Oh the experience of biking a breathtaking rails to trails!
EXPLORED the Hiawatha trail of 15 miles through 10 old train tunnels and over 7 trestles. 🚲 🚂
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LEARNED: First off we learned we LOVED this trail-it’s an experience (more than a workout).
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It was considered the most scenic section of railway in its day…and now one of the most scenic rails to trails bike route.
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The route got its name from a portion of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “Song of the Hiawatha”. This point was particularly exciting for me as I adore this poet.
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In the middle of the St. Paul pass tunnel, which is 1.6 miles long, you will find the border where Idaho and Montana meet.
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Mile markers along the route show how many miles from Chicago. (Pic in tunnel shows near the ID/MT border is 1,750 miles from Chicago.)
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In the 1920s (the height of the silk trade) the trains carrying silk had the right of way because it deteriorated quickly and was multimillion dollar cargo (in 1928 silk trade carried by trains brought in $452 million dollars!)
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The tunnels stay around 45* all year round and there’s constantly water dripping (maybe you can hear in video) and stalactites forming above.
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A trestle is the framework consisting of vertical and slanted and cross pieces to support the bridge.
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My dad, grandpa, great grandpa, and great-great grandpa all worked on the railroad so this day had extra meaning. It must have been such hard work. âš’
As a reminder to myself and to help any thinking of going – it does cost $13 a person for trail access. Another $12/person to use the shuttle back to the (Montana) parking lot. If I were to do it again I would park at the “bottom” – what is considered the shuttle pick up area in Idaho and ride the 15 miles (1.6% grade) UPHILL and then turn around and coast all the way back down, being able to go through the tunnels and over the bridges TWICE! You will save on the shuttle cost and get more of a workout. 🙂 IF you have rent a bike that will run $25-40 a person.
There are bathrooms at the beginning, end, 2 miles in and half way (7.5miles). They sell (reasonably priced) snacks at the beginning and end.
Overal it is a MUST in Northern Idaho (and you get to dip into Montana too!)