Idaho – Occidentalist

A Spring Backpack Into Hells Canyon

Post author:Occidental
Post published:2026-04-04
Post category:2026 Idaho
Post comments:0 Comments

Now that spring has sprung, we have our eye out for any weather windows to get out on the trails with a backpack (or hook the boat up and go fishing, or …well you get the idea). One such window opened at the end of March and we jumped right on it and packed for a couple nights in Hells Canyon. Besides being the deepest gorge in North America it is also intolerably hot in the summer, so it made for a good first overnight hike of 2026 before things get too hot there. We headed to Pittsburg Landing and headed up the Snake River from there.

(more…)

Fall in the Idaho Woods

Post author:Occidental
Post published:2025-11-02
Post category:2025 Idaho
Post comments:0 Comments

There has been some nice color the last few weeks in north central Idaho. The hardwoods (birch, mountain ash, cherry, cottonwood) along the rivers have been especially vibrant this fall. The western larch has been a little slower to change but seems to be hitting its peak as we turn the calendar into November.

(more…)

The Elk City Wagon Road and Beyond

Post author:Occidental
Post published:2025-10-26
Post category:2025 Exploring Idaho
Post comments:0 Comments

We’ve been on several sections of the Elk City Wagon Road but up until now, we hadn’t made a trip of driving the length of it. Time for that to change. After all, the road starts within a five minute drive of home!

What is the Elk City Wagon Road? The road was constructed in 1894 and 1895 as a route from the South Fork of the Clearwater River to the goldfields of the Elk City area. Most of the route is still drivable today, even though there is very little left of the inns, stables and towns that popped up along the way to support the miners on their way to discover riches. It remained the main route to Elk City until the 1930’s.

(more…)