By Harley McAllister
Cover photo courtesy of Stephen Porter
Anyone with a dog knows the familiar scene when you reach for the leash and the dog suddenly realizes they are going for a walk. The dog starts whining with anticipation, running in circles or jumping up and down with excitement. Now, multiply that times 10 big, athletic dogs that are part of a seasoned team, and you get some sense for what running the snowy trails behind a team of beautiful huskies can feel like.
Priest Lake Husky Sled Tours offers these experiences for anyone wanting to answer the “call of the wild” for a few hours, but without having to travel all the way to Alaska. The operation is a family affair, run by Stephen and Danielle Porter and their three adorable children, who lend a hand in the care and feeding of the sled dogs. Big working dogs require a lot of work, but it is a labor of love for this family, even more so because all the dogs in their kennel are rescue dogs from a variety of backgrounds. Numbering about 30 animals, some come from animal shelters, some from a rescue organization specializing in huskies, and some were even found on Craigslist. The Porters love giving these special animals a second chance at life, a chance to do exactly what they love to do—run.
Steven learned the craft of mushing while living in Vail, Colo., working as a guide there since 2004. With 20 years of experience under his belt, they moved to Priest Lake in 2021 with a vision to start a sled dog company in that picturesque area. If you join them for an excursion, they will share their knowledge while on the trail, giving you an education in the process. You’ll learn about the art of mushing, the different types of dog breeds that are used and why, various versions of sledding that focus on different aspects of the craft, as well as the natural history of the beauty around you as you hum along in a sled behind a team of 10 to 12 happy dogs.
When you go, you will meet the Porters at one of several trailheads they utilize in the Priest Lake area north of Priest River, Idaho. There are two tours each day, one starting at 9:30 a.m. and one at 1 p.m. Trips begin with a short orientation and safety talk, then you are quickly underway as the anchor is pulled and the dogs lean into their tugs. Once underway, the previously noisy dogs settle into a purposeful silence as they do what they love to do. Approximately an hour down the trail there will be time for a twenty-minute break with snacks and hot cocoa, as well as opportunities to meet the team and take lots of photos together with the dogs and the beautiful scenery. Then it’s time to turnabout for the trailhead again, culminating in more photos with your new canine friends.
For more information, go to their website at www.plhuskies.com to see photos and videos, read the FAQs, and book a tour online. And if you need a little more information first, you can always give them a call at 208-964-7915. I can guarantee you a fun experience that you won’t soon forget.
Harley McAllister and his wife Abby have written a family-focused guidebook series to the National Parks called “Adventuring with Kids” published by The Mountaineers. In the winter, you’ll most likely find their family alpine skiing at one of the regional ski areas.
