Western States Loop--Id Mt Wy Ut

[Spud]

So I had a trip planned up to Glacier, but weather was not cooperating at all. Couldn't make WFO or SWFOG this year due to time constraints. Mapped out a loop through Bighorn Country in WY where I've never been.

My spot tracks from the trip...

Thursday after work, left going north to Island Park, Idaho. This is where the good trout go when they die--the Henry's Fork, one of the classic western fly-fishing waters.

Found my destination for the night--a cabin one of my good friends has been working on for several years. It's close to the river, and as you'll see, he lives to fish.

The FJR parked for the night...

My friend Marvin, world famous-western attorney, in the hand-crafted interior of his cabin.

We had dinner down the road at a little diner hidden in the woods called Boondocks..

Yes, the food was GOOD!

The next morning, headed through West Yellowstone and into YNP. The Madison River...

Heading East toward Madison Junction, I was joined by a fellow solo FJR rider. We rode for maybe 2 minutes together and got to an intersection. I think we both had earplugs in. He said something about "Dallas" and I think said he was on the Forum. He went right, I went left... Anyone know who this is?

Yellowstone...

A fire was smoking up the valley...

The Yellowstone River in the canyon below...

Leaving the Park...

Heading up Beartooth...

I was shedding clothes and talked to this guy for a few minutes. Turns out he was headed to the same place I was for the night, Sheridan, WY.

After Beartooth, back to this well-known road...

Up into the clouds...

Some beef on the road...

Along the Chief Joseph...

After Cody, headed East toward Sheridan.

I knew HWY 14 went up into the Bighorn Mountains. I've never been on this road before. I assumed there would be a climb, but didn't expect this. Straight out of the valley, this thing goes right up the side of the mountain. Those gray lines are the road.

So up I went. Man, what a blast this road is!

Made it to my destination for the second night, Sheridan, WY. While there, I saw two other FJR's. One parked downtown from Wisconsin, another guy rode past on Main St. on a Gen II. Anyone on here?

I'll finish up the report tomorrow--- Here's a parting shot for you.. and you know who you are.

 

[Niehart]

Good stuff Spud, waiting for the next installment.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

I knew HWY 14 went up into the Bighorn Mountains. I've never been on this road before. I assumed there would be a climb, but didn't expect this. Straight out of the valley, this thing goes right up the side of the mountain. Those gray lines are the road.
So up I went. Man, what a blast this road is!

It's called (locally) "The O.M.G. Highway" -- mainly from going in the other direction...

 

[Spud]

Left Sheridan WY Saturday morning headed to Rock Springs. The route goes back through the south end of the Bighorns.. I-90 South to Buffalo, where it becomes I-25. I cut back west on HWY 16...

My ex-wife comes from these parts. They named a road after her

This stretch was a great road--lots of high-speed sweepers, nice mountain country..

Fall colors in the Aspens...

Headed south through a really nice canyon...

Tunnels..

I didn't catch the name of this dam...

Then across the open desert into Rock Springs. I love riding a deserted desert road.

Made it to Rock Springs. It's a friendly little town. Here's the Ammo Shack II (I'm not sure where the Ammo Shack I is).

Up early the next morning for my longest day, which turned out to be 530 miles. South around Flaming Gorge Reservoir and into Utah(WY HWY 191--one of my favorite rides anywhere).

Went across the dam at Flaming Gorge. This was an excellent place to stop for a picture.

Heading into Utah...

The drop into Vernal from the north on the 191 is pretty impressive.

A hawk perched on a fencepost--an American flag flying in the center of the pic....

I met up with forum member Greb and his dad Ray in Duchesne for a ride through the canyon on HWY 35--a really great road. Greb's dad was riding Greb's 08-FJR--same as mine, and Greb brought his other bike, a KTM 990 SuperDuke.

Headed toward 35 in the Uinta Range with Greb and his dad Ray...

Stopped at a little diner along the way for lunch. Apparently, we weren't the only ones planning on riding the 35 that day. A very cool collection of bikes there--our 2 FJR's, a C14 (far left), a few BMW's, Triumphs, KTM's... The coolness factor got diluted way down when the cast of Pirates of the Caribbean showed up halfway through our lunch. At least we had all the good parking spots taken...

Heading up the 35, Greb let me ride the Super Duke. What a blast! 990 twin, light, nimble. Very easy to ride. Great handling bike.... I want one!

Coming out of the canyon, first we passed a guy sitting on the side of the road that wrecked on a KLR 650. We pulled over while and ambulance passed. He was sitting up and looked OK...

Then, traffic was stopped at a pullout. We shut the bikes off and walked up toward the restroom. It was not a pretty site. A car failed to yield to some poor kid on a CBR Repsol. The bike was ripped into pieces. The car had only a wrecked rear wheel. It looked like the bike rider layed it over and bounced off the car. I'd say it was some pretty skillful riding that probably saved his life.

The kid was wearing full gear. Turns out he "only" (I say that b/c of the scene) had a broken collar bone. The EMT's told us he was actually in pretty good condition except for the broken collar bone.

If that won't convince you that riding gear works, I don't know what will. They loaded the rider up, cleared the road, and we were on our way. I could tell by the way they were acting that his condition wasn't that bad. Seeing something like that sure makes you think about things though....

Greb on the KTM while we waited...

After that, I split off from my riding partners, and blazed I-15 home to Idaho. My last big ride of the year... weather's about done here. Thanks for coming along!

 

[FjrVfr]

Great write up Spud. As I mentioned to Greb in a PM, we were on 35 as well on Sunday ('06 w/yellow jacket and a Shadow 1100). We saw the guy on the KLR but he was up and walking and folks were there to help so we didn't stop. Next we ran into these:

We must have just missed the CBR crash. Thank heavens - I'm sure my girlfriend would've been creeped out (me too).

Hope to get out and ride with you some day.

 

[Greb]

excellent ride report Steve.

It is almost like I was there

I would love to spend more time on the Beartooth next year. When I did it with my Father early this month we were pressed for time and couldn't hit Cooke City.

 

[Old Michael]

Completely groovy, Spud.