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HIAWATHA TRAIL 5.27.17


On our way up into Canada, we stopped in Idaho to bike the Route of the Hiawatha. Luckily for us, we arrived opening day; didn't occur to us to check the season schedule. In any event, we purchased tickets for the trail and the bus ride back, signed our liability forms, rented lights, and received a map before heading over the border into Montana for the beginning of the trail. The Hiawatha trail is right on the Idaho-Montana border near Lookout Pass. The trail is perfect for the family as it is all down hill and only about 15 miles long. The Hiawatha trail is an old railroad track coming out of Chicago named after the Hiawatha train in the early 1900's. Once it was abandoned, the Lookout Pass ski area took it over and turned it into a bike trail that takes you over seven sky-high trestles and through 10 tunnels including the 1.77 mile long Taft tunnel at the beginning of the trail that has an average temperature of about 70 degrees. You can rent bikes or bring your own and as well as helmets and lights. Pack a lunch and take in the views as you dangle your feet over the edge of a trestle and while you are free to bike the trail back up to your car, I highly recommend the bus ride back on the old school bus that comes with the history of the area from a local free of charge. And be sure to check the website for their schedule, it would be a shame to get there only to have to turn around for another day. Until next time...

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