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Beartooth Scenic Highway (US-212)

Montana/Wyoming

Beartooth Highway slideshow
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In the summer of 1882, famed civil war veteran General Phillip Sheridan and 120 of his men, decided to attempt the first crossing of the Beartooth Mountains on the advice of an old hunter named Geer. Despite forest fires and snow drifts, the shortcut cut a day off their normal route. 54 years later in 1936, the Beartooth Highway opened from Cooke City to Red Lodge, Montana.

The highway climbs from 6500 feet to 11,000 feet, via a numerous number of switchbacks, but once you get to the top, there are some stunningly, beautiful vistas.

Yellowstone NE Entrance Road / US-212
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Beartooth Scenic Highway (US-212)
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Related Links

Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone Link

Yellowstone National Park tops my list of favorite parks. It doesn't matter if you want waterfalls, lakes, geysers, hot springs, river canyons, glacial valleys, mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, or interesting roads to drive, Yellowstone has all if it.

Its world famous icons, such as Old Faithful, the Lower Falls and Mammoth Hot Springs, all point to a very angry Earth below the surface, a super volcano which has the potential to wipe out much of America. So enjoy the park while you can!
Northwest Wyoming, Idaho, Montana / 555 Images. Visited Sep 1998, Sep 2001, Jul 2006.
Wyoming State Route 296, Chief Joseph Scenic Highway
Chief Joseph Link

The Chief Joseph Scenic Highway is the other scenic route you can take out of the Yellowstone's Northeast Entrance. While not as spectacular as the Beartooth Highway, it's very scenic once you reach the mountains, and it puts you closer toward the Black Hills should you be going there on the way home.

If you can only drive one, I'd recommend the Beartooth Highway, but Chief Joseph has its moments...
Wyoming / 35 Images. Visited Jul 2006.

Beartooth Scenic Highway Trip Report: Sep 2001.

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