Beartooth pass

Thanks for all the responses. I will not try to drive my rv over Beartooth. I will probably park the in Laurel and drive the loop. Beartooth will be the conclusion of my Alaska trip next year. My C-12 Cat would have enough power, but no need to put to much strain on the Cat.

Glad there was no forums like this back in '82 to read when we took our '76 Dodge Maxi-van with a 21'tt up Beartooth from Red Lodge. You all may have scared me off from doing it. Very glad we did.

john&bet wrote:
Glad there was no forums like this back in '82 to read when we took our '76 Dodge Maxi-van with a 21'tt up Beartooth from Red Lodge. You all may have scared me off from doing it. Very glad we did.

I pull at least one motorhome a month off the downhill on the Going to the Sun Road which is no where near as dangerous at the Beartooth.

Please let me know when you plan on doing this. I want to get video of the road rage behind you as you go up and the burning brakes as you come down. Should be some real good footage.

Don't worry you will smell those brakes all the way to Southgate.

Maybe my memory is faulty, but I don't recall a lot of rushing traffic on Beartooth. Everyone was more interested in absorbing the sights than in getting to Yellowstone fast. But then I drove it in mid September with threat of snow flurries. You certainly need to know how to safely climb and descend 5000', but the grades and curves not exceptional. If you can drive a freeway cloverleaf exchange you can handle the curves on Beartooth.

Someone brought up Glacier's Going to the Sun. The big difference is that GtS has long stretches with a rock cut on one side, and low retaining wall on the other. The long rear overhang of an RV could easily project into the oncoming traffic lane. The park has strict length and width restrictions (and height due to rock overhangs). There is nothing like that on Beartooth.

paulj wrote:

Someone brought up Glacier's Going to the Sun. The big difference is that GtS has long stretches with a rock cut on one side, and low retaining wall on the other. The long rear overhang of an RV could easily project into the oncoming traffic lane. The park has strict length and width restrictions (and height due to rock overhangs). There is nothing like that on Beartooth.

Yes, we are both aware of the restrictions, but there's always someone who thinks they know better. Those are the one's I make my bread and butter from.

I've been over it both ways in an old 32' class C. It was a beautiful drive for us. We got an early start in the morning going to Yellowstone, staying overnight in Red Lodge, then getting up and on the road at dawn before there was any traffic. It was so pleasant driving in that we left Yellowstone the same way. More traffic then, but when we got two or three followers we'd simply pull off and let them pass. It was a relaxing drive both ways for us. That said, apparently it isn't for everyone.

newk wrote:
I've been over it both ways in an old 32' class C. It was a beautiful drive for us. We got an early start in the morning going to Yellowstone, staying overnight in Red Lodge, then getting up and on the road at dawn before there was any traffic. It was so pleasant driving in that we left Yellowstone the same way. More traffic then, but when we got two or three followers we'd simply pull off and let them pass. It was a relaxing drive both ways for us. That said, apparently it isn't for everyone.

I'll bet you weren't towing?

They real question here is not whether it's possible, but whether you want to enjoy the drive or not. Drive the toad. The road is too spectacular to miss.