Except for a 2 mile gap south of Victor, this trail is complete all the way from Lolo to Hamilton and will be 35 miles long when the gap is paved this summer (2012). Parking is available at a few Park and Ride lots or fishing access sites along US 93. The trail switches to the opposite side of US 93 at the Highway 373 traffic signal in Woodside. There are no signs indicating this change. The good views of the Bitterroot Mountains to the west and Sapphire Mountains to the east are the highlights of this trail. US 93 traffic noise is the downside.

This is the 2nd time I've been to this area and rode the trail. It seemed like a nicer ride this time. Just as much highway noise, but it is still a nice ride. The paved trail ends about 4-5 miles north of Victor, but paving is being done, and it will be complete to Victor in 2010, and complete to Hamilton in 2012.

Enjoy the ride,
Ron

I rode this trail last weekend. It is a very nice setting, except it varies from 4ft to maybe 20ft away from US93. The bridges are grooved for winter driving, and every time a vehicle goes over them, the tires "zing".

But the scenery is great, lots of fields with crops or cattle grazing. I parked at the Lolo Post Office, for lack any better place to park. On my way back, i stopped at the fire station and asked "where do folks who use the trail park", and I was told---just next door at the Lolo Community Center. Lots of parking, it's run by the city so you don't have to worry about your wheels being towed. On the south end of the trail, on the north end of Stevensville, on the corner of US93 and North Kootenai Creek Rd is a Trailhead with parking. As mentioned in the writeup, there are Park and Rides lots along US93, some with tunnels to get to the trail.

According to locals, this is not a Rails to Trails trail. There was never a RR where this trail is---not that it matters---kudos to whoever decided to put it here :)

I will ride this trail again when I'm in the area,
Ron