UPDATE 4:30 p.m.
According to the Wyoming Department of Transportation, the Beartooth Highway is now officially open.
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ORIGINAL REPORT
Beartooth Pass was predicted to open in full on Saturday, rescheduled from May 24. But to the surprise of travelers, it was closed at the Montana-Wyoming state line Saturday morning.
Kelsey Boggs/MTN News
Traffic signs at Red Lodge on Saturday morning
Those who traveled to the gates from Red Lodge early Saturday stayed and tried to make the most of their day, silently waiting for crews to fully open the road.
“If you haven’t driven it before, you really need to because it’s a great treasure for both Wyoming and Montana,” said Sharon Brownlee, who traveled from Joliet with her husband, Ron, on Saturday.
Kelsey Boggs/MTN News
Ron (left) and Sharon (right)
Beartooth Pass is full of stunning views and wildlife.
Kelsey Boggs/MTN News
Welcome sign on the Beartooth Highway
“We were here on Monday. We came in the opposite direction from Gardiner,” Ron said. “We saw a grizzly bear and a black bear. Right out of Cooke City, we saw a black bear with two cubs.”
The highway connects Red Lodge to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park, stretching 69 miles and rising more than 10,000 feet above sea level.
Kelsey Boggs/MTN News
A scene from Beartooth Pass on Saturday
It typically opens on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and closes in mid-October, according to the Montana Department of Transportation.
But this year was a different story after winter weather complicated travel.
Charlie Klepps/MTN News
A snowy scene on the Beartooth Highway on May 23
The full opening of the highway was delayed on May 24. Instead, it opened partially from the lower gate to Vista Point.
But then on May 28, an avalanche caused road damage that required repair.
The pass was forced to close again at Vista Point until May 30. It was then rescheduled to fully open on June 1.
But when travelers hit the highway Saturday morning, they were surprised to see that it was only open to the Montana state line.
“It’s different every time you come here,” Ron said.
Kelsey Boggs/MTN News
At Beartooth Pass, 6/1/2024
Sharon and Ron said they arrived around 8 a.m. and were surprised to see the crossing was closed at the state line.
“You came here very early, at 8:00 am, when it was supposed to open. What happened?” MTN News asked the couple.
“We sat and had coffee,” Ron replied, laughing.
Grace Vesey and her father made the most of their day.
Kelsey Boggs/MTN News
Grace and her dad return to their car.
“(It took) a while because I sat and waited for (my dad),” Vesey joked.
The 13-year-old boy enjoyed cross-country skiing. It was the first time he had attempted the intimidating slope.
Kelsey Boggs/MTN News
Another skier testing the slope
“(When I got there, I thought, ‘Well, I guess there’s no turning back. I don’t want to walk back, so I have to go down,'” Vesey recalled.
Kelsey Boggs/MTN News
Grace Vesey
Vesey and the Brownlees hope to hike the pass in its entirety, whenever possible.
“Hopefully later today. Maybe,” Sharon said. “Tomorrow for sure.”
For more information about the Beartooth Pass, click here.
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