to Cataldo: NorPac Trail to Trail of Coeur d"Alenes

September 5, 2019

"There's an upside and downside to being on this trail" Rachel says. "The downside is we hear the interstate traffic. The upside is we are on a trail and not in the traffic."

We left our campsite in the pines early in the morning. It's a cold 2 mile ride from East Portal (4,147 feet) downhill to Taft (3,360 feet). We connect with the NorPac Trail https://www.traillink.com/trail/norpac-trail/ that will take us over Lookout Pass (4,730 feet) before dropping down to Mullan.

We are following the St. Regis River where we cross three times and the Interstate where the trail goes under twice. This trail is 11.7 miles compact gravel. This is a beautiful ride once in the trees, the surface hard packed.

After Lookout Pass when we reach the Willow Creek Trailhead, we choose to leave the trail and take the road down to Mullan. The road is steep and if you are coming from the other direction it probably is best to stay on the trail. https://friendsofcdatrails.org/northern-pacific-trailcc

At Mullen, we pick up mile 71.4 of the paved Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. Coming into town we see 4 women touring, a group of friends that over the years have done many rides together. We stop and exchange information.

Least interesting section is between Kellogg and Smelterville.

The next morning is a cold downhill to pick up the Northern Pacific Multiuse Trail.

At a junction since we were going downhill, we cut off from the official trail and took a shortcut.

Shortcut to Mullen, would be more difficult if going uphill.

Picking up the Trail Coeur D'Alenes in Mullen.

Good news, bad news. Good news to not have to worry about traffic. Bad news is hearing the traffic.

We stop in Wallace and fix lunch. The trail continues under the interstate.

The campground in Cataldo is right by the interstate, however there is a great restaurant nearby.

Today's ride: 36 miles (58 km)
Total: 127 miles (204 km)

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