Continental Divide 2007 (Mexico to Canada - the Hard Way)

[winterhk]

Thanks for bringing me back! Glad Scott was able to get you and figure everything out.

Here's one from my ride a few years ago:

[jonz]

Originally Posted by tbirdsp

It was *really* tough to find. Our first wrong turn was just kinda dumb, but after that we never would have found the trail without help from guys familiar with the area. If you have Michael McCoy's bicycle book the map is on page 76 and text on pg 77.
We were navigating by map at this point. I had Big Dog's excellent GPS track, but he (wisely) took the alternate around this section.

The worst part is, we did have locals with us (dirtrider and dirtdoggie) but when Dirtrider stopped to look at the map, we rode past him.

We were also using Big Dog's gps track.

[worthless nut]

Thanks guys

[Motardca]

thanks for this great report guys. Ever since I read the first report, by Clement Salvatori, I wanted to do it soon. With all the hipe and great ride reports, how frequented is this trail, how often do you meet other riders, when is the best time to do it. I am about a days ride away from the northern starting point, in Western Canada.
thanks for comments and suggestions.
Nik

[BluRoad]

For those who desire closure, here's a brief picture essay of my trip home. I left Kalispell early Saturday morning, July 14, headed toward Glacier N.P. via Hwy 2 to the settlement of West Glacier. Along the way the highway passes through a stunning gorge. Can't remember the name...

[BluRoad]

I arrive at the Park concessionaire's restaurant 10 minutes before they open, and wait outside with several others for a very good breakfast. The Park's main gate is un-staffed, but I honor the honor system and pay $25 for the day pass. Immediately I'm on the lightly-travelled Going to the Sun Highway...

[BluRoad]

...and the photo ops start appearing in rapid succession.....

[BluRoad]

I cross the Divide near here at about 6500 feet.

[BluRoad]

St. Mary Lake near the eastern edge of the park.

[BluRoad]

Turn a bit to my left and another view of St. Mary Lake. I don't think it's possible to take a bad photo in Glacier N.P.

[BluRoad]

Hmmmm....wanna trade? I'm about to exit the Park, the elevation is dropping and it's nearing noon. Yes, it's still hot. I'll traverse the Blackfeet Indian Reservation (could the gov't have found any more desolate land to park the Native Americans upon?) on Hwy 89 with a forced stop in Browning for a "Browning Days" parade, and later run out of fuel north of Choteau. My air filter had apparently begun robbing the gas mileage and cut my range by about 50 miles. I do the old "tip the KLR" mileage enhancement maneuver (twice) and limp to a fuel stop. Later, I'll barely make it into Livingston for the night where I clean the filter at the hotel.

While picking my way through Great Falls in the mid-day heat, my $3.50 thermometer shows 140 degrees (it wasn't, of course, but sure felt like it). I get a temperature break in the Little Belt Mountains where a rain squall and altitude conspire to produce a 25 degree drop in about 10 minutes. Nice. Tomorrow--Yellowstone, and my surging problem first shows itself.

[BluRoad]

A pleasant hour ride south of Livingston and I'm in the north gate of Yellowstone. Light traffic, despite it being Sunday. Cool and dry, perfect riding conditions. The speed limit through much of the Park is 45mph, and that's about right for the roads/scenery/traffic.

[BluRoad]

A typical road scene in Yellowstone; water, forest, steam...steam? Note the burn damaged hills. About 60% of what I saw in the Park was like this, or worse. I think most of the burn was the result of the '89 uncontrolled fires.

[ryanwilliamcantrell]

The more I see pics like this, the more convinced I am that I'll never have hard luggage. Man, too many of te fellas I ride with have this happen to them at some point.











That one's front page material.





This one too...

[BluRoad]

I needed a break, so joined the rest of humanity (it seemed) for a rather anti-climactic look at an American icon. I took the opportunity to call my former place of work and do my best to gloat about being in Yellowstone on a perfect Sunday morning while my former co-workers slaved away.....not very nice, but it felt good. One of the perks of retirement.