Yellowstone Road Tour

After a delicious breakfast we may do a little extra riding before we begin our journey to Yellowstone Lake, along the lower loop. As we approach the western edge of the lake we will pass another geyser basin which we can tour. Intense heat from this region indicates an extensive thermal system, that could create a massive hydrothermal steam explosion should lake levels drop just a few feet, reminding us of the dynamic geologic forces at work all around us. A few more miles and we will arrive at our night’s destination, the Lake Yellowstone Hotel. Yellowstone Lake is the largest mountain lake in North America. It is over 20 miles long, 14 miles wide and 390 feet deep at its deepest point, where temperatures rarely rise above 42 degrees. This is amazing since there are countless calderas throughout the park whose temperatures remain high above the boiling point at all times. After we arrive at the hotel in the afternoon, there may be time for an optional out and back ride through the Hayden Valley.

This morning we’ll wake up to views of Yellowstone Lake and the Absaroka Mountains. Today’s mileage takes us through the spectacular Hayden Valley. A favorite grazing area for bison, the valley offers endless wildlife viewing opportunities. We’ll continue riding along the Yellowstone River all the way to Artist Point where the splendor of the great falls of the Yellowstone is sure to leave us breathless. Now it’s time to get off the bikes and stretch our legs… down the three hundred plus steps of Uncle Tom’s stairs for an up close view of the falls, certainly worth the effort. After lunch we’ll ride up to Canyon Village and then head west to Norris Junction where we have a short shuttle up to Mammoth Hot Springs. From 1886 to 1916 the park was managed by the US Army and the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, our home for the night, which still carries the military “barrack” feeling inside the rooms.

Today we head north for a great ride outside the park. We will shuttle a quick four miles to the north entrance and start riding from the town of Gardiner, which is on the banks of the Yellowstone River. We have just as much of a chance to spot wildlife here as we did in the park, so keep your eyes open for sightings of eagles, elk, deer, coyotes, bears or even wolves. We will continue to have views of the Yellowstone River, with the Gallatin Mountain Range to our west and the Absaroka Range to our east. We will ride to the private resort of Chico Hot Springs where we will have ample opportunity to soak in the natural spring pools and relax. Chico was rated one of the top restaurants in Montana, so dinner will surely be a treat!

We will wake up to a soothing soak in the springs before we fuel up on yet another amazing meal at Chico. Our last day of riding takes us through the beautiful Paradise Valley. Again, we will follow the Absaroka Mountain Range and the Yellowstone River where we will stop to have lunch on the bank before we shuttle back to Bozeman.