Seattle to Banff - looking for specific road/lodging/food suggestions

[flying_hun]

*edit*

Some clarity from the wife. Definitely Banff. Plus, her desire is to have Banff towards the end of her part of the trip, then fly home from either Calgary or Spokane. We will likely meet up in Seattle. I'll ride. She'll fly.

It's been more than thirty years since I've ridden the northern Rockies. My wife is making noises about wanting to go to Yellowstone and Banff this summer. If we're riding, it's more like Yellowstone or Banff.

Rod's got a great thread going on riding to Yellowstone and maybe Glacier, but rather than hijack his, I'll just learn from it and try to cover other stuff in this one.

Several folks have posted in Rod's thread on the wonders of Beartooth Pass, and Going to the Sun Highway. Noted. In addition to those, and roads such as Lolo Pass, any other gems between here and, say, Banff? Particular roads you wouldn't miss. The less crowded and the more technical the better. Unpaved and remote is fine.

Any specific thoughts on lodging? No, we're not camping. Ain't happening. If you've stayed in the park at Yellowstone, or Glacier, or Waterton Lakes, or Banff, where did you stay and how was it? If you've stayed in some little, remote hideaway outside of the parks, wanna share? I'm curious about stuff that I'd have to book in advance to be assured of a room.

Any great roadhouse food you've had up there? I recall a killer place in Red Lodge from my childhood (yes, the crust had just cooled ), and others from previous trips, but I'm looking for more recent intel.

If we do this. Big if. I'll probably have my wife do an open jaws flight, and pick her up some place like Boise or Twin Falls, and drop her off somewhere like Spokane or Portland. That way I can pound big mileage at the beginning and end of the trip without trashing my pillion.

 

[flying_hun]

With the above edits in mind (meeting up with wifey in Seattle, then dropping her off in either Calgary or Spokane), any thoughts on routes? Cross the whole way through BC, or head east through Washington on the North Cascades Hwy and maybe Sherman Pass? I've ridden part of southern BC, but further east (Rossland, Trail, etc.).

Thoughts?

 

[louemc]

Just glad to hear You're headed that way...I don't do plans or lodging...so got nothing there.

And there are so many must do names..and wow names, ...

Highway to the Sun is best done going North, putting you on the outer edge of the road, and able to stop where others can't...And You will want to stop, like at the changing view at every corner.

Now that there is so much Geo history of Yellowstone being the worlds largest and studied Super Volcano..That sheds a relatively new light on it.

If You go through the Columbia River Gorge..(Oregon side and it's old scenic hwy is best side) but you can cross to the Washington side ar Cascade locks and town of Carson is a stones throw up river from there, and.. had mineral hot baths at the Carson Hotel (didn't have to be a guest at the Hotel for that).

That whole greater NorthWest, was my stomping grounds for about 10 years..So eager to hear your report.

 

[SD Hornet]

Chalet Lake Louise is always worth visiting, if not lodging at. It is 30 miles from Banfffff. It is akin to a high rise Ahwahnee hotel, with prices to match.

 

[louemc]

^^^ absolutely gotta pull in to get the killer view of Lake Louise...

And...forgot to mention, if your going between Yellowstone and Boise...The country that Sun Valley is in and Stanly basin has a real nice park called Red Fish lake...and a lodge.

I'm strickly a no commitments and mostly no paying for the I don't know where I will be when night comes, kinda guy...So even though I could write a book on the Pacific NorthWest...I got nothin

 

[flying_hun]

How does the Chalet at Lake Louise compare to the Banff Springs hotel for a couple of nights of splurging?

 

[boney]

Can't comment on the rest but the airport in Spokanne was super easy for a ride in, drop off, ride out experience. We shipped all the extra stuff home the night before (her stuff) except for the clothes she'd wear on the plane and a duffel for her helmet and boots. and then I took a fairly leisurely ride down 395 from there. Easy for a 1 day ride home, easier for a 2 or three.

 

[SD Hornet]

How does the Chalet at Lake Louise compare to the Banff Springs hotel for a couple of nights of splurging?

I car camped while in Banfffff back in the eighties. Banffff Springs hotel is in town and close to shops and resturants. The chalet is very isolated. Think The Shining.

 

[rodr]

Sounds like y'all will have a great time, Kurt. I got nothin' for ya yet, but might after returning from Yellowstone.

 

[Nemo Brinker]

I have only done Vancouver Island and the Cassiar in BC...so far. But even the most jaded, crabby, and embittered motorcyclists I met on that trip (there were more than you might expect) waxed downright poetic about Banff and the Icefields Parkway that runs through it.

Apparently there is a hostel at Lake Louise that is pretty legit...no idea about splurgy accommodations. I also found the hostel in Port Townsend, WA pretty awesome, and in the middle of a repurposed old military base that has been turned into the hostel and a summer art colony--we heard some awesome music from the bluegrass camp happening in the building nearby.

I also have the British Columbia Destination Highways book if you want to borrow it.

I imagine you'd need to book a room well in advance at any of the Canadian or American National Parks you've mentioned, too--I've found any spots quite tight in Glacier and Yellowstone in summer, and for miles surrounding the park, too.

 

[Titus58]

Hey Kurt, here are few ideas for you:

1 - Check out this thread on RailstoTrails rides in BC, the OP has maps posted and it appears most of it is groomed dirt/gravel - your kinda trail with awesome scenery. Maybe you guys could do a leg or two...not sure it how comfortable it will be riding 2up - but it's now on my riding bucket list

2 - Okanagan Wine Country (link) - this is where my wife and I want to go next for vacation - appears to be wonderful combination of lake country + wineries + good food and B & Bs, and all at a slower pace.

3 - if time and schedule permits, we really enjoyed the lake country (Coeur d'Alene and Lake Pend Oriellie/Sandpoint) outside of Spokane in the Idaho panhandle - beautiful mountain roads, unspoiled lakes, nice folks, and not too expensive.


Have a great trip and take good notes - I can't wait to get back up that way


T

 

[NoGall]

West Yellowstone... It's a nice little touristy town with plenty of lodging and dining options. Easy in and out of the west gate running along a river, which means higher probability of animal sighting.

 

[flying_hun]

Hey Kurt, here are few ideas for you:

1 - Check out this thread on RailstoTrails rides in BC, the OP has maps posted and it appears most of it is groomed dirt/gravel - your kinda trail with awesome scenery. Maybe you guys could do a leg or two...not sure it how comfortable it will be riding 2up - but it's now on my riding bucket list

2 - Okanagan Wine Country (link) - this is where my wife and I want to go next for vacation - appears to be wonderful combination of lake country + wineries + good food and B & Bs, and all at a slower pace.

3 - if time and schedule permits, we really enjoyed the lake country (Coeur d'Alene and Lake Pend Oriellie/Sandpoint) outside of Spokane in the Idaho panhandle - beautiful mountain roads, unspoiled lakes, nice folks, and not too expensive.


Have a great trip and take good notes - I can't wait to get back up that way


T

Kettle Valley might fit for a day or so.

The winery stuff is off the list. My wife doesn't drink and certainly doesn't get why folks even drink wine.

The Idaho Panhandle is likely for me on my way home from Canada. Good hints

West Yellowstone... It's a nice little touristy town with plenty of lodging and dining options. Easy in and out of the west gate running along a river, which means higher probability of animal sighting.

Yellowstone has fallen clean off the itinerary. Not happening on this trip, based on current plans. To make the spousal unit happy, I have to contain the number of hours of riding each day.

 

[NoGall]

Chateau Lake Louise vs. Banff Springs Hotel

I am more drawn to the lake than the river, so my pick would be the Chateau. I could have, and should have, sat in front of that for hours.

Revelstoke is a nice little town on TCH 1 to the west of Glacier National Park (BC). Good place to stay. Supposedly, one could ride the switchbacks all the way to the top of Mt. Revelstoke. The pics of it looked interesting.

I second Titus58's Idaho Panhandle route... It's a beautiful ride. Maybe crowded in spots if summer.

 

[mrmarklin]

Place to stay in Yellowstone is the Snow Lodge near Old Faithful. Has an above average restaurant (for Yellowstone) too.

 

[flying_hun]

Chateau Lake Louise vs. Banff Springs Hotel

I am more drawn to the lake than the river, so my pick would be the Chateau. I could have, and should have, sat in front of that for hours.

Revelstoke is a nice little town on TCH 1 to the west of Glacier National Park (BC). Good place to stay. Supposedly, one could ride the switchbacks all the way to the top of Mt. Revelstoke. The pics of it looked interesting.

I second Titus58's Idaho Panhandle route... It's a beautiful ride. Maybe crowded in spots if summer.

Did someone say "switchbacks"?

 

[Hod Smithers]

The road from Revelstoke to Banff has a lot of nice vistas. Stayed in Revelstoke at a campgound by the river. The mountains around that area are HUGE. There are a lot of photo ops. Banff, Lake Louise and Lake Morainne are very nice. The color of the glacial water is pretty awesome. The ride from Revelstoke to Idaho is nice and the roads have twisties that almost make it worth while. You get to ride a couple of ferries too. You have to do Going to the sun road. I saw big horn sheep, dall sheep, mountain goats, and Bear. The panhandle of Idaho is great too. Coeur d alaine area is great and the ride around the lake is beautiful. I went north from Salt Lake and made the loop through Montana, Alberta, BC and Idaho. One of the best trips I've ever taken.

 

[flying_hun]

Thanks, Hod.