Taking On the Mighty Big Horns!
My favorite place on the Big Horns!
Sitting in the passenger seat, phone held firmly in my hand as I put it out the window ready for the next photo, up we went, to something incredible that I never heard of before until a suggestion was made. My excitement was pumped as the mountains I have always lived by could be called “hills” by some, but they were the biggest I have in my hometown. Not these mountains. These were “ginormous” mountains, not like the ones back home!
The Big Horns are straight ahead!
The scenic byway, which is paved, is curvy with some hairpin turns, so having a short vehicle is very helpful going up and up and up. About 9000 feet above sea level, which is REALLY high to this desert dweller! We were staying in the busy little town of Sheridan in north central Wyoming where we could access the Big Horns, the Rocky Mountains little sister, so the locals say.
Once the dizzying, curvy roads were done, we made it to the top, rewarded with grandeur trees, very much alive and healthy, the smell of fresh, clean air with a very azure sky above. It was so nice to look at nature, and really see it and I mean REALLY see it! No smog, haze or anything else dirty, well, except the dirt on the ground, but everything seems so clean and fresh, like you just took the forest out of your dryer.
Fishing anyone?
Located in the Bighorn National Forest, here are some ideas of what you can do in the Bighorns:
Drive the scenic byway. It goes all over the top of the Bighorns, with plenty of photo opportunities. You might even see a moose there!
Hiking. Check the Alltrails app or your favorite hiking app to find some awesome places to explore!
A hiking trail I recommend is the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark. Incredible scenery on top, you could encounter snow (we did), and a peaceful place as you gaze at the Medicine Wheel and how people long ago placed it there. An easy hike, around 2.8 miles, plus an easy dirt road to a parking lot for the hiking trail. Nice rangers to help you out!
Off Roading. We saw some dirt trails and took our Bronco with ease on them. Fabulous!
If you like fishing, then pack up your equipment for a restful and peaceful day of fishing!
Photography. Can you tell I really enjoyed the Bighorns by the photos here??? Even a simple phone can dazzle you with beautiful photos and memories.
Camping. Lots of space for tent camping but I also saw plenty of people with trailers. Just know that the roads coming up to the Big Horns are steep, and some more than others, so have plenty of power to go up!
The Medicine Wheel hike! So much fun and beautiful!
Please check with the Bighorn National Forest for information on recreational activities and weather. They will be happy to help!
Simple dirt road to drive on!
I am one of those people that like to find unique, kind of out of the way type of places, and one I can share with you is a cute restaurant that serves delicious pie, I think for your reward for making it up that high! How about taking a walk after that scrumptious pie slice you ate, and check out the wildflowers. I think one of my favorite places to walk (and there are plenty!) was scattered with many wildflowers that presents its beautiful colors any passerby. Brilliant purples, yellows, blue and white, peeking their tiny heads up towards the bluest of blue skies.
Oh my goodness! I got to walk on a large hill and just take photos of the wildflowers in all their elegance. I actually would have loved to roll on the hill with the grass carpet underneath by body, remembering my childhood and just having fun without any worries. I think that was the effect the Big Horns had on me: letting go and having fun!
The amazing views from above!!
There are two ways to get to the Big Horns, by the towns of Sheridan or Cody, both in Wyoming. Both ways are highly scenic, although if you are in Cody, there are two roads to drive up to the Big Horns: Highways 14 and 14 A. One of them is steeper than the other at 10%. Yikes! Yes, we went up on both roads, but for the steep road, I am glad we went up to it and not down it, otherwise we would be using our brakes a lot!
So if you find yourself going to Wyoming and I highly recommend you do, why not make a trip to the Big Horns in the summer? Check the weather before going as it can snow anytime! I recommend visiting in the summer, unless you are into skiing nearby, then I heard winter is a lot of fun too. But for the summer, perhaps in July, I can honestly say you might have the BEST time visiting the ever present Big Horns!
So did we take on the mighty Big Horns? YES!!! Simply the most amazing place you can visit in Wyoming, next to Yellowstone, of course, but without all the crowds.
Wildflowers galore!!