Cranberry Picking - Formerly North Idaho's Best-Kept Secret

September 2013

During one of his early fall waterfowl hunts in the 1990's, Tom discovered a pristine cranberry bog in beautiful Hidden Lake.  Since finding this North Idaho treasure, Tom has mounted multiple cranberry picking expeditions for family and friends.

Getting to the bog is no easy task.  The adventure begins with launching the Boston Whaler into Killarney Lake and towing a canoe.  Crossing the lake is easy; finding the channel that leads to Hidden Lake and negotiating wild rice fields presents challenges and a watchful eye.

Sam, Megan and I participated in the September 2013 cranberry harvest.  We were properly outfitted with waterproof jackets, waders and boots.

After finding the channel, we abandoned the Whaler and paddled through the channel to Hidden Lake.  Spotting the bog is almost magical.  Bright red pearls of cranberries lay along the shore of the lake - stunning!

You feel like you are in the middle of a treasure hunt - with nature in every direction.

The outing yielded nine gallons of cranberries, and we left tons of berries behind.

 Over the years the bog has been discovered by many berry pickers - unfortunately commercial pickers included.

Paddling the canoe and picking cranberries works up an appetite, so we rewarded ourselves with a post-hunt picnic. 

Cranberries freeze beautifully. Needless to say, we were ready for Thanksgiving - arguably for the next four years.

S