Our rally point for this years Outlaws Run was Devils Tower, SD. A place I had never been, but always on the radar. Once, at Devils Tower we went for an easy hike. As we started the hike, a winter storm set in. We traveled through the Bear Lodge Mountains to get to Sundance, WY, where the weather for cast was calling for 5-8″ of snow. Sundance, WY being an important stop along the “Outlaw Trail” as that’s where the Sundance Kid got his moniker by spending some time in the local jail.
I’ve been planning this route for some time. My pal James got me this map back in 2014.
Making our way north from Denver through Wyoming. At times, we had 50 mph side winds.
First nights camp at Devils Tower. Playing around with the new Google Pixle 3xl phone.
First views of Devils Tower.
Matt Ralston, Daniel Linn and myself.
Devils Tower.
Morning coffee ( I don’t drink it)
Short hike around Devils Tower.
Shawn all excited since he never takes a selfie of himself.
Winter weather setting in.
The forests around Devils Tower were really cool.
Making our way into the Bearlodge MTS of WY.
Daniel Linn.
Daniel Linn and Shawn Cardianl.
Snow getting deeper as we make our way further into the Bearlodge Mts,
Love.
Pretty much blizzard conditions at the Warren Peak lookout.
Sundance, WY. A statue representing the Sundance Kid, and his time spent at the local jail.
The old bank building in Sundance, WY.
Framed picture of the “Sundance Kid”, Harry Longabough, in one of the bars in town.
While having lunch, with the snow blowing sideways, we opted for a hotel in Sundance. We headed back out to check out the night life. The original plan of bar hopping faded away once we got to our first bar, the “Turf Bar”. A pool table, local feel and a jukebox were all we needed to close the place down…
The next morning. We were a bit slow to getting up and moving.
Apparently the Black Hills like Halloween. Businesses dress up in Sundance, while Deadwood puts on an annual Halloween festival.
Matt getting frisky with the locals…
We stopped at the Crook County Museum in Sundance, WY. Lots of great stuff to see regarding the early days. This display, with the original furnishings, showed the “Sundance Kid”- Harry Longabough getting sentenced to jail. Rocky, the curator of the museum had a wealth of knowledge and even sent us to check out some new to me “Wild Bunch” locations.
Aladin, WY. Population: 15. We didn’t find genies lamp. But did get to check out this 125 year old General Store.
Making our way North to Colony, WY, via back roads from Sundance, WY.
Unfortunately, we had to turn around due to all the private land in the area. So, we headed East into Bella Fourche, then North and West to Colonly, WY via highway.
Still some great country!
Colony, WY. This building was once the bunkhouse for the 3B Ranch. The Sundance Kid spent some time here while working for the outfit. It now serves as the community center for Colony, WY. Est, 1958.
Bella Fourche, SD. A planned stop knowing that the foiled bank robbery by Kid Curry, Walt Puteney and Tom O’Day. Tom O”Day was sent to scout the are but instead got drunk at the local saloon. There is a plaque in town talking about the robbery. Spent a bit of time and felt like we were close, but was unable to locate (should have asked the locals at the Wells Fargo bank if they new anything….). Bella Fourche is also the Geographical Center of the US.
Evening along the Grand Canyon of Sand Creek, WY.
Camp for the night.
You ask your friends to stand still for one sec for a campfire pic and this is what you get….
Grilled fig newtons. Yeah.
End.