Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Outdoors blog

Route of the Hiawatha rail trail season starts Saturday

Boosted by publicity and interest in the 100th anniversary of the 1910 forest fire blow up, the Route of the Hiawatha rail trail set a visitation record of 34,249 this summer. (File)
Boosted by publicity and interest in the 100th anniversary of the 1910 forest fire blow up, the Route of the Hiawatha rail trail set a visitation record of 34,249 this summer. (File)

TRAILS -- After a early opening "sneak peek" last weekend, the Route of the Hiawatha rail-trail, will open daily for the summer season starting Saturday, May 23. 

Considered a crown jewel of American rail-to-trail mountain bike or hike routes, the 15-mile trail includes nine train tunnels and seven shockingly high trestles.  The 1.66 mile-long St. Paul Pass Tunnel is a highlight, acquainting visitors with total darkness except for their bike lights. 

 The route is virtually all downhill with shuttle buses available to take you and your bike back to the top. 

To set up a shuttle or rent fat-tire bikes, drive to Lookout Pass Ski Area off Interstate 90, Exit 0, at the Idaho/Montana state line. 

You can rent the very important bright light for your bike, but a trail pass and even get a picnic lunch.

The trail is scheduled to be open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m PDT through Sept. 5.

 



Outdoors blog

Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.




Go to the full Outdoors page