Beartooth Mountains 2

(8/30) Scenes from the Beartooth HIghway.

The Beartooth Mountains are not a national park, but are just as beautiful as one. They are within three national forests and the backcountry is protected as wilderness.

The breathtaking Beartooth Highway goes from Red Lodge, Montana to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. It ascends a magnificent glaciated valley, then switchbacks up to the alpine plateau, above the treeline, and crosses the Beartooth Pass at an altitude of 10,947 feet. (Note from Judy -- Just for the record, there were at least 15 hairpin switchbacks on this route! I couldn't drive it but surprisingly I was able to enjoy the scenery!)

Almost hidden among the highest peaks is a triangular rock known as the Bear's Tooth, for which the mountains are named. In this view, it is at the lowest point on the ridge line.

A few of the many alpine lakes are visible from the highway.

Most who travel the Beartooth Highway marvel at the grand beauty of the landscape, but miss the small-scale beauty of the tundra wildflowers.

Tom loved the tundra!