The Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage begins at the Washington state line and follows the northern shore of the Pend Oreille River through Oldtown, Priest River and ends in Sandpoint. This byway is also the southern leg of the International Selkirk Loop and we drove the Priest River to Sandpoint section on day one.
Yesterday we enjoyed driving along miles of soothing river scenery that reflects the pastoral beauty of surrounding forests and farms of Washington. Today we will explore the Priest River and Lake area.
Priest Lake is in the northernmost portion of the Idaho Panhandle, 80 miles northeast of Spokane, Washington. The northern end of the lake extends to within 15 miles of the Canada–United States border. The primary lake, lower Priest, is 19 miles long and over 300 feet deep. Upper Priest is connected by a 2.5 miles thoroughfare to lower Priest.
Trump and his YES fist. Notice the phone
Our first views of Priest Lake
Priest Lake State Park sits along the eastern shores of Priest Lake. We noticed when going for a short hike that many of the trees had been cut down and cleared and others were marked for removal.
Experts from the Idaho Department of Lands recently determined that many trees in and around the campground present an immediate danger and must be removed.
Numerous hemlock, grand fir, western white pine and cedar trees show rot, decay and insect intrusion. The weakened trees could easily fall in windy or wet conditions.
Bark from all the different trees in the park
The water here was very pleasant although the rocks were kind of hard on the feet.
The water in this little cove where the Indian Creek runs into the lake was frigid. I lasted about 30 seconds standing in it. The difference in the temperature between the two was remarkable when they were only a few yards apart.
A Creek Runs Through the Heart of the Selkirks.
Indian Creek begins its journey high in the Selkirk Mountains near Chimney Rock as a small trickle, fed by mountain snows. The creek is about 10.5 miles long and drains an area of 15,267 acres before it empties into Priest Lake.
Loggers constructed a dam on Indian Creek in the 1940s to make a large pool to provide water for the three-mile Indian Creek Flume. Logs came rushing down the wooden flume near this site and splashed into Priest Lake. The dam was removed and today Indian Creek flows freely into the lake.
Along with its crystal clear water and natural beauty, the creek provides sweet refreshment for the many plants, birds and animals living around its edge. It provides food such as insects, fish and aquatic plants for many species of wildlife and its shrubby banks provide cover for many birds.
The waterway played an important role in developing the region. This history extends back to the ice age and the Great Missoula Floods. The Kalispell tribe followed this waterway to important hunting and fishing grounds in Montana. David Thompson was the first white explorer in the region, developing fur trading and searching for a watercourse to the Pacific Ocean. Early loggers used the river to transport millions of board feet of timber to waiting sawmills. Logging is still an integral part of the community of Priest River where you can see a working sawmill.
The roots of the trees are rising out of the ground to meet you.
This very large leafed plant is called devils club or devils walking stick. The woody stems are covered with noxious and irritating spines. You don’t want to touch it but Connie wanted to show how big the leaves are so came close.
Some of the older trees are more than 300 years old and reach heights of over 100 feet or about the size of three school buses stacked bumper to bumper. Anyone want to count the rings and venture a guess as to how old this tree was?
There are twisted odd shaped trees, exposed roots and small trees growing from the stumps and logs. Although there are many dead trees along the trail, death nourishes new life in the forest.
The trees vary in size and shape.
Our last view of Priest Lake
The historic downtown area of Priest River.
We had dinner at The Settlement, a restaurant next door to our motel. Connie had chicken Caesar salad.
Cathie had pulled pork tacos
I had grilled salmon, cauliflower rice and asparagus
After dinner we decided to take another hike. We drove over to Newport about 5 miles away to the Lower Wolf trail.
The trail is about 3/4 of a mile through mixed conifer forest. It was a very nice little hike except for the bugs, especially the mosquitos.
Bellflowers
A view of Ashenfelter Bay on the Pend Oreille River.
Cathie found a hoodie and decided to keep it. I felt like it was discarded for a reason. 😬
Another view of the bay
Red clover
Whorled tickseed
Rhododendron
Kody, I’ve noticed many of the same flowers we saw in Scotland last month.
On the way back from the hike we stopped at Albeni Falls Dam.
Had to cross the railroad tracks walking down to the dam.
Look right…
Look left
The dam was authorized for construction under the Flood Control Act of 1950. This Act was signed by the U. S. Congress in response to a great flood that swept over the river valleys of the Columbia Basin in 1948. Albeni Falls Dam was built from January 1951 to December of 1955 at a total cost of $34 million US.
The dam is made up of two different parts: the powerhouse and the spillway. The powerhouse contains powerful turbines and generators that convert gravity-driven river water into hydroelectricity. The spillway can either store water for downstream power production and irrigation at other dams along the Pend Oreille and Columbia Rivers, or release water for upstream flood control. There is 136,000 cubic yards (61 million pounds) of concrete in the structure.
Today, it produces over 200 million kilowatt hours of electrical energy each year. When running at top capacity, the three Kaplan generators can generate 42.6 megawatts. That's enough power to supply about 15,000 homes. Bonneville Power Administration markets this electricity to customers primarily in the Pacific Northwest. This power production saves the United States from buying about 4.9 million barrels of imported oil each year.
A robin perched in the top of the tree
Lake Pend Oreille is one of the largest and deepest natural lakes in North America. Spanning nearly 150 square miles, it extends through a glacially carved, U-shaped valley that separates three lofty mountain ranges-the Cabinets, Selkirks and Coeur d’ Alenes. Rimmed by these mountains that rise over 6,500 feet, the lake’s average depth is 545 feet, but in some areas plunges to a depth of 1,237 feet.
The shoreline of the combined Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River is 226 miles. It’s length 68 miles, with a maximum width of 6 ½ miles.
The name “Pend Oreille” derives from the French name for a local tribe of Indians that wore pendant ornaments in their earlobes.
Barberry
Ironwood
We sat down by the water watching the Canada geese
With souls nourished by tranquility and hearts at ease, tomorrow we retreat to the car, steering toward Marysville—the dawn of our journey now a cherished sunset. We bid adieu to the International Selkirk Loop.
The Loop is more than a mere stretch of road; it is a pathway woven with connection and shared moments.
We could pen countless tales, craft a film that sweeps across the screen, or ascend a mountaintop to serenade the exquisite allure of the International Selkirk Loop. Our conversations overflow with memories of the enchanting embrace of the lakes, falls and rivers.
But the essence of this journey transcends geography; it resides within the heart. Our week upon the ISL was not just a gentle meander through serene landscapes but a precious opportunity to gather family. In the midst of life’s frenzied rhythm, we paused, embraced the moment, and forged bonds anew. It was a voyage through a breathtaking canvas God painted across the skies of the USA and Canada, yet even as we depart, the spirit of the ISL lingers in our memories and stories we now carry with us.
Stories shape family identity, weaving together memories and values just as testimony plays a crucial role in worship. It recounts stories of God’s grace, provision, and faithfulness. In testimony, the church bears witness to God’s ongoing work in our lives. Testimonies are powerful because they highlight personal transformation and remind the community that God is always faithful.
In the Old Testament, storytelling was central for nurturing the faith of God’s people. God often described himself in terms of liberating actions: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (Exodus 2:2). And the people retold this story while celebrating Passover each year to remember God’s deliverance. The regular retelling shaped them as a people.
When I recall the stories in my family or community they remind me of who I am? When I recall the stories of God’s faithfulness they reinforce my identity as a person of faith in Christ?
Lord, help us in retelling the stories of your faithfulness. May our shared memories of your grace and love inspire and strengthen us and others, deepening our trust in you. Amen
