Hwy 16 through Bighorn NF

[TravelSolo]

That was an amazing drive in terms of views. So lush and green when I drove it 3 weeks ago. The creek at the bottom was roaring from the recent thunderstorms that hit the region.

But it was a steep drive on both ends and yet still totally worth it. Lots of areas without cell coverage. Lots of switchbacks and slow speeds. Some good pulls up and some good exhaust brake use going down (I went eastbound).

Not sure I would have wanted to do it in an underpowered rig though and given the turns and speeds, it felt like forever to get off the mountain.

[Tdave]

Yeah, even with a late model F450, pulling a 17k 5th wheel, traveling east to west, I couldn’t wait to get off the mountain.

Mixed 7% grade up and straight 18 miles of 7% grade down with 25mph switchbacks. 4000’ of elevation change. Not for the faint of heart (or truck) and I thanked my lucky stars for my engine brake on the descent.

Beautiful, but I didn’t have much time to appreciate the scenery.

And that’s the tamest of the three routes through the Bighorns!

[Cousin Ed]

We have done it with gas and diesel MHs and it's easier with a DP but totally doable with anything. Just keep your speed controlled and there won't be a problem.

[andy29847]

Best way to Cody from Custer. It is a longinsh climb and decent, but never excessivly steep. I was driving my 3500 diesel and pulling a 40" toyhauler. Ten sleep Canyon is on the west side and it is beautiful.







On the top!




Going Down








Lunch stop in Ten Sleep.

[StephenW]

We did 16 eastbound from Cody this past October and thought it was easier than Colorado Hwy 50 eastbound via Monarch Pass. Beautiful drive, light traffic and no problem for a V10 gasser towing a Taurus.

[twogypsies]

Hwy 16 is a beautiful drive and very doable. We think it's easy but then, we love driving CO550 from Durango to Ouray!

[Tonkexpress1]

Originally Posted by andy29847

Best way to Cody from Custer. It is a longinsh climb and decent, but never excessivly steep. I was driving my 3500 diesel and pulling a 40" toyhauler. Ten sleep Canyon is on the west side and it is beautiful.















On the top!









Going Down

















Lunch stop in Ten Sleep.

Loved the pictures— thanks

[yeloduster]

Wyoming is home. Because we had family in Gillette and Basin trips over Powder River Pass on US16 were common and normal. My first memory of going over Powder River Pass was in a 1948 Buick Roadmaster. We stopped at the top for pictures. See the attached picture of me and my older brother. Notice the snow in the background. I'm certain that this picture was taken during 4th of July week in 1954. I wonder how long it has been since there were snow banks at the top of Powder River Pass on the 4th of July!

The highway has been vastly improved since 1954! By comparison it is now a super highway. The old Buick (which wasn't terribly old at the time) needed to stop on the way up to cool down!

I still travel the pass frequently. It is the closest/best way from northeastern Wyoming to northwestern Wyoming. I've never found it to be much of a problem. It is just a long pull up and down.

I've driven that road in many different vehicles. One of the them was a 1988 Bounder with the Chevy P30 chassis towing a Buick on a tow dolly. We got to the top with a cool engine and to the bottom with cool brakes.