Bill Chipman Palouse Trail
Encyclopedia
The Bill Chipman Palouse Trail is a paved rail trail
from Pullman
, Washington, eastward to Moscow
, Idaho
. Completed in 1998, it follows the former Northern Pacific Railroad right-of-way and connects the rural university towns on the Palouse
across the Idaho-Washington border.
at the Perimeter Road trailhead in Idaho is 2535 feet (772.7 m) above sea level and the vertical drop westward to Pullman is just under 200 feet (61 m). The trail has one rest area and parallels Washington State Route 270
, the Moscow-Pullman Highway, which becomes Idaho State Highway 8
at the border. The BCPT is not only a recreational facility, but also a commuter route that connects the land-grant campuses of the University of Idaho
and Washington State University
.
After 12 years of community vision, perseverance, and donations, along with agency cooperation, the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail was dedicated on April 4, 1998. It is part of the federal Rails to Trails program, which preserves railroad corridors for non-motorized transportation and possible future transportation use. It is open dawn to dusk year round - day use only - and to all ages and abilities. The trail is maintained and managed by a coalition of park and trail representatives from Whitman County
, the City of Pullman, the City of Moscow, the University of Idaho, and Washington State University.
alumnus and a longtime automobile dealer in Pullman, Chipman tragically died in January 1996 of complications
from injuries incurred in an automobile accident. The multiple-rollover incident occurred nearly a month earlier under icy conditions in Spokane County
, on U.S. Route 195
south of Spangle
. Though jovially described by his widow Carol as more of a couch relaxer than an avid cyclist, community sentiment supported the naming of the new trail in his memory. Many donations were received in remembrance of him and the names of donors are listed on plaques at the main trailheads.
, and was completed in October 2008, paved in stages over a six-year period. It parallels Highway 8
, the Troy Highway, for most of its length, separating to the north a few miles outside of Troy. All three trails follow former rail corridors and result in a total length of 22 miles (35.4 km) from Pullman to Troy.
46°43′57"N 117°01′32"W
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
from Pullman
Pullman, Washington
Pullman is the largest city in Whitman County, Washington, United States. The population was 24,675 at the 2000 census and 29,799 according to the 2010 census...
, Washington, eastward to Moscow
Moscow, Idaho
Moscow is a city in northern Idaho, situated along the Washington/Idaho border. It is the most populous city and county seat of Latah County and the home of the University of Idaho, the land grant institution and primary research university for the state...
, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. Completed in 1998, it follows the former Northern Pacific Railroad right-of-way and connects the rural university towns on the Palouse
Palouse
The Palouse is a region of the northwestern United States, encompassing parts of southeastern Washington, north central Idaho and, in some definitions, extending south into northeast Oregon. It is a major agricultural area, primarily producing wheat and legumes...
across the Idaho-Washington border.
The trail
The trail's 8 miles (12.9 km) route gently climbs eastward along Paradise Creek, crossing it 13 times on original railroad bridges. The elevationElevation
The elevation of a geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface ....
at the Perimeter Road trailhead in Idaho is 2535 feet (772.7 m) above sea level and the vertical drop westward to Pullman is just under 200 feet (61 m). The trail has one rest area and parallels Washington State Route 270
Washington State Route 270
State Route 270 is a road connecting U.S. Route 195 and Pullman, Washington with the Idaho state line at Moscow. SR 270 provides a connection to U.S. Route 95 in Moscow via a junction with Idaho State Highway 8 at the state line.-Route description:...
, the Moscow-Pullman Highway, which becomes Idaho State Highway 8
Idaho State Highway 8
State Highway 8 is an Idaho state highway in Latah and Clearwater counties, running from the Washington state line in Moscow to Elk River. It is in length, and runs primarily east–west.-Route description:...
at the border. The BCPT is not only a recreational facility, but also a commuter route that connects the land-grant campuses of the University of Idaho
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
and Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
.
After 12 years of community vision, perseverance, and donations, along with agency cooperation, the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail was dedicated on April 4, 1998. It is part of the federal Rails to Trails program, which preserves railroad corridors for non-motorized transportation and possible future transportation use. It is open dawn to dusk year round - day use only - and to all ages and abilities. The trail is maintained and managed by a coalition of park and trail representatives from Whitman County
Whitman County, Washington
Whitman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2010 census, the population was 44,776, with the majority living in its largest city, Pullman, home to Washington State University, the state's land-grant university. The county seat is at Colfax.Whitman County was...
, the City of Pullman, the City of Moscow, the University of Idaho, and Washington State University.
Bill Chipman
Bill Chipman, 51, was a dedicated father, businessman, and good friend of many on the Palouse. A UIUniversity of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
alumnus and a longtime automobile dealer in Pullman, Chipman tragically died in January 1996 of complications
Complication (medicine)
Complication, in medicine, is an unfavorable evolution of a disease, a health condition or a medical treatment. The disease can become worse in its severity or show a higher number of signs, symptoms or new pathological changes, become widespread throughout the body or affect other organ systems. A...
from injuries incurred in an automobile accident. The multiple-rollover incident occurred nearly a month earlier under icy conditions in Spokane County
Spokane County, Washington
Spokane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington, named after the Spokane tribe. As of the 2010 census the population was 471,221, making it the fourth most populous county in Washington state. The largest city and county seat is Spokane, the second largest city in the state,...
, on U.S. Route 195
U.S. Route 195
U.S. Route 195 is a north–south U.S. Route serving the southeastern area of Washington. One of the oldest designations in the U.S. Highway system, it was created in the original 1926 plan. The highway passes two major universities, Washington State University in Pullman, and the University...
south of Spangle
Spangle, Washington
Spangle is a town in Spokane County, Washington, United States. The population was 240 at the 2000 census. The name is from William Spangle, early pioneer.- History :Spangle was first settled in 1872 by William Spangle...
. Though jovially described by his widow Carol as more of a couch relaxer than an avid cyclist, community sentiment supported the naming of the new trail in his memory. Many donations were received in remembrance of him and the names of donors are listed on plaques at the main trailheads.
Trail connections
The Bill Chipman Palouse Trail ends 0.8 miles (1.3 km) into Idaho at the UI's Perimeter Road, but the trail continues. It connects with the Paradise Path, which spans two miles (3 km) through the north and east edges of the UI campus and to the east edge of the Moscow city limits, where it seamlessly connects with the Latah Trail at Carmichael Road. The Latah Trail travels 12 miles (19.3 km) east to the small city of TroyTroy, Idaho
Troy is a city in Latah County, Idaho, United States. Located in the eastern part of the Palouse region, its population was 862 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Troy is located at ., east of Moscow on State Highway 8....
, and was completed in October 2008, paved in stages over a six-year period. It parallels Highway 8
Idaho State Highway 8
State Highway 8 is an Idaho state highway in Latah and Clearwater counties, running from the Washington state line in Moscow to Elk River. It is in length, and runs primarily east–west.-Route description:...
, the Troy Highway, for most of its length, separating to the north a few miles outside of Troy. All three trails follow former rail corridors and result in a total length of 22 miles (35.4 km) from Pullman to Troy.
External links
- Trail Link.com - Bill Chipman Palouse Trail
- Trails.com - Bill Chipman Palouse Trail
- The Slow Lane.com - photos - Bill Chipman Trail
46°43′57"N 117°01′32"W