I see there is a question about using the trail in winter, so I checked with the local trikers there and you can ski and such...


"During the winter, the Trail is open for bikes, walkers and cross-country skiers depending on snow coverage. When appropriate, ski tracks are laid between Enaville and Wallace. In addition, the six miles between Wallace and Mullan is also available to snowmobilers as long as there is at least 3 inches of snow covering the paving."

TrailBear

The CdA trail is open year round for winter recreation. Since the trail passed through towns, trailheads and road crossings, access is easy in most places. The east end to Mullan is open to snowmobiles, snow depth permitting. Currently (Jan 17 2012) there is about 6 inches of fresh powder snow on the trail in the Silver Valley area, except where it is plowed for walking near Kellogg, ID.

On the Friends of the Trail web page, scroll down a ways to Current conditions. This is a quote:

"During the winter, the Trail is open for bikes, walkers and cross-country skiers depending on snow coverage. When appropriate, ski tracks are laid between Enaville and Wallace. In addition, the six miles between Wallace and Mullan is also available to snowmobilers as long as there is at least 3 inches of snow covering the paving."

http://friendsofcdatrails.org/

Let's go skiing!

Mt_Top

The Couer d' alene & Hiawatha trails are two of America's premier rail-trails. Combine them, and they may be the greatest in the world. After riding on the Route of the Hiawatha in 1998, I became hooked on rail trails and now spend an inordinate amount of time riding on them and writing about them.

I noticed that Traillink shows the Trail of the Coeur d' Alenes as being nordic ski accessible but on the Friends of the CTA website, it says the trail is not accessible in the winter. If someone knows the official answer, could you post it on the comment section of the Trail of the Couer d' Alenes page on trailsnet.com? Thanks!!

My wife and I rode the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, the Hiawatha Trail and the Washington/Idaho Centennial trail and a great self-guided tour this past summer organized by Silver Bike Tours based in Coeur d'Alene. They provided a quality hybrid bike and all the gear, made our lodging arrangements, provided luggage transfers and transportation to the trailheads as needed. All three trails are fantastic and much of the ride is along water - starting along the Spokane River from Spokane to Coeur d'Alene, then along Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Coeur d'Alene river on the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. The grand finale was the Hiawatha Trail with it's long tunnels and spectacular trestles, unique in the Rails-to-Trails system. You can find out more information about the 5-day tour we did at http://www.silverbiketours.com. Our favorite meal stop by the way was at the Enaville Snake Pit, a character-filled cafe along the way. Don't miss out on a visit to the historic Cataldo Mission too.

I flew up from Los Angeles one weekend in october for the sole purpose of skating this magnificent trail. The CDA trail is by far the best trail for long distance inline skating in North America. The asphalt is nice and smooth all along, and the scenery is beautiful. Thank you Union Pacific Railroad Company and the people in Idaho for paving this wonderful trail.

First rode this trail in spring of 2006 and fell in love with it. So much so that we bought property half mile from the Enaville SnakePit to be able to park our 5th wheel and use the trail all summer long. I have just passed 8,000 miles traveled. I ride a bike, walk the dog and (until recently when I tore my rotator cuff) roller blade. My wife power walks regularly.

For uninterrupted long distance smooth road biking, it can't be beat. I recommend the Century from Pinehurst to Plumber and back: only 2 road crossings and very light usage. In fact, midweek you are more apt to encounter a moose than another person! Harrison is the only civilization and it provides a nice break at 33 and 66 mile points. The 6 mile climb to Plumber and subsequent fast descent provide variety from the otherwise flat ride.

We have driven across the top of Idaho several times to visit our daughter in Spokane and it has been my husband's dream to one day ride some of this trail. We accomplished it this past Labor Day weekend. We did the lake section from Harrison to Plummer and back. It was nice to do the uphill portion first knowing that our reward would be the downhill ride. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous and the weather could not have been more delightful. Don't miss ice cream at the Creamery in Harrison to reward yourself. My daughter and I had hot fudge sundaes which were the best I've ever had...the shop also serves homemade fudge which was melted and then poured on the ice cream, yum!

We did several other sections of the trail as well as the Hiawatha trail. The Hiawatha trail was a bit rougher than we had anticipated. Our hybrid bikes made it fine but mountain bikes might make the ride more comfortable.

We stayed at the Guesthouse Suites in Kellog which I would recommend for location and access to the trail which is right outside the hotel. The Moose Creek Inn in Kellog is a delightful restaurant which is also just a short bike ride from the hotel, try there Lasagna which might be the best I've had in a long time!

I finally got to ride the trail in August and it was spectacular! I rode from Wallace to Heyburn State Park. I camped over night and rode back to Wallace the next day. The scenery made the ride seem like a 10 mile ride. I never thought once about the distance that I was riding. The trail was pretty busy on Saturday near Cataldo, but wasn't a problem.
I encourage everybody to get out and ride this trail if they get the chance!

My Wife & I just finished riding the trail from Mullan to Plumber. We took 3 days. It was a great trip. We had lunch in Wallace at 1313 a bar and grill. The food was excellent. We stayed in Enaville at a bed and breakfast called Country Lane Resort on the River (208) 682-2698. It was 6 miles away from the trail, slightly uphill. The place, people and food were fantastic. Well worth the trip out of the way. Our next night was in Harrison. Very small community, not nearly as nice as the bed and breakfast. It was a weekday, there was no place to get breakfast and we didn’t want to hang around and wait for lunch. There was instant oatmeal, coffee, and snack bars, etc. from their little convenience store. Saw lots of birds and a muskrat, but nothing larger on the trail. We enjoyed the trip, everything was clean and well maintained. Do make sure you pack lots of water with you.

Great trail for family ride. We rode downhill from Mullan to Harrison then shuttled to Plummer and rode downhill back to Harrison. Very easy, even for 11 year old son and non-biking husband. Absolutely beautiful scenery. Much wildlife including moose, dear, birds, and wildflowers in July. Clean restrooms along the trail at easy intervals. Great bakeshops in Harrison and Kellogg for support and rentals. Very friendly locals in small towns along the trail. Great little restaurants and bars along the way for refreshments. Highly recommend this trail!

We biked this trail in three days in early September 2010. It is a wonderful, well-maintained trail. Glad we did it.

My wife and I just got back from a two day trip on this trail. We got a ride (John at Bike Peddlers in Harrison hauled us up to the top. He runs the only transport service that I could find. Talking to him for an hour and a half was worth the price!!!) up to Mullan, so the first 20 miles was downhill. The scenery was beautiful. The trail is paved the entire route. That makes for an incredibly smooth ride. We hit two minor bumps in 73 miles. We rode 57 miles to Harrison the first day and stayed in a motel with a balcony looking out over Lake Coeur d'Alene. The next day we did 31 miles up to Plummer and back. The only uphill was the 6 miles climbing up out of the lake basin to Plummer. The return trip was a rush, coasting the first 6 miles. We didn't see a moose, but several were seen on the day we were on the trail, just not by us.

The only problem on the trail is water. None of the trail heads have water because of the fear of lead pollution from the old mine at Kellogg and the fact that the railroad used mine waste to build the track on. Therefore, either carry it with you (we both had 100 oz Camelbaks and did fine). You can get water in any of the small towns that you go thru. From Enaville to Harrison, though, there are no towns. NOT allowed because the scenery is too beautiful!!

Great ride for mountain, street, or hybrid bikes. We have a hybrid Trek tandom that was really fun to ride on this trail. Wish I lived closer so could do this ride often. The best trail that I have ever been on overall.

A cycle vacation on the 72-mile paved Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes in North Idaho is a great way to discover the beauty, rich history, culture, people, and ambiance of the seven mountain communities the trail touches. You can easily spend a whole week exploring everything there is to do. There is a handy list of FAQs at www.southlakecda.com/trail.htm, and the Idaho State Parks and Recreation Dept. provides updates on trail conditions at 208-682-3814.

Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation and Heyburn State Park

Start at Plummer, Idaho, on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation by checking out the new metal sculpture and memorial wall at the trailhead to honor the tribe's veterans. The modern and spacious tribal Wellness Center just south of the trailhead welcomes day visitors for $5. There are no water fountains at any of the trailheads or wayside stops along the trail, except here, so get water at the stores in the towns along the way.

From Plummer, there's a nice seven-mile ride, mostly downhill, through a forested canyon. There are a couple of rest areas along the way before reaching Heyburn State Park on the south end of Lake Coeur d'Alene. Camping along the trail is prohibited, except at developed sites, and Heyburn has lots of them. The three-mile hike at Indian Cliffs Trailhead is a great place to get an overview of the surrounding mountains and waters. The trail crosses to the east side of the lake in the park over Chatcolet Bridge, which once swung open to let steamboats through on their way up the St. Joe River. It was retrofitted as part of the rails-to-trails conversion with a kind of stairstep design that offers a bit of respite from the climb up and lots of woop-de-doos on the way down. The first 15 miles of the trail are on the Indian reservation so the rest stops are named in the Coeur d'Alene language and the interpretive signs point out places of significance to the tribe. Find information about the tribe's involvement with the trail at: http://www.cdatribe-nsn.gov/Departments/LakeMngmt/CDATrailProject.aspx.

Harrison to Cataldo

On the edge of the rez is the quaint town of Harrison, with restaurants, an art gallery that features regional talent, historical museum, shops, live music, wine tasting, cycle rentals, flat water kayaking, a public beach, and a variety of lodgings, including a campground right on the water. There are bike racks
all over town to welcome cyclists and a lot of riders can be found parked in front of the Creamery and Gig's Landing enjoying ice cream treats.

After Harrison, there is a 25-mile stretch through a remote area with no services, other than the wayside rest areas, some of which have restrooms, so you will definitely want to make sure your water containers are full. Keep your eye out for osprey and eagles as you ride through the Thompson Lake Wildlife Management Area along the Coeur d'Alene River. You'll come out at the Cataldo Trailhead on the western edge of Idaho's historic Silver Valley. There is a spacious campground here along the river and a homey inn where you can get a bite to eat. The Coeur d'Alenes Old Mission Park is an easy three mile side trip and well worth the detour. It features Idaho's oldest existing building, a rustic, but elegant cathedral constructed by Coeur d'Alene Indians and Jesuit Priests in the mid 1800. It may be the only place you'll ever see a ceiling stained with huckleberry juice.

The North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River

Cycle on to Kellogg and Wallace in the heart of the Silver Valley for more adventures. A favorite stop along the way is the historic Snake Pit restaurant and bar where the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River flows into the main stem. There's another tempting detour here, six miles upriver to the Country Lane Resort, where guests can enjoy a fully outfitted float down the North Fork or a fishing trip to a backwoods pond stocked with trout.

Kellogg and Silver Mountain

In Kellogg, ride the gondola to mountaintop activities at Silver Mountain. Pick huckleberries, play Frisbee golf, hunt for geocaches, or trade your trail bike for mountain bike and zoom down 4,000 vertical feet back to Gondola Village. One of my favorite tours in the Valley is the Crystal Gold Mine. There is even free camping for self-contained RVs here. This is the "metro" section of the trail, in other words, you'll be riding in proximity to traffic on I-90 and have access to lots of goods and services. Don't miss the Staff House Mining Museum at the Silver Mountain Trailhead for a historical ground truthing on the area you are riding through.

Step Back in Time in Wallace

Further east in Wallace you will discover a veritable collector's paradise with shop after shop packed with fascinating antiques and one-of-a-kind finds. Is that a spaceship in front of the Red Light Garage restaurant? There is a lively theater troop here, so take in a rollicking show at the Sixth Street
Theater, check out the Northern Pacific Railway Museum, take historic tours on trolleys with guides dressed in period costumes, or just relax at a sidewalk table at one of Wallace's great restaurants and admire the Bitterroot Mountains that circle the town. A mile out of Wallace, you can hike on the Pulaski Trail along Placer Creek. This two-mile trail ends at an old mine tunnel where 45 firefighters and two horses sought refuge from the Great Fire of 1910, which burned a whopping three million acres in the Bitterroots during one horrible weekend 100 years ago. Oh, did I mention that Wallace is the alleged "Center of the Universe?" You'll just have to check this one out for yourselves.

Mullan and Backroads to the Route of the Hiawatha

The last stop on the trail is the old mining town of Mullan six miles shy of the Montana border. Add your name to the guest book of trail riders from around the world at the Bitterroot Coffee house. The Captain John Mullan Museum is the cultural highlight here, but it's only open on weekdays. Some travelers continue on to Lookout Pass and the Route of the Hiawatha through backcountry trails from Mullan. Directions on how to do this are provided by volunteers of the Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trails at: http://friendsofcdatrails.org/mullan2hiawatha07.html. This group of trail supporters also publishes a fine trail map, so check out their website. The Friends promote the 300k Bitterroot Loop, which includes the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, the Route of the Hiawatha, and the multi use Milwaukee Scenic Route back towards St. Maries, near Heyburn State Park.

Everyone is saying great things about the Trail of the Coeur d'Alene's, and these are just some of the gems to discover along the way.

We have ridden this trail twice, first in 2008 and then again in 2010. I have described both approaches below.

The 72 mile paved trail extends from Plummer, Idaho to Mullan, Idaho. The natural scenery is wonderful and osprey, eagles and moose sitings are common. A trail map is available on the Friends of Trail of the Couer d'Alene website and a free trail map which includes mileage between trailheads and an overall trail elevation picture can be requested from the same website. The trail is located in Idaho's Silver Valley from which the largest amount of silver has been extracted in the world. The original rail line was built on contaminated silver mine trailings and later capped with the asphalt trail used today. Because of the contamination that is under the trail, trail users are encouraged to stay on the trail and to not drink the water. The trail itself is smooth and meticulously maintained by the Couer d'Alene tribe and the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

Sure, one can ride the entire trail from start to finish in one day but consider riding this trail over two or three days and take in some local activities on each day.

2008 APPROACH
Our original intent was to park at the Plummer trail head (mile 0) and ride the entire trail out and back with an overnight stay in Kellogg (mile 53.8). We changed our approach after learning that a 230 foot section of the trail had washout in 2008 which we would not be able to bypass. Our new approach ended up being a great way to ride the trail.

Our new plan was to stay in Harrison (mile 15.3) the night before our ride began. Harrison has a beautiful view of Lake Couer d'Alene. Lodging options include an RV / tent site, the Lakeview lodge motel, the Osprey B&B and the Wild Boar B&B.

Day 1: We rode from Harrison (mile 15.3) to the Plummer trail head (mile 0), then returned through Harrison and onto the washed out trail section (approximately the Springston Trailhead mile 18.4) and back to Harrison.
Mileage: 39.4 miles.

We drove to Kellogg, checked into our hotel and explored Kellogg. Kellogg lodging options include the Silver Mountain resort and also the Guest Inn (other options are also available, check those out, too!). Kellogg has a ski resort and access to the world's longest gondola is literally at the front door of either of these lodging facilities listed. The gondola runs in the summer so one can ride to the top for the view or take a mountain bike up and ride down. The Couer d'Alene trail runs past these facilities.

Day 2: We road from Kellogg (mile 53.1) to Mullen (mile 71.4) then back to Kellogg (mile 53.1).
Approximate mileage: 36.6.

On our return bike ride, we stopped in Wallace (mile 64.6) and had lunch. We also took the town trolley tour and silver mine tour. The silver mine tour is lead by a miner, who operated equipment for us, and told us about the Sunshine mining disaster in the area.

We spent another night the night in Kellogg.

Day 3: We road from Kellogg (mile 53.1) to the washout (approximately Springston trailhead mile 18.4) and back to Kellogg (mile 53.1). We saw a moose enjoying the water this day.
Mileage: 69.4


2010 APPROACH
The 2008 washout section was fixed in 2008 so we did not need to consider a work around in 2010. The night before we began our ride, we stayed in Harrison. We had a non-riding member who ferried us to the Plummer trailhead in the morning. The roadway to Plummer does not parallel the trail so it was a little out of the way to drive to the trail head. If we were to do this approach again, we would ride our bikes to the Plummer trail head for an additional 15.3 miles that day.

Day 1: We rode from Plummer (mile 0) to Kellogg (mile 53.1).
We had two moose sitings this day.

Day 2: We rode from Kellogg (mile 53.1) to Mullan (71.4) and returned to Kellogg (mile 53.1).
We had saw a mother and calf moose this day.

This trail needs to be in the Rails to Trails Hall of Fame. It has one of the best combinations of scenery and good trail surface of any trail in North America.

TOOLBEAR ON THE TRAIL OF THE COEUR D’ALENES

DAY 3 – DOWN THE RIVER

September 23, 2009

ENAVILLE TRAILHEAD TO RIVER BEND WAYSIDE

Scenery – 5*, Trailbed – 5*, Facilities-4* … another delightful rural ride down a quiet river.

Day Three and we head out from Killarney Lake to explore. Checked out camping at Rose Lake. No camping there. You cannot trust the tent symbols on those maps unless you have a second source. This one was “iffy.” Would have been a great base. Close to freeway and the trail. Too good to be true.

The Bull Run Lake Trailhead at the top of the Chain Lakes south of Rose Lake and across the river was a very nice facility. Looks like a good place to ride up the river to Enaville TH (13.6) or down to Harrison (17.1). We moved on, exploring up the valley and landed at the Enaville Trailhead.

This trailhead has some features not found in the average facility. Across the highway is a local landmark called the “Snake Pit.” Since 1888. It may have been a cat house and rowdy groggery Back When, but there sure were a lot of bikies pedaling over. Perhaps it was the Cold Beer on the sign. The day was hot.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2144051/the_snake_pit_restaurant_in_kingston.html?cat=22

The next trailhead up the trail is Pine Creek, but Enaville has more charm, shade and better adjacent facilities. Park the van, assembly the folding mountain bike, equip it and head SW, down the river. Destination: River Bend Wayside & Restroom. This is a pleasant and quiet rural ride through pine forests and meadows along the river, with the hills crowding close to the trail. The river meanders in a series of loops down to the Chain Lakes. The vistas here were a little closer than found in the Chain Lakes.

Found that there is a pit stop at the Cataldo TH. The maps don’t show it, but they have a portaloo there. They also have shade, which was welcome as the day was HOT. (TB had avoided coming in summer when 100+ is the norm – or a thunderstorm. In late September it was only in the ‘90s. Improvement?)

The one adventure was on the way back: ToolBear meets Ms. Moose. Finally. Everyone else has moose pix. There were enough moose tracks on the trail. Now something ahead was browsing in a thicket along the trail. Could have been a horse. There are ranches along this stretch.

Approach slowly. Look. It looks back. Looks like a horse. However, does the average horse have one of those straggly chin beards that the teens grow? No. Ergo: moose. No rack; ergo: Ms. Moose. TB snaps a pix and slowly pedals off. Ms. Moose continues to feed.

Pedal on to Enaville, pack up and head up into the Silver Valley to explore trail heads. Things are getting civilized. Plummer Canyon, the Lake, the Chain Lakes and the River sections of the trail have been rural or forested, quiet, good scenery. Now we are heading for the Silver Valley section – cars, shops, homes, people, noise, fumes and such.

UP IN THE SILVER VALLEY --- CARS, PEOPLE, AND A WAL MART

Wonders! The trail runs alongside a Wal Mart Superstore in Smelterville and the trail head has an expresso stand next door. There might be some benefits to a bit of civilization. Not only is there an expresso stand. That head frame and ore car display conceals an RV dump station in the back.

Kellogg has a rather extensive park/greenbelt running a half mile along the trail. It takes looking to find the actual trail head – which is not at the Kellogg Depot – a charming HQ for the Chamber of Commerce. It’s about 500’ west down the trail, beyond the bike shop. You get a boring parking lot and trail head sign. You can do better.

Go 0.3 miles west (off N. Hill St.) and you find a great city park complex. There is a veteran’s memorial under construction, kiddy play lot, picnic tables, covered picnic shelter and a nice restroom with water. After you check out the depot building, base here. It’s a nice facility.

TRAIL MAPS AND FACILITIES… Check out the map collection on line…

When I was researching the TCDA last winter, it took a bit of poking about to find decent on-line maps of the trail. Here are some URLS that might help your planning.

You can find this brochure and trail map at the USFS office in Smelterville, adjacent to the Wal Mart.

< http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/assets/content/docs/Recreation/TrailCDAWeb.pdf>

This one is excellent. There are eight DeLorme topo maps with trail and facilities overlays that cover the whole trail. I downloaded a set and used these for the rides.

< http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/trailofthecoeurdalenes.aspx>

Where to camp in the Silver Valley is an issue. Had to go commercial. Wound up at the Big Creek RV Park next to the Shont (Big Creek) Trailhead below Osburn. Exit 54 out of Kellogg.

(www.rvnorthidaho.com)

Not bad. Not flossy, but I have a van, not a big RV. We got a tent site for the van for $10, a good price, and that included a nice hot shower. We came back on Day Four after exploring the upper valley and tourist things by van. I would expect to try them again next season.

I pedaled thru the Kahnderosa RV Park in Cataldo, between the trail and the river. Did not try them, so no reviews, but it has a handy location.

Down by the Depot in Wallace, which had an adverse review, is located just up the road from the Wallace Trailhead. You can see it from the parking lot.



Ride on!
ToolBear

TOOLBEAR ON THE TRAIL OF THE COEUR D’ALENES

DAY 1 – UP TO PLUMMER AND DOWN PLUS UP THE LAKE AND BACK

September 21, 2009

TRAIL OVERVIEW…

The 73 mile Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes from Wallace to Plummer, ID, is one of the West’s best “destination” trails, and certainly a five star project. It is a glorious ride. Superb scenery. Excellent facilities. The depth of the facilities is amazing. There are twenty developed trailheads and seventeen trail waysides along the route. There are 73 miles of 10’ wide blacktop trail bed and most of it rates a 5* for good surface. You can roller blade this stuff.

An experienced roadie can doubtless do the whole thing in one day. Or you can take your time and enjoy the views. The trail can be divided into several sections, each a nice ride: Plummer Canyon, Along the Lake, The Chain Lakes, The River, The Lower Silver Valley & WalMart Superstore, The Upper Silver Valley (start climbing). On Day One I climbed up to Plummer, coasted back down, then headed up the lake for a bit.

PLUMMER CANYON…

Facilities – 2 to 5*. Trail bed – 5*. Scenery – 4*

The descent from Plummer is well known and fun. See it on YouTube. No one seems to do the Ascent to Plummer. The ascent is about six miles of 3% grade. Just find the right gear and do it. You gain about 455’ in 6.78 miles.

It’s a nice forested canyon with two pit stops between the ratty Heyburn park trailhead at the base and the Plummer TH. (I mean, really! A gravel parking lot with one trashcan? No loo? On the TCDA? Even the waysides have more facilities.)

I was managing about 8 mph uphill (a geezer on mountain bike loaded with gear). There is water at the Plummer trailhead at the top, so enjoy. Water points are rare. You will not find this in the remote regions. Coming down, my max speed was 22 mph and I cruised at a comfy 17 mph.

TRAIL FACILITIES FROM BOTTOM TO TOP – PLUMMER CANYON SECTION

The standard wayside in this section has a vault toilet, picnic table, bench and bike rack and gets a 4* facility rating. Some have two tables and benches. Water is normally not available, so carry it.

N47.36040 W116.77973 Trailhead at Heyburn Rd. - gravel parking lot and trash can.
N47.36352 W116.79809 “Place for Racing” Wayside – vault toilet, bike rack, bench, picnic table, interpretative sign.
N47.35624 W116.84292 “Stopping Place” Wayside - vault toilet, bike rack, bench, picnic table, and interpretative sign.
N47.33993 W116.88931 “Gathering Place” Trailhead & Trail End at Plummer – double flush toilets, water fountain, bike rack, picnic tables, trail sign, art and paved parking lot.

Camping on the trail can be had at Heyburn State Park at the base of the lake.


OVER THE BRIDGE AND UP THE LAKE TOWARDS HARRISON…

Facilities – 4*. Trail bed – 5*. Scenery – 5*

At the base of the Plummer Grade you take the trail along the lake though Heyburn State Park to the boat launch/trail head. Ahead is the Chatcolet Bridge – which is fun. The approaches are done in a series of ramps and flats up to the swinging center section. Going down you can almost grab some air. If they would do lips on the ramps for some lift – but never mind. Then along the causeway to the shore and start pedaling up the lake shore. Really nice views. Numerous little docks and summer cabins on the slopes. These have trails to the lake. Some have causeways over the ditch. Some have drawbridges at the ends of their causeways.

I started this section after lunch at the campsite and rode it up to the second wayside – “A Familiar Place” and then back down. It would be about another ten miles round trip to Harrison, so dinner won out. About face and head back down the lake.

TRAIL FACILITIES ALONG THE LAKE…

N47.39915 W116.74300 “A Canoe Landing” Wayside – vault toilet, bench, picnic table with cover, sign, bike rack.
N47.41711 W116.74665 “A Familiar Place” Wayside - vault toilet, bench, picnic table, sign, bike rack.
N47.449935 W116.782641 Steamboat Landing – picnic table, bench, etc.

The next day we broke camp and headed up Rt. 3 from St. Maries, thence along the Chain Lakes to the Medimont Trail Head for a ride in the Chain Lakes section.

Ride on!
ToolBear

TOOLBEAR ON THE TRAIL OF THE COEUR D’ALENES

DAY 2 – IN THE CHAIN LAKES REGION

September 22, 2009

MEDIMONT TRAIL HEAD TO SPRINGSTON TRAIL HEAD

Day Two of our TCDA reconnaissance. Today it’s the Chain Lakes section – that stretch of lakes and wetlands from Bull Run TH down to Harrison on the lake.

We left Heyburn State Park, drove over the hills from St. Maries on Rt 3, then along the Chain Lakes section of the Coeur d’Alene River. Think: lakes, wetlands, meadows, forested hills, scenic vistas. Spotted a TCDA trailhead sign on the highway, skidded to a halt, backed up and headed down a gravel road over a causeway. Lot of those in the Chain Lakes. We fetched up at Medimont Trailhead at the base of Medicine Mountain – a high spot out in the swamps. The wife liked this one. I have the bike; she has the veto on trailheads.

This is a charming trailhead with lots of shade trees on the edge of Cave Lake. It was getting a good deal of action. I like to do an out and back ride to some place with a pit stop at the far end. Go east or go west? Heading west, this would be the Springston TH on Anderson Lake, east of Harrison. Assemble the bike, load the gear and head west over another causeway across the wetlands. On the first bend you leave the lake and have the river on the right and the swamps on the left. You will follow the river down to Harrison.

Soon there are vast meadows on the left and the river on the right with swamps beyond and forested hills beyond that. The vistas here are superb. The scenery is better than the lakes section. It is a rather remote region. The freeway is way north. There are ranches here with homes on the high ground. One meadow was given over to cows. The next one had the white board fences and a herd of horses.

Watch the trail bed for tracks. All sorts of whitish muddy paw and hoof prints go up, down and across the trail. I suspect those marks that look like a really large deer are moose marks. Small deer tracks = calf? There are moose along the trail here. Didn’t see any, but there are lots of sign, including other pix in the photo gallery.

TRAIL RATING – Chain Lakes

Scenery = 5* - Glorious vistas. Trail bed = 5* - smooth blacktop. Facilities = 4* - tables, benches, restrooms at Medimont and Springston. (No water; no 5*.) Delightful ride. Quiet and peaceful.

TRIP STATS – MEDIMONT TO SPRINGSTON…

7.60 miles up, 15.2 round trip. Max speed 16.9, cruising speed 12-13. Moving time 46 minutes. Stopped time 45 minutes. Total ascent 164’

TRAIL FACILITIES…

Waysides (with table, bench, sign) at Cave Creek (N47.46400 W116.62780), Gray’s Meadow (N47.47853 W116.68719), Cottonwood. (Don’t bother with Cottonwood. You are in sight of Springston.)

Trailheads (with road access, tables, benchs, signs, restroom) at Medimont (N47.47537 W116.60126) and Springston (N47.47846 W116.73197).

LOCAL CAMPING –

A problem with the TCDA is the lack of local public camping near the trail (there is none on it). After Labor Day it gets tight. Diligent Net research during the winter turned up a BLM campground at the boat launch at Killarney Lake. Got a lake-front site for $6 (Golden Geezer).

There was a hint of another such at Rose Lake (which would be great). We checked. Nope. Day use fishing access.

The City of Harrison Marina has an RV facility and there may be a fisherman access CG north of the river there. Something to check out next season. In season (and we never are) there is the USFS Blue Bell CG on the lake a bit above Harrision. That’s it for this section of the TCDA.

Ride on!

ToolBear

We rode the entire trail - up and back. It's a wonderful trail that has to be on everyone's bucket list.
In Mullan, don't miss the Bitterroot Coffee Shop - it's a treasure. April and Mike used to work on Alaska fishing boats, so making world class lattees and scones is child's play for them. Also great breakfast croissants. Very friendly people. It makes Mullan well worth the uphill climb!

In Wallace, we had a wonderful time... but don't recommend camping at "Down by the Depot"! The proprieter operates out of a truck and is a grouch! He charges $18 for a tent no matter how small, and the rest room is locked from 7 PM til 8 AM!! We opted to stay at the Brooks Hotel instead for only $50 - well worth the difference! We also recommend the Smokehouse Saloon for great Louisianna style BBQ and the 1313 Club for breakfast.

more details to come.

We just rode 40 miles of this wonderful trail. We picked up rentals at Excelsior Bikes in Kellogg. This is an adorable bike shop housed in the old train depot. They have a large selection of nice bikes at very reasonable rental fees. And the location can't be beat....right on the trail. The ride to the west is all at a slight downhill grade. The scenery is gorgeous. We even saw a moose walking on the trail! We'll definitely be back next year and try to ride the entire 72 miles.

We have ridden alot of rail-trails over the years. This is one of the best.

While biking the Coeur d'Alenes Trail for three consecutive days my friend and I discussed what Heaven would be like and agreed we had already arrived. The beauty of the Coeur d'Alenes River and Lakes takes a back seet to streets paved with gold. Gravity offers assistance while biking West, and prevailing Westernly winds offer Eastward bound travelers an easier return. The trail from Kellog west is the most scenic, and offers the most opportunity to see wild life, and unspoiled vistas. Visiting historic towns on the trail such as Harrison and Wallace offers intriguing glimpses into Idaho's past. I am a bit of the "Princess and the Pea" but also frugal, and after much research, and driving to view area accomodations we decided to treat ourselves to the SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT in Kellog, Idaho- a bit spendy for Northern Idaho, but so well worth the price. The rooms are magnificant, well appointed, and ours faced the gondola and mountains. There is secure bike storage for each building located on the ground floor with an outside entrance. The trail is a stone's throw from the Lodge, and included in the Lodge's premises is a water park - free with your first night's stay. Book mid-week and your third night is half price. If you can only ride ONE paved trail in your life make it this one or just wait for heaven.

This is one of my favorite Rails-to-Trails. We drove to Harrison, Idaho from the Spokane airport in the first week of August 2005 and rented bicycles at Pedal Pushers in Harrison (reasonable prices, nice people). The weather was perfect, no rain, neither hot nor cold. We rode on the trail from Harrison one day to the northeast, one to the west. The feeling is one of seeing some nature right along the trail. Going towards Bull Run Lake Trailhead the way is flat; we passed beautiful wide-open marshes with wild birds. We did not go all the way west to Plummer as it seemed to be less bucolic. We did go across Coeur d'Alene Lake on an interesting bridge as far as the Heyburn State Park area; saw a deer on that leg. There is a small incline through the woods after that bridge. The trail is well-maintained and smooth. Much of the trail is built over contaminated soil left over from the mining days, but it is claimed to be safe, and, rightly or wrongly, we adults didn't worry about it. Children should not be allowed to play in the dirt, however. The Trail of the Hiawatha is nearby for another day of cycling through some cool (literally) tunnels.

" After you have ridden this trail, all others in America may be at best second rate. Mountains, deer, osprey, moose and more were sights we saw. The streams are so clear you can see the many trout. The mountains spectacular. Don't miss the gondola ride to Silver Mt. at Kellogg.
We rode this trail from the middle in two rides because of the length. One ride east, the other west, then both rides end downhill!"

"This Trail is a credit to those responsible for making it happen - what a fantastic community asset it is!I've ridden two years in a row, and came all the way from Aussie to do so.

The scenery is superb, in particuler the section from Harrison to Plummer, while the downhill from Mullan offers a great opportunity to run neck and neck with some of the semis on I90!

Out of towners (such as myself) can easily hire gear from the cycle-shop right beside the trail in Kellog - great service at reasonable rates.

An excellent example of a well-planned rail-trail which regularly draws riders from both the local area as well as visitors from far-away.

They don't get much better than this.

(I also rode the Norpac Trail which joins the Coeur D'Alene Trail to the Hiawatha Trail via Lookout Pass. It well repays the effort involved and my reward was a sighting of a small brown bear.) "

On 15 September my son and I rode from Mullan to Plummer in one day. Took us 5 hours of riding and 2 hours of resting & eating. The hill up to Plummer was hard but we did it! I've ridden 800 miles so far this year and this ride on the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes was absolutely glorious!

"Made my last ride of the year on the CDA Trail 28 October. Saw 4 otters only a half mile west of Cataldo! I've logged 611 miles on this trail in 4 years, completing the trail entirely in two of the years. Rode my new recumbent this last year. What a fantastic trail!"

Biked from Kellogg to Cataldo and back. The scenery was fabulous and the trail was in excellent condition. I plan to return!

"The more I bike this trail, the more I like it. The fall color in late October is wonderful. This trail is among the best I have ever done and I have done trails all over the U.S. I rode 215 miles back and forth on the trail in 2 days on my most recent visit and enjoyed every mile of it. "

"We are from Michigan and have rode many trails throughout the United States.

This is one beautiful trail. We rode from Mullan to Heyburn State Park.

From Mullan to Pinehurst the trail is near the Interstate so the views are ok. Once you pass the Pinehurst the views are wonderful. The Historic Chatcolet bridge is splendid.

The trail is in great condition with many rest areas and restrooms.

For west-bound riders, the Mission Hill Inn is the last place to eat before Harrison. They had good food and service.

We will ride the trail again if we are ever in the area again."

"I received word from Pedal Pusher's bike shop in Harrison that the old railroad swing bridge at the south end of Lake Coeur d' Alene opened on Friday, April 9th. The bridge is a stone's throw from Heyburn State Park. Yippee!"

"We biked all the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes except the few miles by the interstate. We stayed in Harrison at the Osprey Inn, right on the trail. This was a great B&B and it caters to cyclists.

The trail is paved, flat and beautiful. There are miles and miles of wetlands with a gazillion birds, ospreys, ducks, little birds, big birds, and lots of unkown birds (to us). The old bridge at the southwest end of the trail was not opened yet but should be by now. Ride this trail soon and often."

"This trail features great Northern Idaho scenery with a very good trail surface. There are local weather effects in the Coeur d'Alene River Valley that will result in easterly winds at night and in the morning and westerly winds in the afternoon. Keep this in mind when planning a ride on this trail.

Also, there is no food or drinking water on or near the trail between Harrison and the Cataldo Trailhead which are 27 miles apart. Also, there are no drinking fountains on the trail. Services near the trail are frequent on the eastern third of the trail between Smelterville and Mullan. Otherwise, they are limited. "

"I've ridden parts of this trail three times. I can't wait until the swing bridge is done! In 2004 we hope to ride the Mullan to Cataldo section. Then we'll have ridden the whole length. This trail is awesome; there are muskrat, osprey, ducks, geese and much more. There's a good bike shop in Harrison too. Near the west end the trail goes through Heyburn State Park."

"Hello everyone! It's great to hear positive remarks about the ""Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes."" I hope everyone enjoys the trail as much a I do.

I want to let everyone know that the 15 miles of trail through the Coeur d'Alene Indian reservation is bikeable except for the Chatcolet Swing Span Trestle. This trestle crosses the lake and should be complete and passable by January or February of 2004.

The 40 unit parking lot and restroom located at the Plummer Trailhead should be completed spring 2004. And, yes, there will be road signage installed soon.

Thanks all! Have fun on the trail.

-Dean Chapman, Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Trail Manager"

"I have to agree with the previous reviewer about the lack of trailhead signs. We were unable to find at least one of them from the main road.

However, it is a fantastic trail, so smooooth that the miles just whiz by! Watch out for those spider webs when heading up the bridge approaches though! I imagine when the bridge is finally finished that the first rider over the bridge each day will clear the way."

"I recently biked this wonderful trail after searching for trailheads. They're not easy to find since there are no treailhead signs on the Interstate or state highways. More signage is certainly needed.

Otherwise, this is a delightful trail!

-DPE"

"Nice trail; we recommend that you ride from Pinehurst (KOA available) to Harrison, or bridge and return (about 60 to 80 miles round-trip)."

We left our bikes at the Rose Lake trailhead just across a one-lane bridge over the Coeur d'Alene River and then put our kayaks in at Cataldo. After an easy 7-mile paddle down the river we locked the boats up and rode our bikes back to the starting point. It was a nice upper body workout followed by some easy leg work peddling back. The round trip was about 3 1/2 hours. A moose greeted us along the way.

"As soon as we finished a round trip (as part of a longer trip) on this trail we joined the Friends of the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes.

I have never seen such a variety of birds in my life, the colors were really amazing. We got to watch several otters play in the water, deer run along side us (a parallel route off the trail), nesting Osprey with young and wild flowers in an endless aray.

All this on an easy smooth blacktop surface. We spent hours chatting with fellow riders and people along the trail. Well done! I plan to take my children for a tour of this trail and the Hiawatha in July."

The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes will be a great weekend ride. You can ride 70 miles up and stay in Wallace and then come back. The snow (as it was) is gone. What a beautiful and flat ride!