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Saturday, August 15
We meet the first night in the town of Missoula and get to know each other over dinner and a briefing meeting.
Sunday, August 16 (Day 1) 65 miles – approximately 1,200 feet
Today, we’ll head south up the Bitterroot Valley on a mix of trails, back roads, and highway shoulders. We’ll cross the Bitterroot River several times as we head to Hamilton to spend our first night.
Monday, August 17 (Day 2) 75 miles- approximately 4,500 feet
We’ll continue following the Bitterroot River upstream until we climb out of its valley to cross the Continental Divide while cresting both Lost Trail and Chief Joseph passes (elevation 7,264 ft). From there, we’ll descend into the Big Hole Valley and onto the little town of Wisdom for the night.
Tuesday, August 18 (Day 3) 65 miles- approximately 2,500 feet
We’ll head north as we follow the Big Hole River while being treated to the views of the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness and the Pioneer Mountains (10,000 foot peaks). We’ll depart the Big Hole Valley by way of a little-traveled Pass and cross back over the Continental Divide, before dropping into the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort (located halfway between the towns of Butte and Anaconda). Here we spend our rest day.
Wednesday, August 19 (Day 4) Rest Day
The day is your own. Fairmont Hot Springs Resort has many activities to choose from soaking in the Hot Springs, massage, swimming, golf, tennis, hiking, etc. or exploring many on the historical sites in the mining towns of Butte and/or Anaconda.
Thursday, August 20 (Day 5) 70 miles- approximately 2,000 feet
After our rest day we’ll leave town by way of the Pintler Scenic Route. This will take us past Georgetown Lake and down a very fast, curvy descent, into the Flint Creek Valley. We’ll stop for lunch in the town of Philipsburg and then continue through the Flint Creek Valley to the little town of Drummond for the night.
Friday, August 21 (Day 6) 70 Miles- approximately 2,500 feet
From Drummond we’ll continue north climbing out of the Flint Creek valley and over the Garnet Range and into the Blackfoot River Valley. We’ll pass by the Blackfoot River and ride along the shore of Salmon Lake on our way to Seeley Lake.
Saturday, August 22 (Day 7) 55 miles – approximately 1,200 feet
We’ll leave Seeley Lake and ride back along the shore of Salmon Lake and onto the Blackfoot River. Following the Blackfoot river, we’ll have a fast descent down Hellgate Canyon into Bonner. After zipping through the old logging town of Bonner and down Hellgate Canyon, we’ll complete the loop and arrive back at our hotel in Missoula.
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