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News & Happenings
BIG CREEK LODGE NEWSLETTER![]()
March 2025![]()
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Greetings 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.![]()
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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,![]()
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Jim Davies, President
Just today, then last July![]()
Fire protected view on high...![]()
Beautiful places; Dave and Sue![]()
Thankful now for ALL OF YOU!![]()
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Happy Thanksgiving Big Creek Lovers!!
THIS JUST IN! Newsletter from Jim Davies, President of the Idaho Aviation Foundation: ![]()
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BIG CREEK LODGE 2024![]()
WOW, what a season we had at the Big Creek Lodge in 2024. I thought we had seen it all and hopefully now we have!![]()
The year started off in good form with the lodge fully staffed, good weather and reservations well above past years. We had not opened the doors for the first guests yet when our two married employees decided they couldn’t take the work and quit. We spent the next two months keeping the lodge operating with temporary workers who came on board for a week or two at a time. Also, providing invaluable help were supportive Edwardsburg residents. Eventually, Sally’s sister Sue and her husband Dave arrived to finish out the season for us with hard work and Sue’s famous cartwheel farewells. ![]()
As the summer went on, our reservations stayed at a high level, but Idaho was cursed with multiple forest fires causing smoke limiting flight visibility and road closures resulted in many cancellations. We have always maintained that safety and unforeseeable personal issues justify reservation refunds, and we honored that policy. We hope any of you who had to cancel either rescheduled or will try us again next year. ![]()
As the saying goes, where there’s smoke there’s fire and early September brought the fire to our valley. A small fire of a few hundred acres was started by lightning up Logan Creek. The Forest Service fire crews were spread thin across the west, but they contained that fire and maintained a watch. ![]()
We cancelled the rest of the season due to the fires, but we were happy to feed and board most of the fire crews for several weeks. As feared, the Logan Fire started up again and despite heroic levels of work by the crews, an evening of 60 knot winds stoked the fire into a huge, cataclysmic fire storm that roared down the Big Creek drainage. The whole valley was evacuated, but all the preparations by the fire crews paid off and the lodge as well as the village of Edwardsburg was saved. Unfortunately, we lost the historic log duplex that housed our lodge workers. Various agency crews used the lodge as an operations center for several more weeks until the seasonal rains and snow made it safe for them to leave.![]()
What started out to be another successful season had gone from optimism to one of survival and reflection, but we came out of it. We are grateful for the heroic efforts of the USFS firefighters’ dedication and professionalism. We can rebuild the duplex, and no one was seriously hurt, so we are moving forward.![]()
Looking to the future:![]()
We are so fortunate to have Sally returning as the steadfast and talented chef, musician and site manager. She even completed EMT training last winter. We are, however, concerned about everyone’s emotional burnout and the constant turnover of employees. To that end, next summer the lodge will be closed on Wednesdays and there will be no overnight guests on Tuesday or Wednesday nights. Hopefully, having a true day off weekly will make life better for all. ![]()
The view to the east from the front porch is still green and the mountains are still majestic. We look forward to a better season and hope you will be a part of it.
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