Yellowstone and Beartooth Pass

MEETING TIME AND PLACE

The trip will meet at 8:00am MST at the Magnuson Grand City Center Hotel, 507 W Main Street, Bozeman, Montana, 406-587-3158 or 877-747-8713. You will need to spend the night before in Bozeman.

ENDING TIME AND PLACE

We will return to Bozeman between 3:00-4:00 pm on the last day.

ITINERARY

TRIP DAY 1

After meeting in Bozeman we will shuttle south along the Gallatin River to the north boundary of the park where we will start our ride. We then head south into West Yellowstone, home of 10,000 refrigerator magnets and countless other souvenirs of every description. Heading east into the park, our goal is Madison Junction, and from there we will again head south on our way to Old Faithful Geyser and our lodging for the night. Along the way, we will pass the Sapphire Pool, the Great Fountain Geyser, and Fountain Paint Pots to mention just a few. We will also see more evidence of the 1988 Yellowstone Fire. Fire plays an important role in the forest ecology and we see many young Lodgepole Pines that are quickly reforesting the burned areas. The riding in this section is rolling and fun, a great way to end our first day. After we arrive at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, we may have some time to explore some of the geysers in the area, including Morning Glory Pool, before dinner. TOTAL MILEAGE - 50-60 miles

TRIP DAY 2

After a delicious breakfast we will begin our journey to Yellowstone Lake, along the lower loop. Shortly after leaving this morning we will cross the Continental Divide at Craig Pass which is 8,262 feet. We will pass back over it before arriving at Yellowstone Lake. As we approach the western edge of the Lake we will pass yet another geyser basin which we can tour. Intense heat from this region indicates an extensive thermal system, that could create a massive hydrothermal steam explosion should lake levels drop just a few feet, reminding us yet again of the dynamic geologic forces at work all around us. A few more miles and we will arrive at our night's destination, the Lake Hotel. Yellowstone Lake is the largest mountain lake in North America. It is over 20 miles long 14 miles wide and 390 feet deep at its deepest point, where temperatures rarely rise above 42 degrees. Amazing since there are countless calderas throughout the park whose temperatures remain high above the boiling point at all times. We will arrive at the Lake Hotel in the afternoon, leaving us time for an out and back ride, north through the Hayden Valley. We will want to get at least as far as the Mud Volcano but riding along the Yellowstone River can be quite enticing, so we may go further. TOTAL MILEAGE - 30-65 miles

TRIP DAY 3

Today we begin with a short shuttle out to the east entrance of the park so that we can get down to business on the Buffalo Bill Scenic Highway. The ride zips along the North Fork of the Shoshone River through the Wapiti Valley, a stretch that Rough Rider Teddy Roosevelt called "the most scenic 50 miles in the world." Keep your eyes peeled today; the Wapiti Valley boasts robust populations of wildlife including bighorn sheep, mule deer, moose, bears and, as it's Shoshone namesake suggests, 'wapiti' or elk. Our route takes us through the tiny settlements of Pahaska and Wapiti, then skirts 7 miles of shoreline along the Buffalo Bill Reservoir. We finish our ride in historic Cody, Wyoming -- named for William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody, one of the most colorful figures of America's Old West. TOTAL MILEAGE - 52 miles

TRIP DAY 4

Today we will hook up with the Chief Joseph Highway. While the story of Chief Joseph leading the Nez Perce along this route is quite heart wrenching, the views are so incredible that exhilaration will win the day. This amazing mountain pass is one of the very best road rides in the West. The road is narrow and remote with great views of the Beartooths to the north and the volcanic Absaroka Range to the west. We will pass through a 1,200 foot gorge carved by the Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone River. Our destination for the night is Cooke City, Montana which is nestled in a narrow valley between the Beartooth and Absaroka wilderness areas. TOTAL MILEAGE - 60 miles

TRIP DAY 5

You will want to eat a really big breakfast this morning because we are headed to the Top of the World! The high elevation (10,947 feet) of the spectacular Beartooth Scenic Byway takes us through dramatic peaks and jewel like alpine lakes. The Beartooth Plateau is a lofty table of nearly solid rock, which for a few weeks a year is covered with wildflowers. People who see this area from a car just aren't getting the full effect. It is a truly dizzying array of switchbacks and panoramic vistas. We get a breathtaking 360 degree view right on the border of Wyoming and Montana. You are very likely to agree that the Beartooth is the most beautiful highway in America. All of this swooping and zooming through the peaks drops us into Red Lodge, our home for the night. TOTAL MILEAGE - 65 miles

TRIP DAY 6

For our final ride we head north as we work our way down from all of that incredible alpine scenery complete with rugged peaks, pristine alpine tundra and sheer cliffs. The terrain becomes wide open as we leave the Beartooth Range and approach the basin of the Yellowstone River. Civilization reappears in the form of Interstate 90, which will provide us with a convenient shuttle route back to Bozeman. TOTAL MILEAGE - 35 miles

TERRAIN

Physical Difficulty: Advanced.
Altitude: 6,000 - 11,000 feet.

Please Note: Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety, and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.

TRAVEL LOGISTICS

GETTING THERE

-Driving
Interstate 90 runs directly through Bozeman. It is located 3 hours east of Missoula and 2 hours west of Billings. There is parking available at the hotel.

-Flying into Bozeman
Airport Code: BZN

-Flying into Billings, MT
Airport Code: MIL
Rent a car and drive to Bozeman, a 3 hour drive. You can park the car at the hotel while on the tour.

TAXI SERVICE

All Valley Cab 406-388-9999, Airport shuttles and around town service.

LODGING

Bozeman is a popular vacation spot so we recommend making your hotel reservations early.

Magnuson Grand City Center Hotel
$100-130
406-587-3158
It is best to call them directly for rates and reservations. This is where the trip meets.

Comfort Inn of Bozeman
$70-110
800-587-3833, 406-587-2322
Bike work station with stand, bikes allowed in room

Royal Seven Budget Inn
$60-85
800-587-3103

Voss Inn Bed & Breakfast
$120-140
406-587-0982

Above rates are approximate.

WEATHER

There are really just two kinds of weather: weather you like and weather you do not like. Come prepared for both and you won't care what the weather does.

If you have questions about temperatures for your specific trip please feel free to give us a call 800-845-2453 or email us at biking@westernspirit.com. We will be happy to give you packing suggestions and help you with ideas for things to do before and after your bike trip.

PACKING FOR YOUR TRIP
You will receive a tour packing list with your tour confirmation package. Be sure to bring everything on this list. Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable so be sure to bring all the warm clothing and rain gear listed! Please pack all of your gear in a medium to large duffel bag. It will ride in the trailer. If you have any questions about anything on the list, please call us.

If you plan to fish on the trip, you must obtain a Montana fishing license. They are available at Powderhorn Sporting Goods right across the street form the bike shop.

SHIPPING YOUR BIKE

You are welcome to ship your bike to us in advance of your trip. For a moderate fee we will unpack it, build it, and ship it back home to you afterwards. Bikes can be insured to $4,000. Domestic shipping only. If you decide you want to go this route, you must call us in advance of your trip so we can inform the shop that your bike is on its way.

To ship your bike UPS, send it to Bangtail Bicycle Shop, 508 West Main Street, Bozeman, MT, 59715; 406-587-4905. It is critical that you include your name, 'Western Spirit Cycling', and tour date on the outside of the box. Check with your local UPS people for the number of days needed for it to arrive in time. It is imperative to have your bike finely tuned and cleaned before your tour so you know it is in top running condition.

If you have any other questions about trip logistics, please feel free to send us an email or, better yet, to call us at 800-845-2453. We will be happy to try to help you answer any other questions you might have about our bike trips.

THINGS TO DO

RESTAURANTS

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Sweet Pea Café and Bakery, 19 South Wilson Ave, 406-582-0020 - great bakery and lunch salads
Community Food Co-Op, 908 West Main St, 406-587-4039 - yummy and good for you

DINNER
Aunt Sophia's, 101 East Main, 406-582-0393 - pasta prepared 40 different ways!
Café Zydeco, 1520 West Main, 406-994-0188 - yummy Cajun dishes
Casa Sanchez, 719 South 9th Ave, 406-586-4516 - authentic Mexican with 9 different salsas

BOOKS

These books can be found at http://www.amazon.com/

Yellowstone Treasures by Janet Chapple

It Happened In Yellowstone by Erin H. Turner

Myth and History in the Creation of Yellowstone National Park by Paul Schullery and Lee Whittlesey

Jenny of the Tetons by Kristina Gregory

MAPS

Your guides will have all the maps necessary for your trip. If you would like your own copy for a souvenir, here is all the info:

National Geographic Trails Illustrated map #201 Yellowstone National Park
These can be found at shop.nationalgeographic.com. Go to Maps and Atlases and then to Trail Maps and then to Wyoming.

For Forest Service Maps of the Western Spirit routes go to store.usgs.gov.
To get to the Forest Service maps go to "Featured Products" and then under "Go to product line" choose US Forest Service Maps. Phew... For our Yellowstone trip choose the state of Montanta and pick map 111629 Beaverhead NF SW MT Interacgency Map, Mt.

ACTIVITIES

HORSEBACK RIDING
Diamond K Outfitters, Gallatin Gateway MT, 406-508-0928

FLYFISHING
SYellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, 2417 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59718-3810
Rivers West, 520 Main, 800-622-0852 - give them a call to check their schedule.