Hey Wink,
For the intial part of your trip, one option to stay in the mountains is to take Hwy #1 west to Revelstoke. I would also recommend doing an out an back on the Icefields Parkway (#93) from Lake Louise, you can go all the way to Jasper if you want but at least ride all the way to the Columbia Icefield.
From Revy, south on #23 and then #6 to New Denver. From there, east to Kaslo and then south to Nelson on #31.
From there, you can continue south on #6 or over to #3a heading south to the border.
In Nelson, you are welcome to stay if you are already tired of camping. Drop me an email or pm if you are.
Since it will be early May and technically barely the beginning of the riding season, the weather may be variable and you could have to wait out a bit of snow on the passes or change your plans at some point. It's warm in the sun, but still winter up high. For some indication on the variability of the temperature, I went golfing on this Saturday and back country skiing on Sunday. If it stays clear for you, the views are spectacular as there will be snowcapped peaks glistening in the sun.
Ride safe and bring warm clothes. It'll get much warmer as you head south.
|