Yellowstone Area Rides

[fjrb0]

Riding up to Yellowstone in early June with our rag tag band. Some of the guys have never been there, so we figure to spend a day in the Park. And the "old guy" rides an H-D and is only good for about 400 a day before he gets cranky (and no, not leaving him behind!), although he is signed up for a 750 mile first day.

Big question after that, is it worth riding on up to Glacier, or does it make better sense to do loops in the Yellowstone area? By loops, maybe base in West Yellowstone and ride 191 north and come back down 89, or 287 north and cut over to Dillon and back south. Hit 20 south into Idaho and then back around to Jackson and back up to WYS? Or is WYS a tourist trap that we would be better served to get out of there quick? We like the mom and pop places better than clean chains, go figure.

I know the Going to Sun road is closed on the western side, so there's a negative. And it's about 450 up to GNP, and 450 back, so that's two days, and not sure what the scenery and roads are like.

We've got 10 days to get this done....

any comments or suggestions?

 

[7xray]

We've got 10 days to get this done....
any comments or suggestions?

Hi FJRB0,

I don't think I'd bother with going up to Glacier Park. It's pretty and all, but its mostly pretty straight riding although going up through Bozeman, Helena, Choteau to East Glacier is really nice. I think you ought to look at doing the loop around Yellowstone and then think about heading over to Idaho. Dillon, Wisdom to Rt 93 and down to Salmon and south is really good. If you want a little longer, head north on 93 to Lolo and then into Idaho on Rt 12. Can't go wrong there.

Which way are you coming in? I haven't been in the East entrance from Cody for years. An alternative from Cody is the Chief Joseph Highway to Cooke City. If the Beartooth Pass is open you could scoot up there. Ah man, too many choices!

Big Sky will probably chime in with some thoughts too.

West Yellowstone isn't bad. I don't know what to suggest for a place to stay.

When are you coming? Maybe we can get together for a cuppa. I'm in Bozeman.

Cheers,

Fred

 

[fjrb0]

Youngest daughter graduates high school May 28th, I leave early next morning, with 2 buddies from here, riding straight thru to Canon City, Co, meeting up with 2 guys from Lubbock and one from San Antonio (my buddy's parents live in CC, and we always have a large time there). We'll overnight Saturday night in Vernal, UT or Rock Springs (I want to make it to Pinedale, but ..), Sunday night should be in the WYS area. We may spend Sunday around the park getting there, and MAYBE Monday, then be ready to ride. PM me your cell number and I'll call when we get in the area. I like the sound of riding thru Lolo and west on 12. Looks like my kind of road...

my wife reminded me I leave in 20 days, and my bike is still not put back together. I was going to sit down and make me a list, but you know how this damn forum goes! I was looking at Reno John's ride reports and GPS and giving Utah ride info and and and...

 

[Silent]

I do Glacier and Yellowstone EVERY chance I get! That's some beautiful country that shouldn't be missed B) I'd take Glacier over Yellowstone if I had to pick just one tho.

 

[Wicked Webby]

Rode the Yellowstone tour last year... Check it:

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s...;hl=yellowstone

The negative thing about (inside) the park is that it can be very packed with traffic and is very slow going from point A to point B...

That being said... The views are the treat!!

Beartooth pass, Chief Josephs' and the Cody entrance are worth it and spectacular!!

WW

 

[fjrb0]

7xRay, thanks for the inputs, VTXED and I rode out thru the east entrance in '07 after the IBA ride. Great scenery, but also road construction. A buffalo passed us at the construction site, somehow he did not pay any attention to the lack of a pilot car. :dntknw:

WW, I had read your ride report before, and that's what got the group looking at GNP. If the road was open all the way across, there's little doubt we would go. I've ridden Bear Tooth, but we went into Yellowstone and skipped Chief Joseph on that ride, which I plan on getting on this ride.

But it sounds like we can't go wrong if we ride the loops, ride into Idaho, or go on up to GNP. Once we get there (WYS), we'll see how the group is feeling, how the weather is, and call an audible on the rest of the ride.

I can't wait. :biggrinsmiley:

 

[BwanaDik]

Why is The Sun Hwy closed? Road repair of just too much snow this early?

 

[fjrb0]

Construction on the west side. Also, expect delays going up east side.

 

[fjrb0]

Well, I went to the NPS web site for GNP, can't confirm from there the road is closed due to to construction, but I know I read that somewhere when I was doing the ride planning. WTF, over?

 

[fjrb0]

The NPS link to the GTS highway rehabilitation is down right now. More later...

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

The negative thing about (inside) the park is that it can be very packed with traffic and is very slow going from point A to point B...
That being said... The views are the treat!!

Beartooth pass, Chief Josephs' and the Cody entrance are worth it and spectacular!!

It really does get crowded (motorhomes, camper trailers, flostam, jetsom....) in and around Yellowstone. It sure doesn't make for fun motorcycling (for me).

But, anywhere else out there is just great -- too bad about the Natl. Park.....

But, (like other places..) if you haven't been -- it seems mandatory?

Going to the Sun road is undergoing a major renovation -- has been for some time. The Park Service has its hands full with tourist traffic on that road. Also..., Glacier is losing its glacier, I hear?

Parks aside, there's alot of wide-open-spaces beauty out there.

Good luck with your trip.

 

[rickcorwn]

Well, I went to the NPS web site for GNP, can't confirm from there the road is closed due to to construction, but I know I read that somewhere when I was doing the ride planning. WTF, over?

Right here

 

[fjrb0]

Thanks! I knew I read that somewhere!!!

We'll play that one by ear as we get out west, see how it goes. Agree with the thought that any riding out west is better than staying home, so plenty to see even if the road is closed. My big conern with Yellowstone is the traffic and crowds. I just don't do traffic and crowds well. It's okay to stop and look at the little forest creatures, but get out of my way!!! (This is ALL about me, you know?)

 

[Aasland]

FWIW, GNP > YSNP.

But that's with GTS open, and in June I wouldn't count on it. If you're taking some time to hike, then GNP wins hands down.

Heck, end of June 2003 we were in YSNP and had it to ourselves as it was snowing with temps in the 20-40's. Up in them mountains, it can snow whenever.

When I ride in that area I tend to avoid YSNP. It's a parking lot on nice days.

In the area, Chief Joeseph and the Beartooth highways are "must ride" roads. Any of the three roads crossing the Bighorns are good too, and make for nice loops from YSNP or getting to/from it. East entrance via Cody is nice and scenic too, but not all that twisty.

No trip near Bozeman is complete without a sandwich and ice cream from the Pickle Barrel, preferably from the one on campus!

 

[7xray]

No trip near Bozeman is complete without a sandwich and ice cream from the Pickle Barrel, preferably from the one on campus!

+1. The one downtown blew up on March 5 Clicky

And the ice cream of choice is moosetracks!

 

[canyonman]

Did GNP last july plenty of construction but no closures. I would think this early the snow would be the reason for the closure.

Also did yellowstone over memorial weekend a few years back and beartooth didn't open till after the weekend.

Road info for GNP can be had by calling 406-888-7800. Just checked it's open at both ends but closed at the pass due to avalanche danger.

North East entrance YSNP via beartooth not scheduled to open till may 23rd weather permitting.

YSNP road conditions 307-344-2117

have fun.

 

[Aasland]

No trip near Bozeman is complete without a sandwich and ice cream from the Pickle Barrel, preferably from the one on campus!

+1. The one downtown blew up on March 5 Clicky

And the ice cream of choice is moosetracks!

:withstupidsmiley: Moosetracks rule! and the home-made waffle-cones ... :dribble:

I didn't know it blew up .. dang!

 

[Geezer]

You can spend a couple days in Yellowstone, but after that you've seen all that you can see from the roads. If you enter from the south then a day in the Tetons is worthwhile. Then there is Beartooth Pass going out the north end of Yellowstone. That road is definitely worth a ride. From there you can retrace your ride back into Yellowstone or head east to take a look at the Black Hills. If you go back into Yellowstone and then exit on the east road you can stop in Cody, Wyoming. There is the Buffalo Bill Historic Center which has five museums, one of which has the biggest collection of guns I've ever seen.

Glacier is a nice park, but you really need to hike in from the road to see the good stuff.

 

[fjrb0]

wooohooo!! D-8!!!! Can't wait to pull out!! :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: