Day 6: Harrison to Prichard, ID

Distance: 52 miles

Elevation: +1026 / -820

Temperature: 46 degrees

We rolled out of Harrison at 8AM today (June 7th edit) because Mary Jo let us sleep in! We all awoke to this beautiful view of the lake from our rooms.

The temperature had dropped overnight, so we broke out more of our cold weather cycling gear. From Harrison, we headed east on the Coeur d’Alene Trail along the Coeur d’Alene River and through incredible wetlands where there was no shortage of wildlife to see. We encountered a moose shortly after leaving Harrison, and then saw white pelicans, several types of blackbirds, and birds we’ve yet to identify.

In Enaville, we left the trail and had lunch at the Snake Pit, a restaurant that has been in operation since 1880. Although it was a little chilly, they let us sit out on their deck so that we could keep an eye on our bikes and fit the whole group together. One customer passing by commented that he was impressed with how bright we were. Our loving SAG responded with “Oh yeah, they’re all brilliant.“ I think that may have been sarcasm. lol.

We had a tasty lunch, and then continued up into the Idaho Panhandle National Park to the Upriver Lodge where we settled in for the night and enjoyed the views, if not the WiFi. There weren’t many dinner options that night, but we found a nearby gas station and convenience store that made barbecue and had ice cream.

And, right next to the lodge...

Next stop is Quinn’s Hot Springs where we’ll get a rest day! Woo Hoo!

Highlights:

We saw a moose!

Incredible birdlife along the Coeur d'Alene Trail

Chilly, but no rain once we got going

There are regular places on the trail to stop and use the bathroom!

Lowlights:

The restaurant with "No Masks Allowed" sign on the door (because it's good to limit your customer base in a place where there are NO people).