Hiawatha Rail Trail Family Trip

MEETING TIME AND PLACE

This trip will meet at 8:30am PST at Vertical Earth bike shop, 308 Coeur d'Alene Ave., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, 208-667-5503, www.verticalearth.com. You will need to spend the night before in Coeur d'Alene.

ENDING TIME AND PLACE

We will return to the bike shop in Coeur d'Alene between 2:00-3:00 pm on the last day.

ITINERARY

TRIP DAY 1

After meeting at the bike shop in Coeur d'Alene, we will shuttle west into Washington to Centennial State Park. From here we will ride 37 miles back to the Idaho border. The trail meanders along the Spokane River past Nine Mile Falls through a variety of historic sites. At mile marker #36, we will check out the fossil beds at Deep Creek where evidence of native Americans living along the Spokane River goes back over 11,000 years. We will cruise the bike path though beautiful Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine trees making our way back to Lake Coeur d'Alene. As with each day of the trip, we will all begin riding together, and then at some point before lunch, we will give the tinier legs in the group a ride in the van to a playground or swimming hole. During this break the more energetic legs can keep pedaling. In the afternoon we will re-unite for the final few miles.  TOTAL MILEAGE - 17-44 miles

TRIP DAY 2

After breakfast we will head to the Route of the Hiawatha. From the East Portal Trailhead, we will plunge into the two mile long Taft Tunnel-lights will be provided! We will emerge at the West Portal to be greeted by stunning views in all directions. From here we continue through several shorter tunnels and over many rustic trestles. Along the way we will learn about the tenacious miners who built this incredible railroad bed. Camp tonight near a creek-perfect for an afternoon dip or a great departure point for some extra credit afternoon miles. TOTAL MILEAGE - 15-25 miles

TRIP DAY 3

The top of Lookout Pass is the destination of our shuttle this morning. From here, the whole group will ride down the mountain on the Northern Pacific Multi Use Trail, to pick up the Trail of the Couer d'Alenes at the Mullan Trailhead. We will continue on to Wallace for lunch at the historic depot---trains, trains, and more trains! This afternoon we recommend a jump in the van for the little ones for a quick shuttle to the Enaville Trailhead. The rest of the gang will get in 17 bonus miles and meet us there. From here we continue on through some of the most idyllic sections of the trail along the lovely pastoral Coeur D'Alene River. We leave the trail and head south to the Dancing with Bears Campground. TOTAL MILEAGE - 32-49 miles

TRIP DAY 4

Back to the rail trail in the morning, we will continue through a beautiful section on our way to the Bull Run Trailhead. After lunch we split up to give a rest to the little ones, as the remainder of the group continues on to Harrison. At Harrison there is a playground, a swimming hole and an ice cream parlor! What could be better! After enjoying all three we regroup and head for Heyburn State Park. To get there we cross a dramatic bridge over Lake Coeur d'Alene which takes us right into the park. Our camp here includes a dock and yet another swimming opportunity. The world premiere of Western Spirit dramatic presentations occurred here in an amphitheater, starring six kids all under 10! TOTAL MILEAGE - 26-44 mile

TRIP DAY 5

On our final day we will do an out and back from our camp to the end of the Couer d'Alene Trail. This, plus a few singletrack miles in the park and a visit to another fun playground, shaped like a boat, will wrap up our activities. After lunch at camp we will take a short shuttle back to Couer d'Alene where our travels began. TOTAL MILEAGE - 3-14 miles

TERRAIN

Road Surface: Mostly pavement, also smooth dirt and gravel. You will need a mountain bike for this tour.

Technical Difficulty: Easy to moderate.

Physical Difficulty: Easy to moderate.

Altitude: 2,100-5,000 feet.

Please Note: Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety, and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.

TRAVEL LOGISTICS

GETTING THERE

-Driving

Couer d'Alene Idaho is 31 miles from Spokane WA on Interstate 90.

-Flying

Airport Code: GEG

Most major airlines fly into Spokane. We recommend Payless Airport Shuttle to get from Spokane to Coeur d'Alene. They charge $45 one way per person and you should make advance reservations if you have a bike. Call 208-762-7433 or 888-870-7433 to make your reservation and set up your pick-up times. You can utilize the taxi services in Coeur d'Alene to get to the bike shop in the morning so it is not necessary to rent a car.

TAXI SERVICE

Taxi by Hall 208-664-2424

Coeur d'Alene Cab 208-667-9000

LODGING

Coeur d'Alene Resort

$200-400

800-688-5253

Ameritel Inn

$128-165

208-665-9000

Best Western Inn

$165-200

208-765-3200

Comfort Inn

$129-175

208-664-1649

Above rates are approximate.

WEATHER

There are really just two kinds of weather: weather you like and weather you do not like. Come prepared for both and you won't care what the weather does.

If you have questions about temperatures for your specific trip please feel free to give us a call 800-845-2453 or email us at biking@westernspirit.com. We will be happy to give you packing suggestions and help you with ideas for things to do before and after your bike trip.

PACKING FOR YOUR TRIP

You will receive a tour packing list with your tour confirmation package. Be sure to bring everything on this list. Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable so be sure to bring all the warm clothing and rain gear listed! When you arrive for your tour, we will give you a dry bag in which to pack your gear. If you have any questions about anything on the list, please call us.

SHIPPING YOUR BIKE

You are welcome to ship your bike to us in advance of your trip. For a moderate fee we will unpack it, build it, and ship it back home to you afterwards. Bikes can be insured to $4,000. Domestic shipping only. If you decide you want to go this route, you must call us in advance of your trip so we can inform the shop that your bike is on its way.

To ship your bike UPS, send it to Vertical Earth, 308 Coeur d'Alene Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814; 208-667-5503. It is critical that you include your name, tour date and "Western Spirit Cycling" on the outside of the box. Check with your local UPS people for the number of days needed for it to arrive in time. It is imperative to have your bike finely tuned and cleaned before your tour so you know it is in top running condition.

If you have any other questions about trip logistics, please feel free to send us an email or, better yet, to call us at 800-845-2453. We will be happy to try to help you answer any other questions you might have about our bike trips.