I wasn’t prepared for the beautiful vistas of Idaho – but the combination of mountains and lakes is a definite lure to visit the northern panhandle area of this state.
Less than two hours from the Canadian border, the small town of Sandpoint may not be a major city, but its filled with attractions, including its biggest one, Lake Pend Oreille.
One of the deepest lakes in the United States, Lake Pend Oreille is surrounded by mountains, home to many kinds of wildlife including elk, deer, bears, coyotes and is a outdoorsy type’s dream – with a surface area of 148 square miles, the lake has plenty of room for boating, fishing, swimming and diving.
Back in the day, this area was a fixation for adventurers trying to find the elusive routes to the Pacific Ocean. Explorer David Thompson established a trading post on this lake in 1809 and one of the French Canadian fur traders working with Thompson supposedly named the lake, which translated means ear hanging or pendant, a reference to jewellery worn by the local Kalispel tribe or the shape of the lake.
The lake is the center point of a visit to this part of the Idaho – a touchpoint for what to do each day. Five ways I found to appreciate Lake Pend Oreille:
1. Hiking – finding a trail is easy in this part of the world, and the one of the best ways to appreciate the local landscape. No matter your skill level, this area has many hiking trails, and one of my favourites was the Mineral Point Trail, which takes you high above the lake with a great view of the Green Monarch Mountains. Its also a popular trail for mountain bikers and if you take the extension, the trail will lead you to a spot for swimming.
2. Boating – if you don’t want to rent a boat, consider a lake cruise with Lake Pend Oreille Cruises. The one and a half hour jaunt around the lake, will get you up close and personal to the lake’s hidden areas, put you in a spot to see some local wildlife such as a bald eagle and thanks to the onboard crew, a history lesson of northern Idaho.
3. Dining – there are several places to indulge in locally-inspired cuisine and benefit from the lake views. Consider Forty One South, located on the south side of Lake Pend Oreille in Sagle, with its extensive outdoor dining and boat dock or in Sandpoint, hope to find space on the patio at Trinity at City Beach.
4. The Long Bridge – connecting Sandpoint to Sagle over Lake Pend Oreille, this was the longest wooden bridge in the world when first completed in 1910, but now in its fourth version, the bridge is a concrete structure, with the third bridge now used as a walking, running and cycling path right beside the current bridge, also known as Highway 95.
5. Waterfront accommodation – its easy to find a place to lay your head by the lake – Sleep’s Cabins in Sagle offer six historic wood cabins and multiple docks for afternoon hanging out and swimming.