Nice overnighter from Troutdale Campground to Atlanta this weekend.
~35 miles and 2500 feet of elevation gain
Camped Friday at Troutdale Campground (1.5 miles before Loftus Hot Springs) and left my car there for the trip. Great little quiet campground with a vault toilet and easily accessible water.
Headed out on Saturday morning to Atlanta, stopping at a couple hot springs along the way. The gravel was pretty sloppy and had a few washboard sections, but it was never super sandy. It’s a constant climb, but doesn’t feel like it for the first 20-25 miles. The last 10-15 feel like a climb as it gets a little steeper and you lose the tree cover from the sun.
Atlanta has water and a lodge where you can eat and get a beer, but there is no general store and no options for resupply. There are two campgrounds in Atlanta as well as another hot spring. If you don’t want to camp, you can also stay at a cabin, but I’d recommend booking in advance with the Beaver Lodge as they only have 5 cabins.
The return trip was smooth and about two hours quicker as it’s almost all downhill.
The road gets a little narrow at times, but everyone was super friendly and safe when passing and the people in Atlanta were very keen on talking about my bikepacking adventures. Really nice people and Atlanta is gorgeous.
If you go, be sure to hydrate way more than you think you need to. There is plenty of water along the way as you are riding along the Boise River Middle Fork, but the heat and elevation will creep up on you fast if you don’t stay ahead of your water consumption.
Great trip overall!
by Mountainbiker216