Messages

1

Routes / Re: Skagway to Cassiar south in mid/late September

« on: June 15, 2025, 07:19:11 pm »

Skagway will be wet and Prince Rupert will be drenched.
The interior should be drier - no guarantees - but mostly cloudy.
Six trips north - always ending in late Aug. / early Sept.
Wet.

Pic - Nisga'a Dancers in a Wet Terrace Parade

2

Routes / Re: Lodging and camping in Yellowstone?

« on: May 21, 2025, 02:02:08 pm »

You are heading east, right?
Not sure your time frame or miles per day.
So many cyclists just zoom through Yellowstone, sigh.

Two useful tips -
> Ride super early when the roads are largely empty and the wildlife is out.
> Then take the rest of the day off to hike and explore.

If you need to ride in the early evening, traffic is light.
Also, hiker/biker campsites are kept available.
Mom, Dad, the kids, and the dog don't head out until after 9a and quit by 4p.

West Yellowstone has services - groceries, bike shop, hardware store.
Usually cyclists camp about 30 miles west Beaver Creek USFS - no hiker/biker -
(You need to have bear country camping skills to random camp.)
and arrive in West about midday. So stock up and rest up.

It's 14 miles to Madison which makes a good first stopover in the park.
A super early start lets you have the uphill ride to Norris with light traffic -
plus, you can explore the geyser Basin fairly early before the crowds get there.

The crossover - Norris-Canyon Road - has less traffic, a narrow shoulder, but people go fast.
The Virginia Cascades one-way road is a nice way to head east and do the big uphill.

Canyon is one of the best places to camp in ANY national park.
You can camp along the loop in the hiker/Baker site or down in the draw away from everyone.
Some people prefer being close to others given that this is grizzly country.
But if you want a more remote experience, the draw is quite nice.

Ask if they still give a free shower token to cyclists -
Also there is a laundry in the shower building.
Plus a visitors center, store, lunch counter with great milk shakes, and a buffet.
And incredible hiking along the canyon rim and down into the canyon.
Rim hiking is best on the other side from Artist Point.
Few people go further than 100 yards from the parking lot.

Not sure if you plan on staying also at Bridge Bay or heading out from Canyon.
Either way, you should leave super early to have light traffic.
Plus, Hayden Valley is the Serengeti of America.
However, the road is in poor condition with crumbling edges and no shoulders.
Again - set out early.

I love to sit out in front of the Lake Hotel along the lake shore.
I also enjoy having lunch in the hotel dining room.
I think it is the loveliest hotel in the park and well worth it.

If you stay at Bridge Bay, make sure to ride down to Gull Point.
Gull Point Road is part of the old loop road.
Very few people use it and the point has a quiet, magical feel.

Fishing Bridge has a big camp store since there's not much until Cody.
Heading east you ride along the lake and then climb up to Sylvan Pass.
Thru a burn area. Then a whale of a downhill to Pahaska.

Finally you have a spectacular ride along the Shoshone River.
All the way to Wapiti - it's a magical ride.
No tent camping between the park and Rex Hale.
Remember, there's portable water at Rex Hale but not at Clearwater.
Also, dispersed camping is banned in the Shoshone corridor.

Have a great trip!

3

Routes / Re: Lodging and camping in Yellowstone?

« on: May 21, 2025, 01:47:04 am »

2025 may prove different because of severe cutbacks in Park Service and Forest Service funding.

From West Yellowstone heading east -
Hiker/Biker camping is available at:

1. Madison - always available, not terribly scenic with traffic noise
    But with pleasant walks along the river and wildlife viewing

2. Norris - not always available, but they will usually work you in
    Secluded setting, great for early morning exploration of Norris Geyser Basin

3. Canyon - always available, showers, laundry, store
    Great hiking along and down into the canyon

4. Bridge Bay - usually available, but like a parking lot
    Views of Yellowstone lake, services a few miles away at Lake

Hiker/Biker campsites are held until 7p or 8p for non-automotive users.
I have never had a problem getting a site in in midsummer.

The real challenge is between Lake and heading east toward Cody.
There is not camping on the east side of the park.
Tent camping is prohibited in forest campgrounds due to grizzly danger.
The first possible campground is Rex Hale.

So, you have quite a few miles from Canyon or Bridge Bay to Rex Hale.
But, eastbound, it is downhill after Sylvan Pass, usually with a tailwind.
Clearwater is 4.5 miles further east with walk-in tent site, but no water.
Forest Service sites are first come / first served and there are no hiker/biker sites.
You either need to make reservations well in advance or beg.
I would try Rex Hale first, then Clearwater.

4

Routes / Re: East River Road Closed North of Yellowstone N.P.

« on: May 06, 2025, 12:52:00 am »

You can ride on US 89 to Emigrant, then cut over to East River Road.
But the closed section is the best. Always seems to be the case.

5

Routes / Re: PPP Section 1: Buffalo, WY to Gillette, WY: 95 miles with No Services

« on: May 06, 2025, 12:49:26 am »

Yes, the I-90 route from Buffalo to Gillette is 30 miles shorter.
And yes there is a rest area at the halfway point, usually with drinking water.

But, the US 16 route is some of the nicest riding anywhere to be found.
And - with planning - there are sufficient services. With very little traffic.

Westbound - If you stay overnight in Leiter,
you have stunning mountain vistas as you approach the Bighorns, the first of the Rockies.

Eastbound - As you reach the Great Plains,
you have 40 miles of the Clear Creek valley, then vast rolling expanses.

If you are just trying to get from A to B . . . then drive.

6

Routes / East River Road Closed North of Yellowstone N.P.

« on: May 05, 2025, 09:35:55 am »

On a recent spring trip to the Yellowstone area I discovered that East River Road south of Chico Hot Springs is closed. East River Road is one of the most scenic rides in Montana with extremely light traffic and the spectacular backdrop of Paradise Valley. Way better than the heavy, fast traffic on US 89.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50627628

The reason for the closure is rockfall from a slope where the road squeezes between the Yellowstone River and a cliff. I contacted the Montana DOT office in Bozeman and they indicated that a scaling operation would take place this summer as soon as the landowner gives permission.

Although through access for pedestrians and cyclists is not forbidden, it is highly discouraged since massive rocks continue to fall on the roadway. I do not know to what degree the road is currently blocked. I do look forward to the reopening and encourage any cyclist in the area to explore East River Road when it reopens.

7

Routes / Re: PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: May 02, 2025, 09:57:49 am »

Just wanted to let you know the camping rates during the Sturgis Rally Week -

$414.96

https://www.glencoecamp.com/reservations/index.php?l=product_detail&p=63

8

Routes / Re: PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: May 01, 2025, 09:48:15 pm »

You'll be doing this in early August - so it will be hot. Very little shade.
But the Sandhills are cooler than surrounding areas.
Due largely to preservation of the grassland ecosystem.

9

Routes / Re: PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: May 01, 2025, 09:46:21 pm »

Here's one suggestion:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50578518

Two incredible Wildlife Management Area lakes on either end.
Steverson Lake and Willow Lake. Many miles of county roads.
Private camping at Seneca. There is very little public land in the Sandhills.

https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L1819055

Most of the incredible Sandhills roads run north-south.
Of the east-west roads, US 20 has the fewest miles in the Sandhills and some traffic.
Hwy 2 runs through the center of the Sandhills, but with a busy railroad next to it.
Hwy 92 is the furthest south, most scenic, and has almost no traffic.

If you were willing to do Hwy 92 - I'd route you south from US 20 via Hwy 250 at Rushville
then a smidgen of Hwy 2, then the incredible South Whitman Road to Hwy 92.

There are no ideal routes that pop out when riding west to east.
But lots of possibilities.

10

Routes / Re: PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: May 01, 2025, 05:52:21 pm »

There are some wonderful one-lane roads through the Sandhills. Mostly paved.
Although they tend to be roundabout and would add a day or two.

Would you be interested in a remote route that will blow your socks off?
I love the mountains here in northern Wyoming - but I also love the Plains.
The few remaining wild landscapes in the Great Plains are magical.
And few people bother to stop and look.

11

Routes / Re: PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: May 01, 2025, 05:25:43 pm »

US 20 is an excellent route across Nebraska.
Unlike the TransAm in Kansas that is a straight line for mile after mile,
US 20 undulates over the landscape - especially the Sandhills.
Because the Sandhills are sand, they were never plowed up.
They are the largest region of the Great Plains that remains in grass.

The section between Chadron and Valentine has low traffic plus shoulders.
Hay Springs, Rushville, and Gordon have services.
There's a funky little campground in Merriman, also a tiny bar, a state rec areas just outside town.
If you are riding  , Merriman makes a good stop. From Fort Robinson, probably Gordon.
Between Merriman and Valentine there's not very much.
Best bet is Cosy where high school students run a small store.
It's worth learning about how this tiny community keeps its store.

The campground in Valentine is free and risky - with sketchy activity going on.
Make sure to enjoy the fabulous high bridge on the Cowboy Trail.
BTW - The Cowboy Trail is more imagination than trail.
It's like bicycling in the sand traps at Mar-a-Lago.
Short sections are rideable, but the surface is iffy and very changeable.
You may want to consider rafting down the Niobrara River.
The Niobrara is a hidden jewel in the Great Plains.

Two good options east of Valentine.

Do you ride unpaved roads much? Some? Not at all?

Pic - Early morning in the Sandhills

12

Routes / Re: PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: May 01, 2025, 05:06:26 pm »

If I am in town - and that's likely -
you can stay at my place.

Many people take a breather in Buffalo.
There's a bike shop, brew pubs, pool, great library.

<<<>>>

As for the beer -
Each person is allocated so many beers before they are born.
I used up my allocation long ago.

Best - J

13

Routes / Re: PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: May 01, 2025, 04:01:40 pm »

Meh ...
No need to go thru Casper when there are way better options.
You will have clumps of motorcycles almost anywhere -
but way fewer if you are going around Sturgis by 100 miles or more.

Here are choices from Buffalo to Chadron in western Nebraska:

Section 1 - from Buffalo to Newcastle
Hwy 196 along the Bighorn Mountain Front has great views and almost no traffic.
Kaycee has a small campground, small motel, store, cafes, and bars.
Hwy 192 has light traffic; Hwy 387 has light/moderate traffic and shoulders.
Wright has camping, motels, stores, cafes, bars - modern coal mining town
Hwy 450 through the Thunder Basin has light traffic, remote High Plains scenery
Newcastle has all services.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50575087

Section 2 - from Newcastle to Chadron
a) Is the best choice. You get the southern Black Hills, Mickelson Trail, and Fort Robinson.
It is the longest of the three. US 16 has moderate to moderate-plus traffic and a few narrow sections.
The backcountry of Fort Robinson is spectacular - far fewer people than the Black Hills.
b) Shorter option that skips Fort Robinson, but includes Wind Cave National Park.
c) Shorter option that skips the Black Hills, but includes Fort Robinson.
US 85 has moderate traffic, good shoulders, poor scenery.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50575163
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50575204
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50575346

14

Routes / Re: PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: May 01, 2025, 08:29:02 am »

I read more of your posts and have a better idea of your overall trip.

I think you should avoid the entire stretch east of Buffalo thru Spearfish, if that works for you.
I am a huge advocate of touring across Nebraska - and have urged ACA to develop a route there.
I would be glad to help you with a route heading southeast from Buffalo,
through the southern Black Hills, then across northern Nebraska.
There are a number of excellent options.

I've ridden across Nebraska many times - the first in 1987.

Jama

15

Routes / Re: PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: May 01, 2025, 06:52:56 am »

That will help.
But there will still be a lot of bikes - the ones with loud motors.
Where do you plan on staying from Buffalo to the Badlands?
Motels may be nearly impossible, campgrounds tough.
Leiter and Spotted Horse will certainly be open for Sturgis traffic.
I know it is hard to make reservations when cycling.
You just don't know exactly where you will be.
But for this stretch and time of year, it might be best.