Cooler days and fewer crowds make fall prime time to explore the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and beyond.
By Rick Shaffer
Cover photo courtesy of Friends of CDA Trails
Oh how we cherish the arrival of summer. Breaking out the shorts, greasing the derailleur, stowing away the lined flannels, packing the SPF 50 and off to chase the sun. Back in my Pocono Mountains, Pa., homestead, summer seemed to last a full six months. Alas, here in the Inland Northwest, if the warmth and climate supply bright days and clear nights from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the cry overheard is “Wow! What a summer!” The beckoning of 4 a.m. light and 9 p.m. dark offers a clean slate for long hours of recreation and adventure not just for ourselves, friends and families but our highly needed visitors from afar. This allows our region to prosper!
The summer of 2026 has been different in the seemingly abnormal extremes of heat, smoke and lack of moisture. Over two months of no precipitation! From the perspective of tourism and recreation leaders on both sides of the Spokane River, it has been a robust season for guest visits regardless of the climate and economy. People flocked to our area to partake of all of the outdoor attributes that we are blessed to enjoy daily.
Labor Day holds special meaning for us local cyclists and hikers with the departure of 90-degree days, no-see-ums and overflow parking at our beloved trailheads. It is our time to get out and savor the beauty and grandeur of mountain peaks, singletrack and high alpine lakes. With October being the new September, the unfettered “open season” on outdoor fun careens on. Chillier mornings encourage layering up that’s soon to be shed as the sun’s rays warm. Fun and games are curtailed by nightfall a bit earlier, but ample time allows for adequate calorie burn. Get out and enjoy the great outdoors now as the snow season is just a blink away.
Reminders for the season: Our forests are extremely dry, so practice smart fire handling. Respect bike and trekking etiquette. ATV riders and hunters are joining the fray with interactions bound to occur. Communicate your presence. Remembering last winter’s windstorms, be aware that your favorite trails might have blowdowns.
Ready. Set. Get out there to celebrate our glorious fall season. Find your trail at Friendsofcdatrails.org.
