Page 78 - WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE DISCOVERING ENGLAND

Photos courtesy Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch

» owhere is it truer than in the valley floor. The Sawtooth Mountains line a number of lodging options, bars, restau-
jagged Sawtooth Mountains the west side of the road and the White Cloud rants, 2 gas stations and a Mercantile, a kind
of Central Idaho. There, the Mountains tower immediately to the east. of all-purpose supermarket and general store.
N778,000-acre Sawtooth National What is perhaps most amazing about this Outside of town, habitations are sparse, this
Recreation Area teams up with the adjacent alpine wonderland is the virtual absence of thanks to the protected status of virtually all
2.3 million-acre Franck Church-River of people. There is only one town in the entire the land in and around the Stanley Basin. Hik-
No Return Wilderness to ing even the most popular trails
form one of the largest wil- during the peak of summer, one
derness areas in the lower is continually amazed at how
forty-eight states, second few people there are. This is an
in size only to the barren incredible luxury compared to
expanse of Death Valley. most mountain destinations.
Try visiting the Grand Tetons
Entering the spectacular anytime in summer to put this
Sawtooth Valley from the into perspective.
south over the Galena sum-
mit near the headwaters of The area boasts a substantial
the Salmon River, it’s hard number of alpine lakes. The
to imagine that one is only most popular ones, all easily
an hour removed from the accessible by road, are Redfish,
glittering celebrity urban Alturas, Pettit and Stanley lakes.
cowboy oases of Ketchum These are great places for family
and Sun Valley. The entire camping, swimming and hik-
30-mile length of the valley ing. Redfish, the largest of them
is traversed by Idaho State Highway 75, also Sawtooth National Recreation Area, diminu- all, has complete facilities, including a lodge,
known as the Sawtooth Scenic Byway. Inci- tive Stanley. As of the census of 2010, Stan- marina, restaurant, general store and gas sta-
dentally, the word highway, in this case, is a ley claimed 63 full-time residents. The town, tion. Throughout the summer, live music is
misnomer. Idaho 75 is an incredibly scenic which is a summer center of activity for hik- booked on the lawn overlooking the lake, a
2-lane road, following close by the Salmon ers, bicyclers, climbers, river rafters, fly fish- great place to while away a warm afternoon or
River as it threads a north-south route on the ers and horseback riding enthusiasts, has evening. Back country lakes are favorite hiking

78 Wine Dine & Travel Winter 2014