Big Horn Mountains

[schl44]

We are planning a trip to the Wyoming Big Horn Mountains. It looks like there are lots of things to see in the area. We plan on staying in Shell Wyoming RV park. Has anyone explored this area. Also woundering about highway 14 through the mountains.I don't have a lot of experience towing through mountain passes.Have F350 and will be towing 37ft FW toy hauler.

[paulj]

Since Shell is on the west side of the mountains, you could take US16 over the mountains, then US20 from Worland to Graybull, then east a bit to Shell.

That would give you a taste of the mountains on the easiest route. Then you can explore the mountains in the truck without the trailer. Looks like the RV park owners can fill you in on all the options in the area.

[Odessa_Grandma]

Posted a question about traveling from Casper to Gardiner, MT earlier today. Didn't get much response. Can you advise a newby pulling a 21 foot Flagstaff Micro Lite with a Dodge Ram 1500 the best route to travel from Casper to Gardiner? Should we circle around the park with the trailer and go 25 up to 90??? (saving the scary roads for maneuvering with the trailer safely parked at Rocky Mountain RV Park). Thanks for your help.

[fanrgs]

The USFS Sibley Lake Campground on US 14 has some very long (60-85-ft) back-in sites, 14 of which also have electricity. However, it doesn't open this year until June 9, so it may be too late for you. It's also very popular, so if the dates will fit your schedule, you will definitely need reservations.

[Bruce_Kyles]

Schl44. I am going to second the advice on going east to West on 14 or 14A. We originally traveled this in a class C and would NEVER EVER drive this stretch again. It seems straight downhill and I was worried we would ever get down. Steep grades and twisting turns and just plain dangerous. When we finally got down the mountain we had to stop at local restaurant to calm down and when we talked with the waitress, she said that even the locals do not drive that road. Couple years later we did same trip in diesel pusher but took Hi-Way 16 and was much much better. We originally did the first trip from northern Illinois. 16 is a beautiful drive with some interesting things along the way.

[CloudDriver]

TexasShadow wrote:
the last time we went to Medicine Wheel, a couple years ago, we found we could drive all the way up (in our jeep) as that road is a forest service road. but maybe it has been blocked off again. or maybe they just block it off during summer solstice and spring equinox, etc.

We were there July 13th last year and couldn't drive past the parking area. Apparently the ranchers who are running cattle in the area are allowed to drive further, as we saw a couple heading back along the road we were walking on to get to and from the Medicine Wheel.

[TexasShadow]

the last time we went to Medicine Wheel, a couple years ago, we found we could drive all the way up (in our jeep) as that road is a forest service road. but maybe it has been blocked off again. or maybe they just block it off during summer solstice and spring equinox, etc.

[schl44]

profdant139 wrote:
When are you going to be there?

Will be there approx 2nd week in June. Planning on camping at the Shell Wy RV park.

[schl44]

profdant139 wrote:
When are you going to be there?

Will be there approx 2nd week in June. Planning on camping at the Shell Way RV park.

[CloudDriver]

We have used route 14 across the Bighorns three times, all east bound, the latest being last July. Good advice from other posters regarding use of lower gears, especially going down hill. Going down the west side stop at the Shell Falls rest area to cool the brakes and see the falls.

The Medicine Wheel is about 25 miles west of Burgess Junction and we visited last year as a bucket list item. Route 14A that far was not difficult at all but the steep, curvy narrow entrance road to the parking area at the Medicine Wheel isn't suitable for towing a long trailer. From the parking lot it was a 1-1/2 mile walk to the Medicine Wheel at nearly 10,000 feet elevation. Even for our old legs it was well worth the effort.

We camped at the Bald Mountain Forest Service campground a mile or so east of the Medicine Wheel, which has been added to our short list of all-time favorite campgrounds.

The five mile gravel road to the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite is a few miles west of Shell on route 14. Really nice scenery on the way in and we had a great time exploring the tracksite.

[profdant139]

When are you going to be there?

[TexasShadow]

14 is doable. 14A is the one folks call "o my God hill" because that's what you will say when you start down it (going west). the Medicine Wheel is on 14A, so leave your 5th wheel in camp. 🙂

[Tom_Barb]

schl44 wrote:
We will be traveling from Wisconsin on I 90.

When you are west bound on 14 you will be going down into shell Canyon.
This is steep and crooked, gear down, slow down, use your trailer brakes and you truck breaks alternately. stop at the pull out and let traffic clear, and you brakes to cool. You will want to stop anyway, it is a stunningly beautiful area, and you'll need to take a lot of pictures.

[southernsky]

follow

[memtb]

schl44, Be aware, roads and passes in the Big Horns are fairly steep and curvy. NOT unsafe! But, use common sense. Believe the highway signs, and if you have engine/exhaust/jake brake.... use it! Save the brakes in case you need them!

On the Big Horn Basin side.....

Much to see and do in area: Near Shell... Medicine Wheel, dinosaur tracks in stream (almost always dry) bottom, beautiful off roading in area (BLM & National Forest). Thermopolis, Wy (give us a wave when you pass by Winchester)......Wyoming Dinosaur Center (ranked as one of the best privately owned dino museums in US) and very nice Hot Springs State Park. Also at Thermopolis... The Wind River Canyon, with rafting and great trout fishing. Meeteetse, Wyoming... Very neat museum, Pitchfork Ranch (many Marlboro commercials filmed here), up the Wood River to Kirwin (an old abandoned mining town). Amelia Earhart was having a cabin built here at the time of here disappearance. To get to Kirwin, you need to go later summer(after snow melt runoff), many river crossings and two track road for several miles.

Then on to Cody.... you've probably heard about it and Yellowstone!
:).

Enjoy your trip and "Happy Trails", memtb