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0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

We just came back from a tour of Montana and Idaho and it was amazing. This particular section we did on the first day and it was hard to top after. It doesn't get any better than this, twisty roads, excellent pavement speed limits for grownups and a great beakfast at the Libby Cafe on Mineral street. The road from kookanoosa to Yaak is a hidden gem. it doesn't even show up on any map yet it's motorcycling heaven. Apart from the occasional skiff of sand and wandering cow it's perfect. The road going east to Idaho from Yaak is a challenge at the speed limit of 70. Thank you Montana and thank you DeDe, for letting us in on the secret.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

I grew up in Libby, and so naturally I know the surrounding areas quite well. The whole region is beautiful, but this particular cruise is a personal favorite! I havw always started and finished the ride in Libby, start north on highway 37, toward eureka. Around 15 miles out of town you'll pass the river bend restaurant on your right, (great place to stop for a drink or for dinner. Very reasonable prices for the quality of the food) now you can either stay on 37 or you can take the scenic byway, which is the first road on the left, 1/4 mile after the river bend restaurant. The scenic byway is my personal favorite, but it does take quite a bit longer than 37 due to the smaller, twistier road. The byway will take you along the kootenai river for two miles, until you get to the Libby dam, which makes lake koocanusa. There are plenty of pull-offs with beautiful views of the river, dam, and lake, resting in the bottom of the small, remote valley. As you continue north, you'll be surrounded by rock walls on one side, where the road was carved out of the sheer face of the mountain side, and the panoramic views of the lake on the other. There are several access points to the lake along the way, the only paved ones being 'macgillivray campground', and the 'barron creek boat launch'. Both worth checking out if you have the time. After Barron creek the road will become a little smoother, as there's little traffic at that point, enjoy the ride! Eventually you will see the eureka bridge, which spans the lake, connecting the scenic byway with 37. It's riding across and parking at the small observation area, to stretch your legs, and admire the beauty. continue north for several miles on the byway, and you will climb up to a spectacular view of the lake, before entering the forest, where you'll have to watch for highway 92 to 'yaak', on your left. Highway 92 will wind you through the wilds on north western Montana, with numerous hair pin turns, curves and sweeps, upward until you come to the top of the pass, which provides vast views of the forested mountainsides. There are a few small places to pull off but they're definitely small. Though that's hardly a problem, because I've never seen more than 2 vehicles per ride on the entirety of highway 92's run from the lake to yaak. From there, continue down the other side, where there are several small stretches of rough road, heaved by the winter's frosts, just slow down to a safe speed, not a big deal. Other than that, it's a peaceful, almost serene ride through the forest, there are several roads that turn off of 92, that aren't well marked, so just stay of the main road and you will be fine. Soon you'll pass an ancient log building, with a wooden sign, "YAAK COMMUNITY HALL". Then a one room school house with a small playground. You've made it to yaak! There are two bars, one serving the purpose of general store, and gas station, within normal business hours. The dirty shame saloon is a great place to grab a cold one, shoot a game of pool, or shoot the breeze over a smoke outside, with the few locals that happen to be there. The locally brewed huckleberry beer in incredible, I have yet to find it anywhere else. Then you have a choice, take the smaller, rougher, quicker route to Libby, or the bigger, smoother, longer, more scenic route. There are only two options, continue on 92, (which is the nicer, long way) or turn left onto pipe creek road if you're in a hurry to get back. If you have any confusion, ask a local.
92 will continue its beautiful sweeping ways, running alongside a small mountain river that goes over a small set of beautiful falls along the way. When you reach highway 2, right will take you to bonners ferry Idaho, left will take you through the tiny town of Troy, and on back to Libby. If you have time, between Troy and Libby lie the kootenai falls, and swinging bridge. Google it, my words do no justice. It's still my favorite short day cruise! Best of luck and as always, be safe.

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

I can't believe I hear more about the road to the sun than this. Absolutely stunning. I think the speed limit is 45 mph, but the curves are the radar there. Come from the south end. Have a smoke at the dam, then make sure your Gopro is on before you leave the parking lot. It's like a young Mike Tyson punching you in the face with curves. Some stones here and there, plenty of blind corners, and some tar snakes, it's not for the faint of heart. I would need to grow a mess of extra thumbs to rate it that way, so I'll give it 23.5 out of 10.

6 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

Buddy and I did 1400 miles through NW Montana in July. This loop was at the top of our list. I agree with some of the other commenters: the west side of Lake Koocanusa is the more enjoyable ride, though the east side is pretty nice too.
The Cabinet Mountain Brewing Company in Libby is a great place to start or end the ride. And the Dirty Shame in Yaak is a must stop.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

West side of Reservoir is excellent. Condition of road is adequate for spirited riding (tar snake alert). Has a s**tload of tight turns and very few straightaways. Fantastic views and light traffic. My personal favorite road in the NW of Mt. Have yet to see any other bikes on it when I have ridden it. Don't miss this one!

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

My Wife and I road this today. It was a beautiful ride. There is about a 5 mile stretch of hard packed gravel 10 miles east of Yack. The scenery on this ride is amazing.

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Just awesome!!! Me and nobody else.

24 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

This is a fantastic ride with minimal traffic. Think there might be more deer than cars on the West side of the lake to do take care. One friend totaled a bike and Bambies buddy was gunning for me the next year but missed. One ride on here was just after the highways people added tar to the cracks with some sort of tape that had a white plastic on the the tar strip. That was exciting in the corners! Keep a sharp eye out for the sign to Yaak as last time I did this loop the sign was facing the wrong way and i missed it. Do check out the Kootenai Falls as they are quite nice. If you are any kind of a geek the Libby Dam tour is worth checking out. It is a smaller version of the Dworshak Dam near Orofino in Idaho.

13 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Adventure Touring

Heading east past Yaak is the best part. Before that, from the 2 is marked lanes and faster riding but not as exciting. After yaak, the road is undivided and narrower, but nice twisties and gorgeous woods. I stopped in yaak for a beer, and met some very nice people. Was warned about the deer, but what I encountered was livestock in the middle of the road. Had to wait. A few revs of the motor got them moving up the road and up the hill. Be careful of cows and cow shit in the road.

13 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Adventure Touring

Heading east past Yaak is the best part. Before that, from the 2 is marked lanes and faster riding but not as exciting. After yaak, the road is undivided and narrower, but nice twisties and gorgeous woods. I stopped in yaak for a beer, and met some very nice people. Was warned about the deer, but what I encountered was livestock in the middle of the road. Had to wait. A few revs of the motor got them moving up the road and up the hill. Be careful of cows and cow shit in the road.

327 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Add this to your must ride list! A+++ roads & scenery