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Post by Condor on May 13, 2010 19:22:37 GMT -5
I know many of you live out around the Montana, Wyoming areas and I need some of your help. I plan on going to Yellowstone up from I-25 then to I-90. That's as far as I get and this is where you come in. What is the best, safest and easiest route to take from there to get to the park? What will the driving be like? On the way back, I'm wanting to visit the area of Custer's last stand and perhaps take in the re-enactment. What route should I take for that? And of course....any places to do some rock rounding or any rock shops to visit?
Thanks for your help.
Condor
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Post by jakesrocks on May 13, 2010 20:01:38 GMT -5
When do you plan to be in the Custer area ? A bunch of rockhounds and I plan to be there for a week around the end of June. Real world class rockhounding in S.W. South Dakota. If you want, I can PM you the email address of a trucker who lives in Montana. He can tell you the best routes to take. He's a rockhound too. Don
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Post by Condor on May 13, 2010 21:18:06 GMT -5
The place I plan to go is not the Custer State Park, but rather Hardin, Montana where Custer had his last stand. If you don't mind Jakesrocks, I'll take you up on your friend's e-mail address. No one better than a trucker to know all the routes. Thanks.
Condor
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Post by jakesrocks on May 13, 2010 21:54:13 GMT -5
I'll email him, and make sure that he doesn't mind. I'm sure he won't. Don
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on May 13, 2010 23:45:03 GMT -5
Nothing to do with rocks, but a must do spot is the hot spring pools in the river just north of Mammoth hot springs. Park right at the green arrow shown here maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&q=44.992501%2C-110.691506&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wlthen walk up river a little bit and there are pools surrounded by rocks people have stacked in the river. Each pool is a different temperature depending on how much spring water/river water there is. Really neat spot, and according to the ranger we asked one of only 2 places you can legally soak in the hotsprings in Yellowstone.
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Post by NatureNut on May 14, 2010 7:18:18 GMT -5
Sask, I didn't know about that... that's cool! Jo
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pebblepup
has rocks in the head
Succor Creek Thunder Egg
Member since July 2008
Posts: 515
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Post by pebblepup on May 14, 2010 13:04:13 GMT -5
The West Yellowstone entrance on the Idaho side is the easiest I know of. My family entered there last summer then exited at the North East entrance on Highway 212 to Billings, Montana. This is known as Bear Tooth Pass. It was a late night drive with elevations up to 11,000 feet. I had white knuckles for days and the pucker mark on the car seat never went away. It was still an awesome trip.
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on May 14, 2010 16:06:09 GMT -5
I'd say it somewhat depends in the time of year, the NW entrance between Red Lodge MT and Cooke City often doesn't get cleared of snow until late June or even July, but as mentioned, Beartooth Pass there is one of the most awe-inspiring drives in the whole country.
Another truly breathtaking approach is to take 26 and 191 west from Casper, then come up through Jackson Hole and the Tetons.
The hot springs or "Hot Pots" that Saskrock mentioned between Mammoth and Gardiner at the North entrance were a year-round regular adventure trip for those of us who grew up near there.
If the Beartooth is open, leaving that way brings you up to Billings from which it is a relatively short hop over to the Custer battlefield, then 25 would take you back the rest of the way home.
Since you are coming from the east, the West entrance as pebblepup mentioned probably isn't the most convenient, but it is another nice way into the park.
I'd have to think you'll have a great trip which ever route you choose, it is some really beautiful country up there!
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Post by drocknut on May 14, 2010 16:18:54 GMT -5
Hope you have a great trip. I'm not sure about locations for rockhounding there. You probably already know this but it bears repeating....Don't collect rocks in the park..very illegal and those rangers can be very strict about enforcement. You might want to pick up a Rockhounding Montana book, there are some sites mentioned for rockhounding around Yellowstone and east of there. I don't have specific directions but the book might be of help to you. The Yellowstone River south of Billings has been known to have agate, petrified wood, and jasper but not in abundance. The big place to look for agate is north of there in Glendive or Miles City areas as far as I know. Here's a link to information about the reenactment at Little Bighorn www.billingsguide.com/Visguide17.html. The reenactment is the fourth weekend in June so should be great weather if you're going at that time. I'm sure you'll get more information from others on here but had to put in my :2cents: Hope you have a great trip, take lots of pictures, and get lots of great rocks. I didn't know about the hot springs, so thanks for that info Saskrocks. Might have to try to get down there sometime to check it out.
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h2otech
having dreams about rocks
Member since May 2007
Posts: 74
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Post by h2otech on May 17, 2010 22:37:04 GMT -5
Hardin is approx 45 miles east of Billings, it is right on I 90. To go to the battlefield you will continue on I 90 approx 10 or 12 miles to Crow Agency. There will be plenty of signs for the exit to the battlefield and museum. It is not very far from the interstate. Jim
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on May 22, 2010 12:42:00 GMT -5
If Yellowstone is your first destination, your best route is to take I-25 to Casper, then take 20-26 to Shoshoni, then take 20/789 to Thermopolis (this is a great scenic drive past Boysen Reservior and through the Wind River Canyon). At Thermopolis, take 120 to Cody. At Cody, take 20-14-16 to the East Entrance to Yellowstone. This stretch is considered by many to be one of the most beautifully scenic streches of highway in the US. If you want to see the Custer Battlefield, you can exit the park via 212 to Red Lodge and then Billings, and take I-90 down to the area.
Hope this helps....
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Post by montanamuskrat on Jun 4, 2010 0:44:59 GMT -5
Yellowstone is truly incredible, the geology is varied and new thermal features show up each year. Give yourselves several days to see the park. The speed limit in the Park is generally 35mph, so the pace is slower. The Beartooth pass opens closer to late June or July, not advisable for night driving. The elevation is 6200ft approx. at any of the entrances. so any pass in or out is higher. I do recommend the Geo book of Montana for rock hounding. Phil and Barb Garnett have a Rock shop out side of Billings, in Laurel, great people that know the area and great agate source. there is so much to see!! Best of Montana and Wyoming. Tom and Debby Found the business card for Montana Fine Agate Phill and Barb Garnett 420 Third Avenue Laurel, Mt 59044 Phone#406-628-8121 email bjgarnett@aol.com Phill was very good to talk to at the Hamilton show.
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