Hikng the Mineral Ridge Trail Near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Mineral Ridge Trail is a 3.3 mile (5.3 km) loop trail that offers stunning views of Lake Coeur d'Alene.  The trail has an elevation gain of 767 feet (234 meters) and starts with a series of switchbacks up to the viewpoint at the top of the ridge.  We drive 11 miles (18 km) outside Coeur'Alene, park at the trailhead, and start up.

Starting up

Rest stops along the trail

Views of the lake as we climb

We reach a spur trail to an abandonded mine and take the short diversion.  Prospectors begain filing hard-rock mineral claims on Mineral Ridge around 1891, inspired by regional gold and metal discoveries.  Many of the test pits and horizonal prospecting tunnels into the hillside still exist, but never found payable ore deposits and never developed a producing mine.

Mining operation

We return to the main trail and contuinue up the hill to Caribou Cabin, on the ridge overlooking the lake.

Caribou Cabin

Just before the cabin, the Nelson Trail leads north to a view point and we take another diversion to see what is there.  The view is spectacular and we rest and enjoy it before returning to Caribou Cabin and  continuing on the Mineral Ridge Trail along the ridge overlooking the lake.

Viewpoint

Continuing along the ridge

More mineral exploration pits

At the end of the ridge, we descend to the parking lot and the lakeshore view.

Descending

On the shore

We return to Coeur d'Alene and take a scenic lake cruise, leaving from a dock near our hotel.  We sit outside on the upper deck of the ship and learn the story of the lake and the people and wildlife who live here.  Some of the mansions along the lake are among the most expensive residences in the state of Idaho.

Lake cruise

As we return on the opposite side of the lake, the ship travels along the shore where we rode bicycles yesterday, giving us a lake view of the scenery we previously observed from land.

Returning on the opposite shore

Map of Lake Coeur d'Alene

(on the door of the lake-tour ticket office)

Coeur d'Alene is only a brief stop at the start of our journey, but it is a great experience to launch us into the rest of the trip!

Hiking Around Tubbs Hill in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Located next to our hotel, in downtown Coeur d'Alene and on the shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene, Tubbs Hill is 165 acres (67 hectares) of publicly-owned land with tranquil scenery and hiking trails around the hill (along the shore of the lake) and over the top of the hill.

We walk over to Tubbs Hill, passing more great street art on the way.

Art on the way

Tubbs Hill

We start up the path along the shore and enter the forest, then pop out of the woods for occasional views of the lake.

Starting up the hill

Views of the lake

Looking back at Coeur d'Alene Resort

We continue along the path and find secluded beaches with great views.

Continuing around the hill

Viewpoints above

Beaches below

The path leads around the hill and take a side journey into the upper end of McEuen Park, then returns to and follows the main trail until we return to our starting point.

Continuing along the shore

Descending into the park

Returning to the start

We walk through the lower end of McEuen Park, back to the hotel, where we borrow bicycles and ride through the park, across residential neighborhoods, and along the shore of the lake, later returning to McEuen Park and continuing the other way, up the northeastern shore of the lake and a short way up the Spokane River.

McEuen Park

Along the lakeshore

Heading the other way along the lake and river

More art along the way

We return the bicycles and wander into town, taking in the farmers market and seeking an interesting restaurant to return to for dinner.

Farmers market

For dinner, we choose Midtown Bluebird, where we start with charred octopus and buratta with toast, followed by  roasted duck breast and roasted king salmon.

Dinner

Art in the restaurant district

After that fabulous dinner, we return to our hotel and watch the sun set over Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Sunset over the lake

What a great day in this beautiful location.