To Kellogg ID

June 16, 2023

This whole Northwest Trails adventure grew out of an impulse to ride the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, a 73 mile paved rail trail across the Idaho Panhandle. Running on the Union Pacific Railroad right of way, it stretches from Plummer to Mullan near the Montana border, passing old mining and lumbering towns.

After two weeks of ups and downs on the roads, we are euphoric to be here on this beautiful trail. No hills, cars, directions or radar detectors to fuss about. Just keep turning the pedals.

Purple loosestrife - pretty, but invasive in the wetlands

Endless stretches of meadow, forests and mountains

The Coeur d’Alene River is in view much of the way.

We pass under several of these bridges that are nearly 100 years old

Lots of other people out here with us on this perfect afternoon

Cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish spawn on the clean gravel of Latour Creek.

1924 railroad bridge over the river near Enaville

Young Ponderosa Pines. As they get older, the lower branches die off, making it harder for wildfires to reach up to the canopy.

Rock cuts appear as we get closer to Kellogg, an old mining town and ski resort in the Silver Valley

We have a Airbnb cottage in Kellogg for the next two nights, setting us up for a baggage-free ride tomorrow to the eastern end of the trail at Mullan and back. The place is tiny, less than 500 square feet, but has a full kitchen and a grill. We make good use of both, cooking in for the first time this trip.

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Today's ride: 39 miles (63 km)
Total: 607 miles (977 km)

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