Hunter trailhead is 18 miles west of Buffalo on US 16, then 3 miles on Forest Road 19. Backpacking In Wyoming ~ The Cloud Peak Wilderness - Big Horn Mountains 3 days 2 nights. I apologize this reply is so delayed. There are herds of mountain sheep wandering around the Bighorns. There is a creek early on in the hike that is 12-14 feet across and stepping stones may or may not be available to keep your feet dry. Toying with the idea of a backpacking trip? The Bighorn Mountains have ample recreational opportunities including hiking, backpacking, OHV trails, and dispersed RV camping. Most of the hike is straight up. While you could trek all the way to the top of Cloud Peak, there are many other backpacking trips … There is no charge to leave your vehicle parked at the trailhead and no charge for entrance into the Bighorn National Forest. This was our first trip to this region and we are looking forward to returning. Fires above 9,200 feet are prohibited so carrying a chemical stove for cooking is necessary. Looking to venture outside of the Black Hills for hiking experience that you won’t forget? There are plenty of options to choose from whether you are interested in short day hikes or a full on, multi-day backpacking trip. If you want to hike in from Hunter Corral that is also a great hike BUT the roads are only good to Hunter Corral then you need a high clearance vehicle to get closer to the trailhead unless you want to park at Hunter Corral and hike another 3+ miles to a trailhead(#24 or #45). During the winter season when the boat transport is closed this route can be done by parking in the String Lake trail head parking lot and starting your journey there. Hiking should be enjoyable and not drudgery. There is a product link on the bottom of this page that will show you to these items, as well as other items that I packed with me on this trip. I visited Florence lake and the memorial sometime around 2016 or 2017, can’t remember. I have hiked the entire Solitude Trail many times, including Bomber and Cloud Peak, and my pack weight for the trip has never exceeded 30 pounds including food, water, fuel and luxuries like a camp chair and Kindle. The Trip. Also I cringe at a pack weight of over 30 pounds. Close Runners-Up: Almost any other trip in the Grand Canyon. Depending on the season, 60%-90% of the hiking will be in water up to shin deep. Join Active Pass to get Backpacker magazine, access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. It was 22.8 miles total hiking from the Tensleep Trailhead to the top of Bomber Mountain and back to the trailhead. Thank you, plate tectonics. My pack (70L), sleeping bag (0 degree) and one man tent weigh just over 6 pounds. Plan to hike Boomber mountain the end of August. From the lake to the summit, the hike is incredibly difficult. The Bighorn … There are many animals that may or may not be seen when hiking this trail. I believe there were ties for horses at the bottom as well. The route we took to get to the top began at the Tensleep Trailhead. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. The Trekkers have begun a tradition of camping in the Bighorns each Labor Day … For a weeks worth of hiking and enjoyment the lower weight makes it so much more worth while. The Bighorn Mountains are one of Wyoming's Best Kept Secrets By: Kyle Frost + Save to a List This range outside of Sheridan (and the Cloud Peak Wilderness within) hides a bevy incredible backpacking, lakes, and hardly any people. There is another route to Bomber Mountain that might be desirable from the Black hills. This hike takes place in an area of the Bighorns known as the Cloud Peak Wilderness. With all the choices in equipment these days Why burden your trip with excess weight? The Bighorn Crags of central Idaho are a fantastic backpacking destination located in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. 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 trail is dirt packed and strewn with pine needles and random tree droppings, such as pine cones and sticks. If you want a great map, stop in either Sheridan or Buffalo at the National Forest Ranger Station and buy a map of the Bighorns. There is also a steady increase in elevation up until Florence Lake. Catch the trail up the valley of West Tensleep Creek, past a string of gorgeous alpine lakes, and camp below Cloud Peak. I was wondering g where you camped the 2nd night. Backpacking in Death Valley National can be challenging, but the opportunities for experiencing solitude, sweeping vistas, dark night skies and awesome geology abound within the … When my hair began to rise and static electricity rattled my ice axe, I quickly figured out what was up. Get the most out of your visit to the Bighorns with FalconGuides Hiking Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains. This huge wilderness areas provides 189,000 acres of backpacking, sightseeing and hiking opportunities. The Bighorns National Forest is the sister range to the Rockies, and is made up of 189,000 acres of wilderness, and 1,500 miles of trails. Backpacking In the Bighorns – Hiking Bomber Mountain. Medicine Wheel Ranger District 95 Highway 16/20 … Located in north-central Wyoming, the Bighorn Mountain Range can be enjoyed by all ages. My only negative thought towards it is that its packed size is still about the size of a basketball, which is pretty big in the backpacking world. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Where: 390 miles (61/2 hours) north of Denver. Beaver Pond Nature Trail, 2.6 Miles Round Trip, Moderate; Bighorn Head Gate, 0.1 miles Round Trip, Easy; Three Mile Access, 2 Miles Round Trip, Easy; Lovell - South District. They are just mountains for horseback riding, camping, fishing, some ATV use outside the wilderness area and of course backpacking. The West Tensleep trailhead has the easiest trailhead access. I have a pretty good idea what i need but would be great to have a little extra input from someone who has already done it. Unfortunately, I ended up with a small blister at the end of the second day so I won’t make a recommendation on the shoes I was wearing. Make sure you know how to protect yourself and your campsite from any wildlife you may find in the area. To read the incredible story behind Bomber Mountain click here. Specifically, a hike up to the top of Bomber Mountain is an experience you won’t quickly forget. Big Horn National Park is a relatively close landmark that contains hundreds of miles of trails that can keep you entertained for a very long time. Access member exclusive content + more benefits →, Access member exclusive content + more benefits →, Member Trail Report: Emerald and Moon Lakes, Hike the Living Desert in Ironwood National Monument, Arizona. You should be able to see pieces of the plane reflecting in the sunlight when standing by the lake. Northern Bighorn … We stayed at Lake Marion both nights. This was my first multiple day backpacking trip… Take I90, heading west, from Spearfish, SD. I can’t imagine the hike being enjoyable at all carrying 50lbs. No very well known backpacking routes or climbs. That is starting from Hunters Corral, not far up the highway from Buffalo, WY. The first and third days were fairly easy to moderate hiking. There is a registration for anyone on the trails at the beginning of the hike that is mandatory. We were passing through on a long road trip and picked out a hike near Ten … I learned the hard way to keep one eye on the weather in this rugged, remote wilderness where storms brew quickly. Grab your pack, water bottle, and hiking shoes and enjoy all of the wonders the Forest has to offer via one of our spectacular hikes. Guests also enjoy hiking up to the Medicine Wheel along an amazing ridge top trail. Available … Where was that humming sound coming from? The Cloud Peak Wilderness Area is found within the Bighorn Mountains. Keep in mind the elevation also. Maps: Combine Cloud Peak Wilderness, #720 ($8.99, Trails Illustrated, 800-962-1643) with The Cloud Peak Wilderness Trail Guide ($14.95, Adventurous Traveler Bookstore, 800-282-3963). Thank you, plate tectonics. If it weren’t for marquee destinations like the Wind Rivers and the Tetons, the Bighorns would be Wyoming’s premiere hiking attraction. Bighorn National Forest 2013 Eastside 2nd Street Sheridan, WY 82801 307-674-2600. It is NOT a National Park. Your email address will not be published. Lower Bighorn Gorge is a popular backpacking destination and includes the wide open and gradually narrowing portion of canyon located between the mouth and the 4th Narrows. And quickly and slight right onto Forest Road 431. We walked around to the east side of the the mountain. We have … This is an unbelievable hike up into the base of the Grand Tetons via a boat ride across Jenny Lake. See my Custom Trip Planning page to learn how I can help you plan your Big Ditch backpacking trip. Hiking and camping opportunities abound in the Bighorns. A 42-mile loop from the east side of the wilderness showcases the Bighorns’ sheer mountain walls and crystal-clear lakes. Lastly, the temperature can get very cold up in the mountains at night. +1 for the less then 30lb pack. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. There are a couple man made wooden bridges and walk ways on this portion of the trail as well. This is a 13100 foot peak which can be scrambled-up on the SW ridge, … I’m taking a group of scouts up to Bomber in August and I think starting from Hunter. The best trek is a four-day, 35-mile traverse from Rock Creek trailhead (41 miles west of Laramie) to Lake Marie trailhead and 12,013-foot Medicine Bow Peak. We did a three day, two night, trip up to Bomber Mountain. I wrote about this trip in my feature story “Best of Yosemite, Part 2: Backpacking Remote Northern Yosemite.” You will find much more detail on planning this trip in my e-guide “The Prettiest, Uncrowded Backpacking Trip … Allow a full day of alpine excitement for the summit side trip. Camping in the Bighorns We try to camp in the Bighorns, in northeastern Wyoming, at least once a year! Summit Bomber Mountain and back to the top began at the trailhead and Park the waterfall, so prepared! 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