The Old Milwaukee Road
With the Northern Pacific
Railbed Restoration Project almost completed,
we are turning our attention to enhancing the Old
Milwaukee Road railbed/road along the Saint Joe River
between Avery and Saint Maries. This multi-use yet
semi-abandoned dirt road is the key to establishing a
spectacular 185 mile bicycle loop route.
One day, the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, the
Northern Pacific railbed, the Route of the Hiawatha,
and the Old Milwaukee Road will form a loop known the
world over for its variety, rigor and beauty.
We are encouraged in this effort by the
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization
working with communities to preserve unused rail corridors by transforming
them into trails, enhancing the health of America's environment, economy,
neighborhoods and people. The photo shows folks from the national office
checking out a section of the Milwaukee Road as it travels along
the Saint Joe River.
If you have Google Earth installed on your computer, you will find
the following kml tours informative and entertaining.
Google Earth is a broadband, 3D application that not all computers can run.
- Desktop computers older than 4 years old may not be able to run it.
- Notebook computers older than 2 years old may not be able to run it.
However, IF you have the capability, you WILL want to download the
FREE software available at
earth.google.com/download-earth.html and check out
this world class adventure from the air!
[This is a work in progress. Please keep checking back
for updated files.]
- Plummer
to Harrison (Lake Coeur d'Alene segment; 15.3 miles)
updated July 27, 2007
- Harrison
to Enaville (Chain Lakes segment; 31.8 miles)
updated July 27, 2007
- Enaville
to Mullan (Silver Valley segment; 24.3 miles)
updated July 30, 2007
- Mullan
to Taft, Montana (Mountain Pass segment; 20.9 miles)
updated July 25, 2007
- Taft
to Pearson (Route of the Hiawatha segment; 17.0 miles)
updated July 25, 2007
- Pearson
to Avery (North Fork of Saint Joe River segment;
AKA Scenic Alternate Milwaukee Road; 9.0 miles)
updated July 27, 2007
- Avery
to Plummer (Saint Joe River segment; AKA Milwaukee Road railbed;
65.4 miles)
updated August 26, 2007
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The Trail Mapping Committee carried out a
Fun Fact-Finding Ride
beside the St. Joe River on Sunday, June 5, 2005.
Click on these photos by Ed Renkey to open 800 by 600
pixel versions in separate windows.
NOTES: The group convened at the Harvest Foods
parking lot in St. Maries about 9:00 AM.
The riders and bicycles were shuttled to the Marble
Creek Interpretive Center about 30 miles up the St Joe
River from St. Maries, where the ride started.
We crossed the road, then crossed the river to
Potlatch Road. This is the old roadbed of the
Milwaukee Railroad. We followed old roadbed back
to Harvest Foods in St. Maries.
Ride Time: Started at 10:22 AM; finished at 3:00 PM
Distance: 32 miles
The riders were: Del Sanborn, Jon Ruggles, Steve Prokotiw,
Ed Renkey, Danni and Erin Brudeseth [as shown].
John Kolbe shuttled Jon, Del, Ed, and Steve, along
with three bicycles. Erin's husband shuttled his family
and the rest of the bicycles. John Kolbe then returned
to the Pedal Pusher's Shop. Erin's husband followed
behind the group. He picked up Erin and Danni about
15 miles into the ride. It started to rain pretty
hard about that time. The rest of us had lunch where
the railroad grade passes under the highway. After
lunch we resumed the ride in the rain. Most of the
roadbed was packed gravel, but some of it was loose
gravel. As we approached St Maries, the road got
very muddy. When we arrived back at the vehicles, we
were all wet and covered with mud from top to bottom.
The bikes were a mess. We had fun.
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Steve and Del start out on Potlatch Road
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St. Joe River Road to Avery on other side of river
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Del and John on Potlach Road at Big Creek
use mouseover to bring them closer
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Old railroad tunnel
use mouseover to leave the tunnel
enlarge top photo
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Erin and Danni on Potlach Road near Calder
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The town of Calder
use mouseover to find the others
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leaving Calder on the old railbed, not maintained
by the county
use mouseover to catch the others
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Old railroad bridge across Bear Creek
use mouseover to see why
everyone is walking their bikes
enlarge top photo
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riding along the unmaintained road
use mouseover to travel half a mile
enlarge top photo
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Old railroad bridge across St. Joe River
use mouseover to cross in the rain
enlarge top photo
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click map to enlarge
to 1025 by 768 pixels
in a separate window
open
printable PDF version
(7.1 by 5.3 inches)
in a separate window
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