10:40 a.m.
We drove up Shell Canyon from the west (which is also known as the Big Horn Scenic Byway), and I found myself a bit surprised. I'd first visited Shell Canyon in the Spring of 1970 when I accompanied a Grad Assistant that I was studying under on a trip to the Big Horn Basin. At that time my impression was of a steep road with tight hairpin turns paralleling a rushing stream. For a flatlander, the drive was a bit frightening.

But on this recent trip the highway seemed well constructed and seemed to ride high above the stream, which flowed far below. It's very likely that a new highway has been built in the intervening years, and much of the old narrow road has disappeared.

The canyon is still amazing in its size and geology, and there is a pull out (under construction on this recent visit) which provides great views of Shell Falls. In spite of the pull out being under construction, we parked at a smaller pull out just up the highway (to the east) and we walked back and broke the law by crossing the construction barriers (there were no workers present on our visit). We didn't venture down to the nearer observation platform, but we did take several nice photos from up above. Of course, we were not the only ones sneaking a peek.

The highway continues on up the spectacular canyon and eventually levels off in some wonderful alpine meadows. We continued on to Burgess Junction. See also our information on Shell Canyon.