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| Day 1 of 7 - Woods to Waterton 260-300 km |
| Today is a warm up day, with a relaxed pace that gives riders a chance to get to know each other, and get a feel for the bikes before getting into more technical riding. Remember we want you to relax and have a great time, but rest assured over the next several days this Dual Tracks adventure will provide plenty of excitement for all. We start with a great morning ride through the rolling foothills along the east slopes of Rockies on our way to the world renowned Waterton Park. During this ride you will enjoy some spectacular views, and keep your cameras ready as we often see mountain goats negotiating the rocky cliffs along the way. Closer to Waterton you can expect to see buffalo, deer, elk, and occasionally a bear or two. We will travel some scenic roads on the way to see Red Rock Canyon followed by a lunch break at Cameron Lake. Those interested in a change of pace can enjoy a peaceful canoe trip or hike along the lake. After lunch we back track just a bit before reaching the Castle River area. You can grab some throttle and enjoy the ride as we guide you through a maze of twisty roads that wind their way through the wooded and hilly terrain. We will pass over creeks teeming with trout and will have plenty photo opportunities along the way. If you've never seen a forest fire you can well imagine it as we ride through areas ravaged by the Lost Creek Fire in 2004. We'll take a side trip or two along some of the fire roads so you can test the tractor like grunt of these KLR's, and the day ends with a fun ride from the high country back down to Dual Tracks home base in the Crowsnest River Valley. |
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| Day 2 of 7- Peaks & Valleys 250-350 km |
| By now we are getting into the swing of things so we willl add some distance and even more adventure as we head west into the Rockies. After 60 km of the best pavement in the area we will come to the start of about 200 + km of back roads and trails. This ride always provide plenty of challenges as we weave our way through a chain of mountain passes before descending into another river valley where the roads open up and the pace quickens. At times you will be up on the pegs picking your way past rock slides, around boulders, or through flowing creeks that flood the trail, at others you will sit back and smile as you power slide through sweeping curves. The weather on this ride is unpredictable due to the many changes in elevation and valley direction, and do not be surprised if we see some snow during early and late season rides. We stop for a trail side lunch break along side one of our favorite rivers, with water so clear you can see the fish holding at the bottom of the crystal clear pools. You will be amazed to see Bull Trout up to one meter long, and that is no fish story. At the end of the day your efforts will be rewarded with a pleasant stay in the Rockies. We will relax, enjoy a hearty meal as we share the events of the day, while taking in a panoramic view of mountain peaks on all sides. If you think today was fun, wait until tomorrow! |
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| Day 3 of 7 - History & Hot Springs 370-530 km |
| After a good nights rest it is only a few short clicks to the trail head and start of a narrow road over a high pass to another beautiful and remote valley. We have ridden this area many times and on occasion have not seen anyone for the entire trip except the wildlife that is! It is pretty easy to sneak up on wildlife with these quiet running KLRs, we have watched herds of mountain goats come down to the mineral licks, and have been amazed to see how easily they climb straight back up the cliffs. On past rides we have rounded a corner and found a grizzly bear enjoying a leisurely lunch on the road side berries. In addition to all the incredible sites the terrain will beg you to get up on the pegs for full out fun, while other sections require you to carefully pick your way around fallen rocks and trees blocking the trail. About half way through the day we may stop at a natural hot springs and climb down for a relaxing soak before pressing onto the next town for some refreshments. Following that we loop south towards home base, and visit a historical gold rush site where you can wade through the waters where pioneers once panned for their fortunes. The rest of the ride is a nice mix of back roads and blacktop looping back to our start point for the day, followed by a leisurely highway ride back to DT home base. Tonight we will get together to enjoy an evening meal after which we will pass out special achievement awards to those riders leaving us tomorrow. |
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| Day 4 of 7 - Passes to Prairie 290-360 km |
| After the last few days in the high country you will really enjoy today's ride which will be a bit more technical in the morning as we head west towards the Pass and then north through some twisty back roads. Around mid morning we can stop for a short hike to a high mountain lake just to stretch our legs and take a few photos, or just keep on riding. We'll make our way back east across some mountainous terrain which can be pretty challenging when wet, or a higher speed hoot when dry. By mid day we will have traveled down from the high country and be enjoying some incredible scenery as we ride through the rolling foothills into the heart of Ranching country. At the right time of year we will see hundreds of head of cattle with as many calves. While riding through this magnificent landscape one can easily imagine the enormous Buffalo herds that once roamed these hills and grasslands, and you will see for yourselves how the First Nations people once harvested this natural bounty during an afternoon visit to a world heritage site "Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump". After lunch we crank it up a notch or two as we ride north and west through the Porcupine Hills. The riding here is a blast and the views just keep getting better. We'll work our way North and eventually rendezvous with our chase vehicle where we will say our final goodbyes to those leaving after four fantastic days of riding. |
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| Day 5 of 7 - K-LR Kountry 250-425 |
| Today we leave the Dual Tracks home base and head west into the Crowsnest Pass before following the spectacular Livingstone Range northward. We''ll cross over some of the trails heads visited earlier in the week, and time will allow for those interested to try their hand at fishing in one of the many streams that we''ll be chasing along the Valley. After about 100 km of exciting gravel we eventually will meet pavement. At this point we have a couple options to consider, either a short stretch of pavement followed a series of backcountry roads winding their way through the foothills of K Kountry, or a longer stretch of pavement that is one the best motorcycling roads in SW Alberta followed by equally long section of gravel. If the back roads are your preference you''ll really enjoy the 155 kms of backwoods riding as we work our way through the foothills southwest of the stampede city and then west towards the mountains. If pavement takes the vote then get your cameras ready as we head for the high country through the Highwood and Misty mountain ranges. Depending on the route we will stop for lunch at a beautiful high mountain lake or a bustling foothills town before heading off on the final leg to our destination for the night. |
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| Day 6 of 7 - Lakes & Glaciers 350 km |
| Today we take advantage of the more civilized nature of our Dual Sport machines as we head west on the Trans Canada highway. No motorcycling adventure in this part of Canada would be complete without a visit to Banff, followed by a short trip along the Bow Valley Parkway to our lunch destination at picturesque Lake Louise. After that we continue North West following the world renowned Icefields Parkway on our way to visit the spectacular Columbia Icefields with a road side view of the Athabasca Glacier. Water shed from the Columbia glaciers flows to the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans. Later in the day we follow the mighty North Saskatchewan River as it winds its way east from the Rockies through David Thompson country. While the ride today will have been pretty easy by Dual Sport standards, we are sure you will be amazed by both the wildlife and the incredible landscapes. At the end of the day we will find ourselves in comfortable accommodations near the trail head for an early start tomorrow. |
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| Day 7 of 7 - Rocky Mountain High (300-350 Km) |
| This is the last day of your Dual Tracks adventure and we have saved up something special. Leaving Rocky Mountain House we will take a Forestry road down the eastern slopes (east side of the Rockies) and visit a set of water falls that will impress all. From there we head south and the scenery is awesome. We ride into and out of mountain valleys with lots of turns and elevation changes which will provide any number of opportunities to stop for a photo or perhaps get sidetracked on a short side jaunt for a bit of exploring. We cut our teeth off-road in this area so don''t be surprised if we stop for a quick visit or look at an old favorite riding spot. This area can surprise with its weather so the riding conditions may vary IE: WET. We end up in cattle country just west of Calgary and if time allows may make a stop for a sweet treat. From there we head towards our final destination, Calgary, with the Dual Tracks support crew. After a well deserved shower, we meet up for a meal and the special achievement awards presentation where we get a chance to enjoy once more, the Dual Tracks experience. |
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