Bear Tooth Pass ....

[gulfxray]

This may be a stupid question, but ....

Generally speaking, would Bear Tooth Pass and Chief Joseph HiWay be open in late September (3rd or 4th week)?

Or should I plan on heading for the Hill Country?

Just curious, I may get a few days off and want to stretch my legs so-to-speak, and see someplace I have never seen before...

[beartooth]

Shawn,

The pass is usually open thru Labor Day. But if there is an early snow storm you may have to carry a shovel.

Good Luck,

Bruce

[gulfxray]

Thanks.... I figured it was too late... Maybe next year...

[Brian-NC]

I was there last June 25th. On top of the pass (approximately 11k ft), there was snow on the sides of the road, it was about 40 degrees at 11:00 am with 15 mile per hour winds. For my life to be complete, I MUST go back, absolutely stunning ride. BTW, if you go, try lodging at Soda Butte lodge in Red Lodge. Nice folks and good eats just down the street. When we rode into town about 7PM there was an Elk standing next to the Exxon. Kinda like their mascot.

Brian
02 LTC silver
Charlotte, NC

[B1SR]

Concur! We shot the Gap in 2007 on the long way from Winnipeg and we are doing it again this year (Post: 5000 miles to Sturgis). We rested in Red Lodge then rode the Gap, Yellowstone, and stopped at Cody (Bubba's on the Southwest side of town). 60 days to go....- We are staying out of the Park this year due to the tourist traffic we encountered. We will ride the Bear Tooth Gap both ways. We did stop at Grizzly Flats at the top of the Gap for a hot cup of coffee in July; a leather jacket is a must.

[motorhead]

July of 07 .... stunning ride :yeah:
#1 road sign just outside yellowstone
#2 pic Up on top
#3 just over the top

[dandiver]

We did Bear Tooth Pass several years ago in a 32' motor home and I longed for the bike the entire way. Crossing the pass in the motor home though would have been interesting in the K1200LT! It was a hairy experience in the motor home. We did the trip in the middle of summer and the scenery was incredible.

[Lonewuff]

Gulfxray,

I think you would be S.O.L. that late in the season, so you might as well come see what the Three Sisters can offer. Still pretty warm around here then. However, if you do get the chance to take Bear Tooth Pass some day DO IT!!! The scenery is incredible and the road is a challenge. Snow pretty much year round up there or at least the times I have gone over it. One word of caution though; WATCH YOUR SPEED. I found the last couple of trips that the road is heavily patrolled and enforcement in a National Park gets REAL expensive.

B1SR was 150% correct about Red Lodge. Fantastic place to say and biker friendly little town. You will get the best nights sleep you ever had.

[beartooth]

One of my favorite rides. Be sure to include the Chief Joseph highway to Cody if you have time. Some more photos here; http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2281/photos.html

Enjoy,

Bruce

[pickerbiker]

I road Bear Tooth last year in mid-June, knowing it would probably be a crap shoot on the weather. We knew we were in trouble stopping in Red Lodge for breakfast and it was cold and raining. Decided to do it anyway. It was 25 degrees and a snow storm (fortunately the roads were dry), Gerbings turned up on high. I can now say I've ridden Bear Tooth, but can't wait to go back and ride it when I can actually SEE something! :D

[Spirit_Rider]

The first time I was on Bear tooth I watched a rider that was so busy looking at the great scenery he drove straight into the side of the mountain at 60 MPH. It is so pretty but you can't forget what you are doing.