Planning tour, Boise to Banff, Summer, requesting local knowledge

[Giranda]

Hello all,

Had a great riding season in northern IL, put about 5 K on my RT. Now that I am pretty comfortable, my wife and I are planning on a little more adventurous touring.

I am asking for help in planning a tour. The basics are:

1. I will be shipping the Spyder both ways from Chicago (so any advice on shipping would be great).

2. Looking at starting in Boise (or Salt Lake) up to Banff/Calgary (or maybe stopping around glacier NP if shipping back from Canada is problematic).

3. Looking at Sun Valley, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, Missoula, Kalispell, but am very flexible.

4. Timeframe is two weeks in late July.

5. Would love advice on off-the-beaten path things to see/do.

6. I have been through Yellowstone/Tetons, so as beautiful as that is, I would prefer to see something new (I have not been through the west Yellowstone area

7. Too old/lazy to camp, so will be staying at hotels along the way.

So, I would be very appreciative if anyone who has local knowledge, or has toured this area, could offer suggestions or advice. Thank you.

Vince.

 

[flamingobabe]

This is going to be a GREAT trip.....last year we did Houston, Texas across central and western USA...from Seattle to Jasper, Alberta and down to Banaff...Glacier NP..over to Boise ...thru Yellowstone from west to Northeast to do Bear tooth pass...then across to Tennesse...let me look up some of the roads and I'll be back...

Ok...from Jasper to Banaff ...93 Icefield Parkway...is the most beautiful road with lots a little road off to the side and back to 93...stop at the Icefields....half-way between Jasper and Banaff is a place you can stay the night and search... out of the way rides...(near Saskatchewan crossing...it's the only place out there...kinda cool....Lake Louise and Bannaff was way to crowded for me...felt like I was in Diseyland....but you still need to take the time and go and see....lots of places to stop and say WOW!!!!

then back to 93 into Montana...took Hwy 2 across the lower perimeter of Glacier ...Lewis and Clark trail and National Forest....back up 89 to St Mary's and across Glacier...beautiful...back to 93 to 21 into Boise....grandson goes to school in Boise...21 was really cool following a river

if you want more info...pm me

 

[Dragonrider]

I have covered these areas many times - if you want to PM me, I can discuss dozens of options. One "Must" is the run from Cody to Yellowstone, via Cooke City. Yellowstone will take you three days to cover ALL of the available roads - some of which cross the Continental Divide several times.

Estes Park is another "overlooked" side trip, but worth the ride...

We'll be doing another Idaho loop this summer - Portland - Boise - Orofino - Sand Point - Jackson - Sun Valley - Boise - Portland. About 2,800 miles.

 

[flamingobabe]

I have covered these areas many times - if you want to PM me, I can discuss dozens of options. One "Must" is the run from Cody to Yellowstone, via Cooke City. Yellowstone will take you three days to cover ALL of the available roads - some of which cross the Continental Divide several times.

Estes Park is another "overlooked" side trip, but worth the ride...

We'll be doing another Idaho loop this summer - Portland - Boise - Orofino - Sand Point - Jackson - Sun Valley - Boise - Portland. About 2,800 miles.

I'll have to agree about Cooke City and Beartooth Pass...we spent the night in Cooke City...great fun

 

[oldgoat]

I agree with flamingobabe about Banff & Lake Louise. VERY busy in the summer but beautiful.

Glacier is beautiful but the main road through it will also be very busy. Just trying to park at the main rest area is a challenge.

Waterton (the Canadian part of Glacier) is also worth a visit with a neat wooden hotel.

There are bears everywhere in the 3 above. Fine in a car but not sure about being on a Spyder.

Your itinerary sounds great. I wouldn't try to ship the Spyder home from Canada as I'm sure it will be a paperwork/ Customs nightmare.

 

[Dragonrider]

BTW, my favorite stretch of road in all of North America runs from Lake Louise to Jasper, AB. If you can travel on any of that - it's a life long memory...

 

[SPYDERGUY1]

planning tour

Hey, if you make it up here let me know. On a different note, plenty of info from TRAVEL ALBERTA, AMA/CAA, and a few other ones. The scenery is beautiful, the crowds , depending on the time ( long weekends NOT ) if staying at local hotel/motel BOOK EARLY ( months in advance ) One other final note, DO NOT SPEED IN THE PARK OR PARKWAY ( trust me on this one ).

 

[sawtooth]

Glacier NP is awsome and a must place to visit. If you plan on being there in July you should be able to go to the top and over the "road to the sun"...... incredable scenery. I have been there three time and it looks different each time.
If you go into Salt Lake you might consider the lower part of Utah. Zion and Bryce NP are close enough together so you can do Zion one day and Bryce the next. IMO Bryce is the most beautiful of all NPs and that includes the grand canyon. Also near Moab, UT Arches NP is a very nice park to visit.
Also Rt. 12 going from Grangeville Idaho to Missoula MT follows the Clearwater river and is great scenery all the way. Once in Missoula it is a fairly quick ride to Glacier NP. I live just north of Boise on RT 55 and there is lots of great riding in this area, One nice thing is it hardly ever rains here in the summer.
What ever you decide enjoy your trip and be safe.

 

[wrbrown]

Vince,

I live in Southern Alberta and have travelled all of the roads that you have mentioned (they are all Great !!). There are also very beautiful ones that are not on your list that I would highly recommend. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
I hope you have a great trip.

Rob

 

[PrairieSpyder]

I lived in Missoula Mt one summer and spent a lot of time in the countryside up to Glacier. Definitely go over the Going to the Sun Road. Then go up to Waterton in Canada. There are historic lodges in both parks. If you can get in, you should definitely stay there. Flathead Lake area is also beautiful. I was up there for photography. The light at those latitudes of fabulous. The sunsets are mesmerizing.

Be sure to post pics along the way.

 

[SpyderSue]

Me Too!!

I am planning a very similar trip at the same time, but from Colorado to Salem, Oregon for the BMW MOA rally. From there up to Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise. I'll be on my Spyder and my guy will be on his beemer. We should hook up! I'll be following this post as I need the same info.

BTW, I live near Estes Park, so if someone needs a place to stay on their journey - guest room avaialable. Just sayin'...

 

[CapNCrunch]

FANTASTIC ROADS & SCENERY

Hello all,

Had a great riding season in northern IL, put about 5 K on my RT. Now that I am pretty comfortable, my wife and I are planning on a little more adventurous touring.

I am asking for help in planning a tour. The basics are:

1. I will be shipping the Spyder both ways from Chicago (so any advice on shipping would be great).

2. Looking at starting in Boise (or Salt Lake) up to Banff/Calgary (or maybe stopping around glacier NP if shipping back from Canada is problematic).

3. Looking at Sun Valley, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, Missoula, Kalispell, but am very flexible.

4. Timeframe is two weeks in late July.

5. Would love advice on off-the-beaten path things to see/do.

6. I have been through Yellowstone/Tetons, so as beautiful as that is, I would prefer to see something new (I have not been through the west Yellowstone area

7. Too old/lazy to camp, so will be staying at hotels along the way.

So, I would be very appreciative if anyone who has local knowledge, or has toured this area, could offer suggestions or advice. Thank you.

Vince.

I live just So. of Missoula, and have riden the roads mentioned here for many years. It's never boring. They are some of the best motorcycle roads in the West, and offer some of the best scenery. Rt. 12 from Missoula to Lewiston, ID is one of the top 3 roads in the country. You won't be disappointed if you come this way.
Take care, and watch for critters in the shadows. SERIOUSLY!!
CapNCrunch
P. S. DO NOT speed in Canada!!

 

[SPYDERGUY1]

planning tour

if you are going to do the road to the sun, PLEASE CHECK IT OUT CAREFULLY, went there 2 years ago in August and it opened the week before, at the visitor centre the snow was still neck plus deep.... Not to scare you, I actually did it 3 times in the same week, very awesome, but do to the SNOWY WINTER in the mountains, so you do not have a BLIP in your trip, just saying check it out. Enjoy the ryde, and let me/us know, perhaps we can hook up .

 

[SPYDERGUY1]

planning tour

Now I am getting the travel bug already, did a 5400km trip from Edmonton down the Oregon coast ( lotza rain and back )July2012, now would like to do the Alaska thing. Long time to plan tho as the snow here is 3 foot plus and lot's more to come, besides SPIDEY is hibernating. HMMMMMMM SPRING.

 

[MickeyFisher]

Allow me to add my vote for the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier. If you go in June, plan for snow at the top. Also, if you're passing through Columbia Falls either on your way in or out of Glacier and headed back to Kalispell, stop at The Back Room for some fry bread! It's a great little joint, in the back of a diner called The Nite Owl. Great broasted chicken and barbecued country ribs. It's the best meal after hiking 10 or 12 miles.

 

[Giranda]

Thanks, Still working on the itinerary, wondering how long I can stay in the saddle

Hello all,

Had a great riding season in northern IL, put about 5 K on my RT. Now that I am pretty comfortable, my wife and I are planning on a little more adventurous touring.

I am asking for help in planning a tour. The basics are:

1. I will be shipping the Spyder both ways from Chicago (so any advice on shipping would be great).

2. Looking at starting in Boise (or Salt Lake) up to Banff/Calgary (or maybe stopping around glacier NP if shipping back from Canada is problematic).

3. Looking at Sun Valley, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, Missoula, Kalispell, but am very flexible.

4. Timeframe is two weeks in late July.

5. Would love advice on off-the-beaten path things to see/do.

6. I have been through Yellowstone/Tetons, so as beautiful as that is, I would prefer to see something new (I have not been through the west Yellowstone area

7. Too old/lazy to camp, so will be staying at hotels along the way.

So, I would be very appreciative if anyone who has local knowledge, or has toured this area, could offer suggestions or advice. Thank you.

Vince.

My first setback, is that shipping from the US to Canada appears to be difficult/impossible. So I am working on a modified (more southern) itinerary. I am thinking of starting in Durango. Still planning on two weeks. Below is the new proposed route.

Durango -> Mesa Verda -> Telluride

Telluride -> Moab (Arches NP)

Moab -> Castle Valley -> Park City UT

Park City -> Sun Valley

Sun Valley -> Salmon -> Missoula

Missoula -> Kalispell (Glacier NP)

I'd be curious if you think this route is too ambitious?

 

[Giranda]

Looks like Canada is not possible

Hey, if you make it up here let me know. On a different note, plenty of info from TRAVEL ALBERTA, AMA/CAA, and a few other ones. The scenery is beautiful, the crowds , depending on the time ( long weekends NOT ) if staying at local hotel/motel BOOK EARLY ( months in advance ) One other final note, DO NOT SPEED IN THE PARK OR PARKWAY ( trust me on this one ).

I was really looking forward to getting up to Calgary/Banff, but it looks like shipping from the US is too difficult. Still on my bucket list, I will just have to figure out another way. Someone once moved to California and said, "I am in the middle of everything: 1 hour to the beach and 1 hour to the mountains". In Chicago, we are also in the middle of everything, 1000 miles to the beach, 1000 miles to the mountains (although there are nice roads everywhere, including here).

 

[Giranda]

We may cross

I am planning a very similar trip at the same time, but from Colorado to Salem, Oregon for the BMW MOA rally. From there up to Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise. I'll be on my Spyder and my guy will be on his beemer. We should hook up! I'll be following this post as I need the same info.

BTW, I live near Estes Park, so if someone needs a place to stay on their journey - guest room avaialable. Just sayin'...

Thanks for the offer. One possibility is for me to drive to Boulder from Chicago (and meet Sharon there). I would definitely look you up if we pass through Estes Park. Since I have been through Estes Park and Rocky Mountain NP, even though it is exceptionally beautiful, I was favoring a southern route to Telluride (which I have never seen).

You would probably be going further north, but looking at the stretch of road from Maob through Castle Valley (ID 128) looks very nice (although it will be hot in summer).

What date would you be leaving Estes Park?

Vince

 

[flamingobabe]

My first setback, is that shipping from the US to Canada appears to be difficult/impossible. So I am working on a modified (more southern) itinerary. I am thinking of starting in Durango. Still planning on two weeks. Below is the new proposed route.

Durango -> Mesa Verda -> Telluride

Telluride -> Moab (Arches NP)

Moab -> Castle Valley -> Park City UT

Park City -> Sun Valley

Sun Valley -> Salmon -> Missoula

Missoula -> Kalispell (Glacier NP)

I'd be curious if you think this route is too ambitious?

I think it is possible...just depends how many miles in a day...how long at each place....the good thing is you start off from your destination and you can change your mind along the way

but...from Chicago to Glacier is easy 3 day ride...a day there...a day to Banaff...day there...day back to USA...day over to Boise...then start working your way back to Chicago on a different route

 

[Dragonrider]

I've ridden all of that too - can be done on a bike, but it will eat time. There's too much to see. Some days you'll not cover more than 300 miles.. Others...

I've crossed the Canadian border on my bike dozens of times - never shipped one - usually a non-issue, if you have a passport, and your registration for the bike.