Cycling Hwy 14 East
This climb begins just south of the small northern Wyoming town of Dayton (2020 populaton 882) by riding south up Hwy 14 into the Bighorn Mountains and Bighorn National Forest (established 1897 by William McKinley; 1,17,571 acres).
The scenery along the first part of the climb is back to the north of the Northern Great Plains. We climb into the rugged and scenic Bighorn Mountains during this climb, peaking out at Cutler Hill, elevation 8,347’.
Enter the Bighorn National Forest at mile 5.5
There are many curves and a giant hairpin between miles 3.5 to 8.
Looking back at the Northern Great Plains at mile 9.8
Steamboat Point Trailhead at mile 9.8.
Although assigned the minimalist title “point”, this prominence merits the term “peak” as it rises 600’ above the surrounding area.
Brake check at mile 14 - a testament to the long and steep grade of this climb.
Signs are a testament to both Wyoming and the challenge of the climb.
Finish - thank you Bruce Hamilton (upper left) and Ron Hawks (upper right).
Summary by PJAMM’s Bruce Hamilton.
This climb starts in Dayton, WY – close to Sheridan. It’s fairly isolated in central Wyoming but we were not disappointed. There are often afternoon thunderstorms in this area and we got hammered on our descent. This could be avoided by starting early. This one is not brutal by PJAMM standards but there is a long stretch of 7-8% climbing with no break. Starts in high prairie and ends in forest. Nice rock formations along the way. Beautiful descent with smooth road that would be a blast in dry weather.