Glacier National Park Hike Bike 2022

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

Ride Description

OVERVIEW
Here is your chance to really see and enjoy Canada’s Waterton National Park and America’s Glacier National Park! This 15-day/14-night clockwise tour starts and ends in Kalispell, MT, with rides into the famous Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park. The “Going to the Sun Road” has long been on cyclist’s bucket list – and along with this amazing road are its weeping wall, tunnels, Haystack falls and spectacular views. We will also be touring other beautiful areas in Glacier and Waterton National Parks. We'll have the opportunity to ride both sides of the “Going to the Sun Road” (Logan Pass), and if you wish, you can hike from Many Glaciers to Logan Pass via a third way. There are many hikes available on our five non-move days. The ride is a truck-supported tour with motel lodging. The truck is primarily for luggage and supplies transport and only carries a rider in the event of major injury or illness.  It includes eight move days, i.e. the rides between lodging sites, five non-move days (NMD), and the arrival day.  The arrival date is July 10, 2022 & the departure date is July 24, 2022. (Note: The ride leader has led this ride before in 2013 for a Canadian cycling Club and 2018 for BAC.)

We’ll have five full days to hike, and four of them will be in either Waterton National Park or Glacier National Park. For those avid hikers, you’ll have the opportunity to hike on a sixth day, which will be from Many Glaciers to Logan Pass before finding transportation down to St Mary’s.

RIDE RATING: 2B
Average required riding days is 48 miles and a daily elevation gain of 2,016 feet. The days that exceed the 2B rating are as follows:  day 2, 70 miles 2,200’; day 3, 51 miles 2,264’; day 5, 71 miles, 2680 feet; day 8, 51 miles, 3100 feet; day 12, 40 miles, 2520 feet.  Riding from the east, the most challenging day is the 2,520’ climb to reach Logan Pass, also know as the “Going to the Sun Road”.   All roads on the ride are truck grade meaning the percent of grade is 7% or less.  Generally road conditions are good, but participants should be comfortable occasionally riding in some areas where the traffic is heavy with tourists. There are also roads that will have minimal shoulders.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 We will meet at the Holiday Inn Express in Kalispell, Montana. Happy Hour is at 5:30 PM MDT followed by the first night’s group dinner.

Day 2 (70 miles, 2,200’) this day we will travel on back roads as much as possible as we head north to Eureka.

Day 3 (51 miles, 2,263) today we cross the Canadian border as we head for Fernie, BC for two-nights. Passports are required with at least six months remaining before it expires.

Day 4 is an off day. Various hikes are near by.

Day 5 (71 miles 2,680’) is our longest day. We will travel up and over the continental Divide at Crows Nest Pass (4,298’) in Alberta and we leave the mountains and enter into the Canadian plains on our way to Pincher Creek, AB.

Day 6 (36 miles 1,600’) today is one of my favorite scenic ride along the Canadian Rockies before we turn into Waterton National Park for two nights.

Day 7 is an off day, but there are various hikes and the opportunity to have “High Tea” at the beautiful Prince of Wales hotel. A spectacular sight!

Day 8 (51 miles 3,100’) our first big climbing day and we will cross back into the US before a long downhill into Babs, MT (nothing more than a gas station and a minimart) and then on to Many Glaciers for three nights.

Day 9 & 10 are off days – Many hikes and sites to see.

Day 11 (21 miles 565’) a riding day to St. Marys.  However, there are possible longer routes.

Day 12 (40 miles 2520’) today is a very early start as we climb the Going to the Sun route from east to west before riding downhill to Lake McDonald Lodge.  Due to park rules, cyclist must be off the uphill portion of the Going to the Sun road by 11:00 am.

Day 13 is an off day, but you have the opportunity to climb the famous west to east Going to the Sun ride. (44 miles & 3,200’). Due to park rules, cyclist must be off the uphill portion of the Going to the Sun road by 11:00 am.

Day 14 (46 miles 1,200’) is our final day as we leave Glacier National Park and head back to the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Kalispell along with our farewell dinner.

WEATHER:
Weather conditions in July usually mean low 50's overnight with high 70's / low 80's during the day (of course, these are just the norms). It is recommended that participants bring rain gear as well as some cool weather gear for some mornings, due to the fact that we are at higher elevations.

LODGING & MEALS:
We will lodge in beautiful and rustic hotels (some of the remote areas have limited lodging options). Rest days are in Fernie, Waterton National Park, Many Glaciers (2 days) and Lake McDonald Lodge. Trip fees include the first and last night’s dinner, Happy Hours, all lunches, and 5 breakfasts. On this trip participants will share in the responsibilities of laying out Happy Hour and lunch preparations as well as cleanup on a rotational basis.

LOGISTICS:
We start in Kalispell, MT (airport code FCA) on July 10, 2022 with our group meeting on the first night at 5:30pm MDT. There is local transportation available from the airport to the Holiday Inn Express hotel (24 hour notification needed). Cars and bike boxes can be left at the hotel at no additional charge during the tour. We end in Kalispell on July 23 and lodging for this night is included. The tour ends the next morning on July 24, 2022.  Rental bikes are not available.  Tandems and E-bikes are welcome.  If you plan on riding an E-bike, please contact the leader.  Bring your passports and your National Park passes if you have one.

Riders are asked to bring two small carry on bags/luggage (able to carry on a plane) each weighing less than 25 pounds, rather than larger suitcases that are hard to lift and pack on the van.  If you travel with a bike box and a “non-carry on” piece of luggage, please bring two duffle bags to transfer the contents of your large non-carry on luggage into your two travel bags.  Large non-carry on luggage can be stored at the hotel.

COST & ADMINISTRATION:
The estimated cost of this bike tour is $3,000 plus the $50 BAC registration fee.  This cost includes 14 nights lodging (based on double occupancy), 2 group dinners, 14 lunches, 5 breakfasts, RideWithGPS tracks which provides downloads to gpx tracks, and to smart phones.  One can also print out cue sheets if they wish.  Luggage will be transported on required ride days.; there will be 14 social hours with snacks and beverages. The deposit of $1,700 is due as soon as the Ride Director notifies that you have been accepted onto the tour. The remaining payment of $1,300 will be due February 1, 2022.

Discussions regarding Covid will take place next year.

SINGLES & SOLOS:
Singles (riders who have or who want a roommate) will be accepted, but due to limited room availability in the parks, leader cannot accept solos (riders who want their own room).  While we encourage singles to try to find their own roommate, we will assist singles who are looking for a room mate. If a roommate cannot be found by February 1, 2022, participants can cancel without penalty (except the BAC registration fee and payment processing fees).  

CANCELLATION POLICY: The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled due to participation below stated minimum requirements.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the canceling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY: Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

Before participating in any BAC tour, members should review their medical coverage and assess whether what you have is sufficient. If it isn’t, you should purchase additional travel medical coverage. BAC maintains a policy that provides coverage for expenses related to medical emergencies and repatriation when members are on tours outside the US and their home country. The policy ceases to be applicable if a member makes a personal deviation (e.g., makes a side trip not related to the planned BAC tour), has limits on expenses covered for family members and only applies for 45 days following departure from home. There is also limited coverage for medical expenses associated with accidents incurred by US residents when on tours within the US. None of the policies maintained by BAC will cover costs associated with self-quarantines that may be government mandated. Members should also ensure that vaccinations are up to date (e.g., annual influenza, tetanus, etc.). If travelling outside your home country you may wish to consult with a travel physician or nurse to ensure that the appropriate vaccinations are up to date.

SIGN-UP: To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description. When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List. At this time you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit $1700 by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.  Final payment of $1,300 is due no later than February 1, 2022.