summer 2001 : recreation

Sun Valley:
Summer from A to Z

by Dana DuGan
photos by David N. Seelig   (except above by David Glassock)

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Angling 

Idaho in general is a mecca for fly fishing. Anglers head to various spots along the Big and Little Wood Rivers to test their skills at this catch-and-release sport. Fishing along Warm Springs Creek, Trail Creek and Penny Lake are particularly good for kids, because one is allowed to keep the fish. Or head down south to the Silver Creek Preserve (see Jack’s Private Idaho on page 14). For a different kind of day, try fishing for the prehistoric, giant, white sturgeon on the Snake River. Find yourself a guide or be daring and check a map for a body of water near you.

 

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Authors

Sun Valley Writers’ Conference brings together enthusiastic readers and writers with well-known authors from around the world, for small break-out sessions and lectures—all in the name of the written word and under the Idaho sky. Some of the participants this year are David Halberstam, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Anna Quindlan, William Kennedy, Chang-rae Lee and Jamaica Kincaid. For information on tickets and events, go to www.svwc.com or call (208) 726-6670.

 

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Biking

Trail Creek, Adams Gulch, Fox Creek and Warm Springs, as well as Galena Lodge farther north, all have mild to challenging mountain bike trails. The Wood River Trail System offers more than 20 miles of paved paths that run on the old railroad lines from north to south and out into Elkhorn. Ride the chairlift with your bike to the top of Baldy and ride down—it’s a trip. See Summer in the Mountains on page 82 for trail suggestions.

 

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Boating

Spectacular mountain lakes and reservoirs dot the map of the Sun Valley area. Boating can be enjoyed at Magic Reservoir, about 50 miles south of Ketchum, or head north about 56 miles to Redfish Lake. Petitt and Alturas Lakes, which you’ll pass just before reaching Redfish, offer boating opportunities, but check for restrictions.

 

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Camping

The Sawtooth National Recreation Area is every avid camper’s dream. Every type of site, from full facilities to way-out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere primitive can be found within the recreation area and surrounding forests. Call the SNRA headquarters at (208) 727-5000 or for reservations, (877) 444-6777.

 

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Car Shows

The Sun Valley Classic Car Show is a grand way to spend a day over Labor Day weekend. Now in its 14th year, the show at Elkhorn features over 250 vintage cars on display and up for auction. 

 

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Dancing

Most nights you can drum up some dancing at these local night spots: Whiskey Jacques’ and the Roosevelt Tavern in Ketchum and the Duchin Room in Sun Valley. There is a dance camp for kids at the Sun Valley Athletic Center, (726-3664) and lots of adult dance classes available around town as well. 

 

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Eating

There are approximately 50 restaurants in the Sun Valley/Ketchum area and several more in the southern end of the valley. You can find every kind of food from Thai, to French, to Italian and Sushi. The popular event “Best of the Valley” in June, brings together many of the valley’s premiere eating establishments. Eat your way around the valley, listen to music and socialize on the green at the Elkhorn Resort.

 

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Entertainment

Five theater companies—Laughing Stock Theatre Company, Sun Valley Repertory, New Theatre Company, Company of Fools and Interplanetary Theatre Group—offer up a variety of diversions from play readings, to Shakespeare, musicals and drama. 

 

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Farmers Markets 

Idaho farmers, many of them certified organic growers, sell their fresh produce, baked goods, honey and jams throughout the summer in Hailey and Ketchum. In Hailey, the Thursday afternoon market is at the corner of Croy Street and Main Street next to the Hailey Public Library. In Ketchum, the market is on Tuesday afternoons in the Giacobbi Square parking lot. 

 

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Festivals and Fairs

The 33rd annual Sun Valley Arts and Crafts Festival in August in Sun Valley is awash in great gifts, art and jewelry. The newest addition to the arts fair circuit is the Ketchum Arts Festival for local artists only, which happens the same busy weekend. Hailey has an Arts and Crafts Fair in July. The antique fairs are held yearly on Fourth of July weekend and Labor Day weekend: the Antique Peddler’s Fair in Warm Springs, Blue Haven Antiques Fair near the St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center just south of Ketchum and the Hailey Antiques Fair at Roberta McKercher Park in Hailey. The Microblues Festival on Fourth Street in Ketchum is in July, and will feature local microbrews, bands and food.

 

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Galleries

There over two dozen art galleries in town, featuring diverse forms of art from Western to African: landscapes, sculpture, contemporary, glass, and fine art photography. The Sun Valley Gallery Association features monthly Friday night Gallery Walks, with refreshments and plenty of socializing. Check the Idaho Mountain Express Arts & Events calendar for times. 

 

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Gardens 

We may live in a high desert but we love to reap what we sow. The Sawtooth Botanical Garden just south of Ketchum on State Highway 75 at Gimlet offers workshops, opportunities to volunteer at the garden center and guided tours. The Community Supported Agricultural Program supplies fresh, organic, Idaho-grown produce by subscription, (726-9358).

 

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Hiking

There are numerous trails on which to hike in the most beautiful environments, as well as several competitions one can partake in this summer. Check out Summer in the Mountains on page 82. Maps are also available at the SNRA headquarters, eight miles north of Ketchum, the Ketchum Ranger District office on Sun Valley Road in Ketchum, the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center on Main Street Ketchum and at any of the many sporting goods shops.

 

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Ice 

It’s a winter blast for the whole family to ice skate in the summer. The Sun Valley Ice Rink is open daily, has rentals and a shop. The fabulous Saturday night Ice Shows feature world-class skating professionals and stars, (622-2231).

 

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Inline Skating

The railroad tracks that once carried trains full of skiers and vacationers to Sun Valley have been replaced with a ribbon of asphalt that’s perfect for inline skating. The smooth surface, open to bikers and strollers too, allows visitors to glide from Ketchum to Sun Valley or all the way to Hailey and Bellevue. The path follows the Big Wood River for most of the way down the spine of the valley.

 

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Jazz

Come listen to Jazz on the Green—free, outdoor jazz concerts at the Elkhorn Resort. These festive evenings are held throughout the summer. In October, the Swing ’n’ Dixie Jazz Jamboree takes place over five days in and around Sun Valley, and the town is awash with the sounds of horns and banjos.

 

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Kids & Kamps

If your kids need more distraction than you can muster up, there are several day camps that offer riding, fishing, hiking, swimming and crafts: Sun Valley Day Camp (622-2133), Elkhorn Kids Camp (622-2777), and the Youth Adventure Center at Galena Lodge (726-4010). Also, Camp Little Laugh for older kids—a week of theater taught by professionals, culminating in a large musical performed for kith and kin (788-3583). The Sun Valley Major League Baseball Camp is taught by ex-big leaguer brothers Ed and John O’Brien. 

 

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Links

Golf courses in the valley include the Elkhorn Resort (622-4639), Sun Valley Resort (622-2251), Bigwood’s nine-holer (7216-4024), Warm Springs nine-holer (726-3715) and the Valley Club (788-1441). 

 

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Lectures

The Community Library (726-3493) in Ketchum, The Environmental Resource Center (726-4333) in Ketchum and the Hailey Public Library (788-2036) all hold regular lectures on diverse subjects. Check the Idaho Mountain Express Arts and Events calendar for details.

 

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Museums

The Wood River Valley is rich in history, and it has the museums to prove it. Start on Main Street in Bellevue at the Bellevue Old City Hall Museum. In Hailey you’ll find the Blaine County Historical Museum. The Ketchum/Sun Valley Ski and Heritage Museum and the Ore Wagon Museum are two gems right in town. Travel north to the Stanley Museum for yet another peek into the West as it was.

 

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Music

From reggae, to rock, to Afro-Cuban tunes, to world beat, it all comes to Ketchum during the summer. Whiskey Jacques’, the Roosevelt Tavern, and Bigwood Bread in Ketchum always have solid lineups of live music. The Duchin Room at the Sun Valley Lodge offers a quieter, gentler sound. The Silver Dollar in Bellevue livens up the south valley. Then there is the Northern Rockies Folk Festival in Hailey, Jazz on the Green at Elkhorn and the Swing ‘n’ Dixie Jazz Jamboree in October. 

 

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Night sky 

Here in the Wood River Valley we are fortunately still blessed with dark night skies, and certain constellations are often visible with binoculars. Mercury is only visible low in the west, after sunset from Aug. 15-Oct. 8, and Jupiter is visible from June 29 until the end of the year in Gemini. Saturn can be seen June 13 - Dec. 3 in Taurus, Scorpio (slayer of Orion, who sets when the Scorpion rises) is visible on July 15 while Taurus (Ursa Minor Little Bear) is in the sky June 20. Sagittarius (Archer) is around Aug. 15, Hercules on July 15, and on Sept. 9 look for Hydra (Sea Serpent) who kept the crow away from Apollo’s cup. Full Moons: July 5 (eclipse), Aug. 4, Sept. 2, Oct. 2, and Nov. 1.

 

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Ore

Wrapping up a fabulous summer season and in celebration of the mining heritage of the area, the Wood River Valley pulls out all stops for its 43rd Wagon Days. It’s a whole weekend of activities from a staged shootout, antiques, car shows, the Big Hitch Parade, children’s carnival, petting zoo, dancing, music, rodeo, a flapjack breakfast and a duck race. The fun takes place Labor Day weekend in Ketchum.

 

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Parades & Rodeos

Hailey puts on the quintessential Fourth of July weekend with a spectacular parade featuring bands, horses, local groups and funny cars. A flapjack breakfast precedes it at the Grange Hall. Don’t miss the annual Hailey Rodeo either. It’s the real thing. The Big Hitch Parade in Ketchum on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend is the biggest, non-motorized parade in the Northwest and draws thousands of visitors and participants in wagons, surreys, carriages and on horseback. The Bellevue Labor Day Parade is followed by a town picnic. Stanley hosts a July 4th Kid’s Parade and a city fireworks display.

 

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Quiet

For all the action in the valley one needs some down time occasionally. Fortunately, there are some great places to snooze in the sun, among them are the Rotary Park on the Big Wood River, or the Forest Service Park, both in Ketchum. There’s the Hop Porter Park in Hailey also along the Big Wood, and the Silver Creek Preserve south of Bellevue. 

 

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Rivers

This is an area that is delineated by its rivers. The Big Wood River runs north and south; Trail Creek runs east to west. The Snake, Salmon, Boise and Payette rivers offer premiere white-water experiences for all levels.

 

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Races 

Among the many competitions held here are the Women’s Challenge Bike Race in June (672-7223), the Galena Grinder Bike Race in July (726-4010) and the Harriman Trail Run in August (726-3497). The Adams Gulch Annual Fun Run is in June, the Annual Backcountry Run and Shop to the Top (of Baldy) are in August (726-3497). 

 

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Symphony

Members of the Wood River Valley community offer a unique experience to visitors and locals alike. Some of the most talented symphony musicians from around the nation accept the invitation to live with symphony supporters and share their music with the community in July and August. Through their support, the Sun Valley Summer Symphony plays to audiences seated under the tent and others picnicking on blankets scattered about on the lawn area outside the famous Sun Valley Lodge—for free. That’s right, no cost. 

 

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Tennis

Courts can be found at Harker Center in Elkhorn (622-9281), the Ironwood Club in Hailey (788-9517), the Sun Valley Tennis Club (622-2156), Warm Springs (726-4040) and Prospector Tennis & Swim Club (726-9404). Public courts are available in Ketchum at Atkinson Park and in Hailey at Della View’s Heagle Park.

 

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Umpires

Love a man in a uniform? There are plenty of them in the co-ed and single-gender softball games up and down the valley. Check with the Blaine County Recreation District or in the Idaho Mountain Express Arts and Events section for the times and places of the weekly games. In Ketchum the games are held at Atkinson Park, in Hailey at Lion’s Park and Founder’s Field.

 

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Volcanic

Craters of the Moon National Monument includes the entire Great Rift, an impressive collection of volcanic lava flows on the Snake River plain. East of Carey on Highway 20, it covers 618 square miles and is the largest, young basaltic lava field in the coterminous United States (208) 527-3257.

 

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Wine

The Sun Valley Wine Auction is a benefit for and sponsored by the Sun Valley Center for the Arts and Humanities. The gala Wine Auction Dinner takes place at the Sun Valley Resort with live and silent auctions. Saturday afternoon, a wine tasting is held on the Sun Valley Resort grounds where over 100 wines are sampled. For reservation information, phone (208) 726-9491.

 

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(e)Xercise

It’s one thing you’ll get plenty of in Sun Valley. Keep in mind, however, that you’re not at sea level any more. Give yourself time to acclimate to the nearly 6000-foot elevation of the Wood River Valley. 

 

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Yonder

Over yonder mountains is Stanley. Surrounded by the jagged Sawtooth Mountains, this old mining town offers lots of history, nearby ghost towns and plenty of old-fashioned western fun. Visit the folks at Smiley Creek, just over Galena Summit, check out Redfish Lake, then ease into Stanley, about 60 miles north of Ketchum. 

 

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Zesty

It’s the way we like life.

 

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