Route of the Olympian

I've been wanting for a while to check out this ride.  The Route of the Olympian shares the same trailhead as the more popular Route of the Hiawatha, both of which are part of the greater Milwaukee Road, stretching from Chicago to Seattle.  This particular section was electrified in the early 1900's and operated until 1947.

From Taft, MT, the Hiawatha heads southwest into Idaho, while the Olympian starts northeast toward Saltese, MT, then mostly parallels Interstate 90 into Regis, MT, for a total of 31 miles.  I rode about 10 miles of what I would call the 'wilderness' stretch down to Saltese.

It's all downhill from the trailhead to Saltese - about an 800 foot descent - so it makes for a relatively easy ride if you have a car waiting and don't have to ride back.  (As it was, I had to ride back.)

Overview

• Length: The full trail is 31 miles from the Taft trailhead and Regis, MT.
• You can find a full description of this trail on the TrailLink web site.
• Here's a GPS of today's 10 mile ride from the Taft trailhead to Saltese, MT. 

Photos

Heading northeast from the Taft trailhead (at the East Portal of the Taft Tunnel).

Beautiful scene, about 2 miles in, as it curves to the east.

Approaching the Dominion Tunnel...

then the Dominion Creek trestle, about 4 miles into the ride. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trestle.

View looking northeast from the trestle.

About 5 miles in, the trail on the map appears to parallel the Interstate, but in reality, you're still 300 feet above, and have little clue that it's there.

The trestle at Saltese, looking west after crossing it.  This route supported electric trains in the early 1900's, and the wooden structures seen here once supported the electric lines.

Another view of the Saltese trestle, after exiting the trail.