Lolo Pass Loop |
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Fantastic paved and gravel loop with Mt. Hood views all the way up
The Lolo Pass Loop is one of the more common road rides in the area. The road is paved all the way to the top, then turns to hard, packed gravel for approx. 4 miles down the back side FS 1828. This is a very scenic ride with several up close viewing options of Mt. Hood.
The ride starts at the base of Lolo Pass Rd. at Hwy. 26 as a gradual climb for six miles and then pitches up to a steeper grade for another eight miles to the summit. Don’t forget to pick your head up and look around on the way up!
Once reaching the summit take a few minutes to catch your breath, then turn right onto FS 1828. At this point, the road turns to hard packed gravel for approx. four miles. Use caution on the decent, as there are pot holes on the way down, which will make it more challenging for road bikes, but certainly doable. Eventually you will reach pavement again, and the ride becomes easier and more pleasant. You will loop back around to join Lolo Pass Rd. for a six mile decent to Hwy. 26.
Although there are no shoulders or bike lanes on Lolo Pass Rd., there is very little traffic and share-the-road signs are posted along the way. Residents are generally respectful as long as cyclists ride single file when there is vehicle traffic approaching from the rear.
If by chance you end up dealing with mechanical issues with your bicycle, Mt. Hood Bicycle, LLC provides a mobile certified bicycle mechanic service, and is located 2 1/2 miles up Lolo Pass from Hwy. 26 @ 21424 East Glacier Court; Zigzag, Oregon. Please note you will not have cellular service once you have traveled approx. 1 mile up Lolo Pass Rd. You will find some occasional spotty areas of coverage along the way, but after 3 miles you will have no cell coverage at all.