A reader contacted me today for help in sketching out an upcoming trip to the Northwest to ride the Spokane River Centennial Trail, the Coeur d'Alene Trail and the Routhe of the Hiawatha Trail.
When I was planning my September 2006 trip to ride the Hiawatha, Coeur d'Alene & Spokane River Centennial trails, I was very concerned with the logistics. Initially, my goal was to ride each trail using just a bicycle. My research showed that this was possible; however, it would require a a week to 10 days to do & enjoy. I didn't have that time plus my wife and our infant daughter came along so here's what we did:
We took Amtrak from New Orleans to Chicago, changed trains and continued onto Spokane. The train pulls into Spokane just after midnight so we checked into a hotel. The following morning, I rode the Spokane Centennial Trail WEST through Riverside Park. This was a wonderful ride that I highly recommend.
We rented a car, packed up our gear and drove east to Wallace, Idaho (a great little mining town). The Coeur d'Alene (CDA) runs through Wallace; I suggest riding the CDA west all the way to Heyburn State Park where there are cabins. The trail enters the park by crossing Chacolet Lake on the old railroad trestle which has been modified with a series of ramps so marine traffic can navigate beneath. Stay at the state park or in Harrison overnight then ride back the following day.
The Hiawatha is a short ride but the scenery is wonderful. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it. Begin the ride from the East Portal of the Taft Tunnel and continue west, stopping to read the interpretive signs along the way and for photos of the trestles, etc. The last 2 trestles are minor so you won't miss much if you turn around before reaching that point. It is possible to continue riding on the old railbed beyond the ranger patroled limits of the Hiawatha. Just beware that you'll be riding for miles with no services.
If you don't want to sweat the details of planning how to ride these stunning bike trails, Loren Dudley with Silver Bike Tours is wonderful. Although I've never met Loren, we spoke by phone and corresponded quite a bit. He was always very helpful, offering various ride suggestions.
Loren suggests that cyclists stay in Kellogg over Wallace due to the condo accommodations available at the ski lodge there. I didn't find Kellogg as visually appealing as Wallace and liked the Best Western Wallace (helpful staff, indoor heated pool & jacuzzi, & restaurant/gift shop on site; stay on the 1st floor if you don't want to lug suitcases up stairs...). Frankly, Kellogg & Wallace are only 15-20 minutes from one another so both are centrally located.
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