CLOUD PEAK WILDERNESS
Backpacking in the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area
Congress passed the Wyoming Wilderness Act in 1984. This designated the Cloud Peak Wilderness in the Bighorn National Forest. It was managed as a primitive area as far back as 1932. These 189,000 acres of Forest Service managed wilderness are visible to the north and west as you travel along The Sweet 16 from Powder River Pass down toward Ten Sleep. Accessible only by foot or horseback, the Cloud Peak Wilderness features a star attraction, Cloud Peak, the tallest peak in the Big Horn National Forest at 13,167 feet.
Backcountry Exploring By Foot Or Horseback Riding
Hundreds of high-aline lakes rest like diamonds amid a mix of pine and spruce forests meadows and wetlands. Miles of streams and backcountry trails make the area popular with backpackers, horsemen and fly-fishermen. Fishing the high-alpine lakes after the ice thaws is known to keep a fly-rod bent all day long. After spending the day hiking, you can relax by catching a brook trout with nearly EVERY cast. Just don’t forget your mosquito spray as they can be extremely active once the ice thaws.
The sun sets near a high country lake in the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area
Please follow all regulations which includes filling out a registration form. Practice Leave No Trace techniques while hiking and camping to help keep this area pristine.
CLICK HERE to read a travel blog for this area for older visitors.
