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Just wondering if anyone has any experience backpacking in the Cloud Peak Wilderness in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming?
We are looking for 35-40 mile loop if there is such a thing!
I have seen a few things on youtube and from a google search, but not enough to help me figure out anything definitive. I plan on ordering the Nat Geo map to at least get some more trail info.
thanks
I can't help you. (What else is new, hey? :eek:)
But, you can help me with a full trip report when you get back. ;)
Please?
The Bighorns are a big Black Hole in my Wyoming experience that needs filling.
Have a great trip! I bet MAGS knows.
Wayne
I can't help you. (What else is new, hey? :eek:)
But, you can help me with a full trip report when you get back. ;)
Please?
The Bighorns are a big Black Hole in my Wyoming experience that needs filling.
Have a great trip! I bet MAGS knows.
Wayne
Haha, Wayne! We have a few people in our group to convince to go there, but from what I hear, it's as beautiful as the Winds, but not as crowded...as if the Winds are crowded!
My ideal trip would be to go to Longmire Days in Buffalo, Wyoming (the real life version of the town that Longmire is set in), then immediately to the trail head a little west of there for a 5 day backpacking trip!
I am wondering if July 19 (the day next year's Longmire Days ends) is too early to go into the mountains. As you know, backpacking season there is only 6-8 weeks long! We had snow in the Winds last year in the last weekend in August.
The Bighorns are a big Black Hole in my Wyoming experience that needs filling.
Have a great trip! I bet MAGS knows.
Wayne
Mine too...which is why I am going there at the end of this month!
Mine too...which is why I am going there at the end of this month!
Awesome! I will eagerly await your blog for a trip report!
I have read stuff that indicates you may be able to hike to a place where a WWII era bomber crashed, bag the highest peak in Wyoming, and enjoy some great fishing, all on the same trip.
colorado_rob
08-03-2015, 17:39
Timely post as we were thinking of heading up there in a couple/few weeks, based on a recommendation of a guy we met hiking in the Snowy Range last weekend.... I was starting some research, and this is what I found in the Backpacker magazine web site; I'm not a member, so this is all I have so far:
"A 42-mile loop from the east side of the wilderness showcases the Bighorns’ sheer mountain walls and crystal-clear lakes. Set aside five days, and you’ll have time for side trips to Cloud Peak or the sheer cirque surrounding the Lost Twin Lakes. Start this mostly alpine loop from Hunter trailhead, then climb an off-trail route over Angeline Pass to Mirror Lake. Catch the trail up the valley of West Tensleep Creek, past a string of gorgeous alpine lakes, and camp below Cloud Peak. Allow a full day of alpine excitement for the summit side trip. Resume the loop with a steep climb over Florence Pass before returning through the broad meadow of Soldier Park. And take some advice from me: Get off the high peaks before noon. - See more at: http://www.backpacker.com/trips/wyoming/wyoming-best-of-the-bighorns/#sthash.829EQLHu.dpuf "
Here's the BP link where I found this:
http://www.backpacker.com/trips/wyoming/wyoming-best-of-the-bighorns/
Thanks, Rob. I saw that article too, and that's what gave me the idea. The problem is, he didn't give enough detail of the loop in his description...I suppose we could piece it together from the Nat Geo map though.
Was there a long time ago and there are some great trails up there to be hiked. A few of the things to make sure you see are Lake Solitude and then take teh scramble along the side of the lake and you can hit the trail up to the top of cloud peak. We spent about 10 days out on different trails and never saw another person the entire time.
http://www.amazon.com/Hiking-Wyomings-Wilderness-Regional-Series/dp/1560447257
good boook on the area but a liitle dated so verify distances with topo maps when planning your hikes
colorado_rob
08-03-2015, 17:56
Thanks, Rob. I saw that article too, and that's what gave me the idea. The problem is, he didn't give enough detail of the loop in his description...I suppose we could piece it together from the Nat Geo map though.That was exactly my plan, although I have a pal who's a member of BP magazine and could get more detail. I kinda like the idea of trying to piece it together, I'll work on it. We definitely will climb cloud Peak while up there too. here's the summitpost info on cloud peak, what is call an "ultra-prominent" peak (big vertical from surrounding terrain).
http://www.summitpost.org/cloud-peak/150249
Mine too...which is why I am going there at the end of this month!
I knew that you had mentioned the Bighorns. Have a safe, fun trip.
Standing by for the story.
Wayne
Sent from my AT100 using Tapatalk
Thanks, Rob. I saw that article too, and that's what gave me the idea. The problem is, he didn't give enough detail of the loop in his description...I suppose we could piece it together from the Nat Geo map though.
If you are going to be in Buffalo, stop by the Ranger station. They should be able to help.
Wayne
Sent from my AT100 using Tapatalk
Pringles
08-03-2015, 22:01
I live about 50 miles from the northern end of the Bighorns (moved here last year). There is a loop that I think is about 50 miles (I forget) called the Solitude Loop. There are a number of access point--the one I'm familiar with is to go west from Buffalo, on Highway 16. Turn onto Forest Service Road 27 and go up to West Tensleep Trailhead (there's a campground by the same name). If you do switchbacks down a red rock canyon, you've gone too far. Take trail 063 past Lake Helen and Lake Mary, to Mistomoon Lake. There, you itersect with the Solitude Trail. Go left or right. It's a loop. You will NOT find solitude on the Solitude Loop. A friend once commented to me that he would stare at maps during his midwestern winter. The Bighorns were the closest moutain range that had looooots of little brown lines tucked reaaaaaaally close together. So that's where he went, and so do lots of midwesterners. You will meet lots of boy scouts and some folks on horses, maybe an alpaca or llama or a goat. It's beautiful. Have fun.
Pringles
Pringles
08-03-2015, 22:48
Awesome! I will eagerly await your blog for a trip report!
I have read stuff that indicates you may be able to hike to a place where a WWII era bomber crashed, bag the highest peak in Wyoming, and enjoy some great fishing, all on the same trip.
That's called Bomber Mountain and it's near Florennce Pass. If you're coming up the trail as I described earlier, at Mistymoon Lake, turn right. :-)
1:24000 quads for the Bighorns.
http://data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/rastergateway/states-regions/grid_zoom.php?regionID=r2&gridSrc=44107
There's an app for that...
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/bighorn/maps-pubs/?cid=stelprdb5446491
Lists and more lists. Trails.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/bighorn/recreation/hiking/?recid=30352&actid=51
West Tensleep Lake Trailhead
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/bighorn/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=30656&actid=51
Enjoy!
Wayne
I live about 50 miles from the northern end of the Bighorns (moved here last year). There is a loop that I think is about 50 miles (I forget) called the Solitude Loop. There are a number of access point--the one I'm familiar with is to go west from Buffalo, on Highway 16. Turn onto Forest Service Road 27 and go up to West Tensleep Trailhead (there's a campground by the same name). If you do switchbacks down a red rock canyon, you've gone too far. Take trail 063 past Lake Helen and Lake Mary, to Mistomoon Lake. There, you itersect with the Solitude Trail. Go left or right. It's a loop. You will NOT find solitude on the Solitude Loop. A friend once commented to me that he would stare at maps during his midwestern winter. The Bighorns were the closest moutain range that had looooots of little brown lines tucked reaaaaaaally close together. So that's where he went, and so do lots of midwesterners. You will meet lots of boy scouts and some folks on horses, maybe an alpaca or llama or a goat. It's beautiful. Have fun.
Pringles
Thanks for all the detailed information. I will have a nice long time to get this trip together.
Would you think mid July to mid August would be a good time of year?
1:24000 quads for the Bighorns.
http://data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/rastergateway/states-regions/grid_zoom.php?regionID=r2&gridSrc=44107
There's an app for that...
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/bighorn/maps-pubs/?cid=stelprdb5446491
Lists and more lists. Trails.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/bighorn/recreation/hiking/?recid=30352&actid=51
West Tensleep Lake Trailhead
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/bighorn/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=30656&actid=51
Enjoy!
Wayne
Cool stuff, Wayne! Thanks for putting those links up.
colorado_rob
08-04-2015, 11:46
Thanks for all the detailed information. I will have a nice long time to get this trip together.
Would you think mid July to mid August would be a good time of year?My experience in WY is that it is very, very buggy until early August. Those with more experience in northern WY can dispute or elaborate; all my experience so far has been in the Snowy mtns (south) and the Winds (kinda mid-WY).
Besides the Big Horns, on the way back I want to checkout the Thunder Basin Grasslands (probably camp there one night) and go to Ft. Laramie.
I enjoy the wide open space of the High Plains and I have an affinity for history. Having seen Bents Fort, and the site/reproductions of the trading forts in between in Ft. Lupton, CO, Fort Laramie will be a logical place to see as well.
Nice maps that shows, partially, how it all connects together:
http://www.mman.us/FourFortsAlongSPlatte.htm
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~swansrooster/overthecherokeetrail.html
re: Insects
In my limited WYO experience vs my CO experience , that is what I found as well. I tend to love Fall in general....
Pringles
08-04-2015, 15:22
They're right about the bugs. They're some of the most abundant wildlife around. :-)
Namtrag,
You're welcome. Starting my Wyoming database. I would like to fill in several blank spots in Wyoming.
Wayne
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colorado_rob
08-05-2015, 09:05
They're right about the bugs. They're some of the most abundant wildlife around. :-) On our late-July trip to the Wind River range (to climb Gannett Peak, the high point in WY) we all brought and nearly constantly used head nets... though once above about 10,000 feet or so though the bugs disappeared. But down in the trees around the lakes the mosquitos were downright ferocious and no amount of deet would keep them away from our faces & ears.
On our late-July trip to the Wind River range (to climb Gannett Peak, the high point in WY) we all brought and nearly constantly used head nets... though once above about 10,000 feet or so though the bugs disappeared. But down in the trees around the lakes the mosquitos were downright ferocious and no amount of deet would keep them away from our faces & ears.
We went in late August last year, and were only bothered by mosquitoes one night, at Upper Jean Lake, way above the tree line.
This guy might be able to help you...if you've not been to backcountrypost.com it's a great forum.
http://backcountrypost.com/threads/cpw-15-a-couple-typical-weekends.4980/
This guy might be able to help you...if you've not been to backcountrypost.com it's a great forum.
http://backcountrypost.com/threads/cpw-15-a-couple-typical-weekends.4980/
Thanks for the great link! I searched on Cloud Peak wilderness in the site, and got lots more from him.
Thanks for the great link! I searched on Cloud Peak wilderness in the site, and got lots more from him.
No problem...that site is like backpacking porn for me...the quality of the photographers that post there is fantastic.
Pringles
08-06-2015, 08:22
Those are wonderful pictures. Porn indeed!
Pringles
lonehiker
08-11-2015, 00:04
I've hiked the Solitude Loop trail twice. The best resource is an out-of-print book by Bonney and Bonney (I think that is the spelling). It is mostly a climbing guide but has an excellent description of the 68 mile Solitude trail. If you cannot find a copy pm me and I will scan and e-mail them to you. I have also done what I call the Edelman loop which is around 30 miles or so. If you want more info pm me and I will actually dig out my notes and give more specific info. I am actually planning on doing the Solitude Loop in early Sep. If you do it that late make sure and monitor extended weather forecast. I haven't been to the wreckage on Bomber Man but believe that it is accessed by going up the mountain from the east side of Florence lake.
Pringles
08-11-2015, 00:08
I just got back from a short backpack and the mosquitos were not out, but neither were the flowers. It was sooo beautiful. Have a wonderful time!
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Paddlefoot
09-24-2015, 20:31
Maybe this is a dead thread - but my wife and two sons and myself did a 32 mile loop in the Cloud Peak wilderness back in mid-August and it was nearly a perfect trip.
We started at the trailhead by PaintRock Lake - the road going back in is pretty rough and about 25 miles - particularly a 3 mile unmaintained stretch over private land - but we did it in a Subaru Forester and talked to a USFS employee who drove it in a Ford Focus (slowly).
We camped at Tepee Pole Flats, Cliff Lake, Duncan Lake and Emerald Lake. We took a nice scramble up from Cliff Lake to Crater Lake, which is nestled in a beautiful little cirque and would have gone up to the upper lake if thunder hadn't started rumbling.
We met a few people on the trail, but had all the campsites to ourselves, and I don't think there was anyone in the entire Emerald Lake area, which was spectacular.
We exited at the Edelman trailhead and walked down the road to the car - which was only about a mile or so away.
We had been planning on the Winds (especially after buying that awesome book that Mags recommended) - but decided we wanted to do something a little less hardcore - and I was pleasantly blown away by the scenery in the Bighorns, especially at around 10,000 ft. Gorgeous.
We are definitely planning on going back someday.
fiddlehead
09-24-2015, 20:53
Please!
The AT is too crowded to do a thru-hike anymore.
The PCT is the same.
The CDT is becoming more and more crowded, but at least everyone goes a little bit different way. (I hope that continues)
So, there are a few trails out there that are little known.
Where this thread is talking about is one of them.
Do us a favor and don't post where you go.
Keep the best parts secret for the truly adventurous to go out and find for themselves.
Leave some things sacred.
Please!
Do us a favor and don't post where you go.
Keep the best parts secret for the truly adventurous to go out and find for themselves.
Leave some things sacred.
I've learned the hardway that the secret is not to post "bread crumbs". Saying where a place is is one thing. But unless you post maps, trailhead directions, resources needed, etc. most people are too lazy to Google the exact way to do something. No iPhone app? Less likely to be done. Put up a map set and PDF guidebook..watch out. :)
Paddlefoot
09-25-2015, 20:43
Please!
The AT is too crowded to do a thru-hike anymore.
The PCT is the same.
The CDT is becoming more and more crowded, but at least everyone goes a little bit different way. (I hope that continues)
So, there are a few trails out there that are little known.
Where this thread is talking about is one of them.
Do us a favor and don't post where you go.
Keep the best parts secret for the truly adventurous to go out and find for themselves.
Leave some things sacred.
Please!
Well, my apologies then.
I even e-mailed admin and asked them to delete my response.
I didn't think the Bighorns were all that secret. The Trails Illustrated maps showed plenty of areas marked as high use.
High use is relative. High use in the Bighorns might not be noticed in the Smokies. High use in July-August doesn't mean high use in May-June or September-October.
I love researching a good trip on my own.
Wayne
Sent from somewhere around here.
Paddlefoot
09-25-2015, 23:42
High use is relative. High use in the Bighorns might not be noticed in the Smokies. High use in July-August doesn't mean high use in May-June or September-October.
I love researching a good trip on my own.
Wayne
Sent from somewhere around here.
Yeah, I would like to thoroughly research routes too, but usually I don't have time. I have two jobs, so when I do get the time to head out with the family, I like to trust others recommendations.
The route I described is in the back of the Falcon Guide for the Cloud Peak Wilderness.
But apparently to some other posters, mentioning it online is sacreligious.
fiddlehead
09-25-2015, 23:51
But apparently to some other posters, mentioning it online is sacreligious.
Hey, I know I'm fighting a losing battle here.
I am not adverse to technology.
In the past, I hiked with maps and explored places that looked interesting.
I understand that now it's so much easier to use apps and gps etc.
There are a lot of little known, great hiking places in the world still.
Just not a lot of them in the lower 48.
I always felt the Bighorns were one of America's better kept secrets.
I won't mention the others.
But, I'm sure they'll show up here someday too.
We are all looking for the greatest hike, with the wilderness to ourselves.
I hope we can all find it.
I've been driving past the Bighorns & The Winds since forever. Way past time to get way back in them.
Thanks for the report.
I won't tell anyone.
Wayne
Sent from somewhere around here.
lonehiker
09-29-2015, 20:35
Maybe this is a dead thread - but my wife and two sons and myself did a 32 mile loop in the Cloud Peak wilderness back in mid-August and it was nearly a perfect trip.
We started at the trailhead by PaintRock Lake - the road going back in is pretty rough and about 25 miles - particularly a 3 mile unmaintained stretch over private land - but we did it in a Subaru Forester and talked to a USFS employee who drove it in a Ford Focus (slowly).
We camped at Tepee Pole Flats, Cliff Lake, Duncan Lake and Emerald Lake. We took a nice scramble up from Cliff Lake to Crater Lake, which is nestled in a beautiful little cirque and would have gone up to the upper lake if thunder hadn't started rumbling.
We met a few people on the trail, but had all the campsites to ourselves, and I don't think there was anyone in the entire Emerald Lake area, which was spectacular.
We exited at the Edelman trailhead and walked down the road to the car - which was only about a mile or so away.
We had been planning on the Winds (especially after buying that awesome book that Mags recommended) - but decided we wanted to do something a little less hardcore - and I was pleasantly blown away by the scenery in the Bighorns, especially at around 10,000 ft. Gorgeous.
We are definitely planning on going back someday.
In post #27 I mentioned this very hike. I referred to it as the Edelman loop. I went the opposite direction that you did and camped at different spots as well. It is an excellent little loop. There is a primitive route (off-trail basically) that you can take near Cliff lake all the way up and over to Spear Lake. Would recommend that you have good orienteering skills as this one is for the truly adventurous....