When you are exploring the route for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route then you will see that for certain sections there are alternate routes defined. I explored these alternates now so that I am well aware of my options during the ride so that I am better able to make decisions on which alternates to take and which to skip. Since I am riding the route SOBO (South-Bound; from North to South) I will list the alternates below in this order as well.
Flathead Alternate
- ACA map: CA
- Location: between Sparwood, BC, CA and Roosville, BC, CA (the US border crossing)
- Length: 180 km (112 miles), 48 km (30 miles) longer
- Why: scenic, wild & wildlife
- Why not: remote (no resupply), hike-a-bike, grizzly bears, skips Fernie, BC, CA
- My preference: yes!
Rimini Alternate (Helena Bypass)
- ACA map: US – 1
- Location: south of Helena, MT, US
- Length: 19 km (12 miles), 26 km (16 miles) shorter
- Why: skips ‘another’ town (Butte will still come)
- Why not: Helena is mentioned as being nicer than Butte
- My preference: undecided (depending on Llama Ranch, about 40 miles north)
Boulder Alternate
- ACA map: US – 2
- Location: between Helena, MT, US and Basin, MT, US
- Length: 18 km (11 miles), 10 km (6 miles longer)
- Why: avoids Lava Mountain Trail (maybe hike-a-bike)
- Why not: includes interstate, avoids Lava Mountain Trail (scenic)
- My preference: no
I-15 Alternate
- ACA map: US – 2
- Location: north of Butte, MT, US
- Length: 40 km (25 miles), 14 km (9 miles) shorter
- Why: easier, shorter
- Why not: includes interstate
- My preference: no
DIVIDE Alternate
- ACA map: US – 2
- Location: between Butte MT, US and Wise River, MT, US
- Length: 29 km (18 miles), 3 km (2 miles) shorter
- Why: avoids Fleecer Ridge (steep hike-a-bike)
- Why not: avoid Fleecer Ridge (iconic)
- My preference: no
Fish Creek Alternate
- ACA map: US – 2
- Location: south of Big Springs, ID
- Length: 69 km (43 miles), 10 km (6 miles) longer
- Why: skips Yellowstone Branch Line Trail, avoids soft sand
- Why not: skips Yellowstone Branch Line Trail, no water
- My preference: no (maybe do it if really soft sand)
Wind River Alternate
- ACA map: US – 3
- Location: between Colter Bay, WY, US and Pinedale, WY, US
- Length: 21 km (13 miles), 6 km (4 miles) shorter
- Why: avoids steep roads & possibly crowds
- Why not: includes highway
- My preference: no
Columbine Alternate
- ACA map: US – 4
- Location: between WY/CO border and Clark, CO, US / Steamboat Springs, CO, US
- Length: 58 km (36 miles), 6 km (4 miles) shorter
- Why: easier, avoids big climbs / rocky road
- Why not: skips Brush Mountain Lodge (closed for 2022) and beautiful riding
- My preference: no
Chaco Alternate
- ACA map: US – 5
- Location: between Cuba, NM, US and Grants, NM, US
- Length: 190 km (118 miles), 10 km (6 miles) shorter
- Why: easier (paved), better resupply and camp (Chaco Trade Post)
- Why not: skips remote & scenic section, including highway
- My preference: no (unless heavy rain)
El Malpais Alternate
- ACA map: US – 6
- Location: south of Grants, NM, US
- Length: 61 km (38 miles), 27 km (17 miles) shorter
- Why: easier (paved)
- Why not: less scenic & remote, more traffic
- My preference: no (unless heavy rain)
C.D.T. Alternate
- ACA map: US – 6
- Location: north of Silver City, NM, US
- Length: 18 km (11 miles), 10 km (-6 miles) shorter
- Why: singletrack on the CDT, skips some pavement
- Why not: challenging and slower, bypasses Lake Roberts store
- My preference: undecided