Historic Logging Sites on the Marble Creek (St. Joe River)?

[Sarah13243]

Hi Toyman,
I was following this thread last spring, and I'm so glad you gave and update with the answer to your question. On the inclined railway site, is it possible to hike up the incline? How long is it? I've recently moved to the area from Colorado Springs, and I'm looking for a good hike that could replace the Incline down there. Thanks for your help!

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by Sarah13243

Hi Toyman,
I was following this thread last spring, and I'm so glad you gave and update with the answer to your question. On the inclined railway site, is it possible to hike up the incline? How long is it? I've recently moved to the area from Colorado Springs, and I'm looking for a good hike that could replace the Incline down there. Thanks for your help!

Sarah, sorry I missed your post. The Line Creek loop trail is about 3 miles, with the incline taking off at about the half way point. It looked like there was a hiking trail that followed it, and I think some ATVers were working to keep it cleared of deadfall. I don't know how far the that trail goes.

[redroc53]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

I hope someone can help me out. There are a number of historical sites of interest near Marble Creek on the St. Joe river. There are supposed to be at least 2 old logging camps. One is at Hobo Creek/Hobo Cedar Groves, it is a short hike and has an old steam donky in the valley, I'm familiar with that. There is supposed to be another one somewhere in the vacinity of Marble Creek, that has an old inclined railway and I guess some old buildings still standing. Does this ring a bell with anyone? I'm wondering where to go to find it.

Thanks all.

Yes, you go up to lines creek and you will find it.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Lines Creek

Forest Service Trail #426

Why? Historical logging area with an incline railroad

Season: July through October.

Ease: Easy to Moderate.

The Lines Creek Trail is a mostly easy 3-mile loop through the woods, with a lot to see along the way. The trail celebrates the logging history of the area near Clarkia, Idaho, especially during the early 1900s when giant white pines were harvested from nearby forests.

There are artifacts here and there – the remains of an old trestle, a rusting out steam engine, old cable, and parts of a steam donkey. There also are numbered posts and an accompanying booklet that help make the hike a learning experience as well as exercise.

My favorite artifact is the steam engine. You can look through it, so to speak, front to back, and admire the pattern of the rivets that look more like decoration than the functional fastenings they were. It’s unknown how the engine got to this final resting place, according to the booklet.

It’s also hard not to admire the trestle remains that loom ghostily from the forest floor. Or to consider the deep trench on its far side, made by a machine called a “fresno.” A fresno was a sledge-like implement pulled by horses. It removed tons of dirt in the process of building the approach to the trestle on that side, resulting in the trench or lowered approach, with piles of dirt on both sides. It’s a bit like a tunnel without a top.

One of the more interesting stops is at the incline, off the main trail at post number nine. Logs were hauled up this incline by steam donkeys, then lowered down the 45% grade on the Clarkia side into town, where they then were loaded onto rail cars. You can hike up the incline from this side, where the grade is much shallower but still seems plenty steep for hiking. There’s old metal cable here and there along the way.

If you’re not interested in the history of the area, the hike still is worth hiking if you’re nearby. The trail surrounds the Lines Creek drainage and is a fine woodsy hike with the usual under story and no views unless you drive to the top of the incline after – or before – you hike.

Directions: Turn left at the school in Clarkia, then go straight on Road 321 at the junction 0.9 miles later. Stay right on same road at 3.1 miles, then go left at 8.3 miles on Road 758 (also 226). At 9.0 miles, stay right on 758 at the sign for Lines Creek Historical Trail. At 11.6 miles, go left over the bridge. The sign for Lines Creek and the parking lot are just ahead on the right.

To find the top of the incline, stay on Road 226 at its junction with Road 758, and remain on it through various unmarked intersections where you’ll see that the other roads are closed or have visible Kelly bumps at their starts. In 3.4 miles, you’ll top out and soon find a road to left, then a road on each side. The latter is actually the top of the incline.

Here is some more info on the Lines Creek trail.