Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes

The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is a 73-mile paved rail-trail stretching from Mullan near the Montana border to Plummer on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation. Following the historic Union Pacific Railroad corridor, the trail traverses some of northern Idaho's most scenic landscapes including the Silver Valley mining district, the Chain Lakes, and the Coeur d'Alene River canyon. Designated as a National Recreation Trail, this linear state park provides accessible, non-motorized recreation through forests, wetlands, and historic communities, serving as both a recreational amenity and an environmental remediation success story.

The trail corridor supports diverse wildlife including white-tailed deer, moose, black bears, and elk in the forested sections. Bald eagles and ospreys nest along the waterways, particularly around the Chain Lakes and Coeur d'Alene River. Beavers have recolonized wetlands along the trail, and waterfowl including wood ducks, mergansers, and Canada geese utilize the lakes and riparian areas. The habitat restoration associated with trail construction has improved conditions for native wildlife throughout the corridor.

The trail traverses several distinct vegetative communities, from western red cedar and hemlock forests in the moist canyon sections to ponderosa pine and grasslands near the western terminus. Wetlands along the Chain Lakes support cattails, sedges, and willows, while wildflowers including trillium, glacier lilies, and wild roses bloom along the trail in spring and early summer. Environmental cleanup efforts removed contaminated soils and revegetated disturbed areas with native species, improving ecological conditions throughout the corridor.

The trail follows the Coeur d'Alene River through the heart of the Silver Valley, one of the world's richest silver-lead-zinc mining districts. The Belt Supergroup sedimentary rocks hosting the ore deposits are visible in roadcuts and canyon walls. Mine tailings and contaminated soils historically lined the corridor before extensive remediation. The landscape shows evidence of glaciation, with the Chain Lakes occupying basins scoured by Pleistocene ice. The transition from mountain terrain to the Palouse Prairie reflects underlying geological changes.

Northern Idaho's climate brings warm, dry summers with temperatures reaching the 80s-90s°F and cold, snowy winters with temperatures often below freezing. The trail's varying elevation from 2,100 to 3,100 feet affects local conditions, with the higher eastern sections receiving more snow. Annual precipitation increases from about 20 inches at Plummer to over 30 inches in the mountains. The trail is typically snow-free from April through October, though higher sections may retain snow longer in spring.

The Coeur d'Alene people have inhabited this region for thousands of years, with the trail crossing their reservation at its western end. The 1880s silver boom brought miners and railroads to the Silver Valley, with the Union Pacific line constructed in 1886-1890. The corridor witnessed labor struggles including the 1892 and 1899 mining conflicts that shaped American labor history. Mining communities including Wallace, Kellogg, and Mullan grew along the railroad, with the trail now connecting their surviving historic districts.

Union Pacific abandoned the rail line in 1991, and the trail opened in 2004 following one of the nation's largest environmental cleanups. The EPA and state agencies removed 1.5 million cubic yards of contaminated material from the corridor as part of the Bunker Hill Superfund site remediation, with trail construction integral to the cleanup strategy. The paved surface caps remaining contamination while providing recreational access. The project represented an innovative approach to combining environmental remediation with public recreation.

The 73-mile paved trail accommodates bicycling, walking, running, and inline skating, with 15 trailheads providing access along its length. Highlights include the Chain Lakes section with mountain and lake views, the historic mining town of Wallace with its preserved downtown, and the Silver Mountain gondola in Kellogg. Interpretive panels explain mining history, environmental remediation, and natural features. The trail connects to the Route of the Hiawatha rail-trail for extended riding options.

Fifteen trailheads offer parking, restrooms, and trail access at regular intervals. The trail passes through towns with services including restaurants, lodging, and bike shops. Shuttle services operate during peak season for one-way rides. The eastern trailhead at Mullan is reached via Interstate 90, while the western terminus at Plummer connects to the Palouse region. The paved surface and gentle grades make the trail accessible to all ability levels and suitable for road bikes.

The trail represents a major environmental success story, transforming a contaminated industrial corridor into a recreational asset while addressing Superfund site cleanup requirements. Ongoing monitoring ensures contamination remains capped beneath the trail surface. Stormwater management prevents sediment from entering waterways, protecting the recovering Coeur d'Alene River ecosystem. Trail maintenance includes vegetation management to maintain sight lines and prevent root damage to the asphalt cap that contains residual contamination.