Tyler Mayer getting the goods at Silver Mountain’s bike park in the Idaho Panhandle. | Photo: SnowBrains
Report from June 8-9, 2024
Views of lush green forests and deep blue lakes came more and more into view as we gained elevation on Silver Mountain’s gondola on Saturday morning.
Idaho’s Panhandle is even more gorgeous from the air, I thought as we sailed along America’s longest gondola.
The day was sunny, warm but not too much so, and there was no wind; it was perfect weather to check out Silver’s Mountain Bike Park.
We got to the top of the gondola, hopped onto our bikes, and then took a blue trail called Jack Ass back down to town.
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This was not your regular mountain bike trail; it was eight miles long with a vertical drop of over 3,000 feet and it took over 45 minutes of continuous biking to get down.
I’ve never ridden a trail like that before.Through the forest. | Photo: SnowBrains
Silver Mountain is known for being one of Idaho’s premiere ski areas but what may not be as known is that it also has the #1 rated mountain bike park in the Pacific Northwest for four years running.
An assortment of green, blue, and black trails are accessible right from the top of the gondola; some are shorter and go straight to Chair 3, where you can hit multiple laps back to back, while others are long and enduring like the ones that go for eight miles down to the town of Kellogg where the gondola terminal is located.
Silver’s Bike Park has a little bit of something for everyone.Trail map. | Photo: SnowBrains
We started with Jack Ass, a blue trail, then hit another blue called Burro Loco, which was slightly more technical.
That was insanely fun.
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The trails under the gondola start in an open field where some ski runs are then descend into thick forest.
Once in the forest, the trails branch off and you have dozens of options for more trails to hit, from green to blue to black flow and technical trails.
We had to take frequent breaks because our hands got so tired from the epically long downhill trails—a good problem to have.
The trails just went on forever here…
Wildcat, a blue trail, was one of our favorites of the trip.
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We had to stop for lunch at Noah’s canteen to refuel and the food was excellent and not too expensive (go for the chicken sandwich!)Gondola. | Photo: SnowBrains
After mostly riding blues on the first day we felt ready to take on some black trail on Sunday.
We started with Snake Pit that led to Chair 3, a steep technical trail.
It was exactly that: steep, rocky, technical, and challenging in the best ways.
By the bottom, I was worked but extremely stoked.
More black trails, please.
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Jack Ass trail. | Photo: SnowBrains
Then we hit a couple of black flow trails from the gondola down to town called Hammer and Ghost Pepper.
These were steep trails that cut through the woods with playful jump lines all throughout the trails.
We caught some good air and landed on some very well-constructed landings all while keeping a nice flow through the endless twists and turns of the trails.
The berms were smooth and fast; a couple of them were huge and had you accelerating at uncanny speeds.
The vibes were high and everyone at the bike park we encountered had smiles on their faces.
That’s what a nice bike park does.
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Air time. | Photo: SnowBrains
At one point we hit a technical black trail called Snaggletooth and I biked the rockiest, most technical section of trail I ever have and flowed it.
I only did it because I was following Tyler who was following a local who made it look smooth.
Then a crew of more locals followed us and rode the technical section with ease and we all exchanged stokey high fives at the bottom.
Bike culture is fun.Ghost Pepper black trail. | Photo: SnowBrains
After miles upon miles of long, tall downhill trails through gorgeous, thick, moss-covered forests, we were officially tired.
Tired, but happy.
We elected for one more ride down Ghost Pepper and after that decided to call it a day.
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Each day we rode last weekend, the weather was beautiful, the dirt was beyond beautiful, the trails were completely uncrowded, and the stoke was high.Tyler sending. | Photo: SnowBrains
I was thoroughly impressed with Silver Mountain’s bike park and I can see how it’s the top-rated bike park in the PNW.
I could also see myself coming here every summer after the snowmelts and getting my ‘mountain bike’ on.
It’s that good.
Thanks, Silver Mountain!
—
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To learn more about Silver Mountain’s Bike Park, visit the resort’s website.
Weather
Screen Shot: NOAA 6/11/24
Photos
In the woods. | Photo: SnowBrainsWe had gorgeous weather on this trip. | Photo: SnowBrainsTaking the trail back to the gondola. | Photo: SnowBrainsChicken sandwich at Noah’s. | Photo: SnowBrainsViews from the top. | Photo: SnowBrainsTyler on Burro Loco. | Photo: SnowBrainsTyler sending through the forest.| Photo: SnowBrainsWildcat. | Photo: SnowBrainsThe forested sections were super fun. Photo: SnowBrainsWildcat—one of our favorite trails of the trip. | Photo: SnowBrainsGondola. | Photo: SnowBrainsTyler coming out of Snake Pit. | Photo: SnowBrainsPicking trails. | Photo: SnowBrainsUphill Grill in Kellogg—a must try! | Photo: SnowBrainsCoeur D’Alene Bike Co.—the best bike shop in town that helped us out tremendously. | Photo: SnowBrainsTyler banking a high-speed turn. | Photo: SnowBrainsOutlaw Bar and Grill in Mullan—a classic! | Photo: SnowBrains
“Thank you as well to our partners in Idaho for their immediate willingness to offer assistance. You helped rebuild this vital infrastructure and respond to others in need.”
Idaho and Wyoming also recently worked together to develop the “Decarbonizing the West” report at the Western Governors Association. You can read and see the presentations here and read the final report here.
The Western Governors Association recently celebrated 40 years with Idaho in attendance. The WGA is comprised of 19 member states and three territories. Member states and their governors can be viewed here.
Idaho was represented by former Governor Butch Otter (WGA 2011 Chairman) and current Governor Brad Little. Otter praises the WGA, saying,
“As a former Chairman of the WGA, I have seen firsthand how the organization elevates and expands our platform and brings solutions to a wide range of public policy issues vital to our citizens and our states. Jumping in and getting involved in the WGA has been one of the best decisions I ever made as Governor.”
Current Idaho Governor Brad Little (WGA 2022 Chairman) adds,
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“The power of the Western Governors’ Association is in the power of collaboration. Oftentimes we wear our political “jerseys,” so to speak, but when we get together as Governors through the WGA, we take off those jerseys and work together on what’s best for the West. The WGA reinforces that we can get things done when we stay focused on issues where we agree – which, by the way, happens to be a lot.”
“Joining Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, WGA’s current chair, was former Governors Steve Bullock of Montana, Gary Herbert of Utah, David Ige of Hawaii, Matt Mead of Wyoming, Bob Miller of Nevada, Butch Otter of Idaho, and Brian Sandoval of Nevada. Their discussions, which were moderated by Judy Woodruff, the former anchor and managing editor of the PBS NewsHour, focused on the importance of bipartisanship when dealing with many of the country’s complex problems.”
Pictured Governors: Nevada Joe Lombardo, North Dakota Doug Burgum, New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham, Wyoming Mark Gordon, Idaho Brad Little
Gordon unveils ‘Decarbonizing the West’ report, seeks climate flexibility
Another major connection between these two states is TerraPower. Their website describes them,
“TerraPower was founded by Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries that decided the private sector needed to take action in developing advanced nuclear energy to meet growing electricity needs, mitigate climate change and lift billions out of poverty. Advanced reactors and other isotopic applications are now possible with technology and enhanced computing capabilities that were unimaginable a few decades ago. At TerraPower, we are innovating in nuclear to improve the lives of people everywhere and to build the clean energy of tomorrow – today.”
Gates said of the Idaho National Labratory,
“TerraPower has many cooperative projects and there are lots of partnerships, but our work with INL is singularly important,” Gates said.
Wyoming will be the first state TerraPower builds a nuclear reactor site.
“TerraPower is building its first reactor near the site of a retiring coal facility in Kemmerer, Wyoming, in a joint effort with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Project.”
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The United States Department of Interior is working with both states to develop power transmission lines. The article below details construction of a project called TransWest Express that in function looks similar to Lava Ridge in Idaho.
Gov. Gordon, Biden officials hail clean energy project as essential
“The Interior Department is moving quickly to meet President Biden’s goal of permitting at least 25 gigawatts of onshore renewable energy by 2025,” Haaland told attendees of a groundbreaking event Tuesday as the southern Wyoming wind whipped across a stage. “The project that we are all here to celebrate — the TransWest Express transmission project — is a momentous milestone in our effort to make that goal a reality.”
With so many projects between Idaho and Wyoming, the Idaho Dispatch began to investigate who is reporting on these similarities, and who owns the media in Wyoming. Similar to our exposé articles on Idaho media found here, here, here, here, here, and here, we decided to look at Wyoming as well.
Watch for our upcoming findings on the media parallels between the two states.
David Pettinger and Sarah Clendenon co-wrote this article.
Tags: Bill Gates, Brad Little, Butch Otter, Decarbonizing the West, Idaho, Idaho National Laboratory, INL, Lava Ridge, Media, Power, TerraPower, Teton Pass Highway, TransWest Express, Western Governors Association, WGA, Wyoming
BOISE, IDAHO — Idaho Governor Brad Little has announced the launch of a new initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. in 2026.
According to the Governor’s office, the new initiative, America250 in Idaho, aims to advance projects and foster community engagement opportunities to honor this national milestone and Idaho’s significant role in American history.
“The United States of America is the greatest nation in the world and worthy of celebration. As we approach the 250th anniversary of American independence, Idaho is proud to recognize our nation’s triumphant history and the contributions of the Gem State,” Governor Little said. “I look forward to seeing the America250 in Idaho initiative inspire patriotism, build civic participation, and celebrate freedom.”
On Wednesday, Idaho Statehood Day, Governor Little signed a proclamation establishing a multi-agency task force to plan, encourage, coordinate, and promote statewide observances and activities as part of the national commemoration.
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The task force, led by the Idaho State Historical Society (ISHS), will collaborate with several Idaho state agencies, including the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Department of Education, Idaho State Department of Agriculture, and others.
“The task force will collaborate with the America250 in Idaho Advisory Council, established through the 2024 Idaho Legislature’s passage of House Concurrent Resolution 31, to inspire statewide participation and patriotism,” Governor Little added.
More information about America250 in Idaho is available here.
Idaho stopped investigating pregnancy-related deaths after its Legislature allowed a law to expire but is re-creating its Maternal Mortality Review Committee.
The committee, created in 2019, analyzed the deaths and made recommendations. It ceased operating July 1, 2023, when the law creating it expired.
That made Idaho the only state without a review committee, according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute.
The committee’s latest report said Idaho’s maternal mortality rate per 100,000 live births was 40.1 in 2021, up from 18.7 in 2018.
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From 2018 to 2022, Idaho’s rate was 20, below the national average of 23.2; Wisconsin’s was 13.2.
Idaho legislation signed in March created a new committee effective July 1. The state began recruiting members June 28.
The Idaho claim was made June 29 by Democrat Kristin Lyerly. She is running for the northeast Wisconsin seat vacated by Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, who resigned in April.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
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KFF Health News: Idaho Drops Panel Investigating Pregnancy-Related Deaths as US Maternal Mortality Surges
Maternal Mortality Review Committee: 2021 Matneral Deaths in Idaho
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare: Maternal Mortality Review Committee
Boise State Public Radio: Idaho dissolves maternal mortality review committee, as deaths remain high