As noted below these are some pretty drives worth taking but you should use caution. I personally would not feel comfortable descending any of these in a large rig without an engine brake and/or good mountain driving skills. I do not mean to scare you here but about 15+ years ago a couple with their granddaughter from California, were coming down 14A and burned up the brakes on their motor home. The wreck resembled what you would expect from a small plane crash.
If you come down through US16, through Ten Sleep and Worland, be sure to go to Thermopolis. Hot Springs State Park is beautiful but be aware there is one LOW underpass that you cannot make with your towed rig. There is another access into the park via Broadway Street in the center of town. While you're there, only a mile or two from the park, is the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. It's one of the top ranked, privately owned dinosaur museums in the United States.
Once in Thermopolis, it's pretty much a straight shot to Cody going through Meteetsee, known for the Pitchfork Ranch where most of the Marlboro commercials were filmed. A really nice museum in downtown Meteetsee houses a very large black color phase Grizzly bear that was killed right outside of Meteetsee. And if it were later in the summer and you could access a 4x4 vehicle, you could go to Kirwin. Kirwin is an abandoned mining settlement about 20-30 (?) miles from Meteetsee where Amelia Earhart was having a cabin built at the time of her disappearance. Most of the true beauties of Wyoming are only accessible by 4x4's or off road vehicles (horse, UTV, ATV, etc).
Happy Trails!
Todd
US14 - This road is a long, steep and winding clumb up the face of the mountain to Burgess Junction. There are several hairpin turns and blind corners on this two-lane highway.
From Burgess Junction down the other side of the mountian, the road is steep and has an 8-percent grade. Again there are several hairpin turns and blind corners. Through Shell Canyon, the road is extremely narrow.
This road is not a good route for oversize or overlength loads. Unless you are experienced in mountain road driving, it is not advisable for 18-wheelers.
For tourists, this is a wonderful drive with beautiful views, trees, and wildlilfe. If you are driving a motor home, please pay attention to the above information. Use lower gears and save the dangerous possibility of burning out your brakes.
US14A - Highway 14A is extremely steep, a 10-percent grade and more, is winding, has several hairpin turns, and many blind corners. This is a challenging road during the summer season and closed during the winter.
This road is not recommended for oversize or over-length loads. Unless you are experienced in extreme mountain road driving, it is not advisable for 18-wheelers.
For tourists, it is a beautiful drive with wildlife, wonderful scenery and over 200 mile views in some areas. However, if you are driving a motor home, please pay attention to the information in the above paragraphs. Use lower gears and save the dangerous possibility of burning out your brakes.
US16 - There are sharp hairpin turns, long up-hill climbs, steep downhill runs and blind corners on this two-lane highway.
While beautiful and probably the easiest mountain drive in the northern part of Wyoming, it is not a good route for oversize and over-length loads. Unless you are experienced in mountain road driving, it is not advisable for 18-wheelers. Use lower gears and save the dangerous possibility of burning out your brakes.
For tourists, boy what a drive with some great views and wildlife. If, however, you are driving a motor home, please pay attention to the information in the above paragraphs. Use lower gears and save the dangerous possibility of burning out your brakes.
Todd & Marianne
Miniature Schnauzer's - Sundai, Nellie & Maggie Mae
2007 Dodge Ram 3500, 6.7 Cummins, 6 speed manual, 3.73 ratio, 4x4
2004 Teton Grand Freedom, 39'
2007 Bigfoot 30MH26Sl
