Hiawatha opens for summer
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 12 years, 3 months AGO
Get out those mountain bikes and helmets, because it's time to ride the Route of the Hiawatha.
The 15-mile rail-to-trail hiking or mountain biking route, located at Lookout Pass, officially opens for the season Saturday.
The route utilizes the abandoned Milwaukee Railroad grade between the old town site of Taft, Mont., and the North Fork of the St. Joe River near Avery.
The St. Paul Pass Tunnel is 1.66 miles in length and is one of the highlights of the trail. The Hiawatha includes 10 tunnels and seven trestles as high as 230 feet within the Loop Creek canyon at the crest of the Bitterroot Mountains. The trail is considered the "Crown Jewel" of all rail-to-trail projects in the country and delivers a one-of-a-kind adventure for riders from around the world.
The route is all downhill, with a gentle grade that drops 1,000 feet along the 15-mile length, with shuttle buses available to transport bikers and their bikes back to the top.
A wide variety of ability levels, from young children to seniors, can enjoy the trail and its numerous historical and interpretive signs. Moose, elk and deer are frequently seen in the area.
Trail passes, shuttle tickets, mountain bike rentals, souvenirs and picnic lunches are available at Lookout Pass Ski Area, located near I-90 at the Idaho/Montana state line 12 miles east of Wallace.
Call (208) 744-1301 or visit www.ridethehiawatha.com for trail information. Equipment reservations are recommended. The Hiawatha Trail is open daily from May 24 through Sept. 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.