A Smooth Road to Wild Rides
From the Winter 2027 Issue
Paving project improves Trestle Creek access for snowmobilers
The backcountry off Trestle Creek is Nirvana for snowmobilers. Photo courtesy Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.
Head east of town on Highway 200 for about ten miles to Trestle Creek, then turn left and head into the mountains. After close to four miles of “up,” you’ll reach what for many is one of the finest front doors to Idaho’s backcountry. And this winter, thanks to a grant-paid paving project, snowmobilers will be celebrating, as this area is arguably their number one go-to on the east side of the county.
It’s not just the beautiful countryside; it’s the work that’s gone into it. “You can go multiple places (into the backcountry) from the parking area,” said snowmobile enthusiast Cody Walker. “The clubs put a lot of time into the trails and grooming, and even built a nice new warming hut up there, and an avalanche beacon check station donated by Fully Loaded Trucking.” The club he refers to is the Sandpoint Winter Riders, who meet monthly at Sweet Lou’s throughout the winter and are members of the Idaho State Snowmobile Association.
It’s so good, and so accessible, in fact, that Walker warns it can also get very crowded with visitors. “Go up on a Saturday after it snows and the parking lot is completely packed full with others trying to get some throttle therapy.” The area has been discovered, and the backcountry is no longer just a local secret.
Trestle Creek is an important county road to recreation: in spring and summer, the road leads to several scenic hiking trails, and to backcountry suitable for horseback or ATV riding. By fall, droves of huckleberry pickers utilize the road. And in winter, of course, it’s long been an area favored by snowmobilers, in particular.
A $3.6 million federal land access program grant paid to pave 3.7 miles of the Trestle Creek road from the highway up to the snowmobile parking area this summer. “This has been a long time coming,” said Matt Mulder, road engineer with Bonner County Road and Bridge, referring to a project timeline that began in 2017 and culminated this fall. In addition to the paving, Mulder said “we’re putting in riprap and building up the shoulders, adding some new culverts and ditch improvements, and”—perhaps what will be most appreciated—“adding turnouts about every thousand feet along the road.” The parking area is approximately an acre in size, leaving plenty of room for visitors. Even so, if you’re a born and bred local like Walker, you’ll want to leave early enough to beat the crowds.
Comments are closed.
