July 28-30, 2015
On Tuesday (7/28) we took the scenic Beartooth Pass road from Red Lodge, MT south toward Yellowstone Park. We had heard that the drive was rated as one of the most beautiful in the country. We weren’t disappointed. Actually, unbeknownst to us, a freak storm had passed through in the night and dumped several inches of snow on the pass. We didn’t know about the storm but were curious why the road signs in Red Lodge said the pass was closed. We headed on up thinking the sign must have been a mistake. The drive up was unbelievable but the higher we got the little skiffs of snow turned into larger and larger piles. As we approached the summit at at 10,947 ft, traffic was stopped but fortunately they were just opening the road. All tolled, it looked like the summit got between 4 and 6 inches of very wet snow. The snow make an already spectacular view even better. After descending the mountain, we looped back to Red Lodge on the “Chief Joseph Scenic Highway” which in itself was very pretty. All in all, we would have to say that the Beartooth Pass road is indeed the most scenic drive we have ever found.
On Wednesday, we headed over to the Charles Russell National Wildlife Refuge north of Billings, and then on Thursday, continued north to the “Hi-line” and headed west to Shelby, MT. The 200 miles from Billings to the Hi-line has to be one of the most remote roads in the lower 48. It reminded us a lot of some of the roads that we experienced in the Yukon Territory last year. No doubt there is a lot of open space in the west …. exactly why we love it here!
Tomorrow, we head over toward Glacier Park but with the east entrance closed due to the fire, we are not sure where we will end up.
A few miles below the summit we found small patches of snow
As we got closer to the summit there was a general dusting of snow everywhere
Didn’t think to bring snow boots along…
Ok…. 31 degrees is a little too cold for a couple of desert dwellers. The strong wind made it even worst!
The views from the summit were unforgettable
Even made a small snowman….
So much for these summer flowers…
Can’t count the number of switch backs we did
Route:
July 28, 2015
July 29, 2015
July 30, 2015
I have always thought the Beartooths offered some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere. And for those of us who don't hike, you can still see and enjoy all that beauty. Growing up in Montana I really don't notice how empty it is. Just wide open spaces and watch out for deer.
ReplyDelete