July 10th ~ Beartooth Highway (Day 1 of 2)
View from Pilot-Index Overlook ~ Beartooth Highway
Tim and I are continuing on our 3.5 month epic RV road trip through the western USA and Canada.
The 68 mile long Beartooth Highway is a National Scenic Byways All-American Road. It runs from Cooke City to Red Lodge, winding in and out of Wyoming and Montana. Charles Kuralt considered it America’s most beautiful drive.
To get to the Beartooth Highway, you can depart Yellowstone National Park through the north-east exit. Crossing the top of Yellowstone took us through the Lamar Valley, where we witnessed large herds of bison far below us, followed the Yellowstone River and admired more of the brilliant wildflowers.
Herds of bison along the Yellowstone River in Lamar Valley
My favorite color
Pronghorn Antelope
Surprise #1 ~ We had barely departed Yellowstone when the heavens opened up. First it poured, and then much to our surprise, it hailed! The pavement started to turn white. We simply pulled off to the side of the road and waited it out. We sure did feel sorry for the motorcycle riders that were caught out in it, and thought fondly of our motorcycle riding friends back home.
So glad we were not on a motorcycle
The hail was about the size of marbles. Large enough to give a bruise, or a dent.
For maybe the first five to ten miles of the Beartooth Highway, honestly I was feeling a little let down. Yes, it was pretty, but so are many other roads we have traveled over the years. I was having a hard time justifying the lofty title it had been bestowed.
Pretty scenery, but certainly not award-winning in my book.
Things started to improve when we came to a beautiful waterfall that cascaded in front of two bridges. We hiked to the second bridge to get a closer look.
View of falls from the first bridge. Second bridge in the background
View from second, closer bridge.
I was starting to warm up to the route a little by now
Brilliant tiny yellow petals
The road was becoming more curvy and narrow as we climbed higher
And then BAM, I had to start eating my words as it became clear why this has long been a favorite of many.
Small lakes and patches of snow started to appear along the way
Surprise #2 – The roads were by now very narrow, no shoulder and only an occasional guard rail, with steep drop offs to the canyon below. We were climbing our way steadily to a lung-popping altitude of 11,000 feet and believe me this was the LAST thing I thought I would see…
Yes, that is a man riding a unicycle up the mountain!
He honked his horn in greeting as we passed by
OK, I’m sure that I have not seen it all, YET, but this one sure was a first.
The road continued upward with ever more switchbacks
Small lakes appeared around many corners
And finally we reached the summit!
Ellie Mae handled this like Super Woman!
Coming down the backside, as we closed in on the town of Red Lodge we stopped at another scenic overlook, Rock Creek Vista Point, at only 9190 feet in elevation. The view was superb, and the chipmunks were friendly.
They have obviously learned that begging pays off
Baby chipmunk, learning the ropes.
We completed the drive into Red Lodge, where we had made reservations at the Red Lodge KOA, just on the outskirts of town.
Then we made an executive decision…
We really did not have a set time-table, and the lighting had been so dismal for photography, that we decided to stay over an extra night and drive the Beartooth Highway AGAIN.
I’m so glad we did.
Please check out our next post to see a couple of my favorite pictures from this trip – so far anyways.
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful that I can still be surprised! I mean really, a UNICYCLE in the middle of nowhere, riding by himself to an altitude of 11,000 feet! I’m thinking that is one for the record books.
A Note From Abroad 
Totally amazing, probably a trip I will never be able to make. It is such a joy to share your excursions and adventures and your surprises… Thank you SO MUCH. My blessings for continued good health and love on this journey.
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Vivian, this drive was truly special and memorable. I’m so glad we could share it with you. Thank you for your blessing. ❤️
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The glorious scenery, the joy of finding some new mystery around every corner is great fun; and the unicycle is pretty funny. Great adventure, and safe travels to you both.
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Wasn’t that something! I love the unexpected…
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Thank you for sharing your photos on this. We backed out on doing this road, concerned our 4-cylinder sedan couldn’t handle the grades. Well, I guess if a man on a unicycle can make it….we should of given it a try. Can’t wait to see part 2!
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You probably would have been fine. The road was not crowded and you can’t go very fast anyway due to all the curves. The pictures from day two when we had some sunshine are much better 😃
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Looks like I need to go back!
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This post brings back some good memories. I ride my motorcycle over the Bear Tooth Passs a couple of years ago. I had snow flurries at the top ( no hail thankfully). That was a nice ride.
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We have several dear friends who ride regularly. I know they would LOVE doing the Beartooth. Hopefully on a nice sunny day though. Wet, icy or snow on the pavement would be too scary for me on a motorcycle.
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I love this post….the glorious scenery and the surprising Unicyclist….great stuff. So glad you are having a good time. Xx
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Jane, we are having a blast – each day brings something new to savor and add to our memory bank.
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So much variety for you two! And fancy seeing a guy on a one-wheel bike so high up?! All credit to him. Such sights are the icing…Novel weather conditions, and, obviously, from the proof of your photographs, a memorable trip. Punch on! x . .
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It is the unexpected moments that bring a bit of spice to the day.
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Definitely some twists on this drive! And it did live up to its name after all. Sweet!
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I can highly recommend it!
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I actually wrote a post a few months ago comparing the Beartooyh Highway, Going-to-the-Sun Road, and the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies. I’m guessing you’ve seen all 3 now. Which is your favorite?
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Matthew, we are on our way toward Glacier NP and the Going-to-the Sun Road. We have not been on the Icefields Parkway yet. Still many places left for us to explore. I’ll take a look at your post this evening for your insights and info. Thank you for stopping by.
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Sounds good. Have fun in Glacier! It’s one of my favorites.
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I’ve wanted to see Glacier for many years. Very excited that we will be there in a couple more days.
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It is a beautiful highway, and you recorded it well. And the unicyclist! Wow!!
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Wasn’t that fun! Boy I give him a GREAT deal of credit for attempting that.
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Your post made me determined to see this some day, maybe next year. Thank you for sharing.
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Wonderful! I’m always excited and pleased when we can encourage someone to get out and see someplace that we thought was special. So glad you joined us!
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So beautiful. I haven’t been to that area yet and it’s on my bucket list. Great photos!
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Thank you!
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Just beautiful! I can see why you decided to stay an extra day.
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It was even more stunning in the sunshine.
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These are great photos, can not wait to see the next installment.
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If you liked these, you will be even more impressed with the ones taken with some decent lighting 😃 At least I hope that is the case.
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We loved this road too, as I think you spotted. We saw no unicycles though!
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Still no unicorns (or moose) sightings though 😉
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Great post. That area is so beautiful! We enjoy it so much when we see post by others that have traversed that area and the routes they took and the views they found most exciting. Its a place we’ll be visiting again for sure. Thanks for taking us along with you. We kept looking for moose too but weren’t fortunate enough to see one.
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I think we may need to wait until we get to Canada to find an elusive moose.
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While we were traveling along the Canada/Minnesota border on the Gun-Flint trail there were often moose siting’s. They say their on the comeback. I wonder if they unicorn are coming back too, lol. Be safe and enjoy. We like hearing from you.
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OMG the hail! And the unicyclist! But gorgeous scenery! I bet it felt good to have your own cosy home with you.
Alison
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Yes, it is hard to beat having your own cozy bed to crawl into at the end of a long day 😴
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Great photos. That hail was a shock.
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We have had weather all over the place. In Helena Montana it was over 100 degrees this afternoon and it is now raining. Can hardly wait to see what tomorrow brings.
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Great photos, beautiful area
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We sure think it is spectacular there.
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Thanks for these two posts. Very useful information. And great pictures!
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So pleased that you liked them.
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I can smell the air. How awesome!
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Wow, I did not realize I was posting with “smell-o-vision”! 🙂 🙂
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LOL – Isn’t it funny though that if you make a memory, even the smell stays with you?
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Gorgeous photos, and a UNICYCLE!?!? We saw one like that at a BikeMS event here in Georgia, but he was not conquering mountain climbs like the Beartooth! We rode the Beartooth on our motorcycles during our 2015 RV-Moto trip, and your posts are bringing me virtually back there! Which is nice, since it is 90 and humid here in Georgia. 🙂 I hope you also got to drive the Chief Joseph scenic byway, which turns off the Beartooth and heads toward Cody. Just in case you missed it, here is my post about our visit: https://curvyroads.info/2016/02/09/about-last-summer-part-2-cody-and-the-chief-joseph-and-beartooth-scenic-byways/
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I just checked out your post about the Chief Joseph scenic byway. No, we have not done it yet, but love the idea for a future trip.
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Great, it is a beautiful road too!
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Wow! Beautiful scenery and that unicycle! How in the world was he going up the mountain on that thing?! Amazing. The hail was amazing too. I hope the motorcyclists were okay. I can’t imagine getting hit by that while riding? Even going slowly would add to the velocity with which it hit you. I’m sure they skedaddled to someplace safe as soon as possible.
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Yes, the motorcycles had pulled off the road and taken temporary shelter. And that unicycle rider still makes me chuckle whenever I think about him.
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