Commentary

The main attraction to this loop is Route 37
along Lake Koocanusa.  (I prefer to ride from
Eureka south as it's downhill.)  A couple miles
after you turn south onto Highway 37 you see
a roadsign that reads: 
Libby - 60 miles, Libby Dam - 50 miles.
It's the latter 50 miles that you'll remember...
For more fun, go down one side of the lake and
come back up the other.



And now for more details...

Whitefish to Eureka (57 miles)
From your starting point in the valley, head to Whitefish  (See main area map) and follow Hwy 93 North through town.  There are a lot of signs that point to Eureka so it's hard to get lost or nervous.  There are plenty of gas and snack points along this easy 2-laner that glides through the valley between Whitefish and Eureka.  It's scenic, not so challenging and does carry moderate traffic as the Port of Roosville is one of the main border crossings in the area.  I think "pleasant" is the best descriptor for this section.  Eureka's a smallish town, cute with some interesting places to stop.  You'll have to go right through it at about 25 mph so there's plenty of time to read the shop signs.  A couple miles out of downtown you'll come to Highway 37.  You can't really miss it or the gas station on the corner.  Turn left and let the fun begin. 

Eureka to Libby (60 miles)
Highway 37 connects Eureka to Libby and it's the main reason you're on this ride.  For the next hour (or 50 miles, whichever is shorter!), you'll constantly be reminded of why you have a motorcycle.  The highway is beautifully paved and follows the shoreline of lake in banked, well maintained corner after corner after corner...  The views of the lake are gorgeous and scenic cpendor abounds.   ALTERNATIVE:  Jhere is another (and older) highway on the west shore of the lake (Old hwy 37 I'm told) that is not as well maintained (gravel, leaves, etc.) but is a much tigher twistier ride.  Again, big views of the lake and mountains and less traffic.  While a wonderful ride for ayone, if your on a bike that you prefer not to lean waaay over when cornering, this is just a pretty road and while certainly worth riding, isn't really any better than the East side of th elake,  However, if trying to rub the rubber off the side of the tires is your thing, then the west side of the lake might be more to your likeing.  Either way, the road connects with  highway 37 at Libby  - so you have a choice, or can make the circuit.  Note:  The road is not maintained in winter, so bring your snow plow after the riding season ends.  By the way, if you plan on making the Yaak circuit, you'll want to take the old highway north from the bridge.

Libbey to Kalispell (89 miles)
Highway 2 was under construction last year, and was pretty bad in places.  That's over now and the road is perfect.  Highway 2 is also a "pleasant" ramble on a two-laner with plenty of stops for whatever and of course, places to pass.  Yes, there is more traffic here than on Highway 37.  Still, there are lots of sights to see, wide open stretches to, well, stretch, and it's a scenic road to boot.

There are several variations on loops listed above.  Mostly it depends on how much time you have to ride and where you want to end up.  For my part, I've just got to know what's in Yaak!

The Yaak (unrecorded miles)
Highway 506 or 567 takes you up to Yaak from Highway 2 now and the road is paved all the way. Thr roads wind through dense forests and up over scenic vistas.  There is a "back" way fom tghe west side of KLake Koocanusa which I am told is a great ride. I'll be getting to that this season so will have more nates later. There are some services in Yaak. If you know how many, drop me a line. A friend of mine goes hunting up there every year that means there must be a source of alcoholic beverages there!