Find your perfect ride — on groomed trails or in the powder
Judy Yeomans came to the McCall area recently to ride snowmobiles with some fellow Tennessee tourists, and this is what she had to say: “We love being weekend tourists and we love Idaho! You folks up here have it made!”
Idaho consistently ranks in the top 10 of the nation’s best destinations for snowmobiling. The McCall-Donnelly-Cascade area in the Payette River Mountains Region lies in the heart of the action-packed fun zone for groomer riders and powder shredders. More than 1,000 miles of trails in the immediate vicinity a re groomed at least once a week, making for a smooth adventure.
Powder shredders — people who like to ride off-trail — can head into the high country on groomed trails and take off from there. The communities of Cascade, Donnelly and McCall are all excellent jumping-off points for great riding, being close to key trailheads. The Anderson Creek Trailhead, close to Cascade, accesses some 500 miles of trails in the West Mountain area. The No Business Trailhead, close to Donnelly, also ties into the West Mountain Trails and groomed trails heading north to McCall. If you’re staying in McCall, head for the Francis Wallace trailhead at the end of Warren Wagon Road or the Goose Creek Trailhead. From Francis Wallace, you can ride 25 miles to Burgdorf Hot Springs, a large pool with pure 103-degree water that will thaw any hint of cold in your hands and feet.
Local sporting goods shops in Cascade and McCall rent snowmobiles if you want to head out on your own. Meadowood Lodge Snowmobile Tours, located about 5 miles north of McCall on Idaho 55, offers guided tours. Folks can stay at Meadowood’s bed and breakfast or try other accommodations in the area and head out on a guided tour. Meadowood can take you to Burgdorf, on groomed trails north and south of McCall, and they offer tours from the summit of Tamarack Resort near the powder play areas on top of West Mountain.
Check with any of the local snowmobile shops in the region, and they can equip you with sleds, maps and the proper equipment for a fun-filled day of snowmobile riding that you won’t soon forget.
