Cruising Beartooth Highway

© Dennis Carrington

U.S. 212 a.k.a. Beartooth Highway.

For bikers who worship the god of high, twisty passes, the Beartooth Highway is a temple that rises above almost all others, both literally and figuratively. You're probably not going to get there this season to ride the Beartooth, but as you start planning next year's trip this is definitely one to consider seriously.

The Beartooth is an utter gem. U.S. 212 crosses two passes between Red Lodge, MT, and the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Beartooth Pass marks the high point at the east end of the road and Coulter Pass marks the west. In between you cruise for miles along the ridge, above timberline, with the Absaroka and the Beartooth mountains filling your panorama. The Beartooth is the highest highway in both Montana and Wyoming, which it meanders between over the course of its 67 miles.

At a maximum altitude of 10,947 feet on the Wyoming side, and 10,350 feet on the Montana side, there are steep climbs with plenty of switchbacks at both ends. And with that altitude comes weather. The road opened for the year in 2009 on May 22. It normally closes in late September, depending on the snow. But it can be cold and even snow at any time up that high, so warm clothing is a must at any time if you're planning to ride this road.

What you'll get for your efforts are breath-taking vistas and world-class beauty, not to mention the twisty two-lane. The Beartooth has been declared an All-American Road, which says it all if you know the meaning of the term. In brief, outstanding highways all over the country are labeled "National Scenic Byways," and then the most scenic of these are given the title of "All-American Road."

Understandably, services are very limited along this route, but there is a stop, the Top of the World Resort, near Coulter Pass on the west. Gas and food are both available.

For added measure, the Chief Joseph Highway (WY 296) connects to the Beartooth about midway between the two passes. This road is a stellar road on its own, so you might consider going west from Red Lodge to Cooke City, just outside of Yellowstone, and then heading back up the Beartooth and then taking Chief Joseph down to Cody, WY. Or whatever variation you choose. That's a full day of spectacular riding.

Make no mistake, the Beartooth is a world class motorcycle destination. And Red Lodge is a town that seems to be hosting a motorcycle rally almost every week of the summer. It belongs on your list of riding destinations.