| The Idaho Centennial Trail extends about 1,200 miles from Nevada to the Canadian border. It passes through 11 national forests, 1,200 miles of rugged sagebrush desert, and the largest contiguous wilderness in the lower 48 states.The trail was designated as part of the 1990 Centennial Celebration. The idea for the long-distance trail was conceived when two Idahoans, Roger Williams and Syd Tate hiked a similar route in 1986.After extensive planning and public comment, the Idaho Centennial Trail was officially designated by the Idaho Park and Recreation Board on June 1, 1990. Through the Board's designation, the Idaho State Centennial Trail became the first trail to be adopted into the State Recreational Trail System (Idaho Code 67-3232). The Idaho State Centennial Trail was designed using existing on-the-ground trails, and in some cases backcountry roads when connective corridors were needed.The Idaho Centennial Trail provides for a variety of uses: horseback riding, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, motorized trail biking, and even conventional vehicle use where the "trail" is actually a road. The type of use allowable is determined by current U. S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management travel plans, laws applicable to wilderness areas, and trail conditions. Presently only portions of the trail have been signed.The trail passes through some of Idaho's most spectacular country. Elevations vary from 1,900 feet at the bridge crossing on the Selway River to numerous high-mountain passes ranging from 7,000 to 9,200 feet. The Idaho Centennial Trail traverses a variety of terrain including sagebrush desert, flower-filled alpine meadows, dense cedar forests, six major river canyons, and passes by numerous crystal-clear mountain lakes. Many unique geological formations, such as caves and hot springs, can also be seen from the trail. Along the way visitors will find Idaho as it was 100 years ago. Abandoned homesteads and cabins, old mines, logging camps and a restored, old-time ranger station are many of the interesting sites along the route. The trail also crosses two national historic trails, the Oregon Trail on the Snake River plain and the Lewis and Clark Trail along the Clearwater-Lochsa divide. |
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