I’m back! I returned to North Idaho on September 29. My video below shares the last minutes of my journey in far Western Montana and my first moments in North Idaho.
North Idaho vs. Southern Idaho
Note that I refer to this region as North Idaho, NOT Northern Idaho. North Idaho is a completely separate region from the southern part of the state. North Idaho is almost completely isolated from the southern part of the state. The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness (Payette National Forest) separates the two regions. Much more separates the two as well. The climate here in the North allows for lush forests, and portions even rate as a (rare) inland rainforest.
There are routes that connect the two regions that travel through Oregon/Washington and Montana. It is the Montana route that I traveled from Rigby (near Idaho Falls) to the Silver Valley.
Southern Idaho in contrast is largely dry and arid. Southeastern Idaho is widely at 4000 – 5000 ft. elevation. The southwest is lower, largely under 3000 ft. It is very much a desert environment.
There is only one corridor within Idaho that connects southern Idaho to the north. It passes through McCall (about 5000 ft), Lewiston (about 700 ft.) before climbing again over 2000 ft. and reaching Coeur D’Alene. Coeur D’Alene and Sandpoint are the two “largest” cities in North Idaho. Coeur D’Alene itself is about 60000 residents, however the entire “metro” region is approaching 200,000. Sandpoint is 11000 residents.
Even the time zones are different!
North Idaho is even in a DIFFERENT TIME ZONE from Southern Idaho. Up here, we are on Pacific Time. The boundary is reached when you cross from Montana to North Idaho. Within Idaho, north of Riggins, you’ll cross the “time zone bridge” before reaching Lewiston. Southern Idaho is on Mountain Time.
The North is FAR from Boise…
I have personally driven (without the RV) from Emmet (about 20 miles North of Boise) to Lookout Pass. Drive time is over 8 hours (even the way I drive!) and the distance is over 400 miles. While speaking with friends, I have referred to my current location in the Silver Valley (about 30 minutes east of Coeur D’Alene) as being “within a few miles of the North Pole!” I am actually located above the 47th Parallel! It is no wonder that sunsets here are BEFORE 4pm in December!
Culturally, these two distinct regions are quite different as well. I will leave it to you to explore the differences.
Medicare for RV Travelers – An approach that works…
As a traveler, especially one who has had some heart issues and occasional skin cancer, I need access to the doctors of MY choice. I’ve found a program that is NOT medicare “advantage” that I personally use and recommend. I wrote an article recently that discusses Medicare and a Medigap Plan that IS affordable and works for RV Travelers.
Good Lower Elevation Skiing
Idaho has numerous ski areas. In Southern Idaho, Sun Valley is clearly the 800 pound gorilla and is a genuine destination resort. None of the others are particularly worth discussing, especially for anyone living at any distance from each ski hill.
In North Idaho, there are three ski areas – Schweitzer, Silver Mountain and Lookout Pass. All three are west of the Continental Divide. The Continental Divide is located along the spine of the Rocky Mountains. It is (roughly) the dividing line between cold Arctic outbreaks to the east and more moderate Pacific air to the west.
Of the three ski areas in this region, Lookout Pass (base elevation 4800 ft) is aligned to get “just enough” cold air from the east to receive more (and better) snow than the other two. I will again be returning to Lookout Pass to ski instruct this winter. I’m very much looking forward to it!
Lookout Pass in many ways is a throwback to the 70’s and that includes lift ticket prices! There is NO snowmaking. Even last winter, a truly “off” winter, it was not needed! As with anywhere in the Pacific Northwest region, rain and fog will occur from time to time, but again, it is LESS frequent at Lookout than elsewhere. Also, it is rare for rain to be followed by a freeze (as regularly occurs in the eastern states.) More often than not, rain is followed by MORE snow!
I just ordered Starlink!
They reduced the cost of equipment down to $149. and the 300gb service is $80/month… sounds like a deal to me! Even better – use this LINK and Starlink says you’ll save $100. on your order.
If you’re thinking of a visit to this region, I can guide you on how to arrange for a lesson or perhaps take a couple of runs with me if I’m not working with a student.
Silver Valley
The Silver Valley is where I call home for now. It is about a 30 mile long and almost literally 1 mile wide stretch situated between Fourth of July Pass (unique name) and Lookout Pass. The total population is likely less than 15000. Most of the towns exist because of the mining culture here. The towns are all small communities. Populations are generally 1500 residents or less. The most commercial towns are Kellogg and Wallace.
I will be focusing on these towns in a few future posts to share a bit more about the region. Kellogg is home to Silver Mountain (formerly Jackass) Ski Area. Wallace has promoted itself (accurately) as a very historic town and has a very interesting history to it. Both offer lodging that is helpful to
The mines first popped up in the latter part of the 19th century and much of the mining activity came to a screeching halt in the 1970’s. I believe the main impetus for the (nearly) complete end of mining here was new EPA regulations (which WERE sorely needed!)
This region was a GIANT superfund site. Being from New Jersey, its poetic that I’d land here! Much of the environmental mess has been cleaned up over the past 50 years.
Mining continues. In fact, new mines are (re)opening. This includes the Bunker Hill Mine in Kellogg. The new mines are following current EPA regulations so the overall environmental quality in this region is excellent.
Why the Mining?
It’s not called the Silver Valley for nothing! This region was and continues to be the richest silver deposit in our entire nation. As silver prices rise, I can only imagine that there will be more interest in this region for mining. In Kellogg, the Bunker HIll Mine, incorporated in 1887 recently reopened and is extracting silver, lead and zinc primarily.
Closing Thoughts…
It’s October 9 as I wrap this up. There are Winter Storm Warnings up for areas in Montana a bit east of here. Lookout Pass may get enough snow to whiten the ground (most of the storm is going to hit east of here.) BUT, its a sign of things to come! So, I’m excited.
As winter approaches, for the first time in years, I treated myself to a new
Winter Ski Shell…
Every day here has been in the 70’s (starting near freezing in the early morning.) Those days may be over as it will stay in the 40’s on Sunday here.
Upcoming Posts will discuss more RV and RV buying issues along with highlighting the Silver Valley. So… stay tuned!
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