Advice Needed: Planning DFW to Yellowstone

[vstromboli]

I'm planning a 9-day trip from Dallas to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons at the end of May. For those of you who are familiar with the roads through Colorado/Wyoming, can you provide some suggestions? Also, those of you who have Garmin's MapSource, I've attached the map file so you can inspect the daily routes.

[rixchard]

Looks like fun. Your route looks like you will be in the neighborhood of Ouray, Co. If so be sure to catch the road that runs between Ouray and Durango. Also check out the Flaming Gorge in Utah. It is worth a ride or three

[TandemCyclist]

I have not looked at your entire route yet, but the last time I went between Crested Butte and Aspen it took a pretty serious 4 wheel drive. Find a Colorado guy to double check.
Rick

[jwimberley]

Dear friend,
I live in Lawton, OK and drive to Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Park every year as I have time in the summer to ride. I have a number of experiences mostly because I used to live in Jackson and there a lot of people and places I like to visit. My main suggestion is that you need to realize that when it rains in the valley that it snows in the mountains over about 8000 feet so be prepared. I am willing to provide detailed suggestions if you want to chat.
J.Wimberley

[MaverickAR]

Just curious, are you or have you thought about blending in the Red River Roundup on this trip? I think the dates are pretty close.

[BillCav]

I'm planning a 9-day trip from Dallas to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons at the end of May. For those of you who are familiar with the roads through Colorado/Wyoming, can you provide some suggestions? Also, those of you who have Garmin's MapSource, I've attached the map file so you can inspect the daily routes.

I'll just say this "when my wife and I camped in Cody, we have never seen stars like that in our lives". We also rode through 2 passes on the west side of Wyoming going North that were in the 9600 ft range. Sorry but can't remember the roads it was 5 years ago.

Cheers, Bill

[TandemCyclist]

On day two, I have a suggestion. Lived in the area for over 20 years.

When you get on Hwy 64 in Taos continue to Tierra Amarilla. Then north on US 84 to Pagosa Springs. Take a right on US160 over Wolf Creek pass. Then left on CO149 through Creede, Slumgullion pass (11,360'), and Lake City to Gunnison. This adds about a 100 miles to your day but a lot less traffic and a lot more curves. Much more scenic.

If you do find the road between Crested Butte and Aspen is dirt, I have another more scenic route to take it's place. I have ridden just about every paved road in that area, mostly on a bicycle.

[swaanimal]

Day One, I'd aim for Cimmaron Canyon State Park or Eagles Nest, NM.
287 to Amarillo, Tx
87 To Clayton, NM
56 to Springer, NM
I25 to 58
58 to Cimmaron, NM
64 to Cimmaron Canyon SP and Eagles Nest, NM

Day Two, I'll agree with Rick on Pagosa Springs and Lake City.
64 to Chama, NM
84 to Pagosa Springs, CO
160 to South Fork, CO
149 to 50 (This is where I stray)
50 to 92
92 to Hotchkiss, CO (Turning right (east) here will get you to Paonia, CO)

Day Three, tired of twistys yet, hope not.
92 to 65
65 to I70
I70 to Grand Junction, CO
139 to Rangely, CO
64 to Dinosaur, CO
40 to Vernal, UT
191 to 44
44 to Manila, UT
43 Becomes 530 in Wyoming
530 to Flaming Gorge

Day Four, we're almost there.
530 to Green River, WY
I80 to Rock Springs, WY
191 to Jackson, WY

From here, you're a stones throw from Yellowstone NP. In '04, I drug the wife and kids to the TOR rally in Paonia and the MOA rally in Spokane and this is the route we took.

[TandemCyclist]

Jason, That's the exact route I was going to suggest, once Jacques finds the jeep trail between Crested Butte and Aspen. In fact I don't think there is a motorized trail between the two any longer due to the Maroon Bells Wilderness area. That section on 92 to Hotchkiss is one of the best kept secrets. When he gets to Grand Junction do a tour of the moon in Colorado National Monument.

[swaanimal]

As "Flat Landers", we were in sensory overload by the time we got to Yellowstone! I got in trouble for NOT stopping at the Rio Grande gorge in NM, but we seemed to follow it up to Lake City, although not as spectacular. The wife and kids were following me in a rented RV, we had no complaints in the three weeks we were gone.

[JK75RT]

Couple of ideas:

1) The Idaho side of the Tetons is also a nice ride. The highway from Ashton Idaho via Warm Springs then connect back to US 20 is scenic, low traffic, and very smooth.

2) I own a condo near Driggs Idaho (Idaho side of Tetons) right in Teton Canyon. If you are interested in a stay send me an email.

The riding in the Tetons and Yellowstone is fabulous. Stop at Jenny Lake if you have time and do the Hidden Falls/Inspiration Point hike (3 hours).

Critters can be anywhere and are NOT afraid of vehicles. Buffalo seem to want to mate with Impalla LTs like mine. I got chased once by an overly amorous Buffalo last year.

Frost can form on the roads any morning...especially at the higher elevations like West Yellowstone. 30's in the AM and 80's by 2:00 are not unusual.

Have fun!

[vstromboli]

Awesome! This is all great information. I'll look into each and every suggestion.

Thanks again!

[swaanimal]

Jacques, if you like paper maps for planning or would like to take some along for the trip check out http://www.gtrmapping.com/ I used them for our trip, you'll love the detail.

[vstromboli]

Okay, here's the final route. Thanks for all the great suggestions!

What do you think?

Day 1:
Dallas to 114
114 to 287
287 to I-40 west
I-40 to 285 north to Santa Fe

Day 2:
Santa Fe (285 north)
285 to 84 to Pagosa Springs
At Pagosa Springs take 160 west to Durango
From Durango take 550 north to Montrose
From Montrose take 50 east to Gunnison

Day 3:
Gunnison west on 50 to 92 to Hotchkiss
At Hotchkiss take 133 north to 82
82 north to I-70
Take I-70 west to Rifle
Take 13/789 north at Rifle to 64 west to Dinosaur
At Dinosaur take 40 west to Naples

Day 4:
From Naples take 191 north to 44 west
44 west to 43
Take 43/530 east
530 north to I-80 east
I-80 to 191 north
191 to Grand Tetons
191 to 287 north to Yellowstone

Day 5:
Yellowstone (287 north) to Grand Loop (89)
89 to I-90 west
I-90 to 212 south
212 to 296 south
296 to 120 south to Cody
From Cody take 14
14 to I-90 east
I-90 to 14 north
14 to 24 north to Devil's Tower
Back down to 14 east to I-90
I-90 to 14A south
14A back to I-90 east
I-90 to 190 south to Rapid City

Day 6:
Rapid City to 16 south to Mount Rushmore

Day 7:
Mount Rushmore south to 385
385 south to 80 east
80 to 183 south
183 to 70 east
70 east to I-135 south to Oklahoma City

Day 8:
Okalahoma City to Dallas
I-135 to I-35 south

[RT_COOP]

Sorry for catching you so late in your planning, but I just have to add...
On your day down through the Nebraska panhandle, divert a little west off the 385 the catch Scott's Bluff and Chimney Rock National Monuments, good if your into history.

I drove a good portion of your ride in 2002 and found most of the roads to be great. I was able to avoid almost all the interstates and still make great time.

Have a safe trip.