Road Trip #6 Day 3 Medicine Wheel Passage and Shell Falls

September 4, 2011
Colorado, USA

Greybull, WY -- When we started this Labor Day weekend road trip, Alternate Highway 14 (between Lovell and junction of Hwy 14) otherwise known as the Medicine Wheel Passage is the road we intended to ride. We missed riding this scenic route last year on our way home from the Glacier National Park road trip because of severe storms.

We rolled out of Greybull after topping off the tank and stashing a few convenience store snacks and a thermos of hot coffee in the saddle bags. We travelled north on WY Hwy 310 across the Big Horn Basin and made a quick tour of the main drag in Lovell WY noting some interesting art deco architecture and a great patriotic mural in Veterans Park. Outside of Lovell, WY we rode east on Hwy 14 and traveled over an awesome bridge crossing Bighorn Lake. Keep in mind, we are easily entertained but we thought it was fun. Once across the bridge the road gained elevation fast via several switchbacks through what is known as the Big Horn Canyon. The payoff at the summit was a view of the Big Horn Basin from a vantage point of over 9000 feet in elevation. Our impression of this road was it was a great, easy ride with some kool switchbacks through alpine terrain but mostly we were thinking it was just too damn cold. High and cold. It crossed my sissy-mind at one point to break out the rain gear but the Texas-girl in me said tough it out. We did not stop at the Medicine Wheel this time as it sits a good way off the road and it is a walk-in from the parking area. Needless to say, we were not interested in an alpine hike this day.

Slide show Medicine Wheel Scenic Byway, Hwy Alt 14, WY (62 photos):

Medicine Wheel Highway

We were happy when we arrived at the junction of Alternate Highway 14 and Highway 14 which meant we could begin our descent to Greybull and hopefully warmer riding. We were soon upon Shell Falls and ready to stretch our legs. It was well past brunch-time so we took this opportunity to sample our convenience store donuts and thermos coffee.

Shell Falls is quite lovely and sits just off the road. The walk ways allow for great viewing and facilities include a gift shop and restrooms. The falls has about 120 foot drop. We took our time and enjoyed strolling in the sun and snapping a few pics.

Vik at Shell Falls, WY

Tim at Shell Falls, WY

The limestone formation known as Copman's Tomb

The drive through Shell Canyon was spectacular. We have driven this stretch of road before many years ago but as with most roads - it was far better on a motorcycle. The day was warm, the sun bright and rabbit brush was blooming in a riot of yellow alongside the road. The Precambrian granite/sandstone walls of the canyon loomed large as we rode along. From just about any point along the road a massive limestone promontory can be seen. It is known as Copman's Tomb. Legend has it that a young ranch hand named Copman once dreamed of building a glider which he thought to launch from that promontory. Copman, being well ahead of his time never realized the fruition of his ambition. Keeping faith with his dream he asked at the end of his days that his remains be flung from a glider near that point. This too, never happened but the formation became known as Copman's Tomb in local folklore.

Near the end of Shell Canyon, in a dusty little spot off the side of the road sits a hamburger joint and country store called Dirty Annies. We peeled out of our layers of clothing because it was now officially hot. Having decided yesterday we would not eat out in Greybull again Dirty Annies seemed like a fine alternative to PB&J. We found a small table in the cozy (ok maybe cramped is a better word) dining room and swatted at flies while we waited on a burger for Tim and a BLT for me. Our milk shakes (that's what they called them) were more like grainy malts. I asked for water and should have specified bottled water. Ack! Just an average meal, nothing fancy. I am smiling as I write this. The burger was ok, the BLT was ok. Notice the lack of caps in OK. I am glad I got chips with my sandwich and not fries and was happy to share what posed as an onion ring with Tim. I do not believe I have ever said or done such a thing in the past. It's not hard to ruin fries or onion rings I guess if they come from a freezer bag. Ha! Take note here - the meal at Dirty Annies trumped the meals of the two prior evenings - just barely. After our meal, we roamed through the country store part but there didn't appear to be anything we needed among the dusty, dated offerings. No, I am not complaining, just amused and not all that surprised - this is backwoods Wyoming after all. We enjoyed looking at the vintage sheep wagon on the property complete with cast iron stove and tried to imagine what it was like to lug or herd that thing over rough terrain.

On our way into Greybull we stopped at an antique store we had noticed was finally open. Here again, we didn't find anything we thought should come home with us but it was an interesting collection of mostly late 19th century - uh - junk. The owner was friendly and freely shared a few quirky Greybull tourist stories.

The motel was a welcome sight and we chatted with our host for a little while. He showed us their lovely private garden and we talked about our rides and thanked him for pointing us in the right direction. There are several more scenic points we will make a point to see next time we are up that way. We kicked back soon after with a couple of beers at the little table in front of our motel room until dark-thirty and talked about what we had seen along the 140 miles of road we traveled today.

Slide show of Shell Falls - Hwy 14, WY (71 photos):