18 August 2013

Going-to-the-Sun Road

This is one of the USA's great tourist roads. Located in Glacier National Park its sole purpose is for scenic drives and is only open during the summer driving season. At other times it is very deep under snow. Just before Logan Pass at the top there is a place called Big Drift where the snow drifts get to 100 ft and snow clearing is not done with your average snow plough.

As it is narrow, winding and has no shoulders, there are restrictions on cyclists so they do not interfere with the driving pleasure of the Americans. Currently they are near the end of a major reconstruction of the road which creates uncertainty about cycling restrictions.

Near the beginning of an 11 km climb of 600 m along the flank of the mountain on the right. A modest climb on a normal day and a delightful ride, but with my asthma at the moment it was my limit and was my 2nd last day on the bike for this tour.

Cresting Logan Pass. Just back is a car park for walkers exploring peaks like this one.
The view from the start of the descent.

On the way down. I was beside the river below after a wonderful car-free spin down the hill at about 45-50 kph for 20 kms. Note the red "jammers" buses rebuilt from the 1930s. It appears period costume is popular with passengers. The fast riders enjoyed their descent at about 70 kph

Adjacent to Glacier National Park, over the border in Canada, is Waterton National Park that is spectacular. The 2 parks are collectively named the Glaciers International Peace Park, or some such. Anyhow if you have an urge for an icy winter wonderland holiday, in remote cold continental America, this should be on your list, particularly the hotel overlooking the lake, which presumably has very thick ice cover in winter

It appears to be a region where the US and Canadians are very friendly to each other.

No comments:

Post a Comment