Plan on running it this year along with Chief Joseph hwy.

Tim

 

Road it last year after Sturgis and it was a great ride...37 degrees in top with rain mixed with snow. It was brutal but well worth it. We then road Chief Joseph and Big Horn, all of which were awesome. Can't wait to go back.

 

Wishing you a great trip.

However, my advice would be to bypass CO and go to another scenic destination, since The Colorado DOT has already destroyed, or is in the process of digging up long stretches of essentially every road in the state. The scenic back roads and county secondaries are the worst hit.

Massive delays, slimy & sticky tar all over everything when you ride through the construction sites, broiling heat when stuck in endless lines of traffic on those 100 degree days on hot, soft, sticky new asphalt etc. No fun in that, I can tell you!

I've lived here in CO for over 30 years and I've never seen anything even remotely like it. ANY of the surrounding states would be preferable for a pleasure trip, IMO.

Seriously, do a search of highway construction in the state and you'll see what I mean.

For instance, they'll come in and dig up perfectly good bridges on the county roads and then just drive away without replacing them - it's f-in' crazy. Co has to have the most corrupt and incompetent DOT in the country!

And unless your bike needs a total re-paint, DO NOT get anywhere near the outdated junk they use for highway painting - don't ask me how I know!

If any of the good folks here on this forum are planning a trip to CO this summer, I would strongly advise them to do a LOT of research on unbiased websites to at least know beforehand what they're getting into.

Maybe some other CO residents will chime in on this subject? I posted a thread last week about this and got a lot of replies that agree that CO has a serious, state-wide issue with road closures/construction lately.

Ride safe,

JP

 

Look for a patch of yellow snow up near the summit. Time honored tradition if no one is looking. I will be there the day before you.

 

I'm not sure how much time you have to spend in the area, but there are quite a few great rides and places to visit. The first thing I would do is to check the weather and road conditions just before heading into the Beartooth Mountains. Always pack with the idea that you're going to encounter snow, rain, and cold weather. Here's a few links that will help you out:

Beartooth Highway trip planner: http://beartoothhighway.com/beartoot...trip-planning/

State of Montana road condition map: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/map/mtmap_frame.html

MDT traveler info: http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/

Wyoming travel info: http://www.wyoroad.info/

Places to visit if you have time:

Dead Indian Pass, Wyoming: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Indian_Pass

Buffalo Bill Cody Museum with over 7000 firearms (Must See!!): https://centerofthewest.org/explore/buffalo-bill/

Chief Joseph Scenic Highway: https://www.wyomingtourism.org/thing...nic-Byway/7333



Hope you have a great trip! I've been in remote NW Zambia working for the last year and a half, I can't wait to get back home and ride the Beartooths myself.

 

On this Sturgis ride we will be staying the night in Red Lodge, then The Beartooth and Chief Joseph to Cody for the night, lots of time to goof off. Our third ride to Sturgis and 1st BearTooth.

 

Will be out in August and it's on the list of rides!! Thanks for all the information!

 

This is what I mean about conditions changing quickly up on the Beartooth:
http://www.ktvq.com/story/32096921/s...s-at-stateline

 

Just watched the 19 minutes video...can you say " bucket list "

 

GlobalGlide - thanks for all of your tips.

When we travel, we always tend to pack for 3 days - we will make sure we pack our warm gear and also check the weather before heading anywhere.

We are hoping that August is the perfect time to ride there. Was in Sturgis one August - got to Driftwood and had hail ***** that you wouldn't believe. Hours later, all was clear.