An Autumn Loop over and through the Bighorns

[bigjohnsd]

Today was the day - A chance to complete my fall loop over and through the Bighorns. Spearfish to Buffalo WY, over the Cloud Peak Skyway to Tensleep WY, along the Nowood River to Manderson, up to Greybull, up through Shell Canyon to Burgess Junction, Down US 14 through Dayton and Ranchester, a brief jog on I-90 to Sheridan WY, then on US 14/16 to Gillette WY, then Home via I-90. 579 miles, about 10 hours with stops for breakfast, gas and a hot dog. This is not a new ride, I try to do it once in the spring and once in the fall each year. Today, my friend Scott joined me.



It was just light at 0645 when we left Spearfish after gassing up.



Beautiful fall weather for a ride - 46F and no wind - things were looking good as we approached the Wyoming border -





But soon turned to shit with heavy fog -



Plenty of Golden color in the Big Horns




And along Clear Creek East of UCross WY



We don't have many reds in our palette out West


One of my favorite landmarks is this old grain elevator -

A unique style not seen elsewhere.




Click Anywhere on the Image to see our animated route.

The fog we encountered entering Wyoming lifted just before Buffalo WY, we had a nice run to Ten Sleep over the Cloud Peak Skyway and down through Ten Sleep Canyon, with very little traffic, and intermittent wet pavement. From Ten Sleep to Greybull was pleasant and in the low 60s. Greybull to Burgess Junction via US-14 through Shell Canyon was fantastic, not one vehicle in our way. Burgess Junction to Dayton WY the same - no traffic headed East, a clear road which we truly enjoyed. Stopped for gas and a hot dog in Sheridan WY before setting forth to Gillette WY via US-14/16 through UCross WY. We lucked out and beat the storm coming from the South West. We ran into fog again just East of Sundance WY on our way home. A great day!

[0face]

Niiiiccee!

[escapefjrtist]

Fantastic, thanks for taking us along!

~G

[extrememarine]

saving this for route planning purpose - thanks for sharing!!

[Boston]

Way to blow off the honey do list. Nice ride.
Thanks for sharing.

[bungie4]

I've been to many of these places and must return. Surprise of our travel was the Occidental Hotel in Buffalo.