Connecting Yellowstone West entrance to L&C south of Dillon.

[datatrident]

Good day,

A group of us are putting together a trip from Bozeman to Astoria. Our plan includes a jaunt in Yellowstone. We plan on picking up the L&C trail south of Dillon at Clark Canyon Reservoir.  What I am looking for is some tips or advise on connecting the West Entrance of Yellowstone to there. Currently I have us doing the following: http://www.strava.com/routes/143306 and http://www.strava.com/routes/143317

S. 287 N/W Entrance Rd   190.2 mi
Turn right onto Boundary St   195.1 mi
Turn left onto Firehole Ave   195.3 mi
Continue    195.7 mi
Turn right onto ID-87 N   208.7 mi
Turn left onto Forest Rd 055/Henrys Lake Dr   213.8 mi
Continue onto Forest Rd 058/Red Rock Pass Rd   219.6 mi
Continue onto S Valley Rd   224.9 mi
Turn right onto Price Ln/Stibel Ln   257.3 mi
Turn left onto N Valley Rd   260.5 mi
Turn left onto Lima Dam Rd   268.5 mi
Continue straight to stay on Lima Dam Rd   284.2 mi
Turn left onto N Main St   291.7 mi
Slight right onto S Main St   292.1 mi
Continue onto Peat St   292.1 mi
Turn right onto N Broadway St   292.2 mi
Slight right onto Old Hwy 91   293.6 mi
Continue onto Old US Hwy 91   293.8 mi
Turn left toward Westside Frontage Rd   294.4 mi
Turn right onto Westside Frontage Rd   294.4 mi
Turn right   300.8 mi
Turn left at Red Rosk Rd   301.0 mi
Continue straight onto Red Rock Rd   303.2 mi
Turn left onto Old Armstead Rd   317.2 mi

Thanks,
Whit

[John Nettles]

This is a nice route but you do know that it has gravel from mile 219 to 291, correct?  I have no issues with gravel but some bikes' tires are too narrow so wanted to point this out.  Also, there is camping at Henry's Lake at a small county park you ride by a few miles before mile 219.

[datatrident]

Thanks for information John. Actually, I was hoping it was gravel!

Cheers,
Whit

[John Nettles]

If you like gravel AND can handle remote high altitude (9,500') AND you are traveling after July 4th (NFS travel restrictions), I would recommend you consider Gravelly Range Road.

Do a bit of research (especially looking for pics) on this high-meadow road. You would need to follow the ACA TransAm route to the McAtee Bridge CG and then head up into the range.  It will drop you off onto your mile 260.  There are forest service cabins and a couple of campgrounds (along with dispersed camping) but only stream water (if that) so you would need to filter.

A lovely route with lots of wildflowers, etc.

[datatrident]

Excellent, we are looking to be around that point on or about July 4th 2015!

Thanks again,
Whit

[CMajernik]

A portion of what you are planning is the Great Divide Route from FR 055 westward to Lima. At Lima the route doesn't parallel I-15 but continues farther west and north (on gravel) to Grant which is west of Clark Canyon Reservoir. This routing is shown on the Great Divide Route #2 map.

[datatrident]

That's great Carla! I'll put that map in shopping cart right now. I would love to avoid that stretch up I15.

Cheers,
Whit

[jamawani]

Whit -

You do know that US 191 from Bozeman to West Yellowstone has high traffic levels - especially in summer - and that there is often little to no shoulder.  The Gallatin River Canyon is lovely, but the riding can be trying.

A much, much quieter ride into Yellowstone is the East River Road south of Livingston.  It goes by MT 540 and then becomes a county road - from good pavement to poor pavement.  The southern stretch has almost zero cars.  If you wish, you can then backtrack over the US 89 bridge and take the Yellowstone Trail on the west bank up to Gardiner and the historic Yellowstone NP entrance gate.  Rough.

Not sure where you are from, but if you are from east or west coast, south or Midwest, you should be aware of altitude and remoteness.  Your plans start off with a bang and can be disappointing to the uninitiated.  Most people are not severely affected by altitude sickness, but it can stop others in their tracks.  It is supposedly like a bad case of the flu - you simply have to stop.  So give your group time to acclimate.

Pic - Yellowstone River South of Livingston

[datatrident]

Here is how I had us going from Bozeman to our first campsite, http://www.strava.com/routes/143229 . The riders in the group are experienced and well traveled, but allowing for some acclimation sounds like a good idea. Most will be coming from the Northeast. Maybe I should move the rally point to Livingston. Perhaps start with http://www.strava.com/routes/144421

Cheers,
Whit

[jamawani]

The first map entails crossing two divides - the second one, Trail Creek, on dirt.
The first one isn't too bad, but the second may be a push - esp. at 5000-6000 ft.
The Livingston start would be a much more gradual approach.
You are likely to have southerly winds with either.

[datatrident]

Excellent, thanks for the insight!

Cheers,
Whit