Anyone familiar with the CdA trail? I've got two days to do out and backs, in the 30-50 mile round trip range; looking for advice on which segments to do.
Thanks for any and all advice.
DP
Anyone familiar with the CdA trail? I've got two days to do out and backs, in the 30-50 mile round trip range; looking for advice on which segments to do.
Thanks for any and all advice.
DP
DP
04 Specialized Expedition Sport
08 Surly LHT
Info here: http://friendsofcdatrails.org/CdA_Trail/index.html
A couple years ago I did most of it (Wallace to Plummer then back to Harrison) in one day. That's about 70 miles, but the CdA trail is darn near perfectly flat. If you're going to do two out-and-back trips, why not stay in Silver Mountain and head towards Wallace (uphill) one day and Harrison (downhill) the next? Visit the Cataldo Mission while you're looking around, too.
Just watch out for the other trail users:
Man that is a tall order as the entire trail is so great. Several years ago we made the ride ( about 72 miles I think ) on our tandem from start to finish and back again. We began in Plummer, lunched in Harrison, spent the first night Kellogg, the second day was spent cycling a gentle up hill grade to it's eastern end at Mullen, close to the Montana border, where we turned around and spent the second night back Kellogg. The 3rd day was again a pleasant ride back to Plummer. If I was forced to make a choice, I'd say the section from Plummer was slightly more beautiful than the rest, but as I have said, its a very very close call.Originally Posted by Dellphinus
Thanks for the suggestions. Weather wasn't real cooperative, but we managed to get a mostly dry 36 miles in- Medimont to Chatcolet. I can not imagine having 70+ miles of that available... you guys are lucky to have it!
We also got the Hiawatha in without to much rain. ANother winner.
Thanks again!
DP
04 Specialized Expedition Sport
08 Surly LHT
Dellphinus,
I'm thinking of doing the same thing. I'd like to ride from Wallace to Harrison, stay over night and return. Do you think this would be a doable ride, now that you have got your ride in?
Glad you had a good time, even if it did involve a bit of rain. The Hiawatha trail is one we hope to do as well the next time we get in the area
You a fast roadie? Should be a nice ride. I can take or leave the Silver Valley section, but the river and the chain lakes sections of the trails are delightful. My favorite bits.
The grade is mostly flattish. The climbing on the TCDA is up to Mullen and up to Plummer.
Take a lot of water. Once out of the Silver Valley there was a water point at the Cataldo TH and again at the Harrison Marina TH, but that was it. The river water is full of heavy metals.
The Snakepit at Enaville is well regarded for the food and ice cream. Once you drop below Cataldo, there is mostly nothing until Harrison. Lot of nice trailheads. This trail has excellent facilities - just limited water.
TrailBear
I'm not really a fast roadie. I'm more of the toodle along roadie. I figure this ride will take most of the day because I stop alot for pictures and GPS fiddling around.
Thanks for the advice on water. I usually take quite a bit no matter where I ride. I've read other posts on the snakepit and I'm anxious to try it.
It looks like the lodging in Harrison is pricey, but that's ok.
Thanks!
Sounds like me: Geezer on MTB. Plan for the day as there are a lot of photo ops along the way. You have the most scenic sections of trail here.
If time allows - Route of the Hiawatha. Tunnels, trestles, best interpretive signage I have ever seen on a trail. Shuttle bus to top ($). Need good lights and raingear for the St. Paul Tunnel (which you do twice).TCDA Chain Lakes 092209 011 BLK LK BEND 2.jpg
TrailBear
Geezer Power! It should be a good trip for taking pictures, I'm looking forward to it. I've wanted to do the Hiawatha also, but just won't have time this trip. I get creeped out in tunnels anyway.
The St. Paul will creep you out. 1.6 miles, you ride it in and out. Good lights, fenders, rain jacket and a Tunnel Annoyance Device (I have a rat squeak toy horn) will make it a fun ride. The rest of the tunnels are very short in comparison. After the St. P I hardly used my lights.
Another option is to come up to the campground below the ride and ride it up and down. Cost will be $9 for a trail pass and don't worry. Just ride. The trail rangers WILL find you and sell you a ticket.
TrailBear
Yeah, that gives me the willies just thinking about it! I may do the second option and wait for the rangers..
@@@
No need to wait. Just ride on and enjoy it. They will see that you lack the tag on the bike and help you to obtain one. If you see them, wave 'em down and get your tag.
<http://www.traillink.com/trail/route-of-the-hiawatha-.aspx>
TrailBear
That is going to be a great ride. Take a camera with you. Year before last I did that ride from plummer to mullen. And last year did the Hiwatha both great trails. Beautilful scenery. Got some great wildlife photos, and really enjoyed the adventure. Good luck.
I want to take off early in the morning on both days. Hopefully there will be a lot of wildlife out and about, plus I'll miss most of the days heat.
You have heat? Here in the San Juans it's showery, bit of sun, more showers. Where is the Pacific High? It's the middle of July.
Early on the trail works well in summer. Get done before noon. Take a siesta.
If you don't see a moose, you can see their muddy hoof prints down the trail.
TrailBear
When I lived in Everett, I took the ferry to San Juan Island one time, and I do remember it was a little toasty that day! I miss the summers out there, but not the winters!
The Coeur d'Alenes Old Mission is a nice side trip, about six miles round trip. A new exhibit opened in October 2011 called Sacred Encounters. It's a multi-media museum exhibit in the visitor center about the meeting of the Jesuits and Salish people. In the past admission to the park has been free for cyclists, but they are discussing charging everyone in the near future. Still a very worthwhile visit imo.
One guy tried to make friends with the moose, which kicked the crap out of his bike. So keep a respectful distance.
My trip this summer was great! It's a really great ride. Unfortunately, I didn't see any moose. Alot of tracks, but no moose. Next year I'm going to include the Mission in my ride.
After a long fall tandem ride the wife and I decided to take a chance and eat at the Mission Inn in Cataldo. The food was really good and the owner was great. Will definetly go back again.
The old mission is three flat miles from the Cataldo Trailhead. The Sacred Encounters multi-media exhibit opened in the visitor center in 2011. It's well worth the detour.
The Mission Inn recieved several awards this year, voted on by locals. It's a great stop. Especially if you detour to the Coeur d'Alenes Old Mission. There's a nice campground on the river about 1/2 mile from the restaurant.
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