Beartooth Highway
Beartooth Highway
Has anyone here ridden the Beartooth Highway? Runs between Red Lodge and Cook City, MT. I'm hoping to do it this summer. Also hoping to ride the Chief Joseph Highway in the same area.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,980
Likes: 5,218
From: Michigan
Yep, three times, the last in 2010.
Both roads are beautiful but I'd suggest that you pick a clear, dry day to do this ride and be prepared for cooler temps and wind gusts.
Well worth the ride.
Both roads are beautiful but I'd suggest that you pick a clear, dry day to do this ride and be prepared for cooler temps and wind gusts.
Well worth the ride.
Road Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 774
Likes: 2
From: S.E. Montana
Howdy, That Beartooth ride is fantastic....unless heights make you nervous!!! Most important thing is to check the weather. On a bike, I'd not recomend going at all until July. It can snow up at the top of the pass anyday of the year. We're lucky in Montana...summer time offers more great places to ride....horses or Harley's then any other place in the world!!!! Have fun.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 224
From: Coeur d'Alene
I'm in the other camp...that is, ride the Beartooth as early in the season as you can. Mountain peaks are still full of snow and riding alongside those 10' high walls of snow at the top is always a kick. Doesn't matter if it's July or August, you'll most likely need your jacket and gloves on the pass.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: Auburn, Georgia
Howdy, That Beartooth ride is fantastic....unless heights make you nervous!!! Most important thing is to check the weather. On a bike, I'd not recomend going at all until July. It can snow up at the top of the pass anyday of the year. We're lucky in Montana...summer time offers more great places to ride....horses or Harley's then any other place in the world!!!! Have fun.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 224
From: Coeur d'Alene
There are a few places where the road's edge is fairly close to drop offs, since the road is mostly cut out of the side of mountains. But those spots have big guardrails and I think guardrails make a big difference for folks like your fellow riders who have height issues. There's a road that runs from Stanley, Idaho over to Lowman, Idaho and I'm telling you riding westbound there are sections where there isn't enough room to put a guardrail in if they wanted to. Go off there and it's adios ****. Beartooth isn't like that, your friends will be fine.
Road Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 774
Likes: 2
From: S.E. Montana
Anybody can do it. The faint of heart might not be as happy as the rest is all.