Coyote Chris and I took a slightly different route to/from Spearfish this year.
Heading east we crossed the Big Horn mountains using the southern route (US 16 Ten Sleep to Buffalo).
After Spearfish we crossed the Big Horn mountains by the northern route (US 14/14A).
The plan was to spend the night in Red Lodge, Mt and ride the Beartooth Hwy (US 212) and Chief Joseph Hwy (WY 296) to Cody, WY. The weather did not look good and the Beartooth was closed Monday due to an overnight blizzard.
http://beartoothhighway.com/beartooth-highway-maps/
Plan B: we rode the short way to Cody in between weather but in very high winds. The next day was beautiful so we left the baggage in the Cody motel and rode to Red Lodge for lunch via the Chief Joseph and the Beartooth. After lunch, reverse route back to Cody.
The next morning we rode the familiar 53 miles (US 14 Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Highway) from Cody to Yellowstone east gate.
TIPS: Plan for 3 seasons, maybe 4. Top of Beartooth Pass (10,950') was a pleasant sunny 44 degrees at 11:00 AM. Riding round trip from Cody without luggage made the ride more enjoyable (and roads x 2). Riding west from Cody to Yellowstone early in the morning with the early sun at your back and lighting the rocks and mountains is worthwhile. Also, it lets you have the great breakfast buffet at the Yellowstone Lake Hotel.
Heading east we crossed the Big Horn mountains using the southern route (US 16 Ten Sleep to Buffalo).
After Spearfish we crossed the Big Horn mountains by the northern route (US 14/14A).
The plan was to spend the night in Red Lodge, Mt and ride the Beartooth Hwy (US 212) and Chief Joseph Hwy (WY 296) to Cody, WY. The weather did not look good and the Beartooth was closed Monday due to an overnight blizzard.
http://beartoothhighway.com/beartooth-highway-maps/
Plan B: we rode the short way to Cody in between weather but in very high winds. The next day was beautiful so we left the baggage in the Cody motel and rode to Red Lodge for lunch via the Chief Joseph and the Beartooth. After lunch, reverse route back to Cody.
The next morning we rode the familiar 53 miles (US 14 Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Highway) from Cody to Yellowstone east gate.
TIPS: Plan for 3 seasons, maybe 4. Top of Beartooth Pass (10,950') was a pleasant sunny 44 degrees at 11:00 AM. Riding round trip from Cody without luggage made the ride more enjoyable (and roads x 2). Riding west from Cody to Yellowstone early in the morning with the early sun at your back and lighting the rocks and mountains is worthwhile. Also, it lets you have the great breakfast buffet at the Yellowstone Lake Hotel.
