Where’s Waldo? Remember him, the mystery man wearing a camouflage type red and white sweater, matching hat and blue pants? I took a trip to a small, quaint historic town in northern Idaho where many people might ask, where’s Wallace?

Wallace, Idaho, home to a mere 784 people and a long-standing history is a timeless experience just off I-90. After arriving at the Wallace Inn, I immediately felt something special about the town, but I couldn’t quite grasp what it was until I had some time to explore. It was like an episode of Cheers, where everyone knew my name! Well, not quite, no one knew my name, but locals acted like we had been neighbors for years. As captivating as the people in town is the history that surrounds it. The rich mining in Wallace led to the building of 13 bars and 13 churches – so you knew exactly where everyone was on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Until 1988 when the last one closed, there were five bordellos in town to accompany the lifestyles of the lead, copper and silver miners. So if you see small huts (usually about five in a row) or extremely steep, covered staircases from the street to the second story as you’re walking through town, you know you’re in the midst of some Wallace bordello history. Unfortunately, the Oasis Bordello Museum is closed from October to April, but it’s an absolute must see during the warmer months.

Outdoor enthusiasts also have reason to be excited about this small town in the Idaho panhandle. Whether you’re into skiing and snowmobiling in the winter months or mountain biking and trail running in the summer, Wallace is the ticket for everything recreation. Two pristine mountains, Silver Mountain and Lookout Mountain are both within 10 miles of Wallace. They offer hundreds of miles of road and trail riding, including five nationally recognized trails (Trail of the Coeur d’ Alenes, Northern Pacific, Route of the Hiawatha, Milwaukee Scenic and Centennial Trail) with variable levels of incline so it’s easy to find a ride that’s right for you.

During my time in Wallace, I took the short 10 mile drive to Idaho-Montana border on what many would call a perfect day on Lookout Mountain. Sun shining and fresh powder in 30 degree weather, hello paradise! For the first time I experienced the adventurous side of snow-shoeing. After riding up the main lift at Lookout, I ventured down the backside of the mountain through the trees and untouched snow. The spectacular mountain scenery combined with three hours of snowshoeing epitomized what it felt like to find a hidden mountain secret. After seeing endless lifts with shorts lines and beautifully groomed runs I look forward to my next trip to truly take advantage of the slopes and experience what it feels like to be a “local” with the mountain all to myself!

Wallace, Idaho– a place you’ve probably never heard of, but a place you’ll never forget. When you’re in town, be sure to visit the Wallace Mining Museum & Visitor Center for fun facts, cool sights and endless information about the unique town of Historic Wallace.

Written by guest blogger Austin Rogerson.

Written by guest blogger, Steve Stuebner.

With these hot, dog days of August weather, it’s best to cool off in the lakes and rivers, or go hiking and biking on high elevation trails.
This week’s tip is about the new loop trail around Stack Rock called Freddy’s Stack Rock Trail. Stack Rock is a signature granite pyramid-shaped rock on a timbered ridge to the west of Bogus Basin Mountain Resort. Approximately 1,300 acres of the Stack Rock area recently came into public ownership courtesy of a $1 million donation by Boise resident Fred Alleman and additional funds from the Boise Foothills Levy Committee. The land was purchased from the Terteling family in December 2009 for $1.32 million to make it available for public use.

The City of Boise has placed a rock at the trailhead with a message about the land-preservation effort to let the public know how the purchase was made possible. THANK YOU FRED ALLEMAN!

Since that time, the Ridge to Rivers Trail Program built a loop trail around Stack Rock. It’s called Freddy’s Stack Rock Trail, #125. Judging from how well-used and buffed the trail was on Tuesday, I’m guessing that a lot of people have been sampling the new trail and love it!

“Awesome trail!” a mountain bike rider exclaimed as he came into the parking area/trailhead off of Bogus Basin Road soon after I arrived. The parking area is 12 miles from the stop sign at Curling Drive and Highlands Elementary School.

It’s a 9.5-mile hike or bike ride from the trailhead to do the loop around Freddy’s Stack Rock Trail. I would rate the bike ride as advanced intermediate because of a number of fairly steep continuous climbs along the way, and I’d rate the hike or trail run as moderate to strenuous because of the distance and 2,600-vertical-foot gain/loss.

Just so you know: The trailhead is not marked. It’s a major pullout on the left as you’re heading to Bogus Basin after the road passes the turnoff to a number of cabins on the left. Just set your odometer when you leave the stop sign at Curling Drive, and you’ll find it, no problem. Mile 12.

I checked in with Fred Alleman on Wednesday to see how he likes the trail. He said he’s been up there a bunch, either biking or hiking it. “I like it,” he says. “I think Ridge to Rivers has done a great job with the trail.”

I agree. Stack Rock was a stealth destination for years, but we had no official access, and the area could have been lost to development forever if the city and Fred Alleman hadn’t stepped up to protect it for perpetuity.

You should allow 2+ hours for the biking loop, and 4-5 hours for hiking the loop. Be careful when you’re climbing around Stack Rock. “Going up is the easy part,” Alleman notes. “It’s getting down that’s hard.”

Have fun!
- SS

Written by guest blogger Austin Rogerson.

I was honored with the opportunity to travel with a group of Taiwanese journalists to one of my dream events and bucket list items: the U.S. Mountain Bike National Championships.

The atmosphere was nearly out of a story book, my story book so to speak. The racers, sponsors and crowd electrified the town as Sun Valley would make world-class history by hosting this event. Multinational companies including Specialized, Shimano, Subaru Racing, and Scott just to name a few sampled, tested, and showed off their products and expertise.

Specializing in Cross Country and Super D (Downhill) racing, these mountain bike racers were the best in the nation in their age specific categories. The plethora and diversity of racers was remarkable, ranging in age from 10-70; single-speed to multiple speeds. The events took place on the front River Run side of Bald Mountain. Cross-country racers started at the base by River Run Lodge and Super D racers rode up the gondola and fearlessly flew down at excessive speeds, sliding through switch-backs that overlooked 100 foot cliffs. Races were extremely fast and efficient with one minute intervals between each heat, allowing for no breaks or flaws from the nation’s top class riders. I was granted access around the course as a photographer, allowing for great photos and “in your face” riding from these steam engine like racers.

For the next couple days the group of Taiwanese journalists and I epitomized what it meant to spend a summer weekend in Ketchum-Sun Valley Outside of the  mountain bike racing we enjoyed classic dining at the Pioneer Saloon, Kneadery and Sawtooth Club, played on a first-class putting course at the Sun Valley Golf Club modeled after the Himalayas at St. Andrews in Scotland, and always finished our evenings off with some epic foothills mountain biking of our own.

Also, in the heat of the biking weekend I had the opportunity to compete in the Fat Tire Criterium a 30-minute sprint mountain bike race in downtown Ketchum. The exhilaration of racing against experienced riders, zooming around every corner, surrounded by hundreds of screaming spectators made for an outstanding race atmosphere. The Fat Tire Criterium, similar to the Twilight Criterium that was held in Boise a couple days later, brought top-tier riders from around the country to compete.

When our trip allowed for some down time you could find me riding the popular mountain biking trails that Ketchum-Sun Valley has to offer in the summer months. I and one of the Taiwanese journalists who writes for Bicycling Lohas in Taiwan, had the opportunity to ride the pristine trails. Ranging from a relatively easy course in Corral Creek, to an 8-mile descent down Cold Springs from the peak of Bald Mountain was an outstanding experience. With over 450 miles of mountain biking trails, and new trails consistently created, you’d spend your entire life trying to duplicate a trail in Sun Valley.

Since Sun Valley plans on hosting this exquisite event next July as well, be sure to plan ahead for an experience of a lifetime with the U.S. Mountain Biking National Championships in the first class town of Ketchum-Sun Valley.

The state of Idaho is widely regarded as one the nation’s best-kept skiing secrets.  But an even greater secret is that the same resorts that offer premier alpine and Nordic skiing are also home to world-class mountain bike terrain for riders of every skill level.  From remote mountain single tracks to desert back roads, Idaho offers more than 19,000 miles of trails and numerous ski resorts that cater to the mountain bike enthusiast.

Northern Idaho
Surrounded by state and national forestlands in the Selkirk, Cabinet and Bitterroot mountain ranges, northern Idaho has countless roads and trails for mountain bikers.  Schweitzer Mountain and the surrounding area offer a wide variety of trails with spectacular views for riders of varying levels of skill. Schweitzer Mountain is also home to the annual NORBA national mountain bike series, which provides a great opportunity to watch professionals in action.

Silver Mountain located near Kellogg, Idaho, offers world-class downhill mountain biking with an extensive network of trails accessible by the resort’s Swiss-engineered high-speed gondola. The Gondola Village itself serves as a trailhead to the famous Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, a favorite touring ride along the Idaho and Washington state borders consisting of more than 72 miles of double track and paved path through historic Silver Valley, into the chain lake region, and along the shores of Lake Couer d’Alene.

West Central Idaho
Both Brundage Mountain and Tamarack Resort in west central Idaho offer a plethora of mountain biking opportunities. With access to hundreds of acres of Payette National forestland, a vertical drop of 1640 feet, and more than 20 miles of hand-built, single track trails, Brundage Mountain offers a route for every experience level.  Beginners can develop skills on the scenic Elk Trail, which gently winds its way down through scenic forests and meadows.  Or, more extreme thrill-seekers can test their skills on Zorro, a technical route that takes full advantage of the resort’s vertical drop.

Tamarack Resort, billed as the nation’s newest all-season destination, offers 25 miles of premier trails designed by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, as well as access to endless miles of Forest Service trails in the Boise and Payette National Forests.  Furthermore, the lower trail system provides smooth-riding single tracks, a technical skills park and big air jumps.

Southwest Idaho
Bogus Basin Ski Resort, located just 16-miles from Boise, Idaho, offers numerous scenic trails through the Boise National Forest. The Lower Nordic Loop, for example, provides a variety of trails for both beginner and advanced riders, and plenty of off-track exploration opportunities for the more adventurous. Mountain bikers can also access the acclaimed Ridge to Rivers trail system, an interconnected network of more than 85 miles of paved, single and double track trails that traverse the scenic Boise foothills. The Hulls Gulch – Crestline trail is a premier ride in the lower foothills that branches into three different trails; a moderately technical upper gulch descends into a smooth-cruising route with picturesque views of the state capital.

Central Idaho
During summer and fall, Sun Valley is home to some of the best mountain bike trails in Idaho. The wide expanse and massive vertical drop of Bald Mountain provides almost limitless downhill options.  The Warm Springs trail takes riders through dense forest on the north side of the mountain on 11.2 miles of trail.  The Mahoney Loop , located just six miles south of Sun Valley, provides a great ride for all skill levels in mostly shade forest and mountain meadows, while offering breathtaking views of the Smoky, Pioneer and Boulder mountains.

While outlined above are just a few mountain biking hot spots, trail riding throughout all of Idaho is fantastic.  For more information, please visit: http://www.visitidaho.org/thingstodo/mountainbiking.aspx.

Looking for some fun summer festivals to check out this summer? Idaho has you covered. From food to bicycles, for families to singles – Idaho offers a wide array of events to attend.  A complete list of summer festivals and events can be found here.

Savor Idaho

The Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission hosts the third annual Savor Idahoon June 12, from 2pm to 6pm at the Idaho Botanical Gardens in Boise, ID. Savor Idaho letsguests sample from a diverse assortment of Idaho wineries and restaurants. More than 20wineries, and 15 restaurants and exhibitors will make this summer day a memorable one.Reserve your spot and complementary wine glass now at Savor Idaho. Tickets are $40 for 21 andover and can be purchased online and at local wine shops and tasting rooms.

Boise Rec Fest

Come celebrate Idaho recreation at the second annual Boise Rec Fest in beautiful Ann MorrisonPark, June 25-26. Anyone who enjoys recreation will feel right at home at Rec Fest, whereattendees can learn about Idaho’s recreation opportunities through workshops, exhibits anddemonstrations. There will be giveaways, entertainment and food and beverages available forpurchase. Bring the family and learn how to have fun while living an active, healthy lifestyle.Hours are Saturday, 10am – 8pm and Sunday, 1am – 5pm.

Teton Valley Summer Festival

This classic family celebration in Teton Valley, Idaho celebrates the Fourth of July with four days of fun July 1-4. Watch daily hot air balloon launches, a rodeo and parade and find unexpectedtreasures at the antique show and street fair. A pancake breakfast, barbecue and live music addto the fun with fireworks the evening of July 2nd. Hot air balloon rides are available July 3rd and4th by reservation only — contact tvcc@tetonvalleychamber.com or call 208-354-2500.

Ride Sun Valley Bike Festival

Sun Valley will host the first annual Ride Sun Valley Bike Festival July 11-17. The festivalshowcases the area’s 400-plus miles of continuous single track trail and 32 miles of multi-use paved bike paths. Watch the USA Cycling’s Olympic Mountain Bike Cross County NationalChampionships on the slopes of Sun Valley’s rugged Baldy Mountain. Other activities include the Avett Brothers in concert, Fat Tire Criterium and “Geared: the Culture of Bicycles” exhibitat the Sun Valley Center for the Arts. At the lower River Run parking areas, a technical Expo willbe open daily, featuring top cycling vendors from around the world displaying the newest andlatest in cycling gear and equipment.

St. Ignatius Basque Festival

In honor of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Boise’s Annual Basque Festival celebrates the Basque culturethrough music, games, dancing and food, providing a true Basque experience. Held July 29-31 and located on the Basque Block in downtown Boise, this festival offers a glimpse into thecolorful Basque traditions and heritage.

Festival at Sandpoint

Held August 4-14, the Festival at Sandpoint features eight nights of eclectic music under thestars at Memorial Field on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille in Sandpoint, ID. This internationallyrenowned summer concert series is casual, relaxed and audience friendly. Feast on fabulousfood and beverages on “Festival Street,” or bring a picnic, stretch out on a blanket or dance thenight away.