Route of the Hiawatha turns 20
Photo by CHANSE WATSON Lookout Pass CEO and President Phil Edholm gives out awards during the June 23 ceremony at the East Portal. Many thanks were also given out to individuals who played a role in the route’s creation, but are not alive today to celebrate the 20th anniversary.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON A straight down view from one of the seven trestles on the Route of the Hiawatha. These structures, constructed of steel and concrete, were designed to provide a smooth ride while eliminating impact stress and vibration resulting from trains. Work to address deteriorating concrete and other needed maintenance on the trestles is estimated at more than $1 million.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON A waterfall that is positioned just outside the St. Paul Pass Tunnel’s West Portal. The area is a great place to warm up after the chilly 1.7-mile ride through the tunnel.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON A younger rider on the route stops to mingle with some of the local wildlife. Who knew that chipmunks liked nuts? In addition to the rich history, riding the route is a great opportunity to spot some local wildlife; both big and small.
Photo courtesy of SHOSHANA COOPER The United States Forest Service crew working on June 23 do their best Route of the Hiawatha logo impression.
Photo courtesy of SHOSHANA COOPER Taft Tunnel Preservation Society members Bill Dire, Jaime Schmidt, Jim Fowler, Linda Aldredge and Dean Cooper smile for the camera following their round-table discussion on June 22 at the Jameson in Wallace.
TAFT — Relics of the Coeur d’Alene Mining District’s golden age can be found all around the Silver Valley and beyond. Many of these relics in particular are the old veins of the body that was this area’s main industry.
We’re talking, of course, about railroad lines.
These lines used to zig-zag through the district to ensure that not only the precious minerals got out, but also that new settlers could arrive. Following the decline of the local mining industry though, these rail lines became void of their engines and cars.
No minerals meant no trains, and no trains meant no rails.
But instead of ripping up all the rails and leaving their former routes to be taken back by nature, many were repurposed to serve their community as walking and biking trails.
Running through the Bitterroot Mountains from Taft, Mont., to Pearson, Idaho, is perhaps the most famous of all these trails — the Route of the Hiawatha.
From June 22 to 23, the 15-mile long bike route celebrated its 20th anniversary of serving as a staple of outdoor recreation in the region.
The first event to commemorate the occasion was a round-table discussion Friday night at the Jameson Hotel in Wallace with some of the original members of the Taft Tunnel Preservation Society. The society was instrumental in the effort to restore the St. Paul Pass Tunnel (also known as the Taft Tunnel) and give it new purpose.
The speakers told a crowd of roughly 50 people stories about the early days of the society and what went into making the tunnel what it is today.
“Twenty-five years ago, the Forest Service was looking ‘what do we do with this tunnel? Can we haul lumber trucks through it? What can we do with it?’” TTPS member Dean Cooper explained in a later interview. “At the same time, Lookout was looking to get a summer business, so we were sending people through it on bikes and people were really enjoying it.”
Then due to safety concerns in 1993, the tunnel was closed; but the drive to keep it alive remained. For the next five years, the TTPS (made up of individuals from Lookout Pass, the United States Forest Service and local community members) made it their goal to give the tunnel new life. After working with the USFS (who administers the property), Lookout Pass (who currently has a permit to operate on the property) and congressional representatives; the society was able to secure $2 million in earmarks to refurbish the tunnel and create the Route of the Hiawatha.
On Saturday morning, a small commemoration ceremony was held at the east portal of the tunnel and beginning of the route. Speakers included USFS Supervisor Jeanne Higgins, Trail Information Coordinator Jaime Schmidt, CEO and President of Lookout Ski & Recreation Area Phil Edholm and Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum Director Shauna Hillman. Even Smokey Bear made a guest appearance (although he didn’t say much).
The speakers talked about their organization’s respective roles with the route, honored several involved individuals, explained the current status of the route, gave some historical context, detailed the influence that the route has on the community and stressed the need to look toward the future.
USFS Public Affairs Officer Shoshana Cooper expressed the Forest Service’s gratitude with the event.
“We really appreciated the opportunity to highlight this national forest treasure, its rich history and the community effort that made it a rail trail, and we look forward to planning for it’s long-term sustainability.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, attendees hopped on their bikes and got to see what all the fuss was about. The fuss, as it turns out, is well warranted.
The mostly downhill bike ride showcases a plethora of both natural and man-made curiosities for riders of all ages to enjoy. From waterfalls and wildlife to train trestles and tunnels; a picturesque view seems to be around every corner.
The route’s 20th birthday ended with a parade through downtown Wallace Saturday afternoon, which, among other participants, featured the always popular “Red Hot Mamas” dancing group.
Looking back, Cooper is proud of the work he and many others put in to get the Route of the Hiawatha off the ground.
“You look at that initial investment, $2 million in earmarks, and it kind of got everything finished in the end,” he said. “There were other building options that were less than a million … it was probably more than what some people wanted, but in the end, those dollars have turned over.”
Cooper added that in one year alone, the route brings in roughly $9 million in tourist dollars and attracts more than 40,000 visitors.
USA Today has named the Route of the Hiawatha as the No. 1 trail of its kind in the country.
For more information, visit www.ridethehiawatha.com.