Road Tripping Through The International Selkirk Loop

Road Tripping Through The International Selkirk Loop

The Northwest is famous for its dazzling forests, sky-high mountains, and wet landscapes, but nestled within these natural wonders also sits North America’s only multi-national scenic drive, The International Selkirk Loop.

The scenic byway is a 280-mile drive that connects through the rugged and remote Selkirk Mountains of Idaho, Washington, and Canada. The Idaho portion of the route starts at the border of Washington at the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage Scenic Byway and winds through the Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway, before stopping at the entrance to Canada.

The Selkirk Loop is a boon for nature enthusiasts looking forward to parking their RV or pitching a tent at the many state parks and recreation sites. For the traveler who craves more creature comforts, (which would be us) there are plenty of hotels and restaurants to choose from along the way.

The ISL is a relative newcomer. Formed in 1999, this drive showcases the beauty, businesses, and communities in this mostly rural border region. The ISL is one of 32 All-American Road National Scenic Byways—but the only one that takes you through two countries.

At the heart of the ISL are the tall, broad, forested Selkirk Mountains, along with protected lands such as National Forest, National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife Management Area, or Provincial Parks. The region we are driving through is primarily rural, with excellent roads.

Six optional Super Side Loops add 507 miles. Each mile brings scenery that many people never experience. There are natural attractions, like boat-ready lakes and rivers and vibrant downtowns, communities with dedicated artisans showcasing skilled craftwork.

Today we join the ISL in the town of Sandpoint, but first we must get there from Hayden. We were up early this morning. Connie and I didn’t sleep well. 

This is the view from our window in the apartment above the Diesel Shop. 😁 I must say that’s a first. 

We once again loaded up the car and headed out keeping our eyes open for a breakfast spot.

Connie found this place called Annie’s Country Kitchen so we gave it a try. 

Their eggs are locally produced and everything was fresh and very tasty. Even my gluten free toast was good. We all decided, given the opportunity, we would eat there again. 

Right across the street from the cafe was this incredible house. It was beautiful from every side.

On the way to Sandpoint,

We drove through the town of Priest River which is where the Priest and Pend Oreille (pon-duh-ray) Rivers come together. 

Pend Oreille River. 

The second largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. For decades, the river held the world record for a rainbow trout caught in 1947. 

Sandpoint is the main urban hub for the Lake Pend Oreille area. 

 After a quick stop at the ranger station, we drove to Pine Street Woods for a short hike. 

The outhouse

Bumble bee chart in the outhouse. 

Hiking trails

We started off on the crooked tree trail. 

Can’t decide if she’s walking with him or being chased by him. 

Columbia tiger lily

The back

Love all the birch trees here 

Is it another big foot?

Lovely lupin covered fields 

Marisa lily with a trichodes ornatus victim

More lupin

Sow thistle

Eyeball looking knots in the trees

Wild rose

There were several birdhouses out in the fields of flowers 

This rose was covered with little balls of moss. 

It was a truly amazing stroll through the woods and meadows. The scent of pine trees, blooming flowers, and crisp mountain air provided a soothing escape. 

We’re on the homestead trail now. 

Our path. 

After our hike, we came to northern Idaho’s charming resort town Sandpoint. Located next to Pend Oreille Lake, Sandpoint offers an abundance of excursions that could quickly fill up an entire week of exploring. Our first stop was the Sandpoint Chocolate Factory for a quick bite of chocolate to replenish a little of that energy we expended on the trails (at least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it), then to City beach. 

Rose spirea

In the summer, Sandpoint is all about the lake life, with boaters, tubers, kayakers, paddle boarders, and swimmers enjoying Lake Pend Oreille, the Pack River, and the Pend Oreille River. 

We decided to enjoy the beach a bit ourselves. 

Cathie opted to use my shoe for a drink holder and then when she found a fishing lure in the water and tossed it onshore, it hooked my shoe. Great catch Cathie!

The big blue got us. Blue water. Azure skies. And even a blue tone over the deep green, conifer covered hills surrounding Lake Pend Oreille. 

Maple leaf in the water

The fishing lure. I think it’s coming to you Sarah. 

There’s a dreadful plight on the juniper shrubs. 

Before continuing along the Selkirk Loop, you can opt to take a side trip on the Pend Oreille Scenic Byway. This is the route to take for glorious views of Idaho’s largest body of water, Lake Pend Oreille.

If you are following along on the map above, we are now on the Lake Pend Oreille Super Side Trip. The route starts at US 95 in Sandpoint and continues along Highway 200 to the Montana state line. It is 33 miles one way but you must take several hours to soak it all in. 

Starting in Sandpoint, we continued east on Highway 200, where there are multiple pullouts to read informative plaques and take pictures of the stunning lake views. Just past the Idaho Club, Idaho’s only Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, we passed the Pack River Delta, a phenomenal place to kayak in solitude while looking out for osprey and bald eagles. 

Continuing east, we passed by Trestle Creek Recreation Area, where you can boat, swim, or enjoy a picnic and Hope, a small waterside town with a small handful of restaurants and amenities. We had been told that the market was a unique, old store to explore, but sadly, it was closed. 

Next up, we drove along the Clark Fork River, and passed through Clark Fork, the gateway town for adventurers looking to explore the Cabinet Mountains and the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Area.

Lastly, we made the final stretch before hitting the Montana State Line. 

And oh how beautiful it is 

The cabinet mountains

Cabinet gorge reservoir

Noxon reservoir

Clear clear water

Noxon dam

Colorful boulders

We stopped in Troy, MT for dinner. I had chicken teriyaki with rice and the twins had Reuben’s. 

We finished the super side trip and superb it was, and returned to Sandpoint and the Best Western Ponderay Plus lodge for the evening. 

For some reason today I was remembering what my mom said about “guarding the tongue”. Maybe I was not guarding mine very well?

She prayed the Lord would guard her tongue from speaking anything that might dishonor Him and told me to be aware of everything I say. So, here’s the scripture verse for today. 

"If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless" (James 1:26).

Hmmm, does our speech reveal the condition of our heart? How easy it is to get caught up with the deception of external religious activity without internal purity of heart.

We may confuse love of religious activity with love for God. We may go through the mechanics of reading the Bible, attending church, praying, giving money, or singing songs, but in reality our hearts are far from God. That kind of deception can be very subtle. James disregards mere claims to Christianity and confronts our motives and obedience to the Word. Those are the acid tests!

He focuses on the tongue as a test of true religion because the tongue is a window to the heart. As Jesus said, "The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart" (Matt. 12:34). Corrupt speech betrays an unregenerate heart; righteous speech demonstrates a transformed heart. It doesn't matter how evangelical or biblical your theology is, if you can't control your tongue, your religion is useless!

Others learn much about you as they listen to what you say. Do your words reveal a pure heart? Remember Paul's admonition to "let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear" (Eph. 4: 29). 

I’m making that my goal today so I can know the blessing and grace of disciplined speech!