Quest Driving Map:
Heyburn State Park
Trail of The Coeur D'Alenes
Coeur d'Alene City Park
Wolf Lodge Bay
Bunker Hill Smelter Site
Silver Mountain Resort
Wallace Historical DistrictSource: Google Maps
For driving directions: https://goo.gl/maps/cKRu92S39hYSfmv2A
This Quest promises an exploration some of the most significant sites of the region/ From experiencing the beautiful of Heyburn State Park and bald eagle feeding at Wolf Lodge Bay to the remnants of the Bunker Hill Smelter and its mining’s cultural legacy, the stunning diversity of experiences will make this quest a true exploration. This quest moves from South to Northeast, but this is by no means a requirement for the experience. It begins in Heyburn State Park on the southern end of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Next it continues up the western side of lake, stopping to see the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes trail head in Plummer. Next, is a stop in the city of Coeur d’Alene, an economic anchor for the region. The city park is where the North Idaho Centennial Trail connects with the city center. Nestled away in the northeast corner of the lake is Wolf Lodge Bay, a beautiful area where salmon spawn and eagles feed. After, a stop where the Bunker Hill Smelter used to be (now it’s empty land) allows one to appreciate how vast the complex used to be. Further down the river valley is Silver Mountain Resort, a symbol of the new economy based off tourism rather than mining. Finally, one arrives in Wallace Historical District, where there are a number of museums keeping mining culture and history alive. Note: This Quest requires access to a car, but is suited for all ages. Each place’s ability to reveal a unique key to significance of the region is listed below. The full keys to significance list can be found here.
Heyburn State Park is the olderst park in the Pacific Northwest (1908), and is located on the southern end of Lake Coeur d’Alene. It is approximately 5,000 acres of land and 2,300 acres of water. The park has a variety of different environments with Poderosa pines, cedar trees, and white pines mixing with wetland and marsh areas. The Coeur d’Alene tribe was the first inhabitants of this area, and was created from land originally included in the Reservation.
Region Keys: Lake Coeur d’Alene, Natural Landscape, Tribe
https://www.stateparks.com/heyburn_state_park_in_idaho.html
The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is a 73 miles trail running from Plummer to Mulan. It follows the Coeur d’Alene River, and is known for its beaultiful scenery. The trail was named one of the top 25 trails in the nation by the Rails to Trails Conservancy in 2010 and is a listed National Recreational Trail.
Region Keys: Trails, Natural Landscape, Lake
https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/trail-coeur-d-alenes
Coeur d’Alene City Park & Beach is located in downtown Coeur d’Alene. It provides public recreational space including a beach, playground, basketball couts, and picnic space over 17 acres and serves as a connection point to the North Idaho Centennial Trail. This trail is 23 miles long, extending from the Idaho/Washington state line to Higgins Point. It runs through downtown Coeur d’Alene and is mostly paved with historical markers and scenic overlooks.
Region Keys: City, Trails, State of Idaho
https://www.cdaid.org/735/departments/parks/all-parks/coeur-dalene-city-park; https://northidahocentennialtrailfoundationinc.wildapricot.org/
Wolf Lodge Bay is a bay on the northeast corner of Lake Coeur d’Alene. It is a hotspot for bald eagle sightings in the region. Every year, over 200 eagles return to feed on the spawning kokanee salmon.
Region Key: Natural Landscape, Lake
https://www.blm.gov/programs/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife/about/idaho/lake-coeurdalene-eagle-watch
Bunker Hill Mine and Smelting Complex was once the largest smelting complex in the world. The lead smelter first started operating in 1917 and over the years expanded to include a cadmium plant, a zinc plant, and a sulfuric acid plant. In 1981, the complex was closed due to pressure from low metal prices, lack of concentrates, and a stricter EPA lead limit for air quality. This site has since turned into one of the largest Superfund cleanup efforts in the nation, with Hecla Mining Company agreeing to pay $263.4 million plus interests for environmental damages from the complex.
Region Keys: Smelter, Mining, Mountains
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunker_Hill_Mine_and_Smelting_Complex
Silver Mountain Resort, Kellogg is a ski and snowboard resort that was founded on the former mining site of Bunker Hill. It has since expanded to two peaks, Kellogg Peak and Wardner peak (original) and has 67 named trails and seven lifts over 1,590 acres. Snowfall is on average 300 inches a year.
Region Keys: Mining, Great Fire, Mountains, Natural Landscape
Wallace Historic District consists of the entire town of Wallace, Idaho. This town was the former silver mining capital of the world. The area contains many cultural excursions and locations like the Wallace Mining Museum, the Sierra Silver Mine Tour, the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum, and the Oasis Bordello Museum, which preserve significant items and regional mining culture. This Wallace Historic is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Region Keys: Mining, Great Fire, Mountains, Trails
http://www.wallaceidahochamber.com/history-wallace/
Silver Valley & Lake Coeur d'Alene Watershed 