Mileage: 49.99
Elevation Gain: 2060ft
Time: 3-4 hours
Thanks to Clint Harris for this loop. It’s big, it’s long, it’s fast, it can be very windy (pick a calm day) and it’s got some traffic. But if you can handle all of that, it’s a fun ride with great views of the Gorge.
Park at the Hood River Inn and hitchhike across the Hood River Bridge (or make the toll booth attendants drive you, as required by law)
The first half of the ride is on SR-14, which can be a bit sketchy with the highway-speed traffic. The second half winds through scenic Dallesport (note sarcasm) and charming (again) The Dalles. Make sure to stop at Petit Provence (408 2nd St.) for snacks. After The Dalles, the route follows the scenic highway 30 to Mosier (very little traffic, and a great, curvy hillclimb to Rowena Crest) and then the closed-to-motor-vehicles Twin Tunnels trail back to the Hood River Inn.
If you time this correctly, you’ll be at the Hood River Inn between 4-6pm for the best happy hour food specials in the Gorge.
Directions: Park at the Hood River Inn. Hitch across the bridge. Head east on SR-14 through Bingen. Keep going through Lyle. Take a right at Dallesport/197. Cross The Dalles Bridge. Ride west through town, making sure to detour to 409 E. 2nd Street for snacks. Keep following the 30 through town, past the Adult Store and Home Depot. Follow the 30 (very little traffic from now on) to Rowena, and climb up the awesome s-curve hillclimb to Rowena Crest. Drop from Rowena Crest 6 miles to Mosier. Stop for Coffee at 10 Speed. Follow the 30 west for about 100 yards, and turn right onto a small paved road. Follow this over Mosier Creek and then uphill, and turn right onto the blacktopped Twin Tunnels trail, where no motor vehicles are allowed. Follow this to the trailhead, and then follow the road to Hood River, veering right to go down an awesome s-curve descent. Take a right at China Gorge, and the road will take you back to your car at the Hood River Inn. Enjoy!