On-road Biking Adventures
1999 Schedule
Road Bike Adventures
Almost 17 years have passed since we planned and staged our first bicycle tour through Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. At the heart of that initial program was Trail Ridge Road, rising well beyond timberline to 12,183’ at Fall River Pass. For us, there was no greater thrill in cycling than that moment when we crested the summit of that awesome mountain. That Rocky Mountain ride was an adventure to its core.
Many years have passed since that first climb, but we’ve never forgotten the euphoria that was a part of that experience. That one tour has multiplied into a collection of 30 separate and distinct on-road tours and many additional off-road and hiking programs. The cornerstone around which all of these programs have been structured is that same incomparable sense of adventure that has been there since our very beginning.
The progeny of this commitment to adventure is our Rambler program — Glacier, Beartooth, Rogue River, Bitterroot/Sawtooth, Great Canyons, San Juans of Colorado, Oregon Coast-to-Cascades, Rainier, Icefields — the series of extraordinary 9-day adventures, along with the High Sierra and 10-day Classic series: Canada, Colorado and Canyon Country, that have become our "signature" experiences. These are the cycling opportunities that have set the standards against which every tour in our program is measured.
In 1999, we’ll push the parameters of adventure a bit further with the introduction of our new Odyssey Series. We’ll ride the spine of the northern Rockies from Missoula through Glacier into Canada and on to Jasper as our inaugural Rocky Mountain Magic Odyssey.
In the pages that follow, our on-road cycling programs are described, and these tours are grouped according to geographical focus. They vary in content and level of difficulty from the very mellow San Juan Islands to the ultimate Rocky Mountain Magic Odyssey. Classic California, by way of example, offers the relaxation of gently rolling terrain, while the San Juans Adventure promises not less than eight encounters with summits above 10,000’ in the heart of Colorado’s Rockies.
But, most importantly, all programs share a common feature—each has been designed as a cycling vacation for those who love to cycle, enjoy the outdoors, and are open and eager for adventure.
Montana Magic/Glacier Park
Wild rivers; cascading waterfalls; crystalline lakes fed by living glaciers; lush forests sheltering abundant wildlife; and rugged, magnificent mountains in every direction—this is the magic of Montana and Glacier Park that provides the majestic setting for an exciting and diverse selection of Timberline adventures for the 1999 season.
Timberline’s plans for ‘99 reflect our passion for the magic of Montana. Our 7-day Glacier Alpiner and 9-day Glacier Rambler return for a 13th season. Another exciting component of our Glacier program, the Glacier Park/Waterton Lakes Adventure, combining cycling, hiking and whitewater rafting again will be offered this season. And for those whose primary interest is hiking, our Glacier Park hikes offer some of the best alpine hiking in North America (see Hiking adventures, pg. 39).
The lodging that has come to characterize all of our Glacier Park tours merits special mention—it is no less exciting than the spectacular terrain through which we’ll ride. Our overnights on tour will include all of the elegant and historic inns of Glacier—the Lake McDonald Lodge, Many Glacier Hotel, Glacier Park Lodge and Prince of Wales in Waterton.
Dates: (7 days, 6 nights; Sun-Sat)July 4-10; Aug. 1-7; Aug. 29-Sept. 4
Assembly Point: Kalispell (airline, rail and bus service to Kalispell; Timberline van transfers to and from transportation terminals)
Tour Cost: $1,495 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps and narratives)
The Glacier Park Alpiner assembles in Kalispell and we’ll head for Glacier early-morning of Day 1. Before long, Glacier’s snowclad peaks are visible as we enter the park at West Glacier and ultimately ride along the shores of Lake McDonald to our overnight at the Lake McDonald Lodge.
The logistics of this first day present the optional opportunity to enjoy a half-day of whitewater rafting on the Flathead River just prior to entering Glacier.
With that relatively gentle first day behind us, it’s on to one of the most exciting cyclotouring experiences to be found in North America—the challenge of spectacular Going-to-the-Sun Highway and its summit at Logan Pass (6046’). How can we describe the experience of Going-to-the-Sun? The awesome glacial snowfields, tumbling waterfalls, the Hanging Gardens, the spectacular vistas that unfold at every switchback as we climb higher and higher. We promise some sweat, but the beauty is well worth it. As a reward for that effort, we can look forward to a long downhill to St. Mary and then on to Many Glacier on the Park’s wild Eastern Slope. We’ll spend the evening in the historic Many Glacier Hotel, set magnificently on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake in the shadow of Grinnell Glacier.
On Day 3, we’ll cross the border into Canada for a visit to Waterton Park. We’ll spend the evening at the Prince of Wales Hotel, standing regally at the north end of Waterton Lake above the Waterton Townsite and overlooking the world’s longest unguarded frontier.
We’ll return to Montana on Day 4—one of the most intriguing days that we offer on any tour. We’ll climb from the Waterton Valley, trace the course of the Belly River and ride in the shadow of mystical Chief Mountain. We’ll continue along the sparsely travelled eastern perimeter of Glacier beyond St. Mary Lake to the Triple Divide separating waters that flow to the Atlantic, Pacific and Hudson Bay. Our last climb on this very special day crests atop Looking Glass Hill with its breathtaking vista of Two Medicine Lake. And what a way to end this day—an exhilarating 8-mile descent into East Glacier where we’ll spend the next two evenings at the grand Glacier Park Lodge.
We’ll remain in the East Glacier area on Day 5 with a wide array of activities available on this layover day. Among those choices are some excellent hiking opportunities in the Two Medicine region, ranging from the ambitious challenges of Dawson Pass and Scenic Point to the relaxing boat ride across the lake and leisurely return hike along the shoreline. And for those who prefer a more literal interpretation of this "rest" day, the pool at the Glacier Lodge is an inviting alternative.
It’s back on the road early-morning of Day 6 for a relatively gentle return to the Continental Divide atop Marias Pass. We’ll ride to the southern tip of Lake McDonald and a final evening on its shores at the Apgar Village Inn, and then return to Kalispell by mid-afternoon of the final day.
Total Mileage – 335
Date: (9 days, 8 nights; Sat-Sun) July 17-25
Assembly Point: Missoula/Polson (airline and bus service to Missoula; Timberline van shuttle between transportation terminals and Polson prior to tour. Note that this tour assembles in Polson and concludes in Missoula)
Tour Cost: $1,795 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, shuttle between Missoula and Polson prior to tour, leaders, tour maps and narratives)
Simply stated, the Glacier Park Rambler is Montana Magic at it’s best. The majestic snowcapped peaks of Glacier and Waterton Parks, the spectacular climb to Logan Pass on Going-to-the-Sun Highway, the pristine, glacier-fed lakes, the expanse of beautiful Flathead Lake, the magnificent alpine settings and Old World charm of the Many Glacier and Prince of Wales hotels, the memorable farewell evening in the Swan Valley, and on and on. The Glacier Park Rambler is a continuum of experiences and impressions that captures the special essence that is cycling in the Rocky Mountain West.
Assembly for the Glacier Park Rambler has been moved to Polson and Timberline will provide the 1-hour van shuttle between the Missoula airport and Polson during the assembly day (July 16). This itinerary modification creates a layover day in the Two Medicine region of Glacier within our traditional 9-day format.
We’ll ride the wooded eastern shore of Flathead Lake early-morning of Day 1 through the interesting village of Big Fork to Whitefish. It’s on to Glacier on Day 2 as we ride the beautiful shoreline of Lake McDonald to the Lake McDonald Lodge. The logistics of this day present the optional opportunity to enjoy a half-day of whitewater rafting on the Flathead River just prior to entering the park.
We’ll "go to the sun" the following morning, crest at Logan Pass and then descend to St. Mary on the way to Many Glacier and an overnight at the base of Grinnell Glacier on Swiftcurrent Lake at the Many Glacier Hotel. It’s then on to Canada along the Chief Mountain Highway to Waterton Park and an evening in the elegant Prince of Wales Hotel, overlooking Waterton Lake.
Day 5 is adventure cycling at its best. We’ll climb from the Waterton Valley, trace the course of the Belly River and ride in the shadow of magnificent Chief Mountain as we return to Montana. From St. Mary, we’ll ride the sparsely-travelled eastern perimeter of Glacier toward Two Medicine. A final 4-mile climb up spectacular Looking Glass Hill, with its awesome panoramic view of Two Medicine Lake, precedes a thrilling 8-mile descent into East Glacier that concludes this extraordinary day.
We’ll spend the next two nights at the grand Glacier Park Lodge and a layover day that offers several great hiking options at Two Medicine. We’ll leave East Glacier early-morning of Day 7 with a gentle climb to the Continental Divide atop Marias Pass (5,280’) as we ride to Apgar and another evening on the shores of Lake McDonald at the Village Inn.
Our eighth day, and final evening on tour will be one to remember. We’ll ride the wooded, winding Swan Valley, tucked between the Mission and Swan Mountains in the heart of the Lolo National Forest. We’ll spend the evening at the historic Holland Lake Lodge, on the lake for which it is named.
The adventure continues on our final day as we ride along Seeley Lake, climb the Beaverhead Divide and finally descend along the magnificent Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers to Missoula where our tour concludes.
Total Mileage – 558
Glacier Park/Waterton Lakes Adventure
Date: (8 days, 7 nights; Sun-Sun) Aug. 15-22
Assembly Point: Whitefish, MT (airline and rail service to Whitefish; Timberline van transfers to and from transportation terminals prior to and following tour)
Tour Cost: $1,695 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, half-day whitewater raft trip, support van, transfers, leaders, boat trip to Crypt Lake trailhead, tour maps and narratives)
Timberline has been cycling and hiking in Glacier and Waterton Parks for the past 12 seasons in the context of the region‘s most comprehensive and adventurous program. But as our activities have grown over the years, so also has our awareness of how much remains for us to experience in Glacier/ Waterton. The Glacier Park/Waterton Lakes Adventure is merely the next progression in our commitment to create the ultimate, total experience.
In the context of this 8-day odyssey, we’ll cycle through the heart of Glacier to the Continental Divide atop Logan Pass on Going-to-the-Sun Road, and then to Waterton and beyond. We’ll raft the whitewater of the Flathead and hike to the glaciers above Many Glacier. In Waterton, we’ll hike to Crypt Lake, a trek that many believe to be the finest of all Rocky Mountain hikes.
We’ll assemble in beautiful Whitefish, on the shores of Whitefish Lake, and ride to Glacier on Day 1. Mid-day, we’ll experience the excitement of whitewater, Montana-style, as we explore the Flathead River Canyon in the context of a half-day raft trip. Then it’s back on the bikes for a gentle 10-mile ride along the shores of Lake McDonald to the Lake McDonald Lodge.
One of North America’s premier alpine cycling experiences is ours on Day 2 as we challenge "Going-to-the-Sun" atop Logan Pass at the Continental Divide. We’ll continue on to Many Glacier where we’ll spend the next two overnights at the Many Glacier Hotel. Day 3 is dedicated to hiking at Many Glacier and we’ll choose between two spectacular options—Iceberg Lake and Grinnell Glacier.
We’ll ride from Many Glacier Valley early-morning of Day 4 and cross into Canada along the Chief Mountain Road—perhaps our all-time favorite cycling road. The next two overnights are planned for the magnificent Prince of Wales Hotel, perched high on a hill overlooking Waterton Lake.
Day 5 may be a layover day, but it is anything other than a rest day. An early morning boat launch will transport our group across Waterton Lake to the Crypt Lake trailhead, and we’ll spend the better part of the day engaged in this extraordinary 11-mile round trip trek to one of Canada’s most magnificent alpine lakes.
The adventure continues on Day 6 as we ride north from Waterton and into the historic Crowsnest Pass region. We’ll overnight in Blairmore and then crest Crowsnest Pass early the following morning as we cross into British Columbia. It’s on to Eureka that evening prior to our return to Whitefish through the Flathead Forest on our final day.
Total Cycling Mileage—353
Total Hiking Mileage—19
Oh! Idaho
Idaho, one of the last of the "lower 48" to be settled and granted statehood, today remains one of the last true reminders of the utter, pristine beauty of the West as it must have appeared to those early settlers many years ago.
The crystal clear lakes and heavily timbered hills of the Panhandle; the majestic, rugged, snowclad peaks of the Bitterroots and Sawtooths; the thundering, unspoiled rivers that tumble from those towering peaks through sheer canyons to the lowlands of the West—this is the Idaho that we will visit in the year ahead.
Our Idaho programs planned for the coming season emphatically reflect our concept of Adventure Cycling. Once again, we’ll journey through the Sawtooth National Recreation Area in the context of the Bitterroot/Sawtooth Rambler. For those seeking a truly unique wilderness experience, the River-of-No-Return Bike/Raft Adventure returns to our program following a 2-year hiatus.
Bike/Raft Adventure
Date: (9 days, 8 nights; Sat-Sun) July 24-Aug. 1
Assembly Point: Missoula (airline and bus service to Missoula; Timberline van transfers to and from transportation terminals)
Tour Cost: $1,895 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, [includes lunches on rafting segment] 4-day raft trip, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps and narratives)
The Salmon River, often romantically referred to as the "River-of-No-Return," remains one of the few undammed waterways in America and roars through the heart of the River-of-No-Return Wilderness, the largest single wilderness area in the lower 48 states. The rugged mountains through which this mighty river winds are home to thriving herds of deer and elk, black bear, mountain goats and many other species of wildlife. The awesome Salmon River Gorge carved by this river ranks second in depth behind Hell’s canyon in the contiguous 48 states.
As a designated wilderness area, the Frank Church/River-of-No-Return Wilderness Area has no roads and, of course, mountain bikes are prohibited. So we’ve chosen a "highway" of a different sort to explore this region of incomparable natural beauty. We’ve joined with Idaho Afloat, to create a 9-day combined cycling and rafting program through the heart of central Idaho that promises to be an adventure you’ll not soon forget.
We’ll assemble in Missoula, MT, and cycle the quiet backroads of the beautiful Bitterroot Valley. We’ll overnight in Darby on the northern edge of the Bitterroots, climb Lost Trail Pass early the following morning before descending into Idaho’s Salmon River Valley.
Our destination on Day 2 is North Fork, where we’ll spend the evening. We’ll join with Idaho Afloat early-morning of Day 3, leave our bicycles behind, and we’re off on a 4-day journey through the spectacular Salmon River Canyon. You’ll need a sleeping bag for this segment—there are no lodges in the wilderness.
We’ll float through the wilderness with the Main Fork of the Salmon to Riggins where the Timberline van will be waiting with all of those abandoned bicycles.
Following an extraordinary overnight at the magnificent Riggins Hot Springs Lodge, it’s back on bicycles and the adventure continues. We’ll follow the Salmon north of Riggins on Day 7 and climb awesome White Bird Mountain, with it’s impressive elevation gain of 3,000 feet and 15 switchbacks. We’ll overnight in Lowell on the banks of the Clearwater River and then trace the course of another of Idaho’s wild rivers—the Lochsa—to its source among the high peaks of the Bitterroots. Our final evening at the historic Lochsa Lodge at Powell Station is special. We’ll climb Lolo Pass early the next morning and descend to Missoula where our tour concludes.
Total Cycling Mileage – 333
Date: (9 days, 8 nights; Sat-Sun) Aug. 14-22
Assembly Point: Missoula (airline and bus service to Missoula; Timberline van transfers to and from transportation terminals)(Note that tour originates in Missoula and terminates in Boise. Van shuttle return to Missoula will be available on Aug. 23 for those who need to depart from Missoula)
Tour Cost: $1,695 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps & narratives)
We’ve searched for some time for a venue to explore the mighty Sawtooth Range of central Idaho. That search culminated in the creation of the Bitterroot/ Sawtooth Rambler, an exciting 9-day experience in some of the most pristine, high country to be found in the Rockies.
The Bitterroot /Sawtooth program is more than mountains alone. The beautiful Bitterroot Valley of Montana and Idaho’s Salmon River Valley to the south, the high plateau of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and the excitement of Sun Valley—these are the variety of experiences that are vital to the excitement of the Bitterroot/Sawtooth Rambler.
We’ll gather in Missoula and ride in the shadow of the Bitterroots to Darby, where we’ll spend our first evening. We’ll climb Lost Trail Pass (6995’) in the heart of the Bitterroots and then descend into Idaho’s Salmon River Valley and an overnight in Salmon.
On Day 3, we’ll ride the Salmon River Scenic Route to Challis and then enter the Sawtooth National Recreation Area the following day. We’ll spend our first of two evenings in the tiny village of Stanley on the banks of the Salmon. A spectacular climb to the Galena Summit (8701’) and the headwaters of the magnificent Salmon River highlights Day 5. A long descent follows along the Wood River to the exciting resort village of Sun Valley where two nights and a layover day are planned. A number of non-cycling activities are available, including hiking in the Sawtooths or a day of whitewater rafting on the Salmon.
We’ll retrace our route through the Sawtooths for our second evening at Stanley and then ride into the wilderness setting of Grandjean and our final night at the Sawtooth Lodge. Our adventure concludes in Boise the following afternoon.
Total Mileage – 520
The Yellowstone Country
In many ways, Yellowstone has always been regarded as the crown jewel of this country’s incomparable national parks. The utter beauty of the area with its pristine lakes and rugged alpine setting, the abundance and visual presence of so many species of wildlife, and the drama of its thermal features have long contributed to the magical aura of Yellowstone. Without question, Yellowstone is a cherished treasure.
Timberline continues its strong commitment to the Yellowstone Country as an exciting cyclotouring experience as we have for the past 14 seasons. Unfortunately, however, the National Park Service in Yellowstone does not share a similar commitment toward the cycling community. Effective beginning with the ‘99 season, all professional cycling organizations will be prohibited from cycling on substantial sections of the park’s roads. There will be no restrictions whatsoever with respect to motor vehicles of any kind—RV’s, SUV’s and tour buses. Clearly, the RV community is viewed as a use most compatible with the mission of the National Park Service, as that mission is defined in Yellowstone.
And so, for the season ahead, our Yellowstone programs have been dramatically restructured. Gone is our Yellowstone Alpiner, the only bicycle tour that cycled the entire Grand Loop through Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Gone is the Beartooth Rambler, a Timberline adventure to its very core. But somewhere some wise sage suggested to some whiner along the way—"it’s time to make lemonade out of lemons." And so, at some point, we at Timberline drew a collective deep breath, put an end to our whining (what good did it do anyway?), and we believe that we’ve whipped up one heck of a batch of lemonade for the coming season.
Yellowstone/Tetons Biker/Hiker
Dates: (7 days, 6 nights; Sun-Sat) June 20-26; July 11-17; Aug. 8-14
Assembly Point: Jackson (airline service to Jackson; Timberline van transfers prior to and following tour)
Tour Cost: $1,450 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, leaders, tour maps & narratives)
The setting for this tour is the beautiful Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks in northwestern Wyoming—the jewels of our national parks system. The rugged Tetons, Jackson and Jenny Lakes, magnificent Lake Solitude in Grand Teton, Old Faithful and a multitude of other thermal features, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone—these are just some of the highlights of a fascinating adventure program.
We’ll assemble in Jackson and ride beneath the spires of the Tetons to Grand Teton on Day 1. We’ll spend our first evening in Colter Bay and then it’s on to Yellowstone in the morning. We’ll ride along Jackson Lake and then climb from its shores north of Grand Teton to the Snake River. At Yellowstone’s South Entrance, we’ll van shuttle over a restricted section of road through Lewis Canyon and then we’re back on the road at Grant Village in time for the challenge of Craig Pass and its twin contacts with the Continental Divide. From the Craig summit (8262’), we’re into a thrilling 7-mile descent into the Old Faithful area and we’ll spend our next two nights at the grand Old Faithful Inn.
Day 3 may be a layover day at Old Faithful but it is anything but a rest day. One of our options on this day is a fascinating 13-mile hike deep into the Yellowstone backcountry along a trail that takes us to both Mystic and Fairy Falls as well as to Imperial Geyser, one of the most active thermal features in the Yellowstone backcountry. Another remarkable aspect of this hike is the insight that it offers into the process of regeneration of the Yellowstone forests that were devastated by the fires of l988.
It’s back on our bikes on Day 4 as we ride to Madison along the Firehole River and, after another brief shuttle and visit to the Norris Geyser Basin, across the park to Canyon Village. We’ll spend the evening at Canyon and devote the morning of Day 5 exploring the magnificent Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We’ll cycle the rims, both north and south, and hike to the viewpoints along the rims. Early-afternoon, we’ll van shuttle back to the South Entrance and ride through Grand Teton to Jackson Lake, where we’ll spend our final two overnights at the Jackson Lake Lodge.
Talk about making lemonade out of lemons, we might just as well hike to Lake Solitude on our layover day (14 miles). For what it’s worth, we at Timberline happen to believe that the Lake Solitude hike is the absolute best day hike in our entire hiking program. Following a final evening at the Jackson Lake Lodge, we’ll ride from Grand Teton along the Moose-Wilson Road with a visit to Teton Village prior to our return to Jackson.
Total cycling mileage—175
Total hiking mileage—27
Beartooth/Big Horns Biker/Hiker
Date: (7 days, 6 nights; Sun-Sat) July 25-31
Assembly Point: Billings (Laurel) (airline service to Billings; Timberline van transfers to Laurel prior to tour and from Ranchester to Billings following tour)
Tour Cost: $1,395 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, leaders, transfers, tour maps & narratives)
The sign is somewhat weathered, the words slightly faded and difficult to read, but the message is such that the excitement builds. Out there on the fringe of the Big Horn Basin, under the biggest, bluest sky that the Big Sky Country of Montana can offer, we’re about to enter Beartooth Country. That sign confirms that we’re headed for Beartooth Highway—"the most beautiful highway in America." Hyperbole? Chamber of Commerce rubbish? If anything, when we’re climbing Beartooth the next day, you’ll believe that the late Charles Kuralt’s words were grossly understated.
Timberline’s legacy since its inception has always included spectacular alpine ascents among the highlights of its tours. Trail Ridge, Loveland, Slumgullion, Independence, Red Mountain, Wolf Creek—the mighty Colorado passes that carry us to timberline and beyond—they pale in comparison to the absolute challenge and awesome beauty of Beartooth.
As we’ve worked toward the recrafting of our Yellowstone Country programs in light of National Park Service cycling restrictions in Yellowstone, the concept to which we remained committed is that Beartooth would survive as a viable component of our program. With the creation of Beartooth/Big Horns Biker/Hiker, we’ve achieved a cherished goal.
In reality, our new program resembles our prior Beartooth/Big Horns Alpiner that has been a part of Yellowstone Country for several years. We’ve replaced cycling days in the park with hiking opportunities in the magnificent Absaroka/Beartooth Wilderness—an area with which we are intimately familiar in the context of our Beartooth Hike.
Our tour assembles in Laurel, MT, just west of Billings and we’ll ride toward the mighty Beartooths on Day 1. Our destination this day is Red Lodge and the magical Rock Creek Resort at the gateway to Custer National Forest and the Beartooth road. We’ll pause at Red Lodge on Day 2 and hike to beautiful Timberline Lake, nestled in a glacial cirque at timberline with phenomenal views of the towering snowclad Beartooth peaks (9 miles).
This day’s adventure doesn’t end with our return to the trailhead. We’re headed for dinner at the incomparable Grizzly Bar in Roscoe, but be forewarned, some of last year’s guests have threatened to return this season if only to be part of another Grizzly Bar experience. We’ll spend a second evening at Rock Creek, awaiting our engagement the following morning with Beartooth.
We could go on and on about the Beartooth experience. Simply stated, it is the absolute best! No matter what and where you’ve cycled in the past, and notwithstanding what lies ahead, Beartooth is without equal. The climb begins as soon as you leave the breakfast table. Twenty-five miles later as you crest the 10,947’ summit, with a sense that you are the highest point on Earth, you’ll agree that the thrill of alpine cycling is the climb, and not the descent.
The Soda Butte Lodge in Cooke City is our home for the next two nights, and we’ll devote Day 4 to the Beartooth High Lakes, a 9-mile trek to timberline that we consider our favorite Beartooths hike.
We’ve always wanted to ride the beautiful, lightly traveled Chief Joseph Highway that links Cooke City with Cody and, in ’99, we’ll at last have an opportunity to do so. We’re headed to Cody on Day 5 and we’ll arrive with ample time to visit the fascinating Buffalo Bill Museum. An evening rodeo in Cody also is an integral part of this western adventure.
As we ride the Big Horn Basin on Day 6, the mighty Big Horns, at first barely visible on the eastern horizon, are an ever-present reminder that the final day of this adventure will be anything but anticlimactic. We’ll spend a final evening at the Shell Creek Guest Ranch and head into Shell Canyon the following morning. Shortly into the climb, we’ll visit Shell Falls and our climb continues to the summit of Granite Pass (9033’). And then, what better way to conclude this week-long adventure than with a great 18-mile downhill to Ranchester, and a final van shuttle return to Billings.
Total cycling mileage—320
Total hiking mileage—18
Date: (10 days, 9 nights; Fri-Sun) Aug. 20-29
Assembly Point: Jackson, WY (airline service to Jackson prior to tour and from Missoula following tour; Timberline van transfers to and from airports)
Tour Cost: $1,995 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, leaders, transfers, tour maps & narratives)
If your image of the West is one of majestic, snow-capped mountains; crystalline glacial lakes, broad secluded valleys, and a vastness that will expand the spirit and soul of all who behold it, the Big Sky Country of Montana, then, is the embodiment of the West.
In our Big Sky Classic, we believe that we have captured the magic of Montana, and we’ve blended this magic with the fascination and excitement of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks to create an extraordinary western adventure experience.
In the course of this newest of our Classic adventures, we’ll explore Grand Teton and Yellowstone and then leave the parks for the solitude of the Big Sky Country of Montana. The Montana that we’ll visit during the final seven days of Big Sky is a land that is extraordinarily rich, not only in its unparalleled natural beauty, but also in its history and culture. In many ways, the story of settlement of Montana is the story of settlement of the entire Rocky Mountain West. The hunger for precious metals and the booms and busts that attended their discovery; the inevitable conflicts triggered by the incursions of settlers onto sacred Indian lands; the emergence of the cattle industry and the cattle barons and cowboys who were the players in that saga—this legacy of Montana is ours to experience.
Our program assembles in Jackson Hole and we’ll cycle in the shadow of the Tetons on Day 1 into Grand Teton Park and on to Jackson Lake and an overnight at the grand Jackson Lake Lodge. Day 2, a layover day, is anything but a rest day because we’re hiking to Lake Solitude, the quintessential day hike in all of the Tetons (14 miles).
On Day 3, we’ll cycle north through Grand Teton along Jackson Lake to the South Entrance of Yellowstone. National Park Service prohibitions against cycling through Lewis Canyon require a short van shuttle to Grant Village, but we’re back on our bikes for an encounter with Craig Pass. From the Craig summit (8262’) at the Continental Divide, it’s downhill to Old Faithful and a night at the Old Faithful Inn.
Early morning of Day 4, we’ll cycle along the Firehole River to Madison, shuttle the short distance to the Norris Geyser Basin, and then ride across the park to Canyon Village. Following an overnight at Canyon, we’ll spend much of the next morning exploring the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone as we cycle along both the north and south rims. Late in the day, we’ll ride along the Madison River through the park’s west gate for an evening in West Yellowstone.
The massive Madison Canyon earthquake of 1959 profoundly altered the appearance of portions of the Yellowstone Country. On our way to Ennis on Day 6, we’ll visit the Earthquake Interpretive Center and ride the shores of Quake Lake, a creation of that cataclysmic event. We’ll climb from Ennis the following morning and then descend into the historic mining town of Virginia City. The downhill continues as we approach the Beaverhead River enroute to our overnight in Dillon.
A "hole" was the term used by early settlers to designate a valley, and much of our next two days belong to the magnificence of Montana’s Big Hole. The Big Hole, ringed by the Pioneer Mountains to the east and the Bitterroots to the west, is the heart of Montana’s cattle country. Two moderate passes, Badger (675\60’) and Big Hole (7360’), mark our journey to Jackson and an overnight at the Jackson Hot Springs Lodge with the promise of a long, leisurely soak in the natural hot springs at the lodge. A side trip to Bannack State Park, site of Montana’s first territorial capital, is an option on this day.
Day 9 is one of the most extraordinary days in our total program. Following a short ride to Wisdom, we’ll turn west toward the towering Bitterroots. Shortly before entering the Beaverhead Forest, we’ll visit the Big Hole Battlefield National Monument, site in 1877 of one of the major conflicts between the government and Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce. From the battlefield, we’ll begin a long gradual climb to the Continental Divide atop Chief Joseph Pass (7264’), followed by a rapid descent to Lost Trail Pass astride the Montana/Idaho border. The downhill continues into the Bitterroot Valley to Hamilton, where we’ll spend our final night, and then it’s on to Missoula where our program concludes.
Total Mileage – 485
Canadian Rockies
Over the course of our 16-plus years of cycling throughout western North America, we believe that we’ve developed more than a superficial familiarity with most of the grand alpine regions throughout the U.S. and southern Canada. The Cascades and Sierras are magnificent, but the Rockies—well, the Rockies are without equal. We would be hard-pressed, however, to settle upon a single range within the Rockies that ranks as our absolute favorite. We will concede, though, that at least as to sheer, dramatic, breathtaking grandeur, the Canadian Rockies are tops.
Canada’s Rockies are recognized as one of the world’s premier cycling destinations. Surrounded by lush forests and towering, massive snowclad peaks, the cyclist, for the most part, rides the surprisingly gentle Icefields Parkway through the chain of valleys between the parallel ranges of the Rockies.
The Icefields Parkway is an integral component of both our Icefields Alpiner and Rambler tours. Unique to our program, however, is the marriage of the Parkway with the exciting Golden Triangle that embraces the extension of the Rockies into British Columbia and the adjacent Columbia River Valley. It is this combination of the Parkway and Golden Triangle—the best of road cycling in the Canadian Rockies—that has created the extraordinary aura that Timberline’s program in Canada has enjoyed over the years.
In addition to the Alpiner and Rambler programs, we’ll again offer Classic Canada, the exciting 10-day odyssey that unites the Rockies with the majestic Purcells and Selkirks, and magnificent lake country of British Columbia to the west.
Dates: (7 days, 6 nights; Sun-Sat) July 11-17; Aug. 8-14; Aug. 22-28
Assembly Point: Banff (airline, rail and bus service to Calgary; bus and rail service between Calgary and Banff; or optional Timberline van shuttle from Calgary to Banff prior to tour, and from Jasper to Banff and Calgary following tour)
Tour Cost: $1,495 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, leaders, tour maps and narratives) (Optional Timberline van shuttle between Calgary and Banff prior to tour and from Jasper to Banff and Calgary following tour—$50)
The Icefields Parkway and Golden Triangle—the marriage of these two regions translates into the most comprehensive and exciting bicycle tour in the Canadian Rockies. Banff, Radium Hot Springs, the Columbia River Valley, Kicking Horse Pass, Lake Louise, the Columbia Icefields, Athabasca Falls, Jasper—this is the heart of the Canadian Rockies that constitutes our Icefields Alpiner.
Our tour assembles in Banff and we’ll ride the quiet, gentle Bow Parkway as it follows the Bow River to Johnston Canyon. A leisurely first day affords ample opportunity for the short hikes back to the falls in both Johnston and Marble Canyons. We’ll ride on beyond the Continental Divide into Kootenay Park and British Columbia and spend our first overnight at the historic Kootenay Park Lodge.
Day 2 is a scenic delight as we continue through Kootenay Park, tracing the course of the Vermillion and Kootenay Rivers as they carve their course through the rugged Rockies. A final climb to the crest of Sinclair Pass precedes a thrilling 7-mile descent into Radium Hot Springs, whose name suggests the treat that awaits us at the end of this special day.
From Radium, it’s on to Golden on Day 3. We’ll trace the course of the Columbia River with the towering Rockies to our east and the beautiful Purcells and Selkirks to the west. On Day 4 it’s back over the Divide by way of Kicking Horse Pass (5338’) as we return to Banff National Park. We’ll overnight at Lake Louise in the charming Deer Lodge and visit not only the lake for which the village is named, but also incomparable Moraine Lake.
Our tour continues northward along the Icefields Parkway. We’ll spend our fifth night at Saskatchewan Crossing and then head for the Icefields early-morning of Day 6. We’ll climb imposing Sunwapta Pass, hike beyond treeline along magnificent Parker Ridge at Sunwapta’s summit before continuing to the Icefields Center at the foot of Athabasca Glacier. From the Icefields, we’ll descend along the course of the Sunwapta River to Sunwapta Falls for an overnight in the warm, gracious setting of the Sunwapta Falls Resort. A short, leisurely ride to Jasper, including a visit to Athabasca Falls, is planned for Day 7, providing an opportunity to explore Jasper prior to our return to Banff and Calgary.
Total Mileage – 345
Date: (9 days, 8 nights; Sat-Sun) July 24-Aug. 1
Assembly Point: Banff (airline, rail and bus service to Calgary; bus and rail service between Calgary and Banff; or optional Timberline van shuttle from Calgary to Banff prior to tour, and from Jasper to Banff and Calgary following tour)
Tour Cost: $1,895 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, leaders, tour maps and narratives) (Optional Timberline van shuttle from Calgary to Banff prior to tour and from Jasper to Banff and Calgary following tour—$50)
The Icefields Rambler incorporates all of the excitement of our 7-day Icefields Alpiner and adds the leisure of a free day in Lake Louise, a night in Jasper and the better part of a full day to explore the beautiful countryside surrounding Jasper.
The initial four days on tour follows the Icefields Alpiner itinerary, although the layover day in Lake Louise on Day 5 presents the inviting opportunity to explore several options along the way to Lake Louise on Day 4. Among those options are a relatively short detour to Natural Bridge and Emerald Lake and a breathtaking climb to Takakkaw Falls, the highest waterfall in Canada.
Day 5 is a layover day in Lake Louise, with some of the best hiking opportunities in the Canadian Rockies. Among the choices is spectacular Sentinel Pass, rising above timberline overlooking beautiful Moraine Lake and the surreal Valley of the Ten Peaks.
Following our second night at Deer Lodge at Lake Louise, we’ll head for the Icefields Parkway and a magnificent ride to Saskatchewan Crossing. We’ll climb gently to the Bow Summit, the highest point on the Parkway. Along the way, we’ll visit Hector Lake, Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Lake, all before lunch at Num-ti-jah Lodge. At the Bow Summit lies Peyto Lake, the crown jewel of Canadian high-alpine lakes. It’s then downhill to the Saskatchewan River and our overnight at The Crossing.
We’ll continue along the Parkway on Day 7 to the Columbia Icefields and then descend in the shadow of the stark peaks of the Endless Chain to Sunwapta Resort. The Rambler’s expanded itinerary suggests several options worth exploring on our way to Jasper the following day, including Athabasca Falls and Mount Edith Cavell. We’ll overnight in Jasper, ride to the famous Jasper Park Lodge for brunch the next morning, hike magnificent Maligne Canyon and then call it a tour mid-afternoon as we return to Calgary.
Total Mileage – 378
Date: (10 days, 9 nights; Fri-Sun) Aug. 27-Sept. 5
Assembly Point: Lake Louise (airline, rail and bus service to Calgary; bus and rail service between Calgary and Lake Louise; or optional Timberline van shuttle between Calgary and Lake Louise prior to, and following tour)
Tour Cost: $1,895 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, ferry tolls, support van, leaders, tour maps & narratives) (Optional Timberline van shuttle between Calgary and Lake Louise prior to and following tour—$50)
Banff, Lake Louise, the Columbia Icefields, Jasper—these are the place names that symbolize the allure of the Canadian Rockies. Timberline for years has toured this Rocky Mountain Front in the context of our Icefields Alpiner and Rambler programs.
But the magnificence of Alpine Canada sprawls westward well beyond the Great Divide into the heart of British Columbia. The rugged Purcells and Selkirks, the serene beauty of the great Columbia/ Kootenay River system and the valleys through which these waters flow, fiord-like lake country that is everywhere—these are a few of the ingredients of an extraordinary cycling adventure.
Simply stated, Classic Canada is Adventure Cycling at its best. In the course of 10 days, we’ll experience the almost indescribable beauty of Lake Louise, challenge the Great Divide twice as well as the many summits that we’ll encounter in the Purcells and Selkirks, trace the course of the Columbia, ride the shores of Kootenay and Arrow Lakes and the quaint ferries that cross those waters, explore no less than five of Canada’s Rocky Mountain parks, luxuriate in the natural hot springs at Radium, Ainsworth and Nakusp, and overnight in lodging the likes of Baker Creek Chalet and Ainsworth Hot Springs.
Classic Canada assembles in Lake Louise and we’ll climb to nearby Moraine Lake on Day 1. The hiking opportunities at Moraine Lake are extraordinary and our Day 1 mileage is intentionally light. Later in the day, we’ll descend to the Bow Valley and ride the serene Bow Parkway along the Bow River to Baker Creek Chalet, where we’ll spend the evening.
Our first encounter with the Great Divide occurs on Day 2 at the crest of Vermillion Pass. We’ll cross into British Columbia and Kootenay Park and descend along the Vermillion and Kootenay Rivers. We’ll climb Sinclair Pass that afternoon as a prelude to a 7-mile descent into Radium and a welcome soak in the hot springs.
We’ll follow the Columbia south of Radium to the Bavarian-like village of Kimberly, Canada’s highest city at 3,630’ nestled in the heart of the Purcells. It’s on to Cranbrook and Creston on Day 4 and an overnight near the shore of Kootenay Lake. We’ll trace the shore of Kootenay the next morning to Crawford Bay and board the ferry for the crossing to Balfour. Following an overnight at the Ainsworth Hot Springs Lodge, we’ll ride to Kaslo and through the Slocan Valley to New Denver and Nakusp on the shores of Upper Arrow Lake. We’ll overnight at the Selkirk Inn and visit the hot springs at Nakusp.
Mid-morning of Day 7, we’ll board our second ferry at Galena Bay as we cross Upper Arrow Lake on our way to Revelstoke. Our climb through the Selkirks begins as we leave the breakfast table on Day 8. We’ll cycle through Mt. Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks and spend the evening atop Rogers Pass at the Glacier Park Lodge.
A long descent is our reward on Day 9 as we ride to Golden and a final overnight in the picturesque townsite at the confluence of the Kicking Horse and Columbia Rivers. Our final day is anything but anticlimactic. We’ll trace the Kicking Horse through Yoho Park to its source among the high peaks near the Great Divide at Kicking Horse Pass as we return to Lake Louise.
Total Mileage – 610
Odyssey Series
From our earliest beginnings, when Trail Ridge Road in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park became the focal point for our first bicycle tour, we at Timberline have always believed in "pushing the envelope" of adventure. For better or worse, we’ve always sought an identity for our organization that would clearly distinguish Timberline from other adventure companies. And so, over the course of the 17 intervening years since we first rode Trail Ridge, the likes of the Glacier and Icefields Ramblers, Classic Canada and Colorado, River-of-No-Return and High Sierra have evolved as a continuing articulation of who we are.
In 1999, we’ll once again redraw the parameters of adventure as we launch our new Odyssey Series—extended adventure experiences for those who love adventure. We are a cycling and hiking organization and care little about the so-called multi-sport amalgams that intersperse days of horseback riding, van touring and shopping and call these activities adventure opportunities. Our Odyssey Series will be dedicated to cycling and hiking adventures for those who are passionate about cycling and hiking.
Rocky Mountain Magic will be our inaugural program and will set the tone for the future. We’ll offer a different itinerary each season, and we’ll plan without boundaries as to location or duration. If anyone’s interested in a glimpse into the future of this series, we’re looking towards celebrating the bicentennial anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition by replicating the Lewis & Clark odyssey from St. Louis to Astoria, Oregon.
Rocky Mountain Magic: Missoula-to-Jasper
Dates: (14 days, 13 nights; Sun-Sat) Aug. 8-21
Assembly Point: Missoula, MT (airline service to Missoula prior to tour and from Calgary following tour; Timberline van transfers from Missoula airport prior to tour and from Jasper to Calgary following tour)
Tour Cost: $2,895 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, whitewater raft trip, leaders, support van, transfers, tour maps & narratives)
Our odyssey begins in Missoula, where we’ve launched so many of our Glacier programs over the years. We’ll trace the course of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers as we ride east of Missoula over the Beavertail Divide on Day 1 and then head north through the Swan/Seeley Valley to Holland Lake, where we’ll spend our first overnight at the historic Holland Lake Lodge. We’ll continue north through the Swan Valley on Day 2 and visit Bigfork on the shores of Flathead Lake. We’re headed for Whitefish in the northern reaches of the Flathead Valley on this evening.
It’s on to Glacier the following morning, but not before breakfast at the Buffalo Cafe. We’ll pause before entering Glacier to experience the excitement of whitewater rafting, Montana-style. A half-day’s raft trip through the beautiful Flathead River Canyon has become the perfect plan over the years as we await the 4 p.m. opening of the road into the park for cyclists. We’ll ride the gentle 10 miles to Lake McDonald Lodge along the shores of the lake later that afternoon.
One of North America’s premier alpine cycling experiences is ours on Day 4 as we challenge Going-to-the-Sun to the summit of Logan Pass and the Continental Divide. We’ll continue on to Many Glacier where we’ll spend the evening at the Many Glacier Hotel. We’ll then ride from Many Glacier Valley early-morning of Day 5 and cross into Canada along the Chief Mountain Road—perhaps our all-time favorite cycling road. The next two overnights are planned for the magnificent Prince of Wales Hotel, perched high on a hill overlooking Waterton Lake.
Day 6 may be a layover day but it is anything other than a rest day. An early morning boat launch will transport our group across Waterton Lake to the Crypt Lake trailhead and we’ll spend the better part of the day engaged in this extraordinary ll. -mile round trip trek to one of Canada’s most magnificent alpine lakes.
The adventure continues on Day 7 as we ride north from Waterton and into the historic Crowsnest Pass region. We’ll overnight in Blairmore and then crest Crowsnest Pass early the following morning as we cross the divide into British Columbia. It’s on to Fort Steele that evening and then we’ll follow the great Columbia/ Kootenay River system north to Radium Hot Springs on Day 9. A soak in the natural hot springs at the Radium Aquacourt will be a welcome conclusion to this day.
We’ll climb from Radium early on Day 10 as we enter Kootenay National Park. We’ll crest Sinclair Pass and spend much of the day tracing the course of the Kootenay and Vermillion Rivers. A final climb up Vermillion Pass at the Continental Divide precedes another great downhill into the beautiful Bow River Valley. We’ll spend the night on the Bow at charming Baker Creek Chalets and then ride the short distance to fascinating Lake Louise the next morning. We’ll arrive in Lake Louise with virtually the full day to explore the magnificent lake, hike its shoreline and perhaps beyond to elegant Agnes Teahouse well above the lake. And, without a doubt, we won’t leave Lake Louise until we’ve visited amazing Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Our overnight is planned for Deer Lodge, adjacent to Lake Louise.
Our Odyssey continues on Day 12 as we head into the heart of the Canadian Rockies. We’ll ride the remarkable Icefields Parkway, one of North America’s great cycling roads, to Saskatchewan Crossing. We’ll climb gently to the Bow Summit, the highest point on the Parkway. Along the way, we’ll visit Hector Lake, Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Lake, all before lunch at Num-ti-jah Lodge. At the Bow Summit lies Peyto Lake, the crown jewel of Canadian high alpine lakes. It’s then downhill to the Saskatchewan River and our overnight at The Crossing.
We’ll continue along the Parkway the following day to the Columbia Icefields, pause at the summit of Sunwapta Pass to hike awesome Parker Ridge, and then descend along the dramatic Endless Chain to Sunwapta Falls Resort. A short leisurely ride to Jasper, including a visit to Athabasca Falls, is planned for our final day. We’ll have time to explore Jasper before our van shuttle to Calgary and the end of an Odyssey.
Total Mileage – 780
Alaska, At Last!
How does one begin to describe the extraordinary essence of Alaska? Alaska is so many things. Its vast expanse and remote, pristine character is almost beyond the grasp of most. Alaska is a land of extremes with the lowest ocean trough and highest mountain range in North America. Its climate is also marked by extremes: frozen tundra regions receive a scant 2 inches of rainfall annually compared to the lush forests in the south that receive over 300 inches. Alaska, too, is a land of indescribable beauty; its mountains dwarf the Alps; its glaciers are outnumbered only by those of Greenland and Antarctica, and its fjords surpass those of Norway.
We’re excited about our plans in Alaska for the coming season. We’ll offer three departure dates for our Adventure Alaska program, which merges a day of whitewater rafting and an opportunity for sea kayaking on beautiful Prince William Sound with 6 days of extraordinary on-road cycling.
The Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage is the focus for our 6-day Alaska Hike (p. 38), which has been scheduled to facilitate linkage with our Adventure Alaska dates for those seeking an extended Alaskan experience.
Dates: (8 days, 7 nights; Sun-Sun) July 4-11; July 25-Aug. 1; Aug. 22-29
Assembly Point: Anchorage (airline to Anchorage; van transfers to and from airport prior to and following tour)
Tour Cost: $1,795 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, ferry toll, sea kayak program, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps and narratives)
Towering snowclad mountains, massive glacial formations, wild, roiling rivers, the quaint port of Valdez, and a vastness and pristine character beyond articulation—these are but a few of the components of Adventure Alaska.
First and foremost, Adventure Alaska is a bicycle adventure, and an adventure that has been created consistent with Timberline’s concept and tradition of Adventure Cycling. But Adventure Alaska is more than cycling, and layover days at Sheep Mountain and Valdez provide the opportunities to experience the excitement of whitewater rafting on a wild Alaskan River and to explore Prince William Sound by sea kayak.
Adventure Alaska assembles in Anchorage and we’ll follow the city’s excellent bike trails as we head toward the Matanuska Valley. Our first night’s destination is Palmer and an overnight at the Gold Miners Inn. We’ll continue along the Matanuska River on Day 2 as it courses through the valley between the snowclad Talkeetna and Chugach Mountains. We’ll visit Matanuska Glacier, our first of many close encounters with glacial formations, as we ride to Sheep Mountain, where we’ll spend the next two nights in the magical setting of the Sheep Mountain Lodge.
The Matanuska River is whitewater rafting Alaskan-style, and it is an experience not to be missed. In other words, our layover day at Sheep Mountain will be something other than a "rest" day. Excellent hiking opportunities are also available.
Early-morning of Day 4, we’ll plunge into the lush forest so typical of that which characterizes much of the Alaskan interior. We’re headed for the historic Alaskan copper district and an overnight at the Copper Center Lodge.
Without question, Day 5 promises an extraordinary cycling experience. We’ll trace the route of the famous Alaskan Pipeline south from Copper Center along Richardson Highway and then challenge Thompson Pass, with its 61/2-mile, 2,000 foot climb to the summit in the heart of the Chugach Range. Along the way, we’ll visit Worthington Glacier before a long descent to the coastal town of Valdez and Prince William Sound. We’ll spend the next two evenings at the Valdez Village Inn.
Valdez is the kind of place in which you’ll want to linger. The rugged mountains and ethereal glaciers rise abruptly from the sea and provide the magnificent backdrop for this interesting village. Sea kayaking is only one of several interesting activities available on the layover day. One of the world’s great salmon fishing opportunities is another intriguing option.
A variety of adventures await us on Day 7. We’ll begin the day by boarding the Alaskan Ferry westbound across Prince William Sound to Portage Glacier Park. We’ll conclude this memorable day with a short ride along Turnagain Arm to Alyeska, where we’ll spend our final night prior to our return to Anchorage.
Total Mileage – 375
Oregon Coast/Cascades
Timberline’s tradition has always emphasized spectacular alpine cycling opportunities and that tradition is ever so apparent in our Oregon Coast-to-Cascades and Rogue River Ramblers.
Both of these 9-day adventures combine the allure of cycling the magnificent Oregon coastline with the challenge of the majestic Cascades to the east.
For those whose primary interest is the coast, we’ll again offer our 7-day North and South Oregon Coast programs.
Dates: (7 days, 6 nights; Sun-Sat) June 27-July 3; Aug. 1-7
Assembly Point: Hillsboro (airline, rail and bus service to Portland; bus or Timberline van shuttle between Portland and Hillsboro prior to tour, and to Eugene airport or Portland following tour. Note that tour originates in Hillsboro and terminates in Eugene)
Tour Cost: $1,395 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps & narratives) (Optional TImberline van shuttle from Eugene to Portland following tour—$30)
Early into your first contacts with the Oregon Coast, the realization that you’ve come upon a truly special place will rapidly become apparent. The Oregon Coast is a progression of state parklands created to preserve and protect the extraordinary natural beauty of the region for the use and enjoyment of future generations.
One senses that the cyclist also enjoys "protected" status in Oregon. So many of the roadways seem to have been created with the cyclist in mind. Broad, well-paved shoulders and signed bicycle routes create an ideal setting for a cycletour.
North Oregon Coast assembles in Hillsboro to the west of Portland. We’ll ride to the coast on Day 1, tracing the course of the Nehalem River as we head for the historic seaport of Astoria. We’ll have an opportunity to explore Astoria the following morning, including a tour of nearby Fort Clatsop, where the Lewis & Clark expedition wintered during its travels through the newly-acquired Louisiana Territory. We’ll continue southward along the coast to the charming seaside village of Cannon Beach and an oceanfront overnight at the Surfsand Resort. Tillamook, site of the largest cheese factory in the West, is our destination for Day 3. Along the way, we’ll visit the Nehalem Bay Winery and later tour the cheese factory in Tillamook.
The Oregon Coast in its grandest form is our setting on Day 4 as we ride the Three Capes Scenic Route on the way to Lincoln City, where we’ll overnight at the oceanfront Shilo Inn. On Day 5, we’ll tour a progression of small seaside villages, including the picturesque harborfront in Newport, enroute to Florence at the gateway to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
We’ll spend the next two evenings on the beach at the beautiful Driftwood Shores Resort. Day 6, a layover day, offers an opportunity to hike in the heart of the Siuslaw National Forest at Cape Perpetua. We’ll leave the beautiful Oregon Coast on our final day as we ride the gentle uplift of the Coastal Range into the Willamette Valley to Eugene where our tour concludes.
Total Mileage – 363
Dates: (7 days, 6 nights; Sun-Sat) Aug. 8-14
Assembly Point: Eugene (airline and bus service to Eugene, and from Eureka; Timberline van transfer from transportation terminals prior to tour and to Eureka airport or return to Eugene following the tour. Note that this tour originates in Eugene and terminates in Eureka, CA)
Tour Cost: $1,395 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps & narratives)
Let’s face it–as a cyclist, you will never, ever "get enough" of the Oregon coast. For years, we’ve cycled the North Oregon coast form Astoria to Florence and four years ago we developed our South Oregon Coast Adventure. Finally, for ‘99, we’ll offer the opportunity to cycle the entire length of the Oregon shoreline by linking our North and South Oregon Coast programs. We’ll also provide the shuttle back to Portland at the conclusion of South Oregon Coast.
In the course of the South Oregon Coast program, we’ll cycle from the Willamette Valley over the Coastal Range to the shores of the Pacific at Reedsport. We’ll trace the coast southward, cross into California and then explore the mighty Redwoods of northern California to the seaport of Eureka.
South Oregon Coast assembles in Eugene, site of the University of Oregon. Early-morning of Day 1, we’ll climb the gentle Coastal Range to the west into the Siuslaw National Forest and trace the Smith River as it empties into the Pacific at Reedsport, where we’ll spend the evening at the Salbasgeon Inn.
At some point during the next four days, plan on losing your heart to the Oregon Coast. All of our gushing with adjectives will only emphasize the futility of attempting to articulate that which you will see and experience as you cycle this indescribably beautiful region.
From Reedsport, we’ll ride the coast through the progression of state parks and sparkling beaches so characteristic of the Oregon shore. We’ll spend the next evening on the ocean in Bandon at the Sunset Lodge.
We’ll continue south beyond Cape Blanco to Gold Beach, and spend the next two evenings at the Gold Beach Resort. The Gold Beach area offers many options for our layover day, including an interesting ride along the Rogue River, a boat tour of the Rogue, or seaside activities along the area’s inviting beaches.
Several hills mark our route on Day 5 between Gold Beach and Brookings, but the views from the crests of these hills will have you "begging" for more. We’ll cross into California that afternoon and ride along magnificent Pebble Beach Drive to Crescent City, where we’ll spend the night.
The towering redwoods of northern California await us on Day 6. We’ll visit Redwood National Park, south of Klamath and then continue on to our final evening in the oceanside village of Orick.
Don’t even think of leaving Orick the next morning without having experienced the monster cinnamon rolls of the Palm Cafe. A short ride to Eureka on Day 7 concludes our tour. For anyone who needs the return ride, we’ll van shuttle to Eugene and Portland on the afternoon of the final day.
Total Mileage – 338
Oregon Coast-to-Cascades Rambler
Dates: (9 days, 8 nights; Sat-Sun) July 17-25
Assembly Point: Hillsboro (airline, rail and bus service to Portland; bus or Timberline van shuttle between Portland and Hillsboro prior to and following tour)
Tour Cost: $1,795 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps and narratives)
The rugged Oregon Coast, the pounding surf and expanses of beautiful, sandy beaches, the timberlands of the Siuslaw, Willamette, Deschutes and Mt. Hood National Forests, the pastoral setting of the Willamette Valley; the vibrancy of Eugene; the anticipation that builds as we trace the McKenzie River in preparation for our assault upon mighty McKenzie Pass and the towering snowclad Cascades, our "day in the wilderness" as we approach Mt. Hood and an unforgettable final night at the Timberline Lodge. The litany of experiences goes on and on—this is the essence of the Oregon Coast-to-Cascades Rambler.
We’ll assemble in Hillsboro, just west of Portland, and ride to Tillamook on Day 1, where we’ll visit the famous Tillamook Cheese factory. The next two days belong to the Oregon Coast. We’ll follow the Three Capes Scenic Route southward through Cape Mears, Lookout and Kiwanda and on to our overnight in the oceanside community of Lincoln City.
Our ride along the coast continues to Florence on Day 3, as we pass through the progression of state parks, created to protect the entire length of the Oregon Coast, and the many quaint coastal villages along the way. We’ll overnight on the ocean at the Driftwood Shores Resort, visit the Sand Dunes outside of Florence the following morning and then turn east for our gentle climb over the Coastal Range. Our fourth night is planned for Eugene, site of the University of Oregon, as we prepare for our transition from coast to Cascades.
It’s on to the Cascades on Day 5 as we trace the course of the McKenzie River to its source among the high peaks to the east. A relaxing evening in the cozy setting of the historic Holiday Farm precedes our engagement with McKenzie Pass on Day 6. McKenzie Pass is one of the West’s great alpine challenges. The grade on this climb, though long, is gradual and not intimidating. The emphasis here is the opportunity to absorb the spectacular variation in terrain that we encounter along the way. From the banks of the McKenzie, we climb through the heavily timbered Willamette Forest to the famous Belknap Crater and extensive, almost other-worldly lava fields and observatory atop McKenzie Pass. A spectacular descent precedes our overnight in Sisters.
From Sisters, it’s on to Detroit and an overnight on the shores of Detroit Lake. Early-morning of Day 8, we’ll ride the paved network of forest roads through a semi-wilderness area to the base of Mt. Hood, where we’ll spend our final night at the historic Timberline Lodge. Our return to Portland is virtually a downhill cruiser for much of this final day.
Total Mileage – 580
Dates: (9 days, 8 nights; Sat-Sun) Aug. 21-29
Assembly Point: Eugene (airline and bus service to Eugene; Timberline van transfer from transportation terminals prior to and following tour)
Tour Cost: $1,795 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps & narratives)
Among our most popular programs for the past two seasons, the Rogue River Rambler has solidly settled into that select group of adventures guaranteed to seduce any cyclist who truly hungers for the ultimate experience.
In many ways, the Rogue River Rambler is the southern companion to our Oregon Coast-to-Cascades Rambler. The marriage of the incomparable Oregon Coast with the rugged alpine setting of the Cascades is dramatic testimony to the fascination of Oregon. This combination is the essence of both Rambler tours.
In the Rogue, coast and Cascades are joined with an incredible ride along one of the West’s great Wild and Scenic Rivers. We’ll trace that river to and through the Rogue River Valley to its source in the high Cascades near Crater Lake. Along the way, we’ll climb awesome Bearcamp Pass, one of the West’s great alpine challenges.
The Rogue River Rambler assembles in Eugene, the vibrant site of the University of Oregon on the southern fringe of the Willamette Valley. Early-morning of Day 1, we’ll climb the gentle Coastal Range to the west into the Siuslaw National Forest and trace the Smith River as it empties into the Pacific at Reedsport, where we’ll spend the evening at the Salbasageon Inn.
From Reedsport, we’ll ride the coast through the progression of state parks and sparkling beaches so characteristic of the Oregon shore. We’ll spend the next evening on the ocean in Bandon at the Sunset Lodge and then continue south to Gold Beach at the mouth of the Rogue River. Following an overnight oceanside at the Gold Beach Resort, we’ll then head inland along the Rogue into the heart of the Rogue River Forest. Near the village of Agness, we’ll leave the Rogue for a memorable encounter with Bearcamp Pass; 16 miles and 4600 vertical feet and we’ve conquered the crest of the rugged Coastal Range. An incredible downhill is our reward and we’ll rejoin the Rogue near Galice and continue on to Morrison’s Lodge, where we’ll spend the evening and dine outdoors on the deck overlooking this mighty river.
On Day 5, we’ll continue along the Rogue to Grants Pass and then traverse the rolling Rogue River Valley through historic Jacksonville to Medford, where we’ll spend the evening. We’ll ride from the valley early-morning of Day 6 as we trace the Rogue upstream to its source high in the Cascades near Crater Lake. We’ll overnight on the banks of the Rogue at the Union Creek Resort.
The next day’s ride to Crater Lake is one that you won’t forget. The climb to the brink of the caldera is challenging, yet ethereal. The slopes of what was once Mt. Mazama are not unlike those of the surrounding peaks, but what lies beyond the brink, in the bowels of the volcano, is singularly exceptional.
We’ll spend two nights and a layover day at the newly-restored Crater Lake Lodge, the National Park Lodge situated on the lake itself. Among the activities available on the layover day are some outstanding hiking opportunities and a magnificent ride around the lake. A relaxing boat tour of the lake is another interesting option.
From Crater Lake, we’ll spend much of our final day in a downhill plunge along the beautiful North Umpqua River toward Roseburg. We’ll van shuttle back to Eugene late that final afternoon.
Total Mileage – 528
San Juan Islands/Canadian Gulfs/Cascades
The serene maritime setting of the San Juan Islands and Canadian Gulfs; the fiord-like shoreline of the Sunshine Coast; the alpine majesty of the Coastal Range, and mighty Mt. Rainier and the Cascades to the east—these are a few of the fascinations that lure legions of cyclotourists to the Pacific Northwest each year.
Timberline will again offer an experience tailored for every cycling interest, ranging from our relaxed, low-mileage tour of the San Juans to the more aggressive alpine adventure in Mount Rainier and North Cascades National Parks. Our Sea-to-Sky Adventure presents an intriguing combination of cycling and hiking in one of the great wild areas of the Pacific Northwest.
Dates: (7 days, 6 nights; Sun-Sat)
July 11-17; Aug. 8-14; Sept. 5-11
Assembly Point: Anacortes, WA (airline, rail and bus service to Seattle; bus service or optional Timberline van shuttle between Anacortes and Seattle prior to and following tour)
Tour Cost: $1,495 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, ferry tolls, kayak program, leaders, tour maps & narratives) (Optional Timberline van shuttle between Seattle and Anacortes prior to and following tour—$40)
The San Juan Islands, scattered about Puget Sound off the coast of mainland Washington, have become one of the world’s premier cycling destinations. Our San Juan Islands program will focus on three islands—Lopez, Orcas and San Juan— along with two days and a night in Victoria on Vancouver Island.
We’ll assemble in Anacortes north of Seattle and board the ferry early-morning of our first day for the short ride to Lopez Island and a leisurely day cycling along the Island’s excellent network of quiet country roads. We’ll overnight at the Islander Resort, situated serenely at water’s edge on Fisherman Bay.
It’s on to San Juan Island early-morning of Day 2, where we’ll spend two full days. During our stay on San Juan, we’ll visit picturesque Roche Harbor, historic British and American Camps, and, with a little luck, catch a glimpse of the magnificent Orca whales that frequent the waters off Whale Watchers Point at Lime Kiln Park. A sea kayaking adventure is an option during our second day on San Juan. We’ll spend our overnights in lively Friday Harbor at the Inn at Friday Harbor.
A morning ferry on Day 4 will transport us to Orcas Island for another 2-day visit. We’ll ride from the ferry to Deer Harbor and later tour the pottery works at West Beach on our way to Eastsound. We’ll spend the evening at the Landmark Inn in Eastsound.
A tour of Moran State Park is planned for Day 5 which includes several hiking options. Hovering well above Moran is Mount Constitution, with its exhilarating climb to the highest point on the San Juans and its spectacular view of the surrounding Gulf Islands along with the Olympic and Cascade Ranges on the distant horizon. We’ll ride on to Olga for lunch and Doe Bay before returning to Eastsound.
Day 6, it’s on to Canada and the island of Vancouver. We’ll land in Sydney mid-morning of Day 6 and ride the short distance to the famous Butchart Gardens. We’ll continue into Victoria later that afternoon and overnight at the Embassy Inn, situated across from the Parliament Building and a short stroll from the Inner Harbor.
An interesting ride along the water on Marine Drive marks our route on Day 7 as we head for the ferry and our return to Anacortes.
Total Mileage – 212
Dates: (9 days, 8 nights; Sat-Sun) Aug. 21-29
Assembly Point: Vancouver (airline and rail service to Vancouver; Timberline van transfers to and from transportation terminals prior to and following tour)
Tour Cost: $1,795 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, ferry tolls, leaders, tour maps and narratives)
Of all the magnificent regions through which we travel in the context of our adventure program, British Columbia presents perhaps our greatest rhetorical challenge. In so many ways, the almost indescribable natural beauty of this varied land is unlike anything that we have experienced elsewhere. The utter serenity of the Canadian Gulf Islands, the fiord-like quality of the Sunshine Coast, the excitement and vibrancy of Vancouver, the awesome, towering, snowclad Coastal Range, exciting Whistler and magnificent Garibaldi Park, and the entirety of the Sea-to-Sky experience... these are only a few of the impressions gleaned from our British Columbia adventure.
Our focus for Sea-to-Sky is southwestern British Columbia. We’ll visit Galiano, the Penders, Salt Spring and Vancouver Islands and then ferry across to the mainland and the Sunshine Coast during our initial 7-day cycling segment that explores the maritime character of B.C. We’ll then van shuttle to Whistler and hike into the alpine reaches of the Coastal Range for our final two days.
Although Vancouver is our "official" assembly point for Sea-to-Sky, we’ll actually gather in Tsawwassen, south of the Vancouver airport and departure terminal for the Gulf Islands ferry. We’ll board the ferry early-morning of Day 1 for the short voyage to Galiano Island with much of the day remaining to explore the island. Following an overnight at the Woodstone Country Inn, we’re off to Otter Bay at North Pender. An early arrival enables us to visit both North and South Pender on Day 2 and spend a relaxing evening on the water at the Bedwell Harbor Resort.
Day 3 and it’s on to Salt Spring, the most developed of the Canadian Gulfs. We’ll overnight in the lively village of Ganges at the Harbour House Hotel and ride to Vesuvius Bay the next morning for our crossing to Crofton on Vancouver Island. We’ll ride northward along the coast through Nanaimo and on to Qualicum Beach, where we’ll spend the evening.
Our tour of Vancouver Island continues on Day 5 to Courtenay and Comox, where we’ll board the ferry for our crossing of the Strait of Georgia to Powell River, northern gateway to the Sunshine Coast. Following an overnight along the water at the Beachcomber Resort in Powell River, we’ll head south along the Sunshine Coast.
Early on, we’ll understand why the Sunshine Coast is so popular amongst cyclists. The roads along the coast are ideal for cycling — little traffic, excellent road surfaces, and an incredibly beautiful scenic setting. The waters of the Georgia Strait glisten to the west; Vancouver Island is also prominent to the west, while the Coastal Range forms an impenetrable barrier to the east.
We’ll ride to Saltery Bay and ferry across to Earl’s Cove. We’re headed for Secret Cove and a night in the oceanside setting of Lord Jim’s Resort. Day 7, we’ll continue along the water to Sechelt and a final ferry crossing from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay. We’ll then van shuttle north to Whistler and arrive early enough to explore this vibrant village. We’ll spend the next two evenings at the Timberline Lodge in the heart of the village.
Early morning of Day 8, we’re off on our first hike, a challenging 8 1/2-mile round trip trek along Wedgemont Creek to Wedgemont Lake. The Lake’s setting is our reward — it sits at the toe of Wedgemont Glacier at the base of the massive snowfields of Wedge Mountain.
The adventure continues on our final day as we head to Garibaldi Provincial Park south of Whistler to hike the remarkable trail to Garibaldi Lake, a hike considered by many to be the Park’s finest. From the Rubble Creek trailhead, the trail climbs steadily, but moderately, to the Barrier, a massive natural lava wall that impounds the waters of Barrier Lake and Lesser Garibaldi as well as magnificent Garibaldi Lake itself at the trail’s crest (11 miles).
Following the hike, we’ll van shuttle back to Vancouver where our program concludes
Total Cycling Mileage – 295
Total Hiking Mileage – 19
Date: (9 days, 8 nights; Sat-Sun) July 24-Aug. 1
Assembly Point: Enumclaw (airline, rail and bus service to Seattle; bus service or Timberline van shuttle from Seattle to Enumclaw prior to tour and from Everett following tour)
Tour Cost: $1,795 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps & narratives)
Simply stated, we believe that our Rainier Rambler, more than any other cycletour offered in this region, captures the essence of the excitement and fascination of cycling in the Pacific Northwest. The fascination of cycling in the Pacific Northwest is its incomparable, varied terrain and we’ll experience these dramatic contrasts visually and physically in the context of this 9-day adventure. The awesome beauty of Mt. Rainier National Park, the towering spires of the North Cascades, the apple-growing empire of the Yakima and Columbia River Valleys, the maritime magic of Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands, the extraordinary beauty of Deception Pass—this is the continuum of experiences that is the Rainier Rambler.
The tour assembles in Enumclaw, just east of Seattle, and we’ll ride to the western entrance of Rainier Park on Day 1. We’ll overnight at the Nisqually Lodge just outside the Park and spend most of the following day exploring the park. We’ll climb to the Paradise Lodge, where we’ll spend the night on the slopes of Rainier, and arrive early enough to enjoy the outstanding hiking opportunities in the Paradise area.
The influence of the Cascades on the climate of the region to the east is apparent as we descend into the arid Yakima Valley on Day 3. We’ll return to the alpine zone of the Wenatchee National Forest the following day as we climb scenic Swauk Pass (4071’) enroute to Leavenworth where we’ll spend the evening.
Day 5, we’ll ride into the heart of Washington’s apple-growing empire. We’ll follow the Wenatchee River to it’s confluence with the Columbia and trace the Columbia northward for an evening at the Caravel Resort on the shores of Lake Chelan.
We’re headed for the North Cascades on Day 6 on roads that constitute a cyclist’s fantasy. An overnight in Winthrop precedes our encounter with Washington Pass (5477’) in the heart of North Cascades National Park. Cycling North Cascades Highway is a dream—sparse traffic, great shoulder, spectacular alpine scenery.
An evening in Marblemount on the Skagit River at Clark’s Skagit River Resort and then we’re off to the ocean. We’ll spend our final evening at Ship Harbor Inn on Fidalgo Island and cross magnificent Deception Pass to Whidbey before concluding our tour with a ferry ride across the Sound to Everett.
Total Mileage – 559
Colorado High-Country Gold
It’s our admittedly arrogant belief that almost everyone who has become hooked on cyclotouring at some point dreams of riding Colorado’s high country. The full array of cycling adventures that we have planned for Colorado this season reflects the manner in which our guests of past seasons have responded to their Colorado high-country experiences.
In so many ways, our plans for Colorado in 1999 reflect our pride and passion for our home state. We’ll again offer our 7 and slightly-tweaked 10-day adventures in the magnificent San Juans of southwestern Colorado, as well as Classic Colorado, a charter constituent in a growing category of Classic adventures – the extraordinary programs that have become Timberline’s signature experiences.
For those seeking a true backcountry off-road experience, look no further than our Hut-to-Hut programs in the heart of Colorado’s central Rockies and San Juans Backcountry Adventure (see Mountain Bike Adventures, pgs 27-30).
Dates: (7 days, 6 nights; Sun-Sat) June 27-July 3; Sept. 12-18
Assembly Point: Durango (airline and bus service to Durango; timberline van transfers to and from transportation terminals)
Tour Cost: $1,295 (includes lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps and narratives)
Extravagant rhetoric is unavoidable as we consider our San Juans Alpiner—there is no other way to describe the awesome and singular beauty of Colorado’s San Juan Range. We’ve obviously extolled the scenic pleasures of the Rocky Mountain West at length, but the San Juans truly are special. Their jagged, snowclad peaks rise dramatically from the valleys and their lush stands of evergreen and aspen are reminders of the snowfalls that can isolate this alpine region during the depths of winter.
The San Juans Alpiner assembles in Durango and we’ll ride westward early-morning of Day 1 to Mesa Verde National Park. Once inside the Park, we’ll climb from the Colorado Plateau to the high-mesa setting of the beautiful Far View Lodge, where we’ll spend our first overnight. We’ll spend the remainder of the first day and the morning of Day 2 exploring the ancient Anasazi ruins of Mesa Verde. We’ll leave the park mid-day for the short ride to Dolores and an overnight at the Dolores Mountain Inn. Along the way, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the fascinating Anasazi Cultural Center north of Cortez.
We’re headed for the heart of the San Juans early-morning of Day 3. We’ll tour the old mining towns of Stoner and Rico and then begin our ascent up Lizard Head Pass (10,222’) on our way to the magical mountain paradise that is Telluride. We’ll spend two evenings at the Viking Lodge and a layover day in this world-renowned retreat with its surreal alpine setting. Among our options for the layover in Telluride are several spectacular above-timberline hikes in the surrounding San Juan National Forest.
On Day 5, we’ll trace the course of the San Miguel River as we leave Telluride and ride toward the beautiful town of Ouray. We have a short ride the following day to Silverton, including a spectacular climb to the summit of Red Mountain Pass (11,008’) and a thrilling downhill into this quaint 19th-century mining camp. We’ll spend our final evening at the historic Wyman Hotel, a restored Victorian masterpiece. Our final day on tour includes ascents of Molas and Coal Bank Passes and a long downhill for our return to Durango.
Total Mileage – 266
Date: (10 days, 9 nights; Fri-Sun) July 23-Aug. 1
Assembly Point: Durango (airline and bus service to Durango; Timberline van transfers to and from transportation terminals)
Tour Cost: $1,895 (includes lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps and narratives)
The San Juans of southwestern Colorado are without question among the most spectacular collection of peaks to be found among all of the ranges of the Rocky Mountains of North America. That’s quite a mouthful when you consider the competition—the Canadian Rockies, the awesome peaks of Glacier, the Beartooths and Tetons, just to name a few.
The San Juans have been an integral and extremely popular component of our program over the years. In the course of this 10-day tour, we’ll go beyond the parameters of our more leisurely-paced Alpiner.
We’ll assemble in Durango and on Day 1 ride into the heart of the San Juans to the quaint 19th-century mining town of Silverton and an overnight at the restored Victorian Wyman Hotel. A short, interesting ride to Ouray is on the agenda for Day 2, including an awesome climb to timberline and the Continental Divide atop Red Mountain Pass (11,008’). It’s on to Telluride on Day 3 as we ride the Dallas Divide on the way to this world-renowned Victorian village nestled snugly against the backdrop of several of Colorado’s mighty "fourteeners."
The layover day in Telluride that follows is a new addition to this program and provides the opportunity to hike the spectacular Sneffels Highline Trail with its unparalleled views of the awesome San Juans.
A good deal of downhill highlights our ride to Montrose on Day 5 and then it’s on to Gunnison the following day, but not before a side trip to the spectacular Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument.
On Day 7, we’ll head for the Eastern San Juans as we trace the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River into beautiful Lake City. Slumgullion Pass presents a formidable challenge for Day 8. We’re at the Continental Divide atop Slumgullion (11,361’) and again a few miles down the road atop Spring Creek Pass (10,901’).
The ride from the summit of Spring Creek is one that you will never forget! We’ve entered the heart of the Rio Grande Forest in a high alpine setting that is indescribably beautiful. We’re at the source of the Rio Grande River and at that moment you’ll begin to understand the magical aura that surrounds Colorado’s Rocky Mountain highcountry.
The Rio Grande becomes a discernible river as it descends below Creede.We’ll trace its course to South Fork and an overnight at the Wolf Creek Ski Lodge. On Day 9 one final pass, Wolf Creek (10,850’), guards our approach to Pagosa Springs prior to our return to Durango the next day.
Total Mileage – 488
Date: (10 days, 9 nights; Fri-Sun) Aug. 13-22
Assembly Point: Boulder (airline, rail and bus service to Denver; bus or Timberline van shuttle between Denver and Boulder prior to and following tour)
Tour Cost: $1,895 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, round-trip shuttles between Denver and Boulder, leaders, tour maps and narratives)
A truly extraordinary eclectic adventure, Classic Colorado perhaps best expresses the magic that is Colorado. The vibrancy of Boulder; the majestic alpine grandeur of Rocky Mountain National Park; the thrill of Trail Ridge Road—likely the granddaddy of all alpine cycling experiences; the serenity of Willow Creek; the solitude and expansive freedom of North Park; the magnificent Zirkels; the excitement of Steamboat, Vail and Breckenridge; Colorado River whitewater, Glenwood Canyon and awesome, beyond-timberline Loveland Pass, and on and on—Classic Colorado is a Colorado classic to the core.
In the context of this 10-day odyssey, we’ll ride 455 miles on some of Colorado’s best cycling roads; we’ll climb seven spectacular, named passes and a few additional hills you’ll argue deserve to be named. We’ll traverse Rocky Mountain National Park from its eastern gate to its western extremity. We’ll hike to magical Gilpin Lake in the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness north of Steamboat, and spend a second layover day rafting the mighty Colorado through breathtakingly beautiful Glenwood Canyon. And lest you believe that we care little about your creature needs, we’ll enjoy the luxurious amenities of three of Colorado’s world-renowned ski resorts.
Classic Colorado assembles in Boulder, home of the University of Colorado and training base of many of the world’s top competitive cyclists and runners. We’ll get a taste of one of Boulder’s great training rides on Day 1 as we climb through Left-Hand Canyon to Ward, a 4500-foot warmup for the adventure ahead. We’ll ride the beautiful Peak-to-Peak Highway to Estes Park and we’ll spend our first night at the elegant, historic Stanley Hotel.
Rocky Mountain Park and Trail Ridge Road will command our attention for much of Day 2. Over the years, we’ve ridden most of North America’s major mountains—Independence, Red Mountain, Slumgullion, Cedar Canyon, Beartooth, Logan, McKenzie, and Hurricane Ridge are a few of the more memorable. We believe that Trail Ridge reigns as the premier alpine experience in North America. From the summit of Trail Ridge, at 12,183 feet, we actually descend well over 1,000 feet to reach the Continental Divide at Milner Pass (10,756’). We’ll continue on to Grand Lake and a night at the Rapids Lodge before heading into the remote reaches of North Park with a mellow ride over gentle Willow Creek Pass (9683’)
Following an overnight in Walden, we’ll again climb gently to Muddy Pass (8722’), and perhaps not so gently to the Continental Divide atop Rabbit Ears (9426’) before descending into the Yampa Valley and Steamboat Springs. We’ll spend the next two evenings at the Inn at Steamboat with its inviting pool and quiet setting near the slopes of Mt. Werner.
Day 5 is our first of two layover days and we’ll head north of Steamboat toward Steamboat Lake for a day of hiking in the beautiful Zirkels Wilderness. Our destination is Gilpin Lake, an 8-mile round-trip hike, and we’ll hope to soak in the natural hot springs at Strawberry Park on our way back to Steamboat.
Day 6 promises to be our most challenging. We’ll trace the course of the Yampa south of Steamboat through an area that poignantly expresses the vast, rugged expanse that is Colorado. We’re headed for Vail on this day with a second layover day and an exciting whitewater rafting adventure ahead.
It’s back on th