From there we drove to Exit 5 in Montana and two miles in to the East Portal. We unloaded the trikes and added our clothing layers and were off. This is an unpaved trail, 14.7 miles long with ten tunnels and seven trestles. The first tunnel is 1.66 miles long with a curve inside, so lights are required. My S-Pedelec did fine with its headlight and taillight, plus I had Paula’s helmet light for good measure.
The first part of the trail is shared with the busses that ferry people back up the mountain, so it’s smooth as silk. The balance of the trail is in good condition but is rough with the rocks and gravel to keep it from being full of potholes. The tunnels are naturally wet inside, so one completes the day with a muddy trike. The amazing scenery makes it all worthwhile.
It is not unusual to see wild life on the route, but we didn't see any today. One year shuttle bus riders told us they were delayed by a moose with her two calves who were licking the salt and water off the walls of one of the tunnels. Wild life has the right of way!
The trail has historical signs along the route to describe the building of the rail line, the workers, the freight, and the Milwaukee rail company. The signs cause you to slow down and enjoy the scenery more fully also.
Plan a minimum of two hours each way if you’re going to bike back up the hill like Paul and I did. If you’re taking the shuttle, as Tam and Deb did, expect it to take about one hour for the return trip up the hill. After the shuttle ride people still need to pedal back through the first tunnel to return to the parking area.
The ski area rents mountain bikes and comfort bikes for people who would rather not have the washing detail that we had afterward, but no trikes.
It was a grand day because I got to experience the trail again through the eyes of people who hadn't done it before. Paul, Tam and Deb had never done it, while it was my third trip. The scenery is not to be missed.
Then Wednesday Paula, Sally, and I did the ride, because Sally needed to rent a bike. Paul had been willing to ferry Sally's bike back to the Portland area, so we wouldn't have to carry it across country with us. Again the trip was glorious. We started about two hours later, so temperatures were a bit more moderate. Paula & I pedaled back up. We'll try to upload Paula's video at the end.
On this trip back up I had issues with the S-Pedelec and its electrical connections -- the pedal assist kept cutting out. I suspect the contacts either were tired of being jostled around, or I didn't get them quite clean enough from the last trip. A more thorough washing, and a cleaning of all the contacts will surely solve the issue.
Overall mileage: 14.7 miles one way
Restrooms: Porta-cans at beginning, end, and middle of the route.
Surface: top is smoothed dirt, middle and bottom are gravel and rocks. Workable at 8-10 mph, but it is slow going. Tunnels require lights. Clothing layers help as the tunnels are cold.
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