Today, Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is a highly relevant topic that has captured the attention of a wide spectrum of society. With the constant advancement of technology and globalization, Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes has become a central point of debate and discussion in different areas. From the academic field, through the world of work, to the political sphere, Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes has generated a series of reflections and questions that seek to understand its impact on contemporary society. In this article, we will explore in detail the different aspects related to Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, analyzing its implications in various fields and offering a comprehensive vision of this topic that is so relevant today.
Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes | |
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Length | 73 miles (117 km) |
Location | Northern Idaho, U.S. |
Established | March 2004 |
Designation | Idaho state park |
Trailheads | Mullan (east); Plummer (west)47°30′35″N 116°32′13″W / 47.50972°N 116.53694°W |
Use | Biking, inline skating, hiking |
Highest point | 3,280 ft (1,000 m) (Mullan) |
Lowest point | 2,200 ft (670 m) (Harrison) |
Difficulty | Easy |
Season | Year-round |
Sights | Silver Valley, Lake Coeur d'Alene, Heyburn State Park, Palouse |
Surface | Asphalt |
Maintained by | Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation |
Website | Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes |
The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is a rail trail in the northwest United States, in northern Idaho. It follows the former Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way from Mullan, a mountain mining town near the Montana border, westward to Plummer, a town on the prairie near the Washington border. Generally following the Coeur d'Alene River, the rail line was abandoned in 1991, and the trail officially opened in March 2004.
The trail's 73-mile (117 km) route winds through the mountainous terrain of historic Silver Valley, into the chain lakes region, along the shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene, over the Chatcolet Bridge to Heyburn State Park, and concludes with a climb to the northern Palouse prairie.
Trail users can continue along a bike path in Washington that leads to Spokane. The eastern half of the trail in Shoshone County has Interstate 90 nearby. In Kootenai County, I-90 leaves the river to head over Fourth of July Summit to the lake's north shore and the city of Coeur d'Alene, while the river and trail descends southwest toward Harrison, closer to State Highway 3.
The trail is not only a recreational facility, but also a solution to environmental problems left behind by Idaho's mining industry. Silver, lead, and zinc were discovered in the valley around 1884, and a rail line was built to access the mines around 1888. Much of the rock in the railbed was either waste rock from mines, or tailings containing heavy metals. The railbed was also contaminated with spillage from passing trains.
To remedy these environmental problems, the Union Pacific Railroad, U.S. government, the State of Idaho, and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe partnered to build a trail. The thick asphalt and the gravel barriers on the sides of the trail serve as a permanent cap to isolate contaminants from the surrounding environment. A portion of the trail is within the Coeur d'Alene Reservation, and an approximately 15-mile (24 km) section of the trail is managed by the Tribe.
The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes includes camping facilities and rest areas regularly. The trail leads through protected marsh lands, offering the cyclist a glimpse of eagle and osprey nests, moose, elk, and a variety of ducks and other wildlife, as well as some rare species of wildflowers and accompanying butterflies as a result of the age-old soot from the old railroad.[citation needed]