Red Lodge Summer 2018

I have always been keen to summer ski in the Red Lodge area, especially off the Beartooth Highway and Beartooth Basin. Red Lodge is just a awesome mountain town to boot and if the skiing is off, there are tons of old school mountain bike trails.  Jon has missed joining us on the family trips to Red Lodge over Easter the past few years and he was up for a quick trip in between work so we went out mid June. The Basin had been getting really good reports and the skiing looked awesome. (Check out photos and click here and scroll down for Beartooth Highway clearing video)

We got in the night before in time for a mountain bike ride as the area got socked in and rain started to fall. Up high that meant more snow from the day before and a closure at the pass unfortunately.  We rode about a hour up than enjoyed a sweet 20 minute descent.

The next day reports were not good up high at the pass and the pass remained closed. Six foot drifts and winter conditions. Although the road could of been open and been fine for larger 4WD vehicles, there are too many motorcycles and people not used to driving that makes it a nightmare for the highway departments. Despite the conditions up high, the weather broke and turned out to be a gorgeous afternoon in the mountains. We did what a lot of skiers that were out there did and decided to do the hike and ski in the gully off a headwall. Scoping out the scene from the parking lot.

 Start of hike up.

 Steep climbing halfway up. We weren't fully equipped for the hike and ski but got up fine.

 Keeping an eye on the prize and watching other people come down.

Short break before more climbing.

Ready to go.

The intense summer sun turned the snow to creamy corn and really fun to ski on.

 Finishing up the run. Great fun!

 Refueling at Mas Tacos. Great stuff!

 Later that afternoon we got out for another ride checking out some new trail.

 Clouds and rain moving back in again.

 Tight turns and no berms! Classic old school mountain riding.

Stayed at the historic Yodeler. Rain continued through the night and next morning. With the pass still closed and rain forecasted to fall all day, we hit the road with plans to take advantage of the long day by stopping midway on the way home at Medora, ND.

 Heavy rain earlier in the day created some surprise trail features. Borderline peanut butter. Dried out just in time.

 Small creeks were flowing.

Classic Badlands. Despite not being able to enjoy the lift service at Beartooth Basin, we had a great trip. The hike and ski being a highlight. Hope to get back some day to check it out!