September 7, 2025 - Sunday

  Day 9 of return trip    

Miles Driven Today 324

Total Miles Driven:  1998

September 7, Sunday

Awoke to cloudy skills, breezes, not sure of the smoke status from here.  But looks like they will be getting rain.  The smoke creates its own weather which can bring lightning strikes.  We eat our grocery breakfast and take showers in the huge walk-in cobble stone shower.  This place tries to be very primitive with rough woods, antlers and wrought iron, bear pictures, but with all amenities.  We decide to continue out of the Lamar Valley but take a southern route.  Sorry not to make the northern scenic drive but dicey with fires and smoke.  Beds were big and comfortable.  Lots of hot water.  Big wall TV with satellite access.

Enter Yellowstone Park by the Arch. Beautiful scenery as always, so many geological features but the smoke it makes anything elevated misty and outlined.  We see pronghorns, some bear sign.  We pass Mammoth hot springs.  The springs are huge with slow drip and the little village is beautiful with its buildings.  We have always seen elk here and there is none to be found, in face we don’t see any elk this trip and that is not our past experience.  We take the north road into the Lamar valley. They are putting in a new bridge across the Yellowstone River.  The valley is vast and wide following the Lamar River.  It’s sunny at 60-70 degrees.  Clouds are forming with some open sky.  People are using high powered spotters to find Lamar wolf pack but we don’t see anything.  Lots of buffalo herds are along the river with new calves.  None on the road this time. 

Wildlife near the road in Lamar Valley

Elevations in the area range from 9k to 13k so the rivers fall taking boulders with them and most are filled with boulders and rock until the lower valley.  We opt to change our plans and head up the Beartooth Highway.  We go out the north east gate and the towns along the way are small and very quaint.  Different from Gardner.  Campgrounds say No Tents; bears are impacting with less traffic and human presence entering the extreme remoteness of the National Forest.  The peaks around us are some of the tallest in the area, up to nearly 13k.  Unfortunately, the smoke creates a misty outline.  We continue to climb up the Beartooth that is closed in winter.  There are no fires reported in the area and we will not have many chances to see it because closed in spring and future fires.  We crossed over to Wyoming from Montana in the park.

We are back in Montana. We climb and climb with incredible views through curves and switch backs.  Higher up there are isolated lakes and lots of rock and boulder, above tree line with lichens.  Interesting we have seen all colors and varieties of flowering plants.  Eventually we reach Beartooth Pass at nearly 11K, highest point we have ever traveled.  It is barren and wild land here at the top but the views are spectacular, but would be even better if it was clear.  

Views from Beartooth Pass

We’re in cooler low 50’s.  We see The trip down is very trying with severe curves and switchbacks that demand constant attention.  There’s a lot of slides that has to be controlled with wire mess and concrete coverings.  Eventually we reach the valley and still pass over the Yellowstone River.  It’s wide with agriculture as it’s economy.  We pass an Amish buggy; one small town seems to be their settlement.  We’re back in mid-80’s and very humid.  We work our way back to I90, our route home.  We pass through Billings, Mt, where we originally were going to stay.  Lots of refineries here.  Onward we pass back into Wyoming high barren roaming hills and land in Sheridan for the night.  We have smoke mist all around on the mountains and a few spits of rain.  We are staying at the Marriott Fairfield Inn just off I90, most of these have had recent updating or built new.  It’s Sunday so lots of businesses are closed.  We choose McGregor’s Steakhouse on the other side of town.  It’s newer restaurant that sits across from a golf course and nearby residential neighborhood of new homes.  It’s a modern building with a limited menu.  We sit outside on their deck with a view of misty mountains.  Waiter confirms it is smoke we are seeing.  Back at hotel, time for sleep.