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National Scenic Byways, Wyoming (View Photos):
Beartooth Highway : Length - 68 miles
The Beartooth Highway is arguably the most spectacular drive in America. This 68-mile odyssey travels up and down a system of paved switchbacks blasted out of the edges of the Beartooth Plateau. The Plateau is a gigantic slab of metamorphic rock shaped into its present form by glacial action over many centuries. At its highest point, the drive peaks out at 10,947 feet when it hits Beartooth Pass. Numerous glacial lakes dot the plateau. The western
end of the drive begins just outside Yellowstone National Park.
Vegetation near the higher elevations is extremely sparse and hardy due to the turbulent climate. Incredible views of
the Beartooth Plateau and the surrounding Rocky Mountains in Wyoming and Montana make it difficult to concentrate on
the road. Such views are commonplace along this wonderful drive. Notable points along the way include Beartooth Butte,
Twin Lakes, Vista Point, and the Pilot and Index Overlook. Hiking opportunities into pristine alpine backcountry are
legion.
Chief Joseph National Scenic Byway : Length - 47 miles
Located close to Yellowstone Park, the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway takes you on a kaleidoscopic journey through the alpine corridors of Shoshone National Forest. But it also serves another very important purpose: to showcase part of
the route along which the Nez Perce Indians took flight from pursuing American troops in one of the most dramatic episodes
in American history. In 1877 the outnumbered and outgunned Nez Perce Indians heroically and skillfully fended off a
well-equipped US military force in a series of running battles.
The US government had attempted to expel the Nez Perce from their tribal lands after orchestrating a fraudulently obtained treaty in 1863 which Chief Joseph's band refused to ratify. This set into motion the epic flight of the Nez Perce which lasted from June-October 1877 and spanned 1,170 miles.
The Nez Perce fell only 40 miles short of the Canadian border, where they would have found refuge from the attacking US army forces. But exhausted and at the end of their strength, they surrendered to the United States near the Bear Paw Mountains in present-day Montana. It was the last great battle between the United States government and an indigenous Indian Nation, coming one year after the famous Battle of the Little Big Horn. Interpretive historical panels along the scenic route recount much of this fascinating but tragic tale.
Big Horn Mountains National Scenic Byway : Length - 60 miles
This drive winds its way up the broad northern flank of the Big Horn Mountain range and reaches an elevation of 9,033
feet at Granite Pass. Starting from the town of Dayton, the route passes through the Tongue River valley and ascends the
mountains through thick pine forests. Eventually the drive reaches more level ground as it gently rolls past wide
subalpine meadows with fragmented patches of evergreen and aspen. Streams and lakes punctuate the expansive terrain.
A detour on US 14A at Burgess Junction leads to the Medicine Wheel, a historic and sacred Native American site where stones placed
on the ground in the shape of a large spoked wheel evoke a timeless symbol of Indian spirituality. This enigmatic place
of quiet reflection, located high up in the mountains, is a testament to the enduring culture of the Native
Americans of the West. Back on the main road, the scenic drive finishes up by descending into Shell Canyon where an
interpretive trail leads to the rim of a granite gorge overlooking a large waterfall.
North Fork of the Shoshone : Length - 52 miles
Travelling on US 14/16/20 from the town of Cody to the East entrance of Yellowstone National Park, this route offers a
smorgasbord of visual treats. In Cody, be sure to visit the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center, one of the largest museum complexes
in the American West. The cultural center consists of museums devoted to the Plains Indians, Western Art, and even
firearms. The extensive collections and historical displays are well worth your time. Heading west, the drive soon
reaches Shoshone Canyon where a large dam provides access to a platform from which to view the steep gorge and a
large reservoir.
Further along, the drive enters Shoshone National Forest and straddles the banks of the North Fork of the Shoshone river. The
river has carved a path through this region's dark volcanic rock, creating cliffs and tall, narrow rock formations. As you
approach Yellowstone Park, a comprehensive system of trails can be accessed directly off the scenic road. A world of
backcountry hiking adventures and wildlife viewing await you in the Washakie Wilderness Area to the south and the
North Absoraka Wilderness to the north. Or simply get out of your car and take a leisurely stroll along the Shoshone
river where you can dip your feet in the cold, crisp waters.
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Beartooth Pass, Beartooth Highway, (September 2006)
Beartooth Highway, (September 2006)
Twin Lakes, Beartooth Highway, (September 2006)
Alpine lake, Beartooth Highway, (September 2006)
Alpine lake, Beartooth Highway, (September 2006)
Beartooth Highway, (September 2006)
Beartooth Pass, Beartooth Highway, (September 2006)
Beartooth Highway, (September 2006)
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