GDMBR from Banff to Whitefish

[bong_crosby]

Leaving on a section ride of the GDMBR soon.  Are there any closures/detours of the usual route between Banff and Whitefish?  When I rode it in 2015, the section south of Elkford was closed due to a washout.  Is that open now?  Any other info appreciated.

[CMajernik]

No, that section is not open. There are detours listed on the map updates & corrections sheet. See Map B.
https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/map-updates-and-corrections/default.cfm?RouteAddendaaction=routeAddendaDisplay:main&id=E50FE984-A83B-AC6A-3E40F1F70E9042B8&rt=Great%20Divide%20Mountain%20Bike%20Route&s=CANADA#results

There is a potential closure mentioned on Map A but we haven't heard yet if they've started the closure.

[jamawani]

17 years ago I rode the section from the U.S. border on the North Fork customs
(which is now closed) to Elkford when there was a washout.

I was younger then - and stronger - and riding solo.
I came to the creek with the missing bridge - pretty wide.
By myself, I moved logs to create a safe crossing.
I also stripped down the bike and carried stuff over in multiple trips.

I am guessing that it took 3 hours to cross the creek - - but - -
I had the entire road to myself between the border and the creek.
And I had been told by Canadian customs that it might be possible to bridge it.

You would need to check which creek and whether fording or log bridging is possible.
If you are solo, bear in mind that there is considerable risk involved.
And that you should always allow for the possibility of backtracking.

[Iowagriz]

Rode it from 6/25 to 6/30 this year (Banff to Lincoln).  Same washout still applies between Elkford and Sparwood (Fording River Road if memory is correct). Queues are on addenda from ACA, but essentially you still ride pavement up from Elkford, just not as far and then take some road to faint singletrack and eventually back to main route.  Easy to navigate, but the singletrack is really faint initially, I passed by it once.

Then there are 2 or 3 bridges out on the Flathead section, south of Corbin. I've seen posts from others that people are able to ford the creeks/rivers and get thru. 

However, I took this years race route to bypass.  Essentially ride the pavement from Sparwood to Fernie and continue on that Fernie alternate south to Morrissey and then take the Lodgepole Pine Road which will "T" back into the original route.  Maybe 12-15 miles above Butts Cabin.  From there....all is good.

Enjoy!

[zzzz]

Question for Iowariz:

I leave next Friday from Banff on the GDMBR. After I read your answer regarding the detour you took I pulled out my map to check it out. South of Fernie & Morrisey Rd, there is a Lodgepole River Rd, which may or may not run into a Lodgepole Rd (obscured by text), which may be contiguous to Harvey-Lodgepole Rd., which runs back into the official route at Flathead Rd.

Are these 3 variations on the Lodgepole name in fact 1 contiguous road that you are referring to as Lodgepole Pine Rd & when I turn off 3 I can stay on it till I get back on route? Or is it more complicated then that?

Thanks,

Pete

[Iowagriz]

Pete - you are correct, Lodgepole Pine Road will get you back to the main route just north of Butts Cabin.  Approx  mile 75.8 on the map.

These might help.  My morning ride from Elkford, thru Sparwood and then pavement to Fernie:
https://www.strava.com/activities/1067108405

And the afternoon portion to Butts Cabin:
https://www.strava.com/activities/1067108490

Lodgepole Pine Road was a good climb.  BTW - I've heard of others taking Lodgepole to the intersection of Wigwam, then south on that to connect to the route at the Wigwam Camp/Rec site (mile 114.6).  But you would miss Cabin Pass, which was very scenic.

[zzzz]

That was a very big help.

Thanks,

Pete