Over the Hill: Mineral Ridge is a climb, but the view is great

Just off gorgeous State Highway 97 east of Coeur d’Alene, the Mineral Ridge Scenic Trail is a three-mile loop trail (with options to take a longer route, which I certainly plan to revisit) that quickly takes you up onto the ridgeline above SH 97 to truly incredible views of Lake Coeur d’Alene to the west and tree-lined mountains in every other direction.