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jcpainter's avatar
jcpainter
Explorer
May 28, 2013

Least challenging way to leave Jackson hole? (east)

We're taking the "big trip" up to see Glacier, down to Yellowstone and then down into Jackson Hole. What is the "least challenging" (scary);) route out of the Jackson Hole area to head east toward Rapid City, SD?

We're pulling a 38' 5th wheel with a dually, so the least windy and steep road is the most attractive.

Thanks for any thoughts,
Jean
  • Dick_B wrote:
    Get a copy of Mountain Directory West to help plan your trip.

    What does MDW say about US26?
  • We ran 189/191 south from that area, driving a class C (first time in the mountains with an RV when we did it) in 2007. It was easy driving the entire way, only about 2000' climb up, but it's over such a long segment (Hoback Jct-Pinedale) you really don't feel the climb, 189/191 splits near Pinedale, and we followed 191 down to Rock Springs WY.
  • Get a copy of Mountain Directory West to help plan your trip.
  • We used US-26 way back to Rapid City in '82 with a 21' tt and what is now considered a very under powered tv in the form of a Dodge Maxi-van. We had no scary parts. We had even gone in the NE gate, Bear Tooth Hwy., the week before. Enjoy the trip.
  • But Jackson is 6200' in elevation, and Moran Junction is 6700'. So the net climb is 3000'.
  • FYI, so no surprises, Route 26 east from Moran Junction has a climb up to Togwotee Pass which is 9,659' in elevation.
  • paulj wrote:
    There is only one east exit, and a couple of SE exits. None are difficult. They just finished a major rebuild on US26.

    X2 - Route 26 east from Moran Junction has a climb and descent, but it's not serious mountain driving. Glad to read that the construction is done as they were still working on it the last two times we went out that way. Route 26 joins with route 20 to Casper then I25 to routes 18 and 79 to Rapid City.
  • There is only one east exit, and a couple of SE exits. None are difficult. They just finished a major rebuild on US26.