When
we passed Coeur d’Alene
on a previous trip, we were attracted to the area but had no time to explore.
This time we planned to spend most of a day there. This charming city
sits on the north shore of the 25-mile long Lake
Coeur d’Alene in the panhandle of Idaho.
Mineral
Ridge Recreation Trail
We
started at Mineral Ridge Scenic Area and took the 2.8-mile loop trail. Barbara
loves this type of trail – a gradual incline up switchbacks carved out of the
side of the mountain. It saves on knees
and erosion!
The
trail zigzagged up to a shelter, followed the ridge with peek-a-boo
views until arriving at an overlook of the lake and then zigzagged back
down.
Bill
took a spur trail to check out a tunnel made by prospectors.
Here’s
the view from the overlook.
Tubbs
Hill
After
a picnic lunch, we headed to Tubbs Hill, a beautiful park in the city of Coeur d'Alene. It has a 2.2-mile loop trail circling a hill
that juts out into the lake with views through the Ponderosa Pines
and sounds of the waves hitting the rocks.
We
came upon several California Quails on the trail that seemed to freeze in
place. It’s cool to see a bird we don’t have in the east.
Just
as we ended our hike we saw this sign.
Yikes!
Off
to British Columbia
tomorrow.
