Community Forums

oakcreekeric · 01-25-2018, 08:28 AM

Hi All -

We are going to West Yellowstone (Grizzly RV Park) at the end of July. Our plan is to explore the area on our motorcycles. One of the possibilities is Bear Tooth Hwy. I'm interested in stopping at the "Top of the World Store"

What say you.. Is this a worthwhile excursion?

Busskipper · 01-25-2018, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oakcreekeric

Hi All -

We are going to West Yellowstone (Grizzly RV Park) at the end of July. Our plan is to explore the area on our motorcycles. One of the possibilities is Bear Tooth Hwy. I'm interested in stopping at the "Top of the World Store"

What say you.. Is this a worthwhile excursion?

YES.....

grindstone01 · 01-25-2018, 08:39 AM

Did BTP a couple of years ago on a Goldwing and it is a great ride. Be prepared for 80's in the valley and a snowstorm at the top, even in July. It's hard to dress for a ride like that.

BigSkyBob · 01-25-2018, 08:45 AM

I counted 41 bikes at the Top of the World store last July so it must be a popular ride. I was in my pickup, too old for 2 wheels lol.

jmcarter · 01-25-2018, 08:52 AM

Short of some of the vistas found in Alaska (Top of the World Highway for one) it’s the best in the lower 48. Just have your heated gear ready to plug in regardless of temps in the valleys. The views are magnificent.

stuhly · 01-25-2018, 09:21 AM

Just don't forget your coat. Froze my rear off once going over Beartooth on the 5th of Aug. Raining and snowbanks on sides of road.

purrin along · 01-25-2018, 11:22 AM

Great ride on your bike,we did it four years ago.If you have time include Chief Joseph Hwy.

jlckmj · 01-27-2018, 09:44 PM

Eric,
Attached I think you should find some pictures of a trip up to beartooth pass some of my buddies made last June. The weather started out great on the way up, but on their return trip all heck broke loose.

All of the riders were 2 up, the pictures were taken by one of the wives that was offered a ride by a good Samaritan after two of the bikes went down.

I missed the ride because I woke up too l;ate to tag along. For once staying up late and partying paid off.

I'm not saying that you should not do it, I just think that if there is any chance of rain at all, it will be snow up top.

Call me if you need more info, Jim Callaghan, you know the area code to Oconomowoc, 441.0333

https://ibb.co/hUXF4G

https://ibb.co/eMzpWw

gruelens · 01-27-2018, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oakcreekeric

... What say you.. Is this a worthwhile excursion?

I say yes. Charles Kuralt from the famed television show On the Road called the Beartooth Highway “the most beautiful drive in America."

Busskipper · 01-28-2018, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlckmj

Eric,
Attached I think you should find some pictures of a trip up to beartooth pass some of my buddies made last June. The weather started out great on the way up, but on their return trip all heck broke loose.

All of the riders were 2 up, the pictures were taken by one of the wives that was offered a ride by a good Samaritan after two of the bikes went down.

I missed the ride because I woke up too l;ate to tag along. For once staying up late and partying paid off.

I'm not saying that you should not do it, I just think that if there is any chance of rain at all, it will be snow up top.

Call me if you need more info, Jim Callaghan, you know the area code to Oconomowoc, 441.0333

https://ibb.co/hUXF4G

https://ibb.co/eMzpWw

There is "No Way I'd ride on that, in that" so check the Weather be SMART - it is a drive not to be Missed.

Rambeau · 01-28-2018, 10:12 AM

I would not take an RV (driven or towed) over it. Going north bound your co-pilot will hate you.

jmcarter · 01-28-2018, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gruelens

I say yes. Charles Kuralt from the famed television show On the Road called the Beartooth Highway “the most beautiful drive in America."

Only better ride in North America is the Icefields Parkway....lower elevation but you can still get cold and snow in June (ask me how I know). You gotta get there before the tour buses take over though and thats not a problem on Beartooth.

Dieselgem · 01-30-2018, 09:04 PM

It is a really great ride, one of the best in the country. From West Yellowstone you can go through the park and have lunch in Cooke City, then head over the beartooth into Red Lodge MT. It will be a really long day. We have done it several ways. Our favorite is to go through the park out the east entrance to Cody. Spend the night in Cody. Next day head over the Chief Joseph Highway,fuel up and eat at Cooke City then over the beartooth to Red Lodge. We stayed overnight there and headed back through the Cooke City entrance to the Park.

Last Couple of Trips we base camped in Cody. They were days we left in the morning and got home shortly after dark. You do not want to be on the bikes in the park or on the roads in the dark. Either way rides are spectacular. There is fuel at the Top of the world store. Be prepared for any weather, left Yellowstone in August in the high 80's , hit snow on the beartooth summit. I have some photos on my website if interested let me know.

oakcreekeric · 01-31-2018, 08:12 AM

Thank you, thank you, thank you - to all who responded !!

Holy Guacamole JLCKMJ - that looks scarier than all heck, that would be a definite turn around and get the heck out of dodge for me !! and I live in WI !!

Dieselgem - that is an awesome route suggestion.. only issue, we have limited time and it would have to be a day ride, and I couldn't agree more, we DEFINITELY want to be home before night time, especially on the bikes!!

Seeing as we are still working stiff's - we have limited time... We have so many things we want to do.. I guess we'll have to prioritize on this one.. I know I'd like to do it.. but we are going with another couple who have never been to Yellowstone, so we're making sure they have first choice on things... and to add insult, we are still trying to fit Jackson Hole in too... It's going to be a VERY busy vacation week.. hopefully this little side excursion will make the list..

Thanks again to all for responding/helping me !!