Late August, early September. CO and Yellowstone area

[nab]

I plan on taking off from North Carolina on a ride round the country in late August, early september.  This will be my first ride longer than a few days, a general idea of where i want to go and two months off work are my only plans.  My question, with the time of year I am leaving I understand the threat of snow is increasing, should I hit Yellowstone area first or the highlands of CO first? Does it matter in regards to possible bad weather?  The rest of my trip will consist of lower latitudes, so I plan on a b-line to the high points so to speak

[blakebird]

I plan on taking off from North Carolina on a ride round the country in late August, early september.  This will be my first ride longer than a few days, a general idea of where i want to go and two months off work are my only plans.  My question, with the time of year I am leaving I understand the threat of snow is increasing, should I hit Yellowstone area first or the highlands of CO first? Does it matter in regards to possible bad weather?  The rest of my trip will consist of lower latitudes, so I plan on a b-line to the high points so to speak

September is a bit early for significant snow in the Rockies, though fluke snowfall can happen any time.
You should be fine in CO thru September.

Roads to watch for closures due to a weather front moving thru and dumping... would be Beartooth Pass (east of Yellowstone) and Trail Ridge Road (thru Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park)

[stromgal]

What he said.    I'll be out Yellowstone way in mid-September, and while I'd like to ride the Beartooth again it will obviously be dependent upon weather.

[black hills]

you should be fine, as mentioned beartooth may be questionable (hell, got a little snow up there on last weekends ride ) I'll be passing through that way to points west mid sept. myself, have a great ride!

[nab]

Thanks guys and gals.  Honk and wave if you see me out and about

[bikerfish1100]

Both areas "should" be fine- but YStone is more likely to catch bad weather first. i'd recommend that you shoot north first, and then drop south into CO. based on weather, if possible enter YStone from Red Lodge (northjeast of YNP)- climbing the switchbacks up to Beartooth is definitely the better alternative to coming down them. next best alternative is to come in from Cody to the East.

[NestorK]

I'm heading that way mysel late August. Coming from Ontario Canada and heading to Alberta afterwards.  

My plan is to travel from Red Lodge to Cody. Any suggestions?

[blakebird]

My plan is to travel from Red Lodge to Cody. Any suggestions?

Take 78 out of Columbus (on I-90) up to Red Lodge, thru Absarokee.

[Eric308]

What he said.    I'll be out Yellowstone way in mid-September, and while I'd like to ride the Beartooth again it will obviously be dependent upon weather.

Top of Beartooth 9/01/08...

[black hills]

Top of Beartooth 9/01/08...

I've been snowed on in June,July, and August on beartooth pass. Fortunately it only lasts for a few miles. I'll be there again the second week of sept.

[Eric308]

I've been snowed on in June,July, and August on beartooth pass. Fortunately it only lasts for a few miles. I'll be there again the second week of sept.

The day I took that pic it was snowing as soon as we hit Dead Indian and snowed all the way to Red Lodge. We met plows coming up from Red Lodge about half way down and there was 6" on the ground when we got into town.

[black hills]

The day I took that pic it was snowing as soon as we hit Dead Indian and snowed all the way to Red Lodge. We met plows coming up from Red Lodge about half way down and there was 6" on the ground when we got into town.

Sweet!!  a ride you will never forget I imagine
how was the next day?
Been over the bighorns in the snow a couple times in oct. I think all the fun may have run out of that though

[Eric308]

Sweet!!  a ride you will never forget I imagine
how was the next day?
Been over the bighorns in the snow a couple times in oct. I think all the fun may have run out of that though

I cannot tell a lie...I was in a cage. My wife and I were headed back home after dropping our daughter off at college in Portland. You think I'd be dressed like that riding a bike? Here's a pic from last June....

[Motornoggin]

Take 78 out of Columbus (on I-90) up to Red Lodge, thru Absarokee.

That is a great road! The scenerey is fantastic!