Ferry County Rail Trail:
Washington
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Description:
NOTE: The Curlew Lake Trestle and the short tunnel north of Curlew are closed (near southern end). At the northern end, do not proceed north of Wall Street in Danville as there is no border crossing at the rail-trail location.

The corridor, most recently used by the Kettle Falls International Railway to haul lumber from the Vaagen Brothers lumber mill to Colville and beyond, runs north—south from Republic to Wall Street in Danville. The track was abandoned in 2006 and the track and ties were subsequently pulled up. The corridor from Republic to Herron Creek Road (3 miles) is multiple use with limited motorized use; the section from Herron Creek north to the border (24.8 miles) is non-motorized multiple use.

The most southern part of the trail, from the Republic High School to Herron Creek is now all referred to as the Golden Tiger Pathway and is open to use by hikers, bicyclists, horses, ATVs and cross-country skiers in the winter. Many of you have probably already enjoyed the first three miles of the Golden Tiger Pathway, which was improved (with pavement and gravel) for these uses about ten years ago. If so, you have gotten a taste of the great opportunities which will be available along the entire 28 mile route: scenic beauty, isolation on many parts of the trail, good exercise with no arduous ups and downs.

The section from Herron Creek north to Danville, which includes very scenic stretches along Curlew Lake and the Kettle River, will eventually be open to hikers, bicyclists, horses, cross-country skiers and other non-motorized users. Adjacent landowner may also be able to use the trail for agricultural purposes. Although the Commissioners are working with the new Rail Corridor Committee to develop a management plan by year's end to address these probable uses, only hiking is currently authorized.

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Parking & Trail Access:
Access is easy for the southern section, the Golden Tiger Pathway. There are parking lots near the high school and near Pine Grove which provide easy access. For sections further north, look for one of the numerous places where county roads cross the corridor. You may park on a county road if you are far enough off the roadway, so as not to interfere with traffic. Please use common sense and secure your vehicle. For example, you may park at the north end of the town of Curlew and walk north on a section I have enjoyed. You will walk through farm fields and near a lovely stretch of the Kettle River. During the next six weeks the birds are at their peak, so bring a pair of binoculars. And stay on the rail bed. Though it may be tempting to walk through a field to get to the river's edge, you must remember that that field is private property. Please, stay on the rail bed. The future use of the trail depends, in no small part, on respecting adjacent landowners.
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Seasonal Restrictions:
A few cautions and restrictions:

*Pack out what you bring in.
*Take your dog but keep it on a leash.
*No camping and no fires.
*No access to the trestle across the northern part of Curlew Lake nor the short tunnel along the Kettle River.
*No access to the corridor north of Wall Street in Danville.

The trail surface is rough in places, making extended hikes or biking very tiring (for horses, too). The Rail Corridor Committee and Ferry County Rail Trail Partners are seeking grants to improve the surface and to provide signage and porta-potties along the route. They are also looking for funds to improve the trestle and the tunnel so that both will be available to trail users.

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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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A great trial in the making
By steve anthes in December, 2010
The Ferry County Rail Trail is in the early development stages with many
non-motorized enthusiasts lending financial, moral and hands-on support.
A lot of folks have worked really hard, against impossible odds, to make
this non-motorized rail trail a reality. This trail has it all: runs
along the largest lake in Ferry County; along the Kettle River; one day
on a 1/4 mile trestle and through a short tunnel. The Ferry County Rail
Trail has the possibility of connecting with a rail trial system in
Canada...maybe the first international rail trail. The trail can be
ridden on a bike, although the railroad ballast is kind of a rough ride.
This winter (2010-2011) a local supporter is grooming a section of the
trail for cross county skiing. The Ferry County Rail Trail will be an
exciting asset to the community. If you can, please email the Ferry
County Commissioners and express your support for the Ferry County rail trail.
[commissioners@co.ferry.wa.us] And make the journey to Ferry County and
check-out the rail trail...it's really worth it.
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