Route of the Hiawatha, the scenic bike trail following a historic railroad route through the Bitterroot Mountains on the Idaho/Montana border, opens Saturday for its 14th season of operation.

The trail, generally open from May through October, is opening a few weeks later than usual this spring due to the heavy winter snowfall. Crews from Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area, which operates the trail, have been working to clear snow from the trailhead at the east portal of the Taft Tunnel, which is the highest point of Route of the Hiawatha at 4,147 feet.

“We’ve been getting a lot of calls from people eager to ride the Hiawatha asking us when the trail will open,” said Phil Edholm, president and CEO of Lookout Pass.  “We’ve punched through the main access road to the East Portal trail head and the warm weekend weather gave us the break we were looking for to enable a June 11th opening.”

Referred to as the "crown jewel" of U.S. rail-to-trail mountain bicycle trails, Route of the Hiawatha follows the abandoned Milwaukee Railroad grade between the old town site of Taft, Mont., and the North Fork of the St. Joe River near Avery, Idaho. The trail has received worldwide acclaim as one of the most breathtaking scenic stretches of railroad in the U.S.  In October 2010, Route of the Hiawatha was inducted into the Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame. USA Today named Hiawatha one of the top 10 rail-to-trail adventures in the country.

Winding through 10 tunnels--including the 1.7 mile long St. Paul Pass Tunnel--and 7 trestles up to 230 feet high, the 15-mile route crosses the rugged Bitterroot Mountains between Idaho and Montana. The gentle 1.6 percent grade drops 1,000 feet in elevation along the way, making Route of the Hiawatha an ideal experience for families and riders of all ages and abilities. The three-to-four hour trip is highlighted by spectacular mountain views, wildlife and interpretive historic signage. Shuttle buses stand by at the end of the trail to transport visitors and their bikes back to the top.

Route of the Hiawatha is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week. Tickets, bike, rentals, shuttle passes food, beverages and picnic lunches are available from 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area, located 12 miles east of Wallace off Exit 0 on Interstate 90 at the Idaho/Montana border. The St. Paul Pass Tunnel trailhead is about 7 miles from the ski area. Helmets and lights are required and available for rent. Equipment reservations are recommended. For more information about Route of the Hiawatha, call 208-744-1301 or visit www.ridethehiawatha.com for trail information.