We load the Harleys® and depart for a fun filled day exploring Yellowstone National Park. After a day in the park, we will exit Yellowstone through the northeast entrance and proceed to our evening destination of Red Lodge, Wyoming.
Yellowstone National Park is one of the most successful wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Grizzly and black bears can be seen occasionally from the park roadways. The park is home to several thousand elk; many mule deer, pronghorn antelopes and moose; bands of bighorn sheep; and about 2000 bison.
Among the many stops scheduled for the day will be “Old Faithful”. Old Faithful was was the first geyser in the park to receive a name in 1870. An eruption can shoot 3,700 to 8,400 gallons (14–32 kL) of boiling water to a height of 106–184 feet (30–55 m) lasting from 1.5 to 5 minutes. The average height of an eruption is 145 feet (44 m). Eruptions often occur about 90 minutes apart, but this interval can range from 45 to 125 minutes on occasion. More than 137,000 eruptions have been recorded. Old Faithful is not the tallest or largest geyser in the park; that title belongs to the less predictable Steamboat Geyser. With an error of 10 minutes, Old Faithful will erupt 65 minutes after an eruption lasting less than 2.5 minutes or 92 minutes after an eruption lasting more than 2.5 minutes. The reliability of Old Faithful can be attributed to the fact that it is not connected to any other thermal features of the Upper Geyser Basin.
We will also stop at one of the many “mudpots” that dot the Yellowstone landscape. A mudpot is a sort of hot spring consisting of a pool of usually bubbling mud. As the boiling mud is often squirted over the brims of the mudpot, a sort of mini-volcano of mud starts to build up, sometimes reaching heights of 3-5 feet. The mud is generally of white to greyish color, but is sometimes stained with reddish or pink spots from iron compounds. When the slurry is particularly colorful, the feature is then called a "paint pot".
During our ride, expect to encounter herds of Bison, elk, moose and other wild animals. It is common that road travel temporarily comes to a halt as Bison walk and cross the roads. Should this occur, simply stop the Harley, turn off the engine, remain on the motorcycle and enjoy the event. Do not attempt to touch any wild animal in the park.
Saying good-by to Yellowstone, we exit through the northeast park entrance and soon find ourselves on the Beartooth Scenic Highway as we proceed to Red Lodge for the evening.
Beartooth Scenic Highway was dubbed “the most beautiful roadway in America” by On the Road correspondent Charles Kuralt. The highway climbs to an astounding 10,947 feet above sea level. Here you feel like you are truly at the "Top of the World.” Just prior to the summit, we pass the Top of the World settlement, a combination store, motel and gas station. Since its completion in 1936, the Highway has awed millions of visitors with its astonishing views of one of the most rugged and wild areas in the lower 48 states.
As it winds its way from the northeastern entrance of Yellowstone National Park to Red Lodge, the Highway traverses an impressive range of ecosystems; from lush lodge pole pine forests to alpine tundra. At the highway’s summit, travelers find themselves in a sky-high world of glacial cirques, clear alpine lakes, and snow that lingers through the summer months. The brutal climate at this elevation deters the growth of trees and shrubs, and the plants that do grow here have adapted in remarkable ways. Some convert sunlight to heat, and many conserve water the way desert plants do. In late June and July, the fragile tundra blossoms in a lavish display of wildflowers; shooting stars, columbine, and Indian paintbrush, to name a few.
The highway is sixty-four miles in length from Yellowstone’s northeast entrance to Red Lodge. Heading from Cooke City, we pass the turnoff for the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, which was our route from Cody into Yellowstone a couple days ago.
Riding along the Beartooth Scenic Highway reveals to us that this is lake country with almost a thousand lakes filling the wilderness. Along the road lie lakes with names such as Long Lake, Little Bear Lake, Island Lake and Beartooth Lakes. Two of several national forest campgrounds along the highway are beside these last two lakes. With 20 peaks over 12,000 feet in elevation (including Granite Peak, Montana’s highest at 12,799 feet), the Beartooth Mountains lie within the 943,377-acre Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Grizzly and black bears make their home here, as do elk, deer, moose, bighorn sheep, rocky mountain goats, mountain lions and bobcats. With over 950 alpine lakes and hundreds of miles of trails, these mountains offer ample opportunities for recreation; much of it accessible from the Beartooth Scenic Highway.
While the Beartooth Scenic Highway is one of America's greatest drives along narrow, winding and steep roads, we are fortunate that there are ample opportunities for stopping the Harleys for that “special photo”. A pull out 20 miles from Red Lodge, along a steep series of switchbacks, is a great place to get a broad view of the Plateau and where sharp eyes may spot mountain goats or bighorn sheep.
At roughly 3,000 square miles, the Beartooths are one of North America's largest land masses rising above 10,000 feet, reaching its highest point at 12,799', which is called Granite Peak. This is a land of glacier-carved cirques, high alpine lakes and fragile tundra.
Following the splendor of Beartooth Scenic Highway, we arrive at our destination for the evening; Red Lodge. After checking into our lodge, you will have time to visit the town and enjoy the sights.