Beartooth Highway Drive - Altitude Sickness?
 

I'm flying from East Coast (sea level) to Billings, MT in August and plan to drive from there to Yellowstone same day. I've heard Beartooth Highway is spectacular scenery and I'd like to take that route.

But, at close to 11K feet, should I be concerned about altitude sickness? No plans to hike that day. Just drive.

Also, I'll have kids age 10 and 12 along and don't want to start them off on the wrong foot.

Any experiences?

Oh, I've been at reasonably high altitudes before (8K-9K) with no ill effects, but not for about 10 years and the kids have never been at any serious altitude.

Thanks.

I have been over the Beartooth several times and I think it is a spectacular drive.

BUT, let me make one observation. We have never driven over it without visiting Yellowstone first. Last year we had been in Yellowstone for 4 days which gave out bodies a chance to adjust to altitudes in the 7,500 - 8,000 foot range. As a result, going up to 10,900 was not a radical change.

Therefore I think you might want to consider coming back to Billings that way rather than rushing over it the first thing. The old body needs time to adjust, particularly in a person who does not exercise regularly his or her cardiovascular system.

Last year we had a nice trip up and over to Billings. I had just passed my 70th birthday and had no trouble with the altitude, which I think was a function of the adjustment period in Yellowstone.

I do advise that you stop going up and coming down to give your ears a chance to adjust to the change in altitude.
You might feel some shortness of breath if you exert.

There is a visitor center in an old fire tower on the Yellowstone side of the top. It is worth a stop.

Thanks for the advice Bob. Our first night at Yellowstone is in the Mammoth area, so I may take Rte 90 West from Billings and then south. I'm assuming it doesn't do the same type of climb. Ever taken this route? Is it just a boring interstate?

We'll be at Yellowstone for a week, so the drive back will be after getting acclimated to the 7500+ altitude. It would require a change to the last day's trip itinterary, but maybe is worth it if the Beartooth is as spectacular as it sounds.

Any other experiences from any other sea-level creatures out there?

For driving, it's definitely NOT a problem. The Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail Pass on I-70 are both at around 11K feet, and tonnes of people travel from Denver (<6K ft) up there every day.

I'm thinking you're probably right rkkwan. Because the plan is for driving, not hiking. And I'll be at the altitude only temporarily and down to 7500 or so again by the end of the drive.

But not sure going from 5Kft to 11K in a day is the same as going from sea level to 11K in a day.

Probably I'm being too conservative.

Thanks for weighing in on the question.

We live near sea level and only feel the altitude when exerting ourselves.

You are only driving in the car, not taking a hike. You'll be okay.

Go for it. It is well worth your effort.