Beartooth Highway Opens with Walls of Snow

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By Penny Preston

Story Published: Jun 10, 2011 at 11:35 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jun 10, 2011 at 11:46 PM MDT

CODY, WYOMING - The Beartooth Highway is finally open. The scenic road connecting Wyoming and Montana east of Yellowstone was closed due to a heavy snowpack. However, nearby communities are celebrating more than just a roadway opening.

Imagine driving between walls of snow, towering more than twenty feet high. That's the situation on the Beartooth All-American Road, in June. It’s still a winter wonderland, with snow-covered vistas.

Skiers and adventure seekers hit the slopes every year when the road opens, and there’s still plenty of snow. It appears they may still be skiing on Independence Day.

Montana skier Nathaniel Murphy said, “I’ve never seen the snow banks this big. Big this year, big banks.”

Snowpack in the Beartooths and area mountain ranges is way above normal, as much as 200% and more in some places. This road is usually open by Memorial Day, but it was delayed because the plows had so much snow to move.

The snowpack along the roads, well over twenty feet deep in places, is typical of what the snowplows had to go through.

The owner of the Top of the World Store on the Wyoming side still can’t see the road from her front door. Kristi Milam said, “We’re two weeks behind schedule. We have such a short season anyway, and then there’s always the possibility that it’s going to be closed for two or three days in June, same in September, because it does snow. You just never know when it’s going to happen.”

A man took a picture of his family standing in front of a head high snow bank. He said, “This is a Kodak moment.” The visitors from North Carolina were delighted with the snow.

Red Lodge Chamber members were just happy the road finally opened. They’re celebrating the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Beartooth road with historical presentations Friday through Sunday.

Red Lodge business manager Jenn Nelson said, “We’ll also be having a grand parade at noon, in Red Lodge, followed by a free barbeque at Red Lodge Ales.”

Cooke City, just East of Yellowstone is celebrating the road’s 75th anniversary, and Cody, Wyoming, is celebrating the opening of all Yellowstone area roads.

The American Motorcyclist Association members voted the Beartooth Highway as their number one favorite road.

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YNPGal said on Monday, Jun 13 at 2:33 PM

Funny, the photo they are using looks just like Hayden Valley in Yellowstone. Bummer there weren't some actual pictures of the snow walls up on the pass. That would be some real reporting!

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