Day three: Cheyenne to Alaska and return

[dlennox]

Back again with more updates. First I thought I'd list the route we've taken so far for info, Cheyenne to Billings, MT I25,Billings to Livingston I90, Livingston to St Marys State 89(good road but lots of twisties and rolling hills), St Marys to West Glacier(columbia falls) "Going to the Sun Road" (This road goes from one side of Glacier Natl Park to the other, we went east to west; Lots of twisties, gawkers, slow traffic and incredible scenery - dont look up or down if your the least bit queasy. Columbia Falls to Lake Louise,Canada State 93 again more twisties but a good road(was a little hard getting used to everything being Kilometers; 100klm means 60mph and etc.) Trip from Columbia Falls was very nice but again the weather changed from cool to cold with a little rain thrown in. The border crossing took all of 5 minutes as we were the only ones there at 730 AM. Very uneventful except for our first mishap, when Russ was taking my picture at the border crossing sign he dropped my camera and it died, haven't gotten to anywhere yet to replace it.We decided not to try for Jasper as the weather turned nasty reports of blinding rain mixed with snow so we stopped after 300 miles and took up residence at the Lake Louise Inn, very nice but they are really proud of everything and want you to acknowledge the fact with your pound of flesh. Once again the scenry was breathtaking, the range in elevation you travel through is so striking that you keep wondering if there is anything left to amaze you around the next turn only to find out there is. Once again we are so aware that you get to see and experience so much more from the back of a bike than you would from a car or RV, on the back of the bike you actually become part of the environment.Speaking about bikes I have yet to see another Spyder, where are they hiding? The WOW factor concerning my RT is still very evident no mater where we have stopped thus far, even from other bikers. No complaints today(except for the camera dieing) and by slowing down a little my gas mileage is back up to 28.9 mpg. We wait until tomorrow to see if the storm abates between Lake Louise and Jasper that we may continue the adventure (rain is ok but no snow).

 

[Guzzi]

Back again with more updates. First I thought I'd list the route we've taken so far for info, Cheyenne to Billings, MT I25,Billings to Livingston I90, Livingston to St Marys State 89(good road but lots of twisties and rolling hills), St Marys to West Glacier(columbia falls) "Going to the Sun Road" (This road goes from one side of Glacier Natl Park to the other, we went east to west; Lots of twisties, gawkers, slow traffic and incredible scenery - dont look up or down if your the least bit queasy. Columbia Falls to Lake Louise,Canada State 93 again more twisties but a good road(was a little hard getting used to everything being Kilometers; 100klm means 60mph and etc.) Trip from Columbia Falls was very nice but again the weather changed from cool to cold with a little rain thrown in. The border crossing took all of 5 minutes as we were the only ones there at 730 AM. Very uneventful except for our first mishap, when Russ was taking my picture at the border crossing sign he dropped my camera and it died, haven't gotten to anywhere yet to replace it.We decided not to try for Jasper as the weather turned nasty reports of blinding rain mixed with snow so we stopped after 300 miles and took up residence at the Lake Louise Inn, very nice but they are really proud of everything and want you to acknowledge the fact with your pound of flesh. Once again the scenry was breathtaking, the range in elevation you travel through is so striking that you keep wondering if there is anything left to amaze you around the next turn only to find out there is. Once again we are so aware that you get to see and experience so much more from the back of a bike than you would from a car or RV, on the back of the bike you actually become part of the environment.Speaking about bikes I have yet to see another Spyder, where are they hiding? The WOW factor concerning my RT is still very evident no mater where we have stopped thus far, even from other bikers. No complaints today(except for the camera dieing) and by slowing down a little my gas mileage is back up to 28.9 mpg. We wait until tomorrow to see if the storm abates between Lake Louise and Jasper that we may continue the adventure (rain is ok but no snow).

Keep it coming! Love long trips! :clap: GUZZI

 

[Questions]

Thanks for the updates. Very cool

 

[ARtraveler]

Great trip log. The scenery will continue to amaze you as you progress on your trip. :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[CyncySpyder]

Thanks for sharing - Teddy & I LOVE a Good Road-Trip

:yes:The scenery sounds breathtaking:yes:

The temp. gauge on Teds Red Sled was reading 102 degrees yesterday on my way home from work, so I had to re-read your post about cold and possible snow:yikes: WOW, wish we had that problem here right about now:roflblack: Good luck as your trip continues, and would love to see some pics if you ever get chance to replace that busted camera

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Sounds gorgeous.

 

[Yazz]

You're getting into some great scenery now. :2thumbs:

Hope the weather treats y'all kindly!

 

[smoky]

Glacier...

"Livingston to St Marys State 89(good road but lots of twisties and rolling hills), St Marys to West Glacier(columbia falls) "Going to the Sun Road" (This road goes from one side of Glacier Natl Park to the other, we went east to west; Lots of twisties, gawkers, slow traffic and incredible scenery - dont look up or down if your the least bit queasy."


I was there June a year ago with friend of mine and our Harleys and we could go only 13 miles on the Road to the Sun because snow was 40-50 feet deep on the pass according to the Forest Ranger. Came back and took southern route to west side of Glacier and managed to drop my bike on a resurfacing project just over the Continental Divide. Couple of scratches and high pucker factor but was able to ride down west side of the Divide in the most horrendous rain I've ever been in. This is part of the reason I now proudly own a Spyder. Quite a day! I envy you.....:bowdown:smoky

 

[spyderrock]

Hi Guys I live 4 hours from where you are at, here is a few tips for your ride to Jasper. The weather network says it is going to be 23 degrees tomorrow that's afternoon temps which means at 8 am it will probably be a balmy 8 degrees:yikes::yikes: which is about 43 farenheit. we have had a lot of rain the last two weeks so on the icefields parkway at the higher elevations it could very well snow. Half way between the Banff gates and Jasper there is a place called Saskatchewan crossing stop there for a coffee or hot chocolate and a cinnamon bun just be prepared to pay about 20 dollars for these few items and they have the most expensive gas in the country there as well :yikes::yikes::yikes:that needed 3 of those guys lol. Just past Saskatchewan crossing is the Columbia Icefields...this is a big tourist trap so be careful they charge a huge sum of money to walk on ice. The scenery there is unbelievable 20 years ago the ice was down to the hi-way pretty sad really that they allow snow buses up there...dam government:banghead:. This road is voted as one of the top 5 most scenic drives in the world by National Geographic, if it wasn't for the fact my mom was in the hospital I would me you at the gates and give you guys a guided tour(free of course) I really just want to see your faces when you fuel up at the crossing:roflblack: sorry that was mean. Enjoy your trip I have traveled all over western Canada and the US and this is by far the most scenic of all. Stay warm on your ride and take lots of pictures and just a side note because the temps are quite cool you will probably see a few black bears along the way.