Beartooth Highway alternate route
 

This summer, I will be travelling from Billings, MT to Cody, WY. I had planned to take the Beartooth, which will obviously not be possible any longer.

I have noticed a parallel route (72 to 120) out of Laurel on the I-90.

Scenery-wise, will this route be similar to the Beartooth (not like I have many options)? What distinguishes the 2 routes (on a map they only look to be about 20 miles apart)?

Thank you.

ttt

I haven't done any other route than the Beartooth going in the NE entrance, but the Yellowstone National Park website said to use the Chief Joseph Highway 296, but the don't say which other roads to use!

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planvisit/or...170road6-2.pdf

It sounds interesting and the next scenic road we had planned on doing in the area.

http://www.codywyomingnet.com/attrac...ic_highway.php

Utahtea

Uh oh -- why isn't the Beartooth Highway no longer possible?

Not even close!!

If you want to see the Beartooth, you can get 29 miles east of the Chief Joseph Highway (296) intersection and then backtrack.

Connie -- I am coming down from BILLINGS, MT -- I need the alternate route to run parallel to the 212 heading S/SW.

Travlsolo2 -- You must not have heard about the giant mudslides south of Red Lodge on the Beartooth. That portion of the road will be closed til at least October.

Anyone else have a response to my OP?

Oh my -- I had not heard -- and the first part of a big roadtrip in September was from Red Lodge to Cooke City and through Yellowstone. I just called that Beartooth toll free number and the only thing they mentioned was the road construction from Cooke City eastward... I'll have to check further and rearrange my plans. Dang! Was looking forward to it.

Wow -- I just took a look at the photos -- 13 sites along a 9 mile stretch. Scary! http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/beartooth/

Travlsolo2
Here's a link to the thread about the Beartooth Highway.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34624411

This link will give you information and some awesome pictures of the road damage!

http://www.mdt.state.mt.us/travinfo/beartooth/

To Laurie,

I was hoping by replying that someone else would respond. If you don't get an answer here...you might try over on American Road Trip Forums.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/

Utahtea

You asked if 72 to 120 was similar to Beartooth "scenery-wise", hence my answer.

I was also just trying to let you know that you can still see part of the Beartooth if you wanted to. Lots of people do that while in Cody as a day trip.

Connie, we may also be there in September and would like to see part of the Beartooth Highway again.
Its truly spectacular, as you know.
Can you explain exactly what you mean, I'm sorry I'm not quite sure I understand.
Should we drive from Cody 29 mi on Route 296 and then backtrack?
Thank you in advance.

Utahtea - Thanks so much for the link to the older thread. I hadn't done any research on this part of our trip because it was the "no brainer" part....until I saw the Beartooth Highway heading on here. I'll now redo the first couple days...the getting to Jackson/Tetons part.

Thanks, Connie -- I had misunderstood your first reply.

Wanderluster: Connie means that from Cody as a day trip you can drive the Chief Joseph (296) toward Beartooth (212) & head N/NE for 29 miles before you have to turn around & come back.