NorPac Trail:
Idaho, Montana
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Description:
The NorPac Trail follows the old right-of-way of the Northern Pacific Railroad (formerly the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad) in western Montana and the Idaho Panhandle, crossing Lookout Pass. The trail stretches from Idaho near Mullan at the trailhead for the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes to the East Portal of the Route of the Hiawatha trail, south of Taft, Montana. The entire trail offers spectacular views of the forested Rocky Mountains as well as lakes and streams.

Beginning at the Trailhead for the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, the NorPac Trail is paved for the first 4 miles. At the trailhead, follow the signs for the NorPac Trail and Shoshone Park through the community of Mullan. After 3 miles, you'll reach the fish hatchery; turn left off the pavement onto the gravel Forest Service Road 133 (avoid Forest Road 6531 to the Little North Fork). When you reach Mullan Pass Road, cross it and take Forest Road 3026.

At mile 5 you'll go under I-90. At the junction of Forest Road 3026 and Willow Creek Road, take a hard left, heading uphill on the switchback (still road 3026). As you continue toward the top of Lookout Pass on the Idaho–Montana border you'll pass remnants of trestles and a water tank. At the pass you'll find food, drink, restrooms and a bike shop (rentals and repairs), the latter which is open from May to October.

The NorPac Trail continues straight through the parking lot, after which you'll make a few hairpin turns. Camping is available throughout the area.
At around mile 15.5 you'll enter a tunnel; the road through here is rough and wet. Soon you'll go under I-90 again and head east. Another rest area is nearby before you head under the Interstate again and arrive at the junction of Forest roads 4208 and 507 (old Highway 10); bear left onto 507 around Exit 5 on I-90.

Around mile 20.5 you'll see signs for the Route of the Hiawatha. Take Forest Road 506 (Rainy Creek Road) another 2.5 miles or so uphill to the Route's trailhead at the East Portal of the Taft tunnel.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To access the Montana side of the NorPac Trail, take Exit 5 off I-90 and follow Rainy Road/Forest Road 506 up the mountain to the main parking area for the Route of the Hiawatha. This is the East Portal of the Taft tunnel.

To access the Idaho end, take I-90 to Mullan, Idaho, and take Exit 68. Park along River Street between 2nd and 3rd streets.

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NORPAC TRAIL - ROUTE DIRECTIONS FROM THE FCDA
By toolbear in November, 2009
This is a little late (8 years) to help that chap, but the people to see about the NorPac Trail are the folks at the Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trails. They have a great website and much helpful information. If you are riding in the panhandle, check them out.



This is from them...

ToolBear
11/2009


NORPAC TRAIL


Route Directions:
This route follows the Northern Pacific Railroad grade over Lookout Pass then down to Taft, Montana. You then ride up Rainy Creek Road to the East Portal of the Taft Tunnel on the Route of the Hiawatha (The Chicago, Milwaukee and Puget Sound Railway). We start at the east end of the Trail of Coeur d'Alenes Trailhead parking lot in Mullan. The trailhead is near I-90 Idaho Exit 68. The NorPac Trail is paved for the first 4 miles. A mountain bike or other bike with at least 700x32c tires is needed for the rest of the ride. Most of the Forest Service roads are packed gravel, but loose gravel is found in some sections.

Mileage Comments
0.0 Mullan Trailhead. At the East end of the parking lot you will see a NorPac Trail sign which points to a paved trail between the large brick building on your left and the store on your right. Follow this through town.
0.5 Ride past the ball park, join the I-90 Business Loop road present on your right, and pass by the freeway interchange, following the sign to "Shoshone Park." Proceed past the Lucky Friday Mine and over Willow Creek to an important fork in the road.
1.5 Take the lower road to the left. It is Larson Road and will take you through the "historic village" of Larson (2.7), which today consists of four houses and a barn. Stay right past the first fork and arrive at a junction marked "Shoshone Park"
3.3 The NorPac Trail continues along Mullan Pass Road, straight ahead. Shoshone Park is off to the left. There are rest rooms in the park. An alternate route is to ride past the park to the Hale Fish Hatchery. At the Fish Hatchery, turn left off the pavement onto NFD 133, which is packed dirt and gravel. DO NOT take NFD 6531 to the Little North Fork! Stay on the old railroad grade to the right. This will take you to the intersection of Mullan Pass Road and NFD 3026. Go straight across Mullan Pass Rd onto NFD 3026.
3.9 Turn right onto NFD 3026. You will pass under the interstate (5.0), pause at a post card view of Lone Lake Basin (5.8), and proceed to a junction with Willow Creek Road.
6.4 At the junction of NFD 3026 and Willow Creek Road, make the hard left switchback uphill to stay on the railroad grade (NFD 3026). The road becomes rougher. Don't take the uphill road on the right.
7.8 You just passed the site of the remnants of the Dorsey trestle and now can see the concrete foundation for old Dorsey Water Tank on your right.
9.2 Site of the remnants of the second trestle. Almost to the top.
11.5 Top of Lookout Pass. At the Lookout Pass Ski Area you will find rest rooms, a bar, a cafe, and a bike rental and repair shop from late May to early October. The NorPac trail continues straight ahead through the parking lot.
12.2 Marvel at the beautiful view of Copper Lake Basin, and then after rounding the next corner, the larger St. Regis Lake Basin comes into view further to the southwest.
12.7 The trail to lower St. Regis Lake begins at the hairpin turn with several dispersed campsites nearby.
13.7 The steep trail into Copper Lake begins further down the road, again with dispersed campsites nearby.
15.5 Suddenly the trail enters a very dark and bumpy tunnel. It is a wet and rutted jeep trail. Be prepared to stop and walk through the tenth-mile-long tunnel.

Mileage Comments
15.8 A hair pin turn heads you back West with the interstate visible far below you to the right. Soon, however, you will find yourself going under the freeway (16.8), and heading East again
19.7 After following the freeway downhill for a while, you will pass within yards of a Highway Rest Area with clean bathrooms. You will ride back under the interstate and arrive at the junction of NFD 4208 (which we have been following since Lookout Pass) and NFD 507, (old Highway 10) merging from the right. Bear to the left onto NFD 507 to the I-90, Exit 5 (Montana) interchange area.
20.4 Continue around the huge "circus tented" sand pile to the view the sign “Route of the Hiawatha” at the beginning of Rainey Creek Road NFD 506.
20.5 Follow this road approximately 2 1/2 miles uphill to the East Portal of the Taft Tunnel.
22.4 If you continue through the tunnel, have your day-use fee ready to hand to the concessionaire's trail marshals when you see them at the West Portal, 1.7 miles of darkness away.

Help Find The Trail
By M. Blackmer in August, 2001
I recently came home from may vacation. I wanted to ride this trail but could not find anyone who knew much about it. Can someone help me for my next trip? Thanks.
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