Day 18 - Wilderness Gateway Campground to Lochsa Lodge

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 Stats: 

Today's miles: 39 miles
Today's feet of elevation gain: 1,542 feet
Total miles traveled: 662.0 miles
Total feet climbed: 24,299 feet
Dead Rattlesnake count: 16
Initial/Final elevation 2,122 ft / 3,553 ft

In terms of mileage, today was a light day; however, notice that the rate of elevation gain has stepped up. Additionally stopping at Lochsa Lodge was the logistical break-point before grinding up Lolo Pass and riding down into Missoula.


The road continued along the Lochsa river with the same spectacular scenery. The river narrowed and definitely quickened in pace. Quiet pools were few and rapids were frequent. Unfortunately, that meant the slope of the road increased accordingly. Along the route there were amazing stands of old growth cedars and pines. The last couple miles of the route were noticeably up-hill…my legs have a way of letting me know!!


It was great to pull into the Lochsa Lodge resort for a burger and beer. It's a nice resort with a lodge, restaurant, several cabins and a general store with the first gas & diesel for the last 86 miles (and yes, you pay for it!!). Best of all, they welcome cyclists with tent camping and hot showers.


As I was leaving the restaurant after lunch, a foreign father and daughter cycling duo was just coming in to register for their cabin. After a brief exchange they invited me over for a beer and to swap stories. They were from a kibbutz in Israel. The father (Israel) had retired and was doing a coast-to-coast ride as a retirement ‘project’. He had started on the Trans-America route in Yorktown, VA around May 1st. His daughter, Anna, who had done the Trans-America ride on her own about 5 years ago, flew into Missoula to join her father for the last 16 days of the ride and to visit her brother in California. After relaxing in the shade and swapping ride stories with a beer we agreed to have dinner together in the lodge. It was great to hear their stories and experiences of what they had experienced on their rides and life in their kibbutz. After a great dinner we parted with best wishes for the ride ahead.



Location: 115 Powell Rd, Lolo, MT 59847, USA

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