Enter Yellowstone

Happy Memorial Day Everyone!

Rain again during the night, but the tent kept me warm and dry. My sleeping bag popped a hole and I woke to a snowstorm of goose down floating around the tent. On my way out of the south unit, I stopped in Medora to buy a needle and thread in order to make the repair later.

Due to a real snowstorm, the day turned into a long day of driving! I headed west on Interstate 94 and made it to Billings in short order. It was nice to view a glimpse of the mountains beyond the city as I approached. When I asked about the distance to Yellowstone at the gas station, the clerk told me that I was in luck and Bear Tooth pass on highway 212 had just opened and that I could be there within 2 hours. Great! The road took me through Red Lodge, Montana, and from there turned into about 20 miles of switchbacks up to the pass. I had no inkling the road was actually closed until I came upon a group of other motorists that were hanging out along the pass. It was 25 degrees and snowing and I felt like a goofball as I stepped out of the car in my shorts and t-shirt. I quickly changed into my boots, pants, fleece and jacket and ventured out to follow a group of people equipped with snowboards and skis. They were there to take advantage of this late-season snowfall! I wished I had my board at that moment! They disappeared around the bend and I thought I better get going so I could figure out my route.

I returned to Red Lodge, took 308 to Belfry, then 72 south to 296. Along the way, I crossed into Wyoming. This detour turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because it lead me to the Chief Joseph highway and eventually into Cooke City, which is just outside the northeastern entrance to Yellowstone (my original destination). The route was full of beautiful snowy mountains, interesting rock formations, and grassy plateaus.

I topped off my gas tank in Cooke City (for $3.50 per gallon, premium, ouch) and ventured into the park. With all of the driving, I was kinda tired, so I drove straight to the campground, Slough Creek. As I was cooking dinner, it began to snow. Normally, it would have been kinda pretty, but I was just interested in eating, remaining dry, repairing my sleeping bag, and getting to bed.