A Traveler's Experience

Payette River Scenic Byway (ID)

Being skiers, we wanted to try catskiing (skiing using Snow Cat transports) at the Tamarack Ski Resort. We started from northern Idaho, through McCall where we had some perfect skiing at Brundage, enjoying some of the longest runs I have ever known. Moving south down Hwy 55 to Donelly, we cat-skied up the most breathtaking slopes overlooking the valley. Next year they'll have their lifts in and I don't know if they'll still offer the Cat Ski. So much fun.

That afternoon we moved on to Cascade because we had heard so much about the newly built Ashley Inn. What a treat in the middle of the Idaho mountains. After we toured the place & were settled in, we soaked in the spa after dinner. Tony at the frontdesk arranged a sleigh ride to feed the wild elk for the next day. It was the most amazing experience we've ever had. One came so close to me that I could have touched him, but he would have spooked (and so would I!) Then Tony surprised us with the opportunity to ride on a dog sled team. They took such good care of us at The Ashley. After a full breakfast at the inn, it was hard to leave my own fireplace in my room, but we knew great things were ahead.

The stretch of Hwy 55 from Cascade to Banks is where the real scenic highway is at its zenith. Watching the freezing cold water flowing over the rocks and freezing into icy shapes and snowy mounds perched on the shoreline rocks was memorable. I wish I could have captured it with my camera. It was one of our most romantic trips. The Payette River Scenic Byway is absolutely our favorite... so far!