Crews reopen Chief Joseph Scenic Highway after major blizzard

Wyoming Department of Transportation crews were able to fully open Wyoming 296 (Chief Joseph Scenic Highway) about 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Heavy snow and blowing snow closed the highway Saturday, Dec. 17. Using a snow blower, WYDOT began attempting to reopen the 45-mile mountain highway between Wyoming 120, north of Cody, and the Beartooth Highway (U.S. 212).

"We made it to Sunlight Creek bridge at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, with one lane open. That allowed anyone to travel out of there," said WYDOT area supervisor Robin Nichols of Basin. "The traffic was one way until about 6 p.m. when both lanes were clear and the road was officially reopened."