Here Comes The Sun

Inhale, exhale, and stay sunny this summer. Sun Valley, Idaho, is famous for its epic outdoors, but nature nurtures in so many different ways here: mountain yoga, summit hikes filled with flowing waters, wildflowers and vast alpine views, and car-free bike trails to botanical gardens plus fresh food stops. Oh, and those romantic dark sky starry nights...

Week: 07.13.2022
Regions: Northern & Southern CA

Storied Trail

Hike Proctor Mountain Trail in Sun Valley Idaho

Hiker on Proctor Mountain Loop Trail in Sun Valley Idaho
The Hemingway Memorial in Sun Valley Idaho
Hiker among wildflowers at Proctor Mountain Trail in Sun Valley
Two hikers looking out at mountain scenery on the Proctor Mountain Loop Trail in Sun Valley Idaho
If ever there was a fairy trail, this 6.8-mile lollipop loop on Sun Valley’s Proctor Mountain is it. The Proctor Mountain Trail is a storied route in more ways than one, starting with its tranquil oasis memorial for a famous writer, Ernest Hemingway.
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Two Wheels to Zen

Bike the Wood River Trail to the Sawtooth Botanical Garden in Sun Valley Idaho

Two bikers on the Wood River Trail in Sun Valley Idaho
Two bikers on the Wood River Trail in Sun Valley Idaho
Biker on Wood River Trail in Sun Valley Idaho
Cyclist saying hi to a horse on the Wood River Trail in Sun Valley Idaho
The family-friendly Wood River Trail goes over an historic bridge, past art sculptures and ranch-roaming horses, all amid sprawling green valley and a mountainous backdrop. Roll out from the Farmers Market at River Run Lodge and pedal the 8-mile (round-trip) ride to Sun Valley’s Sawtooth Botanical Garden.
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Sun Valley Salutations

Outdoor Yoga at River Run in Sun Valley Idaho

Yoga at River Run Lodge in Sun Valley Idaho
Yoga at River Run in Sun Valley Idaho
Yoga at River Run in Sun Valley
Yoga class at River Run in Sun Valley Idaho
Sun Valley’s popular Yoga at River Run is located outdoors at the base of beautiful Bald Mountain, amid pine-scented air, the sound of a flowing river, and mountain-to-valley scenery.
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Bald Statement

Hike to the Summit of Bald Mountain in Sun Valley Idaho

Hiker on Bald Mountain Summit Trail in Sun Valley Idaho
Hiker at Bald Mountain Summit in Sun Valley Idaho
Hiker at the Scenic Overlook on Bald Mountain in Sun Valley Idaho
Hiker at summit of Bald Mountain overlooking the ski area in Sun Valley Idaho
If you’re going to have a rite of passage hiking in Sun Valley, the hike to the summit of Bald Mountain is one to check off your list. This 5-mile (one-way) trek requires some stamina, yet richly rewards with a variety of views and vantages, abundant wildflowers, and the chance to combine a free chairlift and gondola ride back down.
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Sunsets and Starry Nights in Sun Valley

Sunsets and Starry Nights at the Dark Sky Reserve in Sun Valley Idaho

Two people on a bench at Knob Hill Natural Area in Ketchum
Entrance to Knob Hill Natural Area in Ketchum Sun Valley Idaho
Two people enjoying beer and food at Warfield Distillery in Ketchum Idaho
River Run Farmers Market in Sun Valley Idaho
Sun Valley has the distinction of being part of Central Idaho’s Dark Sky Reserve—the first of its kind in the country. The sky here has a signature clarity thanks to dedicated efforts at limiting light pollution. Here are some top spots for viewing and photography.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

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  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

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  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

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  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

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  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

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  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

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  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

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