Mountain Biking Around Sandpoint

Mountain Biking in and around Sandpoint, Idaho, as described by Tom Russell, project architect at Hendricks Architecture.

I love summers in Sandpoint. The weather is great, the lakes are warm, and the local events calendar is jam packed with enough festivities to keep everybody busy and active. One of my favorite activities in the summer is mountain biking, and I feel lucky to live in a place that has so much great riding. There is a great variety of mountain bike trails here, and a healthy population of mountain bike enthusiasts to enjoy them. A local cycling club/ advocacy group called the Pend Oreille Pedalers is actively building new trails, so the opportunities for great riding keep expanding.  There are lots of trail guides and they are always looking for new members or people to help with trail building.

Lake Pend Oreille from the Monarchs, with Mineral Point in center background

When I go out riding I am always surprised at how uncrowded and well maintained the trails are. If you have ever ridden in places like Moab or Colorado’s front range, you’ll appreciate the quality conditions and solitude that can be found here, even on the most popular rides. I was in Bend , Oregon a few weeks ago and did a ride that was loose, dusty and rutted from overuse. It was a great trail, but I kept thinking how much more enjoyable it would have been if it was in North Idaho.

From the town of Sandpoint, there are several great rides you can do without ever getting in your car. There is a network of high quality single track trails just west of town in the hills between Pine Street and the town of Dover. Known as Syringa Ridge or Sherwood Forest, the trails there are not well documented, and it is a bit of a local’s secret. Efforts are being made to map it, but I haven’t seen anything public yet. When I first moved here , I enjoyed the adventure of finding my way around there without a map and checking out trails I had never been on. I won’t deprive anyone of the same opportunity by giving away too much about it. If you do go exploring in that area, be aware that there is a lot of private land and access is an issue, so please read the signs and obey parking restrictions.

Gold Hill Trail #3

Gold Hill trail #3 is my favorite. It is a thrilling ride with a sustained 3 mile climb, spectacular views, and a smooth, fast descent on the return trip. There is an expanding complex of trails above the gravel quarry on Bottle Bay Road (another local’s secret area) that connects to the Gold Hill trail #3 and offers a variety of alternatives to explore.

Mineral point has some great trails not unlike Gold Hill in quality and scenery, but noticeably easier on the legs and lungs. My favorite ride there is a 10 mile loop that starts and ends at the fabulous Green Bay beach.

One of the views from Mineral Point

Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort also has some great biking, both lift served and self-serve. Ambitious pedalers can get to the resort trails by climbing the 9 +/- miles to the ski area on a fun single track trail that is accessed from several of the even numbered switchbacks on the Schweitzer road. My favorite rides at Schweitzer  are cross country ski trails in the winter. For those who like to compete, Schweitzer has a mountain bike race series every Wednesday evening in August.

New Schweitzer Mountain Resort Trail

Priest Lake is about an hour from Sandpoint, and has some great trials on both the upper and lower lake. Spectacular views, lots of berries, and nice beaches with crystal clear water are all highlights of mountain biking around Priest Lake and Upper Priest Lake.

Upper Priest Lake

Faragut State Park between Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene has a lot of mostly moderate mountain bike trails, and it is also a nice place to camp on the lake. It is a good spot for a family outing, especially if cycling is not the only activity you have in mind. One ambitious ride here worth checking out is Bernard Peak.  I think you will agree – the views are well worth the effort.  All About Adventures hosts a mountain bike race series at Faragut every Wednesday in July.

Partial View of the Southern End of Lake Pend Oreille

There a many more great rides in the Sandpoint area, including some big, epic rides in the Cabinet and Selkirk Mountain Ranges. Information on many of these can be found with a quick internet search. There is currently a Falcon guide to mountain biking in the Spokane Coeur d’Alene area that covers some of the Sandpoint area rides. While there is no formal guide to Sandpoint yet, rumor has it a comprehensive guide is in the works.

Tom Russell, LEED AP, Project Architect

Hendricks Architecture, mountain architects located in Sandpoint, Idaho.

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Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort

Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort in Sandpoint, Idaho, as described by Tom Russell, an architect at Hendricks Architecture.

The first weekend in April this year was a real treat for Schweitzer Mountain skiers.  It was the last weekend of the season, the sky was a cloudless deep blue, and there was new snow on the ground.  By the end of the day Sunday, it was 50+ degrees.  I stood on top of the Mountain on Sunday afternoon taking in the views of Lake Pend Oreille and Montana to the east .  “This is why I live here” I thought.  I find myself thinking or saying this an awful lot, and I probably wasn’t the only one at Schweitzer that day who felt lucky to have chosen Sandpoint, Idaho as my home.

The Great Escape Quad at Schweitzer Mountain

It was a busy day at Schweitzer, maybe the busiest of the season, and there were people everywhere enjoying lunch, drinks , live music, the goofy games of “Spring Daze”  or the great skiing .  Despite the record crowds, I hadn’t stood in a lift line all day, and the slopes never seemed crowded.  Schweitzer boasts 2900 acres of terrain, and it takes an awful lot of people to make that feel crowded.  The only thing I would have changed that day was to have my family there to enjoy it with me – they were out of town for spring break.  Schweitzer is a great family mountain, and we see most of our friends there every weekend.

Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho

Prior to living in Sandpoint, I lived in Colorado and Utah for 20 years.  I tolerated big crowds, gridlock traffic, and expensive lift tickets to indulge my skiing habit.  I knew Sandpoint had Schweitzer Mountain, and we had been there several times in the summer, but I had no idea how great it was until I skied there.  I have been skiing for as long as I can remember, and I have been almost everywhere in the US and Canada.  In all honesty, Schweitzer is near the top of my favorites list.  I continue to be amazed at how un-crowded, affordable, and accessible it is. For quality of ski terrain, I would compare it to Crested Butte in Colorado, Snow Basin in Utah, and Bridger Bowl in Montana.

Schweitzer Village is only about 10 miles from Sandpoint, Idaho, up a steep mountain road. Its relationship to Sandpoint reminds me of Teton Village near Jackson and the Mountain Village at Telluride.  Schweitzer has its own village center, with shops, restaurants, realtor offices, and lodging.  It has everything you need, and there is still plenty of growing room for more businesses and accommodations.  In the summer they have music festivals, mountain biking,  mountain biking  races, Frisbee golf, hiking, and lift service to the top of the mountain.  Many people live there year round, though most residents are part time and seasonal.

Mountain biking is a popular summer activity at Schweitzer.

One of my favorite aspects of the village is there is still room to move – it isn’t densely developed with homes and condos on every postage stamp sized lot.  Schweitzer Land and Timber is planning to build new LEED certified ski in/out timeshare condos in a new open neighborhood right near the base of the new Basin Express Quad.  A few new quality developments with sizable lots, ski in access, and incredible views have been created in the last few years.  If you are interested in ski area property, check out The Spires & The Ridge at Schweitzer.

When I was a youngster learning to ski on the icy little hills of the Northeast (my Vermont friends might take issue with the little part), I dreamed of heading west to the “real mountains”.  I seem to have ended up just where I hoped I would – a place a lot like the little Adirondack town where I came from but on a larger scale.  I love Sandpoint, and Schweitzer is one of the biggest reasons why.  If you are looking for a place to hang your boards and call home, give Schweitzer a try.

Schweitzer Bluegrass Festival

We design mountain homes of all sizes.  If you find yourself falling victim to the charm of Sandpoint and Schweitzer, give us a call.  We would love to help you create your mountain home.

Tom Russell, LEED AP

Hendricks Architecture, Mountain Architects in Sandpoint, Idaho

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Mountain Home Taking Shape On Lake Pend Oreille

A new Hendricks Architecture designed waterfront home on Lake Pend Oreille near Sandpoint, Idaho is taking shape.  This steep site originally consisted of a tear down home with three separate garage structures.  The new rocky mountain style home will have roughly 3,000 square feet over two levels.  It will tie into one of the existing garages, which will all have new stained cedar siding and cedar carriage house doors.  The Contractors are a collaboration of Dan Fogarty of Sandpoint and Denman Construction of Whitefish, Montana.

The home has a cupola over the Great Room which will bring in additional light.  Large cedar decks will have great views of  the lake, as well as the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains, and a private beach below.  Natural stone will cover the concrete piers which buttress the decks.

Water View of Lakefront Home under Construction

John Hendricks, AIA Architect

Hendricks Architecture, Mountain Architects in Sandpoint, Idaho

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Is This A Good Time To Build?

It seems that all you hear these days is bad news about the economy. While it is definitely a tough business climate right now, there are also opportunities to take advantage of bargains, especially in the housing sector. If you have been considering building, this is an excellent time to get the most for your money by seizing opportunities that present themselves in a down economy.

Real Estate Prices Are Low:

There are plenty of great mountain and lakefront properties available now, and prices are more reasonable then they have been in the recent past. Existing home prices are also down, so it may make sense to buy an undervalued home in a great location and have us help you transform it into your dream home.

Contractors Are Competing For Projects:

Because of the slowdown in building, contractors are forced to be more competitive to win projects. This means you are likely to get the best value for your construction dollar, and you may be able to get that contractor who is normally booked for years in advance.

Building Costs Are Low:

Because of increased competition between material suppliers and a surplus in materials, now is a good time to get building supplies at good prices. Gas prices are currently as low as they have been in years, so delivery and excavation costs are a bargain compared to a year ago.

Now Is A Good Time To Start Design:

If you are considering doing a remodel or building a new home next spring or summer, now is the time to get the design process started. It is a good time to build, and we would love to talk to you about the great opportunities available today.

Consider Remodeling:

If current economic conditions are preventing you from building now, it might make sense to improve your current home to increase its resale value or help it sell quicker. We can help you make your home stand out from the rest.

John Hendricks, AIA Architect, NCARB

Tom Russell, Project Manager, LEED AP

Hendricks Architecture, Mountain Architects in Sandpoint, Idaho

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Coeur d’Alene Contractors

As an architect, one of the most important aspects of my job is lining up homeowners with the right general contractor.  Each project is different, so finding the right fit will vary.  There are roughly 200 builders listed in the Coeur d’Alene area, but only a certain number that I would feel comfortable recommending at such high end neighborhoods as Black Rock and Gozzer Ranch.  Following are builders in Coeur d’Alene who I believe have the capability to do a good job on a mountain home with the right plans.  Some are better quality than others, and there are some I would only recommend on certain projects, depending on an owner’s desired quality, style, type of construction, scope and budget.

If you want more information on these contractors, or want to know who might be a good fit for your project, please feel free to contact me.  I am including their contact information and any websites if you would rather contact them directly.

Campbell & Campbell (208) 660-5416

Edwards Smith Construction (formerly Edwards Construction) (208) 765-8602

Gunder Homes (208) 667-7398

Idaho Builders (208) 691-7500

M.B. Builders (208) 772-2799

Sierra Builders (208) 667-0584

Stewart Construction (208) 772-8366

There may still be some diamonds in the rough that I’m not familiar with.  If there is a contractor out there who feels you should be included on this list, please contact me and show me projects you’ve completed and are currently working on, along with references.

John Hendricks, AIA, NCARB

Hendricks Architecture

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Sandpoint Contractors

As an architect, one of the most important aspects of my job is lining up homeowners with the right general contractor.  Each project is different, so finding the right fit will vary.  There are currently 65+ builders listed in the Sandpoint area, a hot bed for mountain home construction.  Following are builders in Sandpoint who I believe have the minimum standards to do a decent job on a mountain home with the right plans.  Some are better quality than others, and there are some I would only recommend on certain projects, depending on an owner’s desired quality, style, type of construction, scope and budget.  I would also only recommend certain ones for building at Schweitzer Ski Resort, with it’s more rugged climate.

If you want more information on these contractors, or want to know who might be a good fit for your project, please feel free to contact me.  I am including their contact information and any websites if you would rather contact them directly.

Baker Construction (208) 263-9550

R.W. Bianco Construction (208) 263-5794

Dan Fogerty Custom Builder (208) 263-5546

Henry & Sons (208) 263-5778

Hope Builders (208) 264-5125

Legacy Construction (208) 266-1622

McMahon & Easterbrook (208) 264-6700

Mountain View Construction (208)263-1058

Pacific Construction Company (208) 264-5564

Pucci Construction (208) 263-7424

Sandpoint Builders (208) 263-7315

Frank Wakeley Construction (208) 263-0952

Western Luxury Homes (208) 290-3490

Brian Wood (208) 755-9677

Dvonne Yoder (208) 255-6696

There may be some diamonds in the rough who I’m not familiar with.  If there is a contractor out there who feels you should be included on this list, please let me know.  I would love to see projects you’ve completed and are currently working on.

John Hendricks, AIA, NCARB

Hendricks Architecture, Mountain Architects in Sandpoint, Idaho

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Priest Lake

Being an architect in Sandpoint, one of my local favorite places to visit is Priest Lake, a large alpine lake in the northern panhandle of Idaho.  Known as the “crown jewel” of Idaho, Priest Lake is located roughly 75 minutes northwest of Sandpoint, and about 90 minutes northeast of Spokane, Washington.  It is 19 miles long and 4.4 miles wide at its largest points, with a maximum depth of 369 feet, and a surface elevation of 2,439 feet.

There is an abundance of wildlife at Priest Lake, including deer, black bear and moose.  The lake also has the distinction of having the United States’ largest lake trout caught on record, at 57 pounds 8 ounces.

Priest Lake

Priest Lake is as a summer recreation hot spot for various water sports, including canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, and sailing.  There are numerous hiking, cycling and backpacking trails located around the lake.  Rock climbing, river running and golf are also popular.  There are several camp grounds located around the lake, including some designated boat-in camp sites on various islands.

For those not caring to rough it, there are several resorts located around the lake including Hill’s Resort and Elkins Resort.  One of my favorite places to eat dinner is Cavanaugh Bay Resort.   It’s fun and casual, and the deck overlooking the bay has beautiful views up towards the north end of the lake.

Sunset from Cavanaugh Bay Resort at Priest Lake

There are roughly 600 cabins located on the shores of Priest Lake.  Many have been in families for generations.  While approximately 100 of these have been rebuilt, there are still approximately 300 more that are in need of being rebuilt.   In the Priest Lake basin, between Priest River to the south, Canada to the north, Washington to the West, and the Selkirk crest to the east, there are approximately 7,500 cabins.

What little real estate there is left on the water is usually gobbled up quickly.  Dick Bockemuehl is a Realtor who specializes in these waterfront properties.  Timothy Ventress is another Realtor (and fire chief) who also is a great source of information on finding these lakefront lots.  Besides the single lots that open up, some of the higher end developments in the area include Huckleberry,  Steamboat Bay, and Kaniksu Sands.  Canoe Point, an exclusive development north of Huckleberry on the upper east side of the lake, has five acre waterfront lots.

The architecture at Priest Lake is generally the rustic rocky mountain style, though it ranges from log cabins to modern mountain contemporary.  Mike Sandau of Sandau Builders is one of the top builders at Priest Lake, if not the best, and understands the rugged terrain better than anybody.  He’s been building quality custom homes and cabins at Priest Lake since 1978.

For more information on Priest Lake,  see the Priest Lake Chamber of Commerce website. For more mountain biking information see our post on Mountain Biking around Sandpoint.

Hendricks Architecture in Sandpoint specializes in the design of luxury mountain style homes and cabins.  While it is not the only type of work we design, most of the homes we’ve completed are in mountain resort areas similar to Priest Lake.  Most of our clients are looking for mountain style homes, often fairly rustic, and other times more contemporary. If you are interested in having us design you a mountain home, or if you have any other inquiries, please contact us.

John Hendricks, AIA Architect, NCARB

Hendricks Architecture, Sandpoint, Idaho mountain architects

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Sandpoint

n 2004, while living in Seattle, I saw an article describing Sandpoint, Idaho; a beautiful lower elevation resort community surrounded by mountains and a huge lake. I became intrigued, as my wife Annie and I had wanted to get away from the big city.  We both grew up in rural areas and wanted to have that for our three children as well. I also wanted to be more centrally located in a mountain community as I specialize in more rugged mountain style architecture than most Seattleites care for.

I searched for Sandpoint on the internet and found Schweitzer Ski Resort.  I had heard of Schweitzer, but never realized it was in Sandpoint.  I requested some information, and Jennifer Fortune, a realtor at Evergreen Realty at the time, sent me several brochures.

Lake Pend Oreille from Schweitzer Mountain Resort

I was busy with several projects, and it went to the back of my mind. A year later, I noticed an advertisement for Dover Bay, a new community just west of Sandpoint. I called up the Owner, Ralph Sletager, who invited me to come out. I made the six hour drive from Seattle. My first impression of Sandpoint was the Long Bridge, a two mile bridge dividing Lake Pend Oreille from the Pend Oreille River, leading you into Sandpoint. It was late afternoon on a cold December day, and I must say I was quite impressed. Mountains stretched everywhere over huge expanses of water.

The next morning, I met with Ralph, and then Tom Mehler, a realtor at the time at Dover Bay Real Estate. Tom showed me around Dover Bay and gave me the whole run down on Sandpoint. That afternoon I met Jennifer at Schweitzer and had lunch at the Chimney Rock Grill. She then drove me all around the Schweitzer neighborhoods. It really is beautiful up there, especially the lots with views of the lake.

I was able to get a small project in the area, and came to Sandpoint a couple more times, the second time bringing the family. One morning on that trip I met with Dick Villelli, the owner of Hidden Lakes Golf Resort. He told me he was selling the property, and invited me and the family to meet the new owner that evening. We showed up and Dick was serving some great margaritas. He introduced me to Chuck Reeves and his family. Chuck was to be the new owner of what would soon be called The Idaho Club. Chuck was very excited about the new development and Dwight DeMay, the planner from Hart Howerton was there briefing me as well on the Jack Nicholas designed course and Hart Howerton designed community. Unfortunately, our youngest child was not a happy camper so we had to leave early.

Nevertheless, Annie was impressed with Sandpoint, so the next visit Luke Webster from Evergreen Realty showed us some properties (Jennifer was on vacation in Spain), and we moved out a few months later.

So far we’ve really enjoyed Sandpoint. Our two older children are enrolled in Sagle Elementary and are very happy there. They are also involved in soccer in a town that surprisingly is one of the most active soccer communities in the country. Annie is active as a PTA co-president, while I have been busy with work and various organizations. I’ve been asked to participate in various career fairs for students which is always fun (though nothing beats the time I was asked to show second graders how to draw Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles).

Sandpoint has just about every restaurant imaginable. The best meal I’ve ever had was the seasonal elk tenderloin, cooked rare/medium rare at The Sand Creek Grill. MickDuff’s is my favorite spot for lunch during March Madness.

There is one movie theater at the Bonner Mall, and there is also the beautiful Panida Theater. The Panida offers theater productions, movies, and music, along with various other events. The Panida has been around since 1927 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

My favorite event in the summer is The Festival at Sandpoint. This is a fun, casual two week event that holds evening outdoor concerts. You can bring in your own coolers and sit on the grass or on the stands.There is also plenty inside to eat and drink from various local establishments. The last two nights I was there I saw The Los Lonely Boys, along with 70′s night with The Marshall Tucker Band, Pure Prairie League, and The Richie Furay Band (formerly of Poco and Buffalo Springfield). Other recent artists have been Wynonna, The Bodeans, Ziggy Marley, David Gray and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.  This year’s lineup includes Blues Traveler, Boz Scaggs, Michelle Shocked and Clint Black.

The Festival at Sandpoint 2009

Sandpoint is located on Lake Pend Oreille, between the Selkirk Mountains and Cabinet Mountains, which are part of the Rocky Mountain Range (although in Canada the Selkirks are designated as part of the Columbia Mountain Range).  Lake Pend Oreille is the biggest lake in the Northwest, and the biggest in “lake country” consisting of other behemoths Lake Coeur d’Alene and Priest Lake. These lakes produce the biggest trout in the country, along with some big Kokanee. Several of my friends have made the trip up here and prefer the gamey shoreline fishing for bass, perch, pike and bluegill. There’s plenty of wildlife here as well. On my trail runs I’ve met up with several white tailed deer, elk, moose and black bears. There are some grizzly bears in the Cabinet Mountains to the northeast of the lake, but I’ve never seen one.

For other things to do in Sandpoint, here is a website with loads of Sandpoint activities.  Rick Evans, a Realtor in Sandpoint, has another blog with some great North Idaho information.

John Hendricks, AIA Architect, NCARB

Hendricks Architecture, Mountain Architects in Sandpoint, Idaho

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Coeur d’Alene Residence Featured in Cowboys & Indians Magazine

This mountain lodge residence in Coeur d’Alene is the subject of a feature article in the January 2009 issue of Cowboys & Indians Magazine.  The Idaho mountain home is a great example of the nature themed mountain style designs of Hendricks Architecture and a showpiece for the design talent of Jane Scott Interiors.

This “not so big” house on a big site was also featured in the March 2008 issue of Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living.  Natural elements of wood, stone, and natural light flow from the rugged exterior into the interior, adding a sense of connection with nature.  Natural materials that could be recycled were of importance to the owners.  The house is perched on the top of a nob, yet the profile is kept low to blend into the site.  All of the main rooms are situated to have great views of Lake Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding mountains.  For those unfamiliar, Coeur d’Alene (often called CDA) is a resort town in North Idaho, 35 minutes east of Spokane and 35 minutes south of Sandpoint.

John Hendricks, AIA Architect, NCARB

Hendricks Architecture, Idaho mountain home architects

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John Hendricks, AIA Architect • Architecture, Planning, Construction Management
418 Pine St, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 • T 208.265.4001 F 208-265-4009 • john@hendricksarch.com