Run for the Border (2022 Trip Planning)

I won't be able to make it. Have fun guys.

 

I have a new proposal, as we're getting closer to the trip dates, and several aspects are conspiring against us.

1. Obviously, it's a bummer that Canada Mike won't be able to make it, as I think we were all looking forward to meeting and exploring with him.
2. Gas prices everywhere are high right now, and my understanding is that they are nearly 2x higher up in Canada than they are here in the US.
3. While Mike has helped me get a few tracks north of the border, I don't think we've pulled together enough (yet) for a week-long adventure.

So, all those things put together, I propose that we revert to a fallback plan - exploring Montana, or somewhere south of the international border. I suppose my default would be to try for the trip we were going to do last year, pending accessibility due to recent flooding. Then, we could try again next year for Canada.

So, thoughts on the proposal?

Monte @Blackdawg - how are things looking as far as accessibility due to the rains a few weeks ago. Assume the KML-ish, here: Montana Trip v2.kml (apologies to those who don't have access and are reading this public post)

Mike @Digiratus, Monte - You're the only other ones at this point who is fully in (as far as I know). Thoughts on this plan?

Zane @Speedytech7 and Ben @m3bassman - I know you guys were hesitant to travel internationally. Does this change things for you?

Anyone else - opinions?
@POSTacoMike, @Blackdawg, @Digiratus, @drr, @m3bassman, @Speedytech7, @Squeaky Penguin, @Pj40, @stonylaroux

Note: I've already chatted with (Canada) Mike seperately about this and he likes the idea, since he'd love to join as well, but this year has been crazy with work.

 

Unfortunately I just won't have the time to do it.

 

all the north stuff should be okay other than snow levels being abnormally high still. Not sure if that'll be an issue or not.

The south east side is where problem are. Basically if its near the Beartooths, its not happening.

Mckinely lake trail you have in the tobbaco roots is out too. Bridge is under going repairs and trail has been closed since last year. So that is out. Can go to sailor moon lake or Lake louis on the more north side though for camping at least.

I have a LOT more stuff I could add though to the north section that would keep us busy easily for a week. I can't remember where I had my Montana trip design at. Must be on my old mac since thats where all my trails are.

 

I have zero vacation time but I do have three day weekends currently so I could maybe catch y'all somewheres

 

Wait. I thought we were going to CA because of imminent closures to some special places that we wanted to see. Is that no longer an issue?

2x higher fuel costs would put it at $10/gal for 87 octane by your estimate. That seems a bit exaggerated. Like a lot of things today, gas prices are world market driven to an extent. As is happening here, prices are down slightly in BC.

I quick check shows 95 octane priced in US$ at ~$7.00/gal right now.

https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/Canada/British_Columbia/gasoline_prices/

Gas Buddy says it is about $5.65/gal for 87 octane. Which is just a bit higher than here. Using the same calculations puts premium grade at $6.36/gal.

https://www.gasbuddy.com/gasprices/british-columbia

It's important to remember that the US$ is very strong against the CA$. Like 1/1.3. So a 1.94 (CA$) is equal to 1.49 (US$). There are 3.785 liters in a gallon. 1.49 x 3.78541 = 5.64.

Not all that much more that what we will see in MT I'd expect. For me this is not enough reason to not go the CA.

 

I think you focused almost entirely on the fuel prices. Maybe I should have listed that as #3. The other two reasons are also (more) compelling IMO. (And MT fuel prices - as of yesterday - were ~4.83, so, given your math, I agree that they aren't the 2x that was related to me.)

As far as the imminent closures go - that's one trail. Personally, I'd rather hook up with Mike and have him show us around, even if it means we don't get to run one trail, since I'd like to hang out with him around the campfire, regardless of where we go (and, this is admittedly easy for me to say, having run Rady Creek already).

 

Sure, I get that, but that seems more important to you than it is to me. It is unfortunate that he can't make it this time. I was looking forward to meeting and hanging out with him too. But again, that isn't enough reason for me to not go. Hopefully there is a next time but there is no guarantees of that.

FWIW, we've been invited to CA before and had the host have to back out due to a change in their situation. We figured it out and went anyway and had a great time.

 

Gotcha. I can totally see you POV. I'd probably feel more the way you do if I felt like we had enough trails to keep us busy the entire time. Right now, I think we have 2 days, maybe 3. Maybe you guys have trails/knowledge from last time that can supplement? The one thing I definitely don't want to have happen is no trip at all, obviously. (Not that you're suggesting that.)

Monte - do you have a preference?

 

Can you share the tracks you have so I can see exactly where Rady Creek is and whatever else you have?

 

I have to pull my interest back on this. I found out I will be moving houses in a few weeks on short notice.

Thanks for the open invite. Hope you all have fun whether it's BC or MT.

 

It looks to me like there is pretty easily more that 3 days. The Radium Hot Spring area alone easily has 3-4 days for exploring what we know of based on the tracks we have. Then there is the Crowsnest Pass area with a couple of days worth. When we add Rady Creek to the mix, we may well have to cut out something due to time constraints. Seems like a nice problem to have.

 

I'm down for whatever, as long as we can get together. Obviously, I'd love to have Mike @POSTacoMike come along, but I suppose I'm always down to visit Canada as many time as possible, and/or have him join us on a trip this side of the border.

I'd also be down to drive the Icefield Parkway if we run out of things to do and just admire that again. Maybe make a quick stop in Cadomin if we get as far north as Jasper.

 

I started a trip photography thread for this adventure.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rocky-mountains-of-british-columbia.776464/#post-27754827

 

Awesome.

 

...Ever since my very first trip - The De-Tour - with the guys from TacomaWorld, we've tried to get together every year for a week or two in order to explore some amazing place and enjoy time around the campfire together. I was lucky back then that Monte @Blackdawg organized the trip in a public thread, and invited anyone who could, to join. This year, after privately planning trips for five years, we tried it again - organizing a trip to the Kootenays in southeast British Columbia, Canada - with the hopes that we could meet some cool new folks and get shown around by someone we all wanted to meet - (Canada) Mike.

It'd be a little more involved since we'd be crossing borders, but with the hopes of exploring several trails deep into - and up - the Koots, there was plenty to be excited about....

Keep reading the rest here
Run for the Border - M&M #1​

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Keep reading the rest here
Run for the Border - M&M #1​

 

Keeping an eye out for the next one!

 

Just came across this on FB and posting here to watch for a future trip.

 

...Eventually, we reached the end - for us - of the road. Here, the two-track changed to single-track, and only dirt bikes and hikers could continue on. Perhaps in the future - when I return to hike some of the surrounding peaks, I can see where that trail leads as well. For now, though, it was time to turn around and get on our way down; we had a full day ahead of us, even if it was extremely pleasant where we were....

Keep reading the rest here
Rady's Still Runnable - M&M #2​

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Keep reading the rest here
Rady's Still Runnable - M&M #2​