Glacier National Park

[BeardedBiker]

Hello,

I'm flying into Missoula in June with my wife and our bikes ("mountain bikes" with S&S couplers), with a loose agenda to do some riding in and around Glacier National Park. We're renting a car at the airport and driving to a campground in West Glacier... Now, here's where my question comes in... what can anyone suggest for riding routes? I've read enough about Going-To-The-Sun that, despite the restriction on hours, it's on our list. That being said, what else is in the area? Is there any worthy mountain biking (I know, you can't ride off-road in GNP, but what about the Continental Divide Trail?)? I have a couple of different set-ups our bikes can have--full-on mountain biking (29'ers with knobby tires and front suspension), light trail/hybrid (carbon rigid forks with cyclocross tires), or straight-up road riding (flat-bar road bikes with the same carbon fork but with regular road/touring tires)... what will be best for the area?

Also, should I try to time a visit to Adventure Cycling headquarters???

Thanks!

[staehpj1]

One of my few regrets from the TA was that we were fairly close to Glacier and didn't get there.

We got a kick out of stopping at adventure cycling when were were passing through Missoula on tour, but I don't think I would go out of my way if not touring through there.

[JHamelman]

Hi BeardedBiker!

You have lots of options for cycling in the area from Missoula to Glacier NP. Visit Montana has some suggestions on this page:

http://www.visitmt.com/virtualvisitor/biking/.

It has also been said that some of the best parts of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route are in the northern part of Montana. Check out the details about the GDMBR here:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/greatdivide.cfm

and Section #1 in particular:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm/product/14_11/great-divide-mountain-bike-route-section-1.cfm

You are certainly welcome to stop by the office while you are in town. We are open Monday-Friday, 8-5 and some Saturdays in the summer beginning June 26, 9-1.

.Jennifer.

[indyfabz]

Another resource for MTB rides is Glaicer Cyclery in Whitefish, not that far from W. Glacier.  Very knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Having done GTS three times, including just last year, start early.  Very early.  The experience will be much more pleasant.  This is the park's centenial year and they expecting more traffic than usual.  They are also doing road construction.  Last year there were convoys of dump trucks going up the west side.  If you will be staying outside the park in W. Glaicer, you might consider driving to  Lake McDonald Lodge and pedalling from there.  From there, it's about 13 miles to Logan Pass.  When you reach the top, don't pass up the relatively short hike to Hidden Lake.

[BeardedBiker]

Any word on trail conditions for parts of the Great Divide Trail outside of Glacier? Snow? Mud?

-David

[indyfabz]

Can't tell you, but a snowstorm moved through the park last week.  Web cam showed several inches at St. Mary and Apgar so there was probably more at higher elevations. With that said, the Inside N. Fork Rd. (Polebridge) is shown as open.