After breakfast we'll check out the hotel and head north toward Glacier National Park. We'll stop an hour out of Missoula for a visit the Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana for an immersive introduction to the spirit of the region - both Native American and western settler - through its impressive collection of artifacts, Native American beadwork, western art, photographs, and life-size dioramas of an early trading post, the St. Ignatius Mission Church, as well as an Indian camp and wildlife of the area. After a 60-90 minute visit we'll have lunch in the next door Allentown Restaurant, which features unforgettable views of Mount Calowahcan and the Mission Mountains. Then we'll shuttle another 2 hours north and, time & weather permitting, disembark next to the Flathead River just west of Hungry Horse to ride the 12.6 mile Gateway to Glacier Trail almost to the west gate of Glacier National Park to our hotel for the next two nights, Glacier Guides Lodge.

10-42.8 miles. Today could be the highlight of the week, and we plan the tour this way to maximize our chances.
If the Road is still closed -- as we hope -- how far we can cycle will depend on the progress work crews have made in clearing the snow from Logan Pass. We'd start by shuttling up to Lake McDonald Lodge (where car-free condition usually begins) and likely would be able to cycle all the way to the Loop (13.4 miles). If crews have finished work for the day, we may be able to cycle all the way up to the Weeping Wall (below-another 4.7 miles) to Logan Pass! (7.8 miles). Needless to say the views are spectacular, and the ride back down doesn't take nearly as long :) If Going to the Sun Road has already opened to car-traffic, we will cycle the Gateway to Glacier Trail southwestward from the park, 12.6 miles to Hungry Horse and then return. We'll offer an afternoon van ride up Going to Sun Road as far as the Logan Pass Visitors center -- some of the most spectacular scenery in the American west. Either way, upon our return to Lake McDonald Lodge we'll enjoy a casual dinner at Jammer Joe's Grill & Pizzaria.

After a delicious breakfast at the Lodge, we'll check out and shuttle over to West Glacier for a 10:15 scheduled raft float to soak in gorgeous views of Glacier National Park from the stunning scenic section of its Wild and Scenic border river, the Middle Fork of the Flathead River from West Glacier to Blankenship Bridge. This river forms Glacier National Park’s southwestern border. We'll learn more about the Park's historical and cultural influences, flora and fauna, environmental concerns, river ecology, and much more. After concluding our float we'll depart Glacier National Park and head 20 minute south to the town of Hungry Horse and stop for lunch at the Huckleberry Patch. After lunch we'll continue south to tonight's accommodations, the majestic Kwataqnuk Resort on the south shore of Flathead Lake, the 79th largest natural freshwater lake in the world. Those who'd like to stretch their legs could pedal the 9.1 mile loop trail around the "city" of Polson before relaxing on the hotel's lakefront Falling Waters deck. Dinner will be on a nearby lakefront deck with a gorgeous view.

After a delicious breakfast in the Resort's lakefront dining room, we'll check out, load into the van and continue south back toward Missoula, stopping to spend the day on The Bison Range, which as of 2022 (after more than a century of torturous and treacherous legal wrangling) is operated soley by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation. Our visit will start with a guided tour of the Museum that includes historical, cultural, and scientific information approved by the CSKT Culture Committees and the CSKT Natural Resource Department. After enjoying a picnic box lunch at the Visitors Center pavilion, we'll walk the short Grassland Trail, and perhaps take a 30-45 minute van tour of the range. After concluding our visit, we'll load back into the rig and head back to Missoula, checking back into the DoubleTree Edgewater for the next two nights.

Back in Missoula, an artsy college town, this is a day for you to relax and explore, or choose your own adventure. You might opt to explore the city's unique gift shops, art galleries, bookstores and craft breweries, or simply relax with a fine meal or two (lunch & dinner are on your own) at one of the many downtown restaurants. For those who want to keep moving, the city's riverfront trail system offers beautiful and easy paths for a leisurely ride, and we will lead an optional ride out to Lincoln Hills to experience the incredible wildflowers (8-15 miles).

Today our cycling adventure begins right from the hotel. We'll start by crossing the river and heading west on the Milwaukee Road Path along the south side, until its intersection with the 51 mile long Bitterroot Trail. We'll take that south 5.1 miles to visit historic Travelers Rest State park, campsite of the Lewis & Clark expedition. The park's Visitors Center is a museum featuring interactive exhibits on the expedition and the history and culture of indigenous peoples. Find lunch on your own in the charming down of Lolo, though we're partial to the Lolo Peak Brewery & Grill, a local favorite. After lunch continue south on the Bitterroot Trail for another 18 miles, where our ride will end in Stevensville. After a fantastic day of cycling and exploring, we'll shuttle further south to our lodging in the town of Hamilton at the Bitterroot River Inn. We'll enjoy our "farewell dinner" (even though we'll be cycling back north in the morning to complete our ride of the entire Bitteroot Trail) on the patio of The Edge Restaurant, overlooking the Bitteroot River.

24.1 miles. After breakfast at the Inn and checking out, we'll complete the Bitterroot Trail by cycling back north to Stevensville, then follow the Stevensville Bike Path and local roads another 4.1 miles to conclude our week with a visit and picnic lunch enjoying the tranquility of the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. After lunch we'll load into the van for the 45 minute return ride to Missoula, where we'll really say "Farewell", overflowing with great memories and deep appreciation for the majesty of Montana's Big Sky Country.