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.