Need educated on the Big Horns.

[dodgedlr]

Two or three of us are headed to the Big Horns next week from SD. We have all ridden in the Snowies before but dont have a clue about the Horns.
Should we stay in Sheridan? Where should we unload? And what general direction should we go?
Sorry I sound like such a rookie, but none of us have been here before.

 

[the fix-it guy]

If you stay in Sheridan you will have to trailer up every day. It will take you about an hour. Take hwy 14 up, Ranchester exit. There are a couple of spots to park along the hwy, or go to the top and park at Burgess Junction. There are motels in Ranchester and Dayton. Personally I would stay at one of the lodges Bear Lodge, Arrowhead or Elkview. All are under the same management.http://bearlodgeresort.com/

From Bear Lodge the best snow tends to be south or west.

 

[jokerman]

If you stay at Bear Lodge,look up Tom Chapman he's an awsum guide up ther and so is Ed you'll find them in the bar great guy's if you see them tell them Team DumbA$$ for Laramie say's LET'S RIDE

 

[Pro-8250]

If you stay in Sheridan you will have to trailer up every day. It will take you about an hour. Take hwy 14 up, Ranchester exit. There are a couple of spots to park along the hwy, or go to the top and park at Burgess Junction. There are motels in Ranchester and Dayton. Personally I would stay at one of the lodges Bear Lodge, Arrowhead or Elkview. All are under the same management.http://bearlodgeresort.com/

From Bear Lodge the best snow tends to be south or west.

I have not been there in four years.
Definitely stay in Burgess Junction. The Bear is the hot spot with the best food, but the Elk View has nicer rooms. The Big Horns are known for wind, wind blown hard packed snow, and rocks. If the snow is good it's a blast! The scenery is awesome. There is a lot of trail and off trail riding. If the snow is good, Devils Canyon up toward Wyoming High Country on the way to Bucking Mule Falls is fun. Another is Saw Mill Flats (marker 168) up trial "J" on the way to Freeze Out Point. If snow is good to the south there are some good off trail riding off of trail "P" trail "K" and trail "A" if I remember correctly. The Bighorns is huge, WATCH YOUR FUEL!

Devil's Canyon.

 

[bouchy24]

I was just there this past weekend

Outstanding riding! The day we left that got around 8" of fresh powder with minimal wind. My advice to you is go North and/or West on the closed Highway. Everything south seemed really rocky and wind blown(although we only went that way once and turned around rather quick.)

Take the 'J' Trail up to 'Freeze Out Point'. Great views and lots of meadows with deep powder to stop off and dick around in, plus it isn't too far from the resort so you're gas shouldn't be too much of a problem.

In my opinion, the Elk View has better food, but the Bear Lodge had better night life. All in all it was a great time and we can't wait to go back!!!

 

[dodgedlr]

Thank you all for the help. Next Thursday wont come soon enough!

 

[Burr]

Or you could stay with us and have just as much snow as with alot less people and a lot less money spent . If you look at the snow reports they very close. wwwtensleepmotel.com I will be out there.on monday and staying for three weeks.

 

[Shortedge]

Looking like timing is going to be perfect, we're rolling at noon on Tuesday.
You'll have no issues finding a place to play, unless we track it first.....

 

[shelbwyo]

As a local we have found the best snow west of bear lodge. Going either south or north of bear lodge has been our best finds. Not sure if you were wanting a guide, but bear lodge offers a guide service to help you find good areas. Stay on the mountain if you can at bear lodge, elk view or arrowhead.

 

[sykosledhead]

Since you have been to the Snowies you can understand what I have said before. I grew up riding the Big Horns but live in Laramie riding the Snowies. The Snowies are a peak kind of mtn. It doesn't take much to be on either side. There are some great snow on either side. But the BH are wide on top. You have to drive and easy hour on the highway to get across the top. My recommendation is get a guide and have more fun for your buck. Its not cheap to load and drive all the distances you guys do. Take a camera cause that has to be some of the most amazing country I know.

If not begin by riding down 14A from Bear Lodge, stay as group and plan on being stuck a lot. Look left side. Or head south along the highway, look right side of highway. The area you're looking for is if you are standing at the front door of Bear looking south, it would be your 1-2 oclock area, but about 10-20 miles back. If that helps.

syko

 

[Shortedge]

Looks like the snow's coming, but so is the dang wind

 

[shelbwyo]

Looks like the snow's coming, but so is the dang wind

I HATE wind!