Canada (and USA) here we come

[TestPilot]

Our 4-week tour is about to begin - well, in about 8 more sleeps. WhoooHooo.

Right now I need some help with accommodation recommendations in Jasper and Hyder/Stewart, and places in between. Any help greatly appreciated.

I'll post up some more detail shortly, and maybe we'll catch up with some fellow FJR owners, but for now here's a rough outline of our trip:

We will start at Salt Lake City again, and head north through Yellowstone National Park and exit via the Beartooth Highway, then Glacier National Park, specifically to ride Going-to-the-Sun Road. Ever since I first read about this road it’s been on my ‘must ride’ list (just as Sonora Pass and the Million Dollar Highway were last time, as were many others). Then we ride some of the great roads in the Southern Rockies (BC and Alberta, Canada), many selected from Destination Highways BC https://www.destinationhighways.com/default.htm

 

After a day or two in Banff we ride another of those ’must ride’ roads – The Icefields Parkway to Jasper. Even the name sounds romantic as it rolls off your tongue. After Jasper it’s all the way up to Hyder, with a census population of just 87 at the 2010 census. And yes, it will be cold. Snow and Ice are a bit like that. From Hyder it’s down to Prince Rupert and the Ferry down the Inside Passage (? – sounds like one should just ‘slip’ down there) to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island.

 

From there another ferry back into the USA, down through Seattle to Mt St Helens, and back up to Vancouver to catch a pre-season Canucks game. More riding in SW BC including Route 99 before we cross back into Idaho and Montana, then back to SLC where our bikes are stored until we return for the next big adventure.

 

[Panman]

Stayed here in Stewart.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Have a great trip! :yahoo:

 

[MajBach]

I think you will have an amazing trip. You've selected some of the nicest roads in North America. The stark scenery changes in a matter of minutes are awe inspiring. Do give yourself double the time you would expect to go through Glacier National, especially at Logan's Pass. There is an often overlooked road in the Park near the East end (actually I think you exit and re-enter the Park) called Many Glacier Road. It is a dead-end road about 12 miles long but it is an absolute must!

I hope you are planning to drive up to Calgary and hitting the trans-Canada into the Rockies. Deapite having done this route um-teen times, it still blows my mind how quickly the scenery changes from rolling fields of gold to jagged rocks. If you do pass through Calgary, try an alternate route heading West out of town that takes you through Bragg Creek.

The Banff Jasper Parkway is an absolute must but unfortunately the road West after Mount Robson is an absolute bore in my opinion. If you can find the time, see if you can't double back so you get to see Roger's Pass, Golden and Revelstoke. From there you would continue West via Kamloops before turning north to rejoin your route to Rupert. I suppose though you could keep the southern route for another trip and try to get Duffy Lake road to Whistler as well. Either way, you'll enjoy your trip. You'll have a full moon too. Awesome. Have fun.

 

[Willie]

Sounds like a great trip!! Make sure you get to Mt Ranier since you mentioned Mt St Helens. Keep a keen eye out for them forest critters, they are sneaky at night.

Willie

 

[worney]

1346174860[/url]' post='995026']I think you will have an amazing trip. You've selected some of the nicest roads in North America. The stark scenery changes in a matter of minutes are awe inspiring. Do give yourself double the time you would expect to go through Glacier National, especially at Logan's Pass. There is an often overlooked road in the Park near the East end (actually I think you exit and re-enter the Park) called Many Glacier Road. It is a dead-end road about 12 miles long but it is an absolute must!

I hope you are planning to drive up to Calgary and hitting the trans-Canada into the Rockies. Deapite having done this route um-teen times, it still blows my mind how quickly the scenery changes from rolling fields of gold to jagged rocks. If you do pass through Calgary, try an alternate route heading West out of town that takes you through Bragg Creek.

The Banff Jasper Parkway is an absolute must but unfortunately the road West after Mount Robson is an absolute bore in my opinion. If you can find the time, see if you can't double back so you get to see Roger's Pass, Golden and Revelstoke. From there you would continue West via Kamloops before turning north to rejoin your route to Rupert. I suppose though you could keep the southern route for another trip and try to get Duffy Lake road to Whistler as well. Either way, you'll enjoy your trip. You'll have a full moon too. Awesome. Have fun.

In my opinion in Canada I would do the 2 to Cardston, 5 to Waterton, 6 to Pincher Creek, 3 to 22, to 532, to 40 then up to the Trans Canada to Banff. Just watch out for wildlife on 40, moose and Big Horn Sheep especially.

Worney

 

[TestPilot]

Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions. I'll look into all of them

 

[canucklehead-biker]

In my opinion in Canada I would do the 2 to Cardston, 5 to Waterton, 6 to Pincher Creek, 3 to 22, to 532, to 40 then up to the Trans Canada to Banff. Just watch out for wildlife on 40, moose and Big Horn Sheep especially.

Worney

+1 on the 22/532/40 from the Crowsnest through Longview and then the Highwood Pass and K-country. LOTS of bighorn sheep on the highway near the top of the pass (Lost Lemon Mine area), and they don't tend to want to move out of the way

Enjoy the trip. Let us know when you're through the area and you might get an FJR escort from some of the locals

Griff

 

[escapefjrtist]

Sounds like a most excellent adventure!

Let us know when you're passing through the Seattle area, perhaps we can get some of the locals together for a meet and greet.

--G

 

[ekfeejay]

When do you plan to be " Going to the Sun ". ? You will be getting pretty close to my neighbourhood there. Wouldn't mind riding along. What BC DHs have you got picked out?