Video: Plowing Efforts Underway On The Beartooth Highway

One of my favorite drives in Montana is the Beartooth Highway.

This scenic mountain pass covers both Montana and Wyoming territory and bridges the gap between Red Lodge, Montana, and the Northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

Growing up in Billings, it was an annual tradition to drive on the Beartooth Highway at least once, if not a few times, throughout the summer.

Plowing The Beartooth Highway

Feet upon feet of snow stacked up throughout the winter months on the Beartooth highway.

Clearing all the snow makes for quite a challenge every spring.

A few years ago, the Montana Department of Transportation started posting videos to give people a glimpse of what it's like to clear one of the state's most famous mountain passes.

I'm not sure that the video does its justice, but I can only imagine the adrenaline rush plowing this road would cause.

Yes, there are some pretty epic views, but driving on top of feet of snow and trying not to go off the edge has got to be bone-chilling.

Check out this most recent video of plowing the Beartooth highway.

Get our free mobile app

When Does The Beartooth Highway Open?

Generally, the Montana Department of Transportation's goal is to have the Beartooth Pass open by Memorial Day weekend.

More often than not, road crews will get the highway open for a day or two leading up to Memorial Day, but then Mother Nature has other ideas and decides to snow, closing and it down.

The weather can change at the drop of a hat at this elevation.

My wife and I, along with a few family friends, took a trip last year over Memorial Day to check out the Beartooth Pass.

It was open to the first outlook, but a winter storm closed the road down past that.

Only time will tell if the pass will open this year for Memorial Day weekend.

You can CLICK HERE for the latest updates.

Get our free mobile app

READ NEXT: Cruising The Best Scenic Drives In Montana