wyoming, cloud peak

“We are taking a 4-day hiking trip though Cloud Peak Wilderness in early July. We are GEEKED!Hopefully we will catch some trout in the lakes & streams. Any body have any advice on what to use on our ultralight spinning rigs? Also, any information at all reguarding this are would be greatly appreciated.”

“Fly (black or grey mosquito, Royal Coachman) with a 3/4 filled clear bubble about 2 1/2 feet back with tapered leader and beer.

I'll be up there too at that time. Livingston Mill trailhead.

Good luck.”

“Whoops, I thought it was White Cloud Peaks in Idaho. Same bugs though.”

“Take some bead heads and ant patterns. I've had better luck up in the higher alpine areas fishing just below the surface. I've taken both spinning gear and fly gear, but fly fishing is more fun IMO.”

“I have been to the Windtooths in Wyodaho the bunch of times. It is the good mountins.

My daddy and me got some goooood trowts with my daddys regler fish getter. I theenk it had the Panny Martins bugs. They were regler gray and dark gray and lite gray with fethers and hooks. Them was the ferst time I ever seen fishes. I thawt they was WEERD! I had a fun time walkin aroun with them in my mouf.”

“Honestly, I have been there a number of times and we kept putting different lures on to see what wouldn't catch a fish.

Where are you going to start from? We usually started from Edelmann Pass Trailhead. You can do an in and out, or you can do a loop and end up about 1 mile from the trailhead.

About 6 or 7 miles from the trailhead is a group of lakes called 'Lakes of the Rough'. The largest lake was the best for fishing, and filtering water.

Whatever you do, don't get caught up high in the early to mid afternoons. Lightning storms come through almost daily at the same time.”

“Hey - should be a good trip. I've never fished up there, but have done plenty in northern Colorado. I'm on a Minnesota-style ultralight spinning set-up as well - I'll give fly fisherman the aesthetics award, but until I get lots and lots of time to learn how to throw those things around, I'll stick with spinners for now. I've had a few friends that were real good with flies, and could pull em in all day - but usually when I go out with buddies with fly gear, I catch more fish while they talk about wierd zen-type stuff to pass the time that I spend cleaning fish.
Anyways...I've had good luck with basic spoons and spinners. Think about the species you'll be going after and the water conditions and buy accordingly. Walk around the shore looking for good structure to use, and hopefully you'll have good luck. I was just thinking its about time for me to go pick up my license...damn I love spring! Bike's back on the trail, boats back in the water, camping gear is out of the closet...just gotta ditch this office gig and I'm stylin'. Have fun up there...”

“If you go the spinning route, take some small mepps spinners and Thomas lures, all colors like gold, brass and silver. I've had good luck in the lakes with those.”

“Mepps, Panther Martins, Thomas Cyclones, whatever. Smaller, like 1/8th, or 3/16th oz. Like I said, just toss it out there and the fish will bite.

If your stream fishing, a fly rod works better. Just tie on a fly with a real short leader (3-5') and drop behind rocks, under banks, etc.”

“You're either a lunatic or my new hero.”

“Thanks for the lightning tip, I hate it when that happens! ! But how high is "the highlands"? It all looks high to a guy from Arkansas!


We are indeed planning on leaving from Eldelman & heading up to the lakes of the rough, so that's great news that we can catch trout. I mean, eatin would be really cool! Then we're heading NW, to shell lake. the trail splits there. Should we go left or right? We are ending up at Ranger creek. Oh, and is useing a fire blanket a big deal?”

“Thanks for the lightning tip, I hate it when that happens! ! But how high is "the highlands"? It all looks high to a guy from Arkansas!


We are indeed planning on leaving from Eldelman & heading up to the lakes of the rough, so that's great news that we can catch trout. I mean, eatin would be really cool! Then we're heading NW, to shell lake. The trail splits there. Should we go left or right? We are ending up at Ranger creek. Oh, and is using a fire blanket a big deal?


What's everybodies favorite trout on the trail recipe?”

“I've never heard of a fire blanket. I'm assuming it's something you put on the ground and have a fire on it. There are a few campsites near the trail that goes to the Shell Lake area. They are just above and almost exactly between the two main lakes. As you come down to the lakes, go to the left and look around, you will see the area I am talking about. There is a boulder about 4 foot in diameter in the campsite.

As for where you are ending up, I am not familiar with Ranger Creek. Are you dropping a vehicle there? The road into Shell Lake is kind of rough, but people do take campers in there. If you are doing a loop, be aware that Dutch Oven Pass, from what I've been told, is steep and rugged. I know a guy who went over it with horses and said he would never do it again.

That trail from Edelman trailhead to Edelman Pass is real mellow for the first ~90%, then it gets fairly sttep at the end. You will come to what appears to be the pass, but the actual pass is on the other side of the lakes. That may be a place to check out for a campsite.

If you are going to be in the Cody area, let me know. Good luck and have fun.”

“I REALLY appreciate your input, it is invaluable.........Well, I thought I saw on my Trails Illustrated map that it said you have to use a fire blanket. I have never heard of one, but I'm from Arkansas & married to my cousin. I can't seem to find it on there now. I guess if you go there and have never been hassled by a ranger about a fire blanket, it must not be a big deal.

The trail sounds great! we will have 3 kids with us, so we didn't want it to be too difficult. If you have a chance to look at a map, you'll see ranger creek #5. It looks to be about 10-12 miles from eldeman pass, on the same trail that goes from eldleman pass to shell resivior, only beyond that. Thanks again! !”

“What Chief? Never heard of a Fire Blanket???

Chief's Fire Blankets>”

“Fire blanket. Never heard of that, but about needed one of those a couple of weeks ago. LOL.
Stove incident.

There's a Browning Backpackers flyrod out there made of graphite, so it's pretty light.”

“I think they're talkin bout a blanket to put on the ground, so the fire doesn't make a burn spot on the ground. It all seems strange & cornfusing to me. We are a little worried about fires. I think you're not supposed to burn higher than 9,200 feet. does anybody know if THAT is a big deal? Rangers don't like me, so I figure if it's illegeal, and I'm doin it, they'll hassle me.”

“I think they're talkin bout a blanket to put on the ground, so the fire doesn't make a burn spot on the ground. It all seems strange & cornfusing to me. We are a little worried about fires. I think you're not supposed to burn higher than 9,200 feet. does anybody know if THAT is a big deal? Rangers don't like me, so I figure if it's illegeal, and I'm doin it, they'll hassle me.”

“I think they're talkin bout a blanket to put on the ground, so the fire doesn't make a burn spot on the ground. It all seems strange & cornfusing to me. We are a little worried about fires. I think you're not supposed to burn higher than 9,200 feet. does anybody know if THAT is a big deal? Rangers don't like me, so I figure if it's illegeal, and I'm doin it, they'll hassle me.”

“I think they're talkin bout a blanket to put on the ground, so the fire doesn't make a burn spot on the ground. It all seems strange & cornfusing to me. We are a little worried about fires. I think you're not supposed to burn higher than 9,200 feet. does anybody know if THAT is a big deal? Rangers don't like me, so I figure if it's illegeal, and I'm doin it, they'll hassle me.”

“I think they're talkin bout a blanket to put on the ground, so the fire doesn't make a burn spot on the ground. It all seems strange & cornfusing to me. We are a little worried about fires. I think you're not supposed to burn higher than 9,200 feet. does anybody know if THAT is a big deal? Rangers don't like me, so I figure if it's illegeal, and I'm doin it, they'll hassle me.”

“sorry guys, I have no idea how i did that, lol......am i hittin enter er sumpthin?”

“I've never heard of fire restrictions on the forests for altitude- I think you're gettin' hassled. The only restrictions will be if it's a hot, dry summer and a bad fire season; usually by late July or August. Then, they might resrtict you to stoves only. If it gets really bad, they could restrict stoves or even close down the forest, but that's a long ways off.

In general they might ask that you disperse your fire ring when you're done.”

“Someone is pulling your leg. Most everything in the Bighorns is above 9000'. That's the beauty of it, once you get high, you stay high.

As to what Aero refers to about fire restrictions, I doubt there will be any in the Bighorns this year as they seem to have gotten their fair share of snow this winter.

How's Billings this morning? Any snow last night? I had about two inches on my truck this morning. Much more soaked into the ground.”

“Here's what it looked like this morning, Chief. I'll see if this works...
”

“I think the altitude thing is no fires above timberline. There isn't much to burn and they don't want you stripping the small bushes up there.”

“ORDER NO. 2000-03
OCCUPANCY AND USE REGULATIONS
BIGHORN NATIONAL FOREST
CLOUD PEAK WILDERNESS



Pursuant to 36 CFR, Section 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited in the Cloud Peak Wilderness until further notice:



1. Group or individual entering or being in the Cloud Peak Wilderness without a self-issue registration signed and in possession of the group for each visit. [36 CFR 261.57(a)]
2. Building, maintaining, attending or using a campfire, other than a self-contained chemical stove above 9200 feet in elevation. Below 9200 feet in elevation campfires must be contained on a fireblanket or within a fire pan or enclosed stove so as not to be directly on the ground nor built, maintained, attended or used within 300 feet of lakes, streams, or Forest Service designated trails. [36 CFR 261.52(a)]
3. Possessing, storing, or transporting any part of a tree including branches, limbs or trunk above 9200 feet in elevation. [36 CFR 261.58t)]
4. Camping within 100 feet of all lakes, streams or other free flowing waters. [36 CFR 261.58(e)]
5. Hitching, tethering or hobbling a horse or other saddle or pack animal to a live tree, except while loading or unloading. [36 CFR 261.58(aa)]
6. Hitching, tethering or hobbling a horse or other pack animal within 100 feet of lakes or streams, except when loading or unloading. [36 CFR 261.58(aa)]
7. Failure to dispose of debris including camp structures such as hitching racks, tent frames,and pegs after the use period. [36 CFR 261.57(g)]
8. Using the Cloud Peak Wilderness with a group larger than 10 people and/or with more than 15 head of recreation stock in any group, larger groups than permitted must split into separate groups which meet the group size limits and must remain a minimum of 1/2 mile apart even at campsites. Groups may have an additional 2 people in their group over the 10 person maximum party size if a member of the group is trained in "Leave No Trace" outdoor skills and ethics and they have a copy of their certification with them. [36 CFR 261.58(f)]
9. Camping at sites posted as being closed to camping. [36 CFR 261.58(e)]
10. Short cutting a switchback in a trail. [36 CFR 261.55(e)]”

“Do ya'll see many rangers around when yer hikin up there? Maybe it's like one of those things that's "strongly encouraged". I'M FREEKIN OUT! lol chief, I'm lookin foward to gettin high up there.”

“I've never seen that regulation in the Beartooths. They must have had some problems with too many fire pits or something in the Big Horns. I haven't seen the reg. about the 300' distance from lakes or streams either. The Custer and Gallatin Forests have a 100' from streams and 200' from lakes camping rule.

Actually, I wouldn't even mess with a fire. I rarely build one because it's more of a hassle than it's worth.”

“I can't remember the elevation of the Lakes of The Rough, but I know we had fires there, at Geneva Lake, and on the other side of Geneva Pass where we camped near a creek, and at the Paint Rock Lakes campground. Seems like it was ALL over 9200'.

I tried to get to the Bighorn National Forest website yesterday to get the reg's, but all the pages were inaccessible.

The terrain is high alpine and very fragile. With the growing season being so short, any damage done by fire or otherwise is likely to never repair itself, in our lifetime anyways.

You do have to get a permit though, and you do that right at the trailhead. Bring a pen cuz there probably won't be one there. You just fill it out with peoples names, where you will be, and how long you will be out. You take one copy and leave one copy.”

“I kno there was peepel with a fire in the Windtooths. I wanted to get them to the poleese and go to the jale but my daddy sayed "NOOOoooooOOOOooooo!"
I was perty mad to see that fire!”

“What a goood Sarabelle, Good Girl!
{scratch scratch scratch}”

“If ya wanna catch more fish than anybody in your gang, use 1/32 oz. black or plain jighead with "Berkely Power Bait Micro Twister Tail" (any color, "Lime Green" is a favorite).Use 4lb. test Berekely Trilene XL (NOT XT)clear monofilament. And don't be an idiot and tell everybody like I just did.”

“DOH! my hikin paartner's readin this too. Oil well, if he catches all the fish, i dun care, as long as i get to eat some!

Sarabelle, i need to introduce you to Buckshot, my dalmation. You sound like his kinda pup. he'll be coming along with us, so maybe we'll run into ya'll.”

“Stratdewd, are you in the oil patch? Your trailname sounds as if you might be a geo type. Where are you from?”

“Well, I'm not exactly positive waht you mean by goe type, but if I had to guess, I'd say your asking me if I'm in like the oil drillin business. Sorry, but I'm merely a humble maintenance tech for a fast food chain(ARBY'S) here in NW Arkansas.....The Natural State. The strat in my name refers to a Fender Strat-o-caster guitar, which I play in my band, Group Therapy. We play classic rock & blues, some original stuff too. Stevie Ray VAughn, Hendrix, Clapton, Satana....you name it, we kick ass on it. Man, wish I could make it to wyomingpalooza & try out your crystal light drinks! They sound great.”

“How in the H-E-DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS do ya'll put in a pic on here? and how do they do those links too?”

“Lakes of the Rough

Looks like about 10,000'. SD & I almost never make fires. We had 2 small ones only to burn our trash on the JMT (paper only). We're almost always above 10,000', and fires aren't allowed above treeline in the Sierras.”

“the Lakes of the Roug(h) is where that camp is I was talking about.

What is wild is tha trail that goes over Edelman Pass isn't shown on that map. Wierd. The trail goes between Emerald and the lake to the left of Emerald, then over Edelmann Pass and down. There are a number of old mines and cabins along that trail. Go to the fork, turn right and you aren't too far from Geneva Lake, where there are a bunch of campsites. All with fire rings in them.

I guess we were ignorant in the fact that we weren't supposed to have fires there at Emerald Lake.

p.s Emerald Lake is aptly named. All the Lakes of The Rough are emerald in color. They are spectacular.”

“sounds great cheif. If ther's fire rings there, it must not be that big a deal. Wonder if we could get a more detailed(closer in) topo map of that. We just have the trails ill' map. i think we'll have some time to hang around there a little bit. That's the idea, quality, not quantity. We are only goin about 15 miles in 4 days, so we will have time to play too. Dood, I'm SO ready!

Jump right in here anytime Garfum, you big weenie! ! !”

“I think I still have a bunch of maps I copied from work. If you're interested, let me know. Most are Blueline types. Not the best, but they still work.”

“Cheif-dewd, if it's not any trouble, that would be awesome if you could forward me a map. Honestly though, don't go to any hassle for it. The information you have already given us is greatly appreciated!


I think I've solved our fire delima. I have picked out a nice hikin skillet....
http://backcountry-equipment.com/cookware/olicamp_frypan.html

there's a link to it. But the idea of having a fire was to cook the trout. so wif the skillet, we can cook some trout wif out lil hikin stove. Problem solved. We can also use it to make pancakes in da mornin! MMMmmmmMMmmmmmmMMMM. we'll have to pack some syrup though. After furthur investigation, I learned that those regulations were inacted in 2000, so perhaps they weren't "kicked in" when you last went to that area.

Garfum Scarfum(lurker extrordinaire), get ready for da fishin poles! They comin to ya! !”

“Let me look through my stuff to see what I still have/can find.

I went through some yesterday to look at the Montanapalooza trip and to get my pictures out.

E-mail me so I can get an address from you.

prodtech@180com.net”