written by Hayden Seder Fall is a great time for gravel riding. With hot summer days behind you, you can enjoy longer rides that take you up unpaved roads with views of mountain passes, aspen groves, flowing rivers, and the changing leaves. Ketchum has plenty of single-day and multiday rides but is also a jumping off point for accessing several longer bikepacking gravel routes that extend beyond the area. Local Rides Dollarhide is a popular ride for gravel bikers—it’s even a time trial route for The Big Lost (formerly Rebecca’s Private Idaho). As an out and back, it’s about 43 miles, winding through the Sawtooth National Forest along the river and giving ample opportunity for fishing and the chance to dip into Frenchman’s hot spring. You’ll grind up a 5–7% grade, reaching 9,301 feet at the Dollarhide Summit. For those wanting to explore a bit more, many do an overnight loop (or a longer day ride) of 85 miles by connecting to some double track, pavement, and bike paths that will lead you back to Ketchum. There are many campsites on the way up to the summit along the river or near the Worswick hot springs. The Harriman Trail is …
13 articles by Kendall Kirkpatrick
Takin’ The Long Way: Boise, Idaho City, Stanley, Ketchum Road Trip
There is something soothing about hitting the road with the intention of enjoying the journey. Driving from Boise to Sun Valley seems like a straight shot, but you can make it an adventure by taking an extra hour on the road, stringing together scenic byways, and enjoying mountainous Idaho. Details Boise to Ketchum through Idaho City, Lowman, and Stanley takes 4 hours, just about 2o minutes more than taking the freeway out of the capital city. By taking “the long way,” you drive on Highway 21, the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, and Highway 75, Sawtooth Scenic Byway. While you could just enjoy the views, we encourage you to stop where you can and get to know these wonderful communities! Idaho City Just an hour into your drive, passing Lucky Peak Reservoir and heading into the Boise National Forest, you will come to Idaho City. This community is rich in gold mining history, was founded in 1862, and home to the Boise Basin Museum. While you are there, be sure to grab some huckleberry cheese cake! Lowman As you make your way through the national forest on the winding Pondorosa senic byway, you will come to the towwn of Lowman, …
Discover the Magic of Silver Creek Preserve
About 30 minutes south of Ketchum, a spring-fed creek winds through the high desert valley floor beneath the rolling Picabo Hills. Silver Creek Preserve is a unique ecosystem known for its crystal-clear waters, abundant wildlife, and remarkable natural beauty. Trout glide beneath the surface while birds soar overhead, creating a landscape that feels both peaceful and wild. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, Silver Creek offers an unforgettable experience. What is Silver Creek Preserve? In 1976, The Nature Conservancy purchased 479 acres along Silver Creek with the support of local residents who recognized the importance of protecting this unique ecosystem. At the time, portions of the creek and surrounding land had suffered from overgrazing and overfishing, making restoration a significant undertaking. Over the decades, Silver Creek Preserve has grown to 882 acres and now protects more than 12,600 acres through conservation easements. Today, it stands as one of the most successful private stream conservation efforts in the country, preserving critical habitat for trout, wildlife, and migratory birds while benefiting the entire Wood River Valley ecosystem. Visitors now come from across the country to experience the preserve’s walking trails, visitor center, self-guided audio tour, and world-renowned fly fishing opportunities. Whether you’re …
Chasing Elevation: Trail Running Adventures in Sun Valley
“Some places are built for trail running. Sun Valley feels like it was born for it.” Early mornings on alpine singletrack. Cool mountain air even in July. Long climbs that open into massive views of Idaho wilderness. Whether you’re chasing a finish line or simply looking for your next favorite trail, summer in Sun Valley offers a rare combination of race culture, high-elevation adventure, and endlessly runnable terrain. Why the Sun Valley Area is a Trail Runner’s Dream Destination Sun Valley and Ketchum sit at 5,850 feet in elevation, making the area an ideal place to experience the benefits of altitude training without immediately pushing into extreme elevations. Summer weather opens the door to endless trail running opportunities, with cool mornings and crisp mountain air creating perfect conditions for longer adventures before the afternoon heat arrives. From Bellevue to Galena Summit and beyond, the Wood River Valley offers an expansive network of trails ranging from smooth beginner-friendly paths to rugged mountain terrain built for serious endurance athletes. One of the best parts of trail running here is accessibility. Many trails begin just minutes from downtown Ketchum, allowing runners to move from coffee shop to trailhead in no time. Around here, …
What We’re Made Of: Ketchum Run Club
written by Hayden Seder It’s hard to imagine in a town as active as Ketchum that there’s never been a run club before, but indeed, before this summer, this was the case. Enter Ketchum Run Club, the Wood River Valley’s newest way to socialize, meet new people, and, of course, run. How It Started Ketchum Run Club (KRC) is the brainchild of two area natives, Meggie Rose and Madison Hendrix. Rose is a personal trainer and group fitness coach at The Mill SV in Ketchum and also offers a variety of online training programs through the Solin app. Despite her obvious love of fitness, running is a relatively new hobby for Rose. Though she did cross-country running in high school and ran on and off in her twenties, it wasn’t until signing up for a half-marathon in Jackson Hole in spring 2024 and getting into the training of the sport that she really fell in love with it, both for the mental clarity and the freedom it provides. Although Madison Hendrix also grew up in the area and thus is plenty active outdoors, it wasn’t until signing up for the Standhope Ultra Challenge 30k two years ago (a lengthy trail …
Must-Have Travel Gadgets for Frequent Travelers
Traveling frequently requires the right gadgets to stay connected, entertained, and productive. Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, the right tools can make a significant difference in your comfort and convenience. Smart gadgets help reduce stress, keep your devices powered, and allow you to capture amazing moments effortlessly. Another important aspect of modern travel is staying secure online, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks. For travelers who enjoy online casino gaming, ensuring a safe and private connection is essential. With the right gadgets, you can have a smooth and enjoyable journey without worrying about power issues, security risks, or missed opportunities to capture memories. Essential Tech Gadgets to Make Traveling Easier The right technology can make traveling more comfortable and efficient. A lightweight laptop or tablet is useful for work, entertainment, and staying in touch with loved ones. Wireless noise-canceling headphones provide a peaceful environment, whether on a plane, train or in a busy airport. For those planning trips to scenic destinations like Sun Valley, an e-reader is a great way to enjoy books without adding extra weight to your luggage. Smart luggage with built-in tracking and USB charging ports adds security and convenience to your journey. A universal …
Not to Miss Arts & Culture Events This Summer
When we travel, we all have our tried-and-true activities, but why not spice things up with a one-of-a-kind experience? Get ready for a Sun Valley summer like no other because we’ve got a whole lineup of arts & culture events that you won’t find anywhere else! From our signature summer extravaganzas to offbeat and extraordinary experiences, it’s time to create your ultimate Sun Valley summer bucket list. So, throw caution to the wind, embrace the unexpected, and let the adventure begin. Don’t miss out on the chance to make memories that will last a lifetime – start planning your Sun Valley summer today! Sun Valley Wine Auction The 44th Sun Valley begins Tuesday, June 24th and concludes on Thursday the 26th. This event includes gastronomic adventures, Magnum Pig Roast, Vintner Dinners, River Ranch Wine Walk, and the Gala and Live Auction. Learn more at Sunvalleywineauction.org Ballet Sun Valley Saturday June 28th and Sunday June 29th will have The National Ballet of Canada debut in the valley at the Sun Valley Pavilion. Don’t miss this chance to catch a magical night of world-class dance, visit balletsunvalley.org. Sawtooth Valley Gathering The 10th annual Sawtooth Valley Gathering comes to Stanley June 19–22 for a weekend …
Boulder Mountain Tour: What Not to Miss
2023 marks the 50th year of the Annual Zions Bank Boulder Mountain Tour (BMT). This year the BMT will Honor Bob Rosso, one of the original founders of the race and a valued community member here in the Wood River Valley. This historic cross-country race is held on the historic Harriman Trail in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, north of Ketchum.
Visit Sun Valley, Sustainably!
Traveling sustainably is an important aspect of modern-day travel, and being mindful of our environmental impact while traveling has never been more critical. Fortunately, there are simple things we can all do to help preserve the environment and make our travels more sustainable. From using reusable items to picking up litter, shopping locally, and reducing our carbon footprint, these small actions can go a long way in helping protect the places we love to visit. In this blog post, we’ll cover some easy ways to travel sustainably while enjoying all that the Ketchum area has to offer. Bring reusables! Did you know that Americans use over 100 billion plastic bags each year? If 25% of families used 10 fewer bags per month, we would save 2.5 billion bags per year! Grab that reusable bag and water bottle and hit the town! This is a simple way to do your part when out and about and stopping in shops and groceries. Plus, our local tap water is out of this world. Pick it up! It can be a damper to roll up to a campsite, trailhead, lookout, or even a park and see pieces of trash around. Be sure to pick …
Racing ’round the World with Local Haley Cutler
Haley Cutler is making a name for herself, not only here in the Wood River Valley but also in the skiing world. At 25, Cutler has jumped back into racing and is competing around the world, from placing 1st in Giant Slalom in Jackson to traveling across Europe for the Europa Cup in the Super G discipline. However, racing isn’t anything new for her. Starting as a young skier, Cutler was a part of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF), went on to ski collegially at both University of New Mexico and Montana State University, and then became a coach for SVSEF.
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