Need Mt. Pass Info Going to Yellowstone

mypursuit

Senior Member
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Feb 10, 2011
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405
  Planning a trip to Yellowstone in early June.  I've researched the library but it seems everybody comes from the East, South or Southwest.  I'm looking for info from the Idaho border on I90 to 287 to West Yellowstone.  I have identified seven passes or significant hills and can find current road conditions but no description of the road itself.  I'm looking for stuff like percent of grade, length of up and down.  Generally what can I expect to encounter. Will be in my 26 ft Class A gasser with a toad.  Thanks in advance.
 
I90 is a good road from Idaho to 287.  The trip on 287 from I90 to West is a very nice drive.  Its a good well maintained road.  I'm sure you will enjoy the trip.  :)
 
  Thanks.  I do the North Cascades in Washington twice a year with no trouble but for some reason I have concern about the Rockies.  Undue fear of the unknown I guess.
 
If you do Hwy 20 (North Cascades) twice a year there is little the Rockies can throw at you that matches Washington and Rainy Pass.
 
  Thanks maverickbbd.  Are you rain bound in Bellingham or one of the lucky ones that go south for the winter?  We are on North Whidbey and have had just about enough winter.
 
We drive I-90 to and from WA frequently, one way at least once a year.  From Post Falls, The passes are the hill just east of Coeur d'Alene, Forth of July, Lookout, Pipestone - the continental divide east of Butte and Cardwell "hill".  We have done them all in both a gasser and now our DP.  You should have no problem exept they will slow you down.  In June you can get any weather from rain to snow or freezing ice.  Just take it easy as the various DOTs do a great job of keeping I-90 open.  You can bypass Cardwell hill by taking MT 2  but it is an older road and may be narrow as well as winding.  It is part of the old US 10 that I drove many times years ago so it is not bad, just old design.  There is a cavern, Lewis & Clark, along that route that will be open by then if you are into those.

287 from Three Forks to West Yellostone is fairly good road and well maintaned.  It is the alternate route to WY from Bozeman.  The truckers are discouraged from using 191 due to the winding nature of that road.  191 is very scenic as most of it is beside the river and in June will be mostly Class 4 and 5 rapids with lots of rafters etc. to distract drivers.  287 has several lttle towns along it, excellent fishing, Madison River, Quake lake and the Quake visitors center.  Great story there.

Just to the north of the turn off from I-90 to 287,  there is a deli that is pretty good for fresh rolls etc and pretty good lunches, soup/sandwich.  That is out stop when we take the MH for its eriodic exercise .

Enjoy the trip.
 
mypursuit said:
  Thanks.  I do the North Cascades in Washington twice a year with no trouble but for some reason I have concern about the Rockies.  Undue fear of the unknown I guess.

You should really purchase the Mountain Directory for Truckers,RV, and Motorhome Drivers...... They publish a West and East edition.
 
I will second Terry on that.  The Montain Directory -- West is an absolute essential in the country you will be traveling in.  It gives you grade by grade descriptions of the passes on most all numbered routes.

Go to www.mountaindirectory.com.
 
    Thanks for all the good info folks. I have bookmarked an order form for the mountain directory.  It has very useful info.  We'll see what the budget looks like next month.
 

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