September 17th Southern Alberta Cruise

[Merc]

[04Ram2500Hemi]

All I need is the Montana part of the itinerary when it's done. I think user name old-timer might be coming.

[Meltdownaverted]

Originally Posted by 04Ram2500Hemi

All I need is the Montana part of the itinerary when it's done. I think user name old-timer might be coming.

staying in Eureka Friday night, cruising from there through Libby, towards Kalispell and up to Whitefish to Stay Saturday night. Stops and exact routes I'm not sure of I'll ask Thump426er to email me what he thinks is the coolest routes & stops as that is his stomping ground. As far as I know Sunday would be somewhat of a lazy cruise through Glacier heading back towards Alberta.

[vart]

I think I'll be coming.

[Garoad Shenlong]

I will be coming.

[bumblebee rules]

It sould be a GREAT time, got it booked off already LOL .................. :-)

[Victory1]

Looks like we're out for the September state side run. We'll be running that direction on the 17th but continuing on to Cranbrook for a surprise 50th that Saturday night. Don't think we'll be up early the next day to make the drive on Going to the Sun.

Have fun!

[Kray]

Booked rooms yesterday! Can't wait

[thump426er]

So here are some general directions for the Friday night, Saturday, Sunday driving portions.

Friday Eve:

- Not sure where we are initially meeting or of timing but guess somewhere at south end of Calgary perhaps even Nanton??? I can be south Calgary for say about 4:15ish or Nanton in about another 20 mins or so.
- Total distance is ~375kms and usually about 3hr 45mins to border. Time will be more than that as we are stopping a few times though. Also the sooner we get down there the better to maximize the daylight driving,,,, lotsa animals along hwy 93. Or just note that I'll probably be doing 90 once it gets hard to see them.
- South on hwy2 to Nanton
- West on hwy 533 towards Chain Lakes Rec area.
- South on hwy 22
- West on hwy 3
- 1st stop at Frank Slide Interpretive Center, the hwy cuts through the slide debris, once you reach the end of the debris there is a sign to the center. You essentially turn right off the hwy before the Fas Gas as the speed limit changes to 60 kms as you enter the town of Frank. Follow the road up maybe 1.5kms to the parking lot.
- Once done get back onto hwy 3 West and next I think was a stop in Sparwood/Fernie??? to grab a quick fast food A&W.
- After the quick grazing get back on hwy 3 West.
- Just past the town of Elko (or gas station of Elko) you turn South onto hwy 93. This takes you straight to the border. From here the town of Eureka is only about 5 minutes further on. I'd like to suggest after (or before depending on how check in works for wherever people are staying) we have a sit-down at Trappers Saloon. Its on the left about 2 minutes past the border crossing. Outdoor firepit, lots of dead things hanging from the walls, crazy old animal traps and best of all..... BUCK HUNTER at the back of the bar!!

Saturday:

- Breaky at Jax
- Total distance for day is ~540kms
- From Jax North on hwy 93 to "Four Corners", basically the edge of town by the Exxon and the Four Corners Restaurant.
- West onto hwy 37
- At the bridge which crosses to the Kootenai side (also the local dragstrip as you will see by the tire rubber) we have a choice to make. Good news is it can be split because they both end up in the same spot. There are roads down both sides of the lake, say ~60kms or so, both of great views, on the East side it is 70mph speed limit and bigger, faster, flowing corners. On the West side is I think a 45mph speed limit but tight, quick, tire eating turns (well both sides are tire eating really). Basically the East side has some engineering, bridges etc, and the West side follows the lay-of-the-land so to speak. Both of these go to the Libby Dam which can be our first stop for pics.
- We then keep on hwy 37 to Libby
- At Libby turn West on hwy 2 towards Troy then to Bonners Ferry
- Hwy 2 essentially turns south just before Bonners Ferry and turns into hwy 95 heading towards Sandpoint
- In Sandpoint which will be about 240kms into the Saturday leg we can have some grub at....... (Layla, insert grub stop here please).
- From Sandpoint we will head S/SE on hwy 200
- Roughly 55kms into hwy 200 turn North onto Bull River Road/hwy 56
- This takes us in a loop back to hwy2 about 1km East of Troy
- At hwy 2 head East towards Libby
- Along this route between Sandpoint and Kalispell we can find a spot to stop and take some pics/break
- Carry on through Libby on hwy 2 towards Kalispell
- In roughly the middle of Kalispell turn South on hwy 93
- At about the 2km mark on your right turn in to McKenzie River Pizza and chow down. Mmmmm pizza.
- Check in to wherever in Whitefish and go cut a rug at the Northern or Caseys depending on your flavour.

Sunday:

- Hit snooze on alarm
- Hit snooze one more time.
- Eat breaky somewhere....
- ~470-500 kms depending on which route taken
- South on hwy 93 a few kms
- East on 40 to Columbia Falls which turns into hwy 2
- At East Glacier take hwy 49, Lots of neat spots to stop and snap pics/take a breather all along and for the next while.
- Left onto hwy 89. This is the road that has some crap spots. It's also a dangerous section to go fast on as the road has no real shoulder and drops off steep and deep, for a long ways. The first several kms is the safest and the most fun with no road issues other than it is super tight and twisty.
- Take hwy 89 almost to border just past Babb, turn left onto hwy 16 and go through Chief mtn crossing which then passes by Waterton. We could have a snack break or whatever at Pincher Creek. Could also go through Carway and Cardston on hwy 2 and stop in Cardston or Ft. MacLeod.
- From there could take hwy 3 East to hwy 2 North or hwy 3 East and North up 22.

[wbdinger]

ahh man work sucks. lol

[Meltdownaverted]

OK Brent NOW I'm excited should be a great run

Oh and Sandpoint has a place called Panhandler Pies

They got good lunches and

PIE!!!!!

[fshog]

Rooms are booked!

[vart]

I'm in, but not sure about accomodation yet

[Robd]

Can't wait to go !I'm itching to get car back from body shop looking forward to trip .can't wait to see everybody I've met from track and more camaro fans