The first summer our family lived in Idaho, we headed straight for the Sawtooth and Boulder Mountains, in my mind the epitome of the outdoors in our outdoorsy state. We stopped at the overlook on Galena Summit (between Stanley and Ketchum on Highway 75). From up there, at over 8,000 feet, it feels like you can see all of Idaho stretched out before you. It's the kind of place my grandparents used to go for a "Sunday drive" back when time and gas were plentiful and cheap. The highway curves and climbs endlessly up and then back down. The original road over Galena Summit was completed in 1881 to serve the mines located at Vienna and Sawtooth City near present-day Smiley Creek. Portions of the old road can still be seen today.

On the Ketchum side of the summit, day trippers like to spend time at Galena Lodge. Here the primary activities are cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter or hiking and mountain biking in the summer. The trails cover all kinds of terrain and scenery, requiring different levels of exertion necessary to ski/shoe/bike/hike. The Harriman Trail is designed to accommodate wheelchairs, so there definitely is a trail for everyone. Galena Lodge operates an outdoor shop with rentals of all necessary equipment. They also offer lessons and special packages. You can snowshoe with a ranger or ski out to a yurt.  Horseback trail rides at the Galena Stage Stop Corrals, located across the highway from Galena Lodge, are offered from late June through Labor Day. Call (208) 726-1735 for more information. 

Galena Lodge is open for lunch every day, serving wraps, salads, soups, burgers, and sandwiches, a welcome treat when summer's thunderstorms drive the family inside. In the winter, you can enjoy special full moon dinners and holiday dinners. The next one is on Valentine's Day. In summer, take in one of the barbecue buffet dinners and a wagon ride, which comes with a little history lesson about the old mining town of Galena. Saturday and Sunday brunch features omelets, eggs Benedict, French toast strata, huevos rancheros, and quiche. There's live music on Sundays at 11am.

Neysa CM Jensen is a Boise mother, writer, and musician. Her first visit to Galena Summit was in 1990.

GETTING TO GALENA

Several routes can take you to Galena. We prefer to take Highway 55 to Banks, then turn east onto the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway, aka Banks to Lowman Highway. At Lowman, join Highway 21 to Stanley, and then turn onto Highway 75 toward Ketchum. This is a scenic, yet quick, route. Because of possible avalanche conditions, this route can be closed in the winter.  Check 511.idaho.gov for conditions and updates.

Another quick way is to take Interstate 84 east from Boise to the exit for Highway 20 that will take you through Fairfield. When 20 intersects with Highway 75, turn north toward Ketchum. It's about a 3½ hour drive from Boise, so get an early start.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.visitidaho.org/winter/alpine/galena-lodge-trails.aspx
www.bcrd.org/galenalodgetrails/tabid/57/Default.aspx
www.galenalodge.com