Howdy again friends of the wind!!
In my previous post about my trip through Idaho and Montana, I had mentioned that I had a bad habit of spending time on google maps creating different routes through some country that looks like it is worth riding. We here is another trip. Haven't completed this one yet! I think maybe I will start making a series here and create some routes people may enjoy and try to make interesting reads. That way us northerners can really wallow in our PMS(Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) and cabin fever.
This trip is specific to HWY 191. HWY 191 spans +/-1700 mi from Canada to Mexico traversing, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Arizona. I would plan on starting in Montana and riding south. But it is Merica' and you can do whatever you please. I've broken it out into 7 days. First two days are longer days for me as I would be riding out of Wyoming north to reach Morgan, MT while days four through seven are easy 250-300 mi days. I chose campgrounds(CG) as places to spend the night and ending at what is apparently the historic Gadsden Hotel in Douglas, AZ as a treat. Let the daydream begin!
Day 1: Reaching the head of 191 in Morgan, MT. Take a gander at the US/Canada Border, maybe cross from french fries and gravy, maybe not.
Day 2: Begin traveling south from Morgan, MT to Big Sky, MT following 191. During this day, you will cross many "great waters". I say "great waters" as most of the water out here runs from our mountains and gives life to most of the great plains on this side of the continental divide. Thankfully you won't have to ford them as our cowboy counter parts did back in the late 1800's when settling the country. First river is the Milk River, if you're a fan of Lonesome Dove(book or movie) you'll geek out at the idea that our fictitious friends had taken a daunting journey all the way from the Rio Grande in Texas to the Milk River where Captain Woodrow F. Call was satisfied of their travels and set up shop there. This trip maybe reminiscent of such a trip yet hopefully it would be without the hardships our fictitious characters went through. We can go into the similarities between the horseman and the biker, but that can be for another time. Next is the Missouri River, and its famous breaks. Where in the early 1800s, the likes of Lewis and Clark as well as their expedition traveled along while assessing the Louisiana purchase before the masses of pale faces were to come and pervert the wide open spaces. The riding from the Missouri River crossing to our destination in Big Sky will be breathtaking. The rolling prairie and Big Sky start recede as mountains come into view. From Lewiston to Big Timber, you begin to realize why Montana got its name. Passing by the Crazy Mountains is breathtaking, personally one of my favorite mountain ranges. A mountain range rich with Crow Indian history and a vision by Chief Plenty Coups. Probably one of the longest stints of interstate on the entire trip, yet the views do not disappoint. The interstate at this point follows another of the great waters and tributaries of the Missouri, the Yellowstone River until you cross it at Livingston, MT. The last leg of the second day's journey follows one of the three tributaries that join to create the Missouri River; the Gallatin River. I have stayed at the Forest Service(FS) CG at Red Cliff before and this where the 2nd day ends. A total of 397 mi give or take.
Day 3: Beginning at the Red Cliff Campground we continue our travel south towards Yellowstone National Park(YNP). Most people already know this but YNP was the first in the nation and covers an area bigger than almost two states on the east coast. You’ll have to pay to enter into YNP. Upon entering YNP, you will skirt the second of the tributaries of the Missouri River. The third and final tributary is not included in this trip but it deserves the honorable mention. Three rivers join in Three Forks, MT; the Gallatin, the Madison, and the Jefferson Rivers, to create the Missouri River. Google Maps didn't allow me to put the route through the park at this time because it is closed but 191 travels directly through it. You will pass several geyser basins and skirt the might Yellowstone Lake. It is the largest lake above 7000 ft in elevation in North America. During this day, we will cross the continental divide into the Pacific basin. Random thought, I believe Led Zeppelin briefly mentions YNP in their "Immigrant Song" in the lyric, "where the hot springs flow", but interpret it as you will. Here in Wyoming and YNP the headwaters of the mighty Snake River begin. I have seen the Snake River where it was no wider than a creek and is included in the pictures attached. Coming down the divide you will exit YNP and enter Grand Teton National Park. The ride from Moran to Jackson is absolutely stunning. If you haven't seen the Tetons, put it on your bucket list. If you stop in Jackson for lunch be sure to find Pinky G’s Pizza, home of the cheapest pizza per slice and absolutely the best pizza around town. Turning slightly east at Hoback Junction heading towards Pinedale, WY, we depart the Snake River basin and travel into the Green River Basin which is a part of the headwaters of the Colorado River. Here you will be awe struck again by the beauty of the Wind River Mountains. There really isn't much to see between Farson, WY and Rock Springs, WY. Watch for the Antelope! In Rock Springs, a short stint of interstate and you’ll be back onto the 191. We’ll end our day near the Flaming Gorge Dam and Reservoir which is nestled in the foothills of the Uintah Mountains. I chose the Greendale CG, another FS CG. Total of approximately 413 miles.
Part Two coming not sure if I went over the word limit so as to why I posted this first portion.
In my previous post about my trip through Idaho and Montana, I had mentioned that I had a bad habit of spending time on google maps creating different routes through some country that looks like it is worth riding. We here is another trip. Haven't completed this one yet! I think maybe I will start making a series here and create some routes people may enjoy and try to make interesting reads. That way us northerners can really wallow in our PMS(Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) and cabin fever.
This trip is specific to HWY 191. HWY 191 spans +/-1700 mi from Canada to Mexico traversing, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Arizona. I would plan on starting in Montana and riding south. But it is Merica' and you can do whatever you please. I've broken it out into 7 days. First two days are longer days for me as I would be riding out of Wyoming north to reach Morgan, MT while days four through seven are easy 250-300 mi days. I chose campgrounds(CG) as places to spend the night and ending at what is apparently the historic Gadsden Hotel in Douglas, AZ as a treat. Let the daydream begin!
Day 1: Reaching the head of 191 in Morgan, MT. Take a gander at the US/Canada Border, maybe cross from french fries and gravy, maybe not.
Day 2: Begin traveling south from Morgan, MT to Big Sky, MT following 191. During this day, you will cross many "great waters". I say "great waters" as most of the water out here runs from our mountains and gives life to most of the great plains on this side of the continental divide. Thankfully you won't have to ford them as our cowboy counter parts did back in the late 1800's when settling the country. First river is the Milk River, if you're a fan of Lonesome Dove(book or movie) you'll geek out at the idea that our fictitious friends had taken a daunting journey all the way from the Rio Grande in Texas to the Milk River where Captain Woodrow F. Call was satisfied of their travels and set up shop there. This trip maybe reminiscent of such a trip yet hopefully it would be without the hardships our fictitious characters went through. We can go into the similarities between the horseman and the biker, but that can be for another time. Next is the Missouri River, and its famous breaks. Where in the early 1800s, the likes of Lewis and Clark as well as their expedition traveled along while assessing the Louisiana purchase before the masses of pale faces were to come and pervert the wide open spaces. The riding from the Missouri River crossing to our destination in Big Sky will be breathtaking. The rolling prairie and Big Sky start recede as mountains come into view. From Lewiston to Big Timber, you begin to realize why Montana got its name. Passing by the Crazy Mountains is breathtaking, personally one of my favorite mountain ranges. A mountain range rich with Crow Indian history and a vision by Chief Plenty Coups. Probably one of the longest stints of interstate on the entire trip, yet the views do not disappoint. The interstate at this point follows another of the great waters and tributaries of the Missouri, the Yellowstone River until you cross it at Livingston, MT. The last leg of the second day's journey follows one of the three tributaries that join to create the Missouri River; the Gallatin River. I have stayed at the Forest Service(FS) CG at Red Cliff before and this where the 2nd day ends. A total of 397 mi give or take.
Day 3: Beginning at the Red Cliff Campground we continue our travel south towards Yellowstone National Park(YNP). Most people already know this but YNP was the first in the nation and covers an area bigger than almost two states on the east coast. You’ll have to pay to enter into YNP. Upon entering YNP, you will skirt the second of the tributaries of the Missouri River. The third and final tributary is not included in this trip but it deserves the honorable mention. Three rivers join in Three Forks, MT; the Gallatin, the Madison, and the Jefferson Rivers, to create the Missouri River. Google Maps didn't allow me to put the route through the park at this time because it is closed but 191 travels directly through it. You will pass several geyser basins and skirt the might Yellowstone Lake. It is the largest lake above 7000 ft in elevation in North America. During this day, we will cross the continental divide into the Pacific basin. Random thought, I believe Led Zeppelin briefly mentions YNP in their "Immigrant Song" in the lyric, "where the hot springs flow", but interpret it as you will. Here in Wyoming and YNP the headwaters of the mighty Snake River begin. I have seen the Snake River where it was no wider than a creek and is included in the pictures attached. Coming down the divide you will exit YNP and enter Grand Teton National Park. The ride from Moran to Jackson is absolutely stunning. If you haven't seen the Tetons, put it on your bucket list. If you stop in Jackson for lunch be sure to find Pinky G’s Pizza, home of the cheapest pizza per slice and absolutely the best pizza around town. Turning slightly east at Hoback Junction heading towards Pinedale, WY, we depart the Snake River basin and travel into the Green River Basin which is a part of the headwaters of the Colorado River. Here you will be awe struck again by the beauty of the Wind River Mountains. There really isn't much to see between Farson, WY and Rock Springs, WY. Watch for the Antelope! In Rock Springs, a short stint of interstate and you’ll be back onto the 191. We’ll end our day near the Flaming Gorge Dam and Reservoir which is nestled in the foothills of the Uintah Mountains. I chose the Greendale CG, another FS CG. Total of approximately 413 miles.
Part Two coming not sure if I went over the word limit so as to why I posted this first portion.