distance: approx. 38 miles

With sadness we left the best campsite site since starting the trip and set off along the trail.   The trail ascended for 3 miles before we reached Red Meadow Campground. The campground was situated beside a small lake in a clearing. Although it was picturesque we all felt confidently that The Best Bridge Over a Stream was better.‎

The gravel road continued through wilderness until just after lunch we hit asphalt justt as we approached Whitefish Lake.  The pavement was a welcome break from two days of bumping and jarring along the rough gravel. As we settled into a good pace we missed Cricket’s instructions to turn on the bicycle trails running west of the lake.

We had arrived in Whitefish before I discovered my error; too late to turn back.  Instead we were forced to follow highway 93 north west on the west side of the lake to the retreat.

We arrived at the Whitefish Bike Retreat a little after 3.   After we set up our tents we picked up our van and drove to town for a good big supper.

We spent August 27 and 28 at the retreat taking it easy, visiting Whitefish and riding the single track trails.   I found out that technical single tracks aren’t fun on a fully loaded bicycle.

 

distance: approx 42 miles

The road through the national forest was very rough and steep in parts. In spite of this we made pretty good time. I think we’re finally adapting to biking everyday.

The girls generally rode ahead since I do not appreciate fast descents over pot-holes, rocks and washboard. I will have to check brakes for wear soon. In all my travels across Canada I seldom if ever used my brakes on descents. In contrast, on the rough GDMBR roads I have my brakes on almost all the time.

I am guessing that my reaction time and balance is not quite as good. Besides the bumps give me a headache.

Besides a few trailers and remote cabins the road led through deserted wilderness. In spite of this the signage and was very good – a pattern I have seen before in the well maintained forests.

Just after our lunch break we met 7 or 8 men, and two pastors, renting a forestry cabin for a fishing retreat. A friendly man named Tom introduced himself and explained they were from a Baptist Church in Memphis who had linked up with another church from the same denomination from Kalispel to spend some “quality” time away from their wives killing trout. They generously invited us to have some grilled chicken/ham and cheese sandwiches, cake and cookies. As they said grace for the food they extended a kind prayer for our safe travel – for which I am grateful.

I am not sure they knew how much people who biked all day could eat. Otherwise they may have been more reserved. Laura and Michelle had three sandwiches and soon all the food was gone when another group arrived to find the bowls empty. We left the pastors to explain things, thanked them profusely and took our leave.

I had planned to stay at Red Meadows Campground which was marked on the main GDMBR track. We were about 3 miles shy of Red Meadows when we saw a perfect stream by the bridge and stopped there for the night.