Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes 2

Back in 2016, I rode the northeastern portion of the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, from Rose Lake to Harrison, ID.  This time, I wanted to ride the southwestern portion of the trail between Harrison and the trailhead at Plummer, ID.  You can read more about the trail here, as well as in my previous post.

This section is just under 16 miles each way, descending around 800 feet from the Plummer trailhead down to lake elevation.  And although it was a little smoky, there was still a lot of activity on this day, with mostly bicycles, but also a couple wheelchairs, a jogger, and a skateboarder.  Here is a GPS of the return trail from Harrison back to Plummer.

The Chatcolet Swing Bridge

A landmark on this route is the historical Chatcolet Swing Bridge, built in 1921 by the Union Pacific railroad, and part of a wooden trestle that spans over 3000 feet across the southern end of Lake Coeur d'Alene.  As part of the trail conversion, the rotating portion of the bridge was fixed in-place and raised about 30 feet to allow for boat traffic.

Links with historical photos:

chatcolet swing bridge history - Google Search

A century & counting - Opera News (dailyadvent.com)

https://www.djc.com/news/en/11135668.html

Photos

At the trailhead in Plummer, ID.

A gradual descent to the lake.

The Chatcolet Bridge in the distance.

Approaching the Chatcolet Bridge.

The old "control room" from which the bridge would be rotated to allow boat traffic.

Looking ahead...

...and looking back.

The trail then follows the eastern shoreline all the way to Harrison.

The marina and beach in Harrison, ID.

Milwaukee Road - St Maries to Calder, ID

I road another portion of the Milwaukee Road, this time from St Maries to Calder, ID.  It's a beautiful stretch of the route, following along the St Joe River, which feeds into the south end of Lake Coeur d'Alene.  The only down side here is that it is also a trafficked road for local residents and campers; so an occasional vehicle will go by and stir up the dust.

This section is not currently listed on the Rails to Trails TrailLink website (although it has now been submitted). Heading east, you would continue on the Milwaukee Road (Pearson to Calder) trail, then the Route of the Hiawatha, which continues from Pearson to the trailhead near Taft, MT, and finally the Route of the Olympian, which continues to St Regis, MT.

The trail does not continue to the west, however, since the next section, from St Maries to Plummer, ID, is still an active route, now operated by the St Maries River Railroad, primarily for lumber transport.

Approaching Calder, you can't get through without lifting your bike over some barriers which block a couple trestles, one of which is a double line trestle that has been partially damaged by fire. It's still viable - I walked across it to get some pictures.  But, being within a mile of Calder, I called it good, and turned around to head back.

Here is a GPS of the roughly 42 mile round trip.

Photos

Leaving St Maries, the road parallels the original route for about a mile. This trestle is part of the original route.

One of four trestles spanning creeks that feed into the St Joe River. 

The flood plain along the river, with an old barn in the distance.

...

Approaching the only steel trestle on the route, crossing the river itself.

The second wooden trestle.

Just a beautiful area...

Looking over the barrier of the first blocked trestle. This one was relatively easy to access.

Looking back...

Arriving at the double-line trestle near Calder, ID.

I chose not to ride across this one.

From the highway west of St Maries, you can catch a glimpse of a spectacular bridge spanning Benewah Lake, still in use by the St Maries River Railroad.

Milwaukee Road - Malden to Rock Lake, WA

Today I rode a short section of the Milwaukee Road, between Malden and Rock Lake (Washington).  It was the first real ride I've done in 2 years, and I really enjoyed getting out there.  There's a lot of railroad history in the town of Malden, which you can read about here.  Tragically, Malden experienced an extreme wildfire in September, 2020, which destroyed 80% of their buildings, as well as 3 of the railroad trestles west of the town.  But they are determined to rebuild.

The Rock Lake area is a very scenic stretch of the railroad, typical of the so-called Channeled Scablands of eastern Washington.  This portion of the route includes 2 major trestles and 2 tunnels.  An excellent history of the route, including it's construction, can be found here.  Due to property rights, the trail ends toward the northeast end of the lake, and you have to turn around.  Likewise from the southwest.  But as this trail is part of the Great American Rail Trail, it will be interesting to see how the closure is resolved.

Summary

• This particular ride was just over 11 miles each way. And there is a tunnel, so a headlamp is required.
• Here is a GPS of the 22+ mile round trip from Malden to Rock Lake, and back again.  Although I was aware of the detours (due to the burnt out bridges) I still took the trail on the way out, only to have to backtrack.  On the way back, I stuck to the designated detour.

Photos

Trail leading southwest out of Malden, WA.

This was typical of the 3 trestles that were burnt out by the wildfire.

A beautiful ride - much of the trail follows Pine Creek.

Another view of Pine Creek from one of the (intact) trestles.

Remnants of a derailment just prior to the closure of the Milwaukee Road (c. 1980).

Evidence of the channeling (rock walls) as you approach Rock Lake.

The first of two tunnels, this one being around 750 feet long.

First view of Rock Lake.

The trail follows the eastern edge of the lake.

The second trestle, leading to the second tunnel (just beyond the trees).

Another angle, with a better view of the lake.

Tunnel 44, which was closed.  The inscription, "C. M. & P. S.", stands for Chicago, Milwaukee, & Puget Sound, rather than the typical Chicago, Milwaukee, & St. Paul.

Looking back (north) across the trestle.

Route of the Hiawatha

Much has been written about the Route of the Hiawatha.  It is a very popular trail, and a member of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Rail-Trail Hall-of-Fame.

Most riders will start at the Taft, MT trailhead since, 1) it is closest to freeway access (I-90), and 2) it is at the highest elevation (so it will be mostly downhill).  You start by entering the East Portal of the St. Paul Pass Tunnel, and head (generally) southwest to the Pearson, ID trailhead.

This trail, adjacent to the Route of the Olympian (which I rode and wrote about 2 summers ago) are part of the greater Milwaukee Road, stretching from Chicago to Seattle.  They were electrified in the early 1900's and operated as such into the 1970's.

Please Note that although most Rail Trails are free to the public, The Route of the Hiawatha (for reasons I don't understand) is operated by Lookout Pass Ski Area under a special-use permit of the U.S. Forest Service.  To ride the trail, you must obtain a trail pass, which costs $10 for adults and $6 for children aged 6-13 years.  Additional services are available, including bike rentals and a shuttle to return you and your bicycle to the top of the hill.  For more information, you can visit their website, ridethehiawatha.com.

Summary

The trail is just over 16 miles and mostly downhill (a descent of around 900 feet) from the Taft trailhead into Pearson, ID.  You start by entering a 1.66 mile tunnel, so a headlamp will be required.

• Here is a brief history of this trail on the TrailLink web site
• And even more history, if you're interested, on American-Rails.com
• And here is a GPS of the 16 mile ride from the Taft, MT trailhead to Pearson, ID

Photos

Looking back, after entering the East Portal of the St. Paul Pass Tunnel

The tunnel is over 1.6 miles, so you will need a headlamp or a flashlight.

Exiting the West Portal of the tunnel.

Coming down around a bend, you can see the previous trestle in the distance (upper left).

A view across the valley to a down-trail trestle.

On the home stretch, as you approach Pearson, ID.

The light at the end of the tunnel  ;-)