Friends of Rathdrum Mountain propose new trail
Group awaits permission for access to city’s water tank land, plans to include picnic areas, interpretive signs
Imagine a trailhead where people can stop for a day hike, students can learn about nature and tree lovers can walk in the forest canopy.
Now picture that trailhead just a heartbeat from the Rathdrum city limits.
Friends of Rathdrum Mountain recently unveiled an ambitious proposal for a half-mile trail at Rathdrum’s water tank, complete with interpretive signage, a learning area and picnic shelters.
“It’s only minutes from downtown Rathdrum. It’s a really nice area we’re fortunate to have so close to town,” said Friends of Rathdrum Mountain Secretary Jim Ochenkoski.
The group hired a landscape architect to come up with a conceptual plan for the trail which would follow South Fork Spring Creek through old growth conifers and wetlands.
A raised boardwalk would offer canopy views.
The one big hiccup? Securing public access to the city’s property.
Presently the only access to the site is over private property, and some property owners have been reluctant to allow the public access to the city’s water tank land, said Friends of Rathdrum Mountain President Wes Du Charme.
“People go up there now. They just don’t do it legally,” Du Charme said.
Rathdrum City Administrator Brett Boyer has been negotiating with owners for months to find a deal. Both Ochenkoski and Du Charme are hopeful that public access will be granted soon.
Should that access be secured, Friends of Rathdrum Mountain will begin raising money and applying for grants to draft more detailed plans and to develop the trail. How much it will cost is unknown, but Du Charme said he envisions the project being completed in stages.
After that, the trail system could be expanded, Ochenkoski said.
“This is just a fraction of the city’s property,” he said.