I'll probably do a ride report in January or February with LOTS of pictures from my Sturgis/Yellowstone trip last summer but here are a few pictures from the areas I mentioned above:

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area:

These two are taking along 44 from Manila towards the 191 junction:
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/Colorido13/media/IMG_8083_zpsej5byhnm.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u396/Colorido13/IMG_8083_zpsej5byhnm.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_8083_zpsej5byhnm.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/Colorido13/media/IMG_8082_zpsppzufwvh.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u396/Colorido13/IMG_8082_zpsppzufwvh.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_8082_zpsppzufwvh.jpg"/></a>

This is taken at the Flaming Gorge visitor center and overlook:
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/Colorido13/media/IMG_8086_zpsppuepiil.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u396/Colorido13/IMG_8086_zpsppuepiil.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_8086_zpsppuepiil.jpg"/></a>

The dam...it's 455 feet tall:
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/Colorido13/media/IMG_8094_zpswg7szbcn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u396/Colorido13/IMG_8094_zpswg7szbcn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_8094_zpswg7szbcn.jpg"/></a>

This was at Fossil Butte National Monument...I was there before they opened and rode up the scenic road by myself...saw lots of wildlife and herds of antelope which were too quick to photograph:
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/Colorido13/media/IMG_8066_zpsbk9akgvo.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u396/Colorido13/IMG_8066_zpsbk9akgvo.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_8066_zpsbk9akgvo.jpg"/></a>


And here are some from Dinosaur National Park:
At the Colorado/Utah border with the park in the background
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/Colorido13/media/IMG_5076_zps5eatci0o.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u396/Colorido13/IMG_5076_zps5eatci0o.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_5076_zps5eatci0o.jpg"/></a>

Split Mountain behind the river
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/Colorido13/media/IMG_5138_zpsirgvulhv.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u396/Colorido13/IMG_5138_zpsirgvulhv.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_5138_zpsirgvulhv.jpg"/></a>

and a collage showing some of the things you can see there
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/Colorido13/media/IMG_5154_zpsfsaedr82.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u396/Colorido13/IMG_5154_zpsfsaedr82.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_5154_zpsfsaedr82.jpg"/></a>

 

fantastic pics! I know we are riding this way on our way back. wow

 

I want to go to Yellowstone, but dodge as much of the summer crowds as possible. May is probably too early/risky on a bike due to weather, but how deep do I need to go into September before the crowds drop off?

 

Yellowstone tends to always have crowds but June and July are worst. By mid August the worst has died down. After labor day, it's mostly just international tourists on buses. If you plan on riding Beartooth, the earlier you go in september the better as it can close as early as mid-september due to storms.

 

Thanks for the tips!

 

Good info... Thanks

 

Mike,
Colorido has described some of the beautiful areas where I live. Harpers Corner in Dinosaur National Monument, Flaming Gorge Reservoir and Red Canyon Overlook, and beautiful pictures too.

The fastest route to Cody is this one: 447 miles,

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/l...cody-282033517

Steamboat to Craig CO, Rawlins WY, Muddy Gap, Lander , Riverton, Shoshonie, Thermopolis, Meeeteetse to Cody. Not the most scenic ride but it's the west. Gas is avaialable in every town but you won't need to gas up but a few times. From Shoshonie to Thermopolis you pass through the Wind River Canyon and it's a nice ride.
Cody is a great town to stay in to visit the park. We like to eat at Pat O'Hara Brewing Company, very good food. Our favorite day ride there is to go in the east entrance and ride the east side of the park and go out the northeast entrance to Red Lodge via the Beartooth highway. Have lunch in Red lodge then ride the Bear Tooth again and take the Sunlight Basin - Chief Joseph highway back to Cody.
Good Luck and have a great trip

 

Vernal. Thanks for the info. That's the way I was looking to travel into cody. Was actually planning on riding north up to chief Joseph then bear tooth to red lodge. And after that we were gonna go back just the opposite of your suggestions. We will take one day and ride to Jackson via the Grand Tetons.
I can't wait for this trip. Just worried about the crowds a little. This is our first trip that we have taken in the actual summer season. Thanks for the information... mike

 

Just found this site:
http://ridelife751.com/

 

I also keep the GPS map screen displayed. Like KYRGultra, I like to see the streets I am approaching, and maybe I can see a shortcut. I mean, we all know that the GPS might not show the best route sometimes. However, I did not yet know that you can actually turn off the clock in the lower right corner. That is something really new to me. I am actually preparing my beast for the upcoming weekend, as I am going on a trip with my girls. I am the only one coming with the bike, and I do not regret it, actually . We haven't seen each other in a while, that is why we decided to look for the best girls weekend ideas and spend it together.