Route Map
Itinerary
Daily Journal
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Sturgis Tue. 8/10/99 6030-6555 (525 mi.)
Left home at 7:30, hit Nebraska about 11:00 and South Dakota about 2:30 (lunch in Scottsbluff).Spent an hour or so at the Crazy Horse Monument and Mount Rushmore, then pressed on to Sturgis. Rented a camper for $25 right in the heart of town about 8:00 - good luck because I was running out of daylight! Went to town with Don and Bruce, bought souvenirs and closed down the Night Owl bar. It's unbelievable how many motorcycles are here, not just in Sturgis, but all over the Black Hills! Unfortunately, even more Harleys than I expected, maybe 95%.
Got up around 9:00, wandered around town a bit, and hit the road at 11:15 (and Wyoming an hour later). Stopped for lunch in Broadus around 2:00. Dropped by Bruce's dump in Ashford, but didn't feel a strong welcome. Pushed on to Little Big Horn for an excellent 40 minute talk about the battle by a ranger. The rain had let up by then (it had been off and on since Broadus), and I made it to Billings. Found a motel where I met Ray and Gary, who invited me to join them for dinner. Talked until midnight before crashing.
Helena Thu. 8/12 6860-7090 (230 mi.)
Got up, had breakfast with Ray and Gary, then waited from 9:00 until 10:00 for the rain to ease up. Took off and had about another hour of rain. Stopped for lunch in Townsend, where the waitress mercilessly harassed Gary. On to Helena (through a 20 minute, NASTY rainstorm) and the Sleeping Giant Brewery. Traded my Bristol growler for one of theirs (and a free fill). Good beer! Found a room, had ribs for dinner, hit the hot tub and the sack.
Hungry Horse (near Kalispell) Fri. 8/13 7090-7306 (216 mi.)
Got up around 8:00 - Ray and Gary were already packed and ready, so they split. Got on the road about 10:00. Stopped for a growler at Giant (Weizenbock - 8.25%) and pushed on. The first hundred miles was nice road, but Flathead Valley was disappointing - all trees so there was no view, and the road wasn't curvy enough. At least there was no more rain! Gas and dinner (A&W) near Hungry Horse. Local suggested a dirt road by the dam - just camp anywhere - so I did just that. Arrived around 4:30 quite tired but finally ready to camp. Rain threatened, but cleared.
Canmore Sat. 8/14 7306-7648 (342 mi.)
It rained during the night, so I was fairly wet when I got up at 6:30. On the road by 8:00. Glacier National Park was foggy and wet near (up to) the top of Logan Pass, but it cleared up on the way down. Nice ride into Canada - arrived at 11:00 (7400). Lunch break at Pincher Creek, then on to Kanaskis. Had a quick, ½ hour nap an hour outside of Pincher creek, right on the side of the road! What a beautiful ride! Glacier was also amazing, but I think I missed a lot of it in the fog. Canadian Rockies (so far) are incredibly beautiful and colorful. Stopped at Three Sisters Campsite just outside Canmore, built a good fire, cooked hot dogs, and had a pint or two (4) of Weizenbock. Rain threatened again, but held off.
More Pictures of Glacier National Park
Jasper Sun. 8/15 7648-7868 (220 mi.)
Woke up at 7:30, but decided to sleep in a little. By the time I woke up again, it was raining pretty hard. Waited until 11:00 to no avail for it to stop, so I packed up (wet) and headed out about noon. Found a nice brew pub in Canbury called the Grizzly Paw for lunch and a growler fill (Rutting Elk Red). Finally it cleared up a little, so I headed out. Stopped in (drove through) Banff, then high-tailed it to Jasper. Ran back into the rain halfway up, but pressed on. Saw spectacular scenery including glaciers, but again I suspect I missed a lot due to weather. Did see a bear by the road! Met Pierre from Quebec at the Jasper gas station who pointed me to a private home renting rooms (seems to be common here). Got a room for $45 (vs $180 at hotels here).
Contact me at: rf6gunz@yahoo.com
Copyright © 2000, Rick Fletcher
