heading east...

[kipandbob]

My wife & I are leaving CA in mid-April, destined initially for Crater Lake. The next destination will be Rapid City, by way of Yellowstone.

A question for those of you who've pulled your Montanas 'cross the continental divide: is there a pass to avoid in particular in April? Conversely, is there a "good" place to cross?

Thanks, in advance, for the always-good responses to my "newbie" questions.

-Bob

[Parrothead]

You will be a little early for Yellowstone. The north loop may not be open. We were there in June and it was iffy. April or even May could be too early for Rapid City also. That area often has snow in May.
Good luck - watch the weather casts.
Happy trails..................

[boylanag]

We were in Rapid City last two weeks in May last year and the weather was great. Lots to see and do around there. Besides MtRushmore and Crazy Horse, do not miss Custer State Park and its Wildlife Loop. Large herds of buffalo and small herds of wild burros. Pronghorns all over the area.

[vickir]

You're also going to be too early for anything more than climbing to the top of a snowbank to look at Crater Lake. We were there in early June and 99% of the park was still under 8-10 feet of snow!

[sreigle]

Re what Vicki said... We were there early June 2004. Crater Lake is gorgeous and worth a visit even if you have to climb the snowbank to see it. The road around the lake was closed, under that 8-10 feet of snow Vicki mentioned.

Here we've climbed the snowbank to view the lake.


This is across the parking lot. Those are the doors to the snow tunnels to access the restrooms that are in that building behind the snowbank.


And this is the Visitor Center. Accessible through a snow tunnel.


The road to get to this point was cleared, as was the parking lot. Any two wheel drive vehicle would make it just fine.

[BirdingRVer]

quote:Originally posted by boylanag

We were in Rapid City last two weeks in May last year and the weather was great. Lots to see and do around there. Besides MtRushmore and Crazy Horse, do not miss Custer State Park and its Wildlife Loop. Large herds of buffalo and small herds of wild burros. Pronghorns all over the area.

Also near Custer don't miss:

Wind Cave National Park http://www.nps.gov/wica/index.htm

Jewel Cave National Monument http://www.nps.gov/jeca/index.htm

In mid-May 2008 the road through Yellowstone was open but, the snow on each side of the road was 6 - 10 feet deep.

[jpkelpe]

May should be OK for Rapid City( grew up near there and I only remember 1 May snow storm, and that was May 1) --the last snow is usually in March or maybe in mid April--if it does snow it will melt in a few days--of course this winter has made us all liers for "usually it is this way"