Idaho Panhandle

This lush, rain-soaked region is a meeting place of several forest types. Temperate rain forest species (larch, western white pine, western hemlock) found along the Pacific coast thrive here, mixing with Douglas fir, Englemann spruce, Ponderosa pine, and other more typical Rocky Mountain conifers; a third community, the drier, colder northern boreal forest is represented, too, with paper birch and subalpine larch.

Hanging on for dear life is a remnant herd of woodland caribou. A relative of the barren ground caribou, the woodland species is nonmigratory; the small surviving herd, at the extreme southern end of its range, has been on the endangered species list since 1984. Another unusual species here is the boreal owl; by nature it is extremely tame in the presence of people, and nests in old tree cavities and woodpecker holes. Like the caribou, this is the southern extent of its range, which extends as far north as the northern Yukon. Boreal chickadees and the raucous Clark's nutcracker are two more notable birds.

The grizzly bear, another listed species, also roams this sparsely populated region; biologists on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest note that a good crop of cubs have been observed this year. Another unique species here is the Cour d'Alene salamander, which occupies lakes and streams at lower elevations. A driving tour through the Purcell Mountains on Forest Service roads offers a nice experience of this region; the tour begins just north of the town of Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

For maps and visitor information, contact the Idaho Panhandle National Forest

The Niobrara River Canyon

Aspens in Nebraska? This beautiful river corridor in the north-central part of the state encompasses wildlife and plant communities of both east and west, and more than a few hints of the distant north. The forest is a strange and wonderful mixture of offerings from the Rocky Mountains (Ponderosa pine savanna), northern boreal (paper birch, bigtooth and quaking aspen, along with bog plants such as club moss and ferns), and northern hardwoods, including basswood, bur oak, and American elm. The region's native Great Plains communities of sandhills and mixed-grass prairie are here as well, including a herd of bison and the greater prairie chicken. Canoeing the Wild and Scenic corridor of the Niobrara through Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best ways to experience this unique world. Unusual birds here include the Townsend's solitaire and rufus-sided towhee, species typically found much farther west.

Move on to Iowa's Driftless Region

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