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Crawl from the deep wet woods and fly among the gods and snow. This ride has it all. Tree canyons. Gravel. Screaming descents. Punchy climbs. And an alpine lake for good measure.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, this ride takes you around Mt. Hood. Better known as “Wy’east” to the Multnomah tribe, this mountain is a gem in the Cascade Rage. It is the tallest mountain in Oregon and a beacon standing above Portland visible from nearly any high point (when it’s not raining). But it is a hidden gem in plain sight for road bikes. With a little know how you can mostly avoid most the bad parts of highway riding and enjoy views of Mt. Hood from all sides in a single day.
A good starting point is the Zigzag Ranger Station. Hit Coffee House 26 on your way in, so you have something to drink while your friend’s debate arm warmers or jacket. Starting here minimized your time on Hwy26, which has a good sized shoulder here until you turn off onto Still Creek. I hope you put your climbing legs on. Because Still Creek starts off as a pleasant one lane fern gulley but before long it shows it’s true colors and turns to gravel and begins to really climb. The pitch is never torturous but it is unrelenting first test. But it is a real treat to be in the woods with a Tom Dick and Harry Mountain between you and the highway. There are a few offshoot roads near the top, but stay straight and you’ll be rewarded by arriving at Trillium Lake. Trillium can be a little busy during the warmer months, so take a quick snap and keep moving. A bit more climbing till you reach Hwy26, the highway avoided so well up to this point but don’t fret. It’s downhill and you take the first exit onto Hwy35.
Okay okay. It’s another highway, but less busy and at least offers a pleasant view as you climb towards White River Glacier. At this point you’ve only done 24 miles, and you rightfully might feel a bit cooked. But don’t worry once you top out at the snow park it’s time to practice your aero tuck for a ripping downhill. By the time you start to get tired of descending, about 10mi, keep your eyes real sharp for a left turn. This turn isn’t mandatory but it puts you onto the lovely side roads to the Cooper Spur ski area, it’s a bit more climbing but well worth it. The miles tick by easy until you fly down to the apple orchards of Parkdale.
Parkdale is more or less only refill point on this whole route. There is a grocer for sodas and Sandwiches. Or Solera Brewery if you want a burger and beer, which also has a top notch view of the mountain out back.
Getting out of town is easy, but the left hand turn onto Red Hill Dr is easy to miss. After you cross a small bridge and the climbing begins, the pitches are steeper. You may regret that beer. FS16 doesn’t take your pity, just your sweat on this exposed climb back into the remote hills of the mountain. The surface is mostly good but often times there is sections of gravel. For the most part you just stay on what seems like the main road and you’re good.
You know you’re at the top when you come to an intersection, and a sign. Possibly the first signs of humans you’ve seen in an hour. Take a left and and enjoy some ups and downs, before you eventually find a whole lot of down as you get under the power lines. A descent that will put a smile on your face and test your brakes a bit. T into an intersection, take the left again onto NF16/Lolo Pass Road.
You’re now pretty deep into this ride. And Lolo seems like a nice road at this point. It lures you in with some flat smooth tarmac. A little climbing turns into more. And more. Just when you thought this shit was over. Then it turns into gravel. Just when you thought you and Lolo were friends. Eventually Lolo does turn back to pavement, but not the pavement you want. Large cracks and seams threaten to gobble your tire with a side dish of rim. But it feels good to be moving so let it rip.
Eventually you see a few signs of civilization. Houses for the first time in hours. The pavement smooths and then you’re back at Hwy26 where this all began. Dropped down from heavenly heights back to your earthly vehicle. There is a little market right there in Zigzag and your car is just across the way. Better yet, keep it classy and hit up Boomer’s Wall Street Pizza in Sandy.
Want to add a bit more? Start in Sandy and ride Marmot Road to the start. Make it a cool 125mi or so.
We first heard about a version of this route called the Rapscallion Reacharound, but we’ve paired it with Still Creek Rd learned from 2012 Rapha Gentle-person’s Race. This combo makes best use of the highway sections or avoid them all together. We’ve done both ways and think this is the best way around the mountain.
