June 19- Lochsa Lodge Id to Lolo Hot Springs, Mont

Today was our first rainy ride. We started in a drizzle with the temperature in the 50's. Within a couple of miles, a big black wolf suddenly appeared on the road about 200 feet ahead of us. He loped off into the woods. It was the first wolf we have seen in all our travels, except once through a telescope at Yellowstone.

We climbed 13 miles to Lolo Pass at 5230', and entered Montana and the mountain time zone. For most of the climb the incline was 5-6%, which we could handle steadily. One stretch was steeper, and we stopped long enough to catch our breath.  

Thoroughly wet and chilled, we took a long break at the Forest Service visitor center at the pass. The temperature there was 42 degrees, and it was still raining. We added layers of dry clothes before heading down the mountain, and then we were really cold. I thought there was a problem with the bike, but soon realized the wobble was from my shivering. It may have been our imagination, but we both thought we felt sleet.

Our plan had been to reach Missoula today, about 40 miles from the pass. But 7 miles down the mountain we reached Lolo Hot Springs and went no further. Lewis and Clark crossed Lolo Pass June 29,1806, and stopped at Lolo Hot Springs. If it was far enough for them, it was far enough for us.

We found shelter for the afternoon and night at an excellent lodge with indoor hot springs. After a good lunch and a long soak, we felt very good about ourselves for getting over our first major pass in good form and good spirits despite the rain and cold.

The pictures are Sandy at the pass and Sandy snuggling with a stuffed moose at the lodge.