What it’s like cycling through Montana’s Glacier National Park

“Today there are only two rules today, Dave says Dave Moench, during the security briefing before the tour. “We can’t pass at 15:00 and nobody can die.”

I wouldn’t have read the recommendations on the National Park Service website on the way to Montana’s Glacier National Park-Sun on the way to Bike on the road to Sun. But apparently there is an worrying number that we can potentially disappear.

Thanks to the temperature in the Logan Pass, Glacier’s “Fast Variable” weather can be 10 degrees cool from the start of the journey of 2025 meters, so that cyclists sometimes catch hypothermia during long, creepy landing. Other challenges include slippery road conditions, rock falls and 600 -meter decreases. Oh, and have I mentioned the bears? Glacier has the highest Grizzlies density outside Alaska.

But we’re in safe hands. This, Moench’s sixth season in Glacier and our other guide Tom Matelich grew up here. Orum I love being in the park, ”he says. “Different every day.”

It is frankly surprising that even the road to the sun exists. From the heart of the park to the east for 80 kilometers, the snake rises above the continental division, passing through a scrum similar to the rising peaks and the Alps of the upright glacial valleys. It took 11 years to build in the early 1900s; Most were handed out by Italian immigrants.

Each winter transition should be cleaned from 20 meters snow, which is a 10 -week process that starts in April. During this time, cars are not allowed in the upper parts of the road, but bicycles are a valuable window of a magnificent, car -free bike. Unfortunately, because of a non -reasonable hot spring, the road opened earlier than normal this year and I missed it.

Fortunately, Glacier Guides B Plan B is B. Instead of starting on the west side of the park and cycling to the east, we will do it by starting from the less visited East Side and riding a bike. In the eastern part, not only more shooting to allow cars to pass, but we will also be on the opposite side of the decreases through all this nerve. The only restriction is that the park is finished and there is an increase in traffic and we need to finish it until 15:00.

To reach the east side, we first drive the way to the whole road, which is an unexpected bonus that allows us to admire the dangerous view of Glacier without worrying about riding a bike or chasing by a bear.

From our starting point at the Saint Mary Visitor Center, the road to Logan Pass at a 29 -kilometer rise climbs approximately 700 meters. Normally, this would be a concern, but all three of us in today’s tour have chosen high-feature e-bikes. “Your butt will probably be higher after the journey, Mo said Moench.

To visit the ruins of one of the historical mountain houses of the park, we move under the gray sky with the rain that sweeps Saint Mary Lake before stopping at Sun Point.

As the road climbed, the cloud descended and we were swallowed by a Sis Bank that returned soon. The cars come out of the gloom in a spooky way, the passengers shake their heads to the three rain wetted cyclists who take a selfie from the snow shifts on the side of the road.

In the end, we reach a fascinating assembly of the mountains that shake the sky on a clear day, step -up waterfalls and snake glaciers. Instead, by accidentally establishing a bear repellent, we warm up in the souvenir shop until you accidentally spray his little son in the process (“Yahuma Johnny, no souvenir”).

The original plan was to ride a bike, but because of the worsening air, Moench suggests us to jump in the van. Relaxation is obvious. Nobody dreams of flirting with the second rule today.

Details

TYPE
Glacier Guide’s going to the solar road costs an e-bike tour cost of USD $ 290 ($ 445) and normally from the beginning of May to the end of June. Parking entrance is an additional $ 35 ($ 55). To see Glacierguides.com

TO STAY
Belton Chalet, an old railway hotel in West Glacier, has a character and a magnificent restaurant. One night, 180 US dollar ($ 275) room. To see Glacierparkcollection.com

FLY
United Airlines is flying to Glacier Park International Airport via San Francisco. To see United.com

The author was the guest of Western Montana’s ice country. To see Glaciermt.com