I took this hike on a overcast fall day in October, just before the first snowfall in the surrounding hills.  As you can see there is nice autumn colors and the colorful leaves lay scattered on the bridge above.  I think this is a great cloudy day hike and would even make a good snowshoe.  I hear in the summer that the trail can be quiet crowded. Take a hike with me through history up to the Pulaski Tunnel.  This post is a tribute to the firefighters that risk their lives fighting the flames.  November may seem a weird time to post this for those of us in the northern hemisphere but this month my husband and I are headed to Australia (in the southern hemisphere) to fight fires and since I just recently did this hike I think now is a good of time as any.

JHP_161015_IDAHO_1012

The Pulaski - sound familiar? Some will recognize the name and immediately conjure up a picture of the multipurpose tool used largely in todays firefighting.  In the picture above is one of many informational signboards accompanied to the right side by a Pulaski Tool which was created by Mr. Ed Pulaski himself.  The first rendition of the tool was created in 1911 and the more balanced and refined version that we use today was completed in 1913.  Combination axe and adze (or pick) it can be used to cut fire break into the soil or chop and split wood.  The Northern Fire District first began using the tool in the 1920's. 

JHP_161015_IDAHO_1006Vegitation and nature along the Pulaski Tunnel Trail near Wallace, Idaho

This nice 2 mile (4 mile out and back) trail begins just a short distance from town. There is a parking area and the first few hundred feet is handicap accessible.  The rest of the trail is not particularly difficult but the last mile I noticed that it never seemed to stop going up.  The length of the trail follows Placer Creek up a canyon and the route in which Ed Pulaski lead 39 firemen back to their families.  This is a historic trail and the forest service has done an incredible job compiling history, data and stories onto a dozen-ish signboards explaining the history and drama of the fires of 1910. 

JHP_161015_IDAHO_1010Vegitation and nature along the Pulaski Tunnel Trail near Wallace, Idaho

I took this hike on a overcast fall day in October, just before the first snowfall in the surrounding hills.  As you can see there is nice autumn colors and the colorful leaves lay scattered on the bridge above.  I think this is a great cloudy day hike and would even make a good snowshoe.  I hear in the summer that the trail can be quiet crowded.

JHP_161015_IDAHO_1033Vegitation and nature along the Pulaski Tunnel Trail near Wallace, Idaho

This is the West Fork of Placer Creek and a pretty little falls.  There is a nice spot to eat lunch on the creek bank just off the trail. 

JHP_161015_IDAHO_1017Vegitation and nature along the Pulaski Tunnel Trail near Wallace, Idaho

Courage

doesn't mean that

you don't get afraid.

Courage

means you don't let

the fear stop you!

~ Bethany Hamilton ~

JHP_161015_IDAHO_1038Vegitation and nature along the Pulaski Tunnel Trail near Wallace, Idaho

The forest was quiet and wet on my hike and full of colors.  I imagine Ed Pulaski and his crew of 45 men as well as hundreds of others out in the hills battling a giant fire that was threatening the lush hills of Northern Idaho.  The fires of 1910 were a national problem.  Record high temperatures, little rain and gale force winds all contributed to a tough fire season. More than 5million Forest Service acres burned nation wide this year and countless more in private land was consumed. The northwest was hit the hardest.  The fires were referred to as "The Big Burn".

JHP_161015_IDAHO_1040Vegitation and nature along the Pulaski Tunnel Trail near Wallace, Idaho

The monstrous fire devastated this entire area leaving nothing but charred dirt and a few snags.  This is one of the remaining snags from the 1910 fire.  Incredible it still stands today, preserved I suppose, like a charcoal Skeleton. 

JHP_161015_IDAHO_1073Vegitation and nature along the Pulaski Tunnel Trail near Wallace, Idaho

So you might be wondering what is so special about this tunnel and Mr. Pulaski? Ed Pulaski was a well respected outdoorsman that worked for the newly formed Forest Service.  During the fires of 1910 he lead a large crew of men fighting the fires and bravely left his wife back in town to go an retrieve them from the hills.  He was able to round up 45 of them and began to lead them back to the town of Wallace. A large gust of wind and unfavorable conditions made travel difficult as the flames gained ground. His quick thinking and knowledge of the land got them to an old mining tunnel along Placer Creek whereby, they took shelter as the fire overtook them and all the surroundings. Inside the tunnel timbers caught fire, smoke and heat filled the space and eventually everyone passed out.  Pulaski and 39 men made it out alive, albeit, badly burned, blinded, thirsty and broken.  They could not drink from the stream as it was filled with debris and ash.  Their only hope was Wallace, 3 miles away.  They literally crawled and drug themselves towards town following the creek. The trail follows this route.  At the trailhead they were met by another group in no better shape and minutes later the women of Wallace who brought coffee; of which they could not stand to take.  Click here for a n interesting news story.

JHP_161015_IDAHO_1074Vegitation and nature along the Pulaski Tunnel Trail near Wallace, Idaho

 Ed Pulaski sustained terrible smoke inhalation as well as blindness in one eye.  He and his wife paid for medical bills of many of the other firemen.  Of the firemen that perished he made it a priority to keep their graves tidy and worked to get a memorial placed, although the idea was never approved in his lifetime.  As discussed above he created the Pulaski Tool and worked to change firefighting techniques and forest management.  He retired from the forest service in 1930 and passed away in 1931. 

JHP_161015_IDAHO_1109Vegitation and nature along the Pulaski Tunnel Trail near Wallace, Idaho

Forest and fire management today is a billion dollar industry.   Compared to the 1910 fires, we are able to use advanced weather tracking systems to get prepared, we have a national and immediate information relay and response time as well as machines to help combat the flames and rescue many of those stuck in a perilous situation.  The United State Forest Service is focusing on a strategy that has three parts: ecosystem restoration, community preparedness, and wildfire response.  Challenges that face the USFS include the increase in human population and differing opinions on proper forest management.

JHP_161015_IDAHO_1113Vegitation and nature along the Pulaski Tunnel Trail near Wallace, Idaho

To view the entire gallery of the Pulaski Tunnel Trail and the surrounding Wallace area just click on any of the photos above to be taken to the gallery.  Remember, If you do not see a photo you think I may have, just ask - I would be happy to upload to my site!

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