Yellowstone Road Tour

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. 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 next goal is Madison Junction. From the junction 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 fire. Fire plays an important role in the forest ecology and many young Lodgepole pines 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 Inn, we may have time to explore some of the geysers in the area, including Morning Glory Pool, before dinner. TOTAL MILEAGE - 30-60 miles

TRIP DAY 2

After a delicious breakfast we will begin our journey to Yellowstone Lake, along the lower loop. Shortly after leaving the lodge we will cross the Continental Divide at Craig Pass which is 8,262 feet and we'll pass back over it before arriving at Yellowstone Lake. As we approach the western edge of the Lake there will be 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 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 optional out and back ride 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 - 20-65 miles

TRIP DAY 3

This morning we'll wake up to views of Yellowstone Lake and the Absoroka Mountains. Today's mileage takes us through the spectacular Hayden Valley. A favorite grazing area for bison, the valley offers endless wildlife viewing opportunities. We'll continue riding along the Yellowstone River all the way to Artist Point where the splendor of the great falls of the Yellowstone is sure to leave us breathless. Now it's time to get off the bikes and stretch our legs... down the three hundred plus steps of Uncle Tom's stairs for an up close view of the falls, certainly worth the effort. The hike will surely put the hunger in our bellies, so we will have lunch waiting for us at the top. Back on the bikes again, we'll ride up to Canyon Village and then head west to Norris Junction where we have a short shuttle up to Mammoth Hot Springs. From 1886 to 1916 the park was managed by the US Army and the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, our home for the night, which still carries the military "barrack" feeling inside the rooms. TOTAL MILEAGE - 33 miles, *in addition to 600+ stairs!

TRIP DAY 4

Today we head north for a great ride outside the park. We will shuttle a quick four miles to the north entrance and start riding from the town of Gardiner, which is on the banks of the Yellowstone River. We have just as much of a chance to spot wildlife here as we did in the park, so keep your eyes open for sightings of eagles, elk, deer, coyotes, bears or even wolves. We will continue to have views of the Yellowstone River, with the Gallatin Mountain Range to our west and the Absoroka Range to our east. We will ride to the private resort of Chico Hot Springs where we will have ample opportunity to soak in the natural spring pools and relax. Chico was rated one of the top restaurants in Montana, so dinner will surely be a treat! TOTAL MILEAGE - 33 miles

TRIP DAY 5

We will wake up to a soothing soak in the springs before we fuel up on yet another amazing meal at Chico. Our last day of riding takes us through the beautiful Paradise Valley. Again, we will follow the Absoroka Mountain Range and the Yellowstone River where we will stop to have lunch on her serene bank before we shuttle back to Bozeman. TOTAL MILEAGE - 23 miles

TERRAIN

Physical Difficulty: Moderate.
Altitude: 6,000 - 9,000 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.
Accommodations may be changed due to availability.

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.