Spud
Well-known member
So a mild winter lead to some road openings early, I checked conditions, weather looked good, so off for the first time into Yellowstone. I don't think I've ever been in the park this early (May 1).
"OMG, it's already motorcycle season again?!" (Island Park, ID, Henry's Fork of the Snake River.
I went up through West Yellowstone, MT and around Yellowstone Lake. The lake is thawing.
Parts are still iced over.
After riding out of the East park entrance, I rode into Cody--always a good time with the cool tunnel going into town at Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Got gas in Cody, then onto the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, up and over Dead Indian Pass. I nearly had the whole road to myself (laughed as a UPS Van came by....what a route that would be!)
Rode up on the sidewalk since no one was around.
Did a little "adventure riding".
Things got colder heading back west to Cooke City, MT, my destination for the night.
Spent the night at the Alpine Motel (Cooke City--recommended). The town was dead. One restaurant had food--choice of a burger or pork-chop cooked on a grill outside. The burger was good. No food pics...
Did I mention the town was dead? If you've ever been through here in the summer, you know how strange this is. It's a motorcycle mecca during the season, sitting at the foot of the Beartooth Highway (still closed).
They ride motorcycles here in the winter also....
Leaving Cooke City, headed back to the NE Park Entrance.
There was not a wait to get in. In fact there was no one there at all.
Who says the park is too crowded?
Spring runoff...
Lamar Valley--there were hundreds of bison, and a lot of other critters too...
Looking back toward Cooke CIty in the Lamar Valley.
Believe it or not, this little guy (girl?) was less than one hour old. A lot of calves are dropping right now, and a photographer told me he just watched this one not long before I got there. He said momma is a first-timer and she was a little confused at first, but figured it out pretty quick.
Different calf--further down the road I had a momma and a new one cross the road--his (her?) cord was still dangling!
This momma bear had 2 cubs, but they were hidden behind the trees.
Back out through West Yellowstone after that, and home. Good start to the season
"OMG, it's already motorcycle season again?!" (Island Park, ID, Henry's Fork of the Snake River.
I went up through West Yellowstone, MT and around Yellowstone Lake. The lake is thawing.
Parts are still iced over.
After riding out of the East park entrance, I rode into Cody--always a good time with the cool tunnel going into town at Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Got gas in Cody, then onto the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, up and over Dead Indian Pass. I nearly had the whole road to myself (laughed as a UPS Van came by....what a route that would be!)
Rode up on the sidewalk since no one was around.
Did a little "adventure riding".
Things got colder heading back west to Cooke City, MT, my destination for the night.
Spent the night at the Alpine Motel (Cooke City--recommended). The town was dead. One restaurant had food--choice of a burger or pork-chop cooked on a grill outside. The burger was good. No food pics...
Did I mention the town was dead? If you've ever been through here in the summer, you know how strange this is. It's a motorcycle mecca during the season, sitting at the foot of the Beartooth Highway (still closed).
They ride motorcycles here in the winter also....
Leaving Cooke City, headed back to the NE Park Entrance.
There was not a wait to get in. In fact there was no one there at all.
Who says the park is too crowded?
Spring runoff...
Lamar Valley--there were hundreds of bison, and a lot of other critters too...
Looking back toward Cooke CIty in the Lamar Valley.
Believe it or not, this little guy (girl?) was less than one hour old. A lot of calves are dropping right now, and a photographer told me he just watched this one not long before I got there. He said momma is a first-timer and she was a little confused at first, but figured it out pretty quick.
Different calf--further down the road I had a momma and a new one cross the road--his (her?) cord was still dangling!
This momma bear had 2 cubs, but they were hidden behind the trees.
Back out through West Yellowstone after that, and home. Good start to the season
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