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Biking the Idaho Panhandle on Rails to Trails

Program Number: 20762RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/9/2013 - 6/14/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Wallace, Idaho
Price starting at: $945.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Bicycling Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 13; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Low Salt    

Former railroad trestles stretched across fir-filled valleys and train tunnels plunging into rocky mountainsides form the milieu for a cycling adventure in northern Idaho’s panhandle. On the Coeur d'Alene, Hiawatha and Centennial Rails to Trails routes — all of them top-notch recreational bike trails — pedal through charming villages and areas of fascinating history, unique geology and diverse ecology with interpretation by local experts.




Highlights

• Learn about and take in the small-town ambiance of local mining towns Wallace and Kellogg.
• Bike the Hiawatha trail, crown jewel of our nation’s Rails to Trails routes, through nine train tunnels and across seven trestles with views of the towering Bitterroot Mountains.
• While you bike, observe moose, deer, eagles, osprey, turtles and plants along the way.



Activity Particulars

Bike 10–30 miles at a leisurely pace on streets with minimal traffic and elevation gains. Many rides offer varying distance options. Several bike paths above 3,000 feet.



Comfort bike and helmet provided. Recommended are padded bike pants/shorts, bike gloves, comfortable bike shoes (no cleats), handlebar bag, rain gear. Program requires signed liability release waiver.



Coordinated by NW Discoveries.




Wallace

Known as the “Silver Capital of the World,” Wallace is a historic mining town located in Idaho’s Silver Valley. Its story is so rich that the entire town of Wallace is listed on the National Historic Register, and its location at the foot of Idaho’s Bitterroot Mountains offers a haven for skiing and outdoor recreation.
Accommodations
Motel with private baths.
Meals and Lodgings
   Wallace Inn
  Wallace, ID 5 nights
 Wallace Inn
Type: Three-Star Hotel
  Description: Wallace Inn is within easy walking to historic town of Wallace. Rails to Trails bike trail is across street from Inn.
  Contact info: 100 Front Street
Wallace, ID 83873 USA
phone: 800-643-2386
web: thewallaceinn.com
  Room amenities: Room amenity highlights: queen and king beds, refrigerators, irons, free wi-fi, coffee makers, over sized rooms, clean, great service staff
  Facility amenities: The Wallace Inn offers a unique experience for visitors. Comfortable, well-appointed rooms, friendly, personalized service, and an array of amenities await your arrival. Stay with us and enjoy our indoor pool and spa, steam room, dry sauna, exercise facilities, restaurant, lounge, and much more. Wallace Inn highlights: indoor pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub, wi-fi, cafe on site, great service staff, clean, easy interstate access
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior: $78-136/night Contact Wallace Inn directly for availability and prices
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $78-136/night Contact Wallace Inn directly for availability and prices
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Check in 4:00-5:30 PM. You will be staying at Wallace Inn that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends at 8:15 AM after breakfast. Checkout by Noon. You will be staying at Wallace Inn the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Liability Release Waivers are required to be signed for participation in this program.
  Parking availability:
Parking is available at lodging for free during program week..
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Wallace, ID
  Nearest city or town:  Wallace, ID
  Nearest highway: I-90
  Nearest airport:  Spokane
  From End of Program
  Location: Wallace, ID
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Wallace Inn

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
NW Discoveries-Program provider
phone: 503-524-9192
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$30
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1.5 hours 
 

Distance:

 

87 miles
   

This is a one time shuttle provided by Road Scholar program coordinator with only one pickup at 3:00 pm at Spokane airport with Shuttle to Wallace Inn arriving at 4:30 pm. Meet shuttle van with big black roof rack at metered parking lot across street from north end of terminal where car rental booths are located. Call cell phone 503-524-9192 if having trouble finding shuttle van at pickup time.
 

from Wallace Inn

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
NW Discoveries- Program provider
phone: 503-524-9192
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$30
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1.5 hours 
 

Distance:

 

87 miles
   

This is a one time shuttle provided by Road Scholar program coordinator with only one trip from Wallace Inn to Spokane airport. Shuttle will depart Wallace Inn at 8:15 am on last day of program and arrive at Spokane airport at 10:00 am. Your flight should be scheduled a minimum of 90 minutes after shuttle arrival.
 
Driving Directions
  Directions For GPS We recommend you put the lodging address into your GPS or vehicle navigation system or use the internet mapping websites: (ensure the mapping directions are similar to our provided instructions) http://maps.google.com/ then click on Get directions, then input your starting destination and ending destination = lodging address provided. or www.mapquest.com; then click on Get Directions, then input your starting destination and ending destination = lodging address provided. Wallace Inn 100 Front Street Wallace , ID 83873 800-643-2386 info@thewallaceinn.com You can also visit the lodging website or call the lodging for additional directions.
  From Spokane Take I-90 East towards Couer d'Alene and Kellogg. Stay on I-90 to exit 61, Wallace, Idaho. Turn right on s. Frontage Road for 0.8 mile, then 1st left onto Front St. drive 0.8 mile to Wallace Inn on the right side.
Elevation Note: One day biking on Route of Hiawatha.

Equipment Requirements: Hybrid bike with large tires and upright handlebars and helmet provided. Recommended padded bike pants/shorts, bike gloves, comfortable bike shoes (no cleats). Appropriate biking and walking clothes, Need to bring rain gear.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Welcome to the historic town of Wallace. Get to know your fellow bikers and learn about the upcoming week.
(Sunday, June 9)

Note: While at our lodging, we will get to know each other as we learn about the week ahead.
   
 Arrive To: Check in between 4:00 - 5:30 pm at lodging.
 Afternoon: 5:30 PM Group socializing activities - Meet your fellow Road Scholars.
 Dinner: Dinner at 6:30 pm at Wallace Inn restaurant.
 Evening: Evening orientation and introductions/discussion until 9:00 pm.
   
Accommodations: Wallace Inn
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Enjoy biking The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. Visit old mission state park.
(Monday, June 10)

Note: Pick up our bikes before biking 15 - 35 miles along paved roads and bike paths. Minimal elevation gains.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at lodging restaurant.
 Morning: Size and pick up our bikes. Then we start our bike ride along the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes.
 Lunch: Sack lunch at Old Mission State Park
 Afternoon: Explore Old Mission State park and shuttle back to Wallace.
 Dinner: Dinner at a restaurant.
 Evening: Evening program on local history.
   
Accommodations: Wallace Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Bike Trail of Hiawatha, the Crown Jewel of the Rails to Trails system. Ride through several train tunnels and across several trestles.
(Tuesday, June 11)

Note: Bike 15-30 miles along hard packed gravel and dirt roads with gentle continuous elevation loss and gain.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at lodging restaurant.
 Morning: Shuttle to the trailhead and starting to Ride the Trail of Hiawatha.
 Lunch: Sack lunch on the trail.
 Afternoon: Finish riding the Trail of Hiawatha then shuttle back to Wallace.
 Dinner: Dinner at our lodging.
 Evening: Evening program on local history.
   
Accommodations: Wallace Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Visit town of Coeur d'Alene and bike along its waterfront.
(Wednesday, June 12)

Note: Bike 10 - 30 miles along paved roads and bike paths. One hill (~200 ft.). Explore town.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at lodging restaurant.
 Morning: Shuttled to the town of Coeur d'Alene and start biking the North Idaho Centennial trail along the lake.
 Lunch: Sack lunch outdoors.
 Afternoon: Finishing the day's bike ride then spend some free time on our own exploring the town of Couer d'Alene. Walk the local hills or take a boat ride on the lake.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own; choose between several nearby eateries in the town of Coeur d'Alene.
 Evening: No evening program since we will be in transit back to lodging.
   
Accommodations: Wallace Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Bike along a different section of the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes and enjoy the abundant wildlife.
(Thursday, June 13)

Note: Bike 10 - 30 miles along paved roads and bike paths. Minimal elevation gain.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at lodging restaurant.
 Morning: Shuttle to the trailhead and bike a different section of the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes.
 Lunch: Sack lunch along the trail.
 Afternoon: Finish biking the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes and be shuttled back to Wallace.
 Dinner: Dinner at our lodging.
 Evening: Share stories, photos and experiences from the week during a closing program that ends by 9:00 pm
   
Accommodations: Wallace Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Our program ends with fond memories.
(Friday, June 14)

Note: No scheduled group activities today.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be eaten at our lodging.
 Morning: Free time on your own. Airport shuttle departs at 8:15 am. Need to check out of your rooms by 11:00 am.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


The Big Burn


Author: Timothy Egan


Description: Describes the beginning of the National Forest Service in preserving much of our natural area as well as the 1910 forest fire that burned much of the area.





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