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The last time I rode this loop was in the early '90s, when the trees along the road up had been recently harvested and thus provided ample views and lots of sun exposure. Things have grown up a bit in the last 20 years and the road now frequently climbs up through lush forest (but still offering plenty of open views, including many in the direction of Mt. Rainier).
I forgot just how long the 10-mile climb up to the trailhead is on this route, although I broke it up near the end with a detour for a geocache along the ridge. The first 3 miles are the most grueling, then after that the climbs starts to level out significantly as you follow the ridge top.
The clouds were pretty thick today so I couldn't see much more than the lower flanks of Mt. Rainier (which is a shame, as this ride really has some great views of the mountain when clear), but the flowers were out on the ridge which made for a beautiful ride along the Dalles Ridge Trail. The descent on the Ranger Creek Trail can be harrowing at times with sharp, off-camber switchbacks and a fair amount of exposure at times, but it improves the further you drop and is quite flowy once it rounds the last switchback and starts following Ranger Creek. Despite that, I had a pretty good wipeout near the bottom where I come over a large root that preceded a drop in the trail and ran my wheel straight into an outcropping of rock. I flipped over my front handlebars and heard a hiss that was an indication of my tubeless front tire giving up the ghost - I had ruptured the seal along the bead and blown out the valve. Luckily I was carrying a spare tube for just such an emergency. As I was making repairs, a group of bikers came down behind me and I watched as at least two of them made the same flip that I had just accomplished!
I finished up the loop with a great passage along the White River Trail, then followed the highway for a short distance before entering The Dalles Campground and following The Dalles Trail from there out to Forest Road 73 and then back to my car. I highly recommend this loop.
By: | Moun10Bike |
Started in: | Pierce County, WA, US |
Distance: | 24,1 mi. |
Selected: | 24,1 mi. |
Elevation: | + 3831 / - 3841 ft |
Moving Time: | 03:57:30 |
Gear: | 2009 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro Carbon |
Page Views: | 393 |
Departed: | 19 jul 2014 09:38 |
Starts in: | Pierce County, WA, US |
Distance: | 24,1 mi. |
Selected distance: | 24,1 mi. |
Elevation: | + 3831 / - 3841 ft |
Max Grade: | |
Avg Grade | |
Cat | |
FIETS | |
VAM | |
Ascent time | |
Descent time | |
Total Duration: | 05:41:59 |
Selection Duration: | 20519 |
Moving Time: | 03:57:30 |
Selection Moving Time: | 03:57:30 |
Stopped Time: | 01:44:29 |
Calories: | 1144 |
Max Watts: | |
Avg Watts: | 80 |
WR Power | |
Work | |
Max Speed: | 21,9 mph |
Avg Speed: | 6,1 mph |
Pace: | 00:14:12 |
Moving Pace: | 00:09:52 |
Best format for turn-by-turn directions on modern Garmin Edge Devices
Best format for turn by turn directions on Edge 500, 510. Will provide true turn by turn navigation on Edge 800, 810, 1000, Touring including custom cue entries. Great for training when we release those features. Not currently optimal for Virtual Partner.
Useful for uploading your activity to another service, keeping records on your own computer etc.
Useful for any GPS unit. Contains no cuesheet entries, only track information (breadcrumb trail). Will provide turn by turn directions (true navigation) on the Edge 705/800/810/1000/Touring, but will not have any custom cues. Works great for Mio Cyclo. Find GPS specific help in our help system.
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This sounds like a great route - Q: Would this be possible on an unsuspended gravel bike or is it too technical?