Coast2Coast Day 14: Wilderness Gateway, ID to Lolo Hot Springs, MT; a Magnificent Melissa Afternoon (climbing to Lolo Pass)

After the ‘monster day’ yesterday, we started from the campground on Pacific time, and arrived at Lolo Hot Springs, MT to move back to Mountain Time.

We continued uphill for the day.  We were happy to be riding up Route 12 on Saturday (yesterday) and Sunday (today), as the traffic was lighter, and safer than some had indicated.  The Clearwater River has had a fait o mount of rafting and kayak traffic, and today had a number of fisherfolks along the way.  The River became measurably narrower as we progressed up to Lolo Pass.

Melissa and I started in a light drizzle, with our fullest rain gear.  We were happy, as the water on the road surface kicked up quite a bit of moisture.  After about eight miles, the surface dried up enough to us to take off our rain paints.  Cathy met us at ~mile 44 for the day.  We were ready for lunch/second breakfast! We had wonderful chicken burritos, with chips (loved the salt!), and a chance to fill our hydration bottles.

We came upon many ‘fields’ of Indian Bear Grass, a beautiful flower.  Melissa had only seen the ‘favorite’ flower previously inside of Glacier National Park, so it was quite a treat.  We also passed by a multitude of little tots on small motorbikes, out for the day of dirt riding.

The last five miles up over the Pass were ‘Melissa Time,’ and we reconnected at the visitor center/state line.  My Garmin made the last mile and a half look like climbing a wall.

After enjoying the hot springs, we dined at the Bear Cave House Bar and Grill, and Melissa and I had the local bison burger.  We enjoyed their huckleberry ice cream, as well!  We ‘retired’ to the lodge lobby to plan out the next few nights of where to stay, adding to the playlist, putting a couple more links onto the blogsite, and planning for when Darren is able to join us (with Moose and Reggie)!