sonnyd49
Texas
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We will be trailering from the Black Hills of South Dakota to Cody Wyoming in July 2012. I am not familiar with the roads so would like some input of which route would be best for towing high profile 5th wheels; Hwy 16 out of Buffalo or Hwy 14 to 14A out of Sheridan; as a flat lander I'm looking for the least grade route. How are the roads?
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paulj
Seattle
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a couple of previous threads found by searching on 'big horn'
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseac........thread/tid/25633143/gotomsg/25633351.cfm
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseac........thread/tid/25390111/gotomsg/25391542.cfm
The simple answer is - US16 is the easiest.
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Dieselgem
Northeast
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If you are truly looking for the least grade stay on the interstate to Billings. Come down 212, then take 72 to 120 to 296. Be sure to take 72 and do not stay on 212. This is the least grade you can take.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Dieselgem wrote:If you are truly looking for the least grade stay on the interstate to Billings. Come down 212, then take 72 to 120 to 296. Be sure to take 72 and do not stay on 212. This is the least grade you can take.
X2 on that one but there is a compromise that DOESN'T add many miles to the trip also. It still takes you through Cody. Down to Buffalo and pick up route 16 to Graybull. Both 14 and 14A are mountain roads and 16 is pretty much a super highway by comparison, with fairly easy grades and no switchbacks.
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Going up to Billings and then down to Cody is long way around.
Going up to Sheridan and then 14 to Greybull (forget 14A....out of your way) is a more mountain road.
Buffalo to Ten Sleep via 16 is 63 miles......yes you will be going thru the Big Horn Mtn. Range but on the southern end and only the last 16-20 miles as any real grade. Easily doable......
Agree with 'paulj'.......16 is easiest and most direct (Ten Sleep to Worland then north to Greybull turn left and on into Cody)
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dieseltruckdriver
Black Hills of SD
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skipnchar wrote:Dieselgem wrote:If you are truly looking for the least grade stay on the interstate to Billings. Come down 212, then take 72 to 120 to 296. Be sure to take 72 and do not stay on 212. This is the least grade you can take.
X2 on that one but there is a compromise that DOESN'T add many miles to the trip also. It still takes you through Cody. Down to Buffalo and pick up route 16 to Graybull. Both 14 and 14A are mountain roads and 16 is pretty much a super highway by comparison, with fairly easy grades and no switchbacks.
This is my preferred route, but there are 2 switchbacks, but well marked, and easily done. Don't get in a hurry, take your time going down, pull into the pulloffs and enjoy the views.
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paulj
Seattle
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If a curve isn't tighter than a freeway exit ramp does it count as a switchback?
Streetview of large RV on one curve of the 'switchback' on 16
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dieseltruckdriver
Black Hills of SD
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That is NOT one of the switchbacks. They are about 20mph corners. Have you been on that road?
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dieseltruckdriver
Black Hills of SD
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dieseltruckdriver wrote:
That is NOT one of the switchbacks. They are about 20mph corners. Have you been on that road?
After "clicking through" the corner, yes that is one, and they are gentle, that is why I like it. The picture is not the whole corner, but good post. Yes they are a switchback, they reverse the direction you are traveling. You are still descending, which is why they are needed.
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WyoTraveler
Northwest, Wyoming
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I guess if you drive on roads like this every day you don't think of them being anything than just normal roads. Commercial tractor trailer rigs drive most of these mountain roads all year long with no problems. Residents in Wyoming, when planning trips, have some good sources for construction and dangers on some of these roads.
http://map.wyoroad.info/hi.html
You can click on the signs through out the state they will tell you if there are any unusual problems that will be encountered. Plus Wyoming has a map of snow plowing priority plan.
http://www.dot.state.wy.us/wydot/travel/winter/snow_plow_priority_plan
Wyoming also has a Winter Wheeling guide that gives a lot of information throughout the state.
http://www.dot.state.wy.us/files/content/sites/wydot/files/shared/Public%20Affairs/Winter%20Wheeling%20in%20Wyoming.pdf
In the summer months all the roads are good except for the warnings and hazards on the 1st web site at the top. In most of the construction areas you will incur dirt dust and mud on your vehicle.
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