Looking for help in WY & UT

[Sexton62]

I have to attend a software conference in Salt Lake City in late Sept. (Any Spillman software users out there?) I wanted to ride my RT from Chicago to Salt Lake. I have never had the opportunity to be in mountain passes during that time of the year in UT & WY. My concern was about the snow potential during that time of the year. Is there a reasonable expectation of snow in the upper elevations to the point I may not want to chance it and not ride? Also Mr. Mapquest says that Cheyenne, WY to Salt Lake is only about 6.5 hrs. We all know that Mapquest is always correct with time approximations. Is this is a good approximation for going through the mountains? Finally any must see sites, side roads or anything special I should watch out for when traveling through. The little detour can’t add too much time for my trip as I have a tight schedual. I plan on taking the I-80 super slab most of the way. Thanks in advance!:lurk

[widebmw]

My Streets and Trips says 439 miles, 6.25 hours.
But you have to stop and get gas I guess twice.
Then lunch.:eat
Thats all day.:doh

[BMorleyW]

Actually if you stay on I 80 you won't really go through the mountains, mainly prairie/plains. Want mountains, I suggest you drop south to US 40 over Berthoud and Rabbit Ears passes or I-70 through the Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail pass. Low snow potential but late September can always hold the potential of severe winter weather (which does not mix with two wheels). So I would plan on riding my bike, and get a 10 day forcast for Cheyenne/Denver/Grand Junction and Salt Lake before leaving. Clear/rain forcast, good ride; rain/snow forcast - take your cage or fly. Steve

[rarebear]

A couple of friends and I rode that same trip in Sept 2007. left the 1st weekend after Labor Day. We departed Minneapolis, MN headed down I -35 to I-80. Temps in the 60's low 70's through IA and NE. Ran into a thunder storm but only lasted 30 minutes. Aftere that very windy. We spent the night in North Platte, NE. Left N. Platte around 6:30 AM temps in upper 30's low 40's. Temps never got much warmer than low 40's. Just past Cheyenne, WY ran into heavy fog lasted till we made it over the pass. After the pass clear blue skys for the remainder of trip to Salt Lake City. Temps in the low 50's to mid 50's from Laramie to Salt Lake City. Spent the night SLC and continued on to Northern Calif.

[Munchy]

Well, if you were watching the weather channel, we just had a huge snowstorm in the CO-WY area. I-80 was closed. Heavy, wet, huge dump... that is now just about all gone. Typical of springtime in the Rockies... snow, then sun and it melts quickly. Late Sept. could be similar, but I usually think of September as part of summer. In sum, it is VERY hard to predict. We just never know. We get snow in May, on Labor Day, I've seen it on July 4th. Not likely and usually just flurries. I think I would chance it.

FWIW, if I-80 is the route dictated by your ride, you will see mountains, you just won't ride through many. While The Summit, between Cheyenne and Laramie is ~8500 feet (and could see snow), your are in and out of the mountains there in about 20 minutes. You will skirt the mountains west of Laramie and won't get close until West of Evanston at the Wyoming Utah border. Check Google maps and click on the "Terrain" button in the upper left. You will see what I mean.

There is a beautiful ride through the Medicine Bow mountains, past Lake Marie, Libby Flats, etc., with some amazing views, Bristlecone Pines and vistas like crazy. WY130 out of Laramie, to Saratoga, is one of the best mountain rides in Wyoming, but it is not a super long section, but well worth the detail, especially in the fall. If you hit it right, the Aspens will be turning and it will be beautiful.

If you want to see some great mountains and ride some great roads, dip down into Colorado from Laramie on WY230 to Walden, CO. From there, head over Rabbit Ears Pass into Steamboat Springs, CO, ski town, then west to Craig, CO on US40. Head west on US40 to Vernal and into SLC up through the Wasatch Range (the country's only East-West mountain range). That will take much longer as you will be going through the fabulous twisties the Rockies are famous for and in September, more Aspen views etc. Also more chances to run into snow. But man that would be a beautiful ride... well worth the extra days.

[PHMarvin]

Hi,
Many years ago I lived in Lander, WY. Once, going to Yellowstone on 4 July, I drove through a snowstorm. Snow in September is not uncommon, but it usually melts quickly. Of course, that doesn't matter too much if you're caught out in it on two wheels!

[Madhatter]

It isn't uncommon for it to snow in September. Especially up in the mountains. Usually accumulations are low and te snow melts off the roads quickly, but it's the Rockies...no guarantees. Have a great trip. I'd be happy to do a few miles with you if you are headed through Cheyenne.

Jack

[egraham]

Just go for it, don't let anyone talk you out of it, plan for a couple of extra days to get there, so you can make some detours and enjoy the scenery and also allow for any minor storms. We have all been somewhere when the weather was bad, overall you have a great opportunity for great weather.