Holiday Cycling Adventures

In 2005 we visited Yellowstone National Park. Now, after 13 years, we decided to visit Yellowstone again. But this year we start at Yellowstone N.P. and cycle in 4 weeks to Seattle. Going through 4 states: Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Washington.

We landed at Bozeman airport (in Belgrade MT) late in the day. The next day we cycled to Bozeman to stock up with fuel and food and then headed to the start of the Trail Creek rd. To reach this road we needed to cycle a small section on the interstate 191. But we reached the Trail Creek rd quickly and started cycling towards Pine Creek. The first few days it's raining, but after that we only had nice weather on our cycling trip. We slowly climbed to the entrance of Yellowstone national Park and our first night there at Mammoth Hot Springs. At the Mammoth Hot Springs campground there were a lot of elk.
The next day we cycled towards Madison. First we visit the terrasses at Mammoth Hot Springs and then cycle to Norris and the Steamboat Geyser. After this we have a long downhill towards Madison. On the way we passed a big herd of bisons on the road, followed by at least 5 miles of cars slowly following the herd. Also some bears and wolves were spotted during our trip.
The next day we cycle further south to Lewis Lake. We cycle through the Firehole canyon and the turn onto the cycle path toward Ojo Caliente Spring and the Grand Prismatic Spring. Of course we visit Old Faithful. After Old faithfull we pass the continental divide three times. We have a short stop in Grant Village before cycling to the Lewis Lake campground.

Entering Yellowstone N.P.

Crossing the 45th parallel.

Roosevelt Arch.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Marmot at Mammoth Hot Springs campground.

Elk at Mammoth Hot Springs campground.

Bison herd.

Firehole canyon.

Ojo Caliente Spring.

Grand Prismatic Spring.

Old Faithful.

Craig Pass (continental divide 1).

East Divide (continental divide 2).

Continental Divide (continental divide 3).

Via the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway (with a cold downhill through the clouds) we cycle into Grand Teton national Park. Here we camp at the Jenny Lake campground. After Jenny Lake there is a very nice multi-use path towards Moose. A small road leads us to Teton Village. Also from Teton Village we can cycle on a multi-use path, away from traffic, all the way to Wilson. At Wilson we take the Valley road along the Snake river towards highway 36. This highway we follow to Alpine.

John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway.

Entering Grand Teton National Park.

Jackson Lake Overlook.

The Grand Tetons.

Jenny Lake campground.

We enter Idaho and via Irie, Idaho Falls and Blackfoot we cycle towards the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). A gravel road first leads us to Atomic City (almost a ghost town with no more than about 30 population). Then we visit EBR-1 (world's first nuclear power plant and National Historic Landmark). Via Arco (the first city in the world to be lit by atomic power) we cycle to Craters of the Moon Monument & Preserve. From Arco to Picabo we have a strong headwind, but still reach Picabo reasonable quickly and camp at the Silver Creek campground.

Entering Idaho state.

On the gravel road towards Atomic City.

Experimental Breeder Reactor - 1.

Arco.

Craters of the Moon Monument & Preserve.

At Craters of the Moon Monument & Preserve.

Lunch at Craters of the Moon Monument & Preserve.

At Bellevue we take the Wood River Trail which is a beautiful trail for 20 miles all the way to Ketchum. After the trail we have a nice climb to Galena Summit (8701 ft). We camp near the Sheep Trail Campground and the following day we climb to the Banner Summit (7200 ft). We later follow the Payette river along highway 55 to Smiths Ferry. Via McCall we cycle to Riggins from were we follow the Salmon River and were we cross the time line (from Mountain time to Pacific time). We follow the Old Highway 95 to the top of Bird Hill Summit (4245 ft); a climb of about two hours. From Grangeville we follow the Old Highway 7 to Nezperce and then the Russel Ridge Road to Orofine. Just before Orofine a very long and real steep descent leads us towards highway 12.

Galena Summit.

Smiley Creek Lodge (just after Galena Summit).

Blind Summit

Banner Summit

Sourdough Lodge

Salmon River crossing.

White Bird Hill.

Statue at Orofino.

Just before Spalding we turn left from highway 20 onto an unused parallel road to the Nez Perce National Historic Park. Here we visit the visitor center before continuing on towards Lewiston were we cross the Snake River into Washington state. We follow the highway 12 to the Chief Timothy Park were we camp for the night. We follow the Tucannon River to Lyons Ferry and after that we cycle to Scooteney Reservoir Park. Then follows a long straight road through the Hanford Reach National Monument (a lot of dark grasshoppers on the road). We find a camping spot ar the Jackson Creek fish camp not far from the Vernita Bridge. The following day we have some nice climbs along the way towards Yakima.

Nez Perce National Historic Park.

Entering Washington state.

Alpowa Summit.

Campsite at Jackson Creek fish camp.

On the road towards Yakima.

At Yakima we take the Yakima Greenway / Naches Trail. This trail leads us to Naches were we take the Odl Naches Highway to the start of highway 410. We climb about 800 m. to the Little Naches campground within the Wenatchee National Forest. The next day we climb another 880 m. (for about 38 km) to the top of the Chinook Pass (5430 ft). Here we enter the Mount Rainier National Park. After this we have a nice long downhill to The Dalles campground. Then we have the last day of cycling; a long (about 70 km) descent into Seattle. At Bonney Lake Bicycle Shop of Sumner we get some bicycle boxes for packing our bike for the flight back home. After almost 2200 km and 4 weeks of cycling our holiday has finished. We relax a few days around Seattle before flying home to the Netherlands. Is has been a very nice and enjoyable cycling trip!

Climb towards Chinook Pass.

Chinook Pass (5430 ft).

Entering Mount Rainier National Park.

Silver Creek Guard Station (visitor center).

Mount Rainier.

On the road towards Seattle.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK WEATHER
SEATTLE WEATHER