A Scenic Journey Through the Chief Joseph
My first time at this incredible journey of the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway! It did not disappoint!!!
I did not know what to expect, but I knew I would expect something. Something with depth, something with a desire to learn and see, and something I will not forget anytime soon, plus it came highly recommended by the locals in Cody, Wyoming. The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway is an experience you need to have!
A paved road that is 47 miles in length, which does not seem long enough, you will see plenty of green grass and trees, cows (even on the road), wildflowers, an overlook you need to stop and view (plus it has a restroom), camping and picnic areas and something to check off on your bucket list! Bring your camera or phone as you will take a LOT of photos!
The highest point when the snow has abandoned, with lots of pretty greens to dazzle your eyes!
Before we set out on our incredible journey, I would like to share with you, briefly, the history of the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, courtesy of this link:
“The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway is named after the Native American chief of the Nez Perce Tribe. Following the Battle of the Big Hole in Idaho in 1877, Chief Joseph fled east through Yellowstone. He and 1,000 members of his tribe ran from the US Cavalry, who were trying to force the tribe onto a reservation so that white ranchers could have their lands. While crossing Yellowstone, the Nez Perce briefly captured several tourists before going north up the Clarks Fork River. The Nez Perce were trying to flee to Canada (an 1,800 mile trek), but surrendered after the six-day Battle of the Bear Paw in northeastern Montana. The tribe was stopped only 30 miles from their destination, the Canadian border.
In his speech of surrender, Chief Joseph expressed dignity and defeat with his famous words, 'Hear me, my chiefs, I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.' The Nez Perce tribe was forced onto reservations in Oklahoma and Washington despite promises to allow them back on their lands. Yellowstone's Nez Perce Creek is named for this valiant attempt at freedom.”
A close-up of contrasting colors near the entrance of the Chief Joseph!
We start our journey on a short drive from Cody, Wyoming, along highway 120. You will turn left, or west, at the sign of the Chief Joseph, also the 296 highway. Notice how green everything is! But it will depend on when you take this scenic drive. We drove it from spring, to summer and to fall. I have heard it is open all year as the snow plowers take care of the road during the winter, but please check the weather forecast and any road closures before going.
Bring a picnic lunch and lets go!!!!
Ready to go!!!!
A hint of red with green reminds me of Christmas!
There will be pull-offs for those photo opportunities. Please stop and take some fabulous photos! You will want memories of this journey. A deer might pop into the scene, but they are a little skittish, so no need to worry about them. There could be bears as it is grizzly country, so caution is advised.
Ready for switchbacks? They are at 6% grade, but I thought they were easy as they gently sloped either up or down. Slowly you will ascend the further you drive on the Chief Joseph. As you drive through a lovely canyon, make sure to stop at the highest point - a view area with a restroom. How cool is that? This is also called the Dead Indian Pass and expect a breeze and cooler weather here as the elevation is just slightly over 8000 feet.
At the highest point with incredible views of a snowy valley!
Menacing clouds warn us of a bad snow storm to come!
After the view area, you will descend pretty far down on switchbacks. It seems like Wyoming has a lot of switchbacks! Just take your time and enjoy the scenery while watching the road. Once you get down, look up to see how far you have gone. You will back up it when you are ready to leave. Along the way, you will see some alternative dirt roads to take. You do not need a 4 wheel drive on the main road, however, these dirt roads that meander from the main road, I will recommend a 4 wheel drive.
There is a bridge coming up that you can walk alongside and take many photos. There is a parking area with another restroom (surprise!) you can pull over plus eat your picnic lunch. Even though you have descended, you will see from the bridge and incredible canyon carved from the water below.
Depending on the season you are driving this magnificent byway, wildflowers might be in abundance. There are plenty of places to pull over, like a thick shoulder that is safe. We pulled over many times for photo ops. The road is not straight, but a series of curves, as it will take you maybe a couple hours or even a good part of the day to accomplish the drive. That is okay. You have plenty of time!
Wildflowers, wildflowers, wildflowers!
A very rainy day on the Chief Joseph!
You might even see some small lakes along the road, mostly on the south side. More photo opportunities. There are possibilities of seeing wildlife throughout the ride, Bring your binoculars! Be on the lookout for some mountains coming up as the Chief Joseph spills onto highway 212, or the Beartooth Highway. Would you like to learn more about the Beartooth Highway? Check out this blog I wrote about this fantastic and most scenic highway in the United States!
One of a cluster of small lakes.
A dramatic sky has descended upon the Index and Pilot mountains!
A must-see and a subject of photographs are the Index and Pilot mountains. You can see them very well as you are heading toward highway 212, even with snow on them. The above photo was taken in July. The river is part of the Clarks Fork. If you have the time, you can turn west onto the 212 to visit 2 cute small towns: Cooke City and Silver Gate. Take the time to visit these towns, by walking, visiting the tourist stores, a museum, another view of a river and maybe a eatery.
Welcome to Montana!!!!
This is the gateway to the northeastern entrance of Yellowstone Park!
Well, this is the end of the line. If you decide to go through Yellowstone, please enjoy this fabulous park as there is no other place like it! But if you decide you need to go back, maybe to Cody or somewhere else in the area, just turn around and go back the same way you came. The landscape may look differently when you are on a different side of the road, or a different time of day. How did you like it? Thanks for coming with me! I want to leave you with 2 fall photos of our last day there. :(
The fall foliage just started in September.
A dirt trail that was fun to drive on with typical mountain scenery.