Backpacking Idaho

Traverse 25 carefully crafted backpacking trips to some of the most magnificent landscapes in Idaho.A virtually undiscovered backpacking paradise, Idaho has numerous wilderness areas of vast size. Backpackers can find complete solitude, glimpse wildlife, and explore some of North Americas most amazing scenery. The states mountains boast great weather: fewer thunderstorms than the central Rockies, less rain than Oregon and Washington, and cooler summer temperatures than California.Backpacking Idaho guides you to what author Doug Lorain calls a Shangri-la for backpackers. In the craggy Selkirk Mountains youll find lush forests, small cirque lakes, and jagged granite peaks. Watch for ospreys, river otters, and belted kingfishers near the swift Selway River. Explore hundreds of miles of trails in the gently rolling, forested hills of north-central Idaho, and head to Hells Canyonthe deepest gorge in North Americato find both alpine tundra and cactus-studded desert.Inside youll find:25 top backpacking trips throughout the stateComparative ratings for scenery, solitude, and difficultyTrail mileage, elevation gain, days on the trail, and shuttle distancesHighlights, trip itineraries, and more12 additional recommendations for backpacking tripsAs an Idaho native Ive hiked and camped here all my life, but I took away from this book some great hikes that I want to do.... This is a really fine book.Craig Gehrke, Regional Director, Idaho Office of the Wilderness Society