Harrison and St. Maries St Joe Country Clearwater streams and rivers wind through the densely forested mountainsides, providing perfect places for a wide variety of “back-to- nature”activities. This leisurely loop may be traveled in a few hours. From I-90 take Exit 22 south to the Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway (Hwy 97) to follow the eastern shore of the lake, the first leg of this loop. Four miles south on Hwy 97 from I-90, the [1] Beauty Bay Recreation Area offers an excellent spot to picnic, hike, camp or just relax.The Mineral Ridge Hiking Area offers a gentle uphill climb to the top of the ridge for a spectacular view of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Trail guides provide information about North Idaho ecosystems. Further on Hwy 97, at the top of the hill, the [2] Beauty Bay Picnic Site is the perfect spot for a picnic or a stroll on a short nature trail. This small, well-marked recreation site is open during summer months. Less than an hour from Coeur d’Alene, take the Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway to the charming little town of [3] Harrison, an ideal destination for fishing, boating, and outdoor enthusiasts who don’t like crowds. Located at the mouth of the Coeur d’Alene River, in the early 1900s Harrison was a main port for big passenger steamers. Gateway to the Thompson Lake Wildlife Refuge where birdwatchers can enjoy nesting osprey, blue heron and waterfowl, Harrison also offers a sandy beach, a protected swimming area, lakeside camping, public docks, boat rentals, restaurants, and accommodations. Harrison’s proximity to the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes makes it a perfect start and stopping point for the beautiful scenic biking and hiking route.The Crane House Historical Museum houses the town’s artifacts. Shop for fresh produce at the outdoor market where crafters and artisans display their wares. Hwy 97 ends south of Harrison at the junction of Hwy 3. Take Hwy 3 north, past the Chain Lakes and back to I-90 or continue south to St. Maries on the [4] White Pine Scenic Byway. [5] St. Maries is nestled in the St. Joe Valley where the St. Joe and the St. Maries Rivers meet. Locals call St. Maries the gateway to the“Joe”and the St. Joe portion of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. The Hughes House Museum andVisitor Center offers a glimpse into the logging town’s colorful history. St. Maries Golf Club, a nine-hole golf course is located just one mile east of town. Also a great place to cross country ski, St. Maries offers camping, lodging, small specialty shops as well as a variety of restaurants for the shopper or sportsman. In the nearby Panhandle National Forest, about 10 miles north of Clarkia or 20 miles south of the St. Joe River, (along Forest Route 321), you can meander through the Hobo Cedar Grove Botanical Area, an excellent half- mile interpretative trail through an ancient cedar grove. Surviving heavy logging and the huge fires of 1910, 1922, 1923 and 1930, these500-plusyear-oldcedarsnowdominate the 240-acre tract. Take a side trip to dig for prehistoric fossils at the Fossil Bowl. Open only during the summer months, for a fee, a visitor can hunt for garnet gems. The Emerald Creek Garnet Area is the only place, outside of India, where Star Garnets can be found. Established April 20, 1908 Heyburn State Park was created from the Coeur d' Alene Indian Reservation by an act of Congress. The deed, signed by President William HowardTaft, granted 5,505 acres of land and 2,333 acres of water to the State. The park was named in honor of U.S. Senator W.B. Heyburn of Idaho. [6] Heyburn State Park is both the oldest state park in the Northwest and the largest state park on three lakes, boasting 132 campsites in 3 campgrounds, a marina, museum, and beach. Six miles from Plummer it includes Benewah, Hidden and Chatcolet Lakes and is home to one of the largest nesting populations of osprey in North America. Continue on Hwy 5 along the lake and back to the junction of Hwy 95 to the town of Plummer. The-72 mile trail, Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes between Plummer and Mullan runs through Heyburn State Park.The last part of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, Chatcolet Bridge, crosses the St. Joe River as it flows into Lake Coeur d’Alene. [7] Plummer is the trailhead for the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Plummer is also the headquartersfortheCoeurd’AleneTribe. Just afewmilestothenorthyou’llarriveinWorley, 32 Majestic North Idaho | www.northidaho.org LOCAL FACTS... •Population:9,184 • Elevation:2,300 • McCroskey State Park (Named for:Mary Minerva McCroskey),was given to the State of Idaho in 1955 byVirgilT.McCroskey,who gradually bought up land endangered by logging.At 5,300 acres this wilderness area is Idaho's second-largest state park.• The park lies about 10 miles north of Potlatch,Idaho