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06-04-08, 02:41 PM
My wife and I are thinking of cycling from Whitefish, MT to Jasper over a 15-day span. We would like to cycle through Glacier, up to Waterton Lakes, then to Banff, and on up to Jasper.
Most of this route seems pretty straightforward, with the exception of getting from Wateron Lakes to Banff. Our tour would be completely self contained (we would like to camp along the way).
I can see three routes that might work, and am wondering about the pros/cons of each:
Possibility 1:
Hwy 6 north out of Waterton up to Pincher Creek.
Hwy 3 West out of Pincher Creek to 93/95 North near Fort Steele.
Hwy 93 NW out of Radium Springs through Kootany NP, to Banff NP.
Possibility 2:
Hwy 6 north out of Waterton up to Pincher Creek.
Hwy 3 West out of Pincher Creek to 22 North near Lundbreck
Hwy 22 North to 541 West out of Longview
Hwy 541 West to 40 North.
Depending on how wet things have been, take 40 north to Spray Lakes Trail, and Spray Lakes Trail into Canmore, or if very wet, continue on 40 north to Hwy 1A, and take 1A into Canmore.
Possibility 3:
Hwy 6 north out of Waterton up to Pincher Creek.
Hwy 3 West out of Pincher Creek to 40 North out of Coleman
Hwy 40 North either to Spray Lakes, or to 1A, depending on weather.
I have seen several accounts of both route 1 and route 2, but have not seen anyone talk about route 3. I suspect that 40 north out of Coleman might be a dirt road, which would not be too cool, but I am not positive. It does look like 40 north out of Coleman has plenty of provincial parks to camp at, etc.. which is attractive, whereas the other two routes dont seem to have as much. Any tips on the pros/cons of these routes would be greatly appreciated!
P.S.- I realize that the Spray Lakes trail is dirt. We are bikes that can handle a dirt road, and have heard that it is a beautiful road to ride if the weather is nice, which is why we are considering it.
Most of this route seems pretty straightforward, with the exception of getting from Wateron Lakes to Banff. Our tour would be completely self contained (we would like to camp along the way).
I can see three routes that might work, and am wondering about the pros/cons of each:
Possibility 1:
Hwy 6 north out of Waterton up to Pincher Creek.
Hwy 3 West out of Pincher Creek to 93/95 North near Fort Steele.
Hwy 93 NW out of Radium Springs through Kootany NP, to Banff NP.
Possibility 2:
Hwy 6 north out of Waterton up to Pincher Creek.
Hwy 3 West out of Pincher Creek to 22 North near Lundbreck
Hwy 22 North to 541 West out of Longview
Hwy 541 West to 40 North.
Depending on how wet things have been, take 40 north to Spray Lakes Trail, and Spray Lakes Trail into Canmore, or if very wet, continue on 40 north to Hwy 1A, and take 1A into Canmore.
Possibility 3:
Hwy 6 north out of Waterton up to Pincher Creek.
Hwy 3 West out of Pincher Creek to 40 North out of Coleman
Hwy 40 North either to Spray Lakes, or to 1A, depending on weather.
I have seen several accounts of both route 1 and route 2, but have not seen anyone talk about route 3. I suspect that 40 north out of Coleman might be a dirt road, which would not be too cool, but I am not positive. It does look like 40 north out of Coleman has plenty of provincial parks to camp at, etc.. which is attractive, whereas the other two routes dont seem to have as much. Any tips on the pros/cons of these routes would be greatly appreciated!
P.S.- I realize that the Spray Lakes trail is dirt. We are bikes that can handle a dirt road, and have heard that it is a beautiful road to ride if the weather is nice, which is why we are considering it.