The Route of the Hiawatha is a 15-mile downhill bike trail that follows what used to be the path of the Milwaukee Railroad’s “Olympic Hiawatha” train. “It was called one of the most scenic stretches of railroad in the country. When the Milwaukee Railroad was operating, the trains traversed through 11 tunnels and over 9 high trestles, covering a 46 mile route that crossed the rugged Bitterroot Mountains between Idaho and Montana.”
The trail starts in Montana (making this an eight-state trip for my parents: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana) and ends in Idaho.
At the bike rental shop on the border (exit 0).
Getting instructions from the guide at the trailhead.
The trail.
The adventure starts with a dimly lit ride through this 1.66-mile-long tunnel (this is the tunnel exit). We brought headlamps and long sleeves because the tunnel is cold, dark, and muddy.
After riding through the tunnel.
A waterfall on the other side of the tunnel.
Part of the fun of the Hiawatha trail is seeing the trestles you will get to ride across later.
A side-view of a trestle.
The view down on the treetops from one of the trestles.
Waiting in line for …
… the bus! These shuttles fit 24 people in the front half and their bikes in the back half.
Watching chipmunks while waiting for the shuttle.
There is a moose in this photo. Our eagle-eyed shuttle driver stopped to let us get out and take photos.
Looking for dinner in historic Wallace.
We found dinner! (Who can resist a space ship?) The Stardust Motel started out as a brothel (Wallace actually has a brothel museum), but is now a motel/antique shop/restaurant.
Wandering to our Gardenburgers. The owners originally put two license plates on the ceiling to cover some holes, but then people started giving them license plates and it became a thing.
Entering the tunnel, mud flying in the tunnel, typical trail terrain, looking over the trestle (Steven got all the GoPro footage), and enjoying the view outside one of the tunnels.