Any advice for ryding in Montana in September?

[RodO]

I'm trying to put 5-7 days together and head south into eastern Montana and then through Miles City-Billings-Beartooth-Yellowstone-Bozeman-Butte-Missoula-Glacier NP, and then home to Saskatchewan.

The inspiration is to follow part of the route from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. And I've always liked Frank Zappa's song...

Can anyone give me advice on road conditions in mid-September in the mountains? I won't be camping so it's really help on mountain road traveling for a flat-lander from the prairies.

Thanks,
Rod.

 

[iwpart]

Can be a bit damp or slick in the hi mountain passes. Road in mid Sept. last year and hit snow. Camping is ok could get down to freezing late night early morning. Go prepard and you will be ok.:doorag:
Beartooth pass is iffy. Went over 8/14/09 39degrees on top.

 

[Neez]

A while back I was headed south from Cardston AB along Montana Highway 89, which runs along the eastern side of Glacier NP. They had a habit of erecting white wooden crosses roadside where ever traffic fatalities had occured. Some of the tight corners looked like Flanders Fields. I pulled into Browning to get gas. It's a Native American town, Blackfoot, I think. It was a Saturday night and a lot of folks were drunk. While I was fueling up, a pickup truck on the other side of the pump was struck by a second truck that roared into the gas station. Both drivers were drunk and laughing. They seemed to think the accident was a fine joke. A young fellow, looked about 18, with a big revolver stapped to his hip, came up and joined the merriment. Turns out, he was the sherrif. I got my fuel and got out of town fast, and headed for Helena.

 

[Tom in NM]

In my experience . . . .

Can be a bit damp or slick in the hi mountain passes. Road in mid Sept. last year and hit snow. Camping is ok could get down to freezing late night early morning. Go prepared and you will be ok.:doorag:
Beartooth pass is iffy. Went over 8/14/09 39degrees on top.

. . . . when someone from Montana says "be prepared", make sure you have the National Guard on your cellphone's speed dial. I think that is the State Motto.

Tom

 

[Recluze]

I just got back from Montana on Saturday. It was cool in the morning and warm in the afternoons. Of course this is August and the weather changes quickly there.

My advice is just go. It is beautiful up there. Also, it is a big state. I did not cover a third of what I wanted to before I ran out of time.

There will be more people fly fishing in the streams then driving on the roads. Seems like a good priority system to me.

Good luck

 

[tjfischer]

All good advice,

Sorry RodO; I don't mean to jack your thread. I too will be cruising through the great state of Montana. I should be going through there Sept 14 - 16th. I'm headed the other direction.

I'll wave as we pass each other

 

[RodO]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm pumped to go -- now all I have to do is find a way to clear my desk at work and ryde! :yes:

Rod.