Scenic Great Divide Sections

[JerryW]

If you could only spare a couple of weeks at a time on the Great Divide route, what would be some especially scenic sections?

I'm not a racer, not even a fast rider, but I'd like to cherry pick some of the more picturesque sections to do as vacation rides. I'm talking slow to medium pace, stop for photos and breaks and just be out there enjoying the time away from normal life.

I'm thinking 200 to 400 miles, maybe a day off per week. An active vacation. For these relatively short distances, a couple people could stage a car at the finish or arrange a shuttle back to the start to retrieve your vehicle.

So, for those that have seen it, what would be some good sections?


Thanks for any help,
Jerry

[Curtis C]

Sounds like my kinda ride. Maybe in few years. I'll have to keep an eye on this thread to see what suggestions you get.


Curtis

[Marshal]

If you could only spare a couple of weeks at a time on the Great Divide route, what would be some especially scenic sections?

I'm not a racer, not even a fast rider, but I'd like to cherry pick some of the more picturesque sections to do as vacation rides. I'm talking slow to medium pace, stop for photos and breaks and just be out there enjoying the time away from normal life.

I'm thinking 200 to 400 miles, maybe a day off per week. An active vacation. For these relatively short distances, a couple people could stage a car at the finish or arrange a shuttle back to the start to retrieve your vehicle.

So, for those that have seen it, what would be some good sections?


Thanks for any help,
Jerry

I enjoyed the full route—& you really can not go wrong where ever you go (time of yr and current weather conditions count)-- also the only way to see the best (for you) is to ride the entire route.

That said here are some sections that stuck in my head a bit.

Sparwood to US Border
Helena to Basin
Butte to Elkhorn Springs
Hwy 26 to Pinedale
Boulder to South Pass
Slater to Steamboat
Steamboat to Krimmling
Cochetopa Pass to Del Note
Cumbres RR crossing to Cuba
Grants to Silver City

[THE LONG RANGER]

The Canadian Flathead section is drop-dead gorgeous. Start in Banff and end in Eureka? Or even extend it to Helena. Or Butte.

The WY  section, right after the volcanic dust roller train bed crud is quite beautiful, being right by Yosemite and the Grand Tetons. The riding on the GDMBR is so so, but there's a billion things around the GDMBR there to check out.

I'm a major fan of CO and CO was the funnest part of GDMBR for me. Again, there's so much to check out, off route, but the route can get you there, in a relatively out-of-the-way, way. Between Como and Salida can be, ahem, windy, but my last ride through it was actually pleasant. Salida will treat you right.

I had a hard time in NM. It's got it's own charm but it's tough without enough water, or sleep or food. Except Pie Town. Wonderful Pie Town.

[JerryW]

Thanks for the replies. I'll keep on researching, but keep those suggestions coming.

[Ferg]

Hi Jerry,

I've been doing the route in  1-2 week sections since 1997.  I may have the record for the longest time needed to complete the entire route (I'm not done yet!).    Last summer I rode from Banff to Whitefish with a side trip to Glacier NP.  I thought the first 100 miles,  Banff to Elkford, was stunning and should be on your short list.  The Flathead section from Sparwood to Rooseville is also beautiful.  Rooseville (US border) to Whitefish is also a photo op section especially with the mountains of Glacier off to your left.  Banff to Whitefish is a bit less than 400 miles and I did it in about 8-9 days.  I have to travel from the east coast for these trips so the sections I do are driven  by the logistics of getting to and from airports to the route, sometimes a challenge. 

As to other 1-2 week sections Whitefish to Helena should not be missed and, as Justin said, northern Wyoming is awesome as is Rawlins to Salida.

Good luck with your trip,
Glen

[Arctos]

Several pluses on the Banff- Whitefish Portion particularly the Flathead between Sparwood and the border. [Before it was the Divide ride I rode that section in 1987 heading for Alaska.] I also really liked the Elk lakes /Kananaskis area too.

The Idaho section from Warm Springs paralleling Yellowstone along the old rail bed complete with tunnel  and river to Ashton then the gravel road to reach Yellowstone and the Tetons; The climb up to Union Pass in Wyoming in the Wind River range was stunning for the views and wildflowers.
Rawlins to Steamboat held great variety then over Lynx Pass to Kremmling.
And then.... Aw hell just throw a dart at the route and you will find great spots to ride.