73-miles of Paved, Mostly Flat Pathway Make for Fun and Easy Riding

The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, named one of the 25 top trails in the nation by the Rails to Trails Conservancy in 2010, is one of the longest paved biking trails in the Northwest. Much of the trail is flat with frequent restrooms and wayside rest stops, making it the perfect biking destination for anyone looking for a trip with several days’ worth of easy-to-moderate enjoyable bike rides.

Stretching across the Idaho Panhandle between the towns of Plummer and Mullan, the trail takes riders past lakes, along a wild river, and through woods and wetlands with frequent wildlife sightings. Riding the trail, which is designated a state park, is a unique experience during all seasons, although the cooler daytime temps, fewer people on the trails, and typically smoke-free skies make autumn one of the best seasons to plan a visit.

Completing the full, 73-mile trail length all in one day is too daunting for many riders, but it’s easy to take on several shorter sections of trail between trailheads or towns. Here are three of the most scenic sections that will make for perfect out-and-back or shuttled rides. Take a look at the interactive digital trail map here and plan to spend anywhere from a long weekend to a full week exploring this incredible corner of the Northwest. For shuttle options, contact the Cycle Haus Bikes & Brews, Lou’s Bicycle Shuttle Service, or Wallace Inn. The Silver Express Bus, which runs from Kingston to Mullan weekdays 3 times per day is another free shuttle option. 

Harrison to Lake Chatcolet (8 to 16 miles)

This trail section travels along the sparkling waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene’s southeast shoreline. At one end is Heyburn State Park, where the bike trail crosses over Lake Coeur d’Alene along a former railroad draw-bridge, which marks the boundary with Lake Chatcolet. At the state park day-use area, you’ll find a trailhead restroom, picnic shelter, and water spigot (some facilities may be closed depending on the season). At the other end of this route is the charming, historic lake town of Harrison with a city park, beach, marina, shopping/dining services, and a bike shop with shuttle service. Ride this section as a 16-mile out-and-back adventure or a more mellow 8-mile pedal with a shuttle.

Harrison to the Chain Lakes of the Coeur d’Alene River (multiple distances)

Starting from the Harrison trailhead right in town, enjoy the serenity of nature as the trail travels along the Coeur d’Alene River, passing a series of small lakes connected to the river by narrow channels. Moose, deer, and many types of birds are frequently seen along this section of trail through the Coeur d’Alene River Wildlife Management Area.

There are four trailheads along this stretch, including Springston, Medimont, Blackrock, and Bull Run with access near Harrison from Highway 3, making it easy to choose the perfect length ride. The full distance between the towns of Harrison and Cataldo that bookend this section of trail is 20 miles and can also make for a great day ride with a shuttle.

Cataldo to Enaville (10 miles or longer)

This flat, tree-shaded section of trail along the Coeur d’Alene River connects two small towns with post-ride dining options. The trailhead in Enaville at the I-90 Kingston Exit is a short drive from lodging in nearby Kellogg and Wallace too. Near the small town of Enaville, the Coeur d’Alene River splits into the North and South forks, and the trail keeps heading east along the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. For those looking for a longer, shuttleable ride from Cataldo it’s 11.5 miles to Kellogg and Silver Mountain Resort and 23 miles to the historic mining town of Wallace, which is a rare city that is entirely listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Also worth a visit, the Sacred Heart Mission, at the Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission State Park near Cataldo, is the oldest standing building in Idaho. Constructed in the early 1850s, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Because the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes doesn’t directly connect with the state park, you can either drive there or ride from the Cataldo Trailhead on low-traffic side roads (take E Canyon Road to Dredge Road and then on to the park). 

Extend Your Ride with an Electric-assist E-bike

Electric-assist bicycles, which provide an electric motor boost in addition to the rider’s pedaling, are allowed on the full length of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. The e-bike rules for the trail allow both Class I e-bikes that provide electric motor assistance only when the rider is pedaling and Class II e-bikes that provide electric motor assistance with a throttle even when the rider isn’t pedaling. Class III e-bikes that continue assisting a rider to higher speeds of up to 28 mph, however, are still prohibited on the trail. You can rent e-bikes and other bikes from the Cycle Haus Bikes & Brews in Harrison, Silver Mountain Resort, or Spokehouse E-bike Rentals in Wallace.

Be Prepared for a Safe Ride

Especially when riding the trail in the fall, winter, or spring, it’s essential to be prepared. Weather in the mountains can change rapidly, so dressing for the season and daily conditions as well as bringing along extra layers of warm clothing and a rain-and-wind-proof jacket in a backpack or bike bag are critical. Every rider should always carry plenty of water and food in case you end up out on the trail longer than you expected. A headlamp or flashlight, first-aid kit, phone and backup charger, map, bike pump, helmet, bike light, and tire patch kit are also essential riding gear when out on the more remote stretches of the trail.

As long as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, hand sanitizer and a mask are also a good idea for any restrooms, stores, or restaurants you might visit on your ride. Be sure to check out the State of Idaho’s guidelines for recreating during the COVID era too.

As you explore the trail and the region’s history, the trail-side communities of Harrison, Kellogg and Wallace each continue to offer lodging and dining options during the COVID-19 pandemic, but always play it safe and follow the latest guidelines for protecting yourself and others. You can find more information about overnight accommodations and restaurant options in many of the towns along or near the trail here.

Quality sponsored content

The post Ride These Short, Scenic Sections of North Idaho’s Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes appeared first on Out There Venture.

The Panhandle is home to one of the greatest silver regions in the world, the Coeur d’Alene Mining District in the aptly named Silver Valley of Idaho.

An equally rich bonanza of history permeates the many communities and mine sites of the district. That story is distilled perhaps to its greatest strength in the little mining town of Wallace.

Wallace is one of less than a handful of cities entirely listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It boasts four museums, multiple historical exhibits, an underground mine tour, extensive historic trail system, and walking tours of its old commercial buildings, churches, and grand homes.

A body feels like they have stepped back in time when visiting there. And it’s not just in the architecture or exhibits. It’s also in the attitude of the people. 

Since the city is so small—it has less than 1,000 residents—and corporate America hasn’t yet been able to buy up the place, Wallace still has that friendly small-town vibe.

Heritage Saved

One of the best ways to get a feel for the history of the place is to hop on the Sierra Silver Mine Tour. An open-air trolley will ferry you around the tree-lined residential areas and storied buildings of the commercial district. The driver narrates the trip all the way up to the Sierra Silver Mine. Once there, retired miners will take you through a sideways cut in the mountain for an unforgettable “that’s the way it is” look at the dangers and rewards of mining. Reservations are recommended and can be made ahead of time on their website.

For the story of the people who worked the mines and the struggles they faced, a trip to the Wallace District Mining Museum is a must. Don’t just take our word for it. This tiny museum has been featured twice on the Travel Channel’s Mystery at the Museum series. 

Among the tantalizing stories told there include the district’s bloody mining wars. That strife featured America’s largest mass arrests of civilians, hijacked trains, wild gunfights, blown up buildings, the murder of Idaho’s governor and acquittal of the assassin’s accomplices in the trial of the century. 

Want more? Find three other extraordinary museums within walking distance.  A train station, brothel and landmark church have all been converted into three separate museums featuring the region’s storied past. 

Other musts for history buffs lie on the outskirts of town. The Mine Heritage Exhibit and four-acre riverfront park are just off Exit #61 at I-90. It’s the perfect spot to park, picnic and peruse massive mining machines—including a compressor the size of barn. Nine Mile Cemetery lies just one mile north of Wallace on State Route 456, where 3,000 internees inhabit this other National Register of Historic Places Site. One mile south of town is the Pulaski Tunnel Trail. Also on the National Register, the trail traverses stream, falls and forest to mark the heroism of fire fighters in America’s largest ever wild land fire in 1910.

Heritage Lost

Finally, for the best hands-on perspective on Panhandle mining history, take a drive up Burke Canyon to the now largely abandoned mining towns of Gem, Frisco, Yellow Dog, Mace and Burke. It’s seven miles one way on the paved State Route 4. Find historic markers at the beginning, middle and end of the roadway.

These towns once were home to thousands of miners, dozens of mines, and all the support services and businesses associated therein. Now they have few permanent residents.

Once-bustling Burke in particular is haunting. Scores of abandoned buildings now stand where there were once schools, churches, government offices, ball parks, and a thriving business district.

Burke makes the case for all the efforts to preserve history down the canyon in Wallace. It is a silent witness to what a lack of treasuring one’s history yields: heritage ignored is heritage lost.  

Historic Lodging, Dining, and Shopping

Once back in Wallace, a great way to see how history is still being preserved is to visit the many businesses there. Most have images of the town’s past on their walls.  Two standouts include the local grocery store Harvest Foods with near life-size images above the aisles and Wallace Brewing Co. Its Ore Tasting room is in the old Coeur d’Alene Hardware Store, with dozens of rare images and artifacts on display. The same can be said for next door 1313 Club, Oliver’s Mercantile across the street, and, among our favorites for local memorabilia, North Idaho Trading Co. at the junction at Fifth and Bank Streets.

Sleep on history in the town’s historic lodging properties. In addition to the several vacation rental properties in historic homes, the Ryan Hotel has been in business since 1903. Its lobby is a wonderful mix of turn of the century elegance. Across the way on Cedar Street, spend the night in a former bordello—the Lux is a must for those wanting a real Wallace experience.

Sponsored Content

The post Exploring the Mining History of Wallace & North Idaho appeared first on Out There Venture.

North Idaho is as beautiful as ever in the age of coronavirus. With forested hills, mountains, streams, and alpine lakes, it’s a great location to get away from it all. While traveling is a bit more complicated these days, North Idaho has an awe-inspiring rail trail that will let you and your friends socially distance and ride for miles (or days) along the rugged countryside.

The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is one of the Northwest’s longest paved biking trails, so it’s great for beginner bikers, seasoned riders, or families who have a mix of both. Stretching from Plummer to Mullan, Idaho, the trail will take riders past lakes, along a wild river, and through woods and wetlands teeming with wildlife. It’s an epic ride in summer or fall. Here are a few of our favorite things about it. 

Historic Stops

On the trail, you’ll bike past or near two state parks, which makes it easy to stop, admire from a distance, or keep cruising if the area is too crowded. The Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission State Park features the Cataldo Mission, the oldest standing building in Idaho. Heyburn State Park is the oldest state park in the Pacific Northwest, created in 1908, and will give you great access to the southern end of Coeur d’Alene Lake.

The state parks are just the beginning—the Trail of the Coeur d’Alene is packed with historic sites and monuments like old railways and mines that will give you a rich experience of the area. These include the Crane House Museum, Crystal Gold Mine and Sierra Silver Mine Tours, the Grant Mill/ Gateway Marina, Sunshine Miners’ Memorial, Shoshone County Mining & Smelting Museum, the historic Chatcolet Bridge, Springston “Barren” Ghost Town, Captain John Mullan Museum, and the Northern Pacific Railroad Museum.

The Pulaski Tunnel Trail is a great opportunity to hop off your ride near Wallace, Idaho, and take an easy 4-mile round-trip hike to retrace a route that played a major role in the Great Fire of 1910.

Local Lodging

As you explore the trail and the region’s history over several days, the trail-side communities of Harrison, Kellogg and Wallace each offer their own unique, friendly vibe with lodging, dining, and entertainment options. The trail runs right through each of these Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes gateway communities. Plan to stay a few nights and hop on and off the trail in different communities to experience historic buildings, museums, memorials, and other sites that you can easily explore on foot.

Find more information about overnight accommodations in Harrison, Kellogg, and Wallace here.

Safe Recreating in the Age of Coronavirus

While the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is open, some outdoor facilities and outfitters are just starting to reopen and need your help for safe recreation and participation. Before you go, look up your favorite campsites or day-use areas to make sure they’re open and see what sort of guidelines they have.

One important rule of thumb is to have a Plan B in place: if your destination is at capacity when you arrive, continue on to the next adventure spot. Luckily, with the mileage on this trail, you’ll have plenty of options. 

Here are a few guidelines for recreating in Idaho right now: 

• Maintain six feet of physical distance from people outside your family pod.
• Bring a mask in case a trail, boat dock, or other passing area is crowded.
• Be cautious while doing extreme sports, as outdoor staff and rescue crews are running at limited capacity. 
• Pack your own food and water, plus safety essentials such as a flashlight, rain jacket, first aid kit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hand sanitizer so you can minimize physical contact.
• Keep it close to home and enjoy Idaho’s natural wonders from an access point near you to reduce traveling. 

Bonus Adventures

Biking, walking, or running the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is just the beginning of your adventure. You can think of the trail as a connecting thread between a myriad of recreational opportunities. Stop at a local waterway or park to swim, hike, fish, float the river, rent a kayak, camp, or more. Take a detour to ride the famous Route of the Hiawatha, or tackle a single-track mountain bike trail like Beauty Bay Loop near Harrison. The areas of Harrison, Kellogg, and Wallace are great places to rent gear. You can also take historic walking tours in the towns of Harrison or Wallace, Idaho, which can definitely fill an afternoon.

Wallace offers a treasure of attractions for the history buff. The entire city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with four renowned museums, an underground mine tour, and a four-acre open air historic mine exhibit. Plus, the town offers self-guided tours of its historic homes, churches and commercial districts.

Harrison will treat you with a waterfront and downtown self-guided tour. You can explore the Harrison Commercial Historic District, see the remnants of the first bridge to be built over the Coeur d’Alene River, the historic I.O.O.F Hall now home to local boutique businesses and the (in) famous One Shot Charlies, all while taking in the breathtaking view of this waterfront town. Indulge one or both tours as you relive the logging and rail history that built the American West.

Plan a few days for your summer or fall trip on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes to pack it all in!

Quality sponsored content

The post Safe Adventuring on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes appeared first on Out There Venture.

North Idaho is rich with history, and there’s no better way to experience many of these historical sites than by riding along one of the Northwest’s longest rail trails on your bike. Plan a historic sight-seeing bike trip on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, a 73.2-mile paved trail stretching across the Idaho Panhandle from Plummer to Mullan. Visit historic mining towns, museums, old railways, mines, memorials, a mission, and more either from your bike or short side trips by car.

On the trail, you’ll travel through the historic Silver Valley, the chain lakes region, over bridges, along stunning Lake Coeur d’Alene, and from the wildlife and scenery rich Bitterroot Mountains down into the Palouse prairie. When you’re not soaking up the history of this unique part of Idaho on the below highlighted sites, you’ll find peace and quiet and spectacular mountain views from the trail, which is frequented by moose, elk, deer, eagles, and many species of birds and other wildlife. Along the trail, you’ll find access to Coeur d’Alene Lake in Harrison, as well as the Coeur d’Alene River and several lakes (a few other renowned fly fishing rivers are a short drive from the trail too).

As you explore the trail and the region’s history over several days, the trail-side communities of Harrison, Kellogg and Wallace each offer their own unique, friendly charms and lodging, dining, and entertainment options. The trail runs right through each of these Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes gateway communities that are home to their own historic buildings, museums, memorials, and other sites that you can easily explore on foot. The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is the connecting thread between this swath of North Idaho’s natural wonders and history, making it an ideal ride for history buffs who like to bike, hike, and explore our natural wonders.

1. Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission State Park

Located near Cataldo, Idaho, a short detour off the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, this state park is home to the Mission of the Sacred Heart, constructed between 1850 and 1853 by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and Jesuit priests. The story of the coming together of the Jesuit Missionaries and Coeur d’Alene Tribe is different from some others during this same time period. It is an example of acceptance, understanding, and a willingness to respect beliefs that may not mirror your own. The two groups did not see the world the same way. They lived very different lives, and yet, were able to find similarities, so that together they could worship and build the Mission of the Sacred Heart, now known as the Cataldo Mission and as the oldest standing building in Idaho.

In 2002, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe gained ownership of their historic building and land, and through an agreement, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation manages the site for the Tribe that honors both history and outdoor recreation. “The Sacred Encounters Exhibit: Father De Smet and the Indians of the Rocky Mountain West,” which is a world-class, multi-million-dollar exhibit detailing the history of the coming together of the Jesuit Missionaries and Coeur d’Alene Tribe, occupies half of the visitor center.

Every year, the park hosts an outdoor mass and celebration in honor of the annual Coeur d’Alene Tribe Pilgrimage and Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15. Together the Tribe and Catholic Church, along with many others, honor each other’s history and beliefs as they celebrate their shared understandings and faith. Be sure to make this state park a stop along your Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes adventure. There’s also an Annual Historic Skills Fair at the Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission (July 13-14, 2019), an event worth planning your trip around.

2. Crystal Gold Mine Tour

An authentic underground gold mine tour of one of the first hard rock mines in the Silver Valley, this guided tour will illuminate the lives of the hard-working miners, explaining the tools they used, their methods for tracing quartz veins to find gold, and how they tested the veins. Marvel at the gold and silver still visible in the quartz vein as you pass by colorful stalactite crystals lining the walls.

3. Crane House Museum

Located in Harrison, Idaho, the Crane House Museum has many interesting artifacts from the town’s early settlement days. Consider it a tour of what it would be like to live in North Idaho in the 1800s. While you’re there, take a Historical Walking Tour of Harrison, which was the largest city in Kootenai County during the gold rush. Explore historic downtown Harrison buildings as well as modern establishments serving homemade fudge, ice cream, and other treats. There’s also a Historic Waterfront Walking Tour along a beautiful stretch of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

4. Shoshone County Mining & Smelting Museum

Located in Kellogg, Idaho, this museum was founded in 1986 as a way to save the beautiful 1906 Stanley Easton home. The museum features the history of Bunker Hill & Sullivan Mining, one of the oldest and largest mining companies in North Idaho, as well as many others in the region. The museum’s collection includes 3D mine models of the Sunshine and Bunker Hill mines, rock and mineral displays, mining history exhibits, local history, and equipment displays. Award winning author Julie Weston will be at the museum in July 2019 for a book signing and open house. From the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, take the trail spur adjacent to Silver Mountain up the hill directly to the museum.

5. Sunshine Miners’ Memorial

Located between Kellogg and Osburn, the 13-foot-tall Sunshine Miners Memorial statue, erected by sculptor Ken Lonn, pays tribute to the 91 miners who lost their lives in 1972 in one of the worst mining disasters in American history. The Sunshine Miners Memorial is held on May 2nd at 11 a.m. each year.

6. Chatcolet Bridge

The historic Chatcolet Bridge, a 3,100-foot-long, former swing railroad bridge originally built in 1921, has been converted to a trail bridge on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Located on the south end of Lake Coeur d’Alene near Harrison, the bridge connects the last trail segment through Heyburn State Park to Plummer. Exploring the bridge and state park makes a great day trip by bike from Harrison.

7. Avery Museum

This stop is south of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, but is worth the back road drive from Wallace. Plan to visit this complex that was built in 1909 by the Milwaukee Railroad as part of a westward expansion from Chicago, Illinois. It served as an evacuation site during the Great Fire of 1910, and is now filled with historic railroad photos and memorabilia. There’s free admission to the always-open Twin Grove, Fish Pond, and Library, and the museum room and post office are open on weekdays.

8. Wallace, Idaho

Known playfully as the “Center of the Universe,” Wallace is a town packed with history and character. In fact, the entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, so you may get the feeling that you’ve gone back in time as you stroll around the many historic buildings of this longtime mining town. The town has modernized in recent years with many quality restaurants, breweries, and bars without sacrificing the Old West charm and friendly locals that makes it so unique.

Be sure to visit the Wallace District Mining Museum to learn how the Silver Valley earned its name, and wander through the town’s historic Nine Mile Cemetery. Anyone with an interest in railroad history won’t want to miss the Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum. Walk the recently restored Historic Stairs for a stunning view of the surrounding mountains, river, and town. The Historic Wallace Preservation Society houses a collection of historical photos and written and oral accounts of history from the last 125 years, and the Oasis Bordello Museum provides a glimpse at the past with a guided tour of the bordello, which was active until 1988. You can also tour the Sierra Silver Mine via open-air trolley with an underground mine tour led by a modern-day hard rock miner. A side cycling or driving tour north of town will take you to the nearbyBurke Canyon for historical markers among the remains of mines and town buildings from the heyday of silver mining.

9. Pulaski Tunnel Trail

When you feel the need to hop off your bike to stretch your legs, consider this 4-mile round-trip hike. Only a few minutes from downtown Wallace, this 2-mile trail is a historic path that played a central role in a major historic event: the great fire of 1910. This historic trail follows part of the route taken by Ranger “Big” Ed Pulaski to escape the devastating 1910 fire. Interpretive signs along the trail guide you through Big Ed’s journey as he herded his 45-man crew to the abandoned mine tunnel saving most of their lives. Immerse yourself in the lush forest surroundings, cascading Placer Creek, and retrace the steps of this harrowing Old West experience.

10. Captain John Mullan Museum

This museum in Mullan, Idaho, is located in the old Liberty Theater. Learn about the history of the town of Mullan and the building of the Mullan Road, the first wagon road across the Rocky Mountains into the Inland Northwest, which was built in the mid 1800’s by U.S. Army troops under the command of Lt. John Mullan. You’ll find mining relics, historical newspapers and photographs, vintage clothing, and memorabilia from local school, sports, firemen, and drug stores. The eastern trailhead of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is just one block south from this museum, and there’s easy access to the Route of the Hiawatha Trail, just 6 miles from Mullan. Revel in the history and then cycle on to your own modern-day adventure through the North Idaho mountains.

11. Springston “Barren” Ghost Town

Springston, Idaho, is often described online as a ghost town, but the only ghostly thing where the town once stood is the remains of the Golden Star tug beached against the bank of the Coeur d’Alene River. Ghost town experts have a category for “barren” ghost towns, where virtually nothing remains. This accurately describes Springston. Today, Springston is a trailhead on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes three miles northeast of Harrison.

(Sponsored Content)

More stories about the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes in the OTO archives.

The post Bike to these 11 Historic Sites along the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes appeared first on Out There Venture.