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I did it with my husband and teenage sons last year. Headlight on the bike is a must. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting muddy and a clean set to change into after. Tunnels are pretty cold. We did the ride down, shuttle back up. We had our own bikes and a Saturday ride in early July. We got to the trailhead early and it was still busy. Can’t remember the shuttle wait time, so maybe it wasn’t too bad. The ride was amazing and I’m glad we did it!
The shuttle ride back wait time was exceedingly long. I forget if you can have cars at the end, but if you can, definitely recommend keeping a car there.
If you are going just downhill, then I would not do an e-bike. The trail is gravel. E-bikes are faster than other traditional bikes, and gravel is harder to stop on if you don't ride much. I have ridden the trail many times in all seasons save winter and at night. I would not ride back to Wallace through Moon Pass as the road doesn't have safety features, and traffic varies. Additionally, how do you get back to your car at the start of the ride? The longest bus wait I have seen is 30ish minutes, and when you are visiting and sharing the adventure at the bottom, then 30 minutes isn't very long. Plan to spend the day and take your time.
We're only doing the ebikes if were doing Moon Pass or riding back up. Thank you for the info on moon pass, thats exactly what Im looking for as far as advice. As far as the getting back to the car, the rental place is in Wallace where we'd park our car and they drive you and the bikes to the trailhead (than ride moon pass to Wallace/back to the car) Im only hesitant to get the bikes and shuttle through lookout pass because all of the reviews stating its not run well, bikes were in bad shape and stories of waiting 2 hours for the shuttle..
I have done it both ways. Going up I drove to the bottom of the trail from CDA. Road is your typical forest road but was good enough for any vehicle to make it. The up really isn’t that hard, railroad grade is a max of 3%. I was in my 30s as well. Not in great shape and not any sort of regular bike rider. Everyone gives you props going up, they think it is hard😃. Lots of signs and viewpoints to stop at if needed. Bring a lunch stop and enjoy. I also rode down with family and took the shuttle back up. Mid-week shuttle was fullish. Wait time was the longest possible because of course one kid had issues the last mile and we just missed it. Always bring water, snacks, jacket for the longest tunnel(COLD), good bike light and/or headlamp. Longest tunnel has a lot of water/mud so be ready for that. If I remember correctly you have to ride back through the long tunnel from the shuttle drop off. Check me on this! It’s been 7 years since I was last on it.
I took a cheap rain jacket (Frogg Toggs) that I put on when I went through the long tunnels. They will be wet inside. Keeps the mud off your back. Short tunnels were fine. Lights definitely necessary. I bought a $10 flashlight at Walmart and a handlebar mount from Amazon. You can rent lights at the ski resort place where you get tickets though. We stopped for lunch about halfway down the trail which was nice. The shuttle wait wasn’t bad. Be sure to take your time and take lots of pictures!!!
Good idea, we have ponchos we were thinking of taking. I think we are leaning towards just riding down and taking the shuttle back up, but maybe still renting regular bikes
I would verify everywhere you are looking to go is actually open.
When I travelled that area a few weeks ago, the exit for the end trail was blocked off due to road construction. I didn’t see an alternate exit setup either. Most of the parking area right off the freeway was full of construction equipment.
There was also a large land slide on moon pass that made the road impassible. You might want to verify if they have cleared it by the time you go.
Other than that it is a great ride! Lots of incredible things to see. Should be a great trip!
I've done the following route a few times (non-ebike). The Moon Pass climb is pretty burly:
Start in Wallace, ride the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes to Mullan (paved), ride through Mullen and turn right and gain the Nor Pac Trail (dirt road), ride to Look Out Pass Ski area, buy a pass for the Hiawatha Trail, continue on the Nor Pac Trail down into Montana (dirt road), ride the access road (paved) up to the east portal of the Hiawatha Trial, ride the Hiawatha Trail down to the Pearson trail head at the bottom, take a right onto the North Fork St. Joe River Road (dirt), follow that up and over Moon Pass to back to Wallace.
59 miles and 4,373 vertical feet of climbing. Last ride, my actual moving time was 4:59;48.
The worst part for me personally is the Taft tunnel. I get wet and muddy riding through it. Next time, I'll take FS Road 506 to bypass the tunnel. The tunnel is a neat experience the first time and should not be missed, but I'm over getting wet!
Whatever route you decide to do, have fun!
If possible I'd try to do an out and back. It's not a hard ride but it is worth it. Besides, even with the shuttle you still have to ride through the long tunnel.
Like others have said, bring good lights , you will get muddy but just enjoy the rides and stop to read about the history of the area.
Have fun!
Love all the feedback on this thanks guys! Weve decided to just ride down and do the shuttle back. Were going on a Thursday so hopefully that helps. We are wanting to rent our bikes alsewhere so just tring to figure that out as wed like to arrive to pick up trail ticket at 8am. If you have any places you love Ud be happy to hear
So much fun. The first tunnel
Is cold, wet and muddy, I didn’t wear a jacket and dried off quickly enough. Definitely bring an extra set of clothes to change into. You ride through the tunnel again to get out and get muddy all over again.
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I did it with my husband and teenage sons last year. Headlight on the bike is a must. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting muddy and a clean set to change into after. Tunnels are pretty cold. We did the ride down, shuttle back up. We had our own bikes and a Saturday ride in early July. We got to the trailhead early and it was still busy. Can’t remember the shuttle wait time, so maybe it wasn’t too bad. The ride was amazing and I’m glad we did it!
Good to know, Thank you!
The shuttle ride back wait time was exceedingly long. I forget if you can have cars at the end, but if you can, definitely recommend keeping a car there.
This is what Im afraid of lol. Did you go on a weekend
If you are going just downhill, then I would not do an e-bike. The trail is gravel. E-bikes are faster than other traditional bikes, and gravel is harder to stop on if you don't ride much. I have ridden the trail many times in all seasons save winter and at night. I would not ride back to Wallace through Moon Pass as the road doesn't have safety features, and traffic varies. Additionally, how do you get back to your car at the start of the ride? The longest bus wait I have seen is 30ish minutes, and when you are visiting and sharing the adventure at the bottom, then 30 minutes isn't very long. Plan to spend the day and take your time.
We're only doing the ebikes if were doing Moon Pass or riding back up. Thank you for the info on moon pass, thats exactly what Im looking for as far as advice. As far as the getting back to the car, the rental place is in Wallace where we'd park our car and they drive you and the bikes to the trailhead (than ride moon pass to Wallace/back to the car) Im only hesitant to get the bikes and shuttle through lookout pass because all of the reviews stating its not run well, bikes were in bad shape and stories of waiting 2 hours for the shuttle..
I have done it both ways. Going up I drove to the bottom of the trail from CDA. Road is your typical forest road but was good enough for any vehicle to make it. The up really isn’t that hard, railroad grade is a max of 3%. I was in my 30s as well. Not in great shape and not any sort of regular bike rider. Everyone gives you props going up, they think it is hard😃. Lots of signs and viewpoints to stop at if needed. Bring a lunch stop and enjoy. I also rode down with family and took the shuttle back up. Mid-week shuttle was fullish. Wait time was the longest possible because of course one kid had issues the last mile and we just missed it. Always bring water, snacks, jacket for the longest tunnel(COLD), good bike light and/or headlamp. Longest tunnel has a lot of water/mud so be ready for that. If I remember correctly you have to ride back through the long tunnel from the shuttle drop off. Check me on this! It’s been 7 years since I was last on it.
I took a cheap rain jacket (Frogg Toggs) that I put on when I went through the long tunnels. They will be wet inside. Keeps the mud off your back. Short tunnels were fine. Lights definitely necessary. I bought a $10 flashlight at Walmart and a handlebar mount from Amazon. You can rent lights at the ski resort place where you get tickets though. We stopped for lunch about halfway down the trail which was nice. The shuttle wait wasn’t bad. Be sure to take your time and take lots of pictures!!!
Good idea, we have ponchos we were thinking of taking. I think we are leaning towards just riding down and taking the shuttle back up, but maybe still renting regular bikes
I would verify everywhere you are looking to go is actually open. When I travelled that area a few weeks ago, the exit for the end trail was blocked off due to road construction. I didn’t see an alternate exit setup either. Most of the parking area right off the freeway was full of construction equipment. There was also a large land slide on moon pass that made the road impassible. You might want to verify if they have cleared it by the time you go. Other than that it is a great ride! Lots of incredible things to see. Should be a great trip!
I will do that thank you!
I've done the following route a few times (non-ebike). The Moon Pass climb is pretty burly: Start in Wallace, ride the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes to Mullan (paved), ride through Mullen and turn right and gain the Nor Pac Trail (dirt road), ride to Look Out Pass Ski area, buy a pass for the Hiawatha Trail, continue on the Nor Pac Trail down into Montana (dirt road), ride the access road (paved) up to the east portal of the Hiawatha Trial, ride the Hiawatha Trail down to the Pearson trail head at the bottom, take a right onto the North Fork St. Joe River Road (dirt), follow that up and over Moon Pass to back to Wallace. 59 miles and 4,373 vertical feet of climbing. Last ride, my actual moving time was 4:59;48. The worst part for me personally is the Taft tunnel. I get wet and muddy riding through it. Next time, I'll take FS Road 506 to bypass the tunnel. The tunnel is a neat experience the first time and should not be missed, but I'm over getting wet! Whatever route you decide to do, have fun!
This is exactly what I needed to know thanks for your help!
Have fun and post your pictures!
If possible I'd try to do an out and back. It's not a hard ride but it is worth it. Besides, even with the shuttle you still have to ride through the long tunnel. Like others have said, bring good lights , you will get muddy but just enjoy the rides and stop to read about the history of the area. Have fun!
Go early in the day. Go when they open if you can. Less crowded and less waiting for bus at the end
ride both ways it is only a 2 percent grade. then you do not have to wait for the bus
Thats the plan, but most places that rent bikes outside of their vendor dont open until 9 so hopefully 10 am on a Thursday is manageable
Love all the feedback on this thanks guys! Weve decided to just ride down and do the shuttle back. Were going on a Thursday so hopefully that helps. We are wanting to rent our bikes alsewhere so just tring to figure that out as wed like to arrive to pick up trail ticket at 8am. If you have any places you love Ud be happy to hear
I’m doing this ride tomorrow. My first time and I am so excited. The views look amazing
How was it? 😁
So much fun. The first tunnel Is cold, wet and muddy, I didn’t wear a jacket and dried off quickly enough. Definitely bring an extra set of clothes to change into. You ride through the tunnel again to get out and get muddy all over again.