, Texas 76437
Disaster Kleenup
701 N Kings Road Nampa, Idaho 83687
208-887-0004 iddk.com
Disaster Response of Idaho 13888 Hwy 55
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-315-3100 disasteridaho.com
DTH Services, LLC
Weiser, Idaho 83672
208-718-8497
Dthservices.360@gmail.com
Edgewood Log Homes 13526 Hwy 55 McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-6632
Edgewoodlog.com
EnergySEAL Air Barrier Systems 14037 Hwy 55 McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-7325
energyseal.net
Falvey’s Earthworks 14059 Burr Ln. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2021 falveysearthworks.com
Franklin Building Supply 14047 Hwy 55 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-8111
franklinbuildingsupply.com
Franz Witte Landscape Construction
530 Hwy 55
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-1001 franzwitte.com/mccall-location
Freelon Property Services 13878 Hwy 55
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-0271 freelon-property-services-llc.business.site
Garage Door Guy LLC. PO Box 4352
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-3421 garagedoorguyidaho.com
Glass Pro McCall
325 Commerce St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5050 glasspromccall.net
Hawk, Inc. Construction and Property Services
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-630-4492 hawkestates.com
Heartwood Carpentry Inc. 3500 Raney Rd. New Meadows, Idaho 83654 208-315-0353 heartwoodcarpentrylm.com
High Desert Wildlife & Pest Solutions
9495 Galloway Rd. Middleton, Idaho 83644 208-590-3364
highdesertwildpest.com
Ice Dam Bros McCall, Idaho 83638 208-469-4446 icedambrosmccall.com
Idaho Barn Wood
502 N 3rd St., Unit 6 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-553-3445 idahobarnwood.com
Idaho HOA
495 Deinhard Ln. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-8585 idahohoa.com
Idaho Soft Wash Cascade, Idaho 83611 208-739-2296 idahosoftwashing.com
In House Carpet One Floor & Home
302 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-370-7373 leigh@discoverinhouse.com
Inland Marine McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2875 inlandmarine.org
Ironwood Contracting
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-315-7783
nate@ironwoodcontracting.com
JT & Company
Excavations Services and More Donnelly, Idaho 83615
208-484-8111
Lakeshore Disposal
200 Industrial Loop McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-7176
wasteconnections.com/lakeshore-disposal
Lit Electric LLC McCall, Idaho 83638
206-359-1570
Luminaire Smart Homes
Garden City, Idaho 83714 208-781-8301 boisesmarthomes.com
Maddyn Homes LLC
203 E Lake St., #3 Ste B McCall, Idaho 83638
208-996-3355
maddynhomes.com/mccall
May Security and Infinite Home Theatre
345 Commerce St. McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-8200
maysecurity.com
One Clean Day, LLC
270 N Main St., Ste A Donnelly, Idaho 83615 208-315-1894 onecleandaymccall@gmail.com
Overkill Industries Middleton, Idaho 208-999-3400 overkillidaho.com
Pat’s Glass and Door 301 Railroad McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-4442 patsglassanddoor.com
Peak Home Services, LLC McCall, Idaho 83638 952-412-3309
Pine Mountain Builders of McCall 13761 Grouse Knoll Pl. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-271-1240 pinemntbuilders.com
Resolute Restoration McCall, Idaho 83638 844-774-3246 resoluterestoration.com
Restoration North 600 River St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-4122 restonorth.com
Revolusun Mountain States LLC
168 Thula St., Unit 4 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-4082 idaho.revolusun.com
RoePaint.com McCall, Idaho 83638 208-991-0567 roepainting.com
Sawtooth Paint 1061 N Barkvine Ave. Star, Idaho 83669 208-600-5073
Stoneridge Tile & Stone LLC 208-284-5710 Garden Valley, Idaho 83622
Streamline Idaho LLC PO Box 1467 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-2346 streamlineidaho.com
Syman, LLC—New Meadows 3121 Hwy 55 New Meadows, Idaho 83654 208-287-8420 symancompany.com
Tates Rents
106 S Mission St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5709 tatesrents.com
Western States Equipment Company & Cat Rental Service
westernstatescat.com/?city=Donnelly
Paying homage to the rich history of our region
By McKenzie KraemerOn any given sunny summer day, Payette Lake is dotted with boats. These days, many opt for newer sports like wakeboarding and wake surfing, but the star of McCall has always been waterskiing.
Payette Lake has a long history of being a destination for world-class waterskiing competitions that included more than your average afternoon ski session. Events included slalom racing, jumping, and trick riding. In 1949, the fifth annual Pacific Coast Water Ski Tournament was held at Shore Lodge. Newspaper headlines in the Idaho Statesman read “Ace Water Ski Artists Open Competition at Payette Lakes” and “Aquatic Stars of Northwest Will Compete” and touted the event as on that “promises to be the mecca of entertainment and excitement.”
The tournament drew competitors from across the country, many arriving by seaplane. Don Ibsen, the inventor of water skiing, presided as the chief judge. Idaho contestants included Tom Cottle and Bud Holmes of Boise, Tommy Thompson of Nampa, and Sally Thurston of Council who was also part of the Shore Lodge Ski Club. The Idaho Statesman described Thurston as “unusually steady on her feet and promising to be an exceptionally good skier.” Thurston would ultimately go on to take second overall with first in jumping, third in slalom, and fourth in trick riding. Tommy Thompson of Nampa also finished with top honors in the jumping competition.
While the entire competition was something to behold, the star of the show was the trick riding division. Jeannette Burr of Seattle, who also took home the overall champion trophy, “rode on one water ski, backward, at 35 miles per hour with the rope attached to one foot.” Idaho Statesman sports editor Don Faris noted in his article, “the thing that amazed me was that she found time to take off her swim cap, remove her nose plugs, and smooth her hair out of her eyes before turning to the camera…all while riding backward at 35 miles per hour.” Other competitors completed 180-degree turns, made deep-water backward starts, and changed rope holds from hand to toe. Overall, the competition was a spectacle not to be missed.
Capitalizing on the success and enthusiasm of the Pacific Coast Event, in 1952 Shore Lodge introduced the first annual “Water Ski Meet and Exhibition.” The contest was open to all amateur water skiers in three divisions: slalom, trick riding, and water jumping. An entry fee of $2 was required and covered the “use of boats and incidentals.” That year, a crowd of about 1,000 people
Tommy Thompson sails off the jump a the Pacific Coast Water Ski Tournament Frank Holbrook, Roger Compton, Sally Thurston, Frank Brown, and Bill Floyd (left to right) put on water ski shows for Shore Lodge breakfast patrons in 1954 Photo courtesy Central Idaho Historical Museum Photo courtesy Central Idaho Historical Museum
watched as a 15-year-old Frank Brown of McCall won the overall prize for men and Sally Thurston, now attending Stanford University, swept all three contests on the women’s side. Governor Len Jorden presented trophies to the winners.
Want to learn more about the history of water sports on Payette Lake? We invite you to visit the Central Idaho Historical Museum to find more photos, exhibits, and stories on the rich history of McCall. Let’s continue to keep our history alive and celebrate what makes this place so special.
The slalom competition on Payette Lake during the Shore Lodge Water Ski Tournament
P.O. Box 1066, 706 N. First St., McCall, Idaho 83838
Phone: (208) 634-7641 Website: www.mpmplaw.com
Group/Individual Health/Life Medicare/Dental/Vision/Travel Office: 208-344-0022
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Email: sarah@imaidaho.com
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Community Hub McCall 114 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-630-4913 cubmccall.com
Deirdre B. Marketing & Photography 95 N 2nd St. Cambridge, Idaho 83610 208-866-0634 deidrebmarketing.com
Dunn Consulting Eagle, Idaho 83616 208-298-7282 keithdunnconsulting.com
Elite Mountain Investigations LLC PO Box 378 Council, Idaho 83612 208-315-3896 elitemountaininvestigations.com
Landmark Environmental Consulting LLC McCall, Idaho 83638 208-994-2684 landmark-environmental.com
Michael R. Gurney Agency, Inc. 1607 Davis Ave., Unit 158 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7154 farmersagent.com/mgurney Millemann Pemberton & Holm LLP
Attorneys at Law 706 N 1st St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7641 mpmplaw.com
Preserve McCall PO Box 4261 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-484-3424 preservemccall.com
Redfish | Bluefish Leadership Design & Organizational Development McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-2058 redfishbluefishinc.com
Sarah Taylor Insurance, LLC 1650 S Albright Ln. Boise, Idaho 83709 208-344-0022 imaidaho.com
Women Ignite 10400 Overland Road #122 Boise, Idaho 83709 208-241-8135 paige@womenigniteinternational.com
WorkX 616 N 3rd St., Ste. 103 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-630-6599 workxhub.com
LANDSCAPE SERVICES
Crawford Landscape McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-2080 crawfordlandscapemccall.com
Falvey’s Earthworks 14059 Burr Ln.
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2021 falveysearthworks.com
Franz Witte Landscape Construction 14047 Hwy 55 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-8111 franzwitte.com/mccall-location
GroundUp LLC McCall, Idaho 83638 208-991-4281 GroundUpMulching.com
KozGro Organics LLC 398 Thomason Ln. Cambridge, Idaho 83610 208-718-8771 kozgroorganics.com
MAGAZINES, NEWSPAPERS AND PUBLICATIONS
Idaho Business Review 4696 W Overland Rd., Ste. 180 Boise, Idaho 83705 208-336-3768 idahobusinessreview.com
The Star-News
1000 N First St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2123
mccallstarnews.com
Visit McCall Magazine
The official magazine of the McCall Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau 208-634-7631 info@mccallchamber.org
MINING AND GEOLOGY
Granite Mountain Nature Gallery 305 E Park St., Ste. A McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-1111
granitemountainng.com
Perpetua Resources 13181 Hwy 55 Donnelly, Idaho 83615 208-901-3060
perpetuaresources.com
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
AWeSOMe! Adaptive Wilderness Sports of McCall McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-4275
sites.google.com/awesomemccall.org
Cambridge Commercial Club 85 N Superior St. Cambridge, Idaho 86610 208-257-3533
Cascade Chamber of Commerce 101 S Main St. Cascade, Idaho 83611 208-382-3833
cascadechamber.com
Central Idaho Mountain Bike Association
McCall, Idaho 83638 CIMBArides.org
Donnelly Chamber of Commerce 169 Halferty St. Donnelly, Idaho 83615 208-325-8859 donnellychamber.com
Educational Theatre of Idaho PO Box 227 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-271-2631 educationaltheatreofidaho.org
Family Advocates
3010 W State St. Boise, Idaho 83703 208-345-3344 familyadvocates.org
Friends of the McCall Public Library 1001 State St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5522 mccall.lili.org
Friends of the Weiser River Trail Weiser, Idaho 208-566-1025 weiserrivertrail.org
Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 100 S Adkins Way, Ste 104 Meridian, Idaho 83642 208-888-0648 vr.idaho.gov
Idaho Nonprofit Center 5257 W Fairview Ave., Ste. 260 Boise, Idaho 83706 208-424-2229 idahononprofits.org
Idaho Sled Dog Challenge PO Box 1022
McCall, Idaho 83638 907-360-7604 idahosleddogchallenge.com
Ignite Idaho Family Resource Center 106 E Park St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-994-5537 igniteidahofrc.org
Kelly’s Whitewater Park
330 Kelly’s Pkwy. Cascade, Idaho 83611 kellyswhitewaterpark.com
McCall Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau 605 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7631 visitmccall.org
McCall Area Snowmobile Club McCall, Idaho 83638 snowmobilemccall.net
McCall Arts and Humanities Council 208-634-7136 mccallarts.org
McCall-Donnelly Education Foundation 208-634-6333 mdef.org
McCall Farmers Market Season: June through October Wednesdays & Saturdays, 10am to 1pm 2nd St. McCall, Idaho 83638
McCall Fire Protection District 201 Deinhard Ln. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7070 mccallfire.com
McCall Folklore Society 208-634-9788 thesummermusicfestival.com
McCall Men’s Golf Association, Inc 925 Fairway Dr. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-9770
McCall Music Society
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-0905 mccallmusicsociety.org
McCall Community & Senior Center
701 1st St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5408 mccallsrcenter@gmail.com
McCall Winter Sports Club McCall, Idaho 83638 208-918-0234 mccallwintersportsclub.org
Payette Lakes Progressive Club Payettelakesprogressiveclub.org
Payette Lakes Ski Club/Little Ski Hill 3635 Hwy 55 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5691 payettelakesskiclub.org
Payette Land Trust
309 E Lake St., #5 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-4999 www.payettelandtrust.org
Ponderosa Center—The Ludwig Terrace 1117 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-271-1185 ponderosacenter.org
Rotary of McCall Meets every Wednesday at 12pm McCall, Idaho 83638 portal.clubrunner.ca/3899
Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation
616 N 3rd St., Ste 103 McCall, Idaho 83638 530-949-4928 selwaybitterroot.org
Seven Devils Playwrights Conference McCall, Idaho 83638 516-319-9089 sevendevils.org
Shepherd’s Home
309 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-1152 shepherds-home.org
Valley County Pathways McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-4991 valleycountypathways.org
Village of Yellow Pine Association Yellow Pine, Idaho 83677 yellowpinetimes.wordpress.com yellowpinefestival.org ypescapade.org
WCM YAC 150 W Roseberry Rd., Ste 1B-1 Donnelly, Idaho 83615 208-830-0702 westcentralmountainsyouth.org
PETS
McCall Pet Outfitters 411 S 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-3440 mccallpet.com
MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter
831 S 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-3647 mcpaws.org
Autumn Lynne Photography McCall, Idaho 83638 208-907-1706 autumnlynnephotography.com
Chasing Light Photography LLC McCall, Idaho 83638 208-780-9219 chasinglightphotographyllc.com
Cimbalik Photography McCall, Idaho 83638 208-630-3908 Cimbalikphotography.com
Intimate Adventures Media McCall, Idaho 83638 714-714-1027 intimateadventuresmedia.com
Amy Isacson Photography McCall, Idaho 83638 208-907-6593 amyisacson.com
Samantha Sais Photography McCall, Idaho 83638 520-979-6947 samanthasaisphotography.com
Melissa Shelby Photography/ Mountain Town McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-1294 Melissashelby.com mountaintown.us
White Fox Photo LLC 1324 Eagle Dr. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-794-6823 whitefoxphoto.com
Alpine Village Company
600 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-336-2200 alpinevillagemccall.com
Adam Alexander Real Estate 380 W State St. Eagle, Idaho 83616 208-608-8118 adam-alexander.com
Amherst Madison Real Estate 204 Lenora St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-6497 2ndhomes.com
Jim Boley – the McCall Real Estate Company
301 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2100 ext.1111 mccallrealestate.com/associate/jim-boley
Brundage Realty
403 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-1234 brundagerealty.com
Century 21 Whitewater Clark 1007 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-1800 century21.com
Cory Corbet, Realtor ® McCall Real Estate Company
301 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-630-3283 corbetproperty.com
Angie Crow – Homes of Idaho New Meadows, Idaho 83654 208-789-3315 angiecrowhomes.com
Shelly DeMoss, Realtor ® Crawford Olson Real Estate
403 E Park St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-1390 crawfordolson.com/shelly-demoss
Teia Golden – Windermere Real Estate Professionals in McCall McCall, Idaho 83638 208-616-2646 hwy55realestate.com
One of the hottest crazes right now in the travel world is the wellness retreat, and it seems everyone is jumping on the trend. Long gone are the days of simple spa treatments and yoga practices. The modern wellness retreat offers everything from sound baths and cryotherapy to infrared light treatments, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, and poolside vitamin IV drips. Wellness tourism is so popular, in fact, that travelers are expected to spend $1.3 trillion globally by 2025.
The majority of these retreats are facility-centered, where guests stay on site and soak up their “wellness” in a spa-like setting. That’s true whether a retreat focuses on relaxation, sleep therapy, or nutrition and fitness.
Here in McCall, a local fitness fanatic is putting a very different spin on the fitness retreat. Instead of being fueled by the latest tech trends and hosted in a large, customized facility, this Idaho-style fitness retreat is powered by personal connection and hosted primarily in the forest.
50-year-old Ryan Heywood has been running for almost as long as he can remember. He joined the local track and cross-country teams in eighth grade and ran through college, challenging himself at various distances and even dipping his toes in the steeplechase.
Heywood’s life took some twists and turns during early adulthood, and once he managed to get himself back on track, he got himself, literally back on the track, turning to running to help him find his place—and his peace—once again.
After succeeding in everything from marathons to obstacle course races like Spartans and Tough Mudders, Heywood’s path forward led him into the world of Ultra Running. He started coaching Crossfit and became an endurance trainer, while training himself for endurance races that challenge runners to face off against steep, rugged mountain courses that cover up to 100 miles. That new focus and the vertical training it required inspired him to move from the flats of the Midwest to the mountains of McCall in 2021.
“Training is its own big exploration around here,” says Heywood. Having trails right outside his door helped Heywood feel at home here. He relished the opportunity to explore local trails while building his personal endurance. He also found his professional footing in
Jodi Guliuzza Real Estate Company
321 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-271-6334 buyandsellmccall.com
Cara Hipwell, RE/MAX Executives McCall, Idaho 83638 208-204-9554 viewidahohomesforsale.com
Homes and Land of McCall-CascadeDonnelly 208-634-1472 homesandlandofmccall.com
Homes of Idaho: Bowman Group 150 W Roseberry Rd., Ste 1B-2 Donnelly, Idaho 83615 208-453-6880 bowmangroup.idhomesearch.net
The Housing Company
The Springs Apartments in McCall 565 W Myrtle St., Ste. 250 Boise, Idaho 83702 208-331-4811 thehousingcompany.org
Jessen Real Estate McCall, Idaho 83638 208-890-6369 jessenre.com/
Karen Johansen, Realtor ®
Century 21 Whitewater Clark 1007 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-1800 century21whitewaterclark.com
Jennifer Jones Campbell, Realtor ® 454 W Roseberry Rd., Ste. 7 Donnelly, Idaho 83615 208-440-9400 dirtroadrealtorjjcampbell@gmail.com
Jug Mountain Ranch 13834 Farm to Market Rd. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5072 jugmountainranch.com
Cheri Lawrence Real Estate
Century 21 PO Box 2586 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-250-2430 mountainlivingmccall.com
Amherst Madison 592 N Benjamin Ln. Boise, Idaho 83704 208-391-2391 amherst-madison.com
McCall Real Estate Company
301 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2100 mccallrealestate.com
Mountain Central Association of REALTORS
321 N 3rd St., Ste. #204 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7424 mountaincentralrealtors.com
Let me help you find your special Mountain property!
Cheri Lawrence, Realtor® (208)250-2430
mountainlivingmccall@gmail.com mountain living mccall.com
McCall, scoring a job as manager of McCall’s Legend Crossfit in addition to his work as a personal trainer and endurance coach.
“I had only been here for a short time and I was already experiencing so much thanks to the easy access to the trails and the abundance and variety here,” says Heywood. “I knew the people who trained at my old gyms in the Midwest would love this and I just took that leap of faith.”
Heywood held his first retreat in the summer of 2022, and while there are always small adjustments to make, the format he created then is still in play. Based partly on exercise science and partly on sharing his favorite parts of this community, the three-day retreats follow a well-crafted but simple itinerary.
On the first full day of each retreat, the clients have breakfast on their own and then meet up at North Fork Coffee. This day features a long and challenging hike, usually in the 10–12-mile range. Heywood packs lunches and all the trail snacks the group could ever want. He selects hikes that push his clients toward their fitness goals, but that also include a reward or payoff at the top.
“I wanted a challenge, but I didn’t want to be challenged so much that it was impossible to complete,” says Terri Hartman, a Midwest fitness coach herself, who knew Ryan from Chicago and was excited to visit Idaho for the first time.
“I was truly in awe. It was beautiful. Idaho struck me differently than places I’d been in Colorado or Oregon or Washington,” says Hartman. “Traveling out to Idaho was so worth it because it took me out of my element completely. We don’t have elevation at all, the terrain, the views, the nature - everything is so different from Chicago that it truly was an escape for me.”
The natural attributes of the area are only part of what makes the retreats work. Day One is as much about connecting with the clients as it is about logging miles.
“Ryan will say, “You got this, here’s what to expect on this section, we’re going to push through and then take a little break,”” says Hartman. “He just knows how to mentally prepare you, and then on the trail, to continue to motivate you to get through the tough spots. He has a quiet confidence about him, and he knows when to give you that little boost.”
Heywood isn’t just pulling motivational tools out of a playbook, he’s always assessing his clients needs, right there on the trail.
“It’s truly on the spot pivoting,” says Heywood. “Listening to their breathing, watching how they’re moving. Listening for who is complaining first, who wants to be in the lead, what have you. It reveals itself pretty quickly.”
The second day of the retreat features a recovery hike in the range of 4-5 miles, depending on how the group is feeling— physically and emotionally. After that shorter hike and some stretching, the group loads up and heads to Golf Fork Hot Springs for some relaxation. The third and final day features a 10 – 12-mile hike, then Heywood takes the groups back to his house to use his sauna, enjoy a barbeque dinner, and share a final evening with their fellow hikers.
Heywood gives each Defined Outdoors Retreat participant eight weeks of supplemental training to prepare for their experience here. These workouts include step ups, lunges, single leg work, and walking or running with weight in a backpack (to make up for flatness of the Midwest.) The goal is to strengthen their legs and increase their VO2 max to prepare them for the alpine workouts.
Do you have what it takes to tackle one of Ryan’s fitness retreats? He was kind enough to offer some trail suggestions from those who want to test—or build—their endurance, using McCall as a basecamp.
This challenging 13.3-mile out-and-back trail near McCall takes an average of six and a half hours to complete. The first three miles are relatively easy, then the trail turns north and climbs steeply to the stunning Twenty Lakes Basin which sits just below 8,000 feet and features beautiful alpine scenery and an abundance of wildlife.
One of the most popular hikes in the area, the Boulder Lake trail is just 10 miles from McCall. The hike is four miles roundtrip; the trail climbs slowly until just before the lake where a series of steep switchbacks ascend a granite face.
Continued page 98
Mountain Lakes Realty
805 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2728 mountainlakesrealty.com
Mountain Resort Realty 102 N 3rd St., Ste. 200 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-5400 mccallresortrealty.com
Northwest Passage Apartments 155 Everett Ln. Donnelly, Idaho 83615 northwestpassage.nwrecc.org
Crawford Olson Real Estate
403 E Park St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-6060 crawfordolson.com
Marletta Romero, Real Estate Broker ® Silvercreek Realty Group 502 N 3rd St., Ste. 4 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-0600 dreammccall.com
Trisha Sears Real Estate/McCall Real Estate
301 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-573-1489 trishasears.com
This hike starts at the same trailhead as Duck Lake, but the Hum Lake option is longer and MUCH more challenging. It’s 6.7 miles out and back, but with a 2,200’ elevation gain and a max grade of 38%, it can be tough, especially in the heat of the day. The hike starts with a well-maintained stretch of trail that it shares with Duck Lake, but after veering off at the junction, you’ll climb up through a burn from 1994 which provides unlimited views of the surrounding peaks, then you’ll climb some more until you reach the saddle above Hum Lake. At that point, hikers are treated to incredible views enjoyed mostly by mountain goats and other hearty climbers. You can turn around here or continue on down to Hum Lake depending on your energy supply.
Ryan Heywood operates the Defined Fitness Retreats each summer and offers personal training and spring and fall bootcamps through RDH Endurance Training. www.rdhendurancetraining.com
Joe and Toni Slaymaker, Silvercreek Realty Group LLC
311 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-0846
mountainsofexperience.com
Tamarack Realty 850 Village Drive Tamarack, Idaho 83615 208-325-1001 www.tamarackrealty.com
Haden Tanner, McCall Idaho Real Estate
1000 2nd St., Ste. 104 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-2242 mccallidahorealestate.com
Team Reinhard, Keller Williams Realty
Bryant & Janice Reinhard McCall, Idaho 83638 208-573-1326 boisemccallrealestate.kw.com
Verna Vanis, Realtor ® Crawford Olson Real Estate 403 E Park St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-1050 vernavanis.com
Jo Ellen, Phil and Philip Yribar, Realtors®
McCall Real Estate Company
301 E Lake St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-6494
mccallidrealestate.com
Cascade School District
209 N School St. Cascade, Idaho 83611 208-630-6057 cascadeschools.org
Meadows Valley School K-12 500 N Miller Ave. New Meadows, Idaho 83654 208-347-2411 mvsd11.org
McCall College
106 E Park St., #220 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-3456 mccallcollege.org
McCall-Donnelly Joint School District 120 Idaho St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-2161 mdsd.org
Mountain Community School
500 Base Court Rd. Donnelly, Idaho 83615 208-325-1595 mtncommunityschool.org
Roots Forest School 2018 State Park Dr. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-315-0925 rootsforestschool.com
University of Idaho—McCall Outdoor
Science School (MOSS)
1800 University Ln. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-885-1080 mossidaho.org
STORAGE
Stor-It Self Storage, Car Wash and U Haul 207 N 3rd St. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7015 stor-it.com
TRANSPORTATION & MOVING SERVICES
All in One Moving LLC
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-353-2104 allinonemovingllc.com
Harlow’s McCall 14030 Hwy 55
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-1089 goharlowsmccall.com
Jackson Jet Center 3815 Rickenbacker St. Boise, Idaho 83705
208-383-3300 jacksonjetcenter.com
McCall Aviation/AVCenter
300 Deinhard Ln.
McCall, Idaho 83638
208-634-7137 mccallaviation@outlook.com
Mountain Community Transit
208-634-0003
Call to schedule your FREE ride! treasurevalleytransit.com/service-areas/ mountain-community-transit
Prompt Delivery & Taxi Service
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-630-3065
Amerigas 1611 Davis Ave. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-8181 amerigas.com
ASAP Portables Co. 13831 Hwy 55
McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-0012 asapportables.com
Ed Staub and Sons 13858 Hwy 55 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-3833 edstaub.com
Honey Dippers
13950 Nisula Rd. McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-1230 idahohoneydippers.com
Idaho Power PO Box 70 Boise, Idaho 83707 800-488-6151 idahopower.com
Lakeshore Disposal
200 Industrial Loop McCall, Idaho 83638 208-634-7176
Suburban Propane 11121 Hwy 55 McCall, Idaho 83638 208-382-5330 suburbanpropane.com
Mountain Community Transit through the
LINE
This is a FREE public transportation service for the City of McCall. Anyone is welcome to ride.
Buses run daily 7:00am–7:00pm
LINE
GOLD LINE
This is a FREE public transportation service between McCall & Cascade. Anyone is welcome to ride.
Buses run Monday–Friday 6:00am–7:25pm LEARN MORE AT:
Your connection to downtown McCall, Payette Lake, Hotels, Recreation, Shopping, & Restaurants.
Buses run Memorial Day–Labor Day Friday-Saturday • 11:00am–9:00pm
This is a FREE public trasportation service between New Meadows & McCall. Anyone is welcome to ride.
Buses run Monday–Friday* • 5:45am–6:15pm *Starting June 3, 2024
Please see website for holiday closures. mountaincommunitytransit.com
Empowering Through Adaptation: AWeSOMe! Adaptive Wilderness Sports of McCall
In the heart of our community lies a beacon of inclusivity and empowerment: AWeSOMe! Adaptive Wilderness Sports of McCall; this program is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and the power of adaptation. Each year, countless individuals with diverse disabilities find solace, joy, and a sense of freedom on the mountainside through this remarkable initiative.
Central to the program’s success is its unwavering commitment to accessibility. Whether it’s physical disabilities, sensory impairments, or cognitive challenges, AWeSOMe! welcomes all with open arms. Through specialized equipment and tailored teaching methods, barriers dissolve and individuals discover their ability to conquer the slopes.
In the next issue of Visit McCall, we’ll learn why AWeSOMe! isn’t just about skiing—it’s about empowering individuals with disabilities to embrace life’s challenges with courage and resilience.
Photo courtesy Samantha Sais Photography
