The Roundhouse Connector is now open! This hiking only trail boasts beautiful views and oportunities for wildlife encounters. It connects the Bald Mountain Trail to the Roundhouse Restaurant and Gondola, with a 14 minute hike over 0.7 miles of Bald Mountain. Definitely worth the visit! (This trail is a hiking only trail, no bikes please.)
The Bald Mountain Summer 2011 Season is underway. The Roundhouse Gondola and Christmas Lift operate daily at 9:00 am with the last roundtrip leaving at 4:00 pm, and the last trip down from the top leaving at 4:30pm. The Roundhouse Restaurant is open for lunch at 11:00am.
Trails are open, the views spectacular and the weather is gorgeous! Come on up and join us!
Who knew that the hilarious Steve Martin, famous for movies like “The Jerk, and “Cheaper by the Dozen” and “Father of the Bride” was also a Banjo virtuoso. I’m told he can really tear it up on a stage, with great classic folk stuff and plenty of rockin’ country to get you up on your feet. Martin has toured all over the country with his Bluegrass band, and promises to give us a show to remember on the stage at the river Run Plaza next Tuesday evening, August 3.
Come on out, bring the kids, and enjoy another perfect sunset on the grounds along the Wood River. Sun Valley will have snacks and a bar set up over by Pete Lanes again in case the kids get hungry or you would like a cold drink.
The Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile will open at 7pm. Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, will perform at about 8:30. That’s a little late, so be sure to have sweatshirts for the kids and a jacket to stay warm out there. Tickets will be $45 for adults, with a discount for SV Center for the Arts members. It should be a great show, and we’ll all be there, too. Tickets available only through the Sun Valley Center for the Arts.
See you there
Yep, that’s right, the world famous rock and roll artist Dave Mason will be performing at River Run tomorrow night! The music starts at 5:00pm with Kole Moulton and the Lonely Road, and the Disciples of Rock followed by Dave Mason at 7:00pm. It should be a great show, one that you don’t want to miss. If you haven’t been to a concert at River Run, this is a perfect chance to come out and see one. Tickets are only $20 for adults, and $5 for kids under 12, available at all Sun Valley ticket outlets.
Sun Valley Resort will offer BBQ items on site, and there will be a no-host bar set up near Pete Lane’s Bike Shop on River Run Plaza.
To add to the fun all the local first responder agencies will be in the River Run parking lot all afternoon showing off their cool gear and new equipment. We’ll see the Blaine County Search and Rescue with their rescue dogs and all the local fire departments. The USFS Helitac helicopter will be there, as well as the Life Flight helicopter from St. Lukes Hospital. These are the folks that make it possible for us all to enjoy the mountain life we enjoy in the beautiful Wood River Valley. This is your chance to meet all these fine community servants and get to know them and find out what they do for us. Have you ever seen a helicopter up close?
See you there.
Yep, we think it’s here…Summer, that is…The weather man says to expect temps in the 90′s today and for the weekend. That makes this the perfect time to get on up to the fresh air at the Roundhouse for lunch or a glass of wine. They’re open daily from 11 to 3:30 for the BBQ on the deck. And the Gondola will run from 9:00 until the last ride down at 4:30.
We’ve learned that it’s the coolest place in town for those hot afternoons here in the valley.
Come on up and see us
Starting tomorrow (Friday), the Roundhouse Gondola will be opening at 9:00 am instead of 10:00 for the duration of the season. The Mountain guys had gotten some feedback from early hikers and others about the loss of that early morning ride. Now they have worked out a way to get the Gondola running for passengers at 9 and the Christmas lift just as soon as they can. This should be close to 9:00, perhaps a few minutes after, but they will run it as soon as they can get it open.
We know there will be some happy hikers who had built their days around an early trip up the Bald Mountain Trail before going off to work for the day, and liked to get up and out before the heat of the day.
See you there
James Taylor and local favorite Carole King will be continuing their extremely successful national tour tonight with a stop at our River Run Plaza. Alas, all sold out. Instantly, in fact, the day they went on sale some months ago. We only wish we had more seats. (Working on it, by the way) And that is why, in case you noticed, the Gondola closed early today. They are setting up the stage for the show all day today.
But all will be back to normal Tuesday morning for all the hikers and bikers and flyers that have been up every day. And the Weather Service is forecasting hot, hot, hot weather for the rest of the week so plan to take your lunch break at the Roundhouse, or ride up just for the fresh air, or try an afternoon glass of wine on the deck up there. I promise you, it is worth the trip.
We’re hearing rumors that they might go back to starting the lifts at 9am instead of 10…Anybody have an opinion on that? We know there were a few early hikers that got their schedules messed up by the 10:00 opening. A nice gesture, if they do it. We’ll see…
Look for our earlier blog with the description of the Bald Mountain Trail. You’ll find it a tough hike up, but a beautiful walk, and a very civilized trip down on the Gondola (free).
See you there
A Celebration of Mountain Lifea benefit for the family of Tim Michael and in recognition and gratitude to all Wood River Valley First Responders at River Run will take place on Wednesday, July 21.
Dave Mason, Kole Moulton and the Lonely Road and the Disciples of Rock to perform at River Run Wednesday, July 21 from 5-9pm.
Tickets are $20, Kids age 12 and under are $5.
From noon to 4pm there will be emergency rescue equipment demonstrations.
Concert tickets are available at Atkinsons Markets in Ketchum and Hailey. $20 for adults, and $5 for kids 12 & under.
Can you believe it? Here, in our little town, the ever popular Dave Mason with the disciples of Rock…That River Run concert venue is proving itself to be a great one for performers and enthusiasts both! What a great spot though, cooler when the sun gets lower, and beautiful with the mountain at your back and the river just in front as you sit on the grass enjoying the show. And the acoustics are amazing there, it seems the mountainside captures the music and bounces it right back at you. It will be a memorable evening for everybody.
This one is a benefit, organized by the tireless Julie Gallagher and members of the Sun Valley Ski Patrol for the family of Tim Michael who left us this winter while skiing on Baldy. And it is part of a whole afternoon of activities there at the River Run Plaza. There will be displays and demonstrations by the Wood River Valley First Responders and the Ski Patrol. The gondola will be running, and there will be lunch served at the Roundhouse during the day. You’ll see games and fun stuff for everybody, kids included.
There will be BBQ, a no-host bar, a silent auction and a raffle for 2 season ski passes on Baldy. The whole Ski Patrol will be out, enjoying the event, and offering the latest version of the Ski Patrol t-shirts and hats for sale. It all goes to a good cause. And a good time for everybody.
Bring the kids and bring your own picnics if you prefer, but be sure to come help out, you won’t regret it.
See you there
It seems that July has finally arrived, and now it’s getting pretty hot out there around town. It could be in the 80′s today, possibly even the 90′s by the weekend. The coolest place in the valley will have to be the Roundhouse up on Baldy. Great place for lunch at the BBQ on the deck, or a nice sitdown meal inside around the fireplace. They are telling us that the restaurant is considerably less crowded than it was last weekend, so it might be a great time to get up there and give it a look. And you can ride right on up to the summit at the old Lookout building, stroll around take some pics, and if you are lucky, it is always fun to watch the parasailers take off from the top.
Ask the mountain guys about the walking trails available, and bike rentals there at Pete Lane’s. Kaleb is almost always there and will be happy to supply maps, directions, schedules, even water and snacks if needed.
Look at our previous blog about the Bald Mountain Trail, it describes the hike up, but you could always use it for the walk down just as easily. Think about bringing a light jacket or sweater as well so you don’t get surprised…
See you there
Due to a special event, the Mountain Guys will be closing the lifts on Baldy at 2:00 pm on Friday with the LAST RIDE DOWN at 2:30. Try to schedule your day a little earlier, so you don’t get caught short up there after the lift closes. This is a one day deal, and we are back to normal operation on Saturday.
Oh, now we are told to expect the same thing on Monday on account of James Taylor and Carole King. So plan to catch that 2:30 car down unless you prefer to walk down on your own…
See you
