The Desert Ski Club is Riding the Hiawatha Trail
Wednesday, September 3th, 2025
Note the Date Changed from the 4th to the 3rd!
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 "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. This ride traverses a brief yet picturesque segment of this historical pathway.
Route options
Top to Bottom (shuttle included)
The ride from East Portal (top) to Pearson (bottom) is 14.4 miles and is a gentle 1.6% to 2% downhill ride most all the way. Even with picture taking and enjoying the scenery, this part should take 2 or 3 hours at most. The wait for the shuttle at the bottom varies, but the average wait time is 45 minutes. The shuttle drive takes about 30 minutes. Note: the shuttle only takes you to Roland, where you will then bike back through the St. Paul Pass Tunnel (1.7 miles) adding another 15-20 minutes to your ride time, so if you're planning on doing the full enchilada (starting at Taft trailhead), you still have a bit to go after the shuttle. The total mileage for this ride is about 16 miles.
Top to Bottom to Top (no shuttle)
The total ride down and back up is almost 30 miles, total elevation 984 feet. This is a great option for riders who are comfortable with spending more time in the saddle. For perspective, I did it in 2021 from bottom to top to bottom and stopped at most of the informational signs, took pictures, grabbed a bite at the top, etc, and it took me just under 3 hours.
Logistics
Okay Suzi, but why Wednesday? Because people may want to skip the shuttle and ride down and back, and the Fri/Sat/Sun trail passes include the cost of the shuttle whether you are using it or not. And we don’t like paying for stuff we aren’t using, right?
This will be a meetup. You will arrange for your own lodging for Tuesday and/or Wednesday night. There will be a meetup for dinner after the ride in either Wallace or Kellogg, TBD.
The trail opens at 8:30 am, closes at 5. Shuttles operate from 11:45 am to 4:15 pm. We will be meeting at Lookout at 10 am, then we’ll caravan to the Roland trailhead, located about 20 minutes past Lookout ski area (Montana side). This is past the Taft trailhead, since we (I) won't be riding the St. Paul Pass Tunnel (1.7 miles of mud).
What kind of bike do I need?
You will be most comfortable using a mountain bike or a gravel bike, but you can use almost any bike you want to use (certain e-bikes are restricted, so check first). I would not recommend a skinny tire road bike. Helmets and bike lights are required.
Bike rentals are available at Lookout Pass and can be delivered to the trailhead if needed. Bike rentals include helmets and lights. Helmet rentals and/or light rentals are also available separately.
NOTE if you are planning on bringing an E-Bike!!!
Ebikes, Trikes, Recumbents and any heaver or Fat Tire Bikes will cost an additional $15 to have them shuttled as they are much heavier or bulkier and don't fit into our rack system.
You must choose this item when making your Shuttle Reservations or you will need to pay this additional amount before your bike will be shuttled.
Go here to register ahead of time for a Trail Pass, shuttle, or gear (not required, but you save some money and time by prepaying):
Purchase Hiawatha Tickets and Rent Gear
If interested, be sure to register (no cost) so that we can include you in the meetup communications.
Questions?
Contact Suzi Gaines at 509-947-2748 or suzigaines@hotmail.com.