Sun Valley Property News: June 2014 issue

Summer has arrived. Well, sort of. The way that most of us define ‘summer’ doesn’t include patches of snow, nights that still dips into freezing temperatures, and unpredictable flits of weather. That sounds more like spring, a season that tends to extend itself through mid-June for inhabitants of the Wood River Valley. But don’t get the rainy day blues —  here is a guide to getting outside and kick-starting fun in the sun — because even though we may not be sunbathing we can still enjoy the season with a little foresight and creativity. 

Birding

“Look just beyond that tree,” Poo whispers, pointing to a nest at one o’clock. Through a tangled web of branches, there she sits: a beautiful long-eared owl, her feathers sitting precariously high above her head like big ears, although in actuality her ears are much lower. “She is on eggs!” Poo Wright-Pulliam, an artist and bird jewelry designer, is a wealth of knowledge after almost 20 years of spotting these avian beauties. Though it might not seem like the most exciting of activities, she has had an action-packed morning, counting over 50 different types in the time it takes most of us to shower and have our coffee. The Valley is called home to a plethora of winged creatures year-round, but June is an especially active month, when mating season makes way for bizarre rituals and an influx of species. They sing and squawk to each other, puffing feathers and splashing water. Their colors are otherworldly, ranging from neon yellow to shiny cinnamon, reds and blues ant tar-blacks. Whether you meander on the bike path near River Run or trek to Silver Creek Preserve, you are sure to see something amazing. See our listed recourses to start your birding obsession. 

Environmental Recourse Center
471 Washington Ave. N, Ketchum
208.726.1531
www.ercsv.org

SNRA Visitors Center
5 North Fork Canyon Rd (Hwy 75), Ketchum
208.727.5000
www.sawtoothsociety.org 

Silver Creek Preserve

From the four-way stop on North Main and Sun Valley Road there are 31.3 miles separating you and the untouched oasis of Silver Creek Preserve. With only 8,000 annual visitors, less than the population of the Wood River Valley, you can grasp your own private Idaho shy of an hour’s drive. Full of adventure and rich biodiversity, you can canoe, spot wildlife, fish, walk, and relax in the untapped and picturesque haven. For activities and to find more amazing places in Idaho protected by The Nature Conservancy, visit www.nature.org. 

Silver Creek Preserve Wildlife Visitors Center
165 Kilpatrick Bridge Rd, Bellevue
208.788.2203
www.nature.org 

Fishing

Fishermen (and women) are a peculiar breed, passing up the warmth of a fire or an early morning walk for solace-seeking of a different kind: the interminable silence and ease of a river bend. For those of us who have not mastered the craft, it can be an experience of the most frustrating variety. For others like Taite Pearson, who define fishing as a part of their being as some would their chosen faith, the river is their friend, a friend they would visit every day if the shackles of society would not hold them away. I have seen Taite on winter mornings, icicle-filled beard, and eyelashes of no consequence to the focus and conversation he holds with the bugs, the water, and the wind. Thankfully, June offers a more pleasant scene for fishing, and Taite has generously shared a couple of his early summer secrets with us. We may not be in that deep yet, but we hope to ‘catch’ on. To book a guided fishing trip with Taite (plus he is a renowned chef, so make sure you include lunch), contact Picabo Anglers. 

“Everywhere can be great in June! Sometimes fly-fishing is about being at the right place at the magical right time, and in June that means chasing the hatch. Try looking for Brown Drakes on Silver Creek and Green Drakes on the Wood.” — Taite Pearson, guide for Picabo Anglers and award-winning local chef

Tips from Taite

Talk to your fellow anglers!
Survey your environment: Are there bugs? What kind? What are they eating? Study, study, study the bugs!
What is the water clarity?
Concentration and patience are excellent brain exercises — embrace them. 

Picabo Anglers
18918 Highway 20, Picabo
208.788.3536
www.picaboangler.net 

HIking/Biking

If you prefer activities of the enduro variety, hiking and biking in June can be an adventure in and of itself. Will you trek two miles up your chosen path to encounter a sign that forbids you to continue? Will you find snow? Thankfully, the Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD) has partnered with many community organizations (the Wood River Bike Coalition, BLM, Ketchum Ranger District, SNRA, and Matt Leidecker) to create an amazing interactive resource where anyone can see the trails that are available, and even share trails you build yourself with friends. The Google Maps platform is updated almost daily to give outdoor enthusiasts and endorphin junkies and up-to-the-minute look at our amazing system of trails in the valley. Go to the BCRD’s site and maybe you will discover something new. Don’t forget, safety first: always tell a friend where you are going, bring plenty of water, and pack an extra layer for warmth.

BCRD
1050 Fox Acres Rd #107, Hailey
208.578.2273
www.bcrd.org 

Summer Trail Link Navigation Tips

Trails in green are open. Just click on any trail for details
Use navigation tools on the left to filter by difficulty, region, or activity. 
Click camera icons on the map to view the trail by location, and email your own trail photos with locations to the BCRD to join in.
The sheep icon means you can avoid our four-legged friends (or flock with them).
To build your own trail intersection by intersection, use the link below. You can view the trail by elevation profile or layout, save it to your GPS, print it, and even email it to friends! www.summertraillink.bcrd.org