Winding 73 miles from Mullan to Plummer, the smoothly-paved Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is jointly managed by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and Idaho Parks and Recreation.

On Thursday, the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes Trail Commission will hold a meeting at Heyburn State Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The six-person commission, representing both management groups, will convene at the Heyburn visitor center.

All trail users are invited to attend and participate.

"It's pretty low-key," said Jason Brown, commission chairman and Tribe recreation management program manager. "We try to keep it as low-key as possible."

Several trail-related issues are on the meeting agenda. Among other topics, the commission will discuss a new Americans with Disabilities Act rule pertaining to Segway usage on trails, a plan for Veterans Memorial Park at Plummer, and the possible erection of new signs along the trail.

"Seamless management" is the commission's goal, Brown explained, and public input is welcome.

Idaho Parks and Recreation stewards about 56 miles of the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, according to Old Mission State Park Manager Kathleen Durfee, a commission member. The Tribe is responsible for roughly 15 miles.

A section of trail in Heyburn State Park is co-managed by both parties.

"It's a great working relationship," Durfee said.

Commission meetings occur twice every year. The locations are rotated, Brown said. Previous meeting sites include Cataldo and Worley.

"I think, for the resources the state parks (department) has and the Tribe has, they do a great job," said Rick Shaffer of Wallace, an avid cyclist and member of the nonprofit Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trails. "I think the trail is fantastic."

On April 4, Durfee reported the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is entirely clear of snow, except for a few short sections in the Silver Valley. Enjoying the spring-like weather, cyclists and hikers are shaking off cabin fever and hitting the pavement.

"Even (two weeks ago), when it was rainy, there were people out on the trail," Durfee said.

Spring is a great season for spotting waterfowl, she added. Swans, teals, mergansers, mallards, ospreys and eagles are swooping into local wetlands.

"We've seen moose and elk along the trail," Durfee said. "Leaves are starting to pop. The trail's in great shape."

Last April, the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes was inducted into the Rails to Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame. Rails to Trails is a nationwide nonprofit that helps transform railroad rights-of-way into biking and hiking trails.

"I think that speaks to a lot of the work that went on to get this great resource up and running," Brown said.

To celebrate the achievement, Hall of Fame signs might be erected along the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. The commission will consider the signs - and their potential impact on trail users - at Thursday's meeting.

Heyburn State Park is an easy drive from Coeur d'Alene. Travel 30 miles south on Highway 95, toward Plummer. Turn left onto West Conklin Road and drive east about six miles. West Conklin becomes Chactolet Road where it crosses the park's northern boundary.

Follow Chactolet Road to the visitor center.

For more information on the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes and other biking trails in North Idaho - including maps and detailed commentary - log on to www.friendsofcdatrails.com.

A second, more winding route is Highway 97 to the junction of Highway 3, south to St. Maries, then west on Highway 5 to the park's southern border.