If you follow the weather the West received a very heavy snowpack this year. Spring has seemed more like an extension of winter with a few warm periods then back to cool and cold. Not complaining, if it warmed up quick and the runoff comes hard flooding will result.
We spent quite a bit of time watching the weather maps and planned our Wednesday ride - Chief Joseph Scenic Highway to Beartooth Highway on to Red Lodge then reverse the route back to Cody. Afternoon rain showers were in the forecast for Cooke City and Red Lodge so we left Cody just before 7am.The ride was beautiful. It was damn cold and windy in spots but the views make you forget the cold. On one of the first stops Kim looked at me and said, “I’m so glad we came, I don’t think it ever looked more beautiful” and this comes from a Gal who’s done this ride a dozen times.
We rode into Red Lodge, gassed up and rode back up and it’s almost like riding two different roads. We didn’t stop but a few times due to conditions but the views are etched in my mind. For instance the Ski Area was open and the lift was running. Skiers were visible going what appeared almost vertical. Then on each side of the Ski Area you could see where large avalanches had broken off from the cornice on the top of the ridge. Traffic was light and some of the tight curves on top had 10’ walls of snow on each side. The road itself is in very good shape. Ridding east on C J Hwy there is a beautiful cascade of water on the North side of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone. I looked at Google earth and it must be Canyon Creek coming out of Sawtooth Lake.
Thursday morning the weather turned colder than expected. We had plans to ride the park, East entrance to Lake Lodge, Old Faithful and Canyon. We spoke to a couple from Texas who were each riding dual sport bikes, they rode the park Wednesday and said the area around fishing bridge is a mess. Construction has the road torn up and water trucks keep it a muddy mess. They decided to leave the park thru Cooke city and ran into a very cold rain storm. They also showed us a video of Beartooth a few days before when they rode it. The rode was covered in snow and he said there was lightning so close the thunder was but a second behind the flash.
We decided take our time and let it warm up a bit so we walked down to the Information Center. There we were told Beartooth was closed due to new snow and drifting. We packed a lunch and rode into the park to the Lake overlook. We left town about 10:30 and at the lake it was 40 degrees and breezy. We did picnic and drank a cold beer to warm up and headed back to town. We got to share the road with a couple Tatanka, always thrilling when the car in front stops and your within spitting distance of a large bull.
Back in Cody it was in the 60’s so we walked to the park and played putt putt golf. Kim had me on the front nine but I came back strong on the back. She even had two aces!
Friday morning northern WY and Montana had winter storm warnings for 6,000' and above. We left the motel at 8am, 45 degrees for the 400 mile ride home and pulled into the driveway at 3pm.
Signs indicated Chip seal would start soon between Thermopolis and Meeteetse WY.
Must haves: Heated Jacket liners, Heated grips and Carhartt arctic lined jeans JMHO Just before the Hail storm we rode thru on South Pass Red Canyon just south of Lander WY. If your ever there in the winter you may see hundreds of Elk here. Looking back at the storm on South Pass Wind River Canyon, the Dam At Boysen Res. was letting a lot of water out. Starting up Chief Joseph Hwy on the East side Top of the pass Sun Light Basin From the top of the pass gotta get the bikes in the picture Kim, tomorrow is our 40th anniversary!
Starting up Beartooth Beartooth looking towards the Park Amazing scenery So many places where the snow was 10' deep From the rest area going down thee north side I always wonder where that road goes?
Yellowstone Lake and the Tetons in the background Strange looking high clouds. This stretched from Wind River Canyon to Green River Wyoming. I'm guessing Jet Stream ?
06-22-2019, 08:57 AM
Bill and Kim's Cody adventure 6/18 - 6/22
JMHO
