The great support team at Hayes brakes is taking care of a few minor issues with the disc brakes on my mountain bike, so I’ve taken to the road to keep the summer riding going. I usually ride my bike into town, but I live on top of a knarly steep hill that takes a little fun out of it. Dodging the logging trucks ain’t so hot either. There are so many great places to ride around here, why not check them out.
Off we go to the small farming community of Trout Lake, WA. Trout Lake is a nice little town on the edge of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the gateway to Mt. Adams. There is a lot to do here, more on that later. As far as road biking goes, there is a great fifty four mile ride that starts and ends in Trout Lake that has challenging terrain, awesome scenery and hardly any vehicles.
The ride I’m talking about is known as the Forest Loop. It starts and ends at Trout Lake High School, which is right on the main road into Trout Lake. Park in the school parking lot and turn right on the main road. There is a community ride(which is awesome if you can make it) and they have painted directions on the road(the GREEN markers are the ones you want) and there is a map of the Forest Loop here.
It takes about five minutes of riding to realize what a great time you are going to have.
A look at the snow capped Mt. Adams makes you realize that you are heading into the mountains and there will be some climbing to do. The climbs are not super steep, but they do go up and they can be five miles long or more. Leave the racing block at home. The good side of a slow climb is that you get to check out the fantastic scenery on both sides of the roads.
The climbing starts almost immediately and rises past the entrance into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Even though you are in the foothills of a 12,000′ mountain, the roads are in amazingly good shape; smooth with very few bumps and potholes. There are a few short gravel sections, so use your Paris-Roubaix tires. The road surface varies; smooth asphalt, cinder chip on the less traveled routes and a few very short gravel sections.
Even if you are intent on a pure training ride in the mountains, with all the great views of Mt. Adams, you’ll have to stop for a quick photo.
The Forest Loop is a challenging ride. It climbs out of Trout Lake, drops into a hilltop saddle, then has a steady climb about 27 miles in. This climb on Road 88 is long and comes after an initial big climb and a downhill run that makes you think the worst is over. When you turn onto Road 88 from Road 23 to head back to Trout Lake, you cross a bridge over a beautiful mountain stream. Take a break, eat something and drink some water; you will be going uphill for about six miles through woods that look like Sasquatch is going to run out of the forest in front of your bike. If you go too slow, the bugs will eat you.
The last climb on Road 88 is a real challenge. Not super steep, but long. And by this stage in the ride, the average cyclist is going to feel it. This road is so remote, you will feel like you are in the middle of nowhere, which you pretty much are.
Once you clear the last climb, there is a pretty fast downhill run past the Mosquito Lake turnoff and into Trout Lake.
Some useful information; take plenty of water. Two big bottles plus two 16 oz. bottles in your jersey pockets. Something to eat that will give you energy and prevent cramping. I like the local’s choice: Gorge Delights Just Fruit bars. A pack of Clif Shot Blocks at the Road 88 bridge won’t hurt either. Forget the gels, you need at least an hour’s worth of energy.
There are plenty of reasonably priced places to stay in Trout Lake. Check the community website. There are also mountain bike trails, high mountain lakes for fishing and lots of hiking and exploring. Not a lot of night life, but you can get something to eat, have a drink and enjoy the sunset over a live volcano. Maybe watch a baseball game at the High School and meet the locals.
Leave the city behind and spend a day or two in the country.
