Milwaukee, WI to Jasper NP

[SoInTents87]

Hello. I'm planning a trip (in the not-so-near future) from Milwaukee to Jasper NP. I'm familiar with WI trails and am planning on taking my own route to Minneapolis. From Minneapolis, I'm planning on connecting with the Northern Tier to Williston, where I'll take the portion of the Lewis and Clarke trail that runs through Billings and Bozeman and then taking the section that appears to merge with the TransAmerica Trail up to Missoula. I'll spend some time there, meet with a friend, and then take the most direct route of the Northern Parks Trail to Banff NP and Jasper NP. I'm planning on taking my time (up to a summer for the whole deal), pedaling 45-60 miles per day on biking days, tent camping, smelling the roses, and packing up my bike and supplies at the end and taking a bus or train back home.

This is by far the longest route I've ever planned or cycled, although I've done several shorter tours. Does anybody have any suggestions for places to visit? Modifications to the route? Words of wisdom? I've also never used an Adventure Cycling route map, but I plan on it for this trip. Does anybody have any insights to share about the maps?

Many thanks!

Lindsey

[John Nettles]

Hello Lindsey,

The maps are wonderful.  They are geared specifically for cyclists showing all the info you need, i.e. where food, camping, elevation profile, turn by turn description, etc. are located.  I have used them for decades and rarely have a gripe with them.  Be sure to look at the addendum before/during your trek as small town stores close and open with regularity.

Hope you have a great trip!

[jamawani]

Lindsey -

I live in Miles City on the Yellowstone River -
I've also toured oodles of miles in the West.
You know - the southern option for the L&C ain't that great.
The problem is that the old highway has been severed in lots of places.
What that means is that you have to ride on I-90 in numerous places - yuch.
Other places the road is pretty close to the interstate or the mainline RR tracks.

If you want to smell the roses in eastern Montana - take the norther option.
From Williston continue to Sidney, MT then hop on Hwy 200 all the way to Lewistown.
Fort Benton is really a great place on the Upper Missouri.
Great Falls has miles of riverfront paved trails.

From Great Falls it's a pretty straight shot to Missoula on Hwy 200.
Or you can take the Recreation Road along the Missouri to Wolf Creek -
Then zig back to Hwy 200 via Old Hwy 434.

Make sure to take in Fort Union at the mouth of the Yellowstone near Williston.

Jama

[SoInTents87]

Thank you both so much!  These specifics were exactly what I was hoping for in the way of advice.

[nthabiseng]

And if you are in Milwaukee and would like to chat face-to-face with someone who has gone x-country and used many ACA maps, we live in town and love to talk about bike trips   There is so much to share!
Marti

[indyfabz]

Make sure to take in Fort Union at the mouth of the Yellowstone near Williston.

A few of us took a detour off the NT to go there.  Neat place. Then we rode past the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone.

OP: If you are going to be in Whitefish, I recommend riding to Glacier N.P., riding up and then back down the west side of Going to the Sun and then back to Whitefish. Take you three days round trip.

One limiting aspect of the AC maps is that they don't show many roads other than those comprising the route. It's often helpful to get a state DOT map so you can get a broader view of the state.  This comes in handy if you want to (or need to due to road closure) go off the AC route to see something. You can usually get the maps from a chamber of commerce-type office when you enter the state, or write away for them in advance.

Also, ask questions of the locals. That restaurant, campground grocery store or motel that is shown on the map may have recently closed, especially in this economy.

[SoInTents87]

Thank you for the additional comments! nthabiseng - I'd love to speak with you about touring!

[Pat Lamb]

One limiting aspect of the AC maps is that they don't show many roads other than those comprising the route. It's often helpful to get a state DOT map so you can get a broader view of the state.  This comes in handy if you want to (or need to due to road closure) go off the AC route to see something. You can usually get the maps from a chamber of commerce-type office when you enter the state, or write away for them in advance.

Excellent advice.  Also helps find:
 - Where you are w.r.t. the big storm on the news
 - Nearest big town for restaurant, bike shop, dentist, etc.
 - How to get around the "why did they go this way?" sections of the route.

The nice part is that you can discard the map when you leave the state (it was a freebie, nothing lost!) or mail it home.

[JHamelman]

I hope SoInTents87 is still reading this thread.

Please be aware that we are no longer selling sections 3 & 4 of the Northern Tier due to increased traffic caused by oil and gas exploration. We are rerouting those two sections and highly recommend that you get the new ones when they become available this spring.

See this blog post for details.

Thanks,

.Jennifer.

[pro.frank]

To help in planning a western (western to me as I live in VA) trip for summer of 2012 I got from MT a 2008 state bicycling map.  It looks to be very helpful, showing shoulderwidths and traffic load on routes, as well as steeper road grades.  Asked for it from mdt.mt.gov.  A friend who rode out there in 2011 had not seen it and wished he had known about the map before his trip.

[SoInTents87]

Thank you, all! I appreciate the help!

[Rep]

I live east of St. Paul/Minneapolis in West Central WI.  It is the Prairie Farm area.  Should you need a place to stay let me know.

In any case, my daughter and I toured into MN a couple of years ago.  We crossed the St. Croix river at Taylors Falls and ran into the Northern Tier.  From there we went on to Cambridge, Dalbo, Milaca, and west.  In any case, we discovered a wonderful overnight bike hostel along that route.  We did not stay there but did stop in to say hello.  Maybe somebody here can give you better directions/information.