The Trail of the Coeur d’Alene’s is a seventy two mile long paved rail trail that almost crosses the Idaho panhandle from Plummer to Mullan. The trail was constructed on a former railroad that was primarily used to haul mining ore from the Silver Valley to Spokane as part of a remediation for a super fund site. This trail is consistently rated as one of the top ten bicycle trails in the United States due to its scenic beauty, accessibility to a major urban area and the variety of landscapes it traverses. The trail can be best described in four sections. From west to east, the direction of the prevailing summer wind, the first fifteen miles are almost exclusively located within the boundaries of the Coeur d’Alene Reservation and this part of the trail is managed by the tribe. The western terminus of the trail is located in Plummer Idaho, the largest town in the reservation and is just of off US95, the primary north south road through the panhandle. From Plummer, the trail crosses a couple of miles of mixed farmland and low density residential areas before it begins a five mile screaming descent (maybe 800 feet of elevation) to the lake were it passes through Idaho’s oldest state park, Heyburn State Park. It then crosses the south end of the lake on a modified railroad bridge and then follows the shoreline of the lake another seven miles in to the historic town of Harrison just outside the reservation boundary. Harrison is located on State Road 97 and is easily accessible (thirty minute drive) from Interstate 90.
At the Plummer Trailhead, the tribe memorializes all of its members who gave their lives in the defense of their nation from the the present back to and including their war against the United States in the 1800’s. Everyone should honor their heritage and the sacrifice of those who fought for their freedom. This should be a lesson for all of us.
The Chatcolet Bridge connecting Heyburn State Park to the eastern shore of the lake is a highlight of the trail. The original center pivot swing bridge was raised to allow boat traffic and the approaches were rebuild in a stair step design that makes climbing to the top easier and descending an adventure.
Along the eastern shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene the old rail road cut off several points to make the route smoother creating these scenic views.
This is the view heading north towards Harrison Idaho.
In Harrison, a short ride or walk up the hill will bring you to a small park, two nice restaurants and an ice cream shop. Just past the center of town one can still see the remnants of industrial buildings that utilized the old railroad.
Where the Coeur d’Alene River meets the lake is called Harrison Slough. You can see fields of water lily’s in bloom most of the summer.
