Washington · Mountain biking

O'Conner Cutoff

0.1 mi
round trip
43 ft
climb
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

O'Conner Cutoff is a short, easy mountain biking route in Hells Gate State Park, Washington, managed by State Park and Recreation. The trail is an out-and-back that starts and ends at nearly the same elevation, with a total climb of about 43 feet, and covers less than half a mile. The route is front-loaded, with the steepest section, about 7%, coming early. The high point is 854 feet, and the trail returns to nearly the same low of 787 feet. Dogs are allowed. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Lewiston, Idaho, show May highs around 72°F and September highs around 79°F. July and August average highs near 90°F, and temperatures run cooler at the park's elevation than at the station. Winchester is just 0.2 miles away, and Endurance is about half a mile off. Climbers can head to Hells Gate, roughly 1.5 miles away, and paddlers will find Asotin Creek about 6.4 miles from the trail.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit O'Conner Cutoff

    Best months: March–June and September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      42° / 30°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      47° / 32°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      55° / 36°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      62° / 41°

      11 wet

    5. May

      72° / 48°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      79° / 54°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      91° / 61°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      90° / 60°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 52°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 42°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 34°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 29°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lewiston Nez Perce Co Ap, ID, 2.2 mi away at 1,436 ft. The station sits about 600 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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