July 17 - Cody to Gardiner via Beartooth Pass

Flash Slideshow

Today we rode out of Cody via the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway. The road was a wonderful surprise - with incredible views and many switchbacks down into a wooded valley and back up to the Beartooth Highway.





At the scenic vista stop at the highest point, Steve, Jim McCann and Colleen fed a tame chipmunk some trail mix.









A few miles before the turn for Route 212 (the Beartooth) there was a 8-mile or so stretch of road grevelling and oiling that we had to stop for. After 10 minutes a pace car came to lead us through. The riding was slow but manageable through the gravel. As we were mostly on rented bikes, we did not worry too much over the oily rocks hitting our bikes. Jim and Cindy did have a problem, however, as the rocks were pitting the front fenders of their trailer.

Right after the Chief Joseph came the Beartooth Highway. The ride was a wonderful side trip to Red Lodge, MT and lunch at the outdoor cafe in a converted caboose. Rt. 212 climbs to 10,967 feet through places where you ride above the snowline. The riding was incredible. Not much traffic and no police, and lots of other bikes. Needless to say we sharpened our cornering skills on the hairpin turns ;) I took this video (click here) of the return trip up the north side. I tried to video the way down too, during which I taped the whole group for a while and then Jim McCann, John and I rode at warp speed, but the tape malfunctioned after our stop at the top.

After riding the Beartooth we headed west back into Yellowstone. The road was under construction through Cooke City and provided more dusty and tricky riding. While waiting for everybody to get back into the Northeast Gate to Yellowstone, we were attached by many biting horseflys. Several people rode ahead. At that point Jim McCann was getting off his bike at the ranger hut and forgot his kickstand (it had been another long,hot day of riding). He pulled his hamstring trying the prevent the bike from falling totally over. He was OK except for a big bruise on his leg.

We rode through the valley in the northern part of the park and saw some buffalo in the Lamar Valley.











A rest stop was needed at Tower Falls lodge in which we were treated to a dance routine by two pre-teen sisters singing Blondie's "The Tide is High."









We arrived at Mammoth Hot Springs as our last stop. Colleen, always the one to find a way around the rules, was the first one of us to reach through the railings and touch the material making up the rock of the springs. Paula and I followed suit and we agreed that the material feels like chaulk.

We rode into Gardiner to stay at the Travelodge for the night. As we were checking in a quick storm blew through, and was followed by a wonderful double rainbow! From my vantage point, the end of the rainbow pointed to a sign for CiCi's Fine Goods.





We ate a decent meal at the Yellowstone Mine Restaurant and I moseyed out early and got an ice cream across the street. As I was unable to get an internet connection from my room, I turned in early. I suspect that everyone else had an early night too.