Glidden Pass Mountain Bike Tour
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Distance: 12-1/2 miles Difficulty: Difficult Riding time: 2-1/2 - 6 hours Season: July through mid-Oct. Maps: USGS Burke, plus Coeur d’Alene National Forest map Info: Wallace Ranger District (208) 752-1221, Thompson Falls Ranger District (406) 826-3821
MOUNTAIN BIKING TRIP NOTES
Access: From Interstate 90 at Wallace, take Exit 62. Head north toward Burke on State Highway 4. Continue through Burke on pavement that narrows and soon becomes rough gravel Forest Road 7623. Continue straight at power substation following power lines for a ways. Continue up on main road. (Don’t drop down on Forest Road 615.) Trailhead is at Cooper Pass, nearly 12 miles from Wallace.
Attractions: Adventurous day-trip loop passes two alpine lakes. Mostly single track, some unmaintained and difficult, but much of it built as though mountain biking were top priority. Despite scenic views, trails are lightly used. Route ranges from low point of 4,060 feet at lower end of Glidden Gulch to 6,560-foot high point on Montana-Idaho border above Pear Lake.
Comments: Cooper Pass trailhead is at elevation 5,802 feet. Most obvious sign points south toward Upper Glidden Lake Trail 135. However, route featured in this description heads north on old Stateline Trail 7, a recently improved single track.
After short way, turn left and head downhill where single track merges with double track. Go about 1/8 mile and watch for single track taking off to right, which leads to trail junction at Glidden Pass. (If you miss single trail, double track also leads around to Glidden Pass junction.)
Head downhill from Pass into Montana on Trail 701, which begins as double track before narrowing. Go downhill over various trail conditions and creek crossings 3-1/3 miles to paved Forest Road 7.
Ride uphill on pavement nearly 2 miles to well-marked access to Trail 404, which is about 1/2 mile below Thompson Pass. Go through gate and ride short way before trail takes off steeply uphill to right. Trail is good. However, seven short but fairly steep stair-step sections climb 950 feet in 2-1/2 miles to Lower Blossom Lake. Some short stretches may be walkers depending on your fitness.
This area likely to have more huckleberries and mosquitoes than early stages of trip. Bring repellent.
At Blossom, elevation 5,692 feet, bear left through campsites and head uphill. (Don’t be lured by anglers’ trail around lake.) The mile of trail to Pear Lake has rideable and unridable sections. Expect to carry bikes over some blowdowns. Trail reaches 6,240 feet on ridge before dropping short way to Pear Lake.
Note: Maintenance on Trail 404 is scheduled every year, but only every five years on Trail 701. Trail 701 currently has some blowdowns in upper section and is scheduled for clearing next year. Trail 404 has blowdowns between Blossom and Pear Lakes and is scheduled for clearing this month. Call Thompson Falls Ranger District for updates.
From tiny Pear Lake, carry bike up through talus to steep but well-constructed switchbacks. Go 1/4 mile to Glidden Ridge and junction with Trail 201.
For good views, head west on Trail 201 a short way and hike to ridge.
Then check all bike systems before enjoying payoff for hard work en route to Glidden Ridge: Next 2 miles back to Glidden Pass junction are whooping-fast downhill on superb single track recently constructed by Wallace Ranger District. Hint: Maintain some speed through several sections of loose flat rock to keep better control of bike.
From Glidden Pass junction, retrace initial route 1-1/2 miles back to Cooper Pass trailhead.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Map of Glidden Pass Mountain Bike Tour
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