Big Horn Mountains

[Fireman Dave]

We're planning a trip to Yellowstone this summer. It looks like we'll be coming back through South Dakota by way of the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. I'm looking for opinions/experiences about route 14 vs. route 16. Is one better than the other or about the same? I know that distance is about equal. We'll be towing our 27' TT.



Thanks in advance!

 

[TPCDrafting]

I've been over both only a couple times and both are beautiful drives. 14 over to Sheridan might be a bit longer or at least it's steeper (IMO) and might take longer pulling a trailer. On 14, there's a nice pull off while dropping down to Dayton where the hang gliders take off. The views are awesome. On the other hand if you take 16 over into Buffalo, you can stop at Tiehack reservoir where I've seen moose grazing. Another nice pull off to have lunch/dinner. They also have a campground there, but never drove into it to check it out. Sounds like a nice trip, if you are going through SD, be sure to stop in the Black hills. I know if I were taking 16, I'd definitely stop in Shell and visit with WyoJim for a spell! I'm sure he'll chime in, he knows the BH's better than I!

 

[wyosteve]

Fireman, I'd strongly suggest 16 thru Buffalo, across Powder River Pass, etc. Better (wider road), fewer sharp switchbacks, and more campgrounds. Ten Sleep canyon is just as sweet as Shell Canyon. The Sheridan route is also a few miles longer than the Buffalo route. fwiw

 

[Cowboy Medic]

Through Buffalo would get my vote too, Been going over there for years and it is awesome. I agree on Ten Sleep Canyon as weel it is gorgeous. The Black Hills are a great site too if ya are coming through. Hope you enjoy your trip, it is one I have made many times and want to make many many more times.

 

[WyoJim]

Fireman Dave... My opinions on here don't carry much weight, but here it is.



Ten Sleep Canyon has some nice scenery. But after Yellowstone and the Tetons it is just more ho-hum stuff.



Rt 14 through Shell Canyon to Ranchester is spectacular scenery that will rival all of Yellowstone and most of Alaska.

We had a back east friend come over the Big Horns on 14 to visit on his way home from Alaska and he said we had more outdoors available up there than he saw in Alaska. With the Alaska hype we were used to we just kind of snickered at his comment.

Well this year we spent some time touring Alaska and he was right. Alaska has a hard time measuring up to route 14 over the Big Horns.

Back when I lived in PA I visited Yellowstone every year for quite a few years and one year I came back out and spent a week in the Big Horns. Yep an entire week on route 14.



On Rt 16 after you climb a ways out of Ten Sleep it becomes mostly wooded untill you get down towards Buffalo where it opens up and becomes more scenic. Its not as steep as 14 but it just goes up then down.

14 is mostly open up to the top and then you have 10 or 15 miles of flat top full of scenery like you would just want to live there, but its all National Forest.



There are two ways to leave Yellowstone and get into Cody. One is past Fishing Bridge, then a closed in ho-hummer down to the Wapiti Valley that is now all sub divisions.

Or out through Cook City and through the Sun Light Basin with more spectacular scenery, especially if you put that trailer in a Forest Campground and make a side trip up to the Bear Tooth Pass. Eat your heart out Alaska.

Last year Paul Somers came out past Fishing Bridge, got into a campground in Cody, Then made a day trip to the Sunlight Basin and the Beartooth Pass. Said it was the high light of his entire trip.

Decisions Decisions!! Oh, and the grade up out of Shell Canyon runs 5 to 7 percent.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Fireman Dave,

I agree with wyojim on 14. It's a nice piece of country. Just one word of advice. If your coming from the east stay off Alt 14. That's the steepest and longest I've ever been on, and there is noway I would ever consider going down that grade with a trailer on. I climbed it a couple of years ago (over GVW) and got this picture near the top. Big Horn Climb. When we started into it at the bottom, there was a warning sign that said the climb would last for 25 miles. What a view from the top! You could see Yellowstone some 200 miles away.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Thanks for the good input guys - and keep it coming! This is exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. It sounds like 16 may be a little easier towing than 14 - but by a lot? They both sound scenic. Jim - you paint a great picture of the area - thanks!



We camped in Yellowstone in 2001. That time we went north, then east across Montana on the way home. My wife is from SD, so we know the Black Hills. We plan to stay overnight at her aunt and uncle's near Rapid City the night we leave Yellowstone. We'll be pulling into the in-laws farm in central SD the day after that.



Crazy Horse - Wow, what a sign! That would almost make you want to turn around if you were towing! LOL



Thanks again guys - I'll be watching for more comments.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Fireman Dave,



RE: Alt 14



Coming up from the east, 14 isn't near as bad an incline as dropping down the west side on Alt 14. If you look at the map, 14 and Alt 14 split up on the top. I don't think 14 is near as steep coming down the west side as Alt 14 is, if you are going to Cody. It's been 17 years since I've been on that stretch of 14 coming down into Shell and Greybull.

Phil

 

[Fireman Dave]

Thanks Phil. We won't be taking alt 14.