I did that years ago with a Michigan turtle. He wanted so badly to scrape my hands off but could just barely reach me with each of his four feet.

Have you ever done the Olympian Trail?

Katy TX at George Bush Park. This big boy was sunning, a lot of bikers were stopped taking pictures from the safety of a bridge.

howz the recovery going ?

hope you still have some more crazy wildlife interaction stories in the future !

it is on my list and not sure why i have not done it. I have done the hiawatha several times.

Does this count? Earlier that week it still had its skin.

A couple of months ago I did an early morning ride up one of our canyons . I like going early , it is cool , and usually I am alone . These canyon rides are quite popular with the local cycling clubs . As I rounded a corner there was a full grown coyote just off the shoulder looking at me a I approached . Usually they dart off as soon as they spot me . I was concerned as I know they are very fast and could be aggressive . I just kept pedaling and it never moved , it just watched as I climbed up the narrow canyon road. It was gone by the time I was heading out about 20 minutes later.

I've seen a few moose on that trail but never a bull. A number of deer too, often right on the edge. I mostly have parked at Plummer and gone 20-25 miles before turning back. Have done more a few times. Once parked at Cataldo and rode to Plummer and back plus to Kellogg because I was helping a friend from my HS days get his first century. I have yet to ride it this year though. One of these weekends.... I really want to ride the rest that I have not yet Cataldo to the eastern end and back, in spite of it being so close to I 90, I think from Plummer to Swan Lake is about as good as it gets. Smooth with enough shade in places and good wildlife viewing. Ice Cream at Harrison is always a welcome stop.

Thanks. Still haven’t had the chance to try out a real bike. After Labor Day I will probably take a few vacation days up north where I can ride a wide trail that won’t be crowded during the week. I need to start in a relatively controlled environment with no traffic.

In 2017 I rode the first 2 or so miles west from St. Regis. It was so bad that I got on I-90 to Haugan. I picked up the trail again there and it was much better. About a mile after the trestle at Saltese there is a connector road that takes you down to the NorPac Trail. Took that trail all the way to Lookout Pass then descended on I-90 to Mullan to start the CdA Trail to Wallace.

In 2019 I did the Hiawatha after camping along the St. Joe about 8 miles east of Avery. The old right of way up to the Pearson trailhead was really nice. The Hiawatha itself was amazing, but I was like a salmon. I think I saw 3 other people heading up. Riding fully-loaded, I got a lot of looks from people going down.

There was a thread a year or two ago started by someone complaining about the trail use fee and the shuttle cost. (He was going to be in the area with his family.) I tried to convince him that it’s totally worth it, especially for the kids. Don’t know if he decided to open his wallet.

I have worked in the rail industry for more than 20 years. Riding the Hiawatha was a pilgrimage. I’ve also done the GAP a few times and the Mickelson once. The latter was a tough piece of railroad, reaching some 6,000’ in altitude at its highest point. The Hiawatha was even tougher, albeit lower, Think of what it took to build those trestles and dig those tunnels in the early 1900s.

yes indeed. men of steel. that Avery Id is such a cool place. my best friends grandpa was an engineer for the Milwaukee and had many tales of Avery when we were growing up.

I am enjoying the thread. Keep 'em coming.

just me and the turkeys again this morning.

You could be eaten.

Possible........but not likely. That's why I'm speedy!

IDK. Blue is the slowest color for outrunning snakes. Just sayin’.

Why did the turkeys cross the road? Starting up Dobson Pass from Wallace, ID. 2017.





They were a bit sheepinash. Cabonet Gorge, MT. 2017.