The Big Horn Mountains
Located in the North East corner of Wyoming sits the famed Big Horn Mountains. We wanted to make this a stop on our trip and scheduled it between Yellowstone & Mt Rushmore. I am glad we did as we had a lot of fun touring the Mountains here. I have had a couple friends hunt this area ( Powder River Basin ) for mule deer and elk. We did run across two deer and Rulof spotted a coyote sitting on top of a rock right next to the dirt road we were on. No sightings of bear or elk though.
Have you ever heard of the saying " A Road Less Traveled " ? We found out while touring Yellowstone that some of the most awesome scenery ( and secluded areas ) were found on less traveled roads. This means getting off the pavement and striking out on dirt roads. We hit several in the Big Horn Mountains and some were made for four wheel drive vehicles only. I am sure we would have tore off an oil pan on the engine had we been in a car or minivan. Still, it was fun and because the speed is so slow, it allowed us to look at the scenery and watch for wildlife. Our poor Vitara 4x4 sure has had a work out though.
Some of the roads were very good dirt/gravel roads but more often then not they once near the top of the Big Horn Mountain ranges they got narrow, rugged and just a little challenging. But the views once we got to the end of these roads were breath taking and awesome. You will see below in the photos just how narrow the roads became and experience the beauty we found once we got to our destinations on these forest roads.
We found the Big Horn Mountains very scenic and they harbored their own beauty which was different from Yellowstone and the Rockies. I hope you enjoy the photos. I sure enjoyed taking them and being able to share them with you.
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| One of the roads we took off HWY 16 to get into the Cud Peak area. | These roads start out nice and wide |
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| They wind through the mountains and provide different landscapes as you travel them. | Every corner presents a bit of a different view of the forest or a valley. Some opened up into meadows. |
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| After a few miles the road starts t narrow and gets a bit rough | No guardrails here mates. We ran into several areas of the road that were washed out due to rain run off. |
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| Finally at the top of the road. | An old outhouse used by the Rangers near one of their towers. |
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| This is what you make long 10 mile dirt road drives for | The Views were awesome up there. |
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| Some of the rock formations were awesome. We found several interesting rocks up there filled with Quartz and Amethyst | Big Horn Peaks in the distance |
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| One of the peaks which was still covered with snow. | Color was abound with a predominance of these purple wild flowers called Lupine. |
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| A Meadow located within the National Park where cattle are allowed to graze | Another meadow that a rancher uses for cattle grazing |
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| More colors and beauty | Purple Lupines against the Pines |
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| I did some exploring and walked into the forest to get some photos. I came across his rock formation where there appeared to be several dens used by animals. I left. :) | Streams abound in the Big Horns. Not far from this area a bear has been harassing backpackers and campers. I didn't bother to go to far into this area. :) |
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| Another shot of the stream | Fire and its devastation. Actually, fire is good for these areas as it rids the land of diseased trees and allows new trees to grow. |
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| At the top of Cloud Peak. | Chris with the Big Horns in the background |
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| Mum with the Big Horns in the background | Rulof also had his photo taken using the Big Horns as his back drop |
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| As always we packed a nice lunch and found these big rocks to sit on while eating. | Our picnic area was right next to a fast moving stream. The sound of the water was relaxing while we ate our lunch |
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| Ally shot this photo with her camera. Awesome detail of the mountains in the background | Chris on top of Cloud Peak after a long drive up the mountain |
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| The Indian Campground in Buffalo, Wyoming. It was 20 miles from the Big Horn peaks | You would not believe the amount of work, reading and studying involved in planning each drive into the wilderness. This trip has worn me out. |
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| The above two photos of our camp ground | This is the original Sheridan In n built by Buffalo Bill. Its size and architecture is pretty cool |
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| An old steam train on display across from the Sheridan Inn. Its a big monster for sure. |