What to Know Before Biking the Going-To-The-Sun-Road in Glacier National Park, Insights from a Local
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- čas přidán 24. 06. 2024
- Are you planning to bike the Going-To-The-Sun-Road in Glacier National Park? Need help navigating all the travel logistics involved with doing so? If yes, you're in the right place!
In today's video I'm taking you along with me into Glacier Park to bike the famous GTTSR. I'll be explaining how to plan this experience, what time of year is best to go, how to coordinate logistics, and map out the route for you. My goal is to eliminate all the guesswork from your travels so that you can have a smooth and well-informed experience.
As mentioned in the video, biking season in Glacier is contingent on weather conditions for that year. Typically, the road opens for cyclists in early May up until late June, before it opens up for vehicle traffic for the rest of the summer. It's important to watch road updates closely during the spring to ensure you'll have the full experience and not run into unexpected road closures or obstacles. Road maintenance and construction projects are always happening on this road so it's highly advised to keep updated on the latest by checking the Glacier Park website: www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisi...
Please note that to drive your own vehicle into Glacier N. Park you must have a vehicle reservation to enter. This is something you need if you plan to drive your bikes into the park and start using them near Lake McDonald Lodge or Avalanche Creek. Visit recreation.gov to find out more information and reserve your pass.
I do NOT advise biking the GTTSR once it opens to general vehicle traffic for the summer. This is a very narrow, two-lane road that's very crowded and busy during the summer. It's dangerous (and also quite annoying) to have bikers traveling on this tight road during peak season. Take advantage of it being accessible for bikers only during the spring and avoid the stress and risks that come from doing it later in the year. It's a much safer way/time to do it!
BIKE RENTAL/TOUR OPTIONS:
Biking Tours - app.rockporch.com/mlink/614?u...
Bike Rentals INSIDE Glacier National Park - app.rockporch.com/mlink/614?u...
Bike Rentals OUTSIDE of Glacier National Park:
Sportsman Ski Haus - www.sportsmanskihaus.com
Montana E-Bikes - www.mtebikes.com
If you found this video helpful, don't forget to hit subscribe. Your support of my channel is greatly appreciated!
#GlacierNationalPark #GTTSR #Biking
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Well, I’ve watched numerous videos regarding this bike ride and yours is the most detailed/informative. Nobody else mentioned the important fact that “the loop” is closed till 3pm during the week. It would be disappointing to ride to that point to find that out.
Also, props to you for being cool about the pedal assist bike. I’m an avid cyclist, but I never have a snobbish attitude towards folks who require an e-bike. Whatever it takes to get out on a bike is positive and great!
Thanks for taking the time to go over details. 👍🏽
Glad I could help! The closures at the “the loop” are inconsistent and vary each year, but for the last several years this point has be blocked off during the early-season weekdays. I always ask people via word of mouth before biking if I really want to bike to the top at a specific time :)
Most informative video I’ve watched on this trail yet. Great job.
You went in June? 2:30-6:30pm? And what would you say about bringing layers? I hear the ride back can be cold.
Thank you for this video! I'm coming there mid-May of 2024 and this is so helpful with my trip planning. I love biking as well, but will be getting ebikes instead. I want to enjoy the view rather than work that hard! :)
I'm planning this trip for 2024. This was super helpful. thanks!
Great video Jeff! Really helpful. It looks like I'm too late to get a vehicle reservation for June this year. Do you know if I can park at Glacier Outfitters near the Apgar Visitor Center and start the GTTSR on a bike to avoid the need for a reservation?
You can conveniently rent e-bikes at Glacier Outfitters in Apgar Village. They rent bike racks to transport your e-bikes to Avalanche Creek as well.
This is a really helpful video. I'm planning to visit Glacier NP in mid-May to go biking. When will the road to Logan Pass be opened? I hope to be able to make it to Logan Pass when I go.
Thank you this was so fun to watch! About how long did it take you round trip?
Glad you enjoyed it! With a leisurely pace on e-bikes it takes about 4 hours round trip. On regular bikes I’d budget a lot more time for peddling! (6Hours+)
Thank you, Jeff! This was so helpful. The only question I still have is: Can I camp along the road during this early spring period if I want to do the entire stretch of road and turn it into a multi-day trip? (And, of course, if I'm prepared for all weather.) Planning to take the train to West Glacier with my bike and hoping to catch it home from the East Glacier Amtrak station.
I understand you correctly that you need a car reservation even before the road is open to automobile traffic? We’re planning to bike to Logan’s pass this early june and didn’t think we needed that reservation.
What time of year did you go? The weather looks so pleasant!
Does the bike rental shop provide a spare inner tube with the bike? They should! What would you do if you got a flat tire near Logan Pass? No cell phone service, now what? Have your companion ride all the way back to get a spare?
1) so they plow Mon-Thurs so does that mean you can ride at any hour Fri, Sat & Sun? 2) if I need to leave my RV at Apgar and ride my ebike to Avalanche how long would you guess for extra time and will the road be busy at 8 am already?
This was an awesome video! My fiancé and I will be going to Montana for our honeymoon and hope the weather is good to bike this trail on June 7th. Do you have any advise on rental bikes and getting them into the park?We are renting a car and a lot of bike rental companies suggest using their shuttle to get to the starting point . But some bike rentals seem to be at the entrances of the park . Any suggestions on this ? Weren’t not gonna have a truck to throw the bikes in the back of :/
You can conveniently rent e-bikes at Glacier Outfitters in Apgar Village. They rent bike racks to transport your e-bikes to Avalanche Creek as well.
Sir I'm 280lbs and out of shape and doing the same ride to Logans Pass. I know the E-Bikes help a lot but do you think it's a big enough help for heavy out of shape guys like me? I get winded very easy but can push through if its not too much. Do you think I can make it with an E-Bike based on how I described myself? Also, how many wats were your E-Bike? Whats the ideal watts for that ride to Logans Pass?
I'm heading up to Kalispell for a wedding in June. Is this road closed off from cars or something?
Looks awesome!
Yes it’s closed off to vehicle traffic. The road typically opens for vehicle traffic in late June - depending on the conditions of that year
@Jeff_Hyer thank you. Looks to be 40 min drive from Kalispell. Any tips for driving to unload the bike for a quick ride?
Do I understand correctly that vehicle traffic is closed for some amount of distance to the top depending upon what sections have been opened? Approximately how many miles would that be from the end of where you can ride to? also do you need a day pass for these bike rides, if so I'm guessing that you try to get them the night before?
1) Correct 2) Could be anywhere from 16-21 miles 3) yes, if you enter from the West Glacier entrance anytime after May 24th (2024)
What about biking it after the busy season? Last week of September or early October, right before it closes?
Typically when the GTTSR closes for the season, it closes for all types of traffic at once. Only occasionally will it close in phases and allow biking-only traffic again. For as long as vehicles are driving on it, it's not advised to bike.
@@Jeff_Hyer right, I don’t want to be a burden to vehicle traffic. Would you think something like a 4am start late in the season still be an annoyance to cars?
@@bnorvs5929Don’t you think you’ll miss the views riding in the dark?
@@pliccut it’s gonna take my a few hours to get to the top. Not worried about it