Chief Joseph to Beartooth Scenic By-Ways

For our last 2 days in the Yellowstone area, we decided to take an overnight drive on the Beartooth Highway. Because of the closures to the North and Northeast Entrances to Yellowstone, we knew that our drive would be a long one. First we drove to Cody where we grabbed some lunch and gassed up for our trip. From Cody we took the Chief Joseph Scenic By-Way to the Beartooth Scenic By-Way.

As we drove out the Chief Joseph Rd, we commented that even if the only drive had been this one, it would be worth it. This drove climbs high and gives great views of Western Wyoming.

As we hit the Beartooth Highway, we decided to do a bit of backtracking and we hung a left and headed toward Cooke City. This is the traditional stopping or starting point for the Beartooth. There are some amazing mountain views of Index and Pilot Peak. We noticed a campground and waterfall right off the highway and decided to stop and explore. Crazy Creek Falls is a super short .2-.3 mile hike right from the parking lot to see the falls.

As we turned around and drove past the entrace back to the Chief Joseph Scenic By-Way, we came to a bridge and another waterfall. Lake Creek Falls is a quick 200 yard hike to a footbridge where you can see the water coming down the mountain and through a chute into the river below.

This drive as many lakes and a lot of mountain scenery. Near the top of the mountatin we saw a mountain goat, marmots and chinchilla!

We stayed the night in Red Lodge and enjoyed dinner at Sam's Taproom and Ales.

We got up early the next morning hoping for a sunrise over the mountain. At the Lily Lake Campground turnoff we saw some cowboys on horses with their dogs wrangling a herd of cows.

After stopping again in Cody for supplies, and checking out the dam, we got back into Yellowstone in the late afternoon and were rewarded with some Elk at Pelican Valley.