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