My wife and I are leaving for the black Hills the last week of July. I live in Western Ky. we are planning on taking all 2 lane roads and have no reservations anywhere. I have 4 weeks vacation and were not sure where we will end up. I plan on making Rapid city the week before the rally. I want to make yellowstone and other than that I would love to come down the west side of Colorado and then cut over to Ky. Just depends on what we find to do along the way. I will let you know after the trip... If anyone has any suggustions hit me with them.

 

Leave Belle Fourche, SD on 212 and go to Custer Battlefield. Take I-90 to Billings, Mt. then 212 to Red Lodge, Mt. From Red Lodge go over Bearthooth Pass to Yellowstone. Leave Yellowstone on 191 and go to Jackson, Wy. From Jackson take 191 to Rock Springs, Wyoming, and from there to Craig, Co. From Craig just pick about any route you want that goes South, and you will go right through the Southern Rockie Mountains.

This is mostly mountain riding, and the scenery is stunning. It's likely to be cold, and maybe rainy in the mountains that time of year, so have proper clothing.

If you make it anywhere close to Bloomfield, in the Northwest corner of NM, let me know, and we'll get together and have tea, coffee, burgers, whatever.

Regards,

Bill

 

I would recommend Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Royal Gorge, and Cripple Creek (which is an old mining town, turned casino, much like Deadwood in SD). Enjoy.

 

If ye hittin' Wyoming, US 14 & Alt 14 thru the Big Horns. Check out Medicine Wheel while you're up there. And make sure to hit Cody and the Buffalo Bill Museum.

 

You said you're coming through Colorado, if you have the time, I would consider the Grand Canyon in AZ, depending on where you are going to be in CO, you may be close. It's well worth it and will not be soon forgotten.

Mac

 

Beartooth Highway was closed this month due to major mudslide damage. I can't imagine it could be opened again this summer. You can still go from Red Lodge to Cooke City and the park via the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway. Cooke City is a really cool little mountain town. In Red Lodge, try Bogart's Pizza.

 

Bogart's Pizza is a great place. One of the few places I have found North of Southern Colorado that has good Mexican food. I was really surprised. As a general rule, the further North you go the worse the Mexican food gets, but not at Bogart's.

If you have the time and inclination, try fly fishing in Stone Creek just South of Red Lodge. Awesome the last time I was there.

Regards,

Bill

 

MP
I'm glad I saw your post about the beartooth being closed, planned a trip and beartooth hywy was at the top of the list of roads to travel. What a shame, guess I'll plan another trip for the beartooth for next year!
Now I have to figure if I'm going across Wyoming and to the tetons or more north through Montana.