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.
Photos
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| Looking back, after entering the East Portal of the St. Paul Pass Tunnel |
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| The tunnel is over 1.6 miles, so you will need a headlamp or a flashlight. |
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| Exiting the West Portal of the tunnel. |
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| Coming down around a bend, you can see the previous trestle in the distance (upper left). |
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| A view across the valley to a down-trail trestle. |
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| On the home stretch, as you approach Pearson, ID. |
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| The light at the end of the tunnel ;-) |
