About the McCall, Donnelly and Tamarack, Idaho Area 

McCall Area Update provided as a courtesy by the McCall Area Chamber of Commerce. 

McCall
Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall, McCall is the place to be all year round.
Whether you are a sun worshipper, a powder hound, a nature or sports enthusiast, the area offers wonderful opportunities with each change of season. 

The Land
Valley County lies within the central portion of the Northern Rocky Mountain Landform Province. The major parent material of the area is granite from the Idaho Batholith. A small potion of the area is underlaid by basalt of the Columbia River formation. Slopes vary from flat river and lake bottomlands to rolling foothills and steep mountain slopes. Although all aspects are repre4sented, most face east and west. Elevations range from 4,800 to 7,800 feet. 

Winds
Prevailing winds, averaging 3-4 knots, are influenced by the valley and surrounding mountain ridges. During the summer, the winds are gentle and generally from the south west. In the winter, winds are primarily from the northwest, bringing storms. Fall and spring are transitional periods. Although rarely from the east, winds can blow in from almost any quarter. Thermal updrafts occur during hot summer afternoons. 

Climate
The McCall area is characterized by mild, dazzling summers and snow-laden winters. The climate of McCall is influenced by the mountains, lakes, altitude and latitude. Because of the mountains the town is spared most of the cold blast from Canada, yet warm Pacific winds sweep in to provide the upland continental climate characteristic of the area. 

Snowfall
The average snowfall in McCall is 174 inches. At McCall’s altitude of 5,000 feet this does not accumulate to the depth of more than 48 inches or so do to settling and thawing. The ski resort at Brundage Mountain carries an average snowfall base of 72 at the lodge level of 6,000 feet. Winter sports in the area generally begin in mid- November and continue through mid-April.  

Business and Economy
The primary economic base in this two-county area is tourism and recreational activities. The U.S. Forest Service is a major employer of both Adams and Valley Counties. The Forest Service maintains a large firefighting training and smokejumpers base in McCall. Planes carrying fire retardant fly hundreds of missions from the McCall airport during fire season. 

McCall, Cascade, Donnelly, and Lake Fork see their populations increase at peak recreational seasons as vacationers and second home owners flock to the area. These areas employ many seasonal workers to accommodate the influx. Lake related recreation, golfing, camping, white water rafting, fishing, hiking, biking, trail rides, hunting, and sightseeing abound in the spring, summer and fall months. Winter brings snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and downhill skiers to enjoy the powder snow this area has to offer. McCall has a variety of accommodators to please everyone. McCall continues to enjoy steady economic growth, witnessed by the recent addition of the Manchester Ice and Event Centre, which will significantly add to year round recreational opportunities. In addition, the development of Tamarack should prove to permanently impact the economic and recreational opportunities in the region, not mention the opening of the Holiday Inn Express Hunt Lodge and the McCall RV Resort/North Fork Lodge that have significantly expanded the available number of stay over guests and amenities afforded in McCall. For more information, visit the McCall Area Chamber of Commerce website at www.mccall-idchamber.org
or call 208-634-8477. 

Lake Fork
The small community of Lake Fork is located 5 miles south of McCall on Highway 55. It’s the perfect traveler’s station offering the Lake Fork Mercantile for a variety of goods, and a step back in time to an old fashioned Post Office open 7 days a week. It also offers a good local restaurant. 

Donnelly
Located next to 21-mile-long Cascade Lake between East and West mountains and home to Tamarack Resort. Donnelly offers great fishing for rainbow trout, Coho Salmon, Perch, and world class deer and elk hunting. Don’t be surprised to see pack llamas during the hunting season as this is a favorite among the residents due to the steep, rocky hillsides known for the abundance of game. Average summer temperatures run in the 75 degree rage, you’ll enjoy perfect weather for an outdoor barbeque, Huckleberry picking in August, sailing or sunning. During the winter, Cascade Lake freezes over and ice fishing starts for the big trout and perch below the ice. Snowmobilers race across the ice to West Mountain – climbing groomed trails to the summit to enjoy the panoramic views of the area, the natural hot springs, or frolic on the “whoop-de-doos” of the Canoe.  

Cascade
Cascade.. Discovery gateway to Idaho’s wilderness. Only 30 miles south of McCall, located between beautiful Lake Cascade and the Payette River, Cascade offers adventure, lake and whitewater kayaking, rafting, golf, fishing, camping, sailing, hunting, back county flying, snowmobiling, sled dog racing, ski-joring, cross country skiing, natural beauty, hospitality, and of course, relaxation. Cascade, the former mill town, is home to a rich western history of challenges and triumphs, of intrigue and unity, of adventure and tranquility. Explore the possibilities. Enjoy the hospitality. Discover the beauty. Each and every season in Cascade opens to a series of fun and exciting events for guests of all ages.
From Thunder Mountain Days and the extended fire works show in the summer to Winter Jamboree and the Snowmobile Race to Snow bank Mountain in winter. Visit Cascade’s website for a complete calendar of events any season any time. For more information contact the Cascade Chamber of Commerce at P. O. Box 571 Cascade, ID 83611. 208-382-3833.
www.ExtremeCascade.com
 

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