208-769-5000
Mineral Ridge was the first recreation site developed by the Bureau of Land
Management in Idaho. Construction began in 1963, with additions and
improvements made in later years. On April 13, 1982, the trail was
designated as a National Recreation Trail.
The BLM manages three recreation sites at Coeur d'Alene Lake Recreation
Area, considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Mineral Ridge, a
day use picnic site, serves as a trailhead for the 3.3-mile Mineral Ridge
National Recreation Trail. This scenic trail, rising 700 feet in elevation,
offers hikers a lofty overlook of the lake.
A trail guide brochure for the trail explains the forest environment and the
history of mining exploration in this "classroom in the forest." Twenty-two
stations along the trail are marked with corresponding narrative
descriptions in the booklet, which also includes review questions and
answers. Other sections are lists of both plants and animals found at
Mineral Ridge and a glossary of place names that highlight the area's mining
history.
Located seven
miles east of Coeur d'Alene on 1-90 to Hwy 97 south is a 3-mile loop trail
that takes hikers from a picnic area to a ridge high above Lake Coeur
d'Alene. Shelters and benches offer rest time. A 100-yard side trail leads
to a turn-of-the-century prospecting site.
This is another option
of a longer 80-mile drive that follows two-lane paved highways as it
traverses the Purcell Trench and passes through a pair of historic towns.
This adds some special attractions: Moyie Falls and the 450-foot-high Moyie
River Bridge; the historic communities of Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint; the
Purcell Trench, a unique geological feature that defines the landscape; the
possibility of spotting moose near McArthur Lake and on the Pack River; the
hillside community of Hope; and Cabinet Gorge Dam.
In 1854, John Mullan, an Army engineer, was instructed to construct a wagon
route between Fort Benton, Montana, and Fort Walla Walla in Washington.
Among the substantial obstacles was the removal of thousands of enormous
trees in the mountains between Cataldo Mission and Coeur d'Alene.
On July 4,
1861, Mullan's men took a break from their backbreaking work and celebrated
the holiday in a canyon a few miles west of Cataldo Mission. To mark the
occasion, they carved "M.R. (Military Road) July 4, 1861 into the base of a
large pine. Although the tree was blown over in a wind storm many years ago,
part of the original message, a simple "Y 4" is still visible on the trunk.
The historic
spot and short trail to the tree are marked by a sign on the westbound lane
of 1-90 at Fourth of July Summit, about 20 miles east of Coeur d'Alene. For
eastbound travelers, the site is accessible by exits one mile east and three
miles west of the summit.
208-664-2827 www.operaplus.org Opera Plus!
brings high-quality opera to audiences in our region in a variety of ways:
public school outreach, adult education, free public performances, concerts,
and an annual fully-staged opera.
208-263-9191 www.panida.org
300 North First Avenue, Sandpoint, ID
The Panida
(pronunciation: "rhymes with Canada") Theater is a small community theater
in Sandpoint, Northern Idaho in the United States of America. The theater
was built as a vaudeville and movie house by F.C. Weskil in 1927. Deriving
its name from "the PANhandle of IDAho", The Panida opened as a
vaudeville and movie house in 1927, and is listed on the National Register
of Historic Places. Past performers have included Bonnie Raitt, Arlo
Guthrie, Wynton Marsalis, and Mitch Miller. Actor Viggo Mortensen began his
acting career at The Panida.
In addition to
performance events, including some locally produced, the theater is also a
film venue, showing award-winning films such as You and Me and Everyone
We Know and Paradise Now in a
film series entitled "the Global Cinema Café," as well as selections from
the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Most recently, the acclaimed Lakedance
International Film Festival has been a September favorite.
http://lakedance.com/
Beginning in
Sandpoint, this pastoral drive follows Highway 2 going east to the
Washington State line along the Pend Oreille River. To the right the view is
one of sheer granite cliffs and low-rising mountains, with the Pend Oreille
River on the left. All along the way sightings of eagle, osprey, and hawks
dot the air, but watch for the occasional moose or deer. They cross the
highway to drink the clear mountain waters of the Pend Oreille River. Enjoy
driving along miles of soothing river scenery, be entertained by varying
seasonal wildlife, or absorb the history of Idaho in three different
museums. The length of the drive is 29 miles. Allow 40 minutes, but take
your time and stop at the viewing points and areas of interest along the
way. About halfway is the Riley Creek Recreation Area, a lumber yard,
quarry, and toward the end is the Albeni Dam.
If you don’t have time to do the entire International Selkirk Loop, try the
Pend Oreille Scenic Byway and/or the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage.
Along the Pend Oreille Scenic Byway are more than 100 miles of shoreline.
This part of the International Selkirk Loop is considered by most to be the
most beautiful part of the 280-mile jaunt. Bucolic farms, glassy water
reflecting ubiquitous mountains, sunsets, and wildlife create a wonder of a
drive. Parts of the year offer cascading waterfalls, and year-round tranquil
lake and river scenes create a constant painting to fill the view.
To enjoy the Pend Oreille National Scenic Byway, begin in Sandpoint, and end
at the Cabinet Gorge Dam. Take Highway 200 heading east to Montana. The
drive begins with rolling hills and farms, but soon enough turns to
precipitous cliffs and mountains with a gently curving highway, proffering
expansive lake views of Pend Oreille, with more than 111 miles of shoreline.
Pull-off many places for boating, kayaking, fishing (for some of the world's
largest trout), swimming, camping, and picnicking. Right before you get to
the lake is the Pack RiverWildlife Area, accessed by Sunnyside Road.
This is a river delta system that's a haven for waterfowl and other
wildlife. You can put your boat in at Hawkins Point, or drop your kayak or
canoe virtually anywhere. In this area, and the flats that follow the Pack
River Delta as you continue on Highway 200, you can often see moose or deer
crossing the flats, or on the ridge lines, hills, and cliffs as you drive.
Next is the Trestle Creek Recreation Area, where the Trestle Creek Bridge
crosses the Pack River, which provides open access to the lake as well as
hiking trails. You might spot eagles in winter.
There are signs in the pull-offs along the way telling of the area’s
geologic history, where there are panoramic views of the lake and its major
islands.
After traversing the lake view highway you come to the historic railroad
town of Hope, Idaho: The tiny town of Hope was the site of a
settlement in 1809 by British explorer David Thompson, who built the first
fur-trading post in the Pacific Northwest. Hope is also a boating and
swimming access area, with boat ramps and docks on Lake Pend Oreille. There
is the history-filled Hotel Hope with its fine bar and restaurant, the
Floating Restaurant, and other venues to quench the thirst and fill the
palette. Next is the Hope Peninsula, where the first white trading post was
founded. Turn down Peninsula Road, go to the end and turn right on David
Thompson Road, go to the end, and turn left on Kullyspell to see Kullyspell
House, Idaho’s Oldest Home. While on the peninsula, take in the fully
plexiglass encased section of the Berlin Wall, some unusual sculptures, and
see the tame deer, protected by ordinance and Sam Owen Park.
When Lake Pend Oreille ends, the Clark Fork River begins. Consider doing
some fishing, or bird-watch for blue herons, ospreys, swans, and grebes. The
Johnson Creek Recreation Area, close to the Clark Fork River, and the Denton
Slough Waterfowl Area, a bay near the river, are good spots. In the Denton
Slough is a collection point to rid the lake of floating debris. Here you
can find wonderful pieces of driftwood, many worn by ages on the lake.
Continue on to the Clark Fork River Recreation Area offering river access
for those who want to float down the peaceful Clark Fork River, as well as
rudimentary campsites. The Pend Oreille Scenic Byway ends at the
Idaho-Montana state line and the Cabinet Gorge Dam. Cabinet Gorge is the
historic location of the face of the ice dam that created ancient glacial
Lake Missoula. When the dam burst some 15,000 years ago, the rushing waters
formed Lake Pend Oreille.
The return trip to Sandpoint gives a chance to see more of the same, but
this time, take advantage of the places to pull off the road and take in the
views. See why over 500 artists have made this area their home.
The
length of the drive is only 33 miles. If you drive straight through allow 1
½ hours, but to take it in with stops and lunch, give it at least a half
day.
Links to dozens of wineries & wine bars 877-452-9011
POWine.com
Pend d'Oreille Winery was established in Sandpoint, ID on June 21, 1995,
realizing the long held goals of Julie and Stephen Meyer. It has won many
awards, and the hearts (and taste buds) of North Idaho residents. Cool place
to shop, relax, and enjoy a glass (or a bottle) of local wine.
The
largest park in Post Falls is Q'emlin Park. This park consists of 128 acres
located along the Spokane River and features swimming; rock climbing, a boat
launch and 13 designated hiking trails. Q'emlin was once a Coeur d'Alene
Indian village and means "throat of the river." This set of 14 trails marks
an area where a tribal village stood until the late 18705. The trail begins
at South Park in Post Falls and winds through the gorge of the Spokane River
for four miles.
This virgin forest contains trees up to 12 feet around and 150 feet tall. A
quarter-mile trail leads from the grove to Granite Creek Falls, a
picturesque cascade over moss-covered rocks. The grove is located 13 miles
north of Nordman on Forest Service Road 302, a continuation of Hwy 57.
208-744-1301
http://www.ridethehiawatha.com/hiawatha/ This portion
of the Olympian Hiawatha route has been called one of the most breathtaking
scenic stretches of railroad in the country. The "crown jewel" of
rail-to-trail mountain bicycle trails is operated by Lookout Pass Ski Area
which is located adjacent to I-90 at the Idaho/Montana state line, 12 miles
east of historic Wallace, Idaho. The Hiawatha Trail is typically open daily
from around May 24 thru October 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PDT. Call
ahead to make sure. Every year the snowpack is different so opening date
changes. Stay tuned to our news ticker to see opening dates.
Winding through 10 tunnels and 7 high trestles, this 15-mile route crosses
the rugged Bitterroot Mountains between Idaho and Montana. The Route of the
Hiawatha is best known for the long, dark St. Paul Pass, or Taft Tunnel,
which burrows for 1.66 miles under the Idaho/Montana state line.
With an incredible history beginning in 1906 of construction, hardships and
calamities, unprecedented electrification, and of carrying passengers and
freight from the Northwest to the Midwest, generations of railroaders kept
the Milwaukee Road running until it finally went bankrupt in 1977. The last
train west of Butte, Montana passed through in 1980. After that the line was
abandoned.
With government funding and private donations, the rails were removed, and
the construction of this spectacular wilderness bicycle and hiking trail was
undertaken in 1997. The Idaho portion of the trail first opened for public
use on May 29, 1998. The St. Paul Pass, or Taft Tunnel, was completed in May
of 2001, and is now open for bike riding.We have
placed several
kid friendly PDF links of our Logo and different animals to color that you
might find on the trail. Just download them and color away :-). Kids can
hoot and shout as they go through the tunnels.
Winding through 10 tunnels and 7 high trestles, this 15-mile route crosses
the rugged Bitterroot Mountains between Idaho and Montana. The Route of the
Hiawatha is best known for the long, dark St. Paul Pass, or Taft Tunnel,
which burrows for 1.66 miles under the Idaho/Montana state line.
It was called one of the most scenic stretches of railroad in the country.
When the Milwaukee Railroad was operating, the trains traversed through 11
tunnels and over 9 high trestles, covering a 46 mile route that crossed the
rugged Bitterroot Mountains between Idaho and Montana. The Route of the
Hiawatha is most famous for the long St. Paul Pass, or Taft Tunnel which
burrows for 8771 ft. (1.66 miles) under the Bitterroot Mountains at the
state line.
