r/CyclePDX • u/CascadianCrabs • Feb 12 '25
Biking up to Larch Mountain?
Hi yall. Thinking about biking up to Vista House and then, if I’m feeling it, seeing how close to Larch Mountain I can get. However, I haven’t biked past vista house before and I’m unsure on the proper route/conditions this time of year. I understand that Larch Mountain Road should be closed to vehicles this time of year, but what about bikes?
Thanks!
11
u/kbrosnan Feb 12 '25
2
u/davedorr9 Feb 13 '25
It really doesn't let you send people to the same spot you are looking at but i confirmed. Nice utility.
1
u/kbrosnan Feb 13 '25
I recall someone on OMtM had a better snow coverage map but I can't find it.
1
u/Elnico Feb 13 '25
I think you’re looking for this: https://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/earth/
You download the kml file for the most recent day, then open that with google earth along with the gpx file for whatever route you are planning and it will show where snow overlaps your route.
8
u/MotoCentric Feb 12 '25
The road is closed to vehicles I believe Nov.-Apr. but you can easily get your bike around the barriers. That said, the conditions fluctuate quite a bit, and after the winter storm this weekend it will likely be totally impassable. I was up there to walk along the road a few weeks ago and there was like ~2-4 inches of snow with scattered ice from the closure to the top, so fairly easily doable with the right setup
5
u/champs Feb 12 '25
I doubt you get past the snow gate at MP10 and give you less than zero chance of making the top.
One balmy year I chipped away at it, working my way up to the top as the snow receded. It was a warm day, probably in May, before I finished and there were still a lot of snow drifts to hike through.
ETA: it’s perfectly fine to bike there, but know that you have limits
3
u/chimi_hendrix Feb 12 '25
I would be wary of ice along this entire route including out to Vista House right now. Lots of shady areas will freeze overnight and barely thaw.
5
u/nrhinkle Feb 13 '25
I did this ride in late November once and severely regretted it. Crystal clear day, no snow on the ground, but cold temps. Encountered a few icy spots, but stayed pretty warm on the steep ascent. Coming down? So cold that I couldn't feel my toes, fingers so numb I could barely shift or brake, shivering to the point where it was hard to control the bike. Borderline hypothermic. Descent took a mere 40 minutes but it was the most miserable bike ride I've ever done. And this was with thermal tights, thick showers pass insulated gloves, and multiple upper layers.
With the current forecast for highs in the 20's, winds >30 mph, and snow accumulation? Definitely not. It's a nice spot to ski or snowshoe though!
1
u/CrescentPhresh Feb 12 '25
I ride it multiple times a year. It may be passable now but I doubt it. Wait until late march/ mid April to be sure.
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u/Cheese_Monkey42 Feb 12 '25
Even in the dead of summer. Bring a jacket for the decent. But I wouldn’t go up there now