Sierra Cascades in Washington -- St Helens to Hood River FR25

[ninakilham]

Hello! I'm planning to ride from Everett WA to the SF Bay Area this September, and was looking at a modification of the Sierra Cascades route. I was thinking of taking Forest Road 25 past St. Helens from Randle to Hood River because it seems like a more direct route for crossing at Bridge of the Gods. But it's remote and I'm not sure about the conditions. Has anyone ridden this road, or done the Sierra Cascades option closer to Adams?

[jamawani]

Depends on when you do it.
Depends on what you call remote.

I've been caught in a late snowstorm in early June.
Had cold steady rain in mid-August - which is freaky.
But usually from mid-June to mid-Sept conditions are good.
Also, the route you propose stays lower - i.e. warmer.

FR 25 is a main thoroughfare thru the GPNF.
During the summer there will be pretty steady traffic.
There are no cafes or motels - campgrounds have water.
Iron Creek appears to be closed this year.
Eagle Cliff Campground has a camp store.

Campgrounds fill quickly in summer.
Not sure if GPNF has a "No turn away" policy for cyclists.
If you know your overnights for sure, get a reservation.
Otherwise, you can often beg a spot if the campground is full.

Does that sound remote to you?

PS - Takhlakh Lake and Mount Adams are spectacular.
Certainly worth it. Reservations strongly advised.

[ninakilham]

Amazing, thank you! I was planning for September, right after Labor Day. So hopefully the weather will be cool but not too rainy. Ha. I don't mind not having anywhere to stop, but with no cell coverage I was just concerned about if I ran into an mechanical issue I couldn't fix or something. Unlikely anyway. I also was just curious about the road conditions itself? It sounds like it is partially paved?

[jamawani]

If you have a RideWithGPS link I could see your route better.
But the main north-south route via FR 25 is 95% paved.
Just one short 4 mile unpaved section, MP 24-28.
There could be other sections with construction.
The surface is quite good for the most part.
But because it's paved, it's not an empty road, either.

YMMV - With severe cuts to forest service budgets
annual road repairs may have been delayed.

Given the traffic - even on weekdays -
you shouldn't have any problem even if you have a breakdown.
I understand that it is riskier for women to accept help.
Wait for women or a couple to help, if you need to.
Cars will be passing by every few minutes.

Can't speak on the issue of cell service.
I turn mine off - intentionally.
Ridgetops have the best service.