Kleinschmitt Grade
Backing up a few months to our first big rides of summer. It was Daniel's high school graduation in Boise so a good excuse to drive east. We stopped in eastern Oregon for a warm-up ride. Hell's Canyon Wilderness is hot as Hell even at the end of May. But Chris had had his eye on some hillside rides above the Snake River (marks the border between Idaho and Oregon) so really, there was no choice. We crossed into Idaho and rode up Kleinschmitt Grade and beyond:
Chris: 27 miles, 4100 ft
Ellen: 25 miles, 3700 ft
Boise
Then it was graduation time. Sparky gets in on the action.
Hell's Gate (Seven Devils)
After leaving Boise we drove to Riggins, Idaho to ride up to Hell's Gate Vista. The viewpoint from Hell's Gate provides a view of the Seven Devils, mountain peaks in west central Idaho located in Hells Canyon Wilderness. It's a 15 mile climb from Riggins and only the first few miles are paved. Lucky for us, the top section still had enough snow that it was still gated to prevent cars from driving all the way to the top. We saw only a few cars the entire ride and due to the gate had the top all to ourselves.
Chris rode from the bottom, I drove 6-7 miles up the road to make it a more manageable ride.
Chris: 30 miles, 6300 ft
Ellen: 22 miles, 3100 ft
In both directions we stayed at Pine Valley Lodge, located in Halfway, Oregon, about 20 miles from Hell's Canyon and the Snake River. Unexpectedly great place for being in the middle of No Where. Over the years its owners had bought a series of homes located next to each other along Main Street, and connected the buildings by a series of walkways. Comfortable respite from the hot desert that surrounds it.
