Are we crazy to do this?

[Badshelter]

My husband and I are currently planning quite a big trip for 2013, which involves a circular trip, going from LA (which is where our bike is stored) up to Calgary.We will then leave the bike there for a couple of months whilst we come back to the UK. We will then fly back to Calgary to get the bike and head down to LA. We had almost decided to do the first leg "up" to Calgary via the west side of USA through Oregon and Washington, BC etc,etc and the second leg "down" from Calgary through, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. However.......

The "up" leg will be in April/May and we are aware that it could be wet and that some places won't be accessible, but we were ok with that. What is now causing us pause for thought and hence my question, is that the "down" leg will be starting from Calgary in late Sept, so we will be in Wyoming and Colorado in Oct. Is this sensible? Other forums have suggested there could be a lot of snow, which would really spoil things for us.

Any suggestions? Would we be better to reverse our route and go "up" via Colorado, Wyoming and Montana in the Spring (May/June) or will the snow risk be just as bad?

We have to be in the UK from Mid-June until Mid-Sept, so don't have the option of doing this trip then.

Are we nuts?

 

[ice_station_zebra]

April/May, Sept/Oct are iffy in both directions, especially at higher elevations. You're in the Rocky Mtns. I hit snow and had to detour many times back in June 2011 when I hit higher elevations. The later in May and the earlier in Sept the better.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Are we nuts?

Hard to say. We don't really know you.

But as for your weather concerns, it can be rainy on the coast anytime, especially when you plan to be there on a motorcycle. In April or May, there will surely be some places that are not accessible, such as Crater Lake (not too far inland). But the coastal areas are moderated by the ocean, and often consistent regardless of the season.

The Rockies in September could be incredibly beautiful, and the weather could be the best of the year. And it might snow like hell. Sorry. I'd lean toward nice weather, if I was betting on it, but I'm not betting my own vacation on it, so my guess isn't worth that much.

One alternative you've probably considered, but I'll say anyway: since you're flying to the States and back twice, would it work for you to fly to LA, ride to Calgary, do your visiting, and then ride back to LA in June or so, when the weather would be less iffy? If you still had to come back to either city, fly in and fly straight back home. Don't you do better with fares and trip planning when you fly in and out of the same city anyway? For what it's worth. Have a good trip, anyway.

 

[Tyler]

Carole, make your plans and be ready adapt as you go... isn't that what an adventure is? The world is full of fantastic things to do and see... maybe a weather detour will take you somewhere else you'd never considered and it will be amazing!

It's like a box of chocolates... you just never know what you're gonna get... but I'll be it will be good and make for great stories afterward!

 

[Surly]

I am GREEN with envy at your opportunity. What ever way you go I sure hope that you enjoy yourselves.

Best regards

Surly

P.S. Say "Y'day", to all my American and Canadian friends for me!

 

[Bugnatr]

April/May, Sept/Oct are iffy in both directions, especially at higher elevations. You're in the Rocky Mtns. I hit snow and had to detour many times back in June 2011 when I hit higher elevations. The later in May and the earlier in Sept the better.

Zebra speaks the truth, late May early Sept. are best. One other factor is daylight hours, the days tend to get shorter real fast in October and the forest rats are on the move looking for love.

 

[kamal]

Carole.

If things don't work out, I'd be happy to ride your bike back from Calgary to LA - via Florida and Texas of course. No charge, I'll even pay for gas!

Hey, if you can't trust an old Brit.

Al

 

[Fontanaman]

I would bet early September a good time to ride in the Rockies but be prepared to adapt.

 

[RedPorscheKilla]

Thus I don't know you.... meaning I can't tell if ya nuts

I'd advise to reverse the trip.

Wyoming and Montana if not lastly Colorado can be a true and in a worst case scenario impossible choice in OCT. Contrary to it, the West coast leg in Sept/Oct is still great to ride. We had this year at the beginning of November snow at Chinook Pass, my wife and I rode the Ridge (Hurricane Ridge that is) still at the end of October and it was like in the summer.

Weather can always turn on you in the PNW, but that's normal and not much different from the UK.

Good luck

V

RPK

 

[gixxerjasen]

Wait wait wait.....

L.A. or La. ???

 

[Badshelter]

Are we nuts?

Hard to say. We don't really know you.

But as for your weather concerns, it can be rainy on the coast anytime, especially when you plan to be there on a motorcycle. In April or May, there will surely be some places that are not accessible, such as Crater Lake (not too far inland). But the coastal areas are moderated by the ocean, and often consistent regardless of the season.

The Rockies in September could be incredibly beautiful, and the weather could be the best of the year. And it might snow like hell. Sorry. I'd lean toward nice weather, if I was betting on it, but I'm not betting my own vacation on it, so my guess isn't worth that much.

One alternative you've probably considered, but I'll say anyway: since you're flying to the States and back twice, would it work for you to fly to LA, ride to Calgary, do your visiting, and then ride back to LA in June or so, when the weather would be less iffy? If you still had to come back to either city, fly in and fly straight back home. Don't you do better with fares and trip planning when you fly in and out of the same city anyway? For what it's worth. Have a good trip, anyway.

Many thanks to you all for your fantastic help. Being there in June/July/August would be so wonderful (apart from the crowds) .....but we can't be......so we have decided that this year, we will reign ourselves in a bit and do a simpler trip. We will aim to be in Yellowstone and Grand Tetons for the last day of May

Now.......best way to get there from LA????

 

[SacramentoMike]

L.A. to Yellowstone? Easy. Head inland, see Death Valley, maybe make a little detour to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, then up into Utah and cross it west to east, hitting Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Escalante Staircase, and Capitol Reef, then north to Moab and Arches Nat'l Park (my favorite), and head north. Once you get to the Tetons it's horribly slow--it's all Nat'l Park for a loooong way, with a 35 mph limit, all the way into (and through) Yellowstone. Gorgeous, but slow. Upside: I was there five or six years ago the week before Memorial Day (late May) and I pretty much had the park to myself. It's AWFUL crowded in the summer.

The weather was beautiful that trip. At least until the last night, when it rained like crazy and got sub-freezing. You just take your chances. And pack for cold and wet. You WILL see some of the very best the U.S. has to offer.