Hello Wyoming Riders!

[rockers]

I'm in the process of planning a western States Tour for some of my European friends. We plan on renting bikes in Colorado and do a 3 week loop out west.

We plan on entering Wyoming from Idaho at Yellowstone and spending a couple days there. From Yellowstone heading east to Cody, then Thermopolis, Riverton to Rawlins, then over the Snowy range to Laramie.

I would appreciate any input on the route or suggested changes (pavement please) and also any recommendations for lodging and places to eat & see. Prefer reasonable and if possible unique!

Thanks
Bob Alexander
08 BMW RA Rally Chair

[RWagnerfoto]

You should leave Yellowstone at the northeast entrance (Silver Gate) and follow US 212 through Cook City, then follow the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway over Dead Indian Pass to Cody. One of the finest mountain motorcycle roads in the US. Between Lander and Rawlins you will follow US 287 through the Sweetwater Valley along the original route of the Oregon Trail, the road west for half-a-million covered wagon pioneers between 1841 and 1868. You will find the country little changed from those historic times. Highway 130 over the Snowy Range is another great mountain ride, as is WY 70 west from Encampment over Battle Pass, although that may be out of your way.

If it fits your plans, have dinner at Svilar's supper club in Hudson between Riverton and Lander. The finest steak house in the US, period. The historic Wolf Hotel in Saratoga is a great lunch stop, as is the Old Corral in Centennial. In Cody I'd suggest the Irma Hotel for any meal. There is also a good Mexican place on the east end of the main drag.

Hotels: Buffalo Bill Village in Cody, the Holiday Inn in Riverton, Best Westerns in Lander and Rawlins. I think the Holiday Inn of the Waters hotel and spa in Thermopolis has changed hands. It now may be a Days Inn. It was always a fun place to stay and eat.

Randy Wagner

[Vagabird]

I agree with all of the above, except for the Old Corral in Centennial. It was a great place to eat until the family that owned it sold it some years ago. I went in once after it was sold and won't go again. That was about four years ago, so it may have changed hands again but I haven't heard that it has. It still has the reputation of years ago but is definitely not the same. Instead, try the Beartree, just up the street. Go around back to get into the bar portion, which is livelier and roomier than the front. They have live music sometimes and the food is usually good. A friendly place with locals, hikers, bikers, whatever. :dance

Chief Joseph Highway is great. :thumb

[PHMarvin]

Hi,
I lived in Lander many years ago. It was there that I uncrated my brand new, straight from Dunstall's shop, Dunstall-Norton 810 Mk.II. I've eaten at Svilar's once, over 30 years ago. It was wonderful. However, if you're ever in El Paso, look me up. We'll have to go to Cattlemens Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch.

[Montana]

On some maps, the Chief Joseph Highway is marked as Sunlight Basin. If you're there, you might as well ride the Beartooth Highway.

[Munchy]

If you have time, stop at the world class Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, WY. There are several museums within, including the Whitney Gallery of Western Art (Charlie Russell, Remington, Bierstadt, etc. fabulous) as well as the Cody Firearms Museum, Plains Indian Museum and, of course Buffalo Bill. But this is a world class museum. It is huge and not to be missed if you can make it. Stop at Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel and Restaurant and you might catch a glimpse of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock.

I'd advise getting the worlds best milkshake in Shoshoni at the Yellowstone Drug but I don't know if they are open any more.

Coming from Lander to Rawlins, watch for Split Rock, a landmark on the Oregon/Mormon Trail, before you get to Muddy Gap. If you are anywhere near Rawlins, stop at Rose's Lariat Cafe on the east end of town. Best Mexican food in the state, and that's sayin' sumpin. Try to hit it before or after traditional lunch or dinner hours cuz it is counter service only (one booth) and it is popular. Read up on the geology of Wyoming cuz you'll see some interesting geology in the Rawlins area (Ferris Mountains). They also have the old prison as a museum.

As for great roads, if you can maneuver your way through Yellowstone on US212 to Cooke City, take US212 along the Beartooth Highway. You can take the turn onto the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway (also know as Sunlight Basin) to get to Cody but if at all possible, stay on US212, Beartooth, NE into Red Lodge, Montana then you could jog over to Belfry, MT, and down to Cody, WY from there. That would take you over one of the most amazing motorcycle roads in the US.

Svilars IS good. And I agree with all the other posters here on restaurants and the road from Saratoga, WY to Laramie, WY is really pretty. Plan a photo stop at the top, at Lake Marie and take the walk out onto Libby Flats. Top o the World. From Laramie, WY take US287 into Fort Collins, CO. Laramie has the Territorial Museum which is quite interesting and I think it also houses the US Marshall's Museum, IIRC.

While in Fort Collins, CO, stop at some of the world's best craft breweries, Odell Brewing, New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins Brewing or have lunch and a Not Brown Ale at Coopersmiths in Old Town Fort Collins. Yum.

[72598]

I hope you are planning on doing this in late Summer as many mountain roads may still be snowed in as late as July. (most open on Memorial Day but can still be closed a few days due to snow yearround) Bring warm clothes, rain gear and heavy gloves. In the mountains there is very little cell coverage. (includes Blackberrys with Google Earth) Carry a map! Even if you have dark skin and do not burn at home, wear sunscreen at higher altitudes.

Most of the good roads have already been mentioned in above posts. But also try some of these in Colorado.

Trail Ridge Road ( Estes Park to Grand Lake-US36-req parks pass)
Peak to Peak Hiway (Estes Park to Mt.Evans) Also near Blackhawk and Central City (legalized gambling towns) Co7 & 72
Mt. Evans Hiway (toll road to top of 14er)
Indy (Buenea Vista or Leadville to Aspen) Co82
Colorado National Monument (Frutia to GJ-req park pass)
Black Mesa/Black Canyon NM (Us50 at Blue Mesa dam to Delta) co 92 & 133
US 50 (Canon City to Montrose)
US 24 Pancho Jct to Manitou Spgs)
Big Thompson Canyon
CO 133 Glemwood Sprgs to Delta (take side trip to Marble)
Million Dollar Hiway (Montrose to Durango-US550)
Hoosier Pass (Fairplay to Breckinridge CO9)
Slumgulion Pass (Lake City to South fork) Co 149
Wolf Creek Pass )San Luis Valley to Pagosa Springs) co 160 near Mesa Verde NP
Loveland Pass (Dillon to Georgetown) Heavy truck traffic US 6
Grand Mesa (to many roads to list)

Colorado roads to avoid or use extra caution
Entire Denver/Boulder metro area. (esp rush hour these ppl drive like its LA)
Us 285 Denver to Baily at rush Hour
Co 470 Denver bipass toll road
I 25 Ft Collins to Fountain at rush hour
Just about anything East of I 25 is flat land as is most of the Valley
I 70 Denver to Frisco (at rush hours)
I 70 Clifton to Frisco (may have rock slides)
US 50 Parkdale to Salida (may have rockslides)

Hazards
Deer are almost everywhere.
Many roads and hiways are open range (Wyo and Id too) and some still drive cattle and sheep on road
Troopers are everywhere.

[SHEEPDOG]

Hi Bob
I live in Sinclair Wy, Be glad to show you around the southern part of Wy. We have never met but I think you live in Upson Wi. I was born and raised there about three miles from there, my cousin lives in Upson. Rawlins has a lot of wide open highways, but the range is the best kept secret in Wy. Need more info, we can get in touch


Ron

[drummer]

Hi All,
I just wanted to say I was able to do a small tour of Wy and some of Utah two years ago, and I pray too God that I can get back there on a bike some day soon. You have a beautiful state, good roads, wonderful scenery - enjoy it. :thumb

[10334]

If you have time and you are that close I would certainly think you wouldn't want to miss the Black Hills. Great Roads that are clean and well marked.

Douglas

[Vagabird]

Welcome Sheepdog and 10334 (aka Ron and Douglas)!

[JK]

I'm in the process of planning a western States Tour for some of my European friends. We plan on renting bikes in Colorado and do a 3 week loop out west.

We plan on entering Wyoming from Idaho at Yellowstone and spending a couple days there. From Yellowstone heading east to Cody, then Thermopolis, Riverton to Rawlins, then over the Snowy range to Laramie.

I would appreciate any input on the route or suggested changes (pavement please) and also any recommendations for lodging and places to eat & see. Prefer reasonable and if possible unique!

Thanks
Bob Alexander
08 BMW RA Rally Chair

Hey Bobby -

Beware the dawn and dusk "rush hour" of Haliburton contractors and their parade of SUVs and Company pickups. Their new network of gas and oil rigs dot the Wyoming landscape and disrupt migration and feeding patterns of deer and antelope, due to their bright night-time illumination.

Not a pretty picture....

J.K. :wow

[chipwalter]

Many good suggestions already, especially the Chief Joseph/Sunlight Basin route and the Beartooth Loop. Here's another idea for your NW WY segment - leave YSNP by E entrance to Cody (Teddy Roosevelt claimed it is the most scenic 50 miles in the US), then go North to Chief Joseph Hwy through Sunlight Basin to junction w/Cooke City-Red Lodge Hwy (Beartooth Hwy). Take E to Red Lodge, spend the night, wet your whistle at the Snow Creek Saloon, then eat across the street at the Carbon County Steakhouse. Thursday nights they have steamed mussels that are fantastic. You will have traveled some of the most scenic and motorcyle-friendly miles in all of the lower 48.
Can then take the hwy from Red Lodge to Belfry MT, then south along the front range back to Hwy 120 to Cody (you'd only be re-tracing about 17 miles of road you'd previously traveled) really should see the Buffalo Bill Historical center museum complex as suggested by someone earlier, and stay at the Irma Hotel in one of their period restoration rooms if overnighting) and continue on 120 South to Meeteetse. Another wet whistle and chow stop at the Elkhorn Bar and/or Cowboy Bar (Butch Cassidy was arrested leaving the Cowboy, don't let it happen to you!). I split time between Iowa and WY but if I happen to be at my cabin 2 miles out of Meeteetse I could meet you for a beer and local tour (cell# 319-321-2122). Hwy 120 south will take you to Thermopolis (soak in hot springs water parks) and then on south to Shoshone/Riverton/Lander and routes previouslly suggested by others. Have a great trip, Chip Walter, Iowa City, IA and Meeteetse, WY. R1200RT