Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This unique road first follows Rock Creek out of Red Lodge and in 8 miles (13 km) enters
Custer National Forest, where there are four campgrounds on Rock Creek Road. A serious
wildfire burned part of this area in August 2000.
Where Rock Creek comes down from the mountains, its valley shows the
U-shape
typical
of a valley carved out by glaciers, with the stream at the bottom of the U.
U.S. 212 leaves the valley and climbs by way of four major switchbacks or horseshoe
curves, partly following a Crow path dating from the nineteenth century. It was considered
an engineering miracle when opened in 1936. Notice how the quick change in altitude makes
your ears pop due to the rapid reduction in atmospheric pressure. (See
page 164
for more
about high altitude effects.) Across the valley, you can see a road built to bring chromite (chro-
mium ore) down from a mine high in the mountains during World War II.
Rock Creek Valley, nestling below the Beartooths, was created by now-melted glaciers.
About 20 miles (32 km) from Red Lodge, you reach the
Rock Creek Vista Point
and
restrooms. You can take the short accessible walkway to a fine view of upper Rock Creek
Canyon and the mountains and plateaus to the west.
Between here and the summit of the highway, and after four more switchbacks, another
deposit was tapped for chromite in the 1940s. Near the east summit, you'll see where winter
sports enthusiasts mount their snowmobiles or take the (experts only!) ski lift. Several trails
lead from both sides of the summit to the sparkling lakes of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilder-
ness high country.
In this rarified atmosphere, the animals you're most likely to see are the yellow-bellied
marmot (related to the woodchuck) and the tiny pika, a tailless, round-eared animal. (See the
Living Things chapter for more about the animals and plants of the mountain passes.)
