b"St Joe CountryHarrison and St. MariesClearwater streams and rivers wind through the densely forestedof restaurants for the shopper or sportsman. mountainsides, providing perfect places for a wide variety of back-to- In the nearby Panhandle National Forest, nature activities. about 10 miles north of Clarkia or 20 miles This leisurely loop may be traveled in a few hours. From I-90 take Exitsouth of the St. Joe River, (along Forest Route 22 south to the Lake Coeur dAlene Scenic Byway (Hwy 97) to follow the321), you can meander through the Hobo eastern shore of the lake, the first leg of this loop.Cedar Grove Botanical Area, an excellent half-Four miles south on Hwy 97 from I-90, the [1] Beauty Bay Recreationmile interpretative trail through an ancient Area offers an excellent spot to picnic, hike, camp or just relax. The Mineralcedar grove. Surviving heavy logging and Ridge Hiking Area offers a gentle uphill climb to the top of the ridge for athe huge fires of 1910, 1922, 1923 and 1930, spectacular view of Lake Coeur dAlene. Trail guides provide informationthese 500-plus year-old cedars now dominate about North Idaho ecosystems.the 240-acre tract.Take a side trip to dig for Further on Hwy 97, at the top of the hill, the [2] Beauty Bay Picnic Siteprehistoric fossils at the Fossil Bowl.is the perfect spot for a picnic or a stroll on a short nature trail. This small, Open only during the summer months, for well-marked recreation site is open during summer months.a fee, a visitor can hunt for garnet gems. The Less than an hour from Coeur dAlene, take the Lake Coeur dAlene ScenicEmerald Creek Garnet Area is the only place, Byway to the charming little town of [3] Harrison, an ideal destination foroutside of India, where Star Garnets can be fishing, boating, and outdoor enthusiasts who dont like crowds. Locatedfound.at the mouth of the Coeur dAlene River, in the early 1900s Harrison wasEstablished April 20, 1908 Heyburn State a main port for big passenger steamers. Gateway to the Thompson LakePark was created from the Coeur d' Alene Wildlife Refuge where birdwatchers can enjoy nesting osprey, blue heronIndian Reservation by an act of Congress. and waterfowl, Harrison also offers a sandy beach, a protected swimmingThe deed, signed by President William area, lakeside camping, public docks, boat rentals, restaurants, andHoward Taft, granted 5,505 acres of land and accommodations. Harrisons proximity to the Trail of the Coeur dAlenes2,333 acres of water to the State.The park makes it a perfect start and stopping point for the beautiful scenic bikingwas named in honor of U.S. Senator W.B. and hiking route. The Crane House Historical Museum houses the townsHeyburn of Idaho. [6] Heyburn State Park is artifacts.Shop for fresh produce at the outdoor market where craftersboth the oldest state park in the Northwest and artisans display their wares. Hwy 97 ends south of Harrison at theand the largest state park on three lakes, junction of Hwy 3. Take Hwy 3 north, past the Chain Lakes and back toboasting 132 campsites in 3 campgrounds, I-90 or continue south to St. Maries on the [4] White Pine Scenic Byway. a marina, museum, and beach.Six miles [5] St. Maries is nestled in the St. Joe Valley where the St. Joe and thefrom Plummer it includes Benewah, Hidden St. Maries Rivers meet. Locals call St. Maries the gateway to the Joe andand Chatcolet Lakes and is home to one of the St. Joe portion of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. The Hughesthe largest nesting populations of osprey in House Museum and Visitor Center offers a glimpse into the logging townsNorth America. Continue on Hwy 5 along the colorful history. St. Maries Golf Club, a nine-hole golf course is locatedlake and back to the junction of Hwy 95 to just one mile east of town. Also a great place to cross country ski, St.the town of Plummer.The-72 mile trail, Trail Maries offers camping, lodging, small specialty shops as well as a varietyof the Coeur dAlenes between Plummer and Mullan runs through Heyburn State Park. The LOCAL FACTS. last part of the Trail of the Coeur dAlenes, Population: 9,226Elevation: 2,300 Chatcolet Bridge, crosses the St. Joe River as it flows into Lake Coeur dAlene.McCroskey State Park (Named for: Mary Minerva McCroskey), was given to the[7]Plummeris thetrailhead for the Trail State of Idaho in 1955 by Virgil T. McCroskey, who gradually bought up landof the Coeur dAlenes.Plummer is also the endangered by logging. At 5,300 acres this wilderness area is Idaho's second-largestheadquarters for the Coeur dAlene Tribe.Just state park. The park lies about 10 miles north of Potlatch, Idaho a few miles to the north youll arrive in Worley, 34 Majestic North Idaho|www.northidaho.org"