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(c) 2009 Maria Olson
(c) 2009 Maria Olson
Red lodge from atop.
Hell Roaring plateauThe most beautiful highway in America
Charles Kuralt called the Beartooth Highway "America's most beautiful highway." Travel this mountainious byway and you will agree. You will zip by conifer forests with crystal clear streams and high elevation zones with alpine tundra (The pass reaches an elevation just under 11,000 feet). You will look down into magnificent valleys and up to wonderous snow covered moutaintops. Waterfalls and glacial lakes and ponds abound and hiking trails stretch from the highway to reveal excellant backcountry vistas. Of course the chance to see wildlife is excellent.
The highway was completed in 1936 and is considered a marvel of road building engineering. It twists and turns from Red Lodge, MT to the Cooke City entrance at Yellowstone Park, dipping into Wyoming for about 40 miles in the middle.
To get there leave Red Lodge heading south on Hwy 212, which shortly renames itself as the Beartooth Highway and enjoy the ride. Check my Red Lodge travelouges for specific highway stopping points.
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