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trips - Reborn in the BighornsTrip Info
DescriptionAlrighty, 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
 = Yes,  = Maybe
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