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Vacation with Us This Summer
"Summer" and "vacation" are words meant to go together. With summer vacation possibilities as broad as our horizons, you'll find plenty of outdoor activities on the agenda in Idaho.
 It's not too late to book your summer
rafting trip with one of Idaho's river outfitters, who float, boat and fish along 3,000 miles of boatable rivers throughout the state. River adventures can include jetboat tours and fishing excursions along the Main Salmon or the
Snake River in Hells Canyon (the deepest river gorge in North America). Or experience some of the last true wilderness along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, adventure between the steep canyon walls of the Bruneau, or take in an
exhilarating half-day ride along the South Fork of the Payette – whatever water adventure you chose, you'll find Idaho's experienced outfitters there to help make your experience the best ever.
Looking for a landing? Check out Idaho's
Guest Ranches and find the spirit of the American West alive and welcoming you into its fold. Experience the pristine beauty of the land from the back of a horse, wrangle cattle, and relax to country music and line dancing. The
variety of climates around Idaho make each ranch experience unique – from the high mountain forests and green valley meadows to the high desert trails, you'll find being a guest at one of Idaho's ranches will make you feel right at
home.
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Winter Snows Turn
to Summer Flows
Idaho's river rafting and boating outfitters are looking forward to a longer than usual season in 2005. While winter snow packs fell short of the average mark this past winter causing farmers downstream concern over water
availability for irrigation, the effects of the lower-than-normal snow pack will have a positive effect on Idaho's river runners.
Along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, one of the last great wilderness areas in the lower 48, the water conditions are opening up streams and lakes earlier for fishing and boating. "June becomes a great time to go," says Al
Bukowsky of
Solitude River Trips (www.rivertrips.com). And, by mid-July he expects the water to be warm enough for people to enjoy trying the inflatable kayaks for a different view of the river. The lower than normal water conditions, says
Bukowsky, "equate to more fun time on the river, a better family experience, and more leisurely pace." August, he says, "will be awesome for people who want a more mellow trip and for young kids to enjoy swimming and playing in the water."
Bukowsky is quick to remind folks that it's not too late to reserve your summer trip along the Middle Fork.
 In general, outfitters agree that the results ultimately will vary by river and by what Mother Nature may yet
have in store for Idaho this spring. "One thing that doesn't change," says Peter Grubb of
River Odyssey West (ROW)(www.rowadventures.com), the largest rafting outfitter in the state, "is that it still has to get warm for the snow in the mountains to melt, which means that the rivers won't necessarily peak early."
Additionally it may mean a longer floating season overall. ROW offers rafting trips on all of Idaho's rivers – from the Moyie near the border with Canada to the Bruneau and Owyhee in the southern part of the state.
Debbi Long of
Cascade Raft & Kayak (www.cascaderaft.com) agrees that this summer looks to be great for enjoying time on the water. "On the Payette River, we're very, very fortunate because we have reserve on both the South Fork and in Lake
Cascade, so even in a low water year, the Payette drainage is fine," says Long. In fact, she adds, the water conditions this year may allow them more opportunities than normal to float the canyon out of the Deadwood area, which typically
is available for rafting only on a limited basis. "Overall, we're looking forward to a lovely long season that starts earlier than normal because of the warmer weather and the not too high water level." In order to meet the increased
demand this summer, Cascade Raft has added a third "half day" excursion leaving at 5 p.m. daily. Cascade Raft & Kayak is conveniently located within an easy drive of Boise and offers full-day and half-day rafting trips from now through
September. "We're reading for rafting fun right now, seven days a week."
When it comes to evaluating rafting opportunities this summer, "the main thing people should know," says Grubb of ROW," is that even when we have lower water conditions, we still have a lot of fun. The scenery doesn't change; the hiking
and hot springs are still there. The fishing is great and the night sky is still beautiful." Best of all, "the camaraderie and sharing of the adventure all remains."
For more information and a list of licensed river outfitters in Idaho, please visit
www.ioga.org.
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Experience the American West
at Idaho's Guest Ranches
For family friendly adventure vacations in the West, try a stay at one of Idaho's "Guest Ranches," where the simple days of the American cowboy invite you to sit back and relax a while.
 Janice Schoonover at
Western Pleasure Guest Ranch (www.westernpleasureranch.com) opened up the family cattle ranch to guests in 1992. Located 16 miles northeast of Sandpoint, Id., Western Pleasure owns the bragging rights to being the northernmost
guest ranch in Idaho. "We're very family friendly," says Schoonover, who lives and works at the ranch with her family year round. "Our kids are the fourth generation of our family on the land," she says. "Our roots are really deep here,
and it shows in the way we portray our lifestyle."
Situated on 1100 acres with Schweitzer ski resort on one side and Lake Pend Oreille on the other, the ranch features a 10,000 square foot log lodge with six guest rooms and three cabins and draws people in every month of the year. Western
Pleasure limits guests to 16 at a time in order to provide a very personal experience for the guests. In addition to horseback riding – the draw for most guests – the ranch offers hiking, mountain biking and wagon rides, and Dutch oven
cookouts. Other options include a dinner cruise on Lake Pend Oreille, or a Ranch, Raft and Rest package that includes a one-day Clark Fork raft trip.
In southeast Idaho, not far from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, sits
Granite Creek Guest Ranch. A working cattle ranch on about 4,000 acres, Granite Creek features cattle drives, roundups, and trail rides for those looking for an authentic old West experience. In addition, the ranch offers canoeing
and boating on their private 5-acre lake, where you can fish for cutthroat trout, archery, crafts, and hiking for family fun for all ages. "We're pretty close to things up here," says proprietor Carl Zitlau. The ranch is adjacent to
the Caribou National Forest, which extends the number of trails available to guests for riding and hiking.
Being a short drive from two of the nation's top national parks is another benefit guests will find at Granite Creek. "Yellowstone is a big draw. Most people plan a day or two before or after their visit to see it." If they haven't got two
days, they can make a loop from the ranch through Jackson into Yellowstone, come out through West Yellowstone and be back to the ranch by evening.
While Granite Creek is very accessible, just 3 miles from highway 26 between Idaho Falls and Jackson, WY, "once you get there it feels pretty remote." The cattle drives are what most people come for. While it is a working ranch, Zitlau
points out that there is something for everyone there: "We take children as young as six on our cattle drives."
 This summer Mike Whitmore of
Twin Peaks Ranch wants to put you in touch with your "inner cowboy".
Located near Salmon, Idaho on the "River of No Return," Twin Peaks is a 2,900-acre working ranch that provides a wide variety of western activities, beginning with the traditional "cow drive" to the arena, where guests learn team penning
and barrel racing. Other activities include trail riding, alpine lake fishing, tent camping and white water rafting. You can hone your shooting skills on their private shooting range, dance to live western music and learn line dancing in
the lodge when the sun goes down. Guests can also enjoy a relaxing dip in their heated pool and hot tub. White water rafting, kayaking and fishing can also be part of your Twin Peak's adventure. The ranch can accommodate up to 55 guests
with plenty of cozy cabins and deluxe two-bedroom suites.
As 2005-06 is the bicentennial of the Lewis & Clark expedition, visitors can "break trail" near where Lewis and Clark crossed the Continental Divide. Whitmore also reminds visitors that Sacagewea was born just 18 miles east of
town.
The guest ranch experience is best savored over 5 to 7 days, although many ranches offer 3-day packages for a quick getaway. Idaho's guest ranches offer a variety of experiences for people of all abilities and interests. Whichever ranch
you choose, you are sure to have a uniquely western experience perfect for every member of the family.
For more information and a list of licensed guest ranch outfitters, please visit
www.ioga.org.
For a free copy of Idaho Guided Outdoor Adventures, visit us on the Web at
www.ioga.org.
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MEMBER
NEWS
Mark Your Calendars
IOGA's 2005 Fall Meeting
December 12-16
at the Red Lion Downtowner, Boise
Contact Grant Simonds at
gsimonds@cableone.net for more information.
Look For Your Advertising Packets
late-May/early-June
DON'T FORGET
Membership Dues are Due JULY 1
SEND THIS E-NEWSLETTER TO A FRIEND!
Do you know people interested in learning about great outfitted vacations in Idaho? You can send this e-newsletter to them by clicking on the "Send to a Friend" button at the bottom of the newsletter. They can then "subscribe" to
future issues.
NEW THIS ISSUE
Test your knowledge and enter our contest to win prizes.
This issue's contest question:
Can you name the pass, month and year that the Lewis & Clark party first entered Idaho?
CLICK HERE to enter our contest for your chance to win an IOGA Dutch Oven Cookbook.
The winner will be chosen from among the correct answers submitted and will be notified by e-mail.
Have an idea for a contest question?
E-mail it to
gsimonds@cableone.net
GREAT IOGA Cookbooks, Belt Buckles & Briefcases Still Available
Check out these great gift ideas that support your IOGA:
IOGA Recipes & Poetry Book $10 each
IOGA Briefcase $50 each
IOGA 50th Anniversary Belt Buckle $25 each
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We welcome you ideas and story suggestions.
If you have any questions about this publication, please contact Grant Simonds at gsimonds@cableone.net.
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OUR MISSION
IOGA is committed
to the conservation and enhancement
of quality outdoor experiences
on Idaho's lands and waters.
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For more information on
Idaho's
Outfitters
and
Guides
visit www.ioga.org or email us for your free guide to outfitted vacations in Idaho at
idoutfitt@cableone.net.
www.ioga.org
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