Mountain - Plains - Glacier National Park

We're heading up to Glacier National Park for a two week vacation. I plan to rent a road bike in Whitefish and was looking for some good routes. Going to the Sun Road is already on the list (although they're still plowing!)

Thanks!

We'll be in Glacier as well - and would also love some input as to routes! Thanks all!

here's little info from glacier cyclery little info (http://www.glaciercyclery.com/GlacierCyclery/Touring_Routes.html)

I actually live close rto yelowstone. be sure to visit http://www.greatnorthernbrewing.com/ in Whitefish and make someone try to blow the impossible never been blown bugle at http://www.moosessaloon.com/ in Kalispell.

I rode through Glacier west to east last summer before heading north into Canada. If I went back up there to do some biking, I would do a clockwise loop like this (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=18342675977200417682,49.095091,-113.861651%3B8375889152166998401,48.710371,-113.486825%3B3307546774800710719,48.677896,-113.820398&saddr=Whitefish,+MT&daddr=Eureka,+MT+to:Fernie,+BC,+Canada+to:Pincher+Creek,+AB,+Canada+to:Range+Rd+295A+%4049.095091,+-113.861651+to:Going+to+the+Sun+Hwy+%4048.710371,+-113.486825+to:Going+to+the+Sun+Hwy+%4048.677896,+-113.820398+to:Whitefish,+MT&mra=pi&mrcr=6&sll=48.663303,-113.818016&sspn=0.249887,0.474472&ie=UTF8&z=8).

Fernie, BC was a nice little town I wish I would have stayed a night in (or near). The views along highway 6 in Canada north of the border were fabulous. I was heading north, but I kept craning my head around to enjoy the mountains behind me.

Going to the Sun road should not be missed. You might want to ride it twice, the views are so great. Consider bringing some bear spray, I saw a black bear along the road while biking up.

Adventure Cycling is a nationwide group that helps plan bicycle touring and they're located in MT. If you're going to stop in Missoula MT on your way to whitefish give them a call. Or check out their website at adventurecycling.com

You're going to one of my favorite places, and according to a certain Mr.Gore, it won't be much the same a'tall in a decade...

Have a great time!

Going to the Sun Road is excellent but busy in July (just got back). If you go with the idea of camping, avoid the gates. I got this straight from a ranger: no car? just walk in (through the trees, not the gates). If you go to a gate and pay, you get a receipt, but its never needed for any services, and nobody checks you, and nobody walks around with a receipt. West Glacier is a good entry point, with roads. Once you're in, you can camp in a special area for hikers/bikers at the campgrounds. Don't use campgrounds at the ends of the park; they are bustling with noisy children and RV nomads. Do day hikes off Going to the Sun Road. Don't miss the Garden Wall-to-The Loop walk.

Going to the Sun Road is excellent but busy in July (just got back). If you go with the idea of camping, avoid the gates. I got this straight from a ranger: no car? just walk in (through the trees, not the gates). If you go to a gate and pay, you get a receipt, but its never needed for any services, and nobody checks you, and nobody walks around with a receipt. West Glacier is a good entry point, with roads. Once you're in, you can camp in a special area for hikers/bikers at the campgrounds. Don't use campgrounds at the ends of the park; they are bustling with noisy children and RV nomads. Do day hikes off Going to the Sun Road. Don't miss the Garden Wall-to-The Loop walk.

Don't do what is recommended here. The National Parks need the money from the fees and the fees are not that high. Pay your dues and enjoy the park. I buy an annual pass good for all national parks and monuments every year. If you travel to a lot of parks, it is a good deal and it helps the parks.