Plummer, WA to Enaville, ID - Trail de Coeur d'Alenes Day 1

May 29 - 59 miles 4.5 hours of seat time.

The trailhead in Plummer, ID

I wish all days could be like this one. After some discussion over dinner, a fabulous taco salad that was exactly the same as we would make at home base, it was decided that Bunny would take me back to the pick-up point and I would ride back to the campground. Then we would go out for a big breakfast at the Gateway Cafe in Plummer, before returning to Heyburn State Park, where Bunny and Poodle would have a hike at Indian Cliffs, while I got back on the Trail de Coeur d'Alenes.

Riding herd on a Squid and a Poodle is hungry business.

The ride over the last hill that I had avoided the previous day was uneventful. It was steep enough in a few spots that I walked it, but the surprise was that after the descent into Plummer, the trail continued a gentle descent all the way to Heyburn. In retrospect I could have done this, but the second climb would have been iffy and slow. I have no regrets.

Overcast skies were a blessing today.

The peace and beauty of this region cannot be overstated. The trail is effectively flat except for inclines at both ends at Plummer and Mullan. The trail is all paved and smooth except for the occasional expansion joint or tree root.

This is everywhere.

You can stop literally anywhere along the trail and see views like this.

This guy just ate a fish.

The smooth surface and level ground provide conditions allowing for high speeds, but I would encourage anyone doing this ride to slow their pace and take your time to notice the world around you.

I tried three times to catch this guy in mid cast.

A side note. Since leaving the edge of Rock Lake while riding Cheney-Plaza road all the way to the Trail de Coeur d'Alenes, the landscape is by turns forested and pastoral. It feels like a movie set right now....all green grass pastures or wheat fields, cows, sparse groves of ponderosa pine. This area of the country speaks to my heart. Every now and then I pass by a 'Gentleman's Farm' and salivate at the idea of pastures filled with frolicking poodles and the occasional goat....and a garage large enough to build whatever I happen to want to work on.

If I ever win the lottery.

We had originally planned to camp in a Walmart parking lot in Smelterville, ID. We needed to shop for a couple of things and free camping is free camping. But just before I got to 60 miles for the day, I popped out of the forest in Enaville, ID and saw this sign.

Was it the 'Rustic Atmosphere' or the promise of 'Cold Beer' that drew me like a moth to flame?

I'd intended to just stop for a single libation, but the bartendress was on her game. When I simply stated I wanted juicy/rummy drink she started making me off menu cocktails. Snake Pit indeed. I inquired as to whether we could park overnight and whether Poodle could join us for dinner on the back deck. We were given the thumbs up and I called Bunny to let her know that I'd found even better Free Camping.

Burgers, Dips, Tots, Beer, and custom Fruity Cocktails! No, Bunny does not drink Bud Light.

Two more dogs showed up with their human, and we had a great evening meeting people who were traveling far a wide. A couple from Spokane who knew about the Snake Pit because he was a retired fire fighter, and smoke jumpers and other forest fire fighting teams come to the Snake Pit after a long shift fighting active fires in the area. A couple from Hayden, ID with a rambunctious Shih Tzu who wanted to play with all the other dogs. A truly glorious evening.

So fortunate to have found this place!