How to drive the steep Spirit Mountain Road to Cedar Mountain in Cody?
Cedar Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,405m (7,890ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the US state of Wyoming.
Where is Cedar Mountain?
The peak is located just west of the city of Cody, in the northern part of Wyoming.
Why is Cedar Mountain famous?
The summit is home to a white buffalo monument. Local legend claims this is the secret final resting place of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, despite his official grave being in Colorado.
How long is the road to Cedar Mountain?
The road to the summit is called Spirit Mountain Road. It starts from the paved US-16 and runs for 9.4 km (5.8 miles) to the summit.
Is the road to Cedar Mountain unpaved?
It is entirely unpaved, with loose gravel and dirt that is prone to washouts after rain. There are 15 sharp hairpin turns that require a short wheelbase or multi-point turns for larger vehicles. High-clearance is required. If the surface is wet, the dirt turns into a slick mud that makes the climb nearly impossible without 4WD. There are no guardrails on the switchbacks, and the drop-offs toward the Buffalo Bill Reservoir are direct. The road is narrow, often with no room to pass oncoming traffic. Watch out for sharp rocks embedded in the ruts that can puncture tire sidewalls.
How steep is the road to Cedar Mountain?
The track gains 849 meters of elevation in less than 10 kilometers. It is steep, with an average gradient of 9.03%. Some of the ramps between the 15 hairpins exceed 12%.
Pic: Jean Vincent