36 Majestic North Idaho | www.northidaho.org The Palouse Moscow, Pullman, Nez Perce, Lewiston North Central LOCAL FACTS... • Latah County Population: 39,333 • Nez Perce County: 40,385 • Latah County has the distinction of being the only county in the United States created by an Act of Congress. In 1887, Idaho's delegate in Congress introduced a bill for the creation of Latah County, designating the boundaries and county seat as they are today. The bill passed Congress and president Grover Cleveland approved it in 1888. AREA INFO: Moscow Chamber of Commerce P.O Box 8936 Moscow, ID 83843 (208) 882-1800 www.moscowchamber.com Lewiston Chamber of Commerce 111 Main St. #120 Lewiston, Idaho 83501 (208) 743-3531 www.lewistonchamber.org Palouse Ranger District Potlatch Ranger Station 1700 Highway 6 Potlatch, ID 83855 (208) 875-1131 Clearwater National Forest 12730 Highway 12 Orofino, ID 83855 208.476.4541 HIGHLIGHTS: Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Wallowa-Whitman National Forest 1550 Dewey Ave Baker City, OR 97814 541.523.6391 Before white settlement, the Nez Perce and Palouse tribes who wintered along the Clearwater and Snake Rivers, came in the spring and summer to dig camas and kous roots, fish, hunt, and pick huckleberries. The Greater Nez Perce Trail traversed the county from south to north, ending at Spokane Falls which was a meeting and trading center for many northwest tribes. The Palouse stretches through Eastern Washington and skims over the state line to Idaho. Fertile hills mesmerize you with their graceful curves and just beg to be photographed. Just around a bend of the Palouse, MoscowMountainnestlesthetownof Moscow. Home to University of Idaho (Washington State University sits right across the state border in Pullman, WA), Moscow has the look, energy, and amenities that one expects and appreciates of a small college town. Its funky art galleries and cafes are as laid-back and organic as their natural surroundings. Men’s Journal named it one of the nation’s five best places to live among college towns. Outside Magazine called it a “great university to hit the books and backcountry.” Outdoor pursuits are just a short hike, bike ride, ski slope, and river away. For those not seeking higher education, the real pursuit to a heavenly experience is the nearby recreation area known as Hell’s Canyon. Hells Canyon’s claim to fame is being the deepest river gorge (a mile below Oregon’s west rim, and 8,000 feet below snowcapped He Devil Peak of Idaho’s Seven Devils Mountains) in the United States. That makes it about 2,000 feet deeper than Arizona’s Grand Canyon, coming in a hot second is Idaho’s Salmon River Gorge, where the granite walls rise 7,000 feet above the valley floor but it’s the class 3 and 4 rapids on the Snake River that draw the crowds. Driving to Lewiston (from Coeur d‘Alene takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes; from Moscow about 40 minutes) this gateway town will help you reach your aquatic adventure. Experienced guides will share the history and geological phenomenon of thearea,pointingoutrockartandwildlife (in the water and along the shores)…all while navigating you down some high water fun. Want to brag to your friends that you tackled whitewater, or better yet, show off photos of yourself paddling perilous- looking rapids that are sure to increase their admiration? Be ages 7 through 70 plus, whitewater rafting the Snake River or taking a jet boat is the ultimate joy ride. Along with rafting, jet boats and fishing boats are also accessible for those wishing to experience Hells Canyon and the Snake River. Although uncommon on most wild and scenic rivers, powerboats have been used on the Snake River in Hells Canyon National Recreation