Hey everyone,

On May 29th, 2011 I'll be headed to Yellowstone from Louisiana with two buddies. We all have tents and plan on camping some nights and we hopefully can make this 3300 mile round trip in seven or eight days.

Here's the route from Harley-Davidson Ride Planner:
http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.c...r/share/379194

We'll be leaving Louisiana heading to Amarillo, Texas. From Amarillo to Aspen, Colorado. Then to Jackson, Wyoming and from Jackson to Salt Lake City Utah. Then to Moab, Utah and from Moab to Durango, Colorado. Then back to Amarillo and then home to Louisiana.

This is my first trip to Yellowstone and hopefully ya'll can answer a few questions.................


-Would anyone recommend a different route and if not, what about scenic roads off of this route?

-Can anyone recommend the best scenic camping site in Aspen and Yellowstone that's biker accessible?

-Are the roads on my planned route normally open during that time of year?

-Lastly, any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks in advance for any input!

Perry

 

Sounds like a great trip! Just one comment I would make: last time I was in Yellowstone (2009, I think) there was a major snowfall in mid-June. We were there several days, road closings every day!

 

If your going at the end of May bring winter clothes. I have ridden in the park memorial weekend and have been snowed on. Other years it was warm that weekend. You just never know up there.

 

It does sound like a great trip, although it seems a shame to get so close to Yellowstone and not actually see the park. Also tough to get so close to the Beartooth and not ride it, though you might be too early in the year for that anyway.

I would suggest some changes to your route in Utah, and have made them on the ride plan saved here: http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.c...r/share/379389

Starting from the north, you'll be riding ride past one of the great roads in Utah in Highway 39 over Monte Cristo to Huntsville. I would definitely do that. Stop in Huntsville at the Shooting Star for lunch. If your GPS can't locate it, just ask a local. They all know where it is.

You don't have to do east canyon, but I would, and going down Provo Canyon and spending the night in Provo will get you out of a lot of nasty Salt Lake City traffic.

From Provo, 89 south through Manti, to Salina is a great ride, and continuing on that road all the way to Panguitch. Then head east with a stop at Bryce Canyon and on to Escalante for the night. From there, ride the rest of 12 and 24 in the morning and head over to arches/Moab.

Highway 6 (on your planned route) has some decent scenery in parts, but it's a death trap, downright plain in more parts than it's scenic, and nothing like 89/12/24 even at its best.

I've added quite a few miles to your ride, but seriously, these are don't miss roads. Have a great time.

 

Thanks PPBART and Cat Mech! I'll have my winter clothes with me. Like you said, you never know what the weather is going to do that time of year.

AtticusFinch, thanks for the re-route! I'll be checking it out tonight when I get off work. Your suggestions will be used, never thought about the SLC traffic. Thanks again!

Perry

 

I'm planing a similar trip about the same time with 3 friends of mine. Last year we did NM, AZ, CO and back home and the weather was absolutely perfect. We left in the 3rd week of June.This time everyone is talking about leaving the end of May. Not sure what we'll end up doing but heading north that early in the year will be a crap shoot as far as temperatures go. Living in the south for the last 30 years has spoiled me big time. I recommend we both pray to the weather gods! Enjoy your trip maybe we'll see you on the road.

 

AtticusFinch good call on the reroute. The scenery on these roads is some of the best in the west. Let me know when y'all plan to be in this area I may be able to escort you for some of the way. I wouldn't mind riding these roads again myself.

 

LA VIC,
Hopefully our paths will cross and we can shout at each other! I'll PM you a couple of weeks before we head out.

Cat Mech,
That would be great and I'll PM you also! I can't wait for this trip!

 

Okay, I've changed the route to add Yellowstone National Park, not just Jackson, Wyoming. I've also added a stop in Huntsville, Utah. Here is the route:

http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.com/rideplanner/share/379466

Let me know what ya'll think. AtticusFinch, how far do you suggest going on Hwy 39?

Thanks all!

Perry

 

As a Yellowstone local, I'll pitch my 2¢.

You're going into the Park but missing some of the best stuff. When you enter form the south, most will turn left/west at West Thumb to go see Old Faithful, Mid Geyser Basin, the Firehole Canyon, etc. Lots of nice stuff between OF and Madison Jct. On the other hand, by going right/east, you are gong towards some great areas.

But when you leave the Park at West Yellowstone (which we just call "West" around here), you are going through the dullest part of Idaho.

May I suggest......

Adding a night, or spend it differently. What for?

Think about going right/east at West Thumb, then after Fishing Bridge head up into the Hayden Valley, past Canyon, over Dunraven Pass, then over through the Lamar Valley, then either a) go stay in Cooke City (not much of a muchness) or backtrack a bit and exit at Gardiner and stay there, or stay in the Park at Mammoth, or ride up Paradise Valley and stay at Chico Hot Springs. The Beartooth Pass will not be open before Memorial Day weekend, and even that is iffy. Even if they do open it, it is still cold and icy up there in May.

Anyway...wake up and ride from Mammoth to Norris, past Madison Jct, along the Firehole River, past Old Faithful and back to West Thumb and down to GTNP. I suggest going all the way back to Jackson but then going over Teton Pass to Driggs, ID and then making your way out to I-15. Teton Pass is a helluva ride.

Don't worry about backtracking some roads around here. The scenery is so good you'll be glad to see it twice, and it does feel and look different as the day passes.

EDIT: if you are planning to camp in the Park, or in GTNP, that time of year, plan like you are camping in winter. YNP is high altitude and right on the Divide. Expect to wake up with hoar frost on your tent and all over your bike.