Title:
Chief Joseph Scenic Highway-Bighorn Mountains
State:
Wyoming
Submitted
By: Anonymous
Date Submitted: Aug 00
Motorcycle Type: Harley 883
Motorcycle Road Length: 200 Miles
Photo contributed by visitor in May 09: "View from lookout on Beartooth Pass highway."
Motorcycle
Road Scenery:
This
is a great full day ride when combined with the Beartooth
Highway. Good Lodging in Red Lodge and Sheridan. Expect
the best ride of your life because you can travel 3 totally
different extreme mountain routes in one day! Lots of info
on the web if you search! This page describes two routes
that cover some of the same roads. For a description of
each individual route, see the "Directions" section below.
Everything you expect in a mountain run! Some of the world's
best motorcycle roads can be found in this Northwest corner
of Wyoming. The routes drive through unbeatable scenery
near the immense Yellowstone National Park.
Photo contributed by visitor in Oct 09: "Nice switchbacks and great views, a ride you must take!"
Motorcycle
Road Quality:
Endless
switch-backs Vertical ascents to 10'000 feet plus. Good
pavement. Very little traffic. No track is better than this
to play on! No heading up the pass beside the river on this
one! You go straight up the side on switchbacks!
Photo contributed by visitor in Jan 10: "Looking back to the south from atop the Beartooth Highway, on the way to Red Lodge, MT."
Motorcycle
Roadside Amenities:
Lots
of pullouts on these roads. However, there is only one
lodge half way over the Bighorns. Nothing on the Chief
J so don't plan on catching a place to stay the night
until you finish the route and head into Red Lodge (Montana)
or if you head back to Sheridan (Wyoming).
Directions:
The
road submitter's directions are below. The map above was
constructed by MotorcycleRoads.com in an attempt to make
it easier for you to find and follow the route yet it
is only a best guess by MotorcycleRoads and may not be
completely accurate.
This
route is tucked up in the extreme north west corner of
Wyoming just east of Yellowstone National Park. You'll
have to find the roads I describe below to understand
how to find this route since there is no town per say
at the starting point. An online
interactive map to Clark Wyoming (closest town to
this route) is available through MapQuest and will help
you locate the starting point (or general vicinity) of
this motorcycle road. Look for the star in the middle
of the map.
From
the South and East. Off of I-90, just north of Sheridan,
WY, you'll find the towns of Ranchester and Dayton (west
of I-90). Take state route 14 west through Ranchester
and Dayton. About 24 miles past Dayton you will want to
spilt off of route 14 and take alternate 14 (AKA
14A) and here is where they wild stuff starts. Continue
on Alt 14 to/through Lovell and Powell ... it will be
a great ride heading up, loaded with switchbacks and hairpin
curves for 50 miles then you'll finally descend down the
western side and across the valley to Cody . From here
go north of Cody on state route 120 about 20 miles till
you hit the Chief J highway, or Mt 296 and head West.
This is another great stretch of switchbacks, hairpin
curves and fantastic mountain views. You will end up a
few hours later at the junction of MT 212, the Beartooth
Highway and where this route stops. If you want more just
head northeast and on into Montana! You'll be very happy
you checked this route out!!!
Additional
Information:
-
View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo
weather.
Do you have any pictures of this area? Contribute a photo and show other riders what they’ll see along the way.
Have you ever filmed video along this ride or in the area? Contribute the video and show riders what the area looks like.
Comments page 1 of 0
Click here to add a rating and/or comment
J.D. - 1996 BMW
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 271 days ago
Chalie was right !! The late Charles Kuralt that is. He once stated that the Beartooth Hwy is the most beautiful hi-way in America. I suggest you wait for clear sky's if this is your first time. Make an impression that will last a life time.
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 185 days ago
Made it a point to ride both Hwy 14 sections on my last cross country trip. It was worth every second. I try to explain to people back in the midwest what they are missing when they insist on stopping at Sturgis. They just don't get it. This rode is in my top 5 of all time rides (U.S.) I think I scared the old people on Hogs because I was having a spirited ride up and down the pass and loving every second of it. Happened to be a beautiful day as well. Sheridan was cold and gray, but 15 minutes later I was on the sunny roof of the Rockies. I will be back!
This user rated the route: 9 out of 10
Posted 372 days ago
The ride over the Big Horn Mountains is spectacular! I just made the trip on August 3rd, 09 and 14a is under construction on the eastern side so be prepared for frequent stops/delays. It appears they are putting in a new road. Do not let this deter you from this taking this route it is beautiful. Take a jacket, I had to stop at 9500 ft and throw the leathers on!
This user rated the route: 9 out of 10
Posted 87 days ago
My partner and I toured the US in 2009 on a HD Ultra Classic, the road from Red Lodge to Cody was amazing, stunning views stunning roads and above all a motorcycle dream to ride on. I have recommended this route to all my fellow Harley riders in South Africa who are making the trip to the Black hills rally in 2010.
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 412 days ago
This is a spectacular ride. I did the part from Cody through Chief J and Beartooth Pass to Red Lodge MT over the recent July 4th weekend. We then doubled back over Chief J to Cooke City MT and through Yellowstone from the NE entrance to Jackson WY. I live in Denver and ride the Colorado rockies regularly so the bar is set pretty high for mountain roads and passes. This was about as good as it gets. Beartooth is like a combination of Mt. Evans and Independence Pass.
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 256 days ago
If you're looking for a ride to add to your list of perfect 10 rides this is it. Rode it in July, 2009 and all I can say is WOW! I had rode the Beartooth Highway in previous years but the ride south to Cody and through the Bighorns was a first. The variety and quality of the scenery was stunning and the road was a blast to maneuver. I have a couple of tips for future riders. One, when you see the "Cattle at Large" signs on Highway 296 pay attention as I met some of the "critters" up close and personal on a curve - luckily I was paying attention. Second, be prepared for a variety of weather - very hot in the lower elevations to very cold at higher elevations.
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 397 days ago
I have made this ride several times in my life and most recently July, 2009. You need to experience this ride at least once in your life if you ride a motorcycle and I am sure you will find it the best ride of your life. Ride safe and God Bless!!
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 150 days ago
Road the Chief Joseph north from Cody, up to the Beartooth Pass and into Red Lodge last June 21....outstanding ride! Lots of snow still on the Beartooth, and it got a little chilly, but a wonderful ride. Beats the heck out of Yellowstone; as my friend put it, they put Yellowstone too far west!
This user rated the route: 9 out of 10
Posted 372 days ago
Sorry, I forgot to mention Beartooth Hwy. We left The Big Horn mountains to Red Lodge, We stayed in a beautiful Hotel call the Pollard, then on to Beartooth. The road is also under construction towards the top, but the road up is not. Again be prepared for stops/delays. This road is busier then Big Horn as well so keep an eye on the traffic as well as the scenery. If you head on to Cooke City to Yellowstone, there is construction in Cooke City. Montana likes to take the whole road down to the dirt and gravel. Be prepared for delays in Cooke City. They kept the dust down but watering the dirt/road, so your bike will get dusty or dirty. The scenery over Beartooth and the ride through Yellowstone from the NE entrance will numb the pain of a dirty bike! 8^)
