Author Topic: Red Lodge/Cooke City Hwy in MT  (Read 7636 times)

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Offline wannatour

Red Lodge/Cooke City Hwy in MT
« on: September 19, 2007, 11:45:38 am »
Hi!
I'm wondering if anyone has cycled from Billings, MT (or Laurel) up 212 through Red Lodge and on up the Bear Tooth/Cooke City Highway.  It looks like you could make a nice loop by turning left on 296 (after climbing the pass), then taking 120 back towards Billings.  I've driven this before, and it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, AND there was very little traffic, even in July.  But I didn't see a lot of cyclists.  Does anyone have any experience cycling this route?  Places to stay?  And how really bad is that climb up the Cooke City Hwy, especially if you're loaded?  It seems like it might make a nice 5-7 day trip.  
Thanks!


Offline litespeed

Red Lodge/Cooke City Hwy in MT
« Reply #1 on: October 01, 2007, 10:57:39 am »
I've been told that this is a very tough climb but I doubt it's as bad as the Bighorns in Wyoming. You might check with the Montana DOT to find out the gradient. Anything over 8% makes for a hard day.

296 and 120 look like a lot of nothing. You'd best pack plenty of everything.


Offline wannatour

Red Lodge/Cooke City Hwy in MT
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2007, 05:17:02 pm »
It is a lot of (beautiful) nothing, but isn't that why you go to Montana?  


Offline litespeed

Red Lodge/Cooke City Hwy in MT
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2007, 06:56:46 pm »
Absolutely. Nothing beats Montana, Wyoming and eastern Oregon for wide open spaces. I missed out on this summer but next year........