Riding the Canadian and maybe US Rockies - recommended roads/routes | GTAMotorcycle.com

Riding the Canadian and maybe US Rockies - recommended roads/routes

MacDoc

MacDoc

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Riding the Canadian and US Rockies - recommended roads/routes - ride report

Getting down to short weeks before we head west and land the bikes and us in Vancouver.

We have 20 days ( allowing 4 to get back across to Ontario )
We will be riding on pavement....
We will land in Vancouver airport Sat June 5th morning and get the bikes the same morning.

So where to head first and then ongoing suggestions.
I heard that highway they built for the Olympics is pretty spectacular.
Kid wants good riding riding roads and no so much on the touristy stuff.
We are not camping ...
It's his BIG TRIP so we'll go by that guidance

I'm slightly tempted to stay in Canada with perhaps an exception of Yellowstone area because of his diabetes and insulin access/price but we have it covered for the US regardless.

I thought about Alaska but he won't be interested as the riding with a few exceptions is so so and very very long stretches.

So twists and sweeps in the Canadian Rockies and Northern US Rockies is top of mind.
I'll take individual roads or even a week long routing if some one has one.

Weather will determine the jump off direction. If it's frigid in the mountains we will head south.
But the weast coast has been very very mild this winter and California has already busted every record it had for heat this spring.

We will include Banff and Jasper and hopefully Muncho Lake in the trip.

Is there enough in the BC western Alberta area to justify staying in that region?

I'm still undecided as to which bike I take but will do that when I get back and ride the Wee with the new seat.
Kid is set and out riding on what he is taking.

Thanks....resources for mcyclists in the area also welcome.
 
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3, 3a and 6 were a lot of fun (in bc), take you through a bunch of towns and villages etc., it's hard to wrong once you are in that area. The Rockies are awesome, but the tree covered mountains have their own attraction.


You could also check this out

http://www.bestbikingroads.com/moto...es-in-canada-/british-columbia--___13400.html

Hwy 3 takes you within a couple of blocks of the US down near Osoyoos if you feel the need for 'Murica'.

Have fun, good luck.
 
The Osoyoos - Kelowna loop is good as is the run up the Alaska Highway. Pick the right month for either Desert or Rain though.
 
MacDoc said:
Are those on ?
http://www.bestbikingroads.com/motor...-___13400.html

We will not be doing Alaska

We leave june 4th for 24 days starting immediately in Vancouver on Sat morning.
Click to expand...

Same website but different section, your link is for Wales...the one I posted is for BC.
Like I said, it is hard to pick a bad road in that general area, more twisties than sweepers if I remember correctly, just stay in the middle to southern part of the province and when you get tired of it, head into the rockies...make sure to post lots of pics.
 
Briiliant

Whats your take on weather in June for that region?
( Muncho Lake to Glacier National Park say as an envelope to wander in )
 
I went to B.C. for the first time in June of last year. (Unfortunately I ended up in a rented Camry...) We drove Hwy 1 from Vancouver,through Hope and on up to 97 which we took to Prince George. From Prince George, we took 16, across to 93, until it met back up with 1. We stayed in Canmore, and then continued to Calgary where we flew home.

While in Vancouver, we took the Sea to Sky hwy to the Olympic Villiage. That pretty much covers the roads we were on. ALL of them were amazing, and I've never seen anything like those views before, or since. (I don't travel much, so take that for what it's worth). ;) The Sea to Sky was the busiest, and most "commercial" of the roads we took.

I went to Prince George for a wedding. If it were just a road trip, I'm not sure I'd head up that far north. I would probably have cut across somewhere to end up at Mt. Robson, and continue to Canmore from there.

In any case, I don't think you can really go wrong.

The weather was great temp. wise (noticed an 8*C swing between the top of the mountains, and the bottom. (11* - 19*) and we lucked out with almost no rain.
 
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Take the 99 north to 97 over to Kamloops
Head north on 5 to 16 and then east right into Jasper
Take the 93 south to Banff and the 1
1 over to Kananaskis Trail and south
Work your way from there to Glacier National
Park Kootenai National Forest -
Have a look at the 37 (need to bring it up a ways in google)
Runs off the 95
Keep heading south to Lolo Nat forest and Nez Perce-Clearwater Nat Forest
On the 12 to say 13 south and then 95 and or 55 to Boise.
Once in Boise going east is 21 - Nasty A?? road and great scenery
At end of 21 take 75 heading east towards Yellow Stone.
Then just figure out a route u want to take from there.

Or just do the 3 across the bottom and then across the border and
find some nice roads.
 
Excellent thanks - these are rough atm

Day one
https://goo.gl/maps/aarw1

to Kamloops 435 Km - should be okay - we arrive early then have to get the bikes - same air port - hopefully on the road by 10-11

Day 2

https://goo.gl/maps/9FLc7

Kamloops to Jasper 414 km….maybe extend this to Bow Valley 700 km from Kamloops

https://goo.gl/maps/gAium

from another site...sounds like a good add in

After Yellowstone, head East on 90 to Missoula, and take Rt. 93 South about 12 miles to Rt. 12 East; The Lolo Pass Rd.. You will follow the Lochsa river for 99 miles; curves and downhill for 99 miles! Did I say 99 miles of curves along a river? Yup. Rt 12 takes you East through Lewiston/Clarkston and on to Yakima. From there, if you continue East, you go through White Pass -very scenic--and end up on I-5 in southern WA, only about 1.5 hours N. of Portland. Or if you prefer a more Southern Route, in Richland, WA you take a short hop on I82 south to I-84 and follow the Columbia River to Portland. BTW, everything in Washington references Starbucks or Lewis and Clark, so it can be confusing.
Click to expand...
 
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Getting serious now...general storage for mine is sorted.
Just waiting on brake pads.

The Mule...bit of a hop to get over the buddy seat bag but figure having it as a backrest and extra storage is worth it.



 
Looks like we have a plan if the weather permits.
Long time rider recommended do Vancouver Island and then ride up to the north end and take the inside passage car ferry
16 glorious hours and because we are no bikes do not have to book.

We are intending to take the ferry over to Nanaimo and then ride to the west side to Tofino which apparently is very scenic.

BC-Tofino-add-ride-720-720x400.jpg


https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Van...a35!2m2!1d-125.9066184!2d49.1529842!3e0?hl=en

Drive to Port Hardy at our own pace then the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert.
With long daylight should be a great way to get to Northern BC.

Take the Cassiar to the Yellowhead and then over to Jasper....possible side trips....but all weather dependent.
 
Jesse cases are very nice. Did a test pack today and found the Scott jacket folded down nicely to fit the bottom of the Givi top case - there was even room for the armored shirt as well - used a helmet bag for it. Will pack it that way so we don't need to wear gear on the plane trip.
Kid got his rigged ....he gets one Jesse case I get the other. 81 liters each

We both have 50 litre top cases.

Then tank bags. Camera gear going in tthere and the usual pills etc.

For motelling - lots of room. 2 weeks and we'll be on our way to Nanaimo on the ferry about now. :D
 
Okay - best laid plans....the Inside Passage Ferry only runs once a week in early June sooooo....turned the route around



3k 5-6 day loop up to Watson Lake and taking in the Cassiar - weather these next two weeks are showing mid 20s so should be okay.


https://www.google.com/maps?saddr=V...cQ&oq=munch&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=7&via=1&t=p&z=6

with one side trip to this Trash the Nass - weather and time permitting - gives us a one day cushion .
http://www.bestbikingroads.com/moto...itish-columbia-/trash-the-nass--_4182400.html

Then down the Inside Passage by ferry from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island. 16 hours by ferry.

Then a couple of days getting to Tofino down the length of Vancouver Island and maybe a break day.

Kids choice..."I wanna see Yellowstone"....and it looks an interesting route and we will go via Beartooth Pass.

031711-beartooth-highway2.jpg


bear.jpg



https://www.google.com/maps?saddr=T...zG74Y80MPmorA&oq=toronto&mra=pr&via=1&t=m&z=7

Both Glacier National Park and Beartooth are new routes for me as well as Vancouver Island plus that route along the border to Trail and Bonner's Ferry.
So enough new and enough familiar.
We have a 3 day cushion after or before Yellowstone....the only pinned point is the ferry our of Prince Rupert on Friday the 12th which I will have to book tho south bound I think not such an issue.

Looks to be a total distance of about 9 - 10,000 km - about 400 km a day tho 1 day for the ferry and Yellowstone and 1/2 day for the flight cuts a bit out of the 24 days.

With long daylight hours should not be a stress except perhaps fuel up in Northern BC.

Comments welcome. More flex after the ferry.

Now have to find some virgin for the weather gods.....hmmmm.
 
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SUggested elsewhere

Unless you just have a burning desire to start out the Alaska Hwy portion of your ride from Milepost 0 in Dawson Creek, BC, consider taking the Hudson's Hope Cutoff from Chetwynd to the intersection with the Alcan, just a few miles north of Fort St. John. It's a much prettier road, scenery-wise, and more interesting to ride.

Fuel shouldn't be a problem in northern BC this time of year.
Click to expand...

Ah Brilliant - that's the kind of info I'm looking for. Added.

And I think that is actually shorter by bit ...:thumbup:

This is exactly the kind of info I'm interested in.

Prince George will be the cut off decision point if we continue up to Watson Lake or cut across to Burns Lake via 16 and get to Prince Rupert that way. It's not a bad route either.
One reason I like this plan - we have an escape hatch to meet the ferry if anything delays us or weather turns.
Once we go past Charlie lake we are committed to the big loop.



•••

Thanks for fuel tip. Gonna pack a 5 litre gas can. Fits nicely between the Jesse case and the frame.
Good for a careful 80 km on his little gas piggy.

This route would allow Jasper and or/Steward Hyder

Shorter aLternative https://goo.gl/maps/9TodH Cache Creek, Kamloops then Yellowhead with Jasper as a potential. 2375 KM



That's two extra days we could use over by Terrace and go up to Stewart/Hyder - maybe even instead of Jasper.
That also picks up the Nass in a single direction instead of two way.

I do recall that loop up to Watson Lake quite a hike in the AWD. Anyone familiar please comment.
 
Liking this route better - longest day is 520 km, it's about 600 km shorter overall and I think the lovely part is that top left area of BC and the Alaska border there.
Trade a Yukon badge for Alaska.:rolleyes:



shorter alternative is in orange.


and we get to Stewart BC and can go across to Hyder Alaska for lunch.



Ferry is booked. $420 or so Cdn each and we are wait listed on a cabin which would be $60 each and RBC agreed to cover it on points...yippee.

Now this anomaly just needs to hold another month or so

bc-weather.jpg


Ocean 'blob' could be responsible for warmer temperatures
A mass of warm water in the Pacific Ocean could be behind balmy B.C. temperatures
By Daybreak North, CBC News Posted: May 24, 2015 9:41 AM PT Last Updated: May 24, 2015 11:24 AM PT

Pennysylvania-based AccuWeather predicts a hot, dry summer for much of B.C., with temperatures particularly high in the Interior.

If you're wondering why British Columbia experienced such a mild winter and early spring, you could maybe blame it on a mysterious "blob" of warm water in the Pacific Ocean.

The anomaly was first detected in 2013 by University of Washington climate scientist Nicholas Bond, who coined the term "blob." Since the fall of that year, scientists have been tracking a large mass of water in the Pacific Ocean that is 1,000 kilometres long and at least 2 degrees Celsius warmer than usual.
Click to expand...
 
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Words fail .....it was 91 F 33 C in Eagle AK this month....temps are running 8-12 C above normal in the entire area we are riding



I haven't a clue what gear to take now - Scott jackets too warm above 80 F but coastal area is running in the 50s F
 
Bikes are winging their way to BC as we speak.

Geez...might as well be a Wing....

Screen%252520Shot%2525202015-06-05%252520at%252520Jun%25252C%2525205%252520%252520%252520%2525202015%252520%252520%252520%25252011.15.11%252520AM.jpg


and we're not even camping.!!!!!

Screen%252520Shot%2525202015-06-05%252520at%252520Jun%25252C%2525205%252520%252520%252520%2525202015%252520%252520%252520%25252011.14.58%252520AM.jpg


Need a pilots licence..oh wait ;)

Screen%252520Shot%2525202015-06-05%252520at%252520Jun%25252C%2525205%252520%252520%252520%2525202015%252520%252520%252520%25252011.15.35%252520AM.jpg


Kid on the other hand gets away with svelt.....70 kg lighter than the Wee loaded.

Screen%252520Shot%2525202015-06-05%252520at%252520Jun%25252C%2525205%252520%252520%252520%2525202015%252520%252520%252520%25252011.16.00%252520AM.jpg


Just gotta watch those narrow openings...no filtering with this.

Screen%252520Shot%2525202015-06-05%252520at%252520Jun%25252C%2525205%252520%252520%252520%2525202015%252520%252520%252520%25252011.16.12%252520AM.jpg
 
Day one ....started well - catching the flight tho a tank bag almost got left behind....tip...carry your own gear to the cab.

Arrived at the airport and no problem with the helmet carry on or the tank bags.
We checked the one top case and it got to Vancouver okay. Cheap flight ...no meals...tip - carry some on the plane with you.

Picked up the bikes at Air Cargo in Vancouver - about a 2km taxi ride from the terminal.

The bikes were on the palette well strapped down.

Meandered about looking for a motorcycle shop - Kenz wanted some knee protection.
Was hot and I was cranky about the side trip but finally made it out of the GVA and onto 99 north ....Sea to Sky Highway ...the one they spent a bunch of money on for the winter Olympics.

Was perfect weather for riding even to squid level

Screen%252520Shot%2525202015-06-11%252520at%252520Jun%25252C%25252011%252520%252520%252520%2525202015%252520%252520%252520%25252012.56.04%252520PM.jpg


Many bikes out along this lovely stretch by the coast before Whistler.

Hwy 99 is superb!!!! Has to rank up there with some of the best riding I've done.
Kid zoomed ahead......and

Learning point added to Touring tips.
Have an Agreed meet up place

Kid and I after a great but long day ended staying 87km apart
Sigh

I was certain he knew where we were headed 99 n to Cache Creek
Told him stay on highway

He missed a turn. So did I but caught it early

He did not realise he was not on 99
Of course I was on 99
He waited for me to catch up ....thought he saw me pass where he was waiting....

Poor kid wandering in the dark - low on fuel - no cell connection....sees a sign for food and fuel....30 km of treachery later...no fuel, no accommodation Said it was the hardest off pavement he's done and he's on a street bike with street tires...20% grades and gravel.
You can see by the trace below how the switchbacks go.....and getting dark too.

Screen%252520Shot%2525202015-06-07%252520at%252520Jun%25252C%2525207%252520%252520%252520%2525202015%252520%252520%252520%2525209.09.45%252520AM.jpg


Poor dad called the rcmp. Diabetic kid gone missing
He only got in cell range at 10.30 pm
He had all his diabetic gear with
Him. Also both laptops
Met in the morning

I mean Damn we were chatting on the Senas all day
 
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Helicopter parent much?

If you are riding together how did you end up 87km apart?

I cannot imagine chatting while riding... never will I have such a terrible device. The only voices I want in my head while riding are my own... or the music I am playing at the time. I can't imagine having my Dad rambling away while I am trying to enjoy a ride, I think I'd blow the next curve on purpose just to end the horror show.
 
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