Shell Canyon on US-14 in Wyoming

Northern canyon wall in Shell Canyon as seen from US-14 below Shell Falls in Big Horn Mountains

This is a spectacular view from Shell Canyon in the Big Horn Mountains on US-14 east of Greybull, Wyoming. We were just below Shell Falls when Joyce took this picture.

Northern canyon wall in Shell Canyon as seen from US-14 below Shell Falls in Big Horn Mountains

This picture captures the breaking sedimentary layers. When the Big Horn Mountains were created during the Mountain Building process beginning around 70-million years ago. As the earth rose over 9,000-feet of sedimentary rock was lifted several thousand feet above the valley floor. The sloping sedimentary rock on the left side of this picture is falling into the Big Horn Basin around Greybull.

Canyon walls from inside Shell Canyon as viewed from US-14 in the Big Horn Mountains

You are able to get a sneak peak at the Big Horn Basin around Greybull, Wyoming in the distance. Shell Canyon, Shell Creek & Scenic US-14 is going to squeeze through that "V" you see in this picture. US-14 is going to fall like a rock to the basin below. It is going to be an exciting drive.

Northern canyon wall in Shell Canyon as seen from US-14 below Shell Falls in Big Horn Mountains

The diagonal line through the picture is an animal or cattle trail leading from the Big Horn Basin to the upper reaches of the Big Horn Mountains. Cattle, sheep and goats as well as elk, deer and other wildlife use that trail to move to the basin during the winter then use it to return to summer grazing areas in the spring.

Note US-14 far below us in this picture. US-14 is dropping on what I would estimate to be a 6% grade as we negotiate our way from the upper elevations of the Big Horn Mountains, to the Big Horn Basin around Shell and Greybull, Wyoming.

Canyon walls in Shell Canyon as seen from US-14 below Shell Falls and east of Greybull, Wyoming

Scenic US-14 is dropping into the Big Horn Basin as are the layers of of sedimentary rock in this image. When the Big Horn Mountains were created around 70-million years ago, around 9,000-feet of sedimentary rock was thrust several thousand feet upward from the Big Horn Basin. This is a view of that sedimentary rock as it rises from or falls into the Big Horn Basin west of us. Some to that sedimentary rock is angled at around 45-degrees. I would guess that US-14 is falling on a 6% grade as we drop from the upper elevations of the Big Horn Mountains into the Big Horn Basin around Shell & Greybull, Wyoming.

Exciting Scenic Drive Shell Canyon east of Greybull on US-14 below Shell Falls in Big Horn Mountains

It is indeed and exciting ride! The little town of Shell, Wyoming is 11 miles from the falls. The elevation at Shell Falls is 6,200-feet and the elevation in Shell is 4,219-feet. You are in low gear all the way. It's a beautiful drive and there are some pull outs along the way. We saw a lot of big fifth wheels going up the canyon but I don't recall seeing any coming down. As you can see from this picture there are some hairpin curves. By the way we were not in our RV !

Magnificent canyon wall in Shell Canyon as seen from US-14 around Shell Falls in Big Horn Mountains

Shell Canyon offers so many awesome views. It is a geological paradise!

Canyon wall in Shell Canyon as seen from US-14 east of Greybull in the Big Horn Mountains

Shell Canyon is what we call visual overload. It is a must see!

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