Route of the Hiawatha

 The Route of the Hiawatha is a 15 mile long scenic mountain bike trail through the rugged Bitterroot Mountains between Montana and Idaho.  This trail was once the route of the Milwaukee Railroad as it made its way throughout the mountain range.  This 15 mile portion of the railway has now been converted into a biking and hiking trail.  The trail passes through 10 dark train tunnels and over 7 sky-high trestle bridges.

This trail has been something we have been wanting to do ever since we started mountain biking with the kids.  The problem was the trail is in Wallace Idaho near Coeur d'alene about 9 hours away from us.  Using the trip to Glacier as an excuse, we extended our vacation and made a detour through Montana to Idaho and took on the Hiawatha!

We knew this trail was mostly flat or downhill so we were all excited to get started.  Charlotte rode her little bike while we put Brooklyn in the bike trailer stroller.  We didn't really care how long the ride took because we were just going to enjoy the scenery and the awesome trail.

The trail started with a long trek through a 2 mile train tunnel.  We all needed bike lights or head lamps to get through because it was so dark!  This was probably the best part though because we were excited to see what was out the other side.  This long tunnel was really wet inside and we occasionally got dripped on by water coming down from the ceiling.  The water also made it muddy inside.  By the time we got out of the tunnel we all had muddy racing stripes up our backs.  Riding in the dark was pretty fun though.

As we came out of the tunnel, we stopped for some fun pictures next to the tunnel exit and the pretty waterfall near the trail.

Riding along the trail we saw so many cool things.  When the advertisements said this was the most scenic trail, they were not lying.  We stopped quite a bit to take pictures and admire the magnificent vistas.

Along with the great views, perfect weather, and chill downhill, we also saw some wildlife.  

At one point we were really close to a deer.  The doe was not even afraid of us.  She let us ride right by her without getting spooked at all.

We continued down the trail through the trees and through multiple train tunnels.  Some tunnels were short and we didn't need our lights but some were longer and we had to turn on our lights to see.  None of the other tunnels were as long and the first tunnel though.

Some of the best parts were when we went over the high trestle bridges.  The bridges were amazing because they were so high up and crossed valleys.  Looking out over the valley from above, you could see the bridges just coming out of the trees like the road was flying.

Taking our time to get down the trail, we stopped around mile 10 and ate lunch.  This was able to give Charlotte a rest for her legs.  This was the farthest she had even ridden before!  Once we were finished with lunch, we were off again.

Finally we made it to the end of the Hiawatha!  We were kind of sad to see it end because the ride was so fun.

Here we are at the end of the trail!  We made it!  

The original plan was for Russell to take the shuttle back up to the top of the trail and then come back with the truck to get us. When we got to the bottom of the trail though, there was a huge line of people wanting to get on the shuttle.  After talking to a few people, we found out that the wait was going to be about 3 hours to get on the shuttle and travel back to the start, and then more time to get the truck and drive back to find us.  I did not know if I wanted to wait there that long...  Together we decided that we could totally ride back up the 15 mile trail and probably beat the shuttle.  The real concern was could Charlotte ride another 15 miles uphill this time?  I knew the rest of us would be fine but I worried about her little legs.  After talking with some more people, Russell was able to find a rope he could use as a tow rope for Charlotte.  He attached the rope between his bike and Charlotte's and he was able to use it to assist her back up the trail.  

So off we went back up the trail!  This was a little harder than I thought. I did not realize how much of a downhill it was or maybe it was just because it was a steady incline for 15 miles.  Logan and Emily just cruised up the trail.  It didn't seem to bother them at all.  Colby and I switched back and forth hauling Brooklyn in the trailer.  We would each take a few miles and then switch.  I did realize that Colby's bike is way nicer than mine!  It was so mush easier to ride.  The funny thing was that one pedal on his bike was like two to mine... (I need a new bike!)  Ha Ha!  Anyway it helped to switch back and forth.  Russell towed Charlotte with the rope but she pedaled the whole way.  In order to keep the right momentum, she had to keep pedaling. We did not stop as often to take pictures on the way back up but we did stop a few times to rest.  The scenery going back was just as great as going down.  Beautiful!

As we reached the final long 2 mile tunnel, the shuttle bus that Russell would have been on also reached the tunnel at the same time.  So yes we did beat the shuttle!  

Going back through the 2 mile tunnel was just as fun the second time around.  In fact, Charlotte said it was even more fun the second time.  The only bad thing was that it was even more muddy going through twice.  When we got out of the tunnel, we were caked with even more muddy racing stripes up our backs!

Poor Brooklyn was caked in mud from the tires flicking it up into the trailer she was riding in!

We did it!  We conquered the Hiawatha!  30 miles in one day is probably the most we have ridden in a long time.  I know it is the longest the kids have ever ridden so I am so proud of their accomplishment.  Even Charlotte can say she is an official biker now!

Would we do this trail again?  YES!  But next time I would start at the bottom, climb slowly taking a lot of picture breaks, and then just cruise back down.

Bucket list item checked off!