The opening of the Beartooth Highway was delayed by a week, but finally, over the weekend, the iconic road was opened. However, it served as a harsh reminder of the raw danger that exists in that area.
Several storms caused delays in opening the Beartooth Highway as they dropped feet of snow after most of the road had been cleared by the Montana Department of Transportation and the Yellowstone Parks Department.
In some areas, the snow is deeper than I have ever seen it before.
Shortly after the opening, a significant avalanche occurred on the Gardiner Headwall, a popular backcountry ski and snowmobile location. Despite several skiers and snowmobilers having already descended or high-marked the slope, no one was buried or injured in the avalanche.
Although everyone involved in the avalanche is safe, the potential for disaster was very real given the size of the avalanche. The recent sequence of storms has increased avalanche danger in the area with new snow on top of the old seasonal snowpack.
It is clear that the Beartooth Highway and the surrounding mountains are not for the faint of heart.
