Bicycling the Lewis & Clark Trail
Lowell to Powell, ID

Saturday, July 24, 2004
Distance Cycled: 65 miles
Vertically Climbed: 2,055 feet
Average Speed: 12.5 mph

Today was a hard day. When we started out at 7:00 AM the temperature was 59 degrees. By 11:00 the temperature was over 90 degrees. We climbed 2055 feet today but the elevation at the end of the day was approximately 3,200 feet and it was hot. It seemed that we never went down. We were always going up hill at least 1% and at times as much as 5%. For the most part we went up a grade of 1 to 2% again today. The Lochsa River was beautiful and these few days while going up and down Lolo Pass are probably the only days where we will see the scenery very much as Lewis and Clark saw it 200 years ago. For most of the day a wilderness area was across the river from us. Four bridges spanned the river so back packers and horsemen could get access to this wilderness area. The highlight of the day was a stop at the Lochsa Historic Ranger Station. The original ranger station was built in 1926. At that time the only way to reach the ranger station was via horse or mule and everything had to be built at the station or packed in on horses. In 1933 the station was increased in size and a home was added for the chief ranger and his family. The station was only used during the summer months; in 1931 they cleared 8 acres to provide pasture for the stock. The clearing was the main factor that saved the station and over 200 people as flames raged around and overhead in the fire of 1934.

Tonight we are staying in the Loschsa Lodge about 15 miles from the summit. This is called a lodge but the lodge is a large building that houses the restaurant, and all the sleeping rooms are in small individual cabins, or larger 4-plex cabins. We have a nice large room with 2 beds and a small balcony, and bath. The only drawback is the lack of air-conditioning, however, it will be cool tonight, and I am sure we will be comfortable by bed time.