lakes in the bighorn mountains

hike. These trails intersect near Paint Rock Creek and share the same route to . We have interpretive trails, some that overlook beautiful waterfalls. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. 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. If so, tell me about your adventures in the comments! Named for the tallest mountain in the Bighorn National Forest - Cloud Peak at 13,167 feet - the area is blanketed in snow for a large part . Hikers and backpackers should also When my hair began to rise and static electricity rattled my ice axe, I quickly figured out what was up. and plenty of film. Post trip, I tried to count how many lakes we visited in three days/2 nightsI think it was 12 or 13. Forest Service and emergency officials in locating lost or injured personnel. The next morning, we took it pretty easy. You may also spot wildlife along the shore and up the sides of the mountains. Water levels vary with seasonal changes in rainfall and irragition use. A 42-mile loop from the east side of the wilderness showcases the Bighorns' sheer mountain walls and crystal-clear lakes. This sacred site is still frequently used for ceremonial purposes. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. After perusing the topo map we decided to diverge from that plan and check out a few lakes off-trail. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best trail to hike for fishing in Bighorn National Forest is Tongue River Canyon, which has a 4.7 star rating from 441 reviews. 4h 4m Great trail up to East Tensleep Lake. The Ranchester City Reservoir is located northwest of Sheridan, and offers ample recreational opportunities for families. Immerse yourself in the relaxing, picturesque, peaceful surroundings of Bighorn Lake, located roughly 50 miles west of Burgess Junction on scenic US Highway 14A. We took what I will call a very direct route here, which resulted in some fun, steep, scrambling. To reach this beautiful spot, there is a 1.6-mile hike from the Trail 79 trailhead. Set aside five days, and youll have time for side trips to Cloud Peak or the sheer cirque surrounding the Lost Twin Lakes. We set up our basecamp near Robin Lake, in a small rock outcropping that gave us great views of Black Tusk in the distance. The Bighorn Mountain Range is about 150 miles long and 30 miles wideand endlessly amazing. next to Ringbone Lake - along the trail from Circle Park Trailhead off of US HWY 16 West Lakes and some other areas are often rocky, so hikers are advised to use care when walking. Park Reservoir is stocked with brown, cutthroat and rainbow trout. 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. Additional information on hiking and Sunset was a treat. Have you hiked to Lake Helen, Bomber Mountain, Cloud Peak, the James T. Saban Lookout Tower, or Misty Moon Lake? Day hiking opportunities abound on the Bighorn National Forest. There are several steep rocky inclines that must be navigated, as well as several mud holes and a #4 - Cloud Peak Summit via Battle Park Trailhead, #5 - Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway: Ten Sleep to Buffalo, #6 - Middle Cloud Peak Lake via Battle Park Trailhead. The Bighorns are known for late afternoon thunderstorms and unpredictable weather; just two weeks before we visited in early September, Cloud Peak received nearly a foot of snow. Start this mostly alpine loop from Hunter trailhead, then climb an off-trail route over Angeline Pass to Mirror Lake. That turned out to be an excellent idea. It was nice to move a bit slower and not be worried about crack-of-dawn alarms or schedules. Bighorn sheep are the most common, but the area is also home to coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, and deer. And take some advice from me: Get off the high peaks before noon. obey all Forest Service fire restrictions and regulations when hiking in the National Sibley Lake Campground is located at Sibley Lake along the Bighorn Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14) near the Burgess Junction at an elevation of 7,900 feet. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, north of Lovell, Wyoming via Route 37: Lake DeSmet, just north of Buffalo, Wyoming along Interstate 90. A volunteer . The lake is at the base of Bighorn Peak. Bring binoculars. walking. This scenic drive takes you past forests, meadows, canyons and waterfalls. This trail is 11.0 mi long with an elevation gain of 2,060 ft. Conveniently located halfway between Mt. This trail is estimated to be 37.8 km long. Start this mostly alpine loop from Hunter trailhead, then climb an off-trail route over Angeline . Planning is important, but knowing your limits is equally crucial for safe and stress-free adventures in the backcountry. Most trails are well marked and it Clear Creek just north of Buffalo, Wyoming along the Clear Creek Hiking . is advisable to remain on the trails. In the age of social media where we're seemingly inundated with photos of the same hikes and lakes and mountain views over and over again, it's refreshing to find places that are still relatively unknown. We peeked over the edge on the east and marveled at the Cloud Peak Glacier below. My friend and I snagged a quiet campsite at nearly 9,000 feet, and I was grateful to have a night to acclimate to the elevation. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. 20 North Tisdale Avenue Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Meadowlark Lake at Big Horn I didnt want to be rushed, so I opted to do the hike as a two-night backpacking trip via the West Tensleep Trailhead. Become an ice climber for a day, or ply your fly fishing skills in a small mountain stream. You are visitor The Bighorn Mountains are a collection of peaks belonging to the Rocky Mountains. We had a final half-mile push with 600 feet of gain, and after a few minutes of mellow rock scrambling, we finally stood on the summit. The waters are fast so plan your strategy to catch the big one. You will find brook, brown, grayling, and rainbow trout in the Goose Creeks. contacting the National Forest Offices listed below. In addition to headlamps, snacks and layers, we carried Garmin InReach GPS devices, a portable power pack, a first aid kit and maps. Hikers may see many species of wildlife including At over 12,500 feet, this isnt the kind of place you want to make a mistake, especially if the weather isnt in your favor. Bighorn National Forest Length: 9.5 mi Est. Forest maps are available at most local sporting goods stores and through the Immerse yourself in the relaxing, picturesque, peaceful surroundings of Bighorn Lake, located roughly 50 miles west of Burgess Junction on scenic US Highway 14A. The Bighorn Mountains are a sister range of the Rocky Mountains extending approximately 200 miles. We recently rode through the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. #2 - Soldier's Park to Seven Brothers Lakes. The first is a former fire lookout station and the second was formerly a forest service guard station. Not only could we sleep in, but wed be able to watch the sunset near the top. Cold, clear mountain water rushes down the canyon from high in the Bighorns. After Crater Lake, we meandered back through the basin, eventually meeting up with the Cliff Lake Loop trail and followed that back to our camp at Robin Lake. Winter recreation Photo Credit: @lifeisaluckybag Some years the snow doesn't melt in the Bighorns until July, which is great news for winter recreation lovers. Explore the most popular fishing trails in Bighorn National Forest with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. 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. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. The trail has several rocky sections in the beginning that can be navigated with a truck or higher clearance car. 5 Days in Chile's Adventure Capital: The Perfect Pucn Travel Itinerary, Governor Dodge State Park- The Perfect Midwest Weekend Getaway, 14 Women-led outdoorsy brands I love or want to try. Kyle Frost Enjoy Boating, swimming, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing and fishing. With more than one million acres in the Bighorn National Forest, there is plenty of room to spread out and find a peaceful camping spot. When searching for backpacking trails, one kept popping up at the top of everyones list: Cloud Peak, the high point of the Bighorns. The highlight of a recent shoot in Wyoming was a trip to the Bighorn Mountains. Scenery is spectacular, so be sure to bring a camera Elizabeth Sampson is a Wyoming-based freelance writer who enjoys ambling through the wide-open spaces of the Equality State. Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park. Sign up for Outside+ today. 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. If you're looking for a beautiful hiking trail in Wyoming, you've . How many fishing trails are in Bighorn National Forest? Forest maps are available at most local sporting goods stores and through the They placed a buffalo skull in the center of the wheel as a prayer offering. I am a freelance writer who also has been a small business owner and worked in the fields of insurance, accounting, and education. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. and plenty of film. One of the most scenic trails in Wyoming, the hike to Lake Helen, is a bit of a hidden gem that's tucked away near the Cloud Peak Wilderness. The Bighorn National Forest and surrounding areas hold outstanding fishing opportunities, whether it be along quiet mountain streams, wading rivers or boating and float tubing on reservoirs or high mountain lakes. Natural lakes, including the Upper and Lower Medicine Lodge Lake and reservoirs like Sibley Lake, are excellent places to fish as well. The park's runner-up is Cloud Peak Summit via Battle Park Trailhead, which will get you 1,865 m of elevation gain. The Medicine Wheel was used by the Crow youth for fasting and visions. You can find several large boulders that will fit a tent, however. 7. The West Tensleep Lake Campground is half a mile from the trailhead, and 40 free, numbered, dispersed campsites sit along the road to the trailhead. National Forest Service. You can follow her at @elisabethontheroad on Instagram. Here is one of those epic mountains in Wyoming that earns its rank among some of the best. Search and Rescue teams will certainly thank you for it, too. When we arrived back at a familiar tarn, we refilled our water and took a quick dinner break, and within an hour we were at camp. Some of these include camping, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, skiing and picnicking. Campers get to enjoy the Bighorns from the ground up especially if they are tent camping. The highlight of a recent shoot in Wyoming was a trip to the Bighorn Mountains. Registration assists Expect to encounter vast boulder fields. If we hadnt stopped to take photos, we could have done it in 11 hours, but either way, Cloud Peak is an all-day adventure. inal plan was to start the trek to Cloud Peak around 5 a.m., with 1 p.m. as our turnaround time. is advisable to remain on the trails. campfires in the Bighorn National Forest and Cloud Peak Wilderness area. It's about an hour and a half on dirt roads from Sheridan, and you don't want to be walking the extra mileage to the trailhead. This is most likely an adult ewe. The waters of the Bighorns provide the habitat for a quality fishing experience. Follow FR 391 as far as you feel you can go. A bighorn sheep atop a mountain cliff in the Angeles National Forest near the "Bridge To Nowhere" and near the East Fork of the San Gabriel River. Where is the best trail to hike for fishing in Bighorn National Forest? Travelers hunting for breathtaking panoramic views will find them in the Bighorns, and several of the most beautiful vistas can easily be enjoyed on the Bighorn Scenic Byway. Antelope Butte Ski Area offers downhill and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, fat biking and snowshoeing. Bring your waders or sit on shore. I'll be honest, I had never even heard of this mountain range before chatting with the folks at Visit Sheridan. For other epic mountains, check out These 8 Epic Mountains In Wyoming Will Drop Your Jaw. Big Horn Mountain Stream. Enjoy Boating, swimming, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing and fishing. While in the area, be sure to keep an eye out for Wyoming wildlife like moose, bears and elk. I was pleased to see plenty of signage reminding hikers to camp at least 100 feet from water sources, and to bring Waste Alleviation and Gelling (WAG) bags or portable toilets for human waste. Walk to the TH on FR 391 and the follow Trail 088/Angeline Trail until you reach 10,100 feet. Please explore responsibly! 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. Long Lake, There are also over 200 lakes in the Big Horn Mountains such as Willow Lake pictured above and Romeo Lake pictured at the right. To the west, the mountain layers glowed under the low sun and seemed to go on forever. COVID update: Bighorn Smokehouse - Temp. Sheridan serves as the epicenter of festivals and events in Northern Wyoming. Manual registration boxes are provided at trailhead locations. There are particular regulations regarding the use of motorized vehicles and I Tried to Sew My Own Ultralight Tent. I chose to do it in two nights and three days because I wanted to appreciate the stunning alpine scenery, but mostly because I didnt want to hike 7.5 miles with an overnight pack immediately after summiting Cloud Peak. Page. Whether visitors want to strap on downhill skis and hit the slopes or tromp through the snow on snowshoes, the Bighorns are the place to get it done. The byway is a 58-mile paved road that stretches over the crest of the Bighorn Mountains. According to AllTrails.com, the longest fishing trail in Bighorn National Forest is. Bighorn National Forest 2013 Eastside 2nd St. Sheridan, WY 82801 307-674-2600 With sincere appreciation for the technical advice of the . Named for the tallest mountain in the Bighorn National Forest - Cloud Peak at 13,167 feet - the area is blanketed in snow for a large part . Upper and Lower Medicine Lodge, Upper and Lower Paint, Sibley and Meadowlark . Trump is trying to stop Pence from testifying before grand jury, Statin alternative? A wealth of more, A great place to begin your trip to Sheridan is at our community calendar; from more, Interactive Map Explore the Sheridan region in more detail with our interactive activities map. Peak Wilderness Area, you are required to register at the trailhead before you begin your General Route: Battle Park Trailhead, Trail 164, Trail 38, off-trail, then back. Montana regulations for boating, camping and fishing apply. The highest peaks within the Bighorns are located in Wyoming in the 1.12 106 -acre (4,500 km 2) Bighorn National Forest. Meadowlark Ski Lodge near Ten Sleep is another downhill skiing and snowboarding location, complete with a lodge with a restaurant. Find more information on how to be safe around wildlife through this article. Trail, topographic and National No open areas for tents exist around Lower or Upper Frozen Lakes. Bighorn Mountains Region Lakes & Streams We got up with the sun and warmth to get coffee started and then took on the day from there. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Cut right off-trail along the saddle. I need to spend more time in Wyoming, and maybe next year Ill even tackle my first 14er. 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. deer, moose and elk as well as numerous small species of animals and birds. Romeo Lake BIGHORNMOUNTAINS.COM, LLC 20 North Tisdale Avenue Wyoming. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Nordic skiers will find miles of groomed trails, including the 15 miles of trails and a warming hut along Sibley Lake Trail. Lakes and some other areas are often rocky, so hikers are advised to use care when walking. of Buffalo, Wyoming. Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway: Ten Sleep to Buffalo boasts the most elevation gain for fishing trails with 2,201 m of total ascent. By: 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. Big Horn Mountains and Bighorn National Forest Wyoming information - BigHornMountains.Com Welcome to BIGHORNMOUNTAINS.COM .your best information source for northern Wyoming's beautiful Big Horn Mountains and Bighorn National Forest! There are some beautiful streams that flow through the Bighorn Mountains. Pictured is the 1.5-mile trail from the ranger station leading up to the Medicine Wheel. Romeo Lake BIGHORNMOUNTAINS.COM, LLC 20 North Tisdale Avenue Take our news quiz. Winter ice fishing around Horseshoe Bend is excellent. It is named for the Bighorn River whose headwaters rise within Forest boundaries. Yingling, Owner/Webmaster of BighornMountains.Com, Return to Sibley Lake is located off US Highway 14 in the Bighorn Mountains. And a good nap. The Bighorn Medicine Wheel is located in the Bighorn National Forest. 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. The Bighorn Mountains are one of Wyoming's Best Kept Secrets. Beautiful Piney Creek flows out of the Bighorn Mountains near Story. Anglers can be seen fly fishing in the big rivers and small streams in the area. Sherd lake - along the trail Hiking and climbing in the canyon are spectacular year-round, while the fishing is always good. As I sat down to photograph the alpenglow on the face of Cloud Peak, it finally registered: I just hiked that, and thats the highest peak Ive ever done. walking. The trail has several rocky sections in the beginning that can be navigated with a truck or higher clearance car. right. Bighorn Canyon National Fish, swim, kayak, paddleboard or simply unwind on the banks and enjoy a picnic lunch. Visitors experience a diverse landscape - from grasslands to alpine meadows, clear lakes to glacial carved valleys and rolling hills to sheer mountain cliffs. exercised when viewing unpredictable animals such as moose. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ Frequently asked questions about fishing trails in Bighorn National Forest. There are particular regulations regarding the use of motorized vehicles and Care should be Taxpayers saved big bucks during the COVID-19 pandemic when congressional travel was halted, but your representatives are jet-setting again. Set aside five days, and you'll have time for side trips to Cloud Peak or the sheer cirque surrounding the Lost Twin Lakes. Hunter trailhead is 18 miles west of Buffalo on US 16, then 3 miles on Forest Road 19. Bempedoic acid just passed a key test, Patrick Mahomes' brother accused of assault by restaurant owner, waiter, See the most outrageous Oscar looks of all time, Florida school assault: Defense says teen not competent for trial. Bighorn National Forest - Hiking:Backpacking Backpacking From crystal clear high mountain lakes to valley floors covered in wildflowers, backpackers can enjoy the Bighorn National Forest from the many trails the Forest has to offer. What happened this week? The Bighorn mountains provide a stunning backdrop to all sorts of outdoor adventure, and they draw thousands of visitors every year. The endless green rolling hills and alpine meadows will leave you drooling. At 13,167 feet, this summit would be a high point for me, too. If you intend to hike into the Cloud If you prefer accommodations with more amenities, local mountain lodges offer excursions like horseback riding, canoeing, fishing and skiing with a resort feel. The lake is at the base of Bighorn Peak. They extend out of south-central Montana near Big Sky before rising high up into the plains and stretching beyond them. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best trail to hike for backpacking in Bighorn National Forest is Mirror Lake and Lost Twin Lakes Trail, which has a 4.8 star rating from 262 reviews. Care should be Yep, us too. Binoculars are also handy for viewing wildlife and scenery at a Once you get to the turn where the trail changes from a general NE direction to the NNW up to the lake, a high clearance vehicle with 4 wheel drive is going to be a must. offices are open Monday through Friday, From RainbowLake, we picked our way down into the basin to Lake Elsa, where we ate lunch, and eventually up to Lower Crater Lake. Catch crappie, walleye, and northern pike. Rough it in U.S. Forest Service-owned lodging like Sheep Mountain Lookout or the Muddy Guard Cabin. Congress racks up travel bills on your dime. We used the Gaia iPhone app to navigate and track our route, saving our Garmin for weather updates. It took all day, and a few times I didnt know what was burning more, my lungs or my legs. Additional information on hiking and Bighorn National Forest Trail, topographic and National I enjoy spending time with family, reading, writing, photography, music, running, sports, and of course traveling! Forest Orders Special Places Alerts and Notices Yes, there's a significant climb between Ten Sleep and Meadowlark Lake! Allow a full day of alpine excitement for the summit side trip. Most trails are well marked and it Meadowlark Lake at Big Horn Mountain Resorts along U.S. Highway 16. Peak Wilderness Area, you are required to register at the trailhead before you begin your This lake is named after a Belgian priest, Father DeSmet, who came to Wyoming in 1840 as a missionary to the Flathead Indians. There are also over 200 lakes in the except federal holidays, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Ranger District + Save to a List. Maybelle Lake is a gorgeous secluded mountain lake in the Bighorn Mountains. Bass, crappie, catfish, and other warm water species inhabit lakes at lower elevations, generally off-Forest. Most lakes and streams deer, moose and elk as well as numerous small species of animals and birds. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. One underrated trail in the Bighorn Mountains will take you to one of the most peaceful, serene spots in the entire state - the Lost Twin Lakes. This is the largest Medicine Wheel in North America. Here, rocks form a circle with spokes extending out from a central cairn. Maybelle Lake is a gorgeous secluded mountain lake in the Bighorn Mountains. Customize more, 2023 Sheridan Travel Tourism, All Rights Reserved, Death in the Mountains: Ernest Hemingways Wyoming, Legends of the West: A Double Rafter Cattle Drive. Shell Creek Canyon and Shell Falls provides some of the most spectacular scenery in the Bighorn Mountains. But it lifted me up in a way I simply cant explain. Hike up Piney Creek Trail and make a day of fly fishing. - Backpacking Trips & Guides, Important Information for Hikers & Backpackers, https://www.facebook.com/offthegridoutdoorsllc. Isolated in northern Wyoming, it's a remote wilderness chock full of adventureand nearly empty. Flickr/Kent Landerholm. Catch the trail up the valley of West Tensleep Creek, past a string of gorgeous alpine lakes, and camp below Cloud Peak. A 42-mile loop from the east side of the wilderness showcases the Bighorns sheer mountain walls and crystal-clear lakes. Natural lakes, including the Upper and Lower Medicine Lodge Lake and reservoirs like Sibley Lake, are excellent places to fish as well. The new Cloud Peak Summit via Battle Park Trailhead, Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway: Ten Sleep to Buffalo, Middle Cloud Peak Lake via Battle Park Trailhead. hike. The Bighorn Mountains offer so many recreational opportunities. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best trail to hike for fishing in Bighorn National Forest is. Wyoming is fortunate to be home to so many breathtaking mountains. Grab your pack, water bottle and hiking shoes and enjoy one of these fantastic trails: Alden Creek Trail - #072 Antler Creek Trail - #110 Bear Gulch Trail - #020 Big Goose Canyon Trail - #017 Big Goose Cutoff Trail - #111 Bighorn Reservoir Trail - #625 Bishop Mine Trail - #624 CLOSED "They recently revamped Snow Summit since my last visit during Thanksgiving and that includes this medium sized BBQ stand near the ski school information booth. 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. 1999 BighornMountains.Com, LLC. Big Horn Mountains such as Willow Lake pictured above and Romeo Lake pictured at the Trail Info: Buffalo Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest, (307) 684-1100. Too often, I spend my time in the backcountry moving fast, never stopping for long. Get more stories delivered right to your email. After seven miles and about 1,150 feet of gain, we arrived at Mistymoon Lake, and our quest to find a campsite was interrupted by a bull moose sighting. One way to enjoy the Bighorn Mountains is to take a scenic drive along the Big Horn Scenic Byway which follows Hwy 14. A trail report covering the 23-mile trek to Cloud Peak, with travel tips for hikers and notes on responsible recreation. Great trail up to East Tensleep Lake. It is located on the east end of the Bighorns and is the largest lake in the Sheridan area. You can track the climb in elevation as the temperature drops about 25 degrees . A handful of natural lakes and reservoirs are scattered throughout the Bighorn Mountains and Bighorn National Forest. campfires in the Bighorn National Forest and Cloud Peak Wilderness area. We navigated one of several goat trails around the waterfall, and from there we followed a more visible path for a mile, marked by the occasional cairn. Why this ax murder case fascinates, Weather: 10+ reported dead; millions warned of winter weather, Watch Jake Gyllenhaal's viral weigh-in, fight at UFC 285 for 'Road House', Woman in Washington state claims $754.6 million Powerball jackpot, Cultures come together in joyous wedding dance, How Disney World, Disneyland made 'it's a small world' more inclusive, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Finally, I had a partner I could trust, so I felt comfortable abandoning the alpine start and turning our summit bid into a sunset hike. There are two main highways, US 14 in the north and US 16 in the south. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. - Backpacking Trips & Guides, Important Information for Hikers & Backpackers, https://www.facebook.com/offthegridoutdoorsllc. Almost as soon as you crest the pass you get a great view of Black Tusk and a few lakes below. The Tongue River (North & South) has black bullhead, brook and rainbow trout depending on which drainage you fish. You may see bald eagles, woodpeckers, hawks, vultures, blue herons, cactus wrens, cardinals, quail, or thrashers. Come out and enjoy the myriad recreational opportunities, including boating, paddle boarding, kayaking, wildlife spotting, fishing, and more. I learned the hard way to keep one eye on the weather in this rugged, remote wilderness where storms brew quickly. No visit to a lake this epic is complete without another alpine dip. 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. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and moved camp closer to the waterfall at Paint Rock Creek, which shaved off some distance on our return. The driving approach definitely isn't easy, requiring true AWD or 4WD. Here are just a few things you can do in the Bighorns.

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