After perusing the topo map we decided to diverge from that plan and check out a few lakes off-trail. The Bighorn Mountains are a collection of peaks belonging to the Rocky Mountains. That turned out to be an excellent idea. Here is one of those epic mountains in Wyoming that earns its rank among some of the best. While Cloud Peak is not a technical climb, it is best suited for intermediate hikers with route-finding experience, as some sections do not have a trail. Thank you, plate tectonics. We were gone from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and we spent seven hours ascending and five hours descending. No visit to a lake this epic is complete without another alpine dip. By: Clear Creek just north of Buffalo, Wyoming along the Clear Creek Hiking . Located in north-central Wyoming, the Bighorn Mountain Range can be enjoyed by all ages. I didnt want to be rushed, so I opted to do the hike as a two-night backpacking trip via the West Tensleep Trailhead. Motorized watercraft are not allowed on Sibley, which ensures it is a quiet place to cast a line and catch brook, cutthroat and rainbow trout. Antelope Butte Ski Area offers downhill and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, fat biking and snowshoeing. A 42-mile loop from the east side of the wilderness showcases the Bighorns sheer mountain walls and crystal-clear lakes. At the Bighorn National Forest you'll find alpine lakes, glacial valleys, rugged mountains and a whopping 1,500 miles of trails ripe for exploring. How to hike Cloud Peak: Backpacking in the Bighorns - Travel Wyoming Another route starts at the Battle Park Trailhead, with approximately 6,000 total feet of gain over the course of a 24-mile loop. Hikers may see many species of wildlife including Big Horns (Wyoming) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor Start this mostly alpine loop from Hunter trailhead, then climb an off-trail route over Angeline Pass to Mirror Lake. Check out this short video from Leave No Trace with the full scoop on how to use one and how they work to neutralize human waste. This trail is 11.0 mi long with an elevation gain of 2,060 ft. The reservoir is located at altitude in the Bighorn Mountains, with the shortest access via unpaved Red Grade Road (State 26) just outside Big Horn, Wyoming. One way to enjoy the Bighorn Mountains is to take a scenic drive along the Big Horn Scenic Byway which follows Hwy 14. Forest. But it lifted me up in a way I simply cant explain. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Elisabeth Brentano is a writer and photographer based in California, but her passion for nature takes her all over the world to produce travel and environmental content. If you intend to hike into the Cloud Day hiking opportunities abound on the Bighorn National Forest. How many fishing trails are in Bighorn National Forest? Shell Falls is a beautiful cascading waterfall with a 120' plunge. Photo Galleries Index Page. Whether seen while seated in a comfortable car or while standing in sturdy hiking boots, these mountains offer views not to be missed. A handful of natural lakes and reservoirs are scattered throughout the Bighorn Mountains and Bighorn National Forest. Some of these include camping, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, skiing and picnicking. Views of canyons and mountains are accented by wildflowers and fishing streams along this scenic stretch, but it certainly isnt the only stunning drive through the mountains. Hunter trailhead is 18 miles west of Buffalo on US 16, then 3 miles on Forest Road 19. The highlight of a recent shoot in Wyoming was a trip to the Bighorn Mountains. Set aside five days, and you'll have time for side trips to Cloud Peak or the sheer cirque surrounding the Lost Twin Lakes. Our rough plan was to start at Coffeen Park, head over Geneva Pass and set up a base camp at Robin Lake in order to explore Sheepherders Basin. Sibley Lake is located off US Highway 14 in the Bighorn Mountains. The Bighorn mountains provide a stunning backdrop to all sorts of outdoor adventure, and they draw thousands of visitors every year. contacting the National Forest Offices listed below. Yingling, Owner/Webmaster of BighornMountains.Com, Return to The Bighorn Scenic Byway meets up with the Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway, which leads to the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark a sacred site for Native Americans. You may see bald eagles, woodpeckers, hawks, vultures, blue herons, cactus wrens, cardinals, quail, or thrashers. 7. These U.S. Forest Service regulations were established primarily to help prevent contamination of lakes and creeks in the Cloud Peak Wilderness, as the area has seen an increase in visitation over the years. Hiking could be the Bighorns middle name, with hiking trails around every twist and turn. distance. Here, rocks form a circle with spokes extending out from a central cairn. I barely had time to dive for cover below the 13,167-foot summit of Cloud Peak before the bomb dropped: Volleys of hail pelted my parka and thunder shook the mountain. Sibley Lake, right along US HWY 14 west of Dayton, Wyoming. And a good nap. For 27 miles along the spine of the Bighorn Mountain Range, the 189,039 acre Cloud Peak Wilderness preserves many sharp summits and towering sheer rock faces standing above glacier-carved, U-shaped valleys. There are some beautiful streams that flow through the Bighorn Mountains. Hikers may see many species of wildlife including Some years the snow doesnt melt in the Bighorns until July, which is great news for winter recreation lovers. Explore our perfect 5-day travel itinerary to plan your own epic adventure. This hike was the definition of humbling. Pictured is the 1.5-mile trail from the ranger station leading up to the Medicine Wheel. We set up our basecamp near Robin Lake, in a small rock outcropping that gave us great views of Black Tusk in the distance. A guide to the Killpecker Sand Dunes in Wyoming, Best Trail-to-Tavern Adventures in Wyoming, A Guide to Hiking With Your Dog in Wyoming, Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark. Additional information on hiking and 364 Bighorn Mountains Premium High Res Photos Browse 364 bighorn mountains stock photos and images available, or search for bighorn mountains wyoming to find more great stock photos and pictures. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Shell Creek Canyon and Shell Falls provides some of the most spectacular scenery in the Bighorn Mountains. Bighorn National Forest - Cloud Peak Wilderness - US Forest Service Please explore responsibly! I need to spend more time in Wyoming, and maybe next year Ill even tackle my first 14er. While in the area, be sure to keep an eye out for Wyoming wildlife like moose, bears and elk. The byway is a 58-mile paved road that stretches over the crest of the Bighorn Mountains. The Bighorn National Forest offers a wide variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, scenic driving and a number of historic sites. You can follow her at @elisabethontheroad on Instagram. distance. Within three minutes I threw on a puffy jacket and gloves, and after hanging out for another twenty minutes, we started the journey back down. When it Rains, it Pours in Colorados Elk Mountains, A National Park Ranger Reveals the Secrets of the Job. Cut right off-trail along the saddle. The endless green rolling hills and alpine meadows will leave you drooling. Resume the loop with a steep climb over Florence Pass before returning through the broad meadow of Soldier Park. After another 1,500 feet of gain over the next mile and a half, we were ready for a break and nearing the final ridge to the summit. There are 8 fishing trails in Bighorn National Forest. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. The trail has several rocky sections in the beginning that can be navigated with a truck or higher clearance car. I'll be honest, I had never even heard of this mountain range before chatting with the folks at Visit Sheridan. Bighorn National Forest - Hiking:Backpacking - US Forest Service except federal holidays, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. offices are open Monday through Friday, Forest Service and emergency officials in locating lost or injured personnel. The next morning, we took it pretty easy. For other epic mountains, check out These 8 Epic Mountains In Wyoming Will Drop Your Jaw. We stuffed our food waste in the bear can, cozied up under our sleeping bags and didnt bother setting an alarm. walking. How to Explore Northern Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains It took all day, and a few times I didnt know what was burning more, my lungs or my legs. The highest peaks within the Bighorns are located in Wyoming in the 1.12 106 -acre (4,500 km 2) Bighorn National Forest. The next morning I filled out a free, self-issued wilderness permit at the trailhead, and we were off. (Click on a thumbnail image to view a larger photo.). There are two main highways, US 14 in the north and US 16 in the south. COVID update: Bighorn Smokehouse - Temp. Mountain Resorts along U.S. Highway 16. These fishing trails have an average 4.4-star rating from 604 AllTrails community reviews. If you're looking for a beautiful hiking trail in Wyoming, you've . Get more stories delivered right to your email. Get ready for a bit of a backpacking adventure on this 10.3-mile loop trail that takes you to one of Wyoming's most stunning hidden treasures. The Tongue River (North & South) has black bullhead, brook and rainbow trout depending on which drainage you fish. Catch the trail up the valley of West Tensleep Creek, past a string of gorgeous alpine lakes, and camp below Cloud Peak. Bighorn Mountains - Wikipedia Care should be The next morning, it was (unfortunately)time to head back to town. This is the largest Medicine Wheel in North America. A 42-mile loop from the east side of the wilderness showcases the Bighorns' sheer mountain walls and crystal-clear lakes. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best trail to hike for fishing in Bighorn National Forest is. According to AllTrails.com, the longest fishing trail in Bighorn National Forest is. Cloud Peak Wilderness, at the glaciated core of the Bighorn Mountains, is filled with distractions: lakes brimming with gullible trout, long glacially carved valleys ideal for easy walking, and enough nontechnical routes up 12,000-foot peaks to satisfy any summit junkie. The Bighorn Mountain Range is about 150 miles long and 30 miles wideand endlessly amazing. Cloud Peak Summit via Battle Park Trailhead, Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway: Ten Sleep to Buffalo, Middle Cloud Peak Lake via Battle Park Trailhead. Ranger District campfires in the Bighorn National Forest and Cloud Peak Wilderness area. We have interpretive trails, some that overlook beautiful waterfalls. Natural lakes, including the Upper and Lower Medicine Lodge Lake and reservoirs like Sibley Lake, are excellent places to fish as well. Cloud Peak falls along the border between Johnson County and Big Horn County. A brief visit to Meadowlark Lake in the Big Horns (and much more) The driving approach definitely isn't easy, requiring true AWD or 4WD. It was typical mountain riding with switch backs, tight curves and sharp drop offs from the side of the road. Forest maps are available at most local sporting goods stores and through the The Bighorn Medicine Wheel is located in the Bighorn National Forest. If so, tell me about your adventures in the comments! A 58-mile stretch from Dayton to Shell on US-14, the byway takes viewers by Shell Falls, where 3,600 gallons of water per second plunge over the 120-foot falls. Registration assists We recently rode through the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. These trails intersect near Paint Rock Creek and share the same route to the summit, which is a little over three miles with 3,000 feet of gain. There are also over 200 lakes in the Enjoy Boating, swimming, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing and fishing. Or, Battle Park Trailhead, up and to the west skirting around the edge of Elk Mountain, which takes you down to Grace Lake, and then up and east to Solitude Lake, followed by an off-trail climb up cliffs to the Middle Cloud Peak Lake area. backpacking in the Bighorn Mountains and Bighorn National Forest can be obtained by right. Binoculars are also handy for viewing wildlife and scenery at a 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Bighorn National Forest - Fishing - US Forest Service Pucn, Chile is often touted as the adventure capital of the country - and after taking a look at all of the outdoor adventure possibilities it is easy to see why. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and moved camp closer to the waterfall at Paint Rock Creek, which shaved off some distance on our return. This scenic drive takes you past forests, meadows, canyons and waterfalls. Natural lakes, including the Upper and Lower Medicine Lodge Lake and reservoirs like Sibley Lake, are excellent places to fish as well. Maybelle Lake is a gorgeous secluded mountain lake in the Bighorn Mountains.