MINI's on the Beartooth
By Russ and Betty

This was the invitation:
      MINI's on the Beartooth
Join us August 17th, 2008 for a rally on one of America's most scenic highways! We'll be leaving Bozeman at 9:00 AM and picking up other drivers along the way to Columbus, through Red Lodge, and into the Beartooth Mountains and Yellowstone National Park. We'll loop back up through the beautiful Paradise Valley in the evening.

There was a time when the route of the tour was in question, as indicated by this note on one of the emails that Mel*, our organizer, who set up the tour:  PS--If anything happens in terms of the road closing due to the Cascade Fire, I'll be sure to update you all.  Let's hope they get it under control soon!  This was in reference to a major forest fire that put the town of Red Lodge, Montana on alert for possible evacuation. 
*Note: Mel did a great job of getting this event off  the ground.  Without the effort she expended it probably wouldn’t have happened. 

But a couple of days before the tour this email indicated it would be a go:  It looks like the weather's cooperating with us, so it'll be a beautiful day for a drive.   Remember, Things to not leave home without:  a good co-pilot and/or good music, a camera, and money for lunch, gas, and the entrance fee into the Park.
 
For this the first Montana Mini tour, the drive went on one of the nation's wildest byways, the Beartooth Scenic Highway.   This scenic highway, designated a National Scenic Byway in 1989, has been blessed as “America’s most beautiful road” by the famous CBS On The Road project journalist, Charles Kuralt.  It connects the Montana towns of Red Lodge and Cooke City via US Hwy. 212. Stretching sixty five sinuous miles.  The Beartooth Scenic Highway originates in Red Lodge, Montana. 

Many of the participants travelled 35 to more than 260 miles, just to get to one of the starting locations. But driving distances like this are common place in Montana.  Six cars started the rally in Bozeman, and drove 102 miles via I-90 for the rendezvous of the remaining eight cars in Columbus, Montana.

From Columbus to Red Lodge, the route snaked 40 miles south.  First along the Stillwater river valley, then through Absarokee, then Roscoe, and then through the winding foot hills of the Beartooth Mountains, near Red Lodge.  Lunch in Red Lodge was held in classic Red Lodge restaurant, a local favorite, Bogart’s.  Yes, Humphrey Bogart is the theme of the restaurant.  Some of the participants ate quickly so they could stop into the Montana Candy Emporium, for a bag of candies, before the tour resumed.

South of Red Lodge, the road quickly starts climbing steep switchbacks, ascending the Beartooth Plateau.  The Beartooth Scenic Highway winds through the rugged peaks of the Beartooth Mountains.  At roughly 3,000 square miles, the Beartooths are one of North America's largest land masses rising above 10,000 feet, reaching its highest point at 12,799 feet is Granite Peak. This area is full of glacier-carved cirques, pristine high alpine lakes, fragile tundra, and is composed of 20 peaks over 12,000 feet in elevation.  Glaciers are abundant in the Beartooths and can be found on the north face on almost every mountain peak over 11,500 feet.  Looking west toward the Beartooth wilderness, from the many high vantage points along the highway, one can see a narrow pyramidal spire among the mountain peaks.  This is the Bear's Tooth, Na Pet Say in the language of the local Crow Indians, from which the mountains take their name.

The Beartooth Highway opened in 1936 along the route followed in 1882 by General Phillip Sheridan, the famed Civil War veteran.  The General charted the route as a result of the 1872 establishment of Yellowstone National Park.

The highway winds up through high-elevation zones with the roadside area garnished with wildflowers, such as buttercups, lupine, Indian Paintbrush, monkey flower, balsamroot, senecio, and forget-me-nots.    In fact, even in August, you may see flowers among  the gradually exposing snow banks.

Enroute the road continues climbing as it crosses into Wyoming.  The summit at 10,974 feet provides expansive views.  The Beartooth wilderness region shows off itself as a lake country.  Almost a thousand lakes dot the wilderness.  An array of wildlife such as grizzly bears, elk, bison, mountain goats, marmots, and mule deer can be found in the 900,000 acres that make up the Absaroka-Beartooth wilderness.  Shortly after the summit while descending we traversed more switchbacks, and gradually began passing through rolling hills.  Where we came in close contact with the lakes Long, Little Bear, Island and Beartooth Lakes as well as the forest.  In a word “spectacular!”

Soon, we approach the “Top of the World” settlement, which is a combination store, motel and gas station.  Here you can stock up on snacks for the road, souvenirs and gifts for your friends, and gas for your vehicle.  You can find some local artwork, and ask about available outdoor equipment, if that is one’s fancy. 

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