FR578 Hermosa Park s(u) by Bicycle - Velo

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FR578 Hermosa Park Rd s(u)

This small summit is part of the joint eastern approach from US550 and the Purgatory Ski area to Bolam Pass and Scotch Creek Pass. A sign along the way points out that the route follows the Historic Pinkerton Toll Road, which continues west over Scotch Creek Pass.

1.START-END EAST:jct US550 - FR578 at Purgatory ski area
2.TOP FR578 Hermosa Park Rd s(u), 9800ft
3.START-END WEST:low point on FR578, at jct between routes to Bolam Pass and Scotch Creek Pass

Approaches

From East. Starting at a low point on US550, the route enters the Purgatory Ski area, passing under an arch that makes it look like you are entering a private resort.

Soon a small sign directs whoever is interested to a good dirt road, climbing towards the south. The Needles Mountains gain in stature but their base remains hidden in the trees. The road leads to a gentle forested summit with other forest road turnoffs nearby

From West. (described downwards) A long straight decent leads to a high long meadow area. A ski left collects skiers from this high meadow in the winter. Towards the east the Needle Mtns, still visible behind the just crossed, low ridge give this place a wild appearance - my favorite spot along the route. The shallow decent lasts a while longer and ends at the decision point between Bolam Pass and Scotch Creek Pass

Dayride with this point as highest two way summit

PARTIALLY PAVED / UNPAVED

( < NM126 Fenton Hill s(u) | FR579 Cascade Divide Rd(ow) > )

FR578 Hermosa Park Rd x2 , additional out and back :near FR591 - US550, north of Purgatory Ski area > US550 south > Purgatory Ski area > up FR578 > Hermosa Park Rd s(u) > jct FR550 <> out and back up FR550 towards Scotch Creek Pass with turnaround point at creek crossing at 10080ft <> separate out and back up FR578 towards Bolam Pass with turnaround point at the lake before the summit >> back over FR578 Hermosa Park Rd s(u) > Purgatory Ski area > back to starting point near jct FR591 - US550: 47.6miles with 5940ft of climbing in 6:39hrs (garmin etrex30 m5:21.6.28)
Notes: not the planned route, but that seems to be the way it's going this year. Nice temperatures with finish in cold light rain. But this is better than the 118 degrees that eastern Washington had today, or Portland's 112 degrees yesterday. - The turnaround points were all higher than this two way summit.