Remembering Barb McGann

Friends of the Weiser River Trail (FWRT) is a private, nonprofit organization formed to convert the old Pacific and Idaho Northern (PIN) railroad grade from Weiser, Idaho, to Rubicon (near New Meadows, ID) into a trail for public recreation. Starting in Weiser, the 84 mile long trail passes through the towns of Midvale, Cambridge, and Council. The entire right of way was deeded to Friends of the Weiser River Trail in August 1997 by the Union Pacific Railroad under the railbanking law. 

The unpaved trail includes many miles of riparian habitat, an additional 1,400 acres of wildlife habitat, and provides access to 16,000 acres of BLM and State of Idaho lands otherwise inaccessible to the public. Wildlife often seen along the trail include deer, elk, heron, bear, waterfowl, raptors and wild turkeys. The setting in the lower (southern) part of the canyon is rolling hills and open canyons topped with black lava cliffs, while the upper (northern) portion is forested.  The entire length is unpaved except in the adjacent towns, and the base is rock/gravel (ballast in places).

• To preserve the integrity of the Pacific and Idaho Northern Railroad corridor;
• To develop, manage and maintain a public recreational trail along its length;
• To protect and enhance the riparian and other natural habitats within the corridor.