Hit the trail
One hundred thousand bicyclists can’t be wrong.
That’s the best estimate of cyclists on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes last summer, reports Jon Ruggles, president of the Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Trails. The paved, 73-mile-long, 10-foot wide trail is open for bicyclists, in-line skaters and walkers and is quickly becoming a premier adventure trek in the Western United States.
The east end of the trail, beginning at Mullan, drops through the Silver Valley – full of history from the silver mining days and once home to Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane and Mollie B’Damm. Bikers pass through the towns of Mullan, Wallace, Osburn, Kellogg and Enaville.
The middle portion of the trail follows the Coeur d’Alene River, passing 15 small lakes and ponds (look for swans this time of the year). This is the gentlest portion of the trail and is suitable for all ages and skill levels, with a grade of 4 percent or less.
The west section follows the shoreline of Lake Coeur d’Alene for six miles, crossing a 3,100-foot-long bridge to Heyburn State Park. Next it follows Plummer Creek canyon for six miles, ending in the town of Plummer.
Twenty trailheads allow access to the Trail of Coeur d’Alenes, so trips of various lengths can be planned. Thirty-six bridges and trestles cross the creeks, rivers and lakes on the trail system. Flora and fauna abound; – please make sure to give wildlife the right of way.
Access: the closest access to the trail from Coeur d’Alene is Bull Run Lake Trailhead, near Rose Lake – from Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 95, go east on I-90 for approximately 21.4 miles to exit 34, then go approximately three miles to the trailhead. The eastern-most trailhead is at Mullan, about 55 miles from Coeur d’Alene – take the I-90 exit 68.
Length: approximately 73 miles, with numerous trailhead access points from the highway system.
Elevation: the lowest elevation on the trail is approximately 2,200 feet, between Cataldo and Chatcolet, providing a leisurely ride. The steepest portion of the ride is between Kellogg and Mullan, where the trail rises from 2,400 feet to 3,300 feet in approximately 18 miles.
Use: moderate
Trail condition: excellent paved trail.
Difficulty: easy to moderate.
Restrictions: no motorized vehicles or pack animals. No camping along the trail. No campfires or discharge of fireworks allowed.
What to see: wildlife, forests, rivers, lakes, mountains and mining history.
Special features: seventeen scenic waysides with picnic tables (some with bathrooms), offer great spots for a break. Museums, restaurants and other attractions are featured in the Silver Valley and in Harrison. Camping is available at private facilities in Enaville, Osburn and Harrison with public camping in Heyburn State Park. Good fishing on the Coeur d’Alene River and lakes.
Preparation: a free trail map is available by contacting the Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Trails, P.O. Box 804, Wallace, ID, 83873, or by e-mail at info@friendsofcdatrails.org. The organization maintains an information Web site, featuring the trail map, photos and trail updates at www.friendsofcdatrails.org. Phone contacts: Del Sanborn, (208) 752-7015, or Jon Ruggles, (208) 752-4721.
Gear: recommended by the Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Trails – water, daypack, high-energy food, first-aid kit, trail map, sunglasses, sunscreen, camera and film. Dress for changing conditions.
Note: The Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Trails holds meetings every two months on the third Thursday of the month, with a “Friends Ride” on the third Saturday between meetings. The next meeting is June 15 at the Enaville Resort (The Snake Pit).
The ninth annual “Bike the Wall” ride on June 21 takes advantage of the longest day of the year with a noncompetitive 13-mile bicycle ride that starts on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and winds along the Coeur d’Alene River on the CCC-Wall Ridge route. Visit the Web site, www.hfhidaho.org/bike_event.htm for more information and registration, or call (208) 682-3814 or (208) 682-3453.