Beartooth Pass??

Justice12t · 02-05-2016, 10:21 AM

Morning Everyone!

I apologize if this has been discussed before but my search did not find much. We are taking a trip out west to Yellowstone NP this summer. I have read how great the drive/scenery is on Beartooth.

I was wondering has anyone drove it with their camper?? Just looking to see who has done it and with what rig...also I am sure of the answer but was it worth the miles and time??

Thanks!!

Indymule · 02-05-2016, 10:36 AM

Beartooth Pass is an beautiful drive!

That being said, it is best to make it a day trip and not pull the trailer. It's a slow enough drive and some of the switchbacks are steep.

You would have to gear way down for the grade and traffic passing you would be difficult.

I'd recommend base camping some where and enjoy a nice day drive. We stayed in Yellowstone and made the loop out enjoy a nice lunch in Red Lodge and then down to Cody and back into Yellowstone. Made for a great day but then we were on a motorcycle.

5er_tom · 02-05-2016, 11:40 AM

I have been over it 3 times on a motorcycle and once in a Class C. Never again with an RV. Park the trailer and go with just the TV.
PS: to get the best views go north to south.

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5er_tom · 02-05-2016, 11:41 AM

Also, when do you plan to go? It normally is snow covered early to mid June.

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Mountndream · 02-05-2016, 11:54 AM

is it worth it to do it when it is still snow covered?

5er_tom · 02-05-2016, 12:01 PM

Check their website to find out if the road is open. If just open the snow makes for a very pretty ride. I rode the MC over it after the road had been open only a few days. Snow was 6' high in places and it was very chilly (38 degrees).

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5er_tom · 02-05-2016, 12:02 PM

Beartoothhighway.com

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spock123 · 02-05-2016, 03:02 PM

If you want to see another scenic road along with Beartooth Pass is drive 14A, its outside of Cody WY. It is beautiful and you will see snow, it's almost 10,000 of elevation. A little side trip on it is a Indian Medicine Wheel. You see like forever, it is so beautiful. You can drive, it's about a mile to the Medicine Wheel from the parking area but most walk.

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spock123 · 02-05-2016, 03:05 PM

Oh one thing I forgot there is a campground up there at the very top, it's Bald Mountain Campground but I don't want to pull my camper up there

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Justice12t · 02-05-2016, 03:56 PM

I will look into getting setup in yellowstone and setting aside a day to do the beartooth loop. This is plan B but looks like it is quickly becoming plan A...

tkmi · 02-05-2016, 04:16 PM

43yrs. Driving a truck, I would stay on interstate when towing out west. Get you a truckers atlas and mountain grades west book. 14a has a pass that's called---oh my god hill. I'm going there also in July, my rte. Is 90 thru montana to 191s. From bozman to west Yellowstone. I'm coming from Michigan.

f5moab · 02-05-2016, 05:03 PM

You also have the Chief Joseph Highway, that runs off the Beartooth down toward Cody.

But the BT is a nice drive...take plenty of photos:

Keystone · 02-06-2016, 07:33 AM

BTP and CJ Highway are awesome drives! No way would I recommend pulling a TT over them or driving a MH. One of the best rides on a Motorcycle in the US though. been across both 4 times now. Still in awe each time. Have seen feet of snow up top in early-mid June.

Blackrock · 02-06-2016, 08:49 AM

My most memorable trip over the Beartooth Highway was at night under a searchlight full moon. Happened in 1957 when Dad was hoping to be able to get a room in Cooke City for the night and none were available. So we ate dinner and headed out about 7pm. I was 8 years old and thought it was fun, Mom was white knuckled at first but after we got into it the trip was awe inspiring. Back then the top part wasn't paved but good gravel. I would love to find an August night with a full moon and do it again. (We were able to get a room in Red Lodge)

f5moab · 02-06-2016, 08:54 AM

There can be a lot of snow in July. Road is plowed but there are still plenty of went areas across the road from melting snow.
In 2013 (first photo in my previous post) there was very little snow left the second week in July. Went there in 2014, and they were still skiing on the little ski slope on the switchbacks, and there were drifts off the road at least five feet high.

This photo is about a half mile from the fist photo in my first post but was taken almost exactly, a year later in 2014....

And last year, 2015, there was very little snow the third week in July.

dmac1951 · 02-06-2016, 09:03 AM

Depends on what you have for aTV and TT. Would not do it without a diesel engine with exhaust brake.
Weather is always iffy. Rode it having to have on a snow suit and rode it in short sleeve shirt. July 6/7 2007 there was no snow left.

Justice12t · 02-06-2016, 09:21 AM

Spoke with DW, looks like we are going to setup at YS and make a day trip loop. Figured that would be easier for both of us and much more enjoyable for me. Thanks for all the insight and pictures we are looking forward to it, and we want to make sure we do it right!

btritschler1437 · 02-06-2016, 09:24 AM

Take the Chief Joseph up to Red Lodge, MT. Have lunch in Red Lodge then drive the Beartooth back to Yellowstone Northeast entrance. This is a full day's trip, just take the truck.

5er_tom · 02-06-2016, 12:01 PM

If you are making a one day loop trip from YS, head to Red Lodge first, then over Beartooth, so you go south over the pass. I thought those views were MUCH more spectacular than when I went over going north.

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AquaMan · 02-06-2016, 12:41 PM

Have been over the beartooth many times. Even in February on a snowmobile. We are going to Yellowstone in this summer and will be staying in Cody for several days just so we have easier access to beartooth/CJ, red lodge, and Cooke city. Have family in Cooke. Some of the best views out there are on those two highways.

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