Cochrane to Crowsnest Highway
Day 3 - September 2
I was heading back to Edmonton today, but was considering several different paths to get there. Option 1 was to take the Crowsnest Highway west into B.C., and then cut north on Hwy 93 towards Lake Louise and then on to Edmonton; unfortunately, rain was still forecast for much of this route. Option 2 was to take the Crowsnest Highway west to Hwy 22, and take it north for most of the route back to Edmonton; it would be a leisurely ride back on paved roads. Option 3 was to return north on Hwy 940 (the Forestry Trunk Road); and then try to stay on as much dirt as possible. I chose Option 3.
I got up around 7:30am, got packed up and ready to go. I stopped by a store to grab some water and snacks to eat for breakfast, and headed out north about 8:30am.
Hwy 940 must have gotten some rain yesterday afternoon after I had rode through on it, because it was definitely wetter than yesterday. There were a few puddles in spots, but the road was generally in very good shape and very little dust.
| Hwy 940 Heading North |
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A little ways before reaching Highwood House, I stopped at a rest area to eat the doughnuts and pastries I had picked up earlier in Coleman, and drink some water. I relaxed for about 20-25 minutes here, and watched a few cars go by in each direction - never did see another motorcycle anywhere on Hwy 940.
| Rest Area along Hwy 940 |
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Once I started up again, it only took me a short while to reach Highwood House at the junction of Hwy 940, Hwy 40, and Hwy 541. I decided to take (paved) Hwy 541 east towards Longview and Hwy 22. I filled up with gas in Longview, and was amazed by the number of bikes I saw at the gas station also filling up, mostly cruisers and Harleys - all of them much cleaner that my bike but I doubt they were having even half as much fun as I was.
From looking at the map I had, I thought I could head north to Black Diamond, then take Hwy 546 west to the Gorge Creek Trail, and cut north to Hwy 762. I thought Hwy 546 (Sheep River Trail) was going to be a gravel road but it turned out to be paved - uneven in a lot of spots, but still paved. It was still a pretty road, winding back towards the foothills.
| Hwy 546 (Sheep River Trail) Heading West |
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I reached the junction of the Gorge Creek Trail and was happy to see that it was a dirt trail, so I turned north on it. It was fun for just a short distance, and then it ended at a locked gate. Apparently it was no longer a through road, so I had to turn around and go back.
| Gorge Creek Trail |
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I got back to the Sheep River Trail (Hwy 546) and decided to follow it further west to see where it ends up. It continues west for just about another 8-10 miles before finally ending at a parking area.
| At the End of Hwy 546 |
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From here I had to backtrack to Black Diamond, and then took Hwy 22 north until reaching Bragg Creek where I stopped for lunch at the Mountain Bistro Pizzeria.
After lunch I continued north on Hwy 22 to Cochrane, and then took Hwy 1A west to Hwy 40 so I could ride some more dirt - the Forestry Trunk Road - north. I took the Forestry Trunk Road all the way to Nordegg, before cutting back to paved roads and on to Edmonton. I didn't stop for pics in the afternoon as I've already got plenty of this section of the Forestry Trunk Road in other ride reports.
In all, I rode about 1100 miles over the 3 days!