Montana to Idaho Via St. Joe River Road

[Wazoo70]

I am planning a circle trip from NE Washington through Waterton Park in Canada, Glacier Park in Montana and returning via the Idaho panhandle.  A key to the trip is going from St. Regis in Montana to Saint Maries in Idaho via the St. Joe River.  The maps show a gravel road that goes up the East side of the Bitteroot Mountains connecting to the paved St. Joe River Road at the Idaho border.

Does anyone have personal knowledge of this gravel road and know if it is passable to touring bikes using 35 mm tires?  I would appreciate any help I can get.

[litespeed]

That "gravel road" is the Hiawatha Trail. I recommend it highly. Very scenic and a very enjoyable ride. It's follows an old railroad bed and goes through a number of tunnels and over some spectacular boarded-over trestles. You'll need a headlamp and a few bucks in your pocket to pay the trail guide if you encounter him - $8 last time I did it.

The surface of the Trail is plenty hard for any type of bicycle tires. It's mildly downhill east-to-west but you'll probably have headwinds going along the river to St. Maries.

This is an easy way to cross the Divide as the longest tunnel (under the Divide) saves you about 1500' of climbing. Certainly easier than 12 over Lola Pass.

For information and maps of the Hiawatha Trail go to;
http://www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/rec/activities/biking/hiawatha.html

This message was edited by litespeed on 2-23-08 @ 8:22 AM

[erniegrillo]

If you are not aware of it, there is a paved rail trail from Mullan, Idaho to Plummer, ID. It's the Trail of the Coeur d Alenes and connects with the Hiawatha trail. It is 70 + miles of what I think is one of the best rail trails in the country.  Try this link for info on this trail and the Hiawatha trail.
http://www.friendsofcdatrails.org/  

[Wazoo70]

Hello litespeed and erniegrillo:

Thank you both for your responses to my call for help.  After looking at the info you provided I agree that using the Hiwatha and Coeur d Alene trails is a better route to get across the Idaho panhandle than the St. Joe River Road.

I still have one question and wonder if either of you know the answer.  Looking at the Hiwatha trail info it looks like you get to the eastern trailhead from exit 5 off I-90 in Montana.  Do either of you know the  best route to get to this point from Missoula?

Thanks for your help.  Wazzo70

[litespeed]

I just followed I90 from Missoula to St. Regis and the Hiawatha Trail. I rode the parallel roads when they were available and the shoulders of the interstate when they weren't. No problem. You could swing north on the longer route through Arlee but I don't know what it's like.

I don't see how you will be able to do both trails. If you take the Hiawatha you will wind up at Avery on the St. Joe River road. No way to get back to Mullan easily unless you backtrack and continue along I90.