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Thank You for Your Interest in Big Creek Lodge! BIG CREEK LODGE NEWSLETTERDecember 2025Greetings Big Creekers,Here it is almost halfway to next season at the lodge and I’m just getting around to writing the newsletter for the end of 2025 season. My apologies!We were a little over-optimistic back in March regarding consequences from the forest fire. There was more damage to the water and hydroelectric systems than expected, but with dedicated work (primarily by Vic and Niel) we were able to open on time while continuing to cope with melted risers, leaking water lines and fouled penstock screens.We also went into last May with some anxiety that the previous fall’s forest fire would keep people away, but thankfully you are all more dedicated and stronger than that! Business was great all summer and we enjoyed a successful season.Not a direct impact on daily operations but still a significant loss was the total burning of the old log duplex where the employees lived. We were able to find lodging for last year’s crew at the old Gillihan Lodge a mile down the road and Ed Pitts’ guest cabin, also in Edwardsburg. Their generosity was a real lifesaver.Reconstruction of living quarters for future crews was significantly delayed by the typically complex government permitting requirements. As of this month though, we finally have a permit to build and will hopefully start as soon as the road opens in late June.I am extremely happy to announce that Sally will be back next year to guide the lodge through another season of luxury living and fine food. She is currently interviewing applicants for the remaining employee positions. If you, or someone you know, are interested, contact her at [email protected] . We will be reopening May 22 next spring. Our Wilderness Within Reach program will expand from the Flying B to a three day event for wounded veterans at Big Creek in August and we will also host the Whitetail group from McCall again.I am already planning for next summer and we all look forward to seeing you in Idaho’s backcountry at Big Creek Lodge. As always, remember, the IAF is a 501(C)3 corporation and is dependent on the income from our Idaho license plate program, the lodge’s small profit (sometimes), and your donations. Please consider adding us to your financial plan, if possible.We’re looking forward to seeing many of you again next summer.Best Regards, Jim Davies, President ... See MoreSee Less

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PSA to all of our amazing guests: Big Creek Lodge will be closed tomorrow- Saturday, July 5th as the lodge has been rented for a private wedding! Please share, and know we will be open again for breakfast and stop-ins again on Sunday the 6th! And thank you to everyone who has spread the word and given us your understanding on our bring closed for breakfast on Wednesdays, affording our staff some downtime! Thanks to all of you for what has been a fantastic season thus far! We hope to see you all in the coming weeks! Safe Travels! 🛩🏎🏍🚵‍♂️🚶‍♀️ ... See MoreSee Less

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BIG CREEK LODGE NEWSLETTERMarch 2025Greetings Big Creekers,There was a near disastrous end to last year’s season but we are gearing up for a fresh start in 2025. Opening May 23, 2025.Spring is coming quickly and I can see the snow at the lodge rapidly melting away. It seems like only two weeks ago it was four feet deep and today it is under two.We have been busy recruiting help for next season and am happy to report that Sally will be back again this year and will be assisted by her son Josiah and Shepp Ranch veteran Linnea Sublet. Mark will also be back as a volunteer and musician. Sue and Dave will return for August and September and will be augmented by volunteers Bill and Elaine Boggess in July.We expect there to be a lot of work to recover from last fall’s fires but the lodge building itself was undamaged. A question remaining is what will be needed to resurrect the water diversion for the hydro power plant. The initial evaluation is that it will not be too bad. The big loss, of course, was the old duplex where employees lived. Work to replace it began by filing an insurance claim but with today’s prices it remains to be seen how well we will be covered. We plan to build 2 smaller units instead of a duplex cabin but we will not be able to get workers or materials into the site until the road opens in late June or early July. We do not expect the new cabins to be ready this year so some employees will be housed locally. That housing is an expense we have never had before. Our final act last year was to drive our vintage and well used pickup to the valley for what we used to call IRAN (inspect and repair as necessary). It has not been serviced in 8 or 9 years. The estimate for that work, as expected, is spendy but necessary. John Davis has made a very generous donation of his company’s services toward the maintenance. Another option would be to replace it. A newer 4wd pickup donation would be greatly appreciated.Additionally, in cooperation with IAA, RAF, Idaho Division of Aeronautics, and the USFS, we are hoping the upgrades to the airplane tie-down area and runway irrigation system will get underway this summer. Planning for these projects has been a multi-year process. Be sure to check NOTAMS if you are flying in.On the “glass half full” side of our situation, materials to replace the corral fencing in front of the lodge are pre-positioned so that project will get underway as soon as the ground is clear. The few minor repairs to the roof of the old store were accomplished before we left for the winter, and we are hopeful that the grass around the lodge will grow back. The domestic water system that flows down the mountain behind the lodge was still operating after the fire passed over it, and none of our vehicles were damaged either. We are looking forward to a good summer. After all, there is little danger of a forest fire coming near the lodge any time soon.There will be a few changes this year that hopefully will not negatively affect your love of Big Creek Lodge. The rate for rooms will now be $245 and breakfast will be $30. A more significant one is that we will be closed on Wednesdays, giving the staff a break they have not had before. This means we cannot accept room reservations for Tuesday or Wednesday nights.Considering the unprecedented expenses, we are facing this year with the cabin construction shortfalls, extensive airstrip upgrades and truck maintenance, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help keep the lodge viable. Donations can be made through the website www.bigcreeklodgeidaho.com or by mailing checks to Box 2016, Eagle, Idaho 83616. Many of you have already stepped up and we are most grateful!We are going into the 2025 season with mixed feelings after last year’s wild fire disaster but we are confident Big Creek Lodge will fully recover. Judging by the reservations that are already being made, we know you are too. The Board of Directors of the Idaho Aviation Foundation extend a sincere “Thank You” for your continued support.Best Regards, Jim Davies, President ... See MoreSee Less

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