Our Story
Galena Lodge is owned by the Blaine County Recreation District and operated by a concession agreement with Kyle and Chelan Oldemeyer under a permit with the Sawtooth National Forest.
What that really means is that we are a hands on small business focused on elevating our guests' recreational and outdoor experiences with quality food, service and rental equipment. Kyle first came to Galena as a seasonal employee in 2013 and met Chelan at Galena in 2016. We became Galena managers together in 2020, got married at the lodge in 2022 and became the operators of Galena Lodge in 2023. Kyle is an Idaho native, born and raised in Boise while Chelan originally hails from Wenatchee, Washington. Both of us now consider the Wood River Valley and Galena Lodge to be our home. Our backgrounds in recreation and teaching as well as our passion for all things outdoors have been a natural, if unlikely fit, to operating a business in the middle of an expansive National Forest. We look forward to offering satisfying outdoor experiences to our new and returning customers from near and far! Our loaner dog Rio will be happy to join you on a hike or snowshoe or just some extra pets and love on the lawn. His sister Fly stays in the office but sends her love. We have occasional guest appearances from other staff dogs too so keep your eyes peeled the next time you are at the lodge! |
Our Team
The magic of Galena stems from our incredible staff, we couldn't do it without them so take a moment to meet the Galena family
Winter 24/25 Staff
Former Staff
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Mike Lincoln: Found Galena 17 years ago and has come back multiple times to add up to seven years working in the restaurant. He loves Galena for the winter backcountry access and summer mountain biking scene. His favorite menu item is the veggie burger with bacon!
Stacey: I'm originally from Alaska but I call home Salt Lake City these days. I love to bike, ski, run, and generally play outside! This is my third summer at Galena and you can find me adventuring during every second of my free time.
Tony: was born and raised in the Wood River valley. He likes to hike and play bluegrass and is studying environmental studies at Whitman College in Walla Walla Washington.
Peter: originally from Vassalboro, Maine, I was drawn to Idaho by the rivers and the snow. My plan is to be on the trails until I’m too tired to ski anymore.
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Katie: This summer is Katie’s second season with Galena Lodge. Katie works the front of the house serving up delicious food, her favorite menu item is the ginger sesame bowl. Katie’s other passion lies in health and wellness practicing acupuncture. When Katie is not working you will find her on the trails with her newly adopted dog Walter.
Holly: After growing up in Washington and attending college in Maine for geology and visual art, I moved to Idaho this past year and immediately fell in love with the landscape and ease of access to ski and bike adventures. My teaching job in Ketchum enabled me to spend afternoons and weekends up at Galena- what a dream to now be working in my favorite place to play, with an awesome community!
Simone: I’m an upstate NY native who will be working in the restaurant for the first time this season. I was a carpenter for a number of years in Jackson, Wyoming. I love all things outdoors, especially skiing and hiking. My favorite all time food is pizza!
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Haydee: This is Haydee’s third season at Galena Lodge. You”ll find Haydee in the kitchen whipping up hearty meals for guests. Haydee enjoys solo backpacking and is looking forward to learning beekeeping and having hives on her family property in Peru.
Favorite Galena sweet treat: Don Bar with ice cream. Celia - I am so excited to spend the winter at Galena during my gap year! I call Salt Lake City home but have spent many summers camping in the area and going to Galena's summer camp. I love outdoor adventuring, music, and fun socks. One of my favorite things is tea, a book, and a fireplace after a good long ski.
Bailey: I was born and raised in Idaho. I absolutely love anything and everything outdoors, especially hiking in the mountains! Running is in my blood and dark chocolate-covered almonds are the best treat.
Aaron: I live in the Adirondacks of upstate NY and this will be my first summer at Galena Lodge! I grew up racing nordic, and graduated from Plattsburgh State with a degree in Adventure Sports and Expeditionary Studies. I love spending as much time as possible outside- you'll usually find me mountain biking, rock climbing, or ski touring.
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Annalee: Originally from Wisconsin, Anna has lived and worked in Colorado, Washington, Alaska, and California and is excited to be back for her second full summer at Galena. She is passionate about sourdough, baking, teaching, skiing and biking. She loves beans and chocolate.
Lila: With every passing summer of bike camp at Galena, I have fallen more and more in love with the beauty and accessibility of such an awesome place to work and play. When I’m not biking with kiddos, you can find me ski touring, biking (probably slower than I do at camp), boating, serving up hotdogs at Irving’s, sneaking mango sorbet from the shop, or at the University of Tennessee studying Biomolecular Engineering!
Teagan: I like to run, rock climb, hike, read, and take photographs. I enjoy partaking in activities outdoors and I am excited to be leading your child outdoors as well this summer! This is my first season at Galena Lodge and I come all the way from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Tilly: I have grown up in Boise and I enjoy Galena. I am returning for another Summer as a GYAC counselor and I look forward to having fun with campers. I love the mountains. I love streams. I love adventure and I love camp. I look forward to time that allows kids to play outdoors and I am in school studying to be an educator!
Lou: I grew up in the northern panhandle of Idaho! I’m going to school at the University of Idaho for Studio Art & Design with an emphasis on Graphic Design. I have 9+ years of experience with kiddos and I’m excited for my first season at Galena!!
Logan: Recently graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Human Nutrition, Food and Exercise. Her favorite Galena snack and guilty pleasure is a Don Bar!
Charlie: I am from Boulder, CO and have been riding and tinkering with bikes practically since I could walk. I have a passion for all disciplines of cycling, but riding a fast singletrack mountain bike trail is undoubtedly my favorite. I am a graduate of Whitman College with a degree in Politics and Environmental Studies, and this will be my first season at Galena; I can't wait to explore the Big Wood River valley and the Sawtooths!
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