Reborn in the Bighorn, June 24-26

“Alrighty, big thanks go out to blue_sage from backpacker.com, who lives out there and is planning this trip -- all because I asked for ideas in the area.

It's in the eastern foothills of the forest, west of Buffalo, WY. Lots of beautiful old growth forest. Nothing too nasty with elevations, although side trips into Cloud Peak Wilderness would be a possibility.

I've never been to this area and it all sounds wonderful! Thanks to blue_sage!!

More info will come on possible places to camp Friday night. The trip officially starts Saturday morning. It will likely run through Monday.

Here is what's posted so far. Ignore the name blue_sage gave the trip. LOL!!

Lizsbaby Tour Bighorn Forest
Posted: Apr 24, 2006 7:19 PM

Bighorn National Forest
Rock Creek Complex-South Rock Creek-Johnson County WY

Meet Saturday AM Buffalo WY June 24 8:00 AM at the Powder River Ranger District Office, US 16 West of Buffalo. If anyone is going to side hike into the Cloud Peak Wilderness, pick up a registration at the drop box.

From District Ranger office parking lot, group proceeds 10 miles to HF Bar Ranch public parking for TR 41. Group will notify the HF Bar of their travel plans and number of vehicles. The second or north entrance to the Bud Love Wildlife Management Unit will be passed, this road connects to a second TH that could be used in the event of an emergency. No camping on HF Bar property and always enter in daylight. The public access is provided as a courtesy and the HF Bar has always been a campaigner for wilderness.

From the District Ranger office, drive back into Buffalo on US 16, turn north on North DeSmet Ave, follow signs for Bud Love Wildlife Management Unit. After 2.3 miles, road splits. Bear right and drive 4.2 mi., then turn right on Johnson Creek Road. After 1.2 miles the pavement ends, After 4 miles, you will meet Shell Creek Rd. Bear left and follow the Rock Creek Rd. for two miles to enter the HF Bar Ranch. Drive 2.2 miles on a good county road to reach the ranch complex. Bear south on the ranch tracks and the parking area is where a two track leaves the guest ranch through a green (PowderRiver) gate between the main barn and the corrals. If you encounter packstock, the packer has the right of way, on a slope move down, and talk to the rider and stock in normal tone.

Bring your wader shoes, lots of low crossings

Day One
Gain 1700~1800 feet 4. 8 miles to Firebox Park
0.0 HF Parking Lot TH
1.1 Red Canyon Trail intersection (Pvt.)
1.7 Bighorn National Forest Boundary
1.8 Balm of Gilead Trail; good side trip material
3.6 Junction with cutoff to Stone Mountain Trail; good exit loop possibility from Firebox Park
3.8 Trail fords South Rock Creek (again!!) and follows north bank.
5.0 Trail returns to south bank of South Rock Creek
5.5 Trail enters Firebox Park.
On the east, TR 51 comes in from the Bud Love WMU, TR 549 and 041 procede west,

Make Firebox Park a base where the group can pursue their interests and time? There is high alpine at the Gem Lake tarn or for the really ambitious the ascent to Elk Lake via TR Middle Rock Creek, or more gentle flower chasing TR 41 to TR 43 to TR 40 North. The TR 40 skirts what locals call the Rock Creek Jungle with craggy granite spires and some of the most pristine old growth forests in the west. Elk Lake is in the Cloud Peak Wilderness.

Most of the area covered in this prospect is in the Bighorn National Forest Revised Plan (2006) as recommended wilderness primarily as the result of local concern and love for this wild place.

Black bears have raided hunting camps, especially those with gut piles, so protect your food. Canisters are not needed, just simple food hanging and personal cleanliness suffice. Please practice Leave No Trace Ethics.

Weather in June is fantastic, but some days at these lower altitudes can hit the mid-eighties. Afternoon showers are a given but again, except for the Elk Lake basin, they are fleeting.

Camp fires are allowed below 9200 feet but do face restrictions, contact the Powder River Ranger District in Buffalo for information.

Topos; Stone Mountain, Hunter Mesa , and Willow Park Reservoir

Maps are available in Buffalo at the Sports Lure, Sheridan at Bighorn Mountain Sports and the Sports Stop.
The Trails Illustrated "Cloud Peak Wilderness Wyoming" doesn't cover the Rock Creek.
Erik Molvar's Falcon Guide edition of "Hiking Wyoming Cloud Peak Wilderness" is more complete than these notes”

“Also, while in the vicinity, I will sure want to try and visit Medicine Wheel and Little Bighorn... doing the touron thing, I mean. lol

This will be sooooo cool!!!! :-)
last edited: 4/24/06 8:37:58 PM”

“If I'm around I'll come along.”

“Me too!!! Me Tooo!!!!!”

“Lets get some views on this. And Aero??? Where oh where is AERO?!?!?!?!? He needs to at least know about this trip.”

“He was around yesterday looking for you, but you were "busy."”

“Yeah, I was busy. Tuesday is my busiest day of the week. Yesterday one thing I got to do was attend a meeting and then write a story on trout ponds, EAW, RGU, DNR and EQB. You try making that understandable to the reading public, lol.

I just want to make sure he knows about this trip, which is not that far from him locationwise (and I might get close to where he lives to see Little Bighorn). I have my e-mail posted if he wants info. Also, sent him an invite. Hopefully, he'll contact me if he's interested.

Thanks for mentioning it to him, BM.”

“Liz,

I've been all over the Bighorns, but never in that area. I usually try to hike in the wilderness area to avoid ATVs - which are all over the national forest.

I tried to follow your route on my NG Topo software but couldn't get it right.

Should be a senic hike, with elevation not exceeding 7500'. At that time of year you have a good chance of hiking much higher with little risk if snow. The east side of the Bighorns did not get much snow this year - so higher trails will be clear early. It may be dry in the firebox canyon area.

I drove across HWY 16 two weeks ago to hike in the tensleep canyon area and the snow was mostly gone at 8000'. I'll be hiking in the shell canyon area this weekend - I'll let ya know what I see.”

“Thanks garfum. Maybe you can make it?

A very nice person on backpacker followed my requests and came up with the hike. I don't know the area at all. I wanted it at a lower elevation and anticipate it might be the kind of country the Black Hills are?

Anyway, yeah, let me know. range walker, who is listed on the trip page, is planning it. I'm not sure it has an ending point right now. I think that's up in the air depending on the kind of time available people have.

The thread on the hike over there is:
http://forums.backpacker.com/thread.jspa?threadID=83691&tstart=15
It first got mentioned on this thread (before it had a thread of its own), which I think mentioned more of a full route
http://forums.backpacker.com/thread.jspa?threadID=81949&tstart=30”

“And garfum, what's up with stratdude? You were his buddy, right?”

“Stratdude and his old lady are doing fine - they don't do a home pc anymore. He needs to get out and hike more, but since I moved to WY nobody puts the effort into motivating that bunch to backpack.”

“I'll be at Philmont with the scouts that weekend so I won't be able to join the trip.”

“Lizs -
If you want the Blax, do the Blax!

Climb, I say. Go up. Up, up, UP! Get goaty!

Rent crampons and an ax, if need be.

Forget the windshield touring, too. Spend the additional time ascending. Man... if I had the opportunity to do a potentially hardcore Rockies hike, I'd elevate - that's for sure.

Yeah, I know
"hike yer own hike"


Still, tho, you'll have a blast. The Horns are awesome.

Good luck and be careful.
Joe”

“Blax??? Blax?!? WTF is/are Blax?!?!? lol

Get your butt out there and HIKE!”

“I finally figured out the "Blax." Thank goodness I have such things to ponder on while out walking after work. :-)

Hey, I saw the HF Bar mentioned in National Geographic Adventure mag for a family vacation.”

“I was checking out the area on my Nat'l Geo map software the other day - looks like a good plan with plenty of options for whoever wants to do whatever as alternatives.”

“Since there isn't a fixed objective, like a summit, getting to a junction like Firebox Park, allows everyone a choice to do much or little and still come away with the wild.

I have to boot out Sunday evening to cover my job in Sheridan Monday morning, so I will make the park, then go out through the Bud Love WMU via North Sayles Creek trail.

Most of this area was included in the origninal proposed Cloud Peak Wilderness/ Wyoming Wilderness Act 1984 but was cut in the Senate cloakroom becasue of political enmity between the then owners of the HF Bar Ranch, wilderness proponets, and the then junior Senator from Wyoming Malcolm Wallop.”

“I was just looking at the Bighorns website. Pine-covered hills and prairie meadows with mountain views look good to me, unless I get really ambitious. I certainly don't want to hold people up! Last year I went to the top of Laramie Peak at my own pace and made it... a 3,000 ft. elevation gain to just over 10,000 ft. Went fine, but I went really, really s-l-o-w. Umm, did I say slow? yes... lol”

“Pine-covered hills and prairie meadows with mountain views..."

Sounds Alpiney. That'll do. I visualized heavy forest based on your initial description. I haven't been in my map drawer in forever (in storage), but I plan to soon so's to peruse your route.

I like to beeline out of treeline ASAP while hiking Rockies locales. The wide open spaces, vistas, and flower filled "parks" are what I've learned to love about the Rox.

I sat atop Iron Creek Point in the Lemhi Range, ID, in '96. 10k plus. The view was exhilerating. I've since surpassed that elevation on numerous occasions, but at passes, ie, Bonnie Pass, Wind Rivers; Paintbrush Divide, Tetons.

Belle and I reached Twin Lakes Basin, above Chicago Basin, Weimenuche Wilderness, CO. It sits at 12,500'.

I drove across from Ten Sleep (I LOVE that name!) to Buffalo a few years ago - '02? The dogs and I stopped to watch three bull moose grazing in a roadside meadow. Kewl...

Remember, if you encounter moose - RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! LOL!!!”

“http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d76/sage_hiker/Stream%20Health%202005/?action=view¤t=bb08c7ea.jpg

Firebox Park from 9600" on the east slope of Anthill just outside the Cloud Peak Wilderness. You can make out the Powder Basin and Lake DeSmet northof Buffalo WY. Firebox Park as it runs along the west slope of Stone Mountain.”

“We must have ESP going on. I have been looking at stuff in the area. Am debating flying into Rapid City OR Billings and renting a car. Billings is cheaper, from Rochester, MN. 5 hours and 42 minutes to where I need to go for the week from Billings.

hmmmmmm... gonna be expensive, whatever! Or maybe I'll just drive. If gas keeps going up and up, it may impact all this.”

“It's a great looking area! Thanks! :-)”

“It's a great looking area! Thanks! :-)”

“Well, so that's what happened as my computer was in the process of locking up as I posted. phhhhhttt!!!”

“No two ways on this trip. Guess I have to drive out. Even around $3/gallon, it's basically half the cost of flying and renting a car.

I better start getting the Jeep looked over really, really good. Renting a car from here also is an option, as the MPG would be waaaaay better than on the Jeep... although I like having the Jeep for its backcountry capabilities.(It's an '88 Jeep Cherokee, FYI)”

“Rent. A Yugo could get you to most any trailhead.

If you do decide to fly/rent, I'd HIGHLY recommend the Beartooths from Billings. Crossing the Beartooth Pass (open by then?) vehicularly is worth the price of admission in itself. Nothing has matched that stretch of highway in my 50,000+ miles of roadtrips.

The BT Range is VERY nice with moderate to barely strenuous trailage.

See "Montanapaloosa 2002" at Phil's place...

Wherever you end up: break a pole!
(:”

“Lizs
Are you not coming out of SD and a volunteer trip? My own commitment is looking firmer as time approaches. I will try to put some maps together for anyone interested.”

“Yes indeedy, coming out of South Dakota. Had looked at flying into Rapid and Billings and renting, just for comparison sake. But the old Jeep it is!

Yes, please put together some maps. I've been thinking I need to order the topos listed, but weren't there like 4? Any way to condense the number needed?

I do have the Bighorn National Forest map... guess I figured I'd be getting there some day. ;-)

What might temps be like? It may well be five days of 100-degree plus temps that I'll be coming from in SD . I seem to get heat stressed. We just had unseasonal temps above 90 here for Memorial Day weekend. Figured I better get out and give it a go. I hiked, with pack with maybe 20-15 pounds, probably 7 miles Sat. and at least 6 on Sunday. That went OK, but I was just whipped today and wanted to lay around sleeping. lol...

I do have concerns over holding you guys up. Last year I did Laramie Peak, about 3,000 elevation gain and it took me 5 hours. I stop at lot. I can do the hike... and can book on flat ground... but going uphill I'll go slow. I'm all for hike your own hike, with you guys going your pace, and can and do enjoy hiking alone, as long as I'm clear on where I'm going in an unknown area.

There... that's a big worry of mine. Probably unfounded, but thought I should mention it.

Also, last year I got heat stressed on the Wind Cave backpack and threw up. Another concern. It's been suggested I try Gatorade or something to replace electrolytes. Will try that.

Also, I don't have a water filter. Would I need to get one, or can we share? I have a 3 liter/7 lb. Camelbak. And, is my little Pepsi can stove/Heet for fuel combo OK there? All that said, it sounds like a great hike! (I sound like a stick in the mud, right?? lol)

I think I'll probably want to be back to my vehicle no later than Tuesday AM... maybe Monday night. You can help me judge how much time I need after the hike: I want to go to the medicine wheel in the Bighorns... and I want to go to Little Bighorn Battlefield. Can I do both in a day? Then I'll beeline it back east, probably on Highway 212 in MT (wow, first time to MT!)... and possibly a quick stop at Devil's Tower (been there before, but I just bought a National Parks pass, so wouldn't mind driving up to it and being awed before hitting the road again)

Maybe I better finish the hike by Monday afternoon? I have Wednesday to drive home.

Thanks!”

“Hey Liz, me and Diane are about 80% on this trip! I'll have my son with me too - you didn't meet him last year at Wind Cave.

For electrolyte, check out Gu2O - instead of gatorade, its got a lot less sugar and your body will like it better. You can get it at REI.”

“Lizs -
I would recommend that you be totally self reliant. I'd at least pack a few purification tabs.

Can't say enough about the ten essentials.”

“I listed a group of quads but really only two are needed and I can slice up and serve only what is needed. Bring your BNF map as it is handy for proper trail numbers and if someone has to do an emergency exit to civilization, they have a better overview of development. By June 10, I can have two sets of trip maps made up to share. Friday evening I can set up a meet to make sure some one has them.

Weather is going to be a crap shoot, it freaking frosted my garden and fruit trees this morning at 3:00 AM. We have had 85 degrees for a few days. There was new snow on the Bighorns but it will melt quickly. On our route, I do not expect temps to exceed the mid-80's and their is a good chance they will not reach that. The evenings at Firebox will be in the high 40's +.

gojo's is on for being self reliant on water for personal use. I carry a filter but like the AquaMira solutions and Katadyn tabs for short trips in an area where there is an abundance of fresh water. Except for winter in the Bighorns, I carry a water from the source and filter or treat only the drinking water, boil the rest.

I am stuck on Saturday and Sunday only, getting out Sunday late PM but I don't see separating without the Monday-Tuesday packers getting their way out, and it is downhill. I work Monday and Tuesday but could check at the TH in both/either day as looking for no shows.

Don't worry about pace. Personally, I had the worst spring conditioning I have had in years. I can pack but I am pulling more leaden blubber this May. I am also not a fast-packer. I really want to take in the HF Bar to Firebox segment, so one step at a time sounds good.

Medicine Wheel and Little Bighorn Battle can be done in a day, but it might be can't see to can't see. We can work that up on the trip.

I use at least some electrolyte replacement year round. Gu20 is good but I as often just get some tabs from the RX.”

“I'm in if nothing comes up for work.”

“Thanks, range walker!

I just ordered some needed stuff, including Micropur tablets and some food.

And my mapping software seemed to be working at home. I need to send you what I *perceive* the route into Firebox Park to be, since my stuff didn't have it labeled (unless I'm blind!)

Oh and what is the "can't see???" on the touron destinations? Unless they're closed, I wanna go! (don't make me whine and cry!!! lol)”

“I have a guidebook that shows a different route to Firebox park, this one's only 2.8 miles though (Hiking Wyoming's Cloud Peak Wilderness, Hike #44)”

“I don't have my copy of Molvar's Hiking Wyoming's CPW with me, but my guess is it refers to the trail that starts in the Bud Love WMU (see opening post) and starts by following the North Fork of Sayles Creek. It is a cool hike but can be a lung buster, gains much faster than the proposed route. I will probably exit Sunday evening via that route. The route is also drier than the HF Bar trail. I have used it as a conditioner in years past for it's ease of access and fairly vertical climb almost straight out from the trailhead.”

“Looks like the hike adjoins or indeed goes through here:

http://gf.state.wy.us/wildlife/access/gf/whma/budlove.asp”

“Hey gang, we have e-mail communication going on regarding this trip. E-mail me if considering this trip and not listed on the trip page, thanks! :-)

lisapbia at yahoo dot com < get it???”

“I'd email you if yahoo was working right now. (marb152000 at yahoo dot com)”

“THIS IS OFF... at least as a backpacking trip.

Roam Around and his gf can't make it.

lizs wants to go see the Little Bighorn Re-enactment. Range walker just called her and -- since he's just back from a family car camping trip to Yellowstone -- he has things he can do, too. So it's off.

Wy. Coyote, I wrote you a couple e-mails. Go do the family thang....

Bison... sorry dude, if you were still in , it's off.

NEXT YEAR?!?!? We won't plan it on the Little Bighorn Anniversary weekend, DOH! (but WHO KNEW??? **not** ME!)

And now, back to packing. Karma also saying that I shouldn't go backpacking: I cut my heel on my right foot fairly bad putting the damn sunshowers on the roof rack. LOL OUCH! So now the bike IS going along for sure. Might be sure for hiking even, it's a big freakin' gash!

lol, another trip begins....”

“No prob, I was gonna let you know that I was out anyways, think I'm gonna stick closer to home that weekend and hit the Bighorns in August.”

“man,i was gonna go, too!








not really”