Touring - Windigo Pass - Sierra Cascades ACA Route

Riding from Bend, OR to San Francisco in two weeks. Will follow the Sierra Cascades route from Bend to Crater Lake, then head to the coast.

Has anyone ridden or have first hand info on the alternative route - Windigo Pass. All I know is that it is a gravel road.

I have a Novara Randonee with Schwalbe Marathon Plus (32mm) tires. Wanting confirmation that the road will be fine for my set-up.

Thank you,

I did it once years and years ago - I'll never do it again. The gravel road was extremely sandy on the Cresent Lake end and lots of washboard for most of the rest of the route. There is no view anywhere due to trees and the mosquitoes were absolutely terrible. I did it on a cross bike and made it through ok, but my buddies wheels were toast by Crater Lake.

Hwy 97 isn't much fun either, but there's a good shoulder. It's straight as an arrow, not much to look at, and gaps in the road every 20 ft or so.

I'd still recommend Hwy 97 over Windigo Pass it's only like 20 miles or so of 97 and you'll hit the town of Chemult which has a great restaurant called the Big Mountain Cafe (if you pass through when it's open).

(Diamond Lake has a lodge and restaurant it might be worth the detour if you're there near evening time as a place to camp - The mosquitoes there are notorious also)

You should have a great trip. Century Drive and Crater Lake are breathtaking.

Thank you for the advice/input mtnbud. Just the type of information I was looking for. I do not need to destroy my rims on the 2nd day of the tour. I was hoping for new scenery, as I have driven hwy 97, and then up to Crater Lake, but not sure I want to risk Windigo Pass.

If anyone else has ridden Windigo Pass, I would love to hear your input.

Hey Tom,

Try posting in the Pacific Northwest Forum.

Have a great trip!