Day 75 Big Fork, Montana to Glacier National Park, Montana 110km

Today was one of the most scenic days of our trip so far. We had some lovely picturesque and quite roads on our approach to Glacier. We had an issue with Olga's tyre as there is a hole starting to appear. With no bike shop around and after some deliberation we decided to push on into Glacier. The views in Glacier  are absolutely amazing. It is easily the most impressive national park we have visited. Shortly after entering the park we saw our first bear. He just appeared out of the trees and crossed the road less than 20 meters in front of us. After briefly stopping to stare at us he trotted into the trees again. After the initial shock wore off we were delighted. It was definitely one of the highlights of this trip.

Olga and Ulrike are going to stay with us for a few more days and are going to cross into Canada with us. They are great company and are teaching us a lot about camping. 

The Swan Range

Flathead River

Flathead River

Approaching Glacier

Glacier 

Lake McDonald in Glacier

McDonald River

McDonald River

Mount Brown in Glacier 

Dinner time

Day 74 Seeley Lake, Montana to Big Fork, Montana 124km

The weather was beautiful today as we cycled in a valley between the Mission Mointains and Swan Range. We passed by some beautiful lakes and the views were stunning. We are in a campsite in Big Fork next to the Flathead Lake.

The Mission Mountains

The Swan Range

Relaxing at Swan Lake 

Swan Lake

Sunset over Flathead Lake

Day 73 Missoula, Montana to Seeley Lake, Montana 95km

We said goodbye to Cat this morning in Missoula as she is heading towards the west coast and we are heading North. We are going to cycle with Olga and Ulrike for a couple of days until we reach Glacier National Park. We had an enjoyable days cycling to Seeley Lake and the girls are good fun and great company. They cooked us dinner tonight which was delicious and after our neighbours invited us over for some smores.

Saying goodbye to Cat

Blackfoot River 

Blackfoot River

Olga and Ulrike 

Salmon Lake

Going for a swim in Seeley Lake

Day 72 Missoula, Montana (Rest Day)

We spent most of the day planning the Canadian portion of our trip. In the afternoon we went for dinner with the 3 girls and after we went to a music festival which was on in town.

Our campsite in the front garden of the house.

Day 71 Darby, Montana to Missoula, Montana 100km

The weather was overcast and chilly
today as we descended through the Bitterroot Valley to Missoula. There is snow forecast for some of the mountain towns we passed through a couple of days ago. We are staying in a house in Missoula where the owner lets cyclists camp in his garden and let's us use the ground floor of his house. We are planning a rest day here tomorrow.

Bitterroot Mountains

Bison near Missoula

Dinner with Olga, Ulrike and Cat in Missoula.

Day 70 Wisdom, Montana to Darby, Montana 93km

We crossed over the Chief Joseph pass and had a long and beautiful descent into the Bitteroot Valley and the town of Darby. I briefly crossed into Idaho today as we shaved the border. We cycled some of the day with Cat from the US and two Germans Olga and Ulrike. We managed to dodge more storms today. We had just arrived in our motel in Darby when a storm passed over and we have spent the evening enjoying the lightning show.

Near Wisdom

The Big Hole battlefield

Storm approaching

Rain and hail

Another storm

Lightning show

Day 69 Dillon, Montana to Wisdom, Montana 106km

Today was tough with two mountain passes to climb. There was also some thunder storms around but we managed to dodge them all. We are in the small town of Wisdom for the night.

Near Dillon 

Big storm brewing 

Our climbs today