Today’s ride was entirely on the Coeur d’Alenes trail.
The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is a 73-mile paved trail spanning the Idaho panhandle between Mullan and Plummer. It was created through a unique partnership between the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Union Pacific Railroad, the U. S. Government, and the State of Idaho. The trail meanders through the historic Silver Valley, along the Coeur d’Alene River past scenic Lake Coeur d’Alene and through rolling farmlands to Plummer. Twenty developed trailheads provide entry points, and there are twenty scenic waysides along the route with tables to stop for a picnic or a short rest. Class 1 and 2 E-Bikes are allowed on the trail.
It was named one of the 25 top trails in the nation in 2010 by the Rails to Trails Conservancy.
We rode from the Cataldo trailhead to the town of Wallace on the Coeur d’Alene Trail today. It was heavenly, having a paved surface all 40 miles! We went through the town of Kellogg on the way.
Kellogg, Wallace and Mullen , at the east end of the trail, are all mining towns. They are located in a region called the Silver Valley. Kellogg was incorporated in 1907 and grew to a population of 6,000 by 1960. Mining and smelting operations produced silver, lead and zinc. With declining yield, the Bunker Hill Mine shut down in 1981, putting thousands of people out of work. The population of Kellogg today is 2,120 and the economy depends mostly on tourists and recreation with the base of the Silver Mountain Ski hill located in the center of town.
After returning to the van, we drove to a trailhead on the Centennial Trail to get a feel for tomorrow’s ride. On our drive down the freeway we had a car next to us and the passenger was trying to get our attention, yelling something at us. As they pulled ahead, I saw a blue ribbon magnet for Huntington’s Disease on the back of their car and realized they had seen our Bike for the Cure sign in the van and were trying to tell us they were going to the convention. I was sure sorry I didn’t make that connection sooner. Hoping to find them at the convention.
Then we drove back to Coeur d’Alene to park the van at friends Liz and Calvin Steele’s house. A big thank you to them for their hospitality; dinner and showers, and Matt got a bed tonight, he didn’t have to sleep in a tent!
All for tonight, big day tomorrow!!
Sherri, Mary Ann & Matt
