Distance: 51.8
Elevation gain: 5200 feet
Park somewhere in Parkdale. Head West on Baseline Drive, and follow it as it curves right and become the Dee Highway. At 5.3 miles, take a left towards Lost Lake Road. At the T intersection, bear left. At 10.5 miles, take a right onto the 13 road (you’ll see the brown sign). At 14.75 miles bear left onto Lake Branch Road. Start climbing. It’s pretty mellow until the last couple of miles. The road is single lane, with almost no traffic, and beautiful forest and streams.
At 22.28 miles, you can go left down Lost Lake Road to continue the ride, or you can head right to Lost Lake Resort for ice cream and snacks and water.
Go down Lost Lake Road, being careful of sharp curves and whacko drivers. At 27.5 miles, swing right on the 18 Road / Lolo Pass Road. Climb up a 10-foot wide blacktop road, a fine piece of asphalt. At 31 miles, veer left onto the 16 road (don’t miss this turn – it’s under the power lines) which eventually becomes Red Hill Drive. At 51 miles, turn right onto Old Parkdale Road. A few hundred yards further, turn left on Baseline Drive and finish the loop.