The ski season may be over, but there's still plenty of fun to be had on Bald Mountain near Ketchum.
For a starter, you might want to spend the $20 for a trip to the top via the Roundhouse gondola and Christmas quad chairlift. The trip starts near the River Run Plaza and is available daily from 10 a.m. until the last trip down the mountain at 4:30 p.m. Teens can ride for $15 and children for $10.
The Roundhouse restaurant is open at the top of the gondola ride, and especially energetic folks can hike to the restaurant for lunch, served from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Mountain bikers are also welcome to ride the lift to the top. Or, if they prefer, they can bike to the top and enjoy a free ride down. The same applies to hikers.
A note of caution for mountain bikers: Bald Mountain is for intermediate and expert riders.
Elsewhere, bird watching is becoming increasing popular in the Wood River Valley. The best places to see a surprising variety of songbirds and waterfowl are along Silver Creek, south of Bellevue, or the west side of the Big Wood River near Lion's Park west of Hailey.
Fishing may not be optimal yet, but some anglers have been giving it a try anyway. Fishing expert Bill Mason reports that the Big Wood River is "still too high and dangerous to wade and fish," while Warm Springs and Trail creeks are still high and discolored.
According to Mason, the best place to catch a fish in the valley for the holidays might be Silver Creek.
The Sawtooth National Recreation Area reports that most of the campgrounds in the area are now open. To make reservations, call (877) 444-6777.
The SNRA advises caution in using trails, especially above 7,000 feet, because many are still snow- or ice-covered or partially blocked by downed trees.
There are lots of other things to do outdoors for the Fourth. Visit the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau website at www.visitsunvalley.com for information on biking, hiking, horseback riding, river rafting, golf, fishing, camping, rock climbing, mountaineering and much more.
Sun Valley Resort offers tennis packages, hiking and biking trips, swimming in an Olympic pool, horse riding, kids' day camps, shooting at the Gun Club, golf, paddle boats and even summer ice skating.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
Ski season is over but people can still ride to the top of Bald Mountain on the Christmas quad ski lift. Above, Sun Valley Co. Director of Development Wally Huffman, left rides a chairlift with the Holding family, owners of the resort. Photo by Mountain Express
