Montana / Idaho Trip

[DesignFlaw06]

So we've got a big trip coming up. Another family adventure. My brother, my dad, my uncle, my cousin, naskie18, and I are headed west. Going To The Sun Road has been on Dad's bucket list for a while now and this year we decided we're going to cross it off.

Basically we have a week. Trailer out starting the afternoon of Friday, Sept 11. Going straight through the night and recovering Saturday evening. Ride starts on Sunday. My proposed starting point is Missoula, MT. A counter-clockwise loop so we hit the Going To The Sun Road as early as possible. Construction starts on the 21st I think and I'm not certain what the weather will be like.

Ride will be Sunday - Friday with approximately 200-250 miles a day. We have 2 Goldwings, 2 Nighthawks, a FJR, and a Sprint ST. The Nighthawks are the limiting factor with regards to distance in a day and this will be more of a scenic trip than a go fast trip (as most of mine are).

Here is my initial concept of a route.

https://goo.gl/maps/joQAE

Another idea is this and the catch with this is a shorter route, but then we'd trailer to Yellowstone and do a loop through Beartooth Pass. That's another road on Dad's bucket list.

https://goo.gl/maps/cjdeZ

Looking for feedback on what to see and do out there. We'd like to be done riding by Friday, so we can take 2 days to get home. Also wondering if anyone might want to join up for part of the ride or may have a place we can store a truck and trailer for a week. We typically run 10 MPH over, but not usually faster than that.

Appreciate any help.

 

[Top_Speed1]

I just got back from your area of desire. Here's a Spotwalla of it. We took 16 days to trounce the 8,260 mi. Interstates to get out there quick so we didn't waste time getting out to the good stuff.

I'll have a RR soon, 1000's of pics to arrange prior. The Spotwalla has a few pics to it.

I wouldn't pass up on Yellowstone unless you've already been there. There's parts that will wow you big time and, the ride out of Red Lodge (West) towards Yellow was simply awesome. Traffic when closer to Old Faithful was not all that great, but we took suggestions and hit them later in the day, helped I think. The riding was so awesome,some of the roads you wanted to rip up, but also at the same time the visuals were taking away your concentration. All's I can say, enjoy every moment, and sometimes you just have to release that right hand a bit so you can take it all in. Memories abound at each turn and crest! crazy mad greatness that you will want to "absorb" for a lifetime.

Beartooth was awesome as everyone knows. We also had the park passes so we rode the Yellowstone side as well, saw Buffalo head to head on the roads... quite amusing and kinda scary at the same time!

 

[Millsaps2]

Missoula is a good starting place (used it last year for my West trip, (Choice Hotel near Univ.). From Missoula take Hwy 200 to Hwy 83 to Columbia Falls. At Banks continue south to Boise, take Hwy 21 to Idaho City to 93 and back to Missoula. Revised route ~1400 miles/6=~230-250 miles per day.

 

[FJReady]

If you can make the time I suggest that when you pass through Stanley ID, you turn south on Rt75 and head to Sun Valley/Ketchum. The Sawtooth mountains are stunningly beautiful and the road is quite a treat as well. Lots of decent places to eat in Ketchum.

Jealous of your trip. Looks like a blast! Enjoy.

 

[Top_Speed1]

We took 93 as well^^ and would highly recommend that. Lunch was in Salmon, very scenic through some rock cuts twisting your way through, the raging river along side provides some neat depth as well.

 

[hppants]

Got the strapping/securing thing down on the trailer, Tim? We can't have that gorgeous FJR getting knocked around in there anymore.

I rode my nighthawk many days at 400 plus miles - the 750 that is. Truth is - about 250 is enough, though. The 700s was only good for about 150-ish.

 

[Fred W]

Best roads in MT, IMO, are Beartooth, Chief Joseph, and Going to the Sun. I've yet to make it to ID, that will be on our next trip there

 

[Spud]

I highly approve of your first (longer) route. I'd recommend a night in Riggins, ID here: https://www.bigironmotel.com

Great little motel, cheap prices, and staying in Riggins is pretty special--a mile long town in the bottom of a steep and deep N/S canyon. Park the bikes, see it all on foot.

 

[DesignFlaw06]

Got the strapping/securing thing down on the trailer, Tim? We can't have that gorgeous FJR getting knocked around in there anymore.
I rode my nighthawk many days at 400 plus miles - the 750 that is. Truth is - about 250 is enough, though. The 700s was only good for about 150-ish.

More straps! I still have no good solution for the back, but the side cases are coming off this time.

We sat down Saturday and planned the route. It was decided to skip Yellowstone, much to our disappointment. There is just too much of a time constraint. We would waste a day just getting there. We've pushed it to the next big trip (South Dakota / Wyoming). Truth be told, we could spend a month out there and never run out of good roads to ride.

Our route

This crosses a few things off the bucket list. Going To The Sun Road and Lolo Pass are can't miss rides. This also knocks out the 2 states my dad has not been in, so he'll have all 50. I've marked some spots of interest, but I'd like to hear of more. Scenic spots, places to eat, etc. Not really interested in hiking all that far, but if it is worth it, speak up.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Check out Lowman-Banks Road if you have time.

 

[Spud]

Nice route. Your tires won't be flat spotted in the middle after that ride.

When you get to Stanley ID, take a short "down and back" about 10 minutes south on 75 to Redfish Lake. The Sawtooth Mtn's are the best you'll see on your trip, and you'll go right past them. Then take the 1 or 2 mile road on into Redfish Lake, it's really one of the prettier places you'll ever see. The Redfish Lake lodge is excellent for lunch also, right on the lake shore. This is the area. It's worth a little detour.

I also see you're staying in Lewiston. Since you're there, don't miss going up the "Spiral Highway".

https://roadsnw.com/rnw/15

 

[wheatonFJR]

Nice route. Your tires won't be flat spotted in the middle after that ride.
When you get to Stanley ID, take a short "down and back" about 10 minutes south on 75 to Redfish Lake. The Sawtooth Mtn's are the best you'll see on your trip, and you'll go right past them. Then take the 1 or 2 mile road on into Redfish Lake, it's really one of the prettier places you'll ever see. The Redfish Lake lodge is excellent for lunch also, right on the lake shore. This is the area. It's worth a little detour.

I agree. Sawtooths are the prettiest! Very scenic.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Best roads in MT, IMO, are Beartooth, Chief Joseph, and Going to the Sun. I've yet to make it to ID, that will be on our next trip there

For scenic roads, I don't think anyone would argue with these fine gems (Sawtooths as well). All awesome, but not real adrenaline on the edge of your seat roads. These are more heavily traveled and very popular roads for that, plus you wanna take it all in as well, so much to look at in every direction.. I think Walter Cronkite once wrote that the Beartooth was the most beautiful road in America. Hey, Ya can't argue with Mr. Cronkite!!

ID and UT were more non-touristy, you could open it up more on those roads. Two different types of travels, both work very well on a M/C. and to be diverse, you'll wanna include as many as you can fit in, and, of all types of roads!.

You're in for a treat!

 

[Heen]

I might be a little late for input but I suggest going on the shorter route and adding a day going into Waterton Park (the Canadian compliment to our Glacier National Park.

 

[DesignFlaw06]

I might be a little late for input but I suggest going on the shorter route and adding a day going into Waterton Park (the Canadian compliment to our Glacier National Park.

That would be nice, but just a little too far out of range. And I'm know 4 of the 6 of us have passports, but I don't know that the other two do.

Reservations have been made, the bikes have had a few extra farkles added for the ease of the trip. A bluetooth adapter for the Goldwing and a inductive charging phone holder on the stem nut for my bike so I can view the map without killing the battery. My brother quit his job, so we have Friday the 11th completely free. This allows us 2 days to get out there, rather than driving all through the night. Makes for an easier departure on Sunday morning.

 

[DesignFlaw06]

The trip was awesome. Epic even. Nobody got hurt, nobody got thrown in jail, and nobody got sick. Had a minor electrical issue with one of the Goldwings that never came back (ground spider?) and we were rained off the bikes in Boise for a day. Temperature was colder than expected that none of us were really prepared for. Minor complaints that were easily outweighed by the scenery and roads. The homework really paid off and thanks for all of your suggestions. I'll create a ride report after I go through the thousands of pictures we took.

 

[Spud]

Cool! Looking forward to hearing about where you went.

 

[Pterodactyl]

Keep an eye on this site. Parts for the Going to the Sun Road have closed for snow already. Appears everything is open now, but things change: https://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm

Rode the Lolo Pass road twice this past weekend. Road is in pretty good shape and I saw no LEOs the entire trip.