Huff Lake Interpretive Site The Huff Lake Interpretive Site is a treasured peatland located 11 1/4 miles north of Nordman, following State Highway 57 and Forest Road 302 (gravel) until you see the interpretive signs on the east side of the road. Huff Lake is an excellent example of valley peatlands. Peatlands are formed when large amounts of organic material or "peat" accumulate in a waterlogged area. The deep layers of peat transform the area into a harsh habitat - wet, acidic, nutrient-poor - but remarkably stable and long lived. Volunteer partners have constructed an informational kiosk, viewing platform, and approximately 90 feet of boardwalk with interpretive signing for visitors to use. Huff Lake is also a popular spot for moose and other forest criters. Check out this unique setting and the beauty that comes with it. Please enjoy Huff Lake from the deck and trail - it is very sensitive to disturbance. Q’emiln Park (pronounced“ka-mee-lin”). Located at the south end of the Spokane Street bridge, this 78.5- acre park features a guarded swimming beach, boat launch, BBQ pits, picnic shelters, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, concession stand, restrooms, and a 40-acre trail system. There are two small covered shelters (the Gazebo & Picnic Shelter), a large covered Grand Pavilion 60’x120’, an enclosed Trailhead Pavilion 32’x122”, and grassy areas available for picnics with reservations. A fantastic park for every occasion. Visit a Railroad Museum This railroad museum is located in an historic depot listed on the National Register of Historical Places along with the entire town of Wallace. The museum transports you back to the time when railroads were the king of transportation. Exhibits tell of the rich history of railroading in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District and of the depot itself. You can see a rare 13 foot glass map of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Mining Tours Murray, Prichard, Enaville Mining Area Towns - Murrayville was founded in 1884 when gold was discovered but had its name shortened by the Post Office the following year. Today there are a few classic mining era buildings left: the Masonic Lodge and the Sprag Pole Inn, named after the supporting poles once needed to help hold up the wooden walls in hard winters. local watering hole. Stop for a bite to eat at the Bedroom Gold Mine Bar. Rumor has it that the owner built a bedroom onto the back of the building and dug a mine under the floor, hence the name Bedroom Gold Mine Bar. Murray was also the home of Maggie Hall, a local saloon-keeper dubbed Molly B’Damm. An annual event in nearby Wallace is named for her. Hike The Ridge Trail The Mineral Ridge loop trail offers hikers spectacular views of Lake Coeur d’Alene from atop the surrounding mountains. A 100-yard side trail leads to a turn-of-the-century prospecting site and a breathtaking view of Beauty Bay on the east end of Lake Coeur d’Alene. To get to the trailhead, drive seven miles east of Coeur d’Alene on Interstate 90 to Highway 97, then South to the Mineral Ridge Scenic Area. For more information, please call 208.769.5000. See the Cedars Bring your cameras! The Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars is a unique North Idaho experience that the whole family will enjoy. This virgin forest grove contains trees up to 12 feet wide and 150 feet tall that tower above the forest floor. And, after seeing the cedars, hike along the quarter- mile groomed trail to reach Granite Creek Falls, another gorgeous photo opportunity. The grove is located 13 miles north of the town of Nordman on Forest Service Road 302, which is a continuation of Highway 57. For information on the Grove, please call 208.443.2512 Settlers Grove of Ancient Cedars Trail is a 3.3 mile out and back trail located near Murray, Idaho and is rated as moderate. This trail offers a hike through an old cedar grove where giant cedar trees date back to when Columbus landed. The trail winds down under the trees crossing West Fork Eagle Creek several times with rustic, wooden footbridges. The trail is best used from May until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail. For information call 208.765-7223 Go Huckleberry Picking “Purple gold” can be found in the mountains of Idaho during the late summer. That is the time huckleberries ripen. This small round fruit, which grows on shrubs two to six feet tall, is a delicious treat not only for humans but for bears as well. Fourth-grade students from Southside Elementary in Bonner County proposed the idea for a state fruit. The huckleberry, Vaccinium membranaceum, was adopted as Idaho’s state fruit on February 14, 2000. Several huckleberry species are native to Idaho, all belonging to genus Vaccinium section Myrtillus. The most common and popular is the black or thin- leaved huckleberry. Plants grow slowly, taking up to 15 years to reach full maturity. Black huckleberries produce single plump,dark purple berries in the axils of leaves on new shoots.They depend on an insulating cover of snow for survival during winter and have not been successfully grown commercially. Black huckleberries grow at elevations between 2,000 and 11,000 feet with many productive colonies between 4,000and6,000feet.Blackhuckleberriesusuallygrow from1to6feettallandproduceberriesupto1/2inch in diameter.Huckleberries are a favorite food of bears. 30 Majestic North Idaho | www.northidaho.org Outdoor Activities