Bearthooth Pass and Northern Yellowston

This is more of a photo journal than a ride report. I don't have anything significant to say.

Sharing the photos almost didn't happen but a new to me camera arrived in the mail one day before departure. My old trusty Canon S100 died a week prior. The lens would not close and fixing it was not an option. Seems a good new pocket camera starts at $300 and the quality is unknown so I just bought a used Canon S100 for $150. Without much time to test it before leaving and with no options if it was a dud I just took it along and hoped for the best.

The goal was ride through Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park, on to Red Lodge Montana, to the Bighorn Mountains then Lolo Pass and home.

Friday I slabbed it to Livingston Montana on I-90. It is not a bad option, the pavement is smooth, little construction, views of snow capped mountains and crossing the Continental Divide. I pondered other routes but very hot weather was coming to Wyoming so I wanted to get east quickly.

Saturday morning there was a ten car backup to get into the North Entrance to Yellowstone. The hordes favor the West Entrance and the Old Faithful and each month in 2021 has set attendance records. I wanted to do this trip on or before Father's Day cause after than everybody will be out and about.

I brought my Canon DSLR with a small telephoto lens to take photos of the buffalo in Lamar Valley in Yellowstone. The really nice telephoto lens are serious coin, plus a full frame camera helps along with a quality tripod - say $7000.

I really enjoy riding through here to see the buffalo. Here are some photos from the DSLR.







This animal was about 100 yards away.



This fellow was about 20 yards away and started kicking up dirt when I stopped to snap his photo. I shot this with the pocket camera, you can see focus is not great but it was click and go!



On to Beartooth Scenic Highway. The name sake peak.



Rather than summiting Beartooth Pass I go to Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, also know as Hwy 296 and Crandall Road. How confusing. Nonetheless this is a great road.

When I get to the intersection of Hwy 296 and Hwy 120 I turn around so I can do it again, ride Beartooth Pass and head to Red Lodge. Life is tough!



These were all shot with the pocket camera while on the go, then edited for perspective and straightening.











It was a nice day on the pass with temps in the mid sixty's. Not bad at all.

The intention was to head to Sheridan Wyoming so I could ride Hwy's 14A, 14 and 16 in the Bighorn Mountains. With temperature of 100° with a stiff wind in Worland Wyoming I decided to pass on the Bighorns. It was going to be in the mid 90's in Sheridan. Yuck. So I stayed in Red Lodge instead where where it was in the '70's.

I was loading the bike at 8:00am to crystal blue skies and 65°. My destination for the day was Lolo Montana. It was then I decided to ride over Beartooth and through Yellowstone rather than just hopping on I-90. It added another 1.5 hours to the ride but it was worth it.

How could I not go this way?





Clarity and focus seems pretty good with my used pocket camera.



The camera lanyard got in on the action.







The license plate on this FJR said Connecticut. The rider was doing some serious rubber necking and I got the impression this was his first time.



Waiting for a construction light I took a selfie with the pocket camera.



The fuel range reports 441 miles remaining. This feature needs work. I averaged just over 49 mpg on this trip. I am really pleased with the fuel economy on my '17. I get 5-7 more miles per gallon than my 09 did.



I pulled over for this shot.



After leaving Yellowstone it was on to Lolo Montana via I-90 to ride Lolo Pass, the trail used by the Nez Perce Indians and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. There are several interpretive signs along the road telling the stories of the people who used this historic trail. I took the time to stop and read most of them.

After Lolo Summit the road follows the scenic Lochsa, (Lock-Saw) River. A photo op.



The river with spring water runoff makes this an ideal time to be here.





That's all folks!