advice on Yellowstone and Teton area

[2wheels4me]

I'm going to be in Red Lodge in 2 weeks and wanted to take the long way back home to Chicago. I'm thinking of driving through Yellowstone for the first time and then maybe explore around the Teton range before a jaunt down to Colorado and then east to Chicago. Any advice or routes that you would suggest would be appreciated. I'm not looking to stay in Yellowstone just give it a drive through, and then explore a little in the Teton range instead. I get to Red Lodge just about every year for the last 5 years and always say I'm going to hit Yellowstone, then never seem to do it. I imagine it gets very crowded and I think thats what has kept me from going through, I'm not to big on slow moving traffic because of gawkers, I get enough of that on the expressways around here.

[Justin]

Just make sure to ride Beartooth Pass and Chief Joseph Highway. And going through the park is slow. Set yourself in tourist mode, and just chill and take in the scenery

[2wheels4me]

Just make sure to ride Beartooth Pass and Chief Joseph Highway. And going through the park is slow. Set yourself in tourist mode, and just chill and take in the scenery

Yes, I always do Beartooth and the Chief a couple of times while I'm there.

[JimWilliamson]

Teton's: Consider walking around Jenny Lake or take the boat ride to the other side then hike up to see the waterfalls (and boat back). I haven't seen the falls, but did walk around (1/2 day perhaps).
http://www.jennylakeboating.com/

If you like alpine slides (consider wearing your MC pants/jacket), there's one at the ski hill in Jackson
http://www.snowking.com/Activities_Summer_AlpineSlide.aspx

Depending upon schedules, we could meet up for some Colorado 4x4'ing. PM if interested.

[Eric308]

Yes, I always do Beartooth and the Chief a couple of times while I'm there.

You might want to check out the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody on the way to Yellowstone. Fantastic bit of Western artifacts and very interesting. I also stay in Red Lodge and head across Beartooth and Chief Joseph into Cody. Then US14 to the east entrance of Yellowstone and through the park right into Teton National Park. Usually stay over in Jackson and then down into Flaming Gorge area and Vernal. Then across into NW Colorado and down through Unaweep Canyon into Telluride. You could continue south and pick up US160 east and head east across Wolf Creek Pass, South Fork, Pagosa Springs, etc. Ever check out the Bridge Creek restaurant in Red Lodge? Where do you stay there? PS...my avatar is top of Beartooth last June. Here's a pic of Unaweep Canyon....fantastic ride.

[2wheels4me]

You might want to check out the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody on the way to Yellowstone. Fantastic bit of Western artifacts and very interesting. I also stay in Red Lodge and head across Beartooth and Chief Joseph into Cody. Then US14 to the east entrance of Yellowstone and through the park right into Teton National Park. Usually stay over in Jackson and then down into Flaming Gorge area and Vernal. Then across into NW Colorado and down through Unaweep Canyon into Telluride. You could continue south and pick up US160 east and head east across Wolf Creek Pass, South Fork, Pagosa Springs, etc. Ever check out the Bridge Creek restaurant in Red Lodge? Where do you stay there? PS...my avatar is top of Beartooth last June. Here's a pic of Unaweep Canyon....fantastic ride.

I usually stay at the Alpine, it's a forum event sponsored by Beartooth Kawasaki and that's where it's usually at. I believe I have been to the Bridge Creek as well.
I do want to get to the Flaming Gorge area as well and there are 3 routes I could take down after Yellowstone, 287, or 287 to 191, or 287 to 191 to 89. Does anyone have feedback on those?

[Eric308]

I usually stay at the Alpine, it's a forum event sponsored by Beartooth Kawasaki and that's where it's usually at. I believe I have been to the Bridge Creek as well.
I do want to get to the Flaming Gorge area as well and there are 3 routes I could take down after Yellowstone, 287, or 287 to 191, or 287 to 191 to 89. Does anyone have feedback on those?

I take 189/191 out of Jackson to Hoback Junction and then 191 all the way to Flaming Gorge and in  to Vernal. Nice ride along the Hoback River and canyon. Then into Pinedale...you get a nice views of the Wind River range south all the way to Rock Springs. Out of Vernal take US-40 east to CO64 down through Rangely and across Douglas Pass into Grand Junction area. Then you hop on CO141 down through Unaweep Canyon.  PS...if you can adjust your dates try to hit the Green River Rendezvous in Pinedale July 10-14. Much fun was had by all my last time through.http://www.pinedaleonline.com/RendezvousDays.HTM

[2wheels4me]

I take 189/191 out of Jackson to Hoback Junction and then 191 all the way to Flaming Gorge and in  to Vernal. Nice ride along the Hoback River and canyon. Then into Pinedale...you get a nice views of the Wind River range south all the way to Rock Springs. Out of Vernal take US-40 east to CO64 down through Rangely and across Douglas Pass into Grand Junction area. Then you hop on CO141 down through Unaweep Canyon.  PS...if you can adjust your dates try to hit the Green River Rendezvous in Pinedale July 10-14. Much fun was had by all my last time through.http://www.pinedaleonline.com/RendezvousDays.HTM

That looks like the most straight forward route down, glad to hear it's a nice one. I may actually be in that area between the 12th and 14th, I'll have to check out the rendezvous. Thanks for the info Eric.

[Eric308]

That looks like the most straight forward route down, glad to hear it's a nice one. I may actually be in that area between the 12th and 14th, I'll have to check out the rendezvous. Thanks for the info Eric.

You're welcome....except now you have me very jealous. Have a great trip! Are you taking the Mean Streak?

[2wheels4me]

You're welcome....except now you have me very jealous. Have a great trip! Are you taking the Mean Streak?

No, I'll be on the VFR, but I did take the Mean Streak the first year I went out to Red Lodge. It actually travels very well, I just didn't have bags for it, so I strapped a backpack on and hit the road. There were Meanies there that year from Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, but they all had bags mounted. They thought I was nuts coming from Chicago with nothing but a backpack, I can travel light I guess.

How much time did it take getting down to the Gorge/Vernal from Jackson? Did you stop often for pics etc...?

[Eric308]

No, I'll be on the VFR, but I did take the Mean Streak the first year I went out to Red Lodge. It actually travels very well, I just didn't have bags for it, so I strapped a backpack on and hit the road. There were Meanies there that year from Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, but they all had bags mounted. They thought I was nuts coming from Chicago with nothing but a backpack, I can travel light I guess.

How much time did it take getting down to the Gorge/Vernal from Jackson? Did you stop often for pics etc...?

It's close to 300 miles from Jackson to Vernal, UT. Flaming Gorge is like 60 miles north. I did stop for pics and also lunch in Pinedale. Also some brief stops between Rock Springs and Flaming Gorge for pics. Man, that is some DESOLATE country through there and starkly beautiful. Make sure you gas up in Rock Springs..no more gas until Dutch John which is right by Flaming Gorge.  Anyway, about 7-8 hours. That's not counting the time I stopped for the Rendezvous in Pinedale. Took me two days that time.
   Yeah, I travel light as well. I have a ZRX1200 and use only a canoe dry duffel bag and tank bag. Here's a pic up top of Beartooth in '06.  Again, have a great ride and don't hesitate if you have anymore questions. I've been out there over a dozen times.

[JimWilliamson]

Since it looks like you may be in the area...

CO 141 / Gateway CO

If you like classic cars, plan an hour or two for the Gateway auto museum (`round back of the high dollar resort in Gateway).
www.GatewayAutoMuseum.com

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I do want to get to the Flaming Gorge area as well and there are 3 routes I could take down after Yellowstone, 287, or 287 to 191, or 287 to 191 to 89. Does anyone have feedback on those?

I hear that there are some awesome burgers in Big Piney on 189  

[Eric308]

Since it looks like you may be in the area...

CO 141 / Gateway CO

If you like classic cars, plan an hour or two for the Gateway auto museum (`round back of the high dollar resort in Gateway).
www.GatewayAutoMuseum.com

That's a great place....I already suggested CO 141 through Unaweep Canyon which starts right out of Gateway anyway.