Best 500 miles of GDMBR in MT/Canada?

[phatdivide]

Hi there,

  I've got about 550 GDMBR miles worth of vacation time this July, and I'd like some recommendations on a good section to ride. I live in Colorado so I can do pieces of CO "anytime". But I have a bigger chunk of time this year so that I can afford a travel day in each direction. In general, I have no interest in riding any of the trail south of Jackson, WY. I've been considering Eureka, MT to Butte, but another possibility is to start in Banff and ride as far south as I can -- probably somewhere around Seeley Lake or Lincoln, MT. Or riding Jackson, WY to Helena, MT.  Any opinions on which of these (overlapping) sections to do?

[caseygreene]

Banff to Seeley is probably the best stretch on the entire route. And, if you need to fly home, its only a short distance further to Missoula.

[hikerjer]

I'd go with the Banff to Seeley section as well.  Fantastic scenery and last year I talked to a friend who tried the secton south of Helea to Butte and said it was in terrible shape.  Busted his bike all up. Besides, that area is heavily mineralized and you'd be passing lots of old mining sites with tailings, washouts, dredged areas and the accompanying mess. In addition, that area has been heavily infested with the pine bark beetle and sadly, you'd be riding through miles and miles of dead brown pine trees. Not pretty and really, not very safe either.  That's just my take.