Hiking Series: Tubbs Hill, Coeur d’Alene
Hiking Series: Tubbs Hill, Coeur d’Alene [icon name=”video-camera” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]
I haven’t been able to hike for a couple weeks, let alone write about it! For this edition of our hiking series, though, I wanted to show you our “tourist” hike. Tubbs Hill is convenient for out-of-towners because it’s situated right next to the Coeur d’Alene Resort. It’s a fairly easy hike, and it’s very beautiful with its spectacular lake views. We went and did this hike just a few days before Christmas, before we had any snow on the ground and when temperatures were still in the mid-forties.
About Tubbs Hill
The “regular” trail on Tubbs Hill is about 2.4 miles. If you go off trail and explore a bit, it can be a longer, more challenging hike. Tubbs Hill is fronted by McEuen Park. Right at the entrance to the park is a memorial to our first responders and military servicemen and women. That leads into a large park featuring a splash pad, children’s playground, dog park and more walking trails. You pass through part of McEuen to get to the Tubbs trailhead, marked by a few placards that have historical information about the hill. A fun feature for kids is the educational placards about the birds, wildflowers, and trees/shrubs they can try to spot along the way.
The Hike
You won’t see many trail markers along the way, because the path is pretty well worn from heavy travel. The trail gains elevation a bit as you walk, but off to the side are these little private beaches. If you get there early enough in the summer months, you get a great place to hang out, go swimming, or go fishing.
As you work around to the back side, you’ll see a peninsula with a relatively large beach. Stop and take in the views here. Gorgeous spans of the lake make you feel like you’re far from humanity, but just look back and the city’s not far behind you. Take this hike in the winter when the water level is about 8 feet lower than summer levels, and you can make your way out onto the peninsula for even better views of the lake and Tubbs Hill itself.
When you get back on the trail, there’s a spot that will direct you up to the summit. If you take this route, there will be a bit more climbing/elevation gain. One thing I should mention about Tubbs Hill is that it’s an active area because of it being centrally located, and it’s a dog friendly trail. Prepare to run into new friends, two-legged and four-legged. Another caution I’m going to throw out there is that one trail takes you across a bouncy chain bridge. If you aren’t comfortable with heights or bridges that move when you walk on them, there’s a trail that goes around it, but I think it’s fun.
Wrapping around the back side, you will see the marina and Sanders Beach. Through the trees, you can see the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course and the world famous Floating Green. From this point to the end of the trail, the lake views end and nature takes over as you work down the back side of the hill back to the trail head, ending at the Mudgy the Moose statue. That statue is part of another trail that we will cover later!
How to See It
Maybe Coeur d’Alene was never on your radar as a vacation destination, until now. If you want to see this hike for yourself without making the trip, check out my video on You Tube. While you’re there, click Subscribe to see all the cool activities we enjoy here in North Idaho. To see hikes I’ve already covered, check out our blog.
