Dreux's Great Divide Adventure

One last big climb out of Flathead Forest to enter United States. You are always bear aware but today I saw a cougar on the top of a pass. He gave me a quick look and headed the other direction and into the forest. Also several grouse  sightings. Finally some dry weather.   Eureka, MT has a community camping ground with a shower and grassy space to camp. Stocked up with supplies for several days and stopped into the Front Porch for a cheeseburger topped with huckleberry ice cream, odd but really good. Meeting up with lots of long distance hikers doing the Northwest Pacific Trail.  Plan is to reach Polebridge tomorrow. Sadly Andrew and Diana will continue on the Great Divide Route and I plan on visiting Glacier National Park, Riding to the Sun Road. Hoping we meet up down the road. 

Second day in the remote Flathead National forest. We had hopes of reaching Roosville, US but it didn’t happen. Lots rain, mud and climbing slowed us down.  We cleared the famous section called “The Wall” which is a mile long section of insanely steep climb where you have remove the panniers and return to drag, pull and push your bike to the top. Easier with two people on one bike. I survived which gives me “the wall” bragging rights.  We found a remote cabin, Trappers Cabin which is perfect. We had to cross a 2’ creek to access the cabin, off with your sock and shoes yet again. Cabin was complete with bunk, table and wood stove. Cold clear creek is excellent for filtering water and cleaning up.  Supplies are running low so breakfast will be Mac & Cheese or Ramen noodle with tea.  USA tomorrow! Montana.

Today was a maximum adventure day. From Sparwood, elected to take the remote Flathead Alternative route which is extremely remote with Flat River  crossings but filled really incredible sights. It’s called the Serengeti  of North America. Loaded with several days of food and water.  We spent a good part of the morning crossing and riding streams!The first stream we took our socks and shoes off. After the next crossing, we were fording right through with socks and shoes on to the next ice water stroll. Then some rain to make the wet even. Somehow, this is  a great adventure.  We pushed on to the famous Butts Cabin for the nite. Very remote but dry and bear free. Filter water and clean off in the icy Flat River. Heavy rain expected tonight.

Excellent day from Elkwood to Sparwood on difficult single track. I wish these pic’s were scratch and sniff. You could smell the sulfur 1/2 mile out! On to Sparwood with the big mining trucks.  Tomorrow we head off into a very remote area for 2/3 days then we enter United States. Shower and laundry today. Ready for Flathead Valley via the “grizzly highway!” 

Day 2 - I continue to ride with Andrew and Diana who are just great. Knowledgeable and fun to be around. Also, we ride at the same pace.  Today we rode along the foot hills of the Canadian Continental Divide BC, Elk Range with incredible views. Sorry the iPhone camera does not capture the beauty. We entered into British Columbia on the top of Elk Pass. First real pass, yep it means walking your bike at the steep sections.  We opted to stay at a private camp ground tonight for the hot shower.  Weather has been cool during the day, nice riding and cold at night. High 30’s with on and off rain.  First bear sighting today! 2 black bear cubs with mom. Wild to see mom get up on her hind legs and grunt. She grunts to smell what’s in her area. She didn’t feel threatened so turned and headed into the woods with cubs. Only a matter of time with all the fresh scat on the trail. Still carrying the bear spray like a sidearm. 

First day was a blast. Even thought is officially Summer, it’s more early Spring, all the flowers are blooming. The smell of sage is everywhere on the trail.  First off, big thank you to Mona for seeing me off. She was patient while I fiddled with my bike assembly and setting up gear endless times during the week.  I was hoping to meet up with a fellow rider(s) to meet bears together and it took about  5 miles. Now riding with Andrew and Diana from New Zealand. Experienced bike packer who are most helpful. Camp area has other cyclist heading to Mexico also. We’ll leapfrog each other.  67 miles today on all kinds of trails. Lots of mud so everything is now coated.  No bear sighting yet but a dozen or more of fresh scat in the middle of the trails and roads. 10:00 PM and it’s bright out. Not dark until after 11:00 PM.  WiFi at the visitor center, yea. 

Enjoying the altitude training with Mona at Lake Louise. Spectacular area. The Canmore community has fully embraced walking and bicycling. The trails are limitless and scenic. Snowed yesterday! Food shopping for several days, yum. Trying out a new steed.

My Specialized, AWOL has been loaded, tested and ready for the ride. Weighing in at 66 lb's dry and no food. A bit heavier than I wanted but they say you pack your fears. I would say you're looking at medium size fears. Test pack with the bike box last night, now we adjust and bubble wrap. 

Sorry for the lag in posting, we had a wedding! Such a great time seeing family, friends and celebrating Brian and Mallory’s special day. Time to take inventory and pack up, off to Banff soon.