Cycling the Palouse - Hangman Valley to Tower Mountain

View looking down into valley

Cycling the Palouse; I never tire of taking the bike out for a spin in the afternoon under the warm summer sun.  After 20 miles navigating the rolling Palouse, the five mile climb from the valley bottom at Hangman Valley Golf Course up to Tower Mountain was tackled before heading back to town.

Elevation Profile: Hangman Valley to Tower Mountain

The climb out of Hangman Valley to near the top of Tower is a nearly relentless push upwards over the entire five miles.  As seen from the map above, pitches in the last mile reach 22 percent!  That is a tough slog and quite steep especially when viewed at road level.  Temperatures in the mid 80s F add even a bigger challenge. 

Last two miles of the climb where the road ramps up.
Tower Mountain in background.

As seen from the map. the last three-quarters of a mile are the most difficult.  After climbing onto the lower approaches to the summit, the road makes a 90 degree left turn and heads seemingly straight up.  The steepness of the last ramp up cannot be accurately gauged from the photos.  The following photos snapped on the descent suggest the road is quite tranquil.  Looks are deceiving!  The climb leans toward violence rather than tranquility.      

On the descent 1

On the descent 2

On the descent 3

On the descent 4

On the descent 5

A tough five miles to end a ride but the views and satisfaction are worth the effort.  Temperatures will soon be relaxing into the fall so these climbs will be more pleasant.