Western Mountain Ride
& Rough Road Ride
Missoula, Montana
July 11-14, 2007

Glacier National Park Loop

~510 Miles

Description

This ride takes you up around Flathead Lake to Glacier National Park. The famous Going To The Sun Road is scheduled to open on July 1. If all of it isn't open yet you will still be able to ride part of it either from the east or west. For the latest information on the road visit the Glacier National Park web site or call Visitor Information at (406) 888-7800.

Note that this a much longer day than the miles make it appear if you do ride the GTTSR. Plan on at least two to three hours to ride its 50 miles because of slow traffic, construction delays, and sightseeing/photography stops.

If at all possible, make an effort to ride U.S. 89 and MT 49 between St. Mary and East Glacer: they are phenominal twisty roads and great fun on a bike (just hope that there aren't too many RV's out to get in your way)! U.S 2, between West Glacier and East Glacier, is quite beautiful.

Directions

East on I-90 - East on MT 200 - North on MT 83 to Bigfork - North on MT 35 to Evergreen - North on U.S 2 to Columbia Falls.

Continue East on U.S 2 and at this point go off and explore whatever you choose to in the Park. The GTTSR runs between West Glacier and St. Mary. If the GTTSR is open all the way accross you could make a loop from West Glacier to St. Mary, then go south to East Glacier, and return to West Glacier and Columbia Falls on U.S. 2.

For the return trip to Missoula get yourself back to Columbia Falls. West on U.S. 2 to Kalispell - South on U.S. 93 to Elmo - West on MT 28 - South on County Rd. 382 to Perma - East on MT 200 - South on U.S. 93 to Missoula.

Construction Alert!

AVOID U.S. 93 from Polson, through Ronan, down to St. Ignatiouis. Not only is there severe construcion along this stretch of 93, but it is also extremely congested. It is currently a dangerous road on which to ride a motorcycle!