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Friends of the Coeur d'Alene TrailsOld Milwaukee Road Photo Trail
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| This PHOTO TRAIL follows the Old Milwaukee Scenic/Alternate Trail 24 miles from Pearson to Marble Creek. | |
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| After the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (a.k.a. Milwaukee Road) went bankrupt, the US Forest Service took over the right-of-way and converted the section between Pearson and Marble Creek into two roads: Moon Pass Road and St. Joe River Road. These replaced portions of the automobile routes: North Fork St. Joe River Road between Wallace and Avery; and Old Seiberts Road between Avery and Marble Creek. The Moon Pass Road can be hazardous to bicycle riders during the summer due to the large number of cars and RVs. The Scenic/Alternate Trail takes riders along the old automobile route which is much less travelled. Most of this trail is unpaved and best suited for mountain bicycles or hybrids. Along Moon Pass Road travellers pass through 7 tunnels and cross 2 trestles. Many of the tunnels can be seen from the Scenic/Alternate Trail. The Trail passes along one trestle and under the other trestle. | |
Other photos sent to us by members and friends are present in our Photo Album, or in our Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes PHOTO TRAIL. |
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Follow
Larry Halley (Friends President) and
Ed Renkey (Staff Photographer) as they travel 24 miles from Pearson to
Marble Creek
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 When you are leaving the Pearson parking lot, make a short jaunt to the left down Moon Pass Road to see Tunnel 30. Turn around and then join the Scenic/Alternate Trail that is to the right out of the parking lot. |
 This is the trestle across Big Dick Creek as you see it from the North Fork of the St. Joe River Road (NFD 300a). |
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 The Trail crosses under the Squaw Creek (a.k.a. Stetson) trestle where it crosses the North Fork of the St Joe River. Note the ramp down from Moon Pass Road to allow access to the Telichpah (aka N. Fork and Squaw Creek) campground. |
 Looking back at the Squaw Creek trestle from further down the road. |
 The Telichpah campground is the site of an early railroad construction camp. Campsites are available on both sides of the road. There is no potable water available here. |
 This is the picnic area on the east side of the road at Telichpah campground. |
 This is the picnic area on the west side of the road at Telichpah campground. This area is also next to the river. |
 The road is blocked to prevent automobiles from continuing from the campground to Avery. You may encounter a motorcycle. |
 Looking up at Tunnel 35 (Stetson #2) from the Old Milwaukee Scenic/Alternate Trail. |
 Again, below Tunnel 35. This is typical of the Trail between the campground and Avery. |
 Almost into Avery you can see where the North Fork flows into St. Joe River. Note the foundation for the old bridge which crossed over the railroad tracks and the river to connect this road to Avery. |
 This where the Old Milwaukee Scenic/Alternate Trail meets the St Joe River Road (NFD 50). |
 This sign marks the turn onto Milwaukee Road into Avery. |
 Spend some time in Avery checking out the Jail and Old Milwaukee Passenger Terminal (now a museum). |
 Don't forget to check out fish pond next to the museum. |
 This CCC-constructed bridge crosses the St. Joe River and S.t Joe River Road. It leads to Old Siebert River Road (Old NFD 50). The Trail follows this road to Marble Creek. |
 This is a view of Avery from the CCC-constructed bridge. |
 Old Sieberts River Road is on the south side of the St. Joe River. The Old Milwaukee RR was on the north side of the river. It was converted into the St Joe River Road which is heavily traveled. This is the end of the paved portion of Old Sieberts River Road. |
 This St Joe River gorge is spectacular. |
 The Trail bears to the right and continues to follow the river. |
 Another scenic spot. |
 Looking back upstream from the same spot. |
 Another scenic spot to observe a cut for the Old Milwaukee. |
 This bridge will take you to the Avery Ranger Station. Forest Service maps and other information may be obtained there. |
 As we get closer to Marble Creek, the gorge gets wider. |
 You can see the St. Joe River Road bridge in the distance. This bridge was constructed to connect the new road to the old road. The bridge is near the Marble Creek Interpretive Site. The Old Milwaukee RR continued on the north side of the River and is now Potlatch Road. |
