Adventures
Custer City Ghost Town, Custer, Idaho
Custer City is a ghost town in Custer County, Idaho, founded in 1879 as a mining town. It was named after General George Armstrong Custer. The town experienced a boom in the early 1880s when gold and silver were discovered, and its population grew to nearly 1,000. However, the mines eventually played out, and by the early 1900s, the town was mostly abandoned. Custer was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. Today, it is a popular tourist destination with well-preserved buildings such as an old saloon, a jail, and several residences. Visitors can explore the old mines, the cemetery, the surrounding mountains, and the nearby Yankee Fork Gold Dredge. Custer serves as a reminder of Idaho's mining past and how quickly fortunes can change. It is part of the Land of the Yankee Fork Historic Area.
Baby Bear, Sleepy Hollow, Blue Ridge, and Grand Traverse Trail
It's a repeat trail for us, but it is a favorite. It has decent views, magnificent wildflowers, interesting trees in some places, and a fun switchback area built for bikes that is also enjoyable to run down. The trail is primarily flat or downhill, with a gradual incline where one exists. It is also well-managed and nearly free of tripping hazards. You may have to share the trail with bikes and other hikers, especially on the section designed for bikes. Enjoy the hike, but pay attention to your surroundings.
Goose Creek Falls (2023)
We return to one of our favorite hikes in McCall, Idaho. It is a mostly shaded, easily graded, beautiful hike near Brundage Ski Resort. There is a challenging scramble down to the base of the waterfall, but this can be skipped, especially when the water is really flowing. I highly recommend this hike, especially in the morning when the air is cool and the sun is low.
