Day 2
Monday July 18, 2011 - Brown's Lake to Gypsy Lake
Length: , 198 miles (primary route)
Gas: Lincoln (75 miles from Seeley Lake), Wolf Creek (112 from Seeley Lake)
Note: Should gas in Wolf Creek in any case as it is 136 miles to the next stop.
Click on thumbnail above to enlarge. Download routes and waypoints in the the .gpx file here.
** LAST MINUTE ROUTE UPDATE **
Chadx has provided the following .gpx file with two tracks (primary and bypass): Day2Update.gpx.
In Chad's words:
"Here is an updated section for the second half of Day 2. I scouted tonight and there were several washouts and road closings that significantly change some of the routes. As I posted in the ADVrider thread, big bikes should be OK on the primary route. There are lots of steep ups and downs, but if their decent speed is kept in check, they should be fine. The only thing to avoid is the short run up and back down Hedges Mountain (waypoint provided) which is low traction and steep. The rest of the trails are decent terrain. The alternate tracks included stick to the hwy and bypass the Big Belts until one turns in on Duck Creek Road. The bypass may be useful for big bikes with street-tires, those that are just too fatigued for more trail riding, or those running really late. Note that the primary route shown here will take about 3-4 hours to ride.
The primary abd bypass/alternate trackscan be patched into Day 2."
** End UPDATE **
The primary route from Brown's Lake to Gypsy lake (BGL wpts, Red on the map, 198 miles) follows Hwy 141 SE before turning North into the Helena National Forest, South of the Scapegoat Wilderness near Nevada Lake, then following Hwy 200 to Lincoln. From Lincoln, Hwy 200 travels NE to Rogers Pass where the route heads SW along Little Wolf Creek. to Wolf Creek at I-15 where gas is available. From Wolf Creek, the route follows a frontage road until it joins I-15 for a short distance before looping East of I-15 then heading West and re-crossing it on the way to Hauser Lake and a cool crossing of Hauser Dam before heading into the "hills" NW of Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Finally, the primary route drops back down along Canyon Ferry before heading back into the Big Belt Mountans twice more, then following Duck Creek to cross Duck Creek Pass to Gypsy Lake.
Two alternates are shown for this route (Blue on the map):
(BGa1 WPTS, 24 miles) Diverges from the Primary at Waypoint "BGla1-Start" and follows a more technical path before reconnecting with the primary route.
(BGa2 WPTS, 27 miles) Diverges from the Primary at Waypoint "BGla2-Start" and also follows a more technical path before reconnecting with the primary route before the final ascent into the Big Belt Mountans.
Things to See and Do:
Lincoln has a few stops for breakfast and supplies. One stop that I think people should check out is the Lincoln Ranger District Headquarters, just a mile or 2 east of town. In the lobby they have a 700# stuffed Grizzly that was killed between Ovando and Lincoln, kind of gets you a sense of what you are looking for. (jjmyzrider)
Near 2/3's of the end of day 2, you will be in York. York is locally know as "the place" to get a burger. The York bar is the only business in York, and will be the last chance to eat on day 2. The burgers are good and greasey, and a good spot for some drinks - but not too many you have a lot of riding left to do. (jjmyzrider)
Camping, Related:
According to jjmyzrider, "Gipsy Lake is a Mountain Lake along the route that has a campground. Being a Monday night it should not have many people in it at all. Even if there is we can camp in the hills in the area there."
Updated 07/05/2011