Aug 23 2010
At about 15 minutes to 5 am I was packed, loaded and ready to go.
I left Lewiston, headed North on US95 until reaching Plummer at which time I turned onto highway 5 to St. Maries. Somewhere between Moscow and St. Maries, I came upon my first brush with death on this trip. I was about 5 to 10 car lengths behind the car in front of me. We were driving through what might be considered a wooded area when a deer decides to cross the road. But, not just anywhere, it decides to cross between the car in front of me and myself. It happened so fast I didn’t have any time to react. All I can say is that, the deer and I are both lucky that it was a fast deer.
From St. Maries, I got on the St. Joe River Scenic Byway and rode to Avery, at which point the GPS confused me. It was telling me to turn north, but I was sure that I wanted to continue straight to St. Regis. So, I got out my paper map and looked over my situation and found that either way, I was going to run into gravel roads. I rode back into Avery and asked the guy at a little store there about it. He said, you’re going to have to go back to St. Maries and then turn north to the freeway. After much debate, I did that. However, had I known then what I know now, I would have continued straight and taken that last 12 or so miles of dirt/gravel road into St. Regis. So, back to St. Maries I went.
From St. Maries, I went north on highway 3 up to the I90 freeway. From there, I again headed for St. Regis. And this is where I came upon my second brush with death.
First some facts for better understanding of the event that transpired. The freeway is four lanes (two lanes each direction), with large concrete block dividers down the middle. Much of this section of the freeway has a wave or rolling hills effect, which is fine when going straight. However, when on a motorcycle trying to curve with the road, it can get a little interesting. Since, the bike is leaned over slightly as each turn is made, this rolling effect, now turns into a small seismic event on the front tire which makes steering troublesome. I also noticed that when this occurs, releasing the throttle to slow for better control makes the seismic event extend its reach to the back tire as well. That being said, somewhere on the East side of Lookout Pass traveling at 75-80 mph in the inside lane, I came upon one of these curves that went to the right. During the turn, I noticed that I was not turning as fast as the road was and my front tire had already reach 0.5 on the Richter scale. I let off the throttle, which instantly took the front tire to a 2.0 and rear tire to a 1.5 and I wasn’t turning much better than before. And, there they came, slowly closer and closer. Those median concrete blocks, which I was obviously not riding completely parallel to, as one hopes to do. I believe I took a deep breath, white knuckled the grips and tightened my jaw as the bikes left under side came in contact and scraped a median block which gently nudged me back into my lane.
At which time I was able to straighten back up as I came out of the curve.
And now, I wonder ... How cool were the sparks that came out from behind me as this all happened? I guess I’ll never know.
At which time I was able to straighten back up as I came out of the curve.
And now, I wonder ... How cool were the sparks that came out from behind me as this all happened? I guess I’ll never know.
Onto US93 going north, turning east onto MT82 over to MT 35 going north again, until I got to the highway 206 turnoff. Here, I stopped for fuel and then went north into West Glacier and Apgar to my first camp site.
After setting up camp, I rode over to drop off my payment envelope and saw a couple rangers looking around in the patch of trees across from the camp sites. I asked one, what was up, and he said, oh, it’s just a 2 year old black bear that has been hanging around. I said, Oh, ok, and headed back towards the entrance at which point, I passed a couple getting out of their truck to take pictures of said black bear. I just caught a glimpse of him as I went past. I then went back into West Glacier for an early supper.
I had planned to get a picture at the park entrance sign on my way back into the park. When I got there a family was just leaving, so I was able to pull my bike up to the sign for the picture. Just then another family pulled in behind me. They asked if I wanted them to take the picture. I said sure and let them take the picture. I then asked if they wanted me to take their picture and they said sure. They just had me leave my bike in the picture. After that, two ladies walked up and one asked if she could have her picture taken with my "cool" bike. I said, sure. Once that was taken, she then said, come take a picture with me. The lady taking the pictures said that she is going to get in trouble with her husband, but took the picture anyway.
Back at the camp ground, I started into loop B and as I was almost to my camp site, I had to come to a complete stop while a deer (about 3-4 ft tall) looked at me and then took its time deciding where it was going to go, so I could pass by.
As I pulled back into my site, I attempted to back the bike around a little and found that it didn’t want to stay up right. I was able to hold it and a guy from a neighboring camp came over and helped me keep it up. I then went over and took some pictures of Lake McDonald.
While walking about, I came upon a sign with the "Evening Program Schedule". Come to find out, in all the camp grounds each night there is a program at 7:30pm. This day, it was Jack Gladstone. So when the time came, I went to check that out. Jack does a story telling type music. He had with him "SaxMan McKinley" which is a very good sax player.
Aug 24 2010
At 6:15 am Mt Time I was loaded up and leaving camp. I was on the "Going to the Sun" road, climbing gradually up into the hills, and then there was the edge. You know, it’s a little nerve racking riding next to such a steep drop on such a heavy bike that is that much heavier because of all the stuff loaded on it. I decided that I was going to stop at a turn out and take a couple pictures. I slowed, I pull off, I put on the breaks, I put my foot down and the next thing I knew, I was on the ground and the bike was on its side. It only took a second to be up on my feet, but the bike on the other hand.... Did I mention how much heavier it is with all that stuff on it. Luckily, there were a couple people behind me that stopped and a couple guys helped me pick it up. Once I assured everyone that I was fine, they continued on and I got the camera out.
The rest of the trip over the pass was uneventful, as long as you don’t count being stopped for construction, which was expected.
Once over the hill, I went north on US89 to Babb, fueled up and then into Many Glacier Camp Ground. At 9:00 am I found site 19 and setup camp. I then put on my water pack, GPS and a couple granola bars and headed towards Iceberg Lake (4.8 miles one way).
In the first half mile, I was able to take a picture of a Grizzly and her three cubs up on the hill.Several other pictures were taken during the hike.
With a break at the lake to rest and eat the granola bars, I headed back down. Four hours twenty six minutes after leaving camp, I strolled back into camp. The hike up, I didn’t have any issues, however, on the hike down I noticed a sore feeling on my heels caused by my feet not staying put in my boots. Many people, including a range with three scopes on tripods were watching the Grizzly bears above the camp ground.
I rested for a while, and then went to the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn for an early supper, a Chicken Grinder w/Side salad.
I wondered around, found the "amphitheater", took a couple pictures, tightened and straightened the left light on the bike, checked out my brand new blisters on my heels and then rested until the 7:30 evening event. At the evening event, a deer decided to join us. Today’s event was a man that was from one of the Blackfeet tribes and he told stories and answered questions.
Aug 25 2010
I was then off to Running Eagle Falls. In order to get some better pictures, I had to go beyond the "observation deck", shhhh, don’t tell. I had been told by another hiker that there was a black bear in the area. I never saw it. Later I heard that there were two black bears wondering around and eating in the area.
I returned to Two Medicine Lake and took some pictures and looked around the gift shop which is where I found a labeled picture of the surroundings.
On many of the maps I was seeing I could not find the Rockwell Falls that I had planned to hike to, so I stopped by the ranger station and the ranger there provided another map that showed what I was looking for. I then started the hike. Many pictures were taken of things along the trail including the bridge that can only have one hiker on it at a time, Rockwell falls, and Aster falls which was a small detour on the way back to camp.
Between the hike on the 24th and the two hikes on the 25thmy legs and feet are starting to get a little stiff and sore, but you’ll notice that the blisters didn’t stop me from going on two more hikes. I did double up my socks to make sure I didn’t have the same problem again.
On many of the maps I was seeing I could not find the Rockwell Falls that I had planned to hike to, so I stopped by the ranger station and the ranger there provided another map that showed what I was looking for. I then started the hike. Many pictures were taken of things along the trail including the bridge that can only have one hiker on it at a time, Rockwell falls, and Aster falls which was a small detour on the way back to camp.
Between the hike on the 24th and the two hikes on the 25thmy legs and feet are starting to get a little stiff and sore, but you’ll notice that the blisters didn’t stop me from going on two more hikes. I did double up my socks to make sure I didn’t have the same problem again.
I changed into shorts and sandals and went over to pray lake to soak my feet a little. Ahhhh, that felt good.
After changing back into my jeans and boots I grabbed my wallet and headed to East Glacier for something to eat. Luckily, I didn’t get very far before I realized that my pass to get back into the park is in my tank bag which was in camp. I turned around and went and got the bag. In East Glacier I stopped at Luna’s Restaurant. I had the Italian beef sandwich.
Back at camp, I took down some notes so that I could remember a few things then laid down in the hammock and rested.
I took a couple pictures on the way to the evening event. The speaker for the event never showed up. The ranger lady went over her little schpeel, and then while waiting answered questions. Fire arms were brought up in regards to bear attacks, and she mentioned some bill that had a "you can carry fire arms in national parks" clause slipped in. She said, as rangers, how afraid they had been of the problems that it may cause. But, it hadn’t caused any. She said, they probably were already carrying them, we just didn’t know about it. She seemed to be more afraid of having people that didn’t really know how to use a gun, carrying them. She also said, based on statistics, you have a 90% chance of avoiding or minimizing a bear attack if you use bear spray, vs. only a 50% chance with a gun. This is due to the speed at which a bear moves during an attack. She said that she was in law enforcement before becoming a range and was trained on handling and using fire arms. She said that with the speed of which a bear attack happens; even she doesn’t think she would have a chance to take an effective shot. However, with bear spray, it will put a fog of highly concentrated pepper spray between you and the bear which will burn the eyes, mouth, throat and lungs of the bear. Summarized, she said she feels safer with bear spray than she would with a gun.
Aug 26 2010
I had to go to the Lodge to get change to pay the $8 for the camp site, vs. the $20 a night for the ones in Glacier. I then dropped the payment envelop, finished setup at camp, rinsed off my face, head and bandanna. Then, I walked down to the river.
I went up to the Lodge for a supper of Cod and Onion rings (instead of fries). I took my time eating and found I was probably a little dehydrated, due to the amount of liquids I was putting down. After eating I looked through their little gift shop. They had a small shirt that had a motorcycle (two up) driving away and then the phase "Does this motorcycle make my behind look fast". (Modified to reduce the number of people that are to be offended.)
Aug 27 2010
At 6:52 Pacific time I was packed and rode up to the Lodge for a hot chocolate and some toast for breakfast. I then headed home. Just before Lowell, I spent an unplanned $85 due to a 63 mph speed in a 50 mph speed limit. I’m going to go ahead and blame Scott. He is the one that gave me my cramp buster which is use to keep the throttle set just resting your hand on it, instead of having to grip the handle. I then rode into Kamiah and filled the tank.
As I continued on my way, it was fairly uneventful, right up until my last brush with death. There were a handful of vehicles in front of me as we came up on some construction on the bridge next to the turn to Juliaetta. We had slowed to 35-36 mph and were crossing the bridge as directed by the flagman. Little did I know, or could I tell around traffic in front of me, the flagman on the other side of the bridge stopped the my line to let a truck, coming from Juliaetta, in front of us. Suddenly the truck in front of me was stopped, surprising myself and the semi behind me. I grabbed the breaks, slid my back tire going from 36 mph to 0 mph in something less than 22ft. (GPS doesn’t tell me when I actually grabbed the breaks.) Once again, I lived to tell, this, my wordy tale. I made it the rest of the way home without incident.
Spent Aprox. $268.65 (fuel, food, fees) (not counting the $85 ticket)
AJ's Crazy Biker Adventures
