Pacific Northwest - IDAHO Panhandle - The Old Milwaukee Rd. Trail in St. Joe Valley

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toolbear
10-12-09, 03:09 PM
I had a great time in Idaho on the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes and Route of the Hiwatha last month. Back in Winter Quarters now and already doing research for next summer. In addition to more riding on the TCdA, I am interested in trying my luck in the St. Joe Valley on the Old Milwaukee Rd.

Anyone out there have experience on riding the OMR?

The data on the Friends of the CdA Trails dates to 2005, which will put it 5 years out of date next season. They want to put together a loop of the TCdA, RoH and OMR down the St. Joe River, which would be something.

It looks like there is a small campground a few miles below the bottom of the Rt. of the Hiawatha trail. If I base out of there, I can ride the ROH up and down then start riding on the Old Milwaukee Rd. Problem with coming in Sept. is that they shut the CGs down right after Labor Day.

How much of it is open? Tunnels still work? I believe that forest rd. #50 uses the road bed. What sort of surface does it have? Standard USFS main or secondary gravel rd?

Mr. Markets
10-12-09, 10:22 PM
I have no idea of the area you are discussing, BUT... if you have never been up to Priest Lake you
are missing the nicest area of the Panhandle. There are places to stay (all pricey and not that great
compared to the pricing) and plenty of camping if you book early (good sites fill they day they open
online).

The roads are two lane with minimal shoulders, so riding north from the town of Priest River would not
be the best of rides, however if you get up to the turnoff to the Hills Resort (www.hillsresort.com)
the traffic and trailer boaters disappear, and the road headed north will pretty much be yours. Cars
up there tend to pull WAY over to pass you, the ride is flat, and you see old farms and occasional
hills and whatnot. But the best thing around is time at the lake in summer. Once you go you will
want to keep going every year.
toolbear
10-13-09, 09:56 PM
have no idea of the area you are discussing, BUT... if you have never been up to Priest Lake you
are missing the nicest area of the Panhandle.


@@@@

Enter this as a Google Earth search string...

47.241106° -115.808864°

and it will take you to Avery, one mountain range south of the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes.

It's part of the Milwaukee Rd. that is not in the Route of the Hiawatha.

<http://friendsofcdatrails.org/milwaukee.html>


















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