We're settled for a month in Buffalo, WY, just a few miles East of the Bighorn Mountain Range, allowing us to easily escape the summer heat and immerse ourselves in the wilderness. With temps in Buffalo hitting the high 80's and low 90's we intend to spend a good deal of time in these mountains!
The Bighorn Mountain Range is a spur from the Rocky Mountains and is about 200 miles in length with two peaks at just over 13,000 feet and a dozen more over 12,000 feet.
Cloud Peak Wilderness protects the center of the range and is surrounded by the
Bighorn National Forest, both of these areas provide miles of hiking and fishing opportunities.
Our first hike in the Wilderness was a doozy: 9.5 mile Sherd Lake Loop took us through dense, healthy lodgepole pine forest, past numerous lakes and glacial ponds, across several crystal clear creeks and offered up views of 11,000 foot peaks and a couple of moose to top off a wonderful day on the trail. We ended up hiking about 11.5 miles due to losing the trail at one point, so we were glad we had purchased the NatGeo Cloud Peak Wilderness trail map to get us back on track!
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Our first good view of the Bighorn Range as we drove to our trailhead. These Wyoming cows have it made!
The peaks viewable from here top out at about 11,000 feet so there is very little snow left on them. |
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The first couple of miles of trail climbed gently through thick lodgepole forest
so we were happy to break out of the trees to this beautiful glacial pond with an active beaver lodge. |
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| I think this was at Sherd Lake. |
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| Peek-a-boo frog! |
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| Yet another pretty lake...I don't think it's possible to get tired of pretty subalpine settings! |
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The ranger had told us to be prepared for stream crossings so we packed our Tevas,
but we were able to find a dry way across all four large stream crossings on this hike. |
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As the trail ascended, the sections of exposed glacial rock grew more frequent
giving us a break from the forest but adding rocks to the trail! |
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This scene was the highlight of our day.
We had a fabulous view of the peaks, fluffy clouds, a beautiful meadow and crystal clear Clear Creek
studded with boulders, AND a pair of moose...the two tiny brown specks on the left side of the meadow... |
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| We were fortunate to watch this pair for several minutes before they ambled off into the forest. |
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| Much of the hike was through lodgepole forest, with occasional openings for lakes and creeks. |
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We got off the trail just as the rain started, extremely important for avoiding lightning!
There are some sweet boondocking spots off highway 16 as it skirts the Bighorn Mountains. |
I love, love, love the Bighorns! What a great hike - and a moose sighting to boot.
ReplyDeleteWe are on high alert for moose everywhere we hike! This is a gorgeous area!
DeleteOh my a moose sighting sure tops the day! Sounds and looks like you are off to a great month in the Bighorns! The picture of you at Sherd Lake is very pretty with you and the reflection of the clouds and trees...enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI think you guys would like it up here!
DeleteSo glad you took lots of gorgeous pics as I doubt I'm going to do nearly 12 miles at that elevation :-) Great shot of you by the lake. What a treat to spot a pair of moose in such a lovely setting. With such big views, the little frog and mushroom are a great reminder of what's close by - love those.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a heck of a lot of miles to get to where you can hike this far...at high elevation! When we stayed in Grand Lake, CO a couple of summers ago we saw moose in our RV park!!!
DeleteOh this looks like an amazing hike! We have got to get back to MT and WY.
ReplyDeleteYou two would like it!
DeleteI'm sure you'll keep busy for a month hiking in the Bighorn Mts. Love the look of that boondock site!
ReplyDeleteYou would certainly love some of the boondocking sites we've seen! Don't know about Verizon signal though...
DeleteSo beautiful! Glad you made it back before the lightening hit.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we got hailed and poured on the drive back...probably lightning nearby too though we did not hear it.
DeleteWow, a whole month in the area! Lucky you! (Well, of course I know it was good planning on your part.) What a fabulous hike to kick-off your stay there. (Note to self: Buy trail map!) And you saw moose! We've not yet seen moose in the wild. Looks like some shooting stars blooming in your wildflower mix, one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteWe saw lots of moose in Grand Lake, CO at the edge of the West side of Rocky Mountain NP two summers ago...even in the RV park!
DeleteSweet! I really enjoy staying for a month. You feel like you have time to see the area properly and still have time to relax. That was a great hike. How cool that you saw the moose:) A hike with everything!
ReplyDeleteWow a month in WY! You are pretty smart heading towards the mountains, the heat and humidity is very oppressive.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your choice of the highlight of the day, very beautiful!
What a beautiful hike even though it turned into 11.5 miles. Good grief and so glad you had that map! You guys are in great shape that's for sure. Love the moose, the wildflowers, the mushrooms, the frog. The Big Horn Range picture you began with and the one of you in front of Sherd lake are just beautiful. The picture of the landscape with the two tiny moose is a postcard. Really wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing them with me.
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