Seeking route advice

[was]

I'm planning a trip west from Connecticut to Bend, OR, in late June/earlyJuly. Folks on the Midwest Regional forum have strongly recommended running through Canada rather than the US midwest, so at the moment I'm looking at that option. One section that looks intrigueing is Rt 3 out of Medicine Hat to Osoyoos, where I could pick up Rt 97 south down to Bend. Does anyone have any experience on Rt 3? Recommendations for or against? Other route recommendations? Many thanks.

Bill

[kriach]

Route 3 west of Lethbridge is known as the Crowsnest Pass. It is a very beautiful drive through the mountains and you should have a wonderfull time on it. The only caution I might add is that it can be a very windy pass. The road is very good and is well maintained.


just my $ .02 worth.


regards

Ken

[Bernie]

We have travelled from Calgary to the East Coast numerous times. I would recommend that when you get close to Lethbridge, (Rte. 3) that you arrange to cross into Montana via the Going to the Sun Highway and the back in to Canada via Port of Rossville then continue on Rte. 3.
From Lethbridge you would take 5 to 2 to Saint Marys then over the pass. Continue to Whitefish then 93 up to Rossville. This is claimed to be one of the top 7 most scenic roads in North America . If you need more ideas let me know. How many days are you planning and have you been out west before?
Bernie

[jorawro]

I would give a strong second to Bernie's advice. "Going To The Sun" is definitely a "must ride" route.
And welcome aboard Bernie:)

[sanjaun2]

We have travelled from Calgary to the East Coast numerous times. I would recommend that when you get close to Lethbridge, (Rte. 3) that you arrange to cross into Montana via the Going to the Sun Highway and the back in to Canada via Port of Rossville then continue on Rte. 3.
From Lethbridge you would take 5 to 2 to Saint Marys then over the pass. Continue to Whitefish then 93 up to Rossville. This is claimed to be one of the top 7 most scenic roads in North America . If you need more ideas let me know. How many days are you planning and have you been out west before?
Bernie
I also concur with Bernies route and would like to add a side trip to yellowstone if you have the time. Then pick up hwy 12 (LOLO pass) near Missoula MT then you could easily work your way over to Bend. Just Keep an eye out for moose on hwy 12. Beartooth pass and Chief Joseph byway are also a nice detour. I can make you up a route if you are interested. Just let me know how many days of the best riding you can handle.

[was]

Wow, thanks Ken, Bernie, Roy, and Brian! This is spectacular information. And to think that initially I was planning on making this trip as a 4 day run on I-80 - crazy. This is my first trip to the Pacific Northwest (been to California a couple of times), my first trip of any duration in Canada (been to Toronto and Montreal a couple of times), and my first "longer" trip on the LT (Connecticut to Georgia for CCR6 is the only multi-day trip I have taken). I have some flexibility in my schedule (I have to be in Bend on the 7th of July, but I can leave CT pretty much when I want), so additional "great ride" routes would be welcome. I'll just string them together until I run out of days. Again, Many thanks.

[ronk1200lt]

The Crowsnest Pass is a wonderful route. Make sure you head south through the Going To The Sun Highway and then back into Canada. I have done it a couple of times and it is an awesome ride. When you get to Vancouver if you have the time, take the ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Spend a day there. Then take the ferry from Vancouver to Port Angeles. From their take 101 all the way to Oregon. You won't regret it. Ron

[was]

Thanks, Ron!

[BillCav]

Here's my 2 cents... When you reach Osyoos go across the border and take highway 20 West from Winthrop to Interstate 5. The Cascade Mts! Stop at the Diablo Dam, which you can ride out on the top of. It's old and narrow. Two cars can barely pass on it, but what a spectacular view off the edge.

And last but not least, as everyone has, we have deer by the gallon!

Cheers, Bill

05 K1200 LT

[was]

Thanks, BillCav!

Deer are dangerous. We've got several packs (herds?) in the woods along which our street runs, and I always keep a lookout. It is amazing how many times I see them standing back about 6 ft from the road edge, just in the fringe of taller shrubbery. But to tell you the truth, it's bears I'm most worried about, not for when I'm on the road, but when I'm camping. Us Easteners are sissies. :)

[grahamw]

Found this and thought it might be of interest:

http://nortontranscanada.blogspot.com/

[garry_kramer]

I'm planning a trip west from Connecticut to Bend, OR, in late June/earlyJuly. Folks on the Midwest Regional forum have strongly recommended running through Canada rather than the US midwest, so at the moment I'm looking at that option. One section that looks intrigueing is Rt 3 out of Medicine Hat to Osoyoos, where I could pick up Rt 97 south down to Bend. Does anyone have any experience on Rt 3? Recommendations for or against? Other route recommendations? Many thanks.

Bill

Bill, if you are coming through Toronto area before June 21st or after July 17th, we have an extra bed here.

[was]

The advice I get on this forum is always beyond my wildest dreams. Graham, thanks for the link. And Gary, unbelievably generous offer (which, by the way, I reciprocate if you are ever in the Connecticut area). However, right now my timing looks to put me in the Toronto area during that period when it sounds like you will be away. But thanks anyway!

[was]

I'm reviving this thread now that I have a clearer plan for my trip to Bend. Again, many thanks for previous suggestions. I need a little help with camping advice. Canada has a fantastic array of provincial parks, many of which offer camping. I set up my tentative stopping points for each day to be near one of the provincial campgrounds, and took a quick look at availablility of campsites about 3 weeks ago. It looked pretty good, and I did not check out July availability. I started making reservations yesterday and learned two things: there is a registration fee for each registration of $12 (at least in Ontario, and I'm assuming in other provinces as well); and July is National Let's All Go Camping Month in Canada. I'm not going to let financial issues dictate my plans, but if I pay the reservation fee for each night (since I will stay at each campground only one night) I'm looking at $96 for registration alone. I called the registration number and asked if there was anything that I could do about this, but it does not appear that there is. And some of the provincial campgrounds are now fully booked.
So, what's the national/regional/local/legal view on camping by the side of the road, or down a little side road? For instance, there is an unpaved road just west of Upsala of Trans Cananda Hwy 17 that gives access to Lac des Mille Lacs. If a motorcyclist were to ride 6 km down that road and find a camping spot, would that be incredibly boorish, illegal, likely to land one in the pokey? In my case I'll have a bivvy sack, backpacker's stove, would not be making a campfire, would not camp within 50 m of water, would not leave a scrap of food or anything else, etc.
Any other options you can think of for a traveller? I've started to check the private campgrounds, but they would not be my preference. I'll look into hostels, but I'm trying to time my overnights so that I will not be near big cities. Any thoughts will be gratefully appreciated.