SR 200 east of Sandpoint carries both recreational and commercial traffic so ride it cautiously. In Montana, the route uses either state or U.S. highways to Eureka. Most of the logging is done in this corner of the state; the scenery is beautiful but expect to encounter logging trucks. Traffic along Lake Koocanusca in minimal. U.S. 93, which the route uses from Eureka to Whitefish, can have moderate to heavy traffic since it's a main thoroughfare into Canada. The route northeast of Columbia Falls includes a few miles of gravel, but avoids some of the hectic tourist traffic on U.S. 2 near Glacier National Park. Glacier Park traffic is heavy during the summer. Ride early in the day and avoid weekend travel. Going-to-the-Sun Road between West Glacier and St. Mary is closed to all traffic from about Sept. 30 to June 15. On the east side of the Continental Divide the route heads into Canada and a spur goes to Waterton Lakes National Park. Once out on the plains the route returns to the U.S. and ends in Cut Bank. For those with time constraints, a shorter alternate is shown between West Glacier and Cut Bank using U.S. 2 over Marias Pass.
Reviewed By:
A customer from Upstate, NY on 9/12/12
I pedaled most of this map in the summer 2012 and had a fantastic trip. One recommendation, is that they might make more clear on the map is that going around Lake Koocanusa (on route) has its merits even though the loop looks nonsensical on the map. I opted to cut through Flathead National Forest instead (an option visible on most road maps) and ended up riding on hours of fire road, over the most difficult pass of the entire trip, and even had to stop and camp in the middle of the forest on account of 4 bears blocking the roadway--quite a good adventure, but not for everyone. Overall, excellent maps and much essential information.
