EXPER IEN C E
Lookout Pass Ski Area;.
The Route of the
Hiawatha
The North Idaho section of the Olympian HHi-
awatha route has been called one of the most mo
breathtaking scenic stretches of railroad in tthe
country. The “crown jewel” of rail-to-trail mou
oun-
tain bicycle trails is operated by Lookout P Pass
Ski Area which is located adjacent to I-90 at the
Idaho/Montana state line, 12 miles east of histo
toric
Wallace, Idaho. The Hiawatha Trail is open daily
da
from May 26 thru October 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00
6 the gent
p.m. PST.
For more information contact
(208) 774-1301,
email: info@skilookout.com
em
and visit us on the web at
an
www.skilookout.com/hiaw
ww
Winding through 10 tunnels and 7 high trestleles, The sstretch of trail between Roland and Pearson
Pears
this 15-mile route crosses the rugged Bitterro root currentlyy goes through 8 open tunnels and travels
Mountains between Idaho and Montana. T The over 7 higigh trestles following the mountainous ter-
“Route of the Hiawatha is best known for the lon
ong, rain along
ng the Loop Creek drainage. The portion of
dark St. PPaul Pass, or “Taft” Tunnel, which bur-
bu the trail fr
from Moss Creek to Pearson is open only
rows 8,771
71 ft. under the Bitterroot Mountainsns at to non-m
-motorized traffic.
the Idaho/
o/Montana state line. When the Milwa wau-
kee Railro
road was operating, the trains traversrsed
The ride de from Roland, past the“Taft” Tun-
through 11 tunnels and over 9 high trestles, cov
over- nel, to Pearson
Pe is a very gentle ride on an un-
ing a 46 m
mile route that crossed the rugged Bitttter- paved gr gravel road. Being on a railroad grade,
root Mou
ountains between Idaho and Montana. this portition of the trail follows a very easy 1.7%
downhill g grade from 4160 ft. at the West Por-
With gov
overnment funding and private donation ons, tal to 317175 ft. at Pearson, for a total drop of a
the rails were removed, and the construction on oof little lesss than 1000 ft. in a distance of 13 miles.
this spect
ctacular wilderness bicycle and hiking tra
rail
was undedertaken in 1997. For those
ose riders not interested in riding the trail up
ntle grade from Pearson back to Roland,
The Idahaho portion of the trail first opened for pu
pub- there is a scheduled shuttle bus that provides
lic use on May 29, 1998. The St. Paul Pass,, or transporta
ortation for riders and their bicycles.
“Taft” Tun
unnel, was completed in May of 2001, a and
is now ope
pen for bike riding.
Background Photograph: Automn In Idaho, courtesy of www.northwestphotoandvideo.com.
Map and Area Photographs courtesy of The Route of The Hiawatha.
 EXPE RIEN C E
The Trail of the
Coeur d’Alenes Learn more about the Trail of the Coeur
d’Alenes, call the State Trail Manager at 208-
682-3814 or email: old@idpr.state.id.us or reach
the Tribe Trail Manager of the Coeur d’Alene
Tribe at 208-686-7045, email: dchapman@
CDAtribe-nsn.gov www.friendsofcdatrails.org

D ispersed along the trail are 36 unique bridges

and trestles that cross mountain creeks, white wa-
ter rivers and tranquil lakes. The east end of the
trail passes through a narrow mountain valley once
heavily mined for silver. The valley is dotted with

Riding bikes is a perfect Northwest pastime, a
peaceful way to get to your destination, avoid the
growing traffic, or just enjoy the scenery. There
ere are
many places in the area to go road biking, mountain
ountain
biking, or cruising, though none match the scope
cope or
magnitude of the Trail of the Coeur d’ Alenes’.
The Trail began with a path originally traveled led by
the Coeur d’Alene Indians and evolved into an im-
portant rail line that carried rich silver and lead
d ore
from mines in Mullan, Burke and Kellogg to termi-
nals on the Palouse prairie from 1887 to 1992. 2.
T
he Trail of the Coeur d’ Alenes is truly one of
a kind. It spans a distance of 73 miles across the
Idaho panhandle, from Plummer to Mullan.
The Trail is a non-motorized, paved trail beginning
near Plummer on the west side of the Idaho Pan-
handle and travels east through the Chain Lakes
Area following the Coeur d’Alene River to Enaville.
It then continues along the South Fork of the Coeur
d’Alene River to the town of Mullan near the Idaho/
Montana border.
With gentle grades and smooth surfaces this trail is
easy to enjoy. With 20 developed trailheads and 17
scenic waysides that have picnic tables and bench-
es, this trail is accessible for hiking and biking with
minimum equipment. There are dozens of places to
pull off the trail and take a swim to cool down. Many
of the quaint communities along the trail offer great
services for snacks, meals, and supplies in unique
and fun settings.
Background Photograph: The Coeur d’alene River courtesy of www.northwestphotoandvideo.com.
Map and Photographs courtesy of The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and Brent Clark.
numerous small historic mining communities each
offering their own unique features. The middle sec-
tion of the trail follows the tranquil Coeur d’Alene
River passing fifteen small lakes and marshes
loaded with waterfowl. The west end of the trail lies
along the shoreline of scenic Coeur d’Alene Lake
for six miles. It crosses a 3100-foot bridge/trestle
to Heyburn State Park, The Northwest’s oldest
state park then follows the remote forested Plum-
mer Creek canyon for six miles, ending in the com-
munity of Plummer.
Wildlife is
i abundant along the trail. The best time
to see wildlife
w is in the evening along the more re-
mote sec
sections. Because of the abundance of wa-
ter
te and marshes waterfowl are plentiful in those
sections aalong with an abundant of plant life.