Travel in the Absaroka, Beartooth, Pryor and Bighorn mountain ranges. According to Charles Kuralt, Beartooth Pass Highway is the most beautiful highway in the U.S. Although many cyclers agree with Mr. Kuralt, others think the views from the Chief Joseph Highway are the most spectacular of the trip. At the top of this road we can look down upon the twisting winding road with its numerous hairpin curves and stare in amazement at the road we have just conquered. Across the valley to the west the imposing but beautiful snow-capped Absaroka Mountains look close enough to reach out and touch. Still another group of bicyclers would argue that highway 14A along the crest of the Bighorn mountain range is even more awesome than the prior two highways. Highway 14A is considered by many highway design engineers to be the crown jewel of mountain highways in the United States. The modern design of this highway was derived from highway construction on the Swiss Alps. Moose, bear, eagle, elk, deer, wolf and wild horse are some of the more prominent wildlife visible on this trip.

We will spend our off-day in Cooke City, Montana, a very small town 3 miles outside the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park. Because of the lower traffic volume and the straightness and flatness of the road in this area of Yellowstone National Park, you may take an optional bike trip in the Lamar River valley on your own. This valley is famous for its bear and wolf sightings. This is a great opportunity to visit the oldest of national parks. Yellowstone National Park was established before the Battle of Little Big Horn (Custer's Last Stand).