Elk Lake Makes the 'News' in SnoWest Magazine

Even the backside of nowhere still gets found, at least by a few. Elk Lake Resort has again gained the attention of the 'outside' world.

In the second installment of a three part article, the October 2006 issue of SnoWest Magazine (Volume 33, Number 5) continues a three part article on Island Park, Idaho. The first part of SnoWest's article had focused on the most popular groomed trails. In this the second part, they begin to look at what they call, "The Fringe Benefits - Looking for Hidden Treasures". They begin the article, most aptly with the closing of one of Robert Frost's most famous poems.

The following is part of the article. A link at the bottom will take you to SnoWest's website where you can order the magazine to read the rest of this story - or better yet - subscribe and get the 'whole story' and more!

"It's the same story. 'We went to Island Park. We went to Two Top. We went to Lionhead. We fed the fish at Big Springs. We've seen it all. There's nothing left to do.'. . .But what they don't realize, as so aptly described by Robert Frost, is that it's the trail less traveled that makes all the difference. If you can broaden your poetic sophistication, you can certainly broaden your snowmobiling experience and venture off the 'main drag'. . .

"Can you tell your friends about. . .finding the remains of Osama Bin Laden draped in an American flag leaning against a tree along the trail in a neat little canyon that leads into Elk Lake?. . .Some of us have ridden Island Park for nearly 40 years and didn't see some of these attractions until this past winter. . .

"On the other side of the Centennial Range, another popular trail heading west leads to Elk Lake Resort. When you take the Red Rock Trail to Red Rock Pass, you find that the Island Park map becomes vague as to where the trail leads. Basically, the groomer stops at the pass. But there's a marked loop trail that we discovered that leads to some fantastic riding in the Centennial Valley.

"If you continue west on the Red Rock Road about eight miles, you will come to the road leading to Elk Lake Resort near the Upper Red Rock Lake. The road heads north through the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and winds its way five miles back up a canyon to Elk Lake. . .

"The resort is owned by Craig and Lerrina Collins. They keep the resort open during the winter as a bed and breakfast. But, they do serve lunch through the day and dinner upon reservations. (If you're going in with a big group, let them know so they can be prepared for you.)

"To complete the loop around Elk Lake, continue north across the lake to about the last canyon on the east side. The trail works its way to the southeast through Deer Mountains and back to Red Rock Pass. The terrain is mild rolling hills with trees on north-facing slopes and bare ridges on the south-facing slopes."

Want to know more? Subscribe to SnoWest Magazine and stay 'up-to-date' on the happenings in the snowmobile world.

The third installment of this article talks more about the country around Elk Lake Resort. Check out SnoWest for more quality articles for snowmobilers about snowmobiling - and everything thus related.