Trip Overview

This blog will follow two totally inexperienced bikepackers, Geoff and Cam, and their journey from Banff to Mexico via the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. The route follows the Continental Divide, exposing riders to high altitude, diverse wildlife, and solitude. To learn more about the route, check this out. Randy will be the official bookie so get in touch with him if you'd like to place a wager on how far we will actually make it.

In the mean time, you can track our progress here thanks to our SPOT device.

This will be a site where we will try our best to post some pictures and stories along the way. Happy reading!

Monday 21 July 2014

Day 20 - Macks Inn to Squirrel Creek, Idaho

 
The two of us once again got off to a late start this morning after having done laundry, blog posts, etc...  Macks Inn seemed to be a hot spot for other divide riders.  We ran into three other groups doing riding the divide here. 
 
After listening to some horror stories provided by north bound riders regarding the status of the terrain we were about to encounter (old 40 mile long sandy railroad bed with 12+ inch washboard surface), and considering we didn't begin pedaling until 3:00pm or so, we decided to take an alternate route today.  The map displayed a "scenic byway" that basically paralleled the road so we decided to go in that direction.  The byway boasted a few waterfalls, and our first views of the Tetons.
 
 
Mesa Falls

The Tetons!!!
 
 
 By this point (80 miles into Idaho or so), G + C agreed that the state resembled New Brunswick.  This was because we were confined to a bunch of softwood, limiting our views of the nearby ranges.  Not 5 miles after this observation, however, we finished a small climb and popped out of the forested area.  Just like that - exactly what we pictured Idaho to be like.  Acres upon acres of beautiful rolling farmland backed by the Tetons.  We finished the day by spending the night at Squirrel Creek Campground.  As we were setting up tents (we were the only ones there), we were greeted by 6 ginormous elk.  

Canola (we think)

Country road.

The Tetons

I would live here

Elk #1

The gang

A typical evening.

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