New Jersey to Glacier and Banff

[Mogan]

Any suggested routes, must do's or watch-outs? I'm starting to plan this trek for this summer.

 

[MCRIDER007]

If you are going all the way to Banff it would be foolish not to go the extra 190 miles to Jasper and then backtrack the same route. I normally avoid backtracking but Banff to Jasper is one road that you need to ride in both directions to see everything.

 

[Mogan]

sounds good!

 

[fjr]

See Morraine Lake in Banff and hit the springs. Morraine Lake is off the road up to Lake Louise, if I remember correctly.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

when are you going? I plan on going to Banff with Sherri this summer from California

 

[MCRIDER007]

when are you going? I plan on going to Banff with Sherri this summer from California

When are you going? I was thinking about a run to Banff this summer. If you take Highway 395 north through Oregon and Washington you will pass within 3 miles of my house.

 

[Bearly Flying]

If you come up 395 You would hit the border at Cascade. Take Hi way 3 through Castlegar and Creston, up to Cranbrook. North on 93 up to Radium and on to Castle Junction. North on the Trans Canada 1 to Lake Louise, then North again on 93 to Jasper

During the summer 93 can be pretty busy with Campers and motorhomes.

Keep us posted on your plans, maybe some of us locals could meet up with you.

 

[yanktar]

I agree. Jasper is must-see-- Medicine Lake,Maligne Canyon and Lake, Spirit Island, Athabasca Falls and Athabasca Glacier...

check

https://www.jaspercanadianrockies.com/home.html

 

[Mogan]

I don't have any planned dates yet. I assume it needs to be late enough so the roads are thawed out there, but earlier enough so I don't fry on my way westward.

Any suggestions on roads/routes to use going west from east? I'd love to avoid the interstates if possible.

Would love to rendezvous with anyone in the FJR crowd!

Mogan

 

[escapefjrtist]

@Morgan

I did this trip last summer to WFO.

For east / west routes, take a look at US 2. Depending on the route you take, 2 can be started in the UP of Michigan and then followed all the way to Glacier. For a short cut, consider cutting across Canada at Niagra Falls and come into MI at Port Huron. It is only about 6 hours from Niagra Falls to the bridge into MI.

Great riding and scenery from Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Once you arrive at the ND border things get boring real fast. It takes about a day and a half to get across ND and eastern MT. The roads are good, straight and you can make excellent time.

Hope this helps. Have a good trip.

--G

 

[FJRPierre]

For east / west routes, take a look at US 2. Depending on the route you take, 2 can be started in the UP of Michigan and then followed all the way to Glacier. For a short cut, consider cutting across Canada at Niagra Falls and come into MI at Port Huron. It is only about 6 hours from Niagra Falls to the bridge into MI.

I would tend to stay a bit south of 2 and go through SD instead (Black Hills, Badlands, Spearfish, Rushmore, etc) then west on to Grand Teton, Yellowstone and north to Glacier... Ditto with doing the Banff to Jasper Hy & back. Take the Athabaska Glacier bus tour onto the glacier. Anyway its a great trip.

 

[escapefjrtist]

For east / west routes, take a look at US 2. Depending on the route you take, 2 can be started in the UP of Michigan and then followed all the way to Glacier. For a short cut, consider cutting across Canada at Niagra Falls and come into MI at Port Huron. It is only about 6 hours from Niagra Falls to the bridge into MI.

I would tend to stay a bit south of 2 and go through SD instead (Black Hills, Badlands, Spearfish, Rushmore, etc) then west on to Grand Teton, Yellowstone and north to Glacier... Ditto with doing the Banff to Jasper Hy & back. Take the Athabaska Glacier bus tour onto the glacier. Anyway its a great trip.

@ Pierre

Definitely agree, this is also a nice ride. We used your route on the return trip back east. Badlands, Rushmore, etc. are a must see if you're that close. And then it's such a short hop to Yellowstone and the Teton's...so many roads with so little time. Pretty soon you've been gone for three weeks. Where did the time go...

--G

 

[billy_037]

When you are in Glacier Park, head to Waterton Park. A must to visit. Then, when you want to go to Banf, take highway 22. You will be riding in the foothills of Alberta. When you are in Longview, head west to highway 40. This road will bring you just east of Banf. Highway 40 will only open on May 15.

 

[KeithB]

Hopefully, you can take hwy 12 across western MT and Idaho.

 

[bikerskier]

Mogan

I ski patrolled at all the areas in Banff and Jasper in the 70's and 80's and I agree that you must go from Banff up to Jasper and even west over to Mt Robson if you can. Spectacular country and great views in both directions. Just do it! :clap: :clap: :clap:

 

[bikerskier]

Mogan

Another trip from the Banff area, in addition to Jasper, if you have time is to go west from Lake Louise to golden. It is a great ride with spectacular scenery. If you can, there are some world class hikes, into the Lake O'Hara area. It must be where God, or folks like him, take vacations.