That route does not go through Yellowstone (I think)Pretty sure you can't drive north - south through Yellowstone NP in January.
Gardiner is just outside the north west entrance and Cooke City is just outside the north east entrance.
- "Most park roads are closed to regular vehicles from early November to late-April when the park switches to oversnow travel (snowmobiles and snowcoaches).
- The only road open year-round to automobiles is from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through the park to Cooke City, Montana (via Tower Junction)."
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Park Roads - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
The most up-to-date source of information for roads in Yellowstone.www.nps.gov
Oh yeah, a closer look and Nick's route goes through eastern Idaho.That route does not go through Yellowstone (I think)
Yep kinda blew my mind on my first trip to Jackson that half the motels were closed for winter.Could also include Big Sky and Grand Targee.
The stretch south of West Yellowstone is cold and long but that is part of the adventure. The area is a huge summer rec area but come winter ..... not so much.
Yep kinda blew my mind on my first trip to Jackson that half the motels were closed for winter.
I got stuck on the wrong side of Teton Pass due to blowing snow one time when driving up from Tahoe. Had to spend the night in Idaho Falls.When there is blowing snow, may have to take a longer route in Idaho to Bozeman. In good driving weather, can go north on RT32 and skip Rexburg to get to US20. The section of US20 south of West Yellowstone closes fairly often due to low visibility because of blowing snow, even when there isn't an active snowstorm.
Reason I know is that in Feb 2019 my ski buddy picked me up at SLC airport and we went to Driggs to ski Grand Targhee before heading to Bozeman. Had to take RT87 to US287. On the way back to SLC from Big Sky, we decided to take I-15 after going through Virginia City and Twin Bridges.
There was a SkiTalk Gathering at Big Sky that week. A friend (from Washington DC) and his son drove from SLC (son lives in SLC). They ran straight into a snowstorm driving up I-15. Never made it that day. Had to stop in some motel along the way.
I think it depends if you are on a schedule. I've driven from SLC->Butte->Missoula->Spokane->Rossland in Feb. It wasn't snowing and easy driving. We then drove south through Missoula, Bozeman and Jackson Hole. It snowed steadily from JH to Idaho Falls but it was OK. There are lots of skiing options on the way to take advantage of fresh snow (not on that stretch from southern Wyoming to JH though).Want to do this route in jan, how bad of an idea is it?
what highways are usually opened/closed?
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I got stuck on the wrong side of Teton Pass due to blowing snow one time when driving up from Tahoe. Had to spend the night in Idaho Falls.
Can't remember but was one of the chains.Holiday Inn?
Did the drive a few years ago. On the way back did Teton Village to Reno Nevada, much in a snowstorm, following two thin tracks of snow on the road and not wanting to be one of the many vehicles that seems to go off road. 700 or so miles in one day. Was totally shagged by the time I hit the pillow in some horrendous casino hotel.
Can't remember but was one of the chains.
Ironically it had an Australian restaurant inside that was run by an Aussie and I had a pie and a Coopers for dinner!