Rail-Trail To Close

Mountain biking

On Wednesday, the U.S. Forest Service will close portions of the abandoned Milwaukee railroad trail near Avery because of growing concern for the safety of hikers and mountain bikers using high steel trestles that have no guard rails.

This is a temporary closure on what has been called the Route of the Hiawatha, said Jaime Schmidt, Avery Ranger District recreation specialist. But the closure will be in effect until guard rails can be installed on the trestles, she said. No such funding has yet been secured.

Despite the closure, mountain bikers still can use forest roads in the Avery area, as well as the abandoned Burlington Northern railway from Lookout Pass. The 1.8-mile Taft Tunnel on the Montana-Idaho border remains barricaded until money can be raised for restoration.

Info: Avery Ranger District, (208) 245-4517.