Well that's a first... at least for this thread.

Now that you mention it, for THIS ~90 mile overnighter, I had a VERY similar choice to get the top of the dam - a) ride on the longer street loop, or b) hike a 30-story staircase with pannier/bike on my back/shoulders. For the sake of science, I chose b).

But I suppose you are right and there's no point in discussing it - having such options are unrealistic on a bicycle touring forum and would only incite another dog-pile of nay-sayers.