For better or Wurtz? (Calgary-Glacier)

[Stagbeetle]

Hi All,
I'm planning to enter the USA from Canada along the Flathead River, east of Roosville into Montana on the Kishenehn Trail at a place called Wurtz on my AWT. The online Canadian Gov. maps don't show any roads here, but Google Earth has Hwy 486 going right up to the Border.

Question: Can I legally cross into USA here? Is there a Border Post or anything. Any of you Guys from around Banff/Calgary-Glacier know?
Question: What if I do just cross over, Will I get kicked out if I get to the nearest official Govt. Agency to register?
Will it be best to find a main crossing at CanHwy6/US17 south of Blairmore and take the Belly River Trail to Wurtz? :confused1:

Thanks for looking

[STG06]

Staggie!!! There used to be a border crossing into the US at Flathead. It is now closed, I think after 9/11. Now, the closest official border crossing to the West is Roosville, to the East it is Chief Mountain. I had looked into crossing at Flathead, to get onto the western side of Glacier, but without it being an official port of entry, anyone entering there could be seen as entering the country illegally and would likely forfeit your motorcycle as you would be seen as having smuggled it into the US. And as you may know, the US is particularly sensitive about border protection.

The best suggestion to get into the northern part of 486 is to cross at Roosville, head south about 10km then turn east onto Grave Creek Road. It's a great track that'll take you to 486 about 6 mi south of the Canadian border. You can scoot up for a look, then turn south and continue either through Polebridge (used to have great Cinammon Buns) or turn up Red Meadow Creek Road and on into Whitefish. Grave Creek and Red Meadow Lake roads are part of the 2400km Great Divde route from Roosville to Antelope Wells NMex - check out Bicycle Tours & Maps, Bicycle Gear & Equipment - Adventure Cycling Association or have a look at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/golub/

Hope this is useful.
Stephen

[Stagbeetle]

Thanks Stephen - just the sort of info I was seeking. So I'll plan in a small detour to get round this glitch in my route planning.

It was the cyclist blog that got me thinking about this route, albeit with modifications to see Little Bighorn and Yellowstone, but I'll check out the HU one as well now.
Thanks again.

[STG06]

Staggie....if you are planning to do some riding in the southern/western Alberta etc area and would like any more info about the area, send me a note through the Red Deer Community and I'd be happy to link you up with what/who I know. Red Deer's not far from the Forestry Trunk Road that goes up along the eastern slopes of the Rockies. You can ride from Jasper right down to the US/Canada border although most people now peel off at the Crownest to cross into the US at Roosville. The ridin around the area where the July HU Mtg is being held in Colorado is also spectacular. Depending on when you plan to be in the area you could meet a few folks heading south from Alberta to Silverton in early July.

Cheers
Stephen

[Stagbeetle]

It's past midnight, I have square eyes and am still reading.....shows how all fired up I am about seeing your pictures. This is just the sort of trail I 'm looking for.

I have a blog on the planning for my trip, see http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fairless/
because I wanted others to see what was involved in planning a trip around the world, keep my family informed and find it a useful way of keeping to a schedule. (plus I like writing)

Although the route may looks cut and dried, it's just a framework to hang my ideas on, I'm flexible within certain limits.

If I can get my appartment sold before the end of June I'm off with my bike to Halifax, NS in July. Due to both visa restrictions and the coming cooler weather I need to be heading South from Inuvic by early Autumn at the latest, on my way to Argentina having crossed Northern Labrador and the rest of Canada. If the appartment is not sold by then, well I'll need to adjust dates and possibly starting points accordingly.

However, no matter what date I get to your part of the world - and our readers too - I would be most interested to swop stories and have a (or coffee) with anyone who feels so disposed.

I would like to get to HU Copper Canyon in October, but to do that I might need to take some main roads and then come back North to finish what I started. But hey that doesn't seem to be a chore, I'm allowing 3-4 years for the trip, but it's the visa time restrictions that will speed me on through, not my wish to get miles under my belt. it's nice to 'stop and smell the roses' as Grant says.

Can't thank you enough for your leads etc, now I really must get some ZZZZ in.

[BackroadExplorer]

The information Stephen gave you is spot on. The border crossing was referred to as Trail Creek but is now closed. I have one map that I beleive is up to date that shows "bridge out" at Flathead so it is likely the road has been rendered impassible at the border location.

My wife and I were on this road in August although not right down to the border. We headed south onto it off of BC Highway 3 a little west of the BC/AB border on Corbin road. We continued south from Corbin for a ways then west comming back onto BC 3 at Elko which is just north of the Rooseville border crossing. It is a great little backroad.

We are also in Red Deer so if you are heading this way send me a PM when you get close and we may be able to hook up for a .

Here are some pictures we took in August to give you an idea of what the road is like.

[STG06]

Bill....great pics....I looked at the first one and wondered how you got a picture of my tent gear bag on the back of your bike!!!!
...It looks good on the back of your Dakar.....

Staggie...had a look at your blog...you've done a lot of planning...don't know if anyone's tipped you off or not but a lot of people in Alberta and BC plan routes using the Mussio Backroads Mapbooks Publications series - Mussio Ventures Ltd. Presents Backroad Mapbooks, Fishing Mapbooks and the Premier BC Guide to the Trans Canada Trail The series shows all the smaller roads and routes and are well worth the investment for any BC or Southern Alberta travel. I haven't tried it yet but the Southwestern Alberta book is available in a digital version. Might be worth a look.

Once you get into the US, the DeLorme Gazeteers carry on the dirt road details - DeLorme - Mapping, GPS, and GIS Technologies - We Bring Technology Down to Earth (Go to the paper atlases and maps section)

DeLorme does one 40 odd page Gazetteer for each state - which can get to be quite a handful on a bike. I have carried about 5 gazetteers in a clear vinyl waterproof flat kayaking pouch which I just strap on to the top of the tent gear duffle that I have at the back of my bike...just like Bill's shown in his first photo.

The Gazeteers do have lat and long which you can then link to your GPS if need be. I personally like the paper map process.

Anyway....both Bill and I live in Red Deer and if you're interested in connecting with us feel free.....I really would suggest you consider having a look at the Forestry Trunk Road route for your once in a lifetime trek...

Cheers
Stephen

[Stagbeetle]

Yep Stephen, I am a bit anal when it comes to planning, perhaps it's because it was a major part of my job. Still it is just a framework to hang things on as all my friends and family keep asking the same questions every time we meet:confused1:

'Where you going?'
'When you going?'

Don't matter how many times I tell them, still get the same questions.
Anyway the blog keeps them up to date and re-assuires them that I am not just being reckless.

Hahaha....but I AM

Also hope it will help others to see that it can be done in a nice tidy fashion....hehe ...wait until I get out on the road though, my true anarchic nature will show itself.

I have several major goals in N.America,
1. Boyhood dream after reading Cache Lake Country: Ride a long lonely Canadian trail - Labrador
2. Get close to the top of the continent - Inuvik
3. See the Rockies - The Great Divide Trail
4. See some legendry places - Little Bighorn - Yellowstone - Grand Canyon
5. Talk to lots of people.
6. Visit Strokers Choppers in Dallas - Rick maybe a cousin, if not the scenary looks nice

Unfortunately visas only allow a limited stay, so I have to compromise and use main roads sometimes. But anyway, who said it was to be once, I may be back in a few years if I survive long enough, and have any money left.

Has anyone been around the world in an invalid carriage?

Thanks for your help on this, I'll check out all and any other suggestions.

[STG06]

Derek.....glad to see you've got a Labrador element in your trip. Was in Nfld/Lab last summer. If you've got some time and can swing it a little 1 hour boat ride side trip to Battle Harbour will give you an experience unlike anything else in Canada. Just a suggestion to consider Battle Harbour : Home

It's off the road running south from Cartwright...just north of Red Bay! What bike will you be on?

Stephen

[Stagbeetle]

Thanks for the suggestion about Battle Harbour, might just take that boat ride, I'll have to see what the weather is like. I plan to stop at Mary's Harbour for a day to gather my strength before heading off to Cartwright.

I'm riding a 10 year old BMW f650 Funduro with 10,000 on the clock. Next week sees the start of bike prep.

New HD Tubes
Semi knobbly front tyre
Will change to rear knobbly at Mary's Harbour (will have it with me)
check wheel bearings
Raise front fender
replace fork seals & heavier fluid
progressive fork springs
radiator stone guard
modify sump guard
overhaul water pump
check/replace water hoses
service brakes
upgrade generator
headlight stone guard
replace front indicators with flexible type
replace all bulbs for LEDs
fit fuel line filter
fit fuel line couplers
fit touring screen
fit handlebar risers
fit hand guards
modify side stand (larger foot)
fit power management control box
fit power take off points
replace battery with Gel type battery
make and fit better chain guard
fit Scottoiler
fit oil temp guage
fit panniers and carriers
service rear suspension unit
check valve clearences
overhaul carbs
airbrush motife on fairing
service all the other std bits like filters oil change etc.
anything I've forgotten?

Oh yes make and fit toolbox to crash bars, think that's it.

My main fear is the lack of fuel between Goose Bay and Churchill Falls, because although I can get about 250 miles (400km) from full to empty, if I'm unlucky enough to have wet a slippery roads the fuel consumption will go up. I plan to have extra petrol for that leg in the shape of a couple of 5 litre cans.

I figured that if I test myself in the first few weeks, I can adjust the next 2 years accordingly. But I've got plenty of time, I'm not racing to get anywhere.

[klrcelt]

I live about two hours south of the border in kalispell M.T. I've ridden the divide to colorado from Roosville by bicycle but plan on going to the HU meet in Colorado by travelling the divide on the KLR to Silverton. If you want to hook up to ride the trail or parts of it just let me know.

Ride safe
Wayne

[Stagbeetle]

Originally Posted by klrcelt

If you want to hook up to ride the trail or parts of it just let me know.

Ride safe
Wayne

Thanks Wayne. will contact you nearer the day to see if you are about.

Many thanks

drx