The Beartooth Highway is currently open for travel with no restrictions. Yellowstone National Park officials report that crews rebuilt a large section of the road near Soda Butte that was
washed out by high water June 24. Vehicle travel through the Lamar Valley will resume tonight at 7 p.m.
Park crews used specialized heavy equipment to repair approximately 200
feet of road that was damaged by high water at the confluence between the
Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek. Nearly 100 loads of rock and fill dirt
were needed to provide a stable roadbed and restore full lane width across
the undercut area.
A second high water area affecting the road two tenths of a mile downstream
from last Friday’s washout prompted crews to spend an additional day
stabilizing approximately 50 feet of road with dirt and large boulders to
proactively avert another washout situation.
Two-way travel will be permitted through the newly-repaired section of
road. However, drivers are cautioned to reduce speed through the temporary
gravel surface, which will be marked with the appropriate road hazard
signage.
High and fast-rushing water at the confluence due to heavy late spring
runoff was the contributing factor in causing the washout.
Park staff members are closely monitoring other portions of the Northeast
Entrance road that may be vulnerable to undercutting and washouts as warm
temperatures forecasted in the coming days are expected to keep river and
stream flows high.
Here is a video from an evening drive over Beartooth Pass last Sunday, June 26. Music from Pterodactyl Plains.
