Snowmobiling Idaho (Idaho Falls: buy, camping, legal)

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

What an outstanding set of pictures! Must have been kind of a magical day in the woods. The weather was just spectacular yesterday...I REALLY wish I still had a sled! Talk about a great photographic demonstration of why to ride!

[elousv]

Those are just the best ones. Also saw moose in two places, more elk, bald eagles, I think a red-tailed hawk, that wolf. I need to get one of those helmets cams to capture it all. Getting towards the end of snowmobiling time, this week may be it.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Elousv, it was great to meet you yesterday! You have a great looking machine. Hopefully our next ride will be a little longer and not shortened by deep snow.

[elousv]

And you as well Toyman!.

Well the snowmobiling last Friday was again spectacular, total of 112 miles traveled.

[Stepney]

I love seeing your pictures.....really beautiful!

[packalphadog]

Are snowmobiles a common mode of transportation in NID? Or just recreational use? It looks like a blast.....drive around in the open air, checking out all the beautiful scenery. Doesn't get much better than that. Are there groups or clubs that guys can get together and show each other the ropes? Also, are they super-expensive to buy and maintain? I've never ridden a snowmobile, but everytime I read your posts about it, I find myself wanting to do it more and more. Still several years before I make the move up there, but there's nothing wrong with daydreaming until then.....

[elousv]

Transportation no, we are not snowbound where you need a tracked vehicle to get around. Most of the time the streets are totally clear. The last 1000' of my drive is another story and 4WD definitely comes in handy. There are snowmobile clubs in the area. It is not a cheap sport. You can certainly get something for a couple grand used to get around but a new fuel injected performance model can be $13K. I bought mine a few years old for around $6K and probably have $400 in repairs. A typical outing for a day will probably run $50 for gas and stuff. I have ridden most everything that has an engine in it and for me, snowmobiling is right at the top.

[elousv]

Boy it is really light this year, but we manage to have fun anyhow. The road up Fernan was a bit treacherous so we went to 4th of July parking area as it was easy to get to with a clear road (90). Sometimes the valleys are socked in with fog but once you get up there it is clear as can be. Made it up to the top of Monument Mountain and you could see Mount Spokane, Schweitzer and Silver all from this spot.

[pimit2]

I can't take it, elousv....we live and play in really ugly country.

NOT!

Thanks for the great images


pimit2 (Bob)

[memomfive]

Thank you soooo much elousv for sharing all this!!! I love the pictures and can't wait to get my family there (End of May)! There is hardly anything to do where we live now. Doesn't matter the season . There's only a couple nearby trails for walking and once you've walked them a dozen times it becomes boring. We are already making plans for everything we plan to do once we move. A few snowmobiles will have to eventually be purchased I absolutely LOVE the life in Northern Idaho!!!