I'm heading west from northern Minnesota this Friday (9/1/17). Planning to travel the Trans-Canada highway from Winnipeg to Calgary. From there heading to Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper via the Icefields Parkway. Will head south again from there to the west side of Glacier National Park. By the end of the week we will be heading east across the plains of eastern Montana and North Dakota for home. Will be gone a total of 9 days and will ride 2600 miles round-trip. I have ridden through these areas a few of times before but it was on the way to Alaska and didn't have the time to do anything other than enjoy the scenery. This trip will be different. My wife will be on the back of our K1600GTL. We will be taking the time to really enjoy what this area has to offer tourists like us. If anyone has any recommendations regarding routes, lodging, campsites, great places to eat, points of interest, etc., please let me know. I'd appreciate it.
-
Welcome, Guest! We hope you enjoy the excellent technical knowledge, event information and discussions that the BMW MOA forum provides. Some forum content will be hidden from you if you remain logged out. If you want to view all content, please click the 'Log in' button above and enter your BMW MOA username and password. If you are not an MOA member, why not take the time to join the club, so you can enjoy posting on the forum, the BMW Owners News magazine, and all of the discounts and benefits the BMW MOA offers?
-
Beginning April 1st, and running through April 30th, there is a new 2024 BMW MOA Election discussion area within The Club section of the forum. Within this forum area is also a sticky post that provides the ground rules for participating in the Election forum area. Also, the candidates statements are provided. Please read before joining the conversation, because the rules are very specific to maintain civility.
The Election forum is here: Election Forum
Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park
- Thread starter ybdrty
- Start date
Banff and Jasper can be "seen" by riding through them, and you can say you've been there. I recommend finding a place in each park to use as a base camp and do some exploring on your feet.
Also, you'll want to check the road status. There's a lot of forest fires up there and some roads are closed that you might be planning to take. The Trans Canada 1 was closed in one location the last time I checked.
Chris
Also, you'll want to check the road status. There's a lot of forest fires up there and some roads are closed that you might be planning to take. The Trans Canada 1 was closed in one location the last time I checked.
Chris
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
Brace yourself for smoke, a great deal of smoke. Avoid Hwy 83 that runs along the east side of Flathead Lake thru Seeley Lake, or at least check to see if it is still in heavy smoke.
KOA on the west side of Glacier NP is good. They fill-up so a reservation is a good idea.
The Echo Lake Cafe at Bigfork (north end of Flathead Lake) is very good.
The Lincoln area has a couple of active fires but Hwy 200, Rogers Pass and Flesher Pass are open. Rode it yesterday. If you ride Flesher Pass, then wave as you pass our place.
KOA on the west side of Glacier NP is good. They fill-up so a reservation is a good idea.
The Echo Lake Cafe at Bigfork (north end of Flathead Lake) is very good.
The Lincoln area has a couple of active fires but Hwy 200, Rogers Pass and Flesher Pass are open. Rode it yesterday. If you ride Flesher Pass, then wave as you pass our place.
MCMXCIVRS
More toys than space
Banff and Jasper may still be busy when you are there, so you may want to secure lodgings ahead of your intended arrival. In Jasper, we usually camp in the Whistlers campground just on the south edge of town. Lots to do and see in both national parks. From Jasper the ride up to Malign lake is very nice as is the trip to Miette Hot springs. And of course south along the parkway, Sunwapta falls and Atabasca Falls are spectacular. Be sure you fill up at either Jasper or Lake Louise before heading out on the parkway. There is only one gas stop along the route and it is pricey for regular grade only. Obviously lake Louise is a must see, a ride just to the west to Takakkaw Falls is worth the time. In Banff, the Banff Springs Hotel castle is worth a tour and it's an easy walk down to Bow falls from there. Both towns have gondola rides that will take you up to a mountain top view point, you can opt to hike up Sulfur Mt in Banff. A good soak in the hot pool is your reward after you come back down.
cabnfvr
Member
Not sure if you'll see this in time but from Banff to Lake Louise take 1A, not 93 . 1A parallels 93 and is a 2 lane higher up the mountain. Hwy 93 is a beautiful 4 lane but 1A beats it for views. 1A will drop you into Lake Louise and back on the Icefields Parkway.
In Glacier, stop at Two Dogs (why do you ask?). Two Dogs restaurant and Rising Sun motel are a perfect stopover in the park. Walk to food from your room, walk to St Mary's lake.
Enjoy !!
In Glacier, stop at Two Dogs (why do you ask?). Two Dogs restaurant and Rising Sun motel are a perfect stopover in the park. Walk to food from your room, walk to St Mary's lake.
Enjoy !!
Last edited:
MCMXCIVRS
More toys than space
The 1A is a nice alternative to Highway 1 which is the road it parallels. Highway 93 is the road from Castle Junction south past Radium Hot Springs and on down to Cranbrook. North from Lake Louise, Highway 93 is the Icefields Parkway.
cabnfvr
Member
Thanks for the correction, 1A. Working from 20 year ago memory has it's risk.
Sadly I even linked the map and missed that. 
KenDittrick
Rocky Bow BMW Riders #197
Not aware of this at all. In the province west of where I live, (British Columbia) over 100 fires are actively being worked: http://globalnews.ca/news/3585284/b-c-wildfires-map-2017-current-location-of-wildfires-around-the-province/
I live in Alberta and am unaware of any financial constraints here either. There are a lot of fires burning this year due to the unprecedented record breaking hot and dry weather in the western part of Canada - and they do contribute to smoke that then travels with the prevailing air currents.
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
There are fires in Montana that there is little hope of controlling until the weather changes. Drought, strong winds, high temperatures, rough terrain and over stretched resources are factors that mean some fires may burn into October. In fact, it is more likely that the number of fires will increase over the next month rather than decline.
MCMXCIVRS
More toys than space
Most of the uncontrolled fires currently burning in BC are uncontrollable with any amount of resources. The topography makes ground access near impossible and the scale of the fires and levels of smoke being produced limit what can be done from the air. The greatest efforts are typically focused on protecting communities and other valuable assets. Fortunately, many of the fires are in more remote areas with limited habitation.
W7lej1
Kindly curmudgeon
Hate to be a spoil-sport, but...
OP, you will want to look at the Glacier NP website (assuming you have a device to do so on the road.) The Sprague Fire is creating havoc in the park and at last report (that I saw, anyway) the western side of Going-to-the-Sun road is closed and the area has been evacuated.
Hope this clears up quickly!
Marty
OP, you will want to look at the Glacier NP website (assuming you have a device to do so on the road.) The Sprague Fire is creating havoc in the park and at last report (that I saw, anyway) the western side of Going-to-the-Sun road is closed and the area has been evacuated.
Hope this clears up quickly!
Marty
Similar threads
