Page 568 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

566  THE ROCKIES

Idaho the canyon and its surroundings
are now a recreational area that
One of the country’s least populous states, Idaho has vast includes some 336 sq miles (870
tracts of unexplored wilderness – remote mountain ranges, sq km) of wilderness where no
dense forests, frozen lakes, and deep river gorges. It is an ideal motor vehicles are permitted.
vacation spot for adventure sports enthusiasts, offering Nearly 100 miles (161 km) of
undeveloped and turbulent
abundant opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and white-water draws kayakers,
white-water rafting. To the north lie resorts such as Coeur rafters, and other thrill-seekers.
d’Alene; the center has the majestic Sawtooth Mountains; Hells Canyon lies downstream
while the south consists mainly of cultivated fields, prompting from Hells Canyon Dam. The
automobile license plates in the state to declare Idaho’s pride main visitor center is on the
Oregon (see pp628–9) side of
in its primary product, “Famous Potatoes.”
the dam, while in
Idaho, the best
introduction to the
1 Coeur d’Alene world. The town of area is from Riggins,
Wallace, 52 miles (84 km) where there are
* 46,400. ~ @ n 105 N First St,
(208) 664-3194. ∑ coeurdalene.org east, offers the Sierra many outfitters who
Silver Mine Tour, which provide rental gear.
A major vacation destination, guides visitors through Kayaking, Hells Canyon
Coeur d’Alene was founded in an 1890s silver mine.
the 1870s as a US Army outpost. 3 Salmon
Its present four-star status refers Y Tubbs Hill Park * 3,100. n 200 Main St, (208) 756-
to the luxury available at the Tel (208) 769-2252. 2100. Sacajawea Center: Tel (208) 756-
town’s world-famous Coeur Open 5am–11pm daily. 1222. Open Memorial Day–Sep: 9am–
d’Alene Resort (see p592). P Sierra Silver Mine Tour 5pm Mon–Sat, 12:30–5pm Sun.
Located along the shore of the 420 5th St, Wallace. Tel (208) 752-5151. ∑ sacajaweacenter.org
beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene, this Open May & Sep: daily. First tour at
exclusive resort is well known for 10am, then every half hour till 2pm; Situated along the banks of the
its unique floating golf green on Jun–Aug: 10am–4pm daily (every half wild and scenic Salmon River,
the 14th hole. On the resort’s east hr). & 7 ∑ silverminetour.org this was an important point
side, the 120-acre (49-ha) Tubbs along the Lewis and Clark Trail
Hill Park is a nature preserve (see p561–2). Essentially a supply
with hiking trails, pine forests, 2 Hells Canyon town and resort center, Salmon
and great views. Lake Coeur National Recreation makes a fine base for exploring
d’Alene is also home to one of Area the surrounding region. Among
the country’s largest populations the activities offered are raft trips,
of ospreys and bald eagles, PO Box 907, Baker City, OR 97814. kayaking, skiing, horseback riding,
which can be seen frequently Tel (541) 523-6391. ∑ fs.usda.gov/ mountain biking, and snow-
in winter diving for salmon in detail/wallowa-whitman mobiling. It is also possible to
the waters of Wolf Lodge Bay. hike along parts of the legendary
A century ago, Coeur d’Alene The deepest river gorge in North route that the explorers Lewis
was a busy service center for the America, Hells Canyon was and Clark followed in the early
prosperous silver mines in carved from the craggy granite 1800s while traveling from Illinois
mountains east of the lake. A of the Seven Devils Mountains to find a navigable water route
number of Victorian-era towns by the Snake River. Over a mile to the Pacific Ocean. Salmon
still stand in the former mining (1.6 km) deep and straddling the was the birthplace of Lewis and
districts, and museums and mine three-state border where Idaho, Clark’s guide, Sacajawea, and
tours offer a glimpse into this lost Washington, and Oregon meet, there is an interpretive center
on Main Street that explores
the significance of her role in
their expedition.
The main highway, scenic
US 93, winds along the main
stream of the Salmon River,
while smaller roads follow
tributaries into the wild. At the
hamlet of North Fork, Salmon
River Road turns west from the
highway, heading downstream
along impassable rapids that
Lewis and Clark aptly dubbed
The scenic Lake Coeur d’Alene, near the world-famous resort the “River of No Return.”
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp592–3 and pp594–5

566-567_EW_USA.indd 566 11/2/16 2:48 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
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Date 1st October 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm