DK's Definitive Ride Report - Some of the Best Scenic Roads Out West - Tons of Photo'

[DakotaTG]

Glad you are enjoying the ride thru Yellowstone. Gayle and I have been in Yellowstone 12 times and have never seen any of the bears. You're lucky. We have seen elk, bison, bighorn sheep and fox sometimes almost too close. One time Gayle could have slapped a bison on the rear as we passed by. Mary is doing one fantastic job of taking some absolutely beautiful photos. We never get tired of going thru there other than having to put up with some the stupid things tourist do. We have hollered at people many times that were actually trying to walk right up to the bison to get pictures and selfies. There are reasons the park rangers have signs stating to stay at least 25 yards from the wildlife. A bison can do the 100 yard dash in less than 10 seconds.

As for Beartooth Pass the snow can and will last thru the summer at the higher elevations. I believe they have recorded snowfall in every month except July. In the spring they occasionally have to survey to determine where the road is. Big rotary snowblowers are used but in some areas the snow is often just pushed over the edge onto the road below and then they just keep working on back down. They always try to get the road open on the Friday before Memorial Day, it just may not be open every day or all day in early to mid June.

Enjoy the ride!!!

2016 Deep Jade Green and Black TG

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, that's a bunch of snow on the Beartooth. I've ridden it several times (once in a heavy snowstorm!) but I've not seen snow that high alongside the roadway before. Must have had a heckuva winter up there.

For sure!

WOW! That IS some crazy snow!!!

Awesome views!!!

Yeah, we've been there far earlier in the year in the past, never saw that much snow.

Glad you are enjoying the ride thru Yellowstone. Gayle and I have been in Yellowstone 12 times and have never seen any of the bears. You're lucky. We have seen elk, bison, bighorn sheep and fox sometimes almost too close. One time Gayle could have slapped a bison on the rear as we passed by. Mary is doing one fantastic job of taking some absolutely beautiful photos. We never get tired of going thru there other than having to put up with some the stupid things tourist do. We have hollered at people many times that were actually trying to walk right up to the bison to get pictures and selfies. There are reasons the park rangers have signs stating to stay at least 25 yards from the wildlife. A bison can do the 100 yard dash in less than 10 seconds.

As for Beartooth Pass the snow can and will last thru the summer at the higher elevations. I believe they have recorded snowfall in every month except July. In the spring they occasionally have to survey to determine where the road is. Big rotary snowblowers are used but in some areas the snow is often just pushed over the edge onto the road below and then they just keep working on back down. They always try to get the road open on the Friday before Memorial Day, it just may not be open every day or all day in early to mid June.

Enjoy the ride!!!

2016 Deep Jade Green and Black TG

Glad you're enjoying. Yes, we have been fortunate this trip. Been snowed on before in June when on Beartooth. That year we went thru it twice, once in June and the other in July. June lots of snow and we got snowed on, July was quite a bit less snow, but still cold at the top.


Yeppers, a Trike has a ton of advantages!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 20 continued-

This pics makes it easy to see why we like this road so much...riding and views are hard to beat!

Riding close to the snow bank....but I did not try and touch it today, like I did at Mt. Evans.* lol

Cars and humans!* What's going on?

This is the first time we've been up here and the ski lift has still been running!* Lot's of folks taking advantage of it.

A look back, seeing more and more blue sky now.

At to top now, entering Custer National Forest...

...and Montana.* The road is a bit nicer, speed limit is higher (typical of Montana) and there is little snow up here.* It is cold, but the sun and wind rid the top of snow faster.

Just WOW!

This road is a blast to ride...

...in this photo you can see 4 great curves, with a good road surface & camber, making it a joy to ride.

More coming on Day 20 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 20 continued-

On the Red Lodge side of Beartooth Pass...

...there is a Scenic Overlook...

...with plenty of parking....

...and a walkway out to...

...some really great views...

...and chipmunks galore.

We really enjoy this place...

...but after 20 minutes of looking around, it's time to head back to the bike...

...and get bundled up for some more great riding in one of the most scenic spots in NA.

Back rolling now!

More in next post.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 20 continued-

and the fun resumes...

...great road surface, fantastic views, and lots of curves!

A quick look at the map and there look to be over 100 curves between here and Red Lodge...11 of them being hairpin.

The views in this part of the world...

...are hard to beat.

Mary, hanging out over the edge of the road, while we're rolling, for this pic.* That's a long way down!

Looking up the hill...that's a lot of melted snow coming down!

Curves, snow, canyons and Mary in the Mirror.

Rolling about 50 mph with a look back at all that melted snow coming down from up top.

Beautiful view and a hairpin curve coming up.

​​​​​​​Day 20 to be concluded as time allows.

Kevin

 

[Fearless]

Thank you and Mary for the ride made my day.:good: Travel safe Fred

 

[DK Custom Products]

Thank you and Mary for the ride made my day.:good: Travel safe Fred

Cool! and Thank you!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 20 continued-

I know I've posted a lot of pics of our ride today...but it is such an amazing place...those of you that have ridden it know that I am cutting out the majority...and just posting some of the highlights. I'll be wrapping it up with this and the next post.

Coming up to yet another curve, notice the -> sign, mostly buried in the snow. lol

Mary in the Mirror, and More Curves Ahead!

A look back, what a view!

If you like riding the curves...

...this is a road to put on your list...

...there are a ton of them, and they're a blast!

We are pretty much down the hill now, and it has warmed up to 51 degrees.

Fellow biker headed up the pass for a day of extreme riding enjoyment!!!

Taking a little detour a few miles before reaching Red Lodge.

Day 20 concluded in next post.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 20 Concluded-

We saw this little road off the main road to Red Lodge...

...and decided to take it. It was a few miles long and went down to a parking area, then there were various trails. We took a little stroll to the creek.

Trying to get a photo of some fish. lol

After puttering around a bit, got back rolling. That is a LOT OF TREES!!!!

Back on the main road to Red Lodge.

We're here! What a great day of riding!!!!

Turning into Red Lodge Inn. We stayed here a couple of years ago. Really nice place and reasonably priced.

After checking in and unloading, we rolled thru town...here's the main drag-

HD knick-knack store.

After filling up with gas we went to the grocery store for tonights meal and tomorrows lunch.

Tomorrow we head to Missoula to visit Craig and Lydia, our son & granddaughter.

Kevin

 

[ol' school]

Totally loving riding along with you on your trip as you share your pictures with us! Awesome country to ride through... Enjoy your time with family!

 

[Gorilla]

Kevin the photo's brough back a lot of memories of our last visit to the area. Hope we might get out that way again if not we lived it through Mary's talented picture taking.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Totally loving riding along with you on your trip as you share your pictures with us! Awesome country to ride through... Enjoy your time with family!

Thank you!

Kevin the photo's brough back a lot of memories of our last visit to the area. Hope we might get out that way again if not we lived it through Mary's talented picture taking.

Cool, hope you can get back out there.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 21-

Headed for Missoula today!* Short ride, only 375 miles or so, and with Montana's higher speed limits it should go pretty quickly.* PLUS, it is a very scenic ride.* Gonna see Craig and Lydia tonight!

Leaving out of Red Lodge, we stopped at Bone Daddys and got a little gift for each DK Team Member.

​​​​​​​Eating up some miles at Montana speeds...

...which is good, cause there are LOOOONG straight stretches.

On the 90 now, 6th gear, cruise set at 80 mph, pretty good headwind, poor mpg.* lol

We've seen rain clouds here and there all morning, but we've only had a few sprinkles, and we're enjoying the open road and the views!

But that is coming to an end...can't avoid the rain anymore.* Our route is going to take us directly into that dark mass of a storm off to the left, so....

...it's rain suit time!* Topped off the tank while we were stopped anyway.*

btw, I have been doing a good job this trip on not getting low on fuel...and I sort of like it.* No more pre-occupation when getting low on if we are going to make it to the next station.* Now that I'm enjoying this new way, sorta makes me wonder what I was thinking for the last 3+ decades of always getting close to empty before filling up!**

Headed straight into it.* It rained pretty hard on us for a bit...but Mary had the camera tucked away, out of the rain.

After it cleared up a bit, out came the camera again.

You can see by the road that it rained here not long ago, but it's blue skies and white clouds now.

​​​​​​​More in next post.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 21 continued-

Today is turning into a great....

...cloud picture day. The contrast of the blue, white and green can be stunning...add to that a fun road!

Those harmless looking white clouds are behind us now...looking like more rain ahead!

Mary in the mirror...this round it was rain and hail...

...for awhile we've been riding in and out of rain and hail, and the temp has dropped to 51 degrees.

A look back at what we just rode thru.

Starting up Homestake Pass...

...this is a fun road...lots of curves up one side and then down the other. Never ridden it in the rain before.

Before long the temp has dropped to 42, and it's getting foggy and misting.

Now this is different...cold, wet, but not really raining, and the fog is getting thicker. Electric Gear is ON. Mary in the Mirror.

Will continue Day 21 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Agreed!!! Cold and wet sucks! 10-12 years ago I got caught in some cold rain coming home from Alabama. This was before I had electric gear, and I did not have a rain suit.

I was too dumb to stop and buy a rain suit (or maybe my brain was frozen at the time).

I thought about stopping at a motel and warming up, and continue the next day...but it was forecast to be more of the same for the next day, so I continued on. By the time I got home (300+ miles) I was colder than I'd ever been. Soaked thru. Undressed got in the bathtub and Mary kept replenishing it with microwaved water...took several hours to stop shivering. Never again!!!!

Electrics keep warm, rain suit keeps dry...and this is one of the few times I actually closed my modular helmet (to keep warm and dry). :laugh:

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 21 continued-

We never expected this.* Rain-Yes, Hail-Yes, but icing up?* Nope!

And the temp dropped even further...36 degrees and snow is starting to fly...

...and not just a little snow....but very heavy.*

BTW, the camera sees better than I do...it was much less visibility while riding than these photo's are showing.

Big snow flakes!* While it was sticking to the bike, it was not sticking to the road.* I put my flashers on, and traveled at a speed that seemed safe, which was pretty much with the flow of traffic....only passed a few cars, and only a few folks passed me.

As you can see the snow built up pretty thick on the windshield, so I kept wiping the top clean so I could see.* I tried looking over and to the side of the windshield, but then the snow/ice just built up on my helmet.

Finally coming down the pass, and out of the snow.* Seemed like a long time, but was only about 15 minutes.

When we got to the bottom...

...even though we'd been out of the snow for 10+ minutes, there was still quite a bit of snow/ice-everywhere!

So thick on the headlight you could barely tell it was on.

Back rolling again...Missoula next stop!

Will continue Day 21 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[LadyonaMission]

Agreed!!! Cold and wet sucks! 10-12 years ago I got caught in some cold rain coming home from Alabama. This was before I had electric gear, and I did not have a rain suit.

I was too dumb to stop and buy a rain suit (or maybe my brain was frozen at the time).

Electrics keep warm, rain suit keeps dry...and this is one of the few times I actually closed my modular helmet (to keep warm and dry). :laugh:

Kevin

Good thing you bought electrics and rain suits. It's 97 outside, but I was getting cold just looking at the pictures.

 

[ol' school]

WOW! Crazy weather for sure Kevin!!! Good to have the right gear!

 

[DK Custom Products]

Good thing you bought electrics and rain suits. It's 97 outside, but I was getting cold just looking at the pictures.

Yes, yes, and I understand! :laugh:


Yeah, I like those little covers...guy up in Illinois does them custom, whatever graphics you want.

Yep, as you know, before we went to Alaska Mary said she was getting an electric jacket liner, did I want one too. I said no, I don't need one, they're for girls and pansies.

HAHAHA, she talked me into trying one. I was sure I would return it. NOPE! I love it! No more layer on top of layer and then thinking I was warm...I was only less cold, but did not realize it til I had the heated jacket liner.

WOW! Crazy weather for sure Kevin!!! Good to have the right gear!

Really crazy! Rain, hail, ice, snow, rain and more hail. Quite a day!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 21 concluded-

Chomping down the miles at 80 mph toward Missoula...

It's some beautiful countryside we're riding thru.

It's actually quite windy, mostly cross-wind. At 80 mph with the wind, the MPG is quite low, and I would not be comfortable going any faster.

Besides being scenic, it is quite a fun road to ride.

Photo taken at 80 MPH off to the right of the road. Fantastic views, most everywhere you look.

As we get closer to Missoula, looking like more rain!

Yep, rain is just starting here...camera got tucked aware for the downpour of rain, with some hail mixed in.

Came out the other side to a beautiful blue sky, just outside of Missoula.

We're here! All that stuff came out of the TG. We'll be here for a few days...

...visiting Craig and Lydia. Here's grandpa with Lydia.

*

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Yeah, it's falling out, one day gonna cut it short. lol

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 22-24

What a great time visiting with Craig and playing with Lydia! Caught up with some work too.

Lydia has no desire to get out on the road with all the crazy traffic in Missoula, but she love riding around the parking lot.

Fortunately it is pretty large-

Fun times!

3 weeks of road grime and bugs, and this is the stuff that the rain, hail and snow did not knock off...

Mostly clean now.

Packing up to head out. Next stop Meridian, ID-

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 25-

We're headed for Meridian, ID today. Going via Lolo Pass and then the 12, and then following the river along the 55 out of McCall. This road is in my top 10 for fun riding (curves and twisties) and it has to be some of the most scenic in the USA.

Starting up Lolo Pass, looking off to the left...

...this is a very curvy, and sometimes steep, road. Being in Montana, it has a speed limit of 70 mph. Lots of fun, sometimes a bit over 70 and many times under 70. But all of it is a bunch of fun!

Fellow rider enjoying the curves!

It's a beautiful day, with stunning scenery, and very little traffic!

It's a pretty steady climb...

...and before you know it, we're entering Idaho and headed down.

The curves are a bit tighter, road condition not as nice, but the scenery is stunning!

Just getting warmed up for 99 miles of curves!

On the fly, Mary grabbed this pic.

And so it begins. Lewis & Clark Trail. We've traveled this curvy, twisty road around a dozen times...both directions. The road and the views are incredible.

More of Day 25 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[ol' school]

Looks like you had a blast visiting with your granddaughter!

Back on the road and awesome scenery again! Be safe and enjoy!

 

[DK Custom Products]

Looks like you had a blast visiting with your granddaughter!

Back on the road and awesome scenery again! Be safe and enjoy!

Yes!

Thank you!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 25 continued-

I love curving, twisty roads (as does Mary). Never seem to get my fill of them. The road always runs out before I want it to. Back quite a few years ago, the first time we rode the 12, it was the end of a longish day, but I actually got tired before the road ran out. This is an amazing stretch of 99 miles of curving, twisting, scenic road. Every time we've been on it there has been very little traffic.

Mary took 830 photo's today...I am skipping hundreds and hundreds of great photos.

The views are fantastic...

...the curves...

...are one right after another.

Weirdest thing...

...we saw these deer on the edge of the road....slowed down to get more photo's, and they did not run away. They knew we were there, we were pretty close...

...and got even closer. Guess there is no hunting pressure in these parts.

Back rolling. Mile after mile of curving road, competing with great views!

A look back-

Another First! This chopper was just hovering over the river, slowly moving forward. Guy was sitting in doorway looking down. Not sure what they were looking for.

Wow!

More of Day 25 as time allows.

*

Kevin