Mineral Ridge National Recreation Trail, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Mineral Ridge National Recreation Trail, in Coeur d’Alene, was Idaho’s first recreation site by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It is number 22 in the 100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest and accurately described as “one of the prettiest hikes, suitable for a wide spectrum of hiking abilities.” It is just over 3 miles with only a 700’ elevation gain. The trail to the ridge is a gradual incline through beautiful forest, and your first views on the ridge are over Wolf Lodge Bay. The real reward is the view over Lake Coeur d’Alene when you arrive at Silver Tip. This is my favorite place to catch a sunset, no matter the season.
The trail is well maintained by BLM, where you have a good chance of viewing wildlife, with a small parking lot, bathrooms, a picnic shelter, and a map at the trailhead. There are markers for evidence left behind from hard rock mining. There are benches along the ascent, and Caribou Cabin, which you approach as soon as you reach the ridge, is also a picnic shelter. Silver Tip has one bench for rest and enjoyment as you look over the lake.
American Bald Eagles migrate through this region because of the Kokanee Salmon spawning in the bay. On any day between late November and January, you can see numerous Eagles at one time while hiking here.
I’m convinced there are sunrise people and sunset people. I’m a sunset person and have never met a sunset I didn’t like. Kristin Butler said, “Sunsets are proof that no matter what happens, every day can end beautifully.” The best days are made even better, and the worst days can still leave you with hope, if not joy. Sunsets remind me that I have no control over time passing, but all the control over how I pass the time. “Never waste any amount of time doing anything important when there is a sunset outside that you should be sitting under.” – C. JoyBell C., a leading female writer today and the most quoted author on Goodreads. As I approach the sunset of my life, I consider these things. The sunset of my life will prove that our time can end beautifully.
I want to insert something here about how the most beautiful sunsets come from the most challenging climbs, a saying meant to motivate you to climb the hard trails, summit those peaks, and that’s how you get rewarded. It’s not a whole lie, but it’s also not the whole truth.
I think of this from Becky Hemsley:
Tomorrow is a new page. A new chapter. Possibly even a new book.
But remember that the only predictable thing about the story of life is that it’s unpredictable. There will be mountains written onto your pages that you haven’t anticipated or planned for.
People will tell you that they’re there to be climbed. That you must scale them. That the view at the top will be worth every second.
But what if that’s not quite what you’re destined to do?
What if you’re meant to move mountains?
Or help someone to the bottom who got stranded on their climb?
What if you’re meant to take the path around the mountain, not over it? What if there is something on that path that could lead to your happy ever after?
Tomorrow is a new page. And so many people will be writing about the mountains they’re going to climb. But remember…
Even at the bottom,
There is still a stunning view
So when you meet a mountain
Simply do what’s best for you
So here we are. Mountains I’ve dreamt of climbing might only be mine from the paths around them, and through those I might inspire to summit them. If the only sunsets I get to enjoy during the sunset of my life come from a three-mile hike of 700’ elevation gain at Mineral Ridge, I will have proven that our time can end beautifully. If my last sunsets are from the trailhead, I will have proven that our time can end beautifully.
