This is the big massive, big scenic loop. While very popular for motorcycles, not many cyclists try it because of the brutal climbing and isolation on the backside of the Wallowas. The route shown here is counterclockwise starting in La Grande. It includes a secret cut-off through Keating (east of Baker City) on Miles Bridge Rd, Keating Cutoff Rd, and Banta Rd in that order. It will add a couple miles of nice gravel road but save you about 50 miles of riding on pavement out of the way to Baker City.
Warning: The Pine Creek Summit climb is mercilessly long and the Salt Creek Summit climb is no joke either. The other unmentioned summits are usually the major feature of lesser rides but aren't worth mentioning here in the grand scale of things.
If not starting in La Grande, there is a way to hug the mountains on the west side of the loop, by taking Market Lane and Lower Cove Rd. We didn't include this in the route shown because we start/finish from our home base in La Grande.
The Wallowa Loop Road on the east side of the mountains usually doesn't melt off until Memorial Day weekend.
