A World-Class Rail Trail, Idaho’s Route Of The Hiawatha Was A True Feat Of Engineering
By Courtnie Erickson|Updated on June 03, 2024(Originally published June 09, 2022)
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
Are you up for an adventure? Do you ever find yourself asking, “How long is the Hiawatha Trail?” The Route of the Hiawatha is one of the most popular rail trails in Idaho. Whether you hike or bike this trail, you are in for an experience of a lifetime. This world-class trail is 15 miles, and takes you through tunnels, over bridges, and through some of northern Idaho’s most breathtaking scenery. However, the creation of this trail certainly wasn’t easy and turned into quite a challenge.
This trail dates back to the early 1800s. At the time, the Milwaukee Road, which was a successful railroad out of Chicago, had more than 6,000 miles of railroad track in the Midwest. They wanted to expand to the West Coast and proposed a new line through the Bitterroot Mountains.
Prior to building these lines, exploration crews were sent out. These individuals explored more than 2,000 miles through Native American lands and wilderness. They had no maps to guide them. The exploration took several years to complete.
Once a route was established, construction finally began in 1907. However, the building of the track was a true feat of engineering. Due to the challenging terrain and the weather, creating the rail bed and track was extremely difficult.
It took more than 9,000 men approximately five years to complete the rail line. Plus, the project cost a significant amount of money. Originally, this rail line was estimated to cost $45 million, but in the end, more than $234 million was spent.
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Over the years, the rail line experienced a lot of challenges and a lot of accomplishments.
A devastating fire occurred in 1910, bankruptcy struck in 1935, and updates to technology are just a few of the challenges that this railroad faced. Unfortunately, the rail line was abandoned in 1980.
Today, 15 miles of this rail line have been converted to create the ultimate trail. In fact, the Route of the Hiawatha is known as the “Crown Jewel” of rail trails. If you complete the trail in its entirety, you will pass through 10 tunnels and over seven trestles. You’ll even see some historic landmarks along your way.
The most popular place to access this trail is at Lookout Pass Ski Area. Here, you can purchase shuttle tickets and bike rentals. Plus, the trail is mostly downhill so it’s perfect for an entire family adventure.
The Route of the Hiawatha is not only one of the most scenic rail trails in Idaho, but it also has one of the most interesting histories. This work that went into its construction makes you love this trail even more.
Have you ever tackled the Route of the Hiawatha? Did you complete the trail in its entirety? Have you ever asked, “How long is the Hiawatha Trail?” We’d love to hear all about your experience(s) in the comments! You can learn more about this trail, including current trail conditions, on the Route of the Hiawatha website.
While on this trail, you will pass through the St. Paul Pass Tunnel, which is the longest tunnel in Idaho. The size of this tunnel is not only impressive, but this structure also has quite an interesting history.
If you require gear for this outdoor journey, check out REI or Backcountry for some of the best products available.
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