Bighorn Canyon WY
 

Driving west from Rapid City to Cody on 28th of this month, we would like to spend a little time seeing some of Bighorn Canyon, with maybe a short, not too strenuous hike. Can anyone suggest must see/must do ideas within this framework, please?
The official website lists trails but not mileages. I accept that weather conditions will play an important role, but if you know the southern NP well, we would appreciate your advice.

http://www.bighornmountains.com/

It's been a few years since we have been to the Bighorns (they are absolutely beautiful), I don't know much about hiking but I will do more checking for you. The weather will still be cool, so be prepared. If you are from Rapid, you probably know how our weather changes so fast! LOL

I'm hoping this website will give you some ideas. Are you planning on staying in Cody? They have some nice places to stay.

Good Luck!!!

I apologize, I didn't know there was a Big Horn Canyon too. Most of us who live in Wyoming just call the whole area "Bighorns"...You have me interested in this now, I will do more looking.

Thanks tgbwc. Actually we are from the UK, flying into MSP and this is just a fragment of our trip. We did a similar trip in September/October last year [see the report under my name] and were so thrilled that we just have to return to see what spring is like.

I have since discovered that some of Bighorn Canyons trails do have mileages on the website. What is now worrying me is road closures. WYOROADS tells me that WY14 & 14A are still closed for winter, but the tourist office says they opened earlier this month. What's your take?

Thanks for any help & ideas. Yes, Cody is booked. We stayed there before and thought it worth another visit.

Well, I would keep checking www.wyoroad.info and see about the road closures, they have a pretty good map. Today it's snowing in Casper, but the roads aren't closed here. This morning 14A is closed, but 14 is open. I am betting they will both be open early next week, as the weather forecast is much nicer. One thing, the snow melts fast this time of the year! :-)

There is pretty much only one road you need to worry about, it's near Hoback Junction. That is pretty far from where you are. They had a mudslide, but there are alternative routes.

Thanks again tgbwc. We'll keep our fingers crossed!

The weather forecase for latter part of next week looks good! Please remember, the Wyoming Highway Department does an EXCELLENT job keeping the roads plowed. This time of the year the snow melts so fast, I seriously doubt any roads will be closed to the snow.
Have a Great Trip!!!

I'll let you know how we got on. Thanks again

Roger, be sure to check the wyoming road website I gave you. There is flooding around parts of the state, but there will be alternative routes. The snowpack from the Rocky Mountains is just starting, the rivers are pretty full.
Remember if one thing doesn't work out with your plans, there will always be plenty of other things to do!!! :-)

Thanks. We'll proceed with caution, being much too old to risk white water rafting in a rental Focus!

The Bighorn Medicine Wheel on Highway 14A is a very neat thing to see. It's a large Native American pattern of stones. Do a search for a description and pictures. If you can get there, it is very worth your time.

Here is the Wyoming Tourism website with information about the Medicine Wheel:

http://www.wyomingtourism.org/overvi...ric-Site/32331

Well, the bad news is that the road between Burgess Junction & Lovell was still blocked today, so visiting Bighorn Canyon & the Medicine Wheel en route from Rapid City to Cody was out of the question. Maybe we will get there on our return leg.

The good news is that we were able to come off I90 @ Buffalo and take 16 via Worland & Greybull. The Scenic Byway between Buffalo and Ten Sleep is spectacular. Snow covered slopes, steep inclines with wonderful views, a great alternative to Alt14.

There is a short stretch of road work after Ten Sleep that might have been less appealing in the wet, but we were fortunate to find it dry and surprisingly quiet on this holiday weekend.

Thanks to you both for your help & suggestions which are "On file" for a later opportunity.