Devils Tower, Wy

[Texas Diesel]

We are going to Devils Tower, Wy next month. From there to YellowStone NP. How much is diesel fuel in Wy? Is it readily available? I dont have an exhaust brake, is this a death wish?



My TT does not have insulated holding tanks.



Any advice or information appreciated.



-- email address removed --

 

[Crazy Horse]

You won't have any problems, the interstate runs right through that area. After you leave Devil's Tower you can fuel up in Sheridan and head over the Big Horns into Cody then into Yellowstone. Beautiful drive. Wyoming

 

[Riflesmith]

I have not been over the Big Horn Mountains for quite a few years. On the east side of the mountains from Sheridan to Lovell the swithcbacks are quite tight and very steep. Unless the road has been improved this will most likely be the spookiest stretch of road on your trip. Take it easy and you should be fine. It is certainly a beautiful drive.

 

[Crazy Horse]

You had better go around the Big Horns if you are towing a travel trailer. The backside dropping down towards Cody is a mountain I would not want to have a trailer on behind me.



If you go over the best way is 14. The road to stay off of is Alt 14 that takes you over to Lovell and Powell.

 

[Shooter]

How BIG is your aux tank??????

 

[Cowboy Medic]

Devils tower is just up the interstate a ways from me, very easy drive. Dieself fuel can be found and usually very cheap, anywhere from 10 to 15 cents a gallon cheaper than it is here in Rapid. As for going over the mountains. The roads are not too bad but they are steep. If you don't have an exhaust brake and can afford one, then get it. We pull a 33 ft fiver with our 3500 and pac brake and never have a problem, but better safe than sorry. Make sure ya buy a good map and just plan out your drive and you should really be fine. It is a beautiful trip and you will really enjoy it.

 

[DBF]

Texas Diesel, just order up a copy of the "Mountain Directory West". It shows the bad grades, and how bad they are, for all the western states.



Here's one link where you can order it online:



http://www.travelbooksusa.com/1060.htm



A google search will show several more.



With this in hand, you can plan your trip knowing what the grades will be in front of you.



For instance, the eastbound descent on US14 toward Cody that Crazy Horse mentions is "steady 6-7% descent for about 4 and 1/2 miles".



Regards, DBF (who took that road last year going west)

 

[Texas Diesel]

Thanks for all the info. The book on grades is cool, I'll order one.

Cowboy Medic, I have $600 in the exhaust brake fund, not enough and with the trip there is no spare $

Shooter, you're scaring me

Crazy Horse, thanks, I just put your advice in the route planner.

Riflesmith, that's what I want to see



Going to Devils Tower has been a dream for two decades!!! Cant wait, I feel like a kid at Christmas...

 

[Crazy Horse]

The route I was refering to was Alt 14. From the top (9,500') of the Big Horns it's just about 25 miles to the bottom. It finally levels out when you get down around Big Horn Lake. This is the one you don't want to go down with a trailer on. See photo that only make up 1/2 of the descent.



The other way down is 14 and it will take ou down to Shell and Greybull on your way over to Cody.

 

[Crazy Horse]

"For instance, the eastbound descent on US14 toward Cody that Crazy Horse mentions is "steady 6-7% descent for about 4 and 1/2 miles". "

DBF, route 14 is on the eastbound side of the mountains that drops down to Sheridan out of the Big Horns, and it seems to me it was posted up at the top of having a 8 or 9% down grade but it was nothing compared to Alt 14 going down on the southside. I think your quote above is the route into Shell and Greybull.



Check the map. On top Alt 14 and 14 split into two different ways down heading over to Cody. The difference between these two roads are like night and day.

 

[Paul Somers]

We just returned from that trip. We do not have exaust brake and made it fine. We pull 10,000# 31' 5th wheel. We avoided most of the big grades though. From Devils Tower we went to Glacier park Montana. From there we went to West Yellowstone and stayed at Grizzley RV( highly recommended ). Then went through Yellowstone and exited East Yellowstone and went to Cody on Hwy 14. A pretty good grade up and down leaving East Yellowstone so take your time especially going down. In Cody don't miss the Cody Museum especially if you like guns. While in Cody also drive the top of the world highway to Red Lodge, MT. Do not pull RV though. You will love trip. Fuel in that area was a little more than here in Alabama but not much. Just don't run too low before fueling up. Stations are few and far between. If you go into Idaho fuel was 15 cents gallon higher.

 

[wyosteve]

Texas Diesel-- just a couple of points. Do you have a stick or auto. If a stick, you'll be ok over the Bighorns as long as you take it slow. Diesel right now in Cheyenne is 131. 9. BUT the bigger question is when are you coming. Yellowstone closes in October until mid-December. Usually around mid-October is when they shut her down, but could be earlier or later depending on the weather. Also, pay attention to weather reports if you're heading across the mountains. It can be nice at low elevation and have snow, ice and crap up high. I've driven ice covered highway across Togwotee Pass in September a number of times. October is always touch and go. Just watch the weather and don't try to push it if it's bad. Have fun.

 

[Texas Diesel]

wyosteve, we are going to be there Oct 14 on later. We checked the websites for Devils Tower and Yellowstone and both were open through October, I better make a call and verify.



I have a 6 speed, and hopefully will have a Jacobs on it, another TDR member had one he wasnt using that fit my budget.



We wanted to come up this month but vacation schedules prevented it.

 

[DBF]

Crazy Horse, I misinterpreted the location we were talking about. The grade I noted is the grade eastbound out of Yellowstone toward Cody.



DBF

 

[SOOT]

If you happen to be going through Green River drop me a line and maybe we could get together.



As said before watch the weather very close. It can be tropical and sunny down in the valley and 10 degrees with a wind chill of -30 on top with the wind blowing 50 MPH The roads can get real bad in a hurry.



BTW, have a good trip

 

[Texas Diesel]

MMclain, PM me with your phone number and we'll see what happens, would love to stop and visit another TDR member.



If all goes according to plan, we will be going back 26 to 287 to I80. But plans change...



My son will be at home here and can email you if we get detoured or whatever.



Thanks

 

[bombero]

Make sure that you stop at the Buffalo Bill Historical Ctr in Cody. Can spend two days there easy. Also i paid $550 for my jacobs exhaust brake from Mopar 4 less. Have a safe trip

 

[TowPro]

Originally posted by MMclain

If you happen to be going through Green River drop me a line and maybe we could get together.

BTW, have a good trip

Green River WY I been there! I installed some equipment in a cell site there in the middle of the winter. It was like 25 below in the morning, but it felt warm compaired to the "damp cold" we get here on the east coast.



I flew into Salt Lake City and drove across 80. They were forcasting a snow storm in 2 days so I was in a hurry to get the job done and back to salt lake. I made it back to Salt Lake in time to hold up at Park City for the storm to pass.



Sure look forward to going back to that part of the country again, but I need 2 weeks vacation just to get there and back.

 

[WyoJim]

Hey Texas Diesel... ... . I live at the bottom of the Big Horns on the west side. Route 14. They bring RV's off that hill past my house every day. Gear it down and don't ride the brakes. Brake your outfit down slower than you want to go then take your foot off the brake untill you need to slow it down again. If you don't you will smoke the brakes. If you do you will have no problem. Also run your trailer brakes by hand once in a while. The highway is all in fantastic shape, but do as Crazy Horse says and stay off the hill on 14A.



You can put RV anti freeze in your holding tanks for peace of mind.



Stop at the bottom at 1675 HWY 14 and visit. I am in Fairbanks AK now but will be home by then. Gotta go... . This has turned out to be my wifes trip and I am the driver.

 

[TPCDrafting]

TD, if you're Stoppin in Cheyenne on the way, your welcome to park here for the night and plug in. Save ya a night at the rv park. I've got 20 acres to turn that thing around in. I'll be leaving Oct 14th for Elk season, but will be around the weekend before if that's when your passing through. PM me if you're intersted. Tim