Ride/sightseeing advice- Big Sky, MT

[boatdetective]

Hey there- I will be attending a seminar in Big Sky in the middle of June. I was wondering if anyone here can give some advice for what I really must see/do. Of course, renting a mc would be cool (most likely a Harley out of Bozeman). I'm going to be right near Yellowstone- so I figure that will be the real priority. In any case- let me know your thoughts. The advice that I got here for riding in New Mexico was EXCELLENT.

[rocker59]

The obvious recommendation would be Yellowstone, but June is peak tourist season, and it'll be PACKED !

But, I might be tempted to check out Yellowstone anyway, if I didn't think I'd be back again.  You could enter at West Yellowstone and check out some of it.  If you leave out the northeast entrance, you could ride Beartooth Pass.  US-212.  Pretty epic...


I like old west history, so there's Bannack Ghost town.
http://www.bannack.org/
http://stateparks.mt.gov/bannack/

130 miles west of Big Sky (via some gravel).  175 miles on pavement.  It's a place that's on my list, though I've not been there, yet.
Google Map Link

[Guzzistajohn]

Haven't been to Yellowstone but I did get to see glacier. It was absolutely awesome!

[rocker59]

Haven't been to Yellowstone but I did get to see glacier. It was absolutely awesome!

Yellowstone is really nice.  I stayed a couple nights there at Old Faithful, back in May 2003.  The week before Memorial Day weekend.  We beat the crowds, and though a lot of gates were closed, we got to see some awesome/beautiful scenery.

The problem with any National Park in June is that you're in the middle of peak family vacation time and they're all crowded.  If you can get past that, and maybe pick some more remote parts, I guess it wouldn't be too bad.  Yellowstone NP is huge, and the crowds are kind of concentrated in certain areas, such as Old Faithful, the falls, and the lake.  But if you skip over some of the obvious stops, it might not be to horrible to run from West Yellowstone to Beartooth in June.

[old head]

Yellowstone is awesome

dont' forget Jackson Hole, Jenny lake, and the Grand Tetons.

Old Head

[Cool Runnings]

Check out Butte. Unless it's been rehabbed, there's some pretty cool historic buildings left.

[Cool Runnings]

Haven't been to Yellowstone but I did get to see glacier. It was absolutely awesome!

Going to the Sun Road! 

[PeteS]

Probably one of the best rides in the country, Hwy 212 Beartooth pass and Chief Joseph Hwy. You can do a loop from Cody to Chief Joseph to Beartooth Pass to Red Lodge and back to Cody. Check out the Buffalo Bill museum in Cody. Huge firearms and western art collection. The east entrance from Cody into Yellowstone is spectacular.

Pete

[Two Checks]

Cooke City is fun. There is Hebgen Lake, formed by an earthquake.

The run to Virginia City is fun, with all the towns mentioned along the way.
Ennis is where the movie, "A River Runs Through It" was filmed.
And when in Yellowstone whe you see a sign that reads "do not approach animals" be prepared to stop! That's where everyone stops to approach the animals!

[Wayne Orwig]

Beartooth Pass.
Beartooth Pass.
Beartooth Pass.
Beartooth Pass.
And Beartooth Pass.

I would say Glacier National Park, but mid June the going to the Sun road will likely still be closed. And probably too far out of the way.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Uh.. Beartooth pass.  (Do I hear an echo in here?) With any luck at all, I'll get to do it again on the way to the nationals.

[LowRyter]

If you have a place to stay, by all means go through Yellowstone.  High traffic but the views, wildlife, and geysers are incredible. 

Now I haven't been there since the early 80s and haven't seen place since the fires but I am sure it's worth seeing until the volcano blows. 

If you have a place to stay, rent a bike and explore.

[boatdetective]

Beartooth Pass.
Beartooth Pass.
Beartooth Pass.
Beartooth Pass.
And Beartooth Pass.

I would say Glacier National Park, but mid June the going to the Sun road will likely still be closed. And probably too far out of the way.

You are right about glacier- too far.    Beartooth looks EPIC!!

I've got to figure out doing the seminar in Big Sky- going back to Bozeman to rent a bike, then circling back down through the park. I gotta see that road from two wheels.

[Chuck in Indiana]

You are right about glacier- too far.    Beartooth looks EPIC!!

I've got to figure out doing the seminar in Big Sky- going back to Bozeman to rent a bike, then circling back down through the park. I gotta see that road from two wheels.

Trust me. And Wayne. And PeteS. The ride from Cody to Chief Joseph to Beartooth to Red Lodge is *not* to be missed if you have the opportunity. It's well worth going out of your way to do.. maybe the finest ride in the country.

[boatdetective]

Trust me. And Wayne. And PeteS. The ride from Cody to Chief Joseph to Beartooth to Red Lodge is *not* to be missed if you have the opportunity. It's well worth going out of your way to do.. maybe the finest ride in the country.

It's already decided, Chuck. Nice shop in Bozeman is considering adding motorcycles to the rental fleet and may get V strom 650s. Perfect!

Man- am I excited!

[oldbike54]

It's already decided, Chuck. Nice shop in Bozeman is considering adding motorcycles to the rental fleet and may get V strom 650s. Perfect!

Man- am I excited!

 Hell Jonathon , I'm excited for you  Did anyone mention Beartooth Pass ?

  Dusty

[PJPR01]

Yeah...Beartooth... definitely Beartooth from Cody via Chief Joseph is a top notch run!!  Heartily recommend that route as well!

The ride in from Livingston to the North Entrance is also a nice ride thru Gardiner...any road there is going to be fun!!



Glacier and Yellowstone - not to be missed if you can get to both...take a few extra days and ride around...it's heaven!!!





Going to the Sun - not a bad road to ride!!    :

[Wayne Orwig]

It's already decided, Chuck. Nice shop in Bozeman is considering adding motorcycles to the rental fleet and may get V strom 650s. Perfect!

Man- am I excited!

I've been over Beartooth pass, three times now. All in early July I believe. In 2014, July 4th, they were still snow skiing on top of the pass. But the road was clear. I can imagine that in June, it could be more questionable. I'm sure that Chief Joseph highway into Cody would be open, and worth a visit, even if the top of the pass is a problem.

I was in Yellowstone once in a car, and the entire trip all I could think about was how nice it would be to be 'exposed' to everything on a motorcycle (or at least in a convertible). I hated that trip. I've been back three times by motorcycle. Forget Old Facefull, it is a tourist trap. There will be a few hundred Asian tourists holding big tablets up in front of you getting pictures. (what is up with that?) Plan to spend more time in Norris Geyser Basin.

Top of Beartooth Pass July 4th, 2014. On the south side of the mountain, they were still snow skiing.


If you are in the Jackson / Cody Wyoming area, and get a chance to get a Packo's IPA, DON'T.


July 5th, 2014. Going to the Sun Rd, Glacier Park. The road had just opened.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Norris Geyser Basin.

Thanks for that. 

[PeteS]

My first trip on Beartooth was in July of 1972 on my Norton. About halfway up from Red Lodge it started to rain. Visibility was maybe a couple of hundred feet. Then near the summit it started to snow. Gear back then was primative with a thin leather jacket and cheap plastic rainsuit. We ended up stopping in Cooke City and got a room with a wood stove to dry our stuff. Three subsequent trips were glorious with warm temps and clear skies. Snow in July is a possibilty for sure.

Pete

[Boulder Ed]

Check out Butte. Unless it's been rehabbed, there's some pretty cool historic buildings left.

There are hundreds if not thousands of people in Butte that need rehab.  Not a place to visit anymore... 

[Boulder Ed]

I used to live in Missoula.  I would skip Yellowstone due to tourists and slow speeds and not all that scenic amid the traffic.  You will get 50 cars watching a duck cross the road, or a rabbit.    My money is on going up 90 towards Missoula then up towards Glacier.  Or do highway 200.  You can do Glacier through Going to the sun road then out the east side towards St Mary's, then go south and around the bottom of Glacier.  It is beautifully forested as well, unless it has burned since I sold my place in 2008.  You will find lots of nice places to ride up there.  Highway 12 out of Lolo is considered one of the best roads in the western US for bikes.  Take it way down into ID and then wander back on it.  Stop for lunch at the Lochsa lodge about an hour out of Lolo.  If you have time, go visit the Big Sky Brewery in Missoula.  They have the best IPA in the world when it is fresh off the tap.  Still probably the best in a bottle if you can find it :-)

[rboe]

Another vote for Glacier (but I'm a wee bit biases, my favorite place). Going to the Sun road is best done west to east. Lunch at Johnson's Cafe in St. Mary.

[Spuddy]

It depends how much time you have and if you want to put some miles on.  Way east of Yellowstone, Routes 14 and 14a in the Bighorns (north central Wyoming) are fun.

I could go on but there are a lot of back roads west of Yellowstone that will give you the taste of rural Idaho and Montana.

Spud

[Chuck in Indiana]

Highway 12 out of Lolo is considered one of the best roads in the western US for bikes.  Take it way down into ID

  99 miles following the Lewis & Clark expedition. It's hard to go wrong when you're following rivers..

[rboe]

Unless the road is under repair. The road that goes through Big Sky into Livingston (191) a few years back, had some construction bits - what a mess. No detours because; well, you had these damn big mountains on either side so you were on the only road going there! 

Still in the wrong direction, but Highway 2 that goes across the top of the state is one heck of a ride as it skirts Glacier on the southern border. Once you pass the divide it seems like you are going down hill forever.

I have not spent any time in northern Idaho, but from the front range west, from Canada to the Tetons, one could spend several summers exploring.

[rboe]

I have not been on the road since the late 70's but 16 in Wyoming between Buffalo and Worland as it goes through the Bighorn range is very nice. From the map it looks like 14 just north of it from Ranchester to Greybull could be even better but I've never seen it.

[Guzzistajohn]

Missouri River in Montana

Super moon on the Great Divide in Glacier NP

[PeteS]

I have not been on the road since the late 70's but 16 in Wyoming between Buffalo and Worland as it goes through the Bighorn range is very nice. From the map it looks like 14 just north of it from Ranchester to Greybull could be even better but I've never seen it.

16 is a fine road and worth checking out if you have the time. Actually if you had a week you could easily visit all the places mentioned so far and even have time to stop and smell the roses. Last August we crossed the country in 8 days on mostly two lane roads (3600 miles). Our ride included 16 in Wyoming, then Cody, Chief Joseph, Beartooth loop, then Yellowstone including the eastside drive north and west to Gardner and then north to Missoula and then US12, Lolo Pass. That was three days. You could do Glacier from Missoula and still have time for many other roads in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.

Pete

[blackbuell]

This thread has been very helpful for me, as I am headed to CO, WY, Montana, Idaho, & UT in mid-May. Will check out some of the suggested routes.

Thanks,

Jon