We seem to always report on snowmobiling as if that were the only thing happening in Island Park in the winter. And while it certainly is the main attraction, there is plenty more to do than just blast across the snow at mach 6 with your hair on fire.
For those who enjoy the tranquility of nature, Harriman State Park (the old Railroad Ranch) has more than 30 miles of groomed nordic ski trails. With tracks set for both skate-skiing and diagonal striders, there’s something for everyone. Trails include mostly flat terrain around the lake to more challenging trails. Loops range from a few kilometers to tens of kilometers.
There are also x-c ski trails set along the river by Ponds Lodge. While not as quiet and serene as Harriman, the scenery is equally spectacular. I see families using the Ponds Lodge trails regularly, so even though I haven’t personally tried them out (I’m a snowmobiler) I know they must be family friendly (as are those in Harriman.)
So if you get a hankering deep down in your soul to do something a little more green this winter, strap on a pair of skinny skis and get out there and get a little more exercise. It not only keeps you warm, it’s environmentally friendly, heart healthy, and it’s something everyone should try – at least once!
If you’ve been to Island Park, you’ve noticed the “big ball” up on top of Sawtelle Peak. If you’ve asked yourself (or others) exactly what it is, I’d say you’re about average. The problem is, very few people know exactly what it is. There are no indications on the door. No signs telling you what it is — only onerous warnings to stay clear under penalty of the government.
I’ve heard people explaining to their friends that it’s part of the Distant Early Warning (DEW) line of defense radar. I’ve heard it’s a listening post, where the government eavesdrops on cell phone conversations (interesting, since it predates cell phones by several decades.)  I’ve heard it’s a secret government laboratory where they do experiments many stories underground and use the radar dome to beam results to other secret locations in the world. Finally, the funniest one. I heard someone telling a flatlander that it was a site the government used to contact UFO’s. She went on to say that UFO’s land on top of Sawtelle all the time.
Whatever.
So what is it really? At the risk of a big disappointment to many, I’ll come clean. It’s a remote FAA radar site used by Billings, Boise, and Salt Lake City to track aircraft movement across the northern tier of states (you didn’t think they could see planes in Montana from Salt Lake, did you?) If you’ve ever flown over the area from St. George, Utah to the Canadian border and from Minot, North Dakota to Pendleton, Oregon your plane was tracked by our radar.
Sorry if I’ve let the wind out of your sails. FAA radar isn’t nearly as impressive as aliens from outer space. But hey, if you can keep a secret, a friend of a friend told me she was up there late one night when the sky lit up with UFO’s tracking inbound to the U.S. government contact portal on Sawtelle Peak. Hey. Seriously. It could happen.
Yeah, right.
The Natural Resources Conservations Service maintains several sites in the USA to monitor snowfall, moisture content, and a host of other things. They are called the Snotel Sites. For the purposes of snowmobilers, you want to know how much new snow there is before you drive for hours to get here.
Now there is an easy way to know with certainty how much snow there is total and how much is new. The Snotel reporting site leads you to a graphic of the state with dots on it. For Island Park, you’re interested in the two red dots in the upper right corner of Southeast Idaho. The lower of the two dots represents the reporting station at the ranger station at Ponds Lodge. The upper dot represents the reporting station at the state sheds on Sawtell peak.
By checking the lower of the two dots for the Ponds site, you get an idea of what’s happening where you’ll be dropping your trucks and trailers. By clicking on the upper dot you can check the Sawtell site, so you’ll know what to expect up high. Since the sites show average snowfall, temperatures, etc. you’ll be able to have some idea of the current avalanche danger as well.
Check the Snotel sites before you come ride. They’re a great resource and should be near the top in your browser favorites.
A lot of people think the best time to visit Island Park is in the summer. While the summer is indeed beautiful (especially in the spring time with all the flowers,) the beauty of the winter is equally stunning. You don’t have to be a snowmobiler or skier to have fun here in the winter. You can bring sleds, or tubes, or garbage bags to fill with snow and slide on. You can build snowmen. You can make snow angels. You can visit Yellowstone in a heated snow coach (not to be missed.) You can just go on a photographic junket. Or you can rent a snowmobile. Or you can . . . well, you get the idea. There is plenty to do here for everyone. Rentals are available at Macks Inn, the pines, Island Park Village, and a host of private cabins. As you can see from this photo, this is a great time to visit Island Park. Dont’ wait for summer.
I got a call the other day from a friend I hadn’t talked to in awhile. He indicated he was coming to Island Park to go snowmobiling with some friends from – well, let’s just say another state (known for producing the world’s best carrot snappers.) There would be four of them on high-powered, back-country sleds. They wanted to know the very best, top-secret spots to go riding.
Now, here’s the dilemma: I like this guy (I don’t know his friends so I can’t vouch for them but I like him) and I’d like to help him out. But what do you really do in a situation like this?  Do you roll over and give them the top-secret, most favored spots (you want them to think — when they’re done — that you know a good spot when you ride on it) or do you give them the good spots, but not the best spots?
This is an age-old question. Fishermen have been dealing with it for years:
“Hey, Bob. That’s a beauty. Where’d you catch him?”
“Oh, on the Henry’s.”
“Really? Where at?”
“Oh, you know. Kind of down there by the big rock.”
Yeah right. Even your best friends will never know where you caught that lunker. And they won’t be bummed you didn’t dish with the info. They know some things are sacred. You might tell them enough to get them within a couple of miles. The rest is up to them.
So there’s my answer. As in fishing, little white lies (or minor mis-directs) are part and parcel of the culture. Were I to give away the location of my favorite spot, I’d be breaching a cultural protocol that has existed for years. Heck, I’d probably have my snowmobile permit revoked — or worse.
So I did it. I got my friends within a few miles. The rest was up to them. Do I feel good about it? Of course. I’m an upholder of the traditions of my fathers and their fathers before them. I can only hope my sons will honor those venerated traditions the same as I have. So when somebody asks you for your favorite riding spots remember, “Shhh! It’s a secret.”
A Minnesota man was killed in a tragic snowmobile vs. van accident earlier this week south of Pond’s lodge. According to witnesses, he failed to stop at the intersection where the trail he was riding crossed highway 20. The collision occurred when the driver of the van was unable to stop and the snowmobile was struck broadside, killing the driver of the snowmobile instantly.
While there are those who criticize the markings on the trails (particularly the placement of stop signs, etc.) the fact is that many people ride those trails like they have completely lost their minds. It’s not uncommon on any of the local trails to have riders on high-powered snowmobiles doing nearly 100 miles per hour blow past you like you are standing still.
Please understand I’m not suggesting that the man from Minnesota was speeding or making any other kind of judgment about him or his riding (only the investigating officer can make those determinations.)Â We feel nothing but a deep sadness over this accident and have no desire to judge the snowmobiler or anyone else.
It is fair to suggest, however, that if you want to remain safe while riding in Island Park (or anywhere for that matter) it might be prudent to slow down and drive defensively. That’s especially true in areas with which you are not familiar.
All of us here at islandpark.com extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the snowmobiler from Minnesota who so tragically lost his life in our back yard. We love it here, as this good man did, and we want everyone who comes here to recreate to be safe and have an enjoyable time. Hopefully this accident will be the impetus to creating a safer environment (through better signage, etc.) and will encourage everyone to recognize the inherent dangers in snowmobiling and take appropriate precautions when riding.
Okay. Airport might be too strong a word. Airstrip is probably more like it. But the fact is the grass strip at Henry’s Lake (on the North end of Island Park) is in good condition and a great starter-strip for those looking to make a foray in back-country flying in Idaho.
The runway runs East and West (note: the North / South runway is closed due to serious deterioration, so use the East / West runway) and has a much easier approach than many back-country strips.  Unlike many back-country strips that are only suitable for supercubs and 180 / 206 type aircraft, the Henry’s Lake strip is regularly used by a wide variety of aircraft, from 172 / 182 styles to warriors and bonanzas.
If you’ve been looking for a great place to launch a sightseeing trip to Yellowstone National Park, Henry’s Lake is the place you’ve been looking for. The airstrip is situated about 10 nautical miles from the boundary to the park and Old Faithful and the rest of the attractions are less than 10 minutes away. If you will need fuel, etc., West Yellowstone is just over the hill and gas is available May to October. Like Henry’s Lake airport, West Yellowstone airport is closed in winter.
If you plan to fly in, come early in the day. Density altitudes on a hot summer afternoon approach 11,000 feet. Even in the morning density altitudes may be 7,500 feet, so if you haven’t flown much in the mountains pack light and don’t try to get out at gross until you see how your airplane functions at this type of altitude.
Flying into Island Park is a great way to enjoy the scenery from a vantage point most people will never know. If you are an experienced pilot, give Henry’s Lake Strip a try. You’ll be glad you did. And I predict you’ll make return trips as often as possible. See you there.
Mack’s Inn located in the heart of Island Park, is a vintage resort on the shores of the North Fork of the Snake River on US 20 mile marker 393. The resort dates back to the early nineteen hundreds. It is a favorite spot for many family outings and family reunions.
Mack’s Unn Resort
Lodging: RV Park/Campground, Hotels & Motels 65 Rooms $10 - $115
73 RV Hookup Sites $10 - $115
Pet Fee for Rooms, $5Phone: (208) 558-7272 Fax: (208) 558-9305
Web Site : http://www.macksinn.com/