California Chicks Converge on Canada

[Tyler]

This day's travels would include the well known and highly recommended Lolo Pass/12 which gently winds its way alongside the Lochsa River... this road sign bode good times ahead!

The day was a bit on the gloomy side so I think it deterred from how beautiful this area must really be... I didn't think it much different than some of our NorCal roads like 96 or 299 so it didn't bowl me over... it was nice but we were also dodging rain most of way. We did manage to miss most of the percipitation though and there was very little traffic... I'd like to go back and do it again when the sun is shining!

We stopped in the bustling town of Lowell (don't blink, you'll miss it) and saw that someone recently departed the town... hopefully by their own accord!

Continuing through Missoula, we were treated to the stunning snow-capped Mission Mtn. Range... but it also was a little unnerving as we were headed for Glacier the next day and all that snow didn't give us confidence that Going to the Sun Hwy would be open when we got there... it had opened for a day the week before but then closed again due to snow...

Donna had a friend in the Flathead Lake area who had offered up the use of his home when we were passing through... hmmmm, free lodging in a lakeside house... um, OKAY!!!!

Pretty purple flowers adorned the fence at the entrance of the house...

We were greeted at the door by this little guy... much more manageable than the real thing!

 

[Tyler]

We drug all our stuff inside, as well as our groceries for that night's dinner, and got to the task of relaxing, fixing food (big salad and leftovers from the previous evening's picnic in Grangeville), and stood out on the deck to watch a spectacular sunset that continually changed and reinvented itself... I took a ton of pictures and played with the settings on the camera to see how they'd turn out... here are a few of my personal favorites...

As the sky darkened, the yawns started and it was time for us to hit the sack as tomorrow would be a big day... we had heard from a friend that they had just opened Going to the Sun Hwy that very afternoon (just for us it seems!) so we would be able to go through Glacier Natl. Park which was one of my "things to see" on this trip... I was so excited!!

Next up... the grandeur of Glacier.

 

[Panman]

Great read & photo's you two!

Tyler the sunset shots are, well just wonderful.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Good stuff girls :clapping: :clapping:

Best part so far is putting faces to hero's in Boise, thanks.

Amen.

 

[demenshea]

Leaving Grangeville was a wee bit chilly as the morning temps were barely 48 degrees. I was still stunned that since leaving Nevada we encountered very little "summer". Bundled up with my heated gear we headed to Montana.

Tyler, bundled like a kid in a snowsuit!

All the wild flowers were in bloom on this trip, which frankly seemed late to me. I have done extensive travel in this area, and was surprised to see all the gorgeous color still in season. Nothing beats riding in the wildflower season!

I couldn't help but add a photoshop filter to this shot.

As we came onto Hwy 12, otherwise know as Lolo Pass, the skies were looking a bit ominous, so we pretty much had ourselves prepared for a bit o' the wet stuff. We were not disappointed.

I had ridden Lolo pass twice prior, so told Tyler to lead the way, stopping wherever she desired to shot some photos. I, having my small point and shoot tethered to me, was able to shot along the ride.

All that rain made for some verdant country.

We stopped at the summit of Lolo and visited some other riders.

Sadly the gift shop and forestry office was closed, but we had to thank them for at least leaving the bathrooms unlocked!

This is how Lolo looks on a good summer day!

Riding through Missoula to Flathead is always an exercise in patience and skill, like nearly any other city, it's slow going and full of traffic, but once out, that first view of Flathead lake is lovely!

I have had the good fortune of meeting a wonderful man, Gurdon through my riding buddy Jim, who has always offered his house as an overnight or week spot near Glacier NP. I took him up on his offer and Tyler and I spend a wonderful evening hanging right over the lake on his deck. What a wonderful place to stay! The trick to finding Gurdon's house is one of searching the horizon for the dirt road that cuts off to the left and into the lake! My first time there, my friend had come into town and lead me out. This time, I found it without any problem!

We were fortunate to catch an absolutely wonderful sunset.

The view from Gurdon's deck on a previous visit with an equally gray sky was still breathtaking!

Rested and refreshed we left Flathead Lake and headed to the west entrance of Glacier National Park, on yet another cloudy morning. Once again, we had to layer up for the cold, but we were getting used to that by now!

Being this was Tyler's first visit to the great park, she lead so that she could again stop when she was inclined to shot one of her lovely photos!!

Lake McDonald

Tyler leading the way to the Going to the sun Road, only where was the sun???

The park entrance

Going to the Sun road is the central road through Glacier NP and it had opened just for us the day we arrived in Flathead Lake. Being it had just opened, we encountered some traffic and construction, to say nothing of the rain!

Many of the mountain peaks were disguised in cloudy shrouds, but the vantages were still beautiful.

At the top we began to encounter some snow.

We were fortunate to be at the end of the line of cars going one way through the construction, so we took advantage to stop and get some snow shots and some riding space. Slipping was clutch was getting uncomfortable.

The descent down to the eastern entrance brought welcomed sunshine!!

Tyler had mentioned that one of her FJR buddies said to take the road to Many Glaciers. Upon looking on the park map, we discovered that we had to go out of the park at St. Mary's and then north a few miles and back into the park on another road. We were both glad that we did. What a glorious part of the park and one that shouldn't be missed.

As we entered this part of Glacier NP, the ranger said to use extreme caution since there were bears lurking about. We hadn't ridder but a mile up the road then we encountered a major traffic jam. The entire road was criss-crossed with traffic making it impossible to pass. To the side of the road was a lone bear, just hanging out in the berries wondering what all the fuss was. These silly tourists, were in the middle of the road and leaving their cars to go out to a BEAR and get a photo! And they blame the bears for attacking! *sigh*

Next stop would be Elkford, BC, Canada at one of my riding buddies homes and a pleasant overnight with his lovely wife and some friends. The bonus of this visit was all the beautiful country we would encounter on the way.

 

[Tyler]

Glacier Natl. Park had been on my radar the first time I headed up this way but I had an unexpected detour so never made it there. The weather reports had not been optimistic that we would be able to get through but I crossed my fingers and made an offering to the weather gods and it appeared to have worked.

We made it... we really made it!!!

As with all national parks, there are areas that are just a clusterf*ck with cars stopping in the middle of the road, blocking traffic, running around in the road like a bunch of turkeys to get a picture of the bear/elk/deer that happens to be wandering around its habitat... you learn to take a deep breath and I refused to let those turkeys ruin my first time in Glacier. Because aside from all the tourist nonsense, this place is...

ABSOLUTELY...

AWESOMELY...

SPECTACULAR!!!!

Pictures do it no justice and I found myself with my mouth dropping open in awe of the incredible scenery around me...

Lake McDonald

There was a lot of run off from the melting snow... making small streams on the side of the roads and tons of mini-waterfalls lining the roadway...

 

[Tyler]

Nearing the top, there is road construction and one-way traffic so there can be major delays. We, however, were extremely fortunate to tag on to the very end of a long string of vehicles going up. The pilot car fell in behind us until it turned around to bring the next group down. After feathering the clutch for a good amount of time, I realized that there were no vehicles behind us... and there wouldn't be any vehicles behind us for at least 20 minutes... so we stopped where we were, turned off the engines, and drank in the scenery while waiting for the endless line of cars in front of us to move along their merry way, leaving us with a clear road ahead!

Lots of snow at the top!

Looking ahead...

 

[Tyler]

As we traveled east, the sun put it's hat on (a saying from my Brit friend, Sally!) and we saw no more rain or gray skies for the day!

St. Mary's Lake

A girl and her helmet...

A forum friend, SacMike, had made a recommendation to visit another part of the park called Many Glaciers for which I am grateful for that advice! You exit Going to the Sun Rd, head north for a couple of miles, and then turn left onto Many Glaciers Rd. It's only about 14 miles in and has some additional spectacular views of... well, many glaciers!

From there, it was on to Chief Mountain Highway to cross the border into Canada, a less traveled road and border crossing!

We had the road all to ourselves and it was glorious!

Well, almost all to ourselves!

And a short while after that, we were over the border and into CANADA... we made it!!!

Next up - into Elkford and Castlegar, BC... some of the most beautiful, lush, green country I've ever seen!

 

[wheatonFJR]

Love this shot! :clapping:

Me too.

Magical.

(...and many of the others from GNP. My only problem was deciding which one to pick for a screen background.)

 

[Burnspot]

Absolutely awesome report and pictures so far! Thank you!

Visited that area as a teenager (have family up there)...it is indeed some beautiful country.

 

[FarWestFastEddie]

:clapping: Bravo :clapping:

FWFE

 

[Tyler]

(...and many of the others from GNP. My only problem was deciding which one to pick for a screen background.)

Lemme know if you want any high-res files... happy to share.

 

[demenshea]

I believe this cow had also never seen a CanAm Spyder up close.

The Aspens

The classic conundrum, me taking a photo of Tyler taking a photo of me taking a photo...

Yep...we made it to Canada!!

Next: riding with friends to Castlegar

 

[beemerdons]

What a Fantastic Ride Report Tyler and Donna, Thank You so Very Much for taking us along with you two!

Makes me wish I could go out for a motorcycle ride, oh wait Seth and I are leaving for SW-FOG next week!

 

[leedavis]

I'm lounging on the couch this Saturday morning enjoying the heck out of y'alls photos! You really did a job capturing the grand views in the park. Why is it that womens look so cute in their gear and guys so dorky?

 

[Tyler]

Why is it that womens look so cute in their gear and guys so dorky?

Aw, thanks! B) I feel like an engorged tick when I have all my gear on!! :lol: Sport touring is not for the vain!!

 

[demenshea]

I'm lounging on the couch this Saturday morning enjoying the heck out of y'alls photos! You really did a job capturing the grand views in the park. Why is it that womens look so cute in their gear and guys so dorky?

That's nice, but I don't necessarily agree...I can think of several guys that look freakin' awesome in their leathers...

 

[beemerdons]

.....Why is it that womens look so cute in their gear and guys so dorky?

Really, leedavis? I just cannot believe that you don't find The Wheaton Boys SkooterG and WheatonFJR damn cute in their riding gear! jes' sayin' and nuff' said!

 

[beemerdons]

I'm lounging on the couch this Saturday morning enjoying the heck out of y'alls photos! You really did a job capturing the grand views in the park. Why is it that womens look so cute in their gear and guys so dorky?

That's nice, but I don't necessarily agree...I can think of several guys that look freakin' awesome in their leathers...

Many Thanks Donna, You Are A Sweetheart!

 

[leedavis]

Why is it that womens look so cute in their gear and guys so dorky?

That's nice, but I don't necessarily agree...I can think of several guys that look freakin' awesome in their leathers...

Maybe leather would help us...this is a bunch of dorky textile guys. :cowboy: