June 5 marks the 10th birthday of the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, and will be celebrated from 5:15-7 p.m. at the Kellogg Visitors Center.

The trail runs through the Silver Valley, starting in Mullan and running 72 miles to its endpoint in Plummer. Colleen Rosson, director of the Historic Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce, said more than 100,000 people use the trail each year, making it something worth celebrating.

"It's a commuter trail, it's a wildlife viewing area and it means so much to this valley," Rosson said.

Rosson said the Silver Valley was reluctant to start the trail back in 2004. She said this reluctance didn't stick, and eventually people came to love the trail and all the activities it brought.

Five people who were involved with the trail from the beginning will make speeches at the celebration: Bill Scudder, Mike Domy, Kathleen Durfee, Mayor Mac Pooler and Ed Moreen. They will talk and reminisce about the past 10 years and how the trail started.

Rosson said there will be cake and pizza for those who come. The event is open to anyone who enjoys biking or walking on the trail, or just enjoys the tourism, which has been brought to the Valley by the trail.

"As soon as people experience the trail, they say they will come back," Rosson said. "A lady from New York last year said, that's it, she's moving here just for that trail."

Rosson said there will be a time during the celebration for anyone who brings a raffle item to get up and talk about events they have going on during the summer.

The Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce would like to thank Pizza Palace for providing the celebration meal.

For more information call the Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce at (208) 784-0821, or email them at director@silvervalleychamber.com.