Larch Madness – Directions
Length: 70 Miles
Direction: Counter Clockwise
Elevation Gain: 5172 ft
Highest Point: 4045 ft
Recommended Gearing: 39X25 or equivalent
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View map and ride data at GPSies.com
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Tips for the ride: Larch Mountain Rd is a long climb. It is also deceptive. The beginning of the climb has a few steep sections, but largely, the gradient is rather low. So it’s easy to ride fast here, thinking you are going to set the record for the climb (perhaps this is personal experience creeping in here). However, the 2nd half of the climb gains nearly double the elevation as the first. If you use too much energy early on, you will certainly regret it later. If this is your inaugural time up the climb, I suggest that you ride the first half with the idea that you are consistently comfortable. Your legs aren’t hurting and you are essentially holding back. Larch Mountain is a long climb. An easy pace at the start, becomes a very difficult speed to match after an hour or more.
-Start at Mt Tabor Park on SE 76th Ave and Yamhill St. If you’re riding to the start of the ride from downtown, look up our commuting routes for quiet roads to get to the start.
-Proceed North on 76th Ave
-Right on Washington St
-Before crossing the I-205 turn Left onto the I-205 Bike Path. You will pick up the path at the Taco Bell on the corner
-Proceed North on the I-205 path
-Right on Burnside St
-Right on SE 181st Ave
-Left on Stark St
-Right on Columbia River Hwy (also known as Crown Point Hwy)
-Right on Larch Mountain Rd
-Proceed up Larch Mountain for 14 Miles
-If desired, when arriving at the parking lot, proceed to view point to the right. You’ll have to walk up some stairs.
-Turn around and descend 14 Miles
-Left onto Columbia River Hwy
-Right on Mershon Rd
-Left on Ogden Rd
-Right on Woodard Rd
-Right on Columbia River Hwy
-Left to stay on Columbia River Hwy over Sandy River
-Right on 257th Dr/Graham Rd
-Pass under I-84 and then turn Left on Frontage Rd
-Keep Right to merge onto Marine Dr
-Upon reaching I-205, turn left onto I-205 Bike Path
-Use crosswalk to cross Killingsworth/Sandy Blvd
-Turn Right and use crosswalk onto sidewalk along Killingsworth
-After passing motel on your left, turn Left to stay on I-205 Bike Path
-Follow path through Maywood Park neighborhood continuing to Glisan St
-Cross Glisan St and turn Left onto Glisan
-Turn Right on 97th Ave
-Cross Burnside St and turn Left onto sidewalk proceeding West over I-205
-After crossing over I-205 turn Left to stay on I-205 path
-Right on Stark St
-Left on 76th Ave
-Follow 76th Ave back to start
