Road Trips

The Selkirk Loop

One problem with this area is that there's just so darned much of it! (That's its advantage, as well.) If you want to get out and explore a little, where do you start? There are huge river systems. Hundreds of lakes. Miles and miles of trails to explore. Mountain ranges piled on mountain ranges. The region is so luscious and huge, you may not know where to dig in.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a guide?

Which is where the International Selkirk Loop comes in. Organizers of this self-guided road trip have laid it all out in an easy-to-follow plan through some of the most gorgeous country the region has to offer. The basic trip is a 280-mile (450 km) loop drive through northern Idaho, the West Kootenays of British Columbia, and northeastern Washington. In addition, there are five side trips offering delights of their own.

Within the confines of the Loop and its side trips, you'll find scenery, remote backcountry, and superb golfing, fishing, boating, hiking, and skiing -- plus all manner of services to help you take full advantage of it all.

Along the way you'll discover communities that provide great restaurants, a variety of accommodations, plenty of history recorded in the local museums and historical sites, a vigorous arts scene, and lots of community events. This combination of outdoor wonderland and arts and culture would be hard to beat anywhere.

And all without the crowds. Remarkable.

The best way to get started is to pick up the free guide at any Chamber of Commerce office or request a copy from The International Selkirk Loop office (1-888-823-2626). Their website is www.selkirkloop.org.

Scenic Highway 20

Also, don't forget Scenic Highway 20, which runs east to west right through the middle of the region. Jump on at any point and pick a direction. This mountain highway takes you from Republic east over Sherman Pass to Kettle Falls and Colville, then on through the mountains to the Pend Oreille River valley and south to Newport. Along the way, you'll encounter some of the best features the area has to offer for those looking for outdoor adventure to those who enjoy the advantages of America's rural small towns.

Highway 20 actually runs coast to coast. The route traveling west from Northeastern Washington takes you through the North Cascades and on to the Puget Sound. Travelers going east can take Highway 20 clear on to Maine.

So load up Granny and the kids and head out for a little exploring. You'll find something new around every corner.

Tours by Map Metrics

No one maps the region better than Map Metrics, which provides a wide variety of mapping services, both online and in print.

Online tours are available at mapmet.com. Click Tours.

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