Great Divide, Canada Section - Flooding - June 2013

[JayH]

Yes, that is what the map indicates, it does have some odd looking spurs that go off 93... 

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/banff/ne/neuf-news.aspx

It looks like we should be able to take the Liberty Trail to Rt 1A all the way to Castle Junction to get to 93S rather than TCH1, as the above link to the google maps shows that section open.

Jay

[CMajernik]

We are strongly advising that, because of the extraordinary flooding and flood damage throughout the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia on June 19 and 20, cyclists should not attempt to ride the Canadian section of the route this year.

I understand that this is an unusual warning, but in all my years at Adventure Cycling, I have never seen such a complete washout of a route. We are receiving many reports of washed-out bridges, destroyed roads, and fast-moving rivers and creeks, which could compromise a cyclist’s safety. In our judgment, there are also no viable alternatives to the route. It would be much wiser for people to wait until 2014 to ride the Canadian section.

[mikeybaker]

I am due to start the Great Divide Route on the 11th July and was planing to start in Banff, and have booked all flights/hotel/transfers ect already.

I see that some are starting on the 7th in Banff, and are looking at alternatives.  I would be very interested in hear about any suggestions to still get from Banff to Roosville.

Thanks and happy riding.

[JayH]

Take a look at your map and as of 7/1/2013 I have word that you can take the Legacy trail (aka vermillion Lakes road) from banff to get to the Bow valley parkway (Rt 1A) to 93SOUTH  (before you get to Lake Louise) and you can literally take 93 all the way to Roosville. This is most of what is on the map as the "Fernie Alternative" although you pick up the Fernie Alternative in Elko BC.  So perhaps this is the "Elko Alternative" :-) 

All those routes are open.   As bikerevolves mentions, there are some spurs to 93 on the Eklo Alternative but you can skip them or not. One of them goes by a campsite as you can see on your map however.   

Jay

[CMajernik]

If you are flying into Calgary and can't reach Banff you can ride Hwy. 22 south to Hwy. 3. Go west over Crowsnest Pass which will take you to Sparwood where you can use the Fernie Alternate to Roosville. Hwy. 22 does have some washouts but a cyclist riding this was able to get through. Most of the highway has shoulders.

[JayH]

You might not be allowed to bike to Banff on TCH1 but the shuttle companies will be able to shuttle you and your bike there so if you are dead set on starting in Banff, you still will be able to... 

Jay

[KenSmithMT]

Has anyone checked the southern part of the route below Fernie.   Is it as bad as up north?
If its open...Fernie- south on Cokato Rd to Lodgepole River Rd to Wigwam Forrest Service Rd to Ram Wigwam campground...back on course.
Thanks

[DandK]

My husband and I just finished riding a section of the Great Divide route. Our original plan was to ride from Banff to Roosville but because of the flooding, we changed our plans. We started in Columbia Falls, Montana on June 25th and finished in Fernie, BC on June 28th. I can't say how the GDMBR is between Eureka and Fernie because we stuck to the highways from there. From Eureka to Elko we took highway 93 and from Elko we took highway 3 to Fernie. We arrived in Fernie on June 28th. The roads were fine with some minor construction upon entry into the city but the river levels were still very high. They had a boil water advisory because of it. On the drive home, we noticed highway 3 construction in Sparwood. There was no shoulder on either side of some of the construction zones that looked like they had been previously washed out. Lorraine, who runs the Loon Lake Campground off of Grasmere, BC is super hospitable.

[KenSmithMT]

Has anyone checked the southern part of the route below Fernie.   Is it as bad as up north?
If its open...Fernie- south on Cokato Rd to Lodgepole River Rd to Wigwam Forrest Service Rd to Ram Wigwam campground...back on course.
Thanks

I've just heard back from the Chamber of Commerce in Fernie.   

"Hello Ken!

All of the routes and roads that you have mentioned are open. Some are not open to motorized vehicles (Wigwam area) and some you will have to beware of possible logging trucks (Lodgepole area). Watch for washout along any route that runs beside a river, but it shouldn’t be too serious (just a good thing to be cautious of).

Hope you have a great trip!

Kelsey Voysey
Summer Student
Fernie Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Centre"

So - We're going to shorten our original trip.  We were planning to ride from Banff to Missoula.  We are going to start in Fernie, ride local trails for two days, and then head south back on schedule.  If anybody is interested I can send a Google Earth KMZ or more detailed road info.  Hope this is helpful to others.  Best of luck to all the locals affected by the flooding. 
Happy Trails 

[CMajernik]

Here are specific directions if you want to ride the lower portion of the main route in map B:

If you do want to ride the part that's open (look at map B). At mile 60.6 on the Fernie Alternate you can use Lodgepole/River Rd. to Wigwam Rd. south to join the route at mile 112.6. Or you could continue east on Lodgepole Rd. over a pass to join the route at mile 74.2, then continue southward.

[marcaurele]

Did anyone try to bike the flathead valley, or heard if it's not too affected by the flooding? I already rode the GDMBR once and really want to bike this part in 2 weeks time. I looked online but couldn't find much on it. Thanks

[CMajernik]

This is what we heard 10 days ago from a local cyclist:
The lower flathead and wigwam are fine. The Upper Flathead Rd. just below Flathead Pass is missing. Corbin Rd. is reopening to mining traffic but closed to public traffic.

If you look at my post on July 5th it gives directions on how to reach the Lower Flathead from Fernie.

[Coldbike]

For what it is worth, Vik and I just rode the part of the GDR from cabin pass through to Corbin.  The route has some creek fording and a bit of washed out road, but if you are willing to get wet to your knees, then it is passable by bike.  It  is totally worth it, even though you cannot do the Elkford through to Kananaskis section.

[marcaurele]

For what it is worth, Vik and I just rode the part of the GDR from cabin pass through to Corbin.  The route has some creek fording and a bit of washed out road, but if you are willing to get wet to your knees, then it is passable by bike.  It  is totally worth it, even though you cannot do the Elkford through to Kananaskis section.

Thank you very much for the update! We'll do it.

[Coldbike]

Lest I give the impression that it was all rideable, I should post this picture of one of the harder sections.