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06-13-04, 08:44 PM
Okay, my "draft" plan for touring in Flathead Valley and Glacier Park is below. I'm using the route sheets from Biking the Great Northwest by Jean Henderson and contributors. I've also read the trip reports on www.crazyguyonabike.com, and I have a copy of Adventure Cycling's routes in this area.
Any suggestions for improvements from cyclists in the area, or from those who have toured there in the past? I try not to "over plan," but my schedule's a little tight, and throwing four days of driving into such a short trip isn't fun. I wouldn't mind putting it off for a better year, but I'm concerned about the upcoming closure of "Going to the Sun" road.
Equipment Changes: I'm thinking of selling my Sierra Designs Sleeve Flashlight tent and going for an REI Quarter Dome. I'm also thinking of picking up an REI Sub Kilo 20 sleeping bag for the trip. I'd like to leave the cook stove at home and do the trip with two rear panniers and a handlebar bag to keep down weight for all the climbing.
Okay, here's the plan:
Flathead Valley/Glacier Park Summer Tour 2004 Itinerary
Saturday, July 31st
Drive from Portland, OR to Coeur d'Alene, ID. (385 miles).
Stay in motel or camp.
Sunday, August 1st
Drive from Coeur d'Alene to Whitefish, MT (220 miles)
Camp at Whitefish Lake State Park (2 miles west of Whitefish)
Monday, August 2nd
Park car overnight at Whitefish Lake State Park or Whitefish Municipal Building (with permission) or at local bike shop (with permission).
Ride to Bigfork (47 miles)
Camp at Wayfarer State Recreation Area.
Tuesday, August 3rd
Ride back to Whitefish. (43 miles)
Drive car to Apgar, MT (Enter Glacier Park at West Glacier)
Find out from Ranger Station where to park car overnight (get permission).
Camp at Apgar Campground
Wednesday, August 4th
Park car overnight at site recommended by Ranger Station.
Get early start (8 a.m. or earlier)
Ride to St. Mary on Going to the Sun road. (50 miles)
Camp at Rising Sun Campground.
Thursday, August 5th
Leave Camping gear at Rising Sun Campgound.
Ride loop to Browning and back. (71 miles)
Camp at Rising Sun Campground.
Friday, August 6th
Ride to East Glacier (31 miles)
Camp or stay in cabin at Sears Motel in East Glacier.
Saturday, August 7th
Get early start.
Ride to West Glacier/Apgar (57 miles)
Pack bike in car.
Drive to Coeur d'Alene, ID (240 miles)
Stay in motel.
Sunday, August 8th
Drive back to Portland, OR (385 miles)
Start planning next tour.
Any suggestions for improvements from cyclists in the area, or from those who have toured there in the past? I try not to "over plan," but my schedule's a little tight, and throwing four days of driving into such a short trip isn't fun. I wouldn't mind putting it off for a better year, but I'm concerned about the upcoming closure of "Going to the Sun" road.
Equipment Changes: I'm thinking of selling my Sierra Designs Sleeve Flashlight tent and going for an REI Quarter Dome. I'm also thinking of picking up an REI Sub Kilo 20 sleeping bag for the trip. I'd like to leave the cook stove at home and do the trip with two rear panniers and a handlebar bag to keep down weight for all the climbing.
Okay, here's the plan:
Flathead Valley/Glacier Park Summer Tour 2004 Itinerary
Saturday, July 31st
Drive from Portland, OR to Coeur d'Alene, ID. (385 miles).
Stay in motel or camp.
Sunday, August 1st
Drive from Coeur d'Alene to Whitefish, MT (220 miles)
Camp at Whitefish Lake State Park (2 miles west of Whitefish)
Monday, August 2nd
Park car overnight at Whitefish Lake State Park or Whitefish Municipal Building (with permission) or at local bike shop (with permission).
Ride to Bigfork (47 miles)
Camp at Wayfarer State Recreation Area.
Tuesday, August 3rd
Ride back to Whitefish. (43 miles)
Drive car to Apgar, MT (Enter Glacier Park at West Glacier)
Find out from Ranger Station where to park car overnight (get permission).
Camp at Apgar Campground
Wednesday, August 4th
Park car overnight at site recommended by Ranger Station.
Get early start (8 a.m. or earlier)
Ride to St. Mary on Going to the Sun road. (50 miles)
Camp at Rising Sun Campground.
Thursday, August 5th
Leave Camping gear at Rising Sun Campgound.
Ride loop to Browning and back. (71 miles)
Camp at Rising Sun Campground.
Friday, August 6th
Ride to East Glacier (31 miles)
Camp or stay in cabin at Sears Motel in East Glacier.
Saturday, August 7th
Get early start.
Ride to West Glacier/Apgar (57 miles)
Pack bike in car.
Drive to Coeur d'Alene, ID (240 miles)
Stay in motel.
Sunday, August 8th
Drive back to Portland, OR (385 miles)
Start planning next tour.