As stated in other posts we will be going to Red Lodge, MT this summer for the Beartooth Rally and it looks like we will probably stay in Columbus, MT. We plan to be in the area for 3 days, only one of which will be spent at the rally so we need some help on figuring out what to do for one and possibly both of the other 2 days.

Day one will be at the rally.
Day two will be a day ride, possible rides posted below,
Day three will be kind of flexible depending on how everybody is feeling. Perhaps a picnic by Emerald or Mystic Lake or something if they have paved access?

Both rides listed below ride the Beartooth Hwy. One also covers the Chief Joseph's Hwy and the other covers northern Yellowstone. As much as I would like to ride them both I doubt that will happen as none of us are used to being in the saddle for that many days/miles (flame if you need to but it is what it is).

Option 1 (Link to Harley Ride Planner) - Take 78 south out of Columbus into Red Lodge. From Red Lodge take 212 (Beartooth Hwy) south to the 296 junction (Chief Joseph's Hwy). Ride 296 to 120 and take 120 north to 308 (town of Belfry). Ride 308 west into Red Lodge and take the 212 north to the 421 (town of Joliet) and that takes us back to Columbus. According to the Harley planner the ride is 235 miles and should take 5hrs plus stops.

Option 2 (Link to Harley Ride Planner) - Take 78 south out of Columbus and into Red Lodge. From Red Lodge take 212 (Beartooth Hwy) south all the way through Cooke City and into the northern part of Yellowstone. Through Yellowstone to 89. 89 north to I-90 and I-90 east into Columbus. This route is 297 miles and according to Google Maps should take about 6 hours plus stops.

Thanks all and I look forward to any suggestions you may have.

 

If it were me and I didn't think I could do the #1 route, this would be my plan.
From Red Lodge, take hwy 308 to hwy 72, turn south. 72 turns to 120 when you cross into Wy. and takes you into Cody. I would look around a little, Cody's always been a great stop for us. Then head back up 120 but turn west on 296 ( Chief Joseph hwy), don't worry about the milege, you will be stopping for photos many times. 296 takes you into 212- BearTooth and its much better, IMO, going around this loop in this direction. Most never get to ride scenery this good, you'll be back in Red Lodge before your ready.
Take your Heavy jacket and lots of memory in you camera.

 

Both of the rides you propose sounds great to me. I agree with the idea to go see Cody, but you'll probably want to spend more time at the museum than what you have available.

I'd also try to get in shape to do both rides. Go over the Beartooth one direction on one day and the other direction on the other day.

If you can only do one, I guess I'd do Chief Joseph. Honestly, I haven't ridden that road yet, but I've heard great things about it. Since you're in Colorado, it's not like you'll never get up that way again, so you really can't go wrong with those two routes.

 

We to the trip from Cody to Red Lodge on Chief Josephs Highway. And it was a really great ride.
The pic in my sig is where we stopped on the way up for a drink and some pics.

 

You will love the scenery. I would take Chief Joseph Road and Beartooth Pass first for sure. I liked Cooke City also and Cody you can spend sometime in. Just east of Red Lodge about 5 miles there is a very small town. Stop at the steakhouse and bet on the pigs running around the track and have a beer. Hilariously fun. Enjoy your trip Also is that road from Columbus to Red Lodge (78) a very good road? Looks the shortest way? Might be taking that this summer on the way up to Glacier. Thanks

 

Thanks all for the input, I appreciate it. Since several of you have mentioned Cody we may have to look at that as our day 3 activity. Looks to be 100 miles from Columbus so we could swing into Cody, check the museum, grab some lunch and head back.

Davey, looking at the pics on Google Maps 78 looks to be a 2 lane hwy. Unless the locals advise us otherwise I figure that is probably the route we will take to get to Red Lodge from our hotel. 212 also looks to be a 2 lane hwy but far straighter and a bit longer. Strictly a guess on my part at this point but I am thinking that 78 will likely be more scenic.

Thanks again and keep the suggestions coming. There is nothing finalized yet and the more options we have the better.

 

Not to far East on US 14 is Powell, Lovell and the fantastic Bighorn National Forest Bi-way. Do it, you won't be sorry.

 

No need to guess. Hwy 78 is gorgeous. We rode it in '09 and it was one of my favorite parts of our trip. It's not stunning Beartooth Pass kind of scenery or anything, but it's a great motorcycle road.

 

Great, looks like HWY 78 will be ridden on this summer

 

I would reverse this route, you should take the Beartooth Hwy both directions. You could come down on the Red Lodge side then. And while you are at it, ride down into Yellowstone. You've paid the fee to enter the park, you might as well enjoy it. Riding through Yellowstone would add a lot of time to this ride. I'd stay a night in the park. Staying in the park is cheaper then staying in one of the tourist traps like Cooke City or West Yellowstone. Also, gas is cheaper in the park then the towns that border the park.

Enjoy your trip!