Riding the Hiawatha trail

If your ever in the area and looking for a unique experience. You must ride the Hiawatha trail. Here's a little history and explanation of the trail: 

" It was called one of the most scenic stretches of railroad in the country. When the Milwaukee Railroad was operation, 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 "Route of the Hiawatha" is most famous for the long St. Paul Pass, or Taft Tunnel which burrows for 8771 ft. (1.66 miles) under the Bitterroot Mountains at the state line. In May, 1998 the first 13 miles of the trail were opened to the public for hikers and wilderness biking. This stretch of trail currently goes through 8 open tunnels and travels over 7 high trestles." (copy write; www.ridethehiwatha.com)

The trail headquarters provides a shuttle service or if you have enough vehicles you can leave one at the end. We were waiting for Darren and Dad to get back from taking a truck to the end of the trail. 

You start the trail off, riding through the longest tunnel. Flashlights are required for this trail. Can you see Haylie?

Clayton fell asleep before we even made it out of the first tunnel.

Into another one

This time the flash went off and you can see Taran

One of the trestles we have to go over. 

Look how far away it is.

This girl was a super bike rider. She did the whole 13 miles, she started to fade out the last 3 miles but finished strong. 

Poor little kiddo's, I would advise anyone planning on riding this trail with little ones, to either have shocks on their trailer or bring lots of padding. It was extremely washboardy and by the end, Clayton and Addison had had enough of being jostled.