GreenHornet
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- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
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A GREAT Divide Pandemic Adventure
- Thread starter GreenHornet
- Start date
GreenHornet
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
GreenHornet
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
Day 18 Helena to Seeley Lake
Almost done. YAY!!! Only 3 more sections to go.
In the sea of skimpflation nation, La Quinta Inn is an Island of breakfast value.
As I was wrapping up my tasty hearty meal, there was a hotel worker. This caucasian lady of about 40 to 70 years of age, let me in on the secret. In hushed conspiratorial tones "I have bear butter. I usually don't offer it to just anyone. You can't buy it". I was embarrassed to admit I didn't know exactly what Bear Butter was. I did guess it was tallow or something. She told me it was bear fat. I asked what I would even use it for and she said it was good for treating and protecting leather. I thanked her but politely declined as I had enough junk to cary as it was.
Montana Cowboys are true. Came across a group of cowboys with their dogs and probably 1500 head of cattle and they wanted to cross the road. It was taking forever. I slowly approached and asked them how long they thought it would take to get their herd across. The reply was "Are you in a hurry?". Never a good sign. I think they said it would probably take about 45 minutes. If it were lunch time I'd have just taken a break and watched. After some bargaining, I promised to just creep by on idle and go super slow. The last thing anyone wanted was a stampede. I could just picture the mayhem.
The route between the cattle and the Empire mine ruins was a bit technical, but I was finally getting the hang of this stuff, I think. At least, I was getting better at not dropping my bike.
Almost done. YAY!!! Only 3 more sections to go.
In the sea of skimpflation nation, La Quinta Inn is an Island of breakfast value.
As I was wrapping up my tasty hearty meal, there was a hotel worker. This caucasian lady of about 40 to 70 years of age, let me in on the secret. In hushed conspiratorial tones "I have bear butter. I usually don't offer it to just anyone. You can't buy it". I was embarrassed to admit I didn't know exactly what Bear Butter was. I did guess it was tallow or something. She told me it was bear fat. I asked what I would even use it for and she said it was good for treating and protecting leather. I thanked her but politely declined as I had enough junk to cary as it was.
Montana Cowboys are true. Came across a group of cowboys with their dogs and probably 1500 head of cattle and they wanted to cross the road. It was taking forever. I slowly approached and asked them how long they thought it would take to get their herd across. The reply was "Are you in a hurry?". Never a good sign. I think they said it would probably take about 45 minutes. If it were lunch time I'd have just taken a break and watched. After some bargaining, I promised to just creep by on idle and go super slow. The last thing anyone wanted was a stampede. I could just picture the mayhem.
The route between the cattle and the Empire mine ruins was a bit technical, but I was finally getting the hang of this stuff, I think. At least, I was getting better at not dropping my bike.
Last edited:
GreenHornet
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
I just want to post these in defense of my navigation faux pas. This has been my navigation picture all along.I took these to try and convey to my friends and family the difficulty I faced while trying to navigate on a daily basis
So Montana was definitely spectacular. To me, the scenery was reminiscent of Colorado, minus the Aspens, and the good roads. The roads in Montana were decidedly worse than Colorado
So Montana was definitely spectacular. To me, the scenery was reminiscent of Colorado, minus the Aspens, and the good roads. The roads in Montana were decidedly worse than Colorado
GreenHornet
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
Got to Sealey Lake with multiple hours of daylight remaining. But the first order of business was the procurement of meat.
This place looked like just the spot.
View from the deck of the steakhouse
I got there just before they opened for dinner and elected for the top choice of the Prefix options. Alas, the sweet pickled watermelon rind in a cup was not available. They said it was on back order for months.
The meaty treats still hit the spot
I passed a couple of, what appeared to be hotels or motels, but the waitress told me the two motels in town were purchased by some resort as lodging for resort workers. I really didn't want to camp in Grizzly country, and good ole Missoula was only 57 miles away.
I really didn't feel like going back to Missoula either, the 120 mile round trip not withstanding.
So I decided to brave the Sealy Lake campgrounds.
The campground attendant sauntered out of his mansion on wheels resplendent with satellite dish and all the amenities of a brick and mortar home, to inform me it would be $24 for the night. Turns out this was the last night of paid camping for the season. Oh well, it really was a paltry sum to part with considering the cost of accommodations throughout my travels thus far.
Interestingly enough, I seemed to be the sole soul brave enough to camp here in a tent. I didn't see a single other tent camper in the site, and for good reason.
Zoikes. Good bye cruel world. It's been fun.
The attendant proffered a bear box free of charge.
Whaaat? Are you kidding me? Only bear resistant? I need bear proof.
Anyway I put everything I could think of inside the bear box. My cookware, my riding clothes, my freeze dried camping food, and my tank bag which had stored snacks all trip long.
Please don't eat me. Please don't eat me. I was actually so on edge that when I got up to pee (all strapped up and ready to practice my Billy the Kid) when my beard rubbed against my puffy jacket I spun around fully expecting a 15 foot tall 5,000 pound grizzly salivating at the tender morsel that was little ole me.
This place looked like just the spot.
View from the deck of the steakhouse
I got there just before they opened for dinner and elected for the top choice of the Prefix options. Alas, the sweet pickled watermelon rind in a cup was not available. They said it was on back order for months.
The meaty treats still hit the spot
I passed a couple of, what appeared to be hotels or motels, but the waitress told me the two motels in town were purchased by some resort as lodging for resort workers. I really didn't want to camp in Grizzly country, and good ole Missoula was only 57 miles away.
I really didn't feel like going back to Missoula either, the 120 mile round trip not withstanding. So I decided to brave the Sealy Lake campgrounds.
The campground attendant sauntered out of his mansion on wheels resplendent with satellite dish and all the amenities of a brick and mortar home, to inform me it would be $24 for the night. Turns out this was the last night of paid camping for the season. Oh well, it really was a paltry sum to part with considering the cost of accommodations throughout my travels thus far.
Interestingly enough, I seemed to be the sole soul brave enough to camp here in a tent. I didn't see a single other tent camper in the site, and for good reason.
Zoikes. Good bye cruel world. It's been fun.
The attendant proffered a bear box free of charge.
Whaaat? Are you kidding me? Only bear resistant? I need bear proof.
Anyway I put everything I could think of inside the bear box. My cookware, my riding clothes, my freeze dried camping food, and my tank bag which had stored snacks all trip long.
Please don't eat me. Please don't eat me. I was actually so on edge that when I got up to pee (all strapped up and ready to practice my Billy the Kid) when my beard rubbed against my puffy jacket I spun around fully expecting a 15 foot tall 5,000 pound grizzly salivating at the tender morsel that was little ole me.
Last edited:
GreenHornet
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
Day 19 Seeley Lake to Columbia Falls
But first I wanted to check out the view of Seeley Lake. The left side of the campground bordered Clear Water River and the right side Sealey Lake. The river and the lake merged together.
The river side
The lake side
Oooh passed a small waterfall. I had no idea of the falls I would see the next day.
Got some Gringo mexican lunch in Columbia Falls and was able to book a room at the Glacier Inn Motel (yeah redundant)
Luckily this time, no food poisoning.
But first I wanted to check out the view of Seeley Lake. The left side of the campground bordered Clear Water River and the right side Sealey Lake. The river and the lake merged together.
The river side
The lake side
Oooh passed a small waterfall. I had no idea of the falls I would see the next day.
Got some Gringo mexican lunch in Columbia Falls and was able to book a room at the Glacier Inn Motel (yeah redundant)
Luckily this time, no food poisoning.
GreenHornet
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
With about 6 hours of daylight remaining I decided to head over to Glacier National Park. This was the 3rd and final national park on my hit list. I wanted to ride the "Going to the Sun Road" which is a 50 mile drive.
I also wanted to see the glaciers before they all melted.
"Today, Glacier National Park is home to 25 ice glaciers and around 13 rock glaciers. The number of glaciers in the park has decreased significantly since the late 1800s, in fact, in 1850, the park had a whopping 150 glaciers."
In 2021 you needed a reservation to drive on the Going to The Sun. But the season had ended the day before. The same day the pay to camp ended.
I can't highly enough recommend this drive. This is by far the most scenic drive I've ever encountered in all my existence and I think going from the low elevation and climbing up towards the high elevation is the best way to experience it. If you enter the park from the Apgar entrance (West Entrance) you travel from low to high. This drive defies description. It's simply breath taking vista upon breath taking vista. With every turn and every foot of elevation the views increase in splendor. And after each opening expansive view I felt there could be no view more stunning than the previous, but in fact there was just around the next corner. At the risk of sounding corny, I truly felt on the verge of tears experiencing the stunning and majestic beauty of this park. I think everyone should experience this at least once in their life.
Warning I have a ton of photos of my Glacier National Park experience. So without further Adieu, my onslaught of pics
I also wanted to see the glaciers before they all melted.
"Today, Glacier National Park is home to 25 ice glaciers and around 13 rock glaciers. The number of glaciers in the park has decreased significantly since the late 1800s, in fact, in 1850, the park had a whopping 150 glaciers."
In 2021 you needed a reservation to drive on the Going to The Sun. But the season had ended the day before. The same day the pay to camp ended.
I can't highly enough recommend this drive. This is by far the most scenic drive I've ever encountered in all my existence and I think going from the low elevation and climbing up towards the high elevation is the best way to experience it. If you enter the park from the Apgar entrance (West Entrance) you travel from low to high. This drive defies description. It's simply breath taking vista upon breath taking vista. With every turn and every foot of elevation the views increase in splendor. And after each opening expansive view I felt there could be no view more stunning than the previous, but in fact there was just around the next corner. At the risk of sounding corny, I truly felt on the verge of tears experiencing the stunning and majestic beauty of this park. I think everyone should experience this at least once in their life.
Warning I have a ton of photos of my Glacier National Park experience. So without further Adieu, my onslaught of pics
GreenHornet
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
I asked a Ranger if swimming was allowed and was told it was. But that a lot of people drown
I am the Conquerer!!!!!
I don't think the pictures capture how blue the water was
GreenHornet
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
GreenHornet
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
These tunnels were super cool because if you walked into them they had these cutouts / lookouts with spectacular valley views
The light to the left is one of the cutouts where you can walk out to a platform to get a view
This is facing back to the tunnel from one of the viewpoints
The light to the left is one of the cutouts where you can walk out to a platform to get a view
This is facing back to the tunnel from one of the viewpoints
berth
Well-known member
Great stuff, I'm sure the pictures don't do it justice.
1962siia
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- Joined
- Oct 13, 2013
- Location
- Rohnert Park
- Moto(s)
- 350exc-f
Aermacchi/HD Sprint 250ss
950 ADV
C&J XL350
T100SC
Guzzi hotrod
- Name
- Daniel
- BARF perks
- AMA #: 424261
Super epic! I remember driving up that road with my family thinking it would be unbelievable on a bike! Thanks for taking us along!
GreenHornet
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
Thanks. Especially my poor phone photography skills.
GreenHornet
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
It's my pleasure. It was unbelievable on the moto. Especially, on the way back down. Since I had already done my sightseeing on the way up I had some fun here and there, when I had some clear track. I mean roadway.
m0t0_ryder
RYD!
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2003
- Location
- Cupertino
- Moto(s)
- Big to small.
I like 'em all.
950ADVS-450EXC-R100GS-TW200-YW50P-XR600-Z1-ST90-model165Hummer-ct125
- Name
- John
Very cool ride report!
It makes me recall my 2005 ride... 8 days - 7 states - 5 national parks.
All road miles on my '04 Vstrom 1K.
My ride was about 15 years before yours.
Glacier was awesome!
I also rode it in the same direction you did... the best way!
Please forgive my mini - thread jack, but here's a couple of my Glacier pic's from then.
Again... sorry about the diversion pic's!
Just had to share some of the beauty and encourage everyone to go visit this beautiful National Park!
I posted my 8 day - 7 state - 5 national Park ride report on Pashnit (way back when). Unfortunately, Pashnit is no longer a moto forum so all of my many trip reports posted there are lost.
Now back to your cool ride report!
It makes me recall my 2005 ride... 8 days - 7 states - 5 national parks.
All road miles on my '04 Vstrom 1K.
My ride was about 15 years before yours.
Glacier was awesome!
I also rode it in the same direction you did... the best way!
Please forgive my mini - thread jack, but here's a couple of my Glacier pic's from then.
Again... sorry about the diversion pic's!
Just had to share some of the beauty and encourage everyone to go visit this beautiful National Park!
I posted my 8 day - 7 state - 5 national Park ride report on Pashnit (way back when). Unfortunately, Pashnit is no longer a moto forum so all of my many trip reports posted there are lost.
Now back to your cool ride report!
GreenHornet
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
This thread has been fun for me too. I love reliving all this. I'd say that the National Parks and the Gila cliff dwellings were really the highlight of my trip and by far Glacier was the zenith.
GreenHornet
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
Very cool ride report!
It makes me recall my 2005 ride... 8 days - 7 states - 5 national parks.
All road miles on my '04 Vstrom 1K.
My ride was about 15 years before yours.
Glacier was awesome!
I also rode it in the same direction you did... the best way!
Please forgive my mini - thread jack, but here's a couple of my Glacier pic's from then.
Again... sorry about the diversion pic's!
Just had to share some of the beauty and encourage everyone to go visit this beautiful National Park!
I posted my 8 day - 7 state - 5 national Park ride report on Pashnit (way back when). Unfortunately, Pashnit is no longer a moto forum so all of my many trip reports posted there are lost.
Now back to your cool ride report!
Thank you for sharing, anyone is free to add to this thread as far as I'm concerned. I take no ownership here. Just trying to shine some light and share my experience. Since I took this trip solo you are all now my travel companions
Looks like you went much earlier or much later than I did. Brrrrrr
Last edited:
GreenHornet
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
Every time I thought the views were done expanding, the just got grander around the next bend.
Fun
One of the few remaining glaciers
Fun
One of the few remaining glaciers
m0t0_ryder
RYD!
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2003
- Location
- Cupertino
- Moto(s)
- Big to small.
I like 'em all.
950ADVS-450EXC-R100GS-TW200-YW50P-XR600-Z1-ST90-model165Hummer-ct125
- Name
- John
Thank you for sharing, anyone is free to add to this thread as far as I'm concerned. I take no ownership here. Just trying to shine some light and share my experience. Since I took this trip solo you are all now my travel companions
I swear, some of your pictures were taken in the same place as some of mine!
thumbupMy pleasure to share. I know some folks are resistant to having their trip reports interrupted... and I get that.
My trip was in June of 2005. I was in Glacier on June 25'th.
There was still a lot of snow and even more snow melt runoff. The stony walls were covered in many waterfalls... and even mini glaciers, or is that avalanche remains?
There was also almost no traffic while I was in the park, which was great for stopping and gawking!
Some local passing thru...
(The park service puts electronic trackers on some of the wildlife)