 |
 |
Mountain
Biking |
|
|
Mountain
Biking |
Biking western Wyoming |
| Article and photos by guest contributor and avid mountain biker, Dale Hill of Pinedale When the Good Lord was whittling and a wacken things out back a piece, he thought that man would eventually get around to discovering mountain biking. And when man did find this marvelous sport, God thought man would need a beautiful place to do it in. And God made Sublette County. There are 3,104,640 acres of land, 17% or 527,790 acres of this is private ownership. 428,169 acres are Bridger Wilderness designation under the U.S. Forestry Service and 23,040 are Gros Ventre Wilderness. This leaves approximately 2,125,600 acres of public land for what else but mountain biking. There's states smaller than that! Sublette County is an alpine area. Hard frost is possible almost every night of the year. Snow the same. Most of the trails are good for biking four to five months out of the year. Some only three to four. A lot of the trails described below are remote and not used frequently by anyone. Be prepared!!!! Carry maps, water, food, tools and extra clothing. Lost, cold and/or hungry are all possibilities on some trails. And carrying a bike five miles somehow diminishes the excitement of mountain biking. Remember, too, there's no biking allowed in the wilderness. If you're looking for superb mountain biking, explore Sublette County here in Wyoming! Miles and miles of trails to challenge any skill level! Stop by and visit me at our new A to Z Hardware store here on the west end of Pinedale if you're looking for suggestions or advice on great places to ride! Southeast Sublette County Starting in the southeast corner there is Prospect Mountain and Little Prospect Mountain. These are pleasant little used areas set off by Mother Nature from the main part of the Wind River Mountains to the east. Actually one of the Continental Divides is on Prospect Mountain. Yes, you trivia freaks, there are two Continental Divides in Wyoming. Aggressive trails are the norm and more pictures to be taken than can be held in a 35 hole film.
To the north of Little Prospect Mountain, across the county road, are Big Sandy Opening and Muddy Ridge. Big Sandy Opening offers a multitude of long and short rides. Lamreaux Meadows, Twin Lakes and Boulder Lake are a few of the destinations. The trails are moderate and may have to be shared with ATV riders (one of the missing links between Neanderthal Man and Modern Man). Muddy Ridge is less used and offers more exploring possibilities and harder Boulder Area 17 miles east of Boulder, WY, there is a left turn that takes you up some sage brush hills (it's not necessary to have a 4-wheel drive vehicle for this trip, but at least something called a truck would make this journey less worrisome), through a little forested area to a sage meadow with a lot of willows and a creek to the left. Unload the bikes, this is Irish Canyon. It's time to ride! Considerable old logging roads around this meadow are there to explore for family rides. For those riders with the larger quads, they need to ride east through the meadow on the two track, through the trees, the gate, hang a left across the creek and then a right. This two track trail leads up Irish Canyon for about three miles. At the end of Irish Canyon there is a trail leading right across the creek and up through the timber (steeply) to Lamreaux Meadows. Same Lamreaux Meadows as mentioned earlier. If you came this far and you were designated camera bearer and forgot it! Hope that fresh cow patties are not in season. Also at the end of Irish Canyon there is a small and often dry creek coming in from the left or north. This is for those large quaded riders who occasionally like to bike/hike the trail (this term trail is used loosely here) leads to Beaver Lake, Twin Lakes and Boulder Lake. This is a hard trail to follow and care needs to be taken in finding one's way!! Pinedale Area Near Pinedale there are numerous trails to explore. The climb to Half Moon Mountain is for those who enjoy the feeling of not having enough oxygen in the brain. For the people who also enjoy other feelings, a bike/hike can be made up the mountain. The view from the south ridge is worth the climb. The ridge can be ridden almost the total length and below the ridge is a sagebrush park that also runs the full length of the mountain. This parkland has many trails to ride. Wildlife is a real possibility. Cows and elk are noticeably different. One needs to know this or you will be a little embarrassed explaining why you shot some pictures of cows and calling them elk. Access to this ride is off the Pole Creek Road. Across from Half Moon is the Sweeney Creek and the
Grouse Mountain Trails. Pure mountain biking pleasure for the short
rides. The trail head for these are off Skyline Drive and just beyond
the Half Moon overlook. The trail forks 3/4 of a mile in. The trail on
the right is the Grouse Mountain trail, and the left is Sweeney Creek. The Grouse
Mountain trail is steeper, but offers beautiful overlooks of Half Moon
Lake. Also in this area is Kelly Park, Fortification
Mountain, and the old Skyline Drive. A cute (if I didn't use
cute here, nobody would ride it) little loop begins at Kelly Park Ski trailhead,
meanders (use lowest gears or walk) up to Kelly Park, then through the
Park. Just a little more altitude adjustment at the end of the Park, and
then down the face of a short ski hill. The Soda Lake and Spring Creek Park have a bunch of inter-connecting trails that wind through the sage brush, aspen groves, and coniferous forest. Views include Soda Lake, Fremont Lake, Willow Lake and Little Soda. This is near the top of the list for rides. The climb from Soda Lake to Spring Creek Park has a couple of places that oxygen deprivation can happen, but all in all is a pleasant ride for everybody. The views are great along the whole climb. The descent is unadjectiveable. A single track through heavy forest, an occasional small meadow. Plain unadulterated brake grabbing bliss. The possibility of hitting a cow, an elk, some down timber, or some standing timber is real! A side trip up to the Glimpse Lake Trail to the Wilderness boundary (NO bikes in the Wilderness!) has a dramatic view of Fremont Lake and Long Lake. The boldness of the granite in the Wind River Mountains is magnificently displayed along this trail. Upper Green River ValleyFurther north there is Boulder Basin in the Upper Green River Valley. A moderate climb to Boulder Basin, hang a right, and enjoy. Great family outing and seldom used. The Upper Green River Valley! Might as well stay the week. More trails than one can shake a stick at. Boulder Basin as mentioned, Gypsum Creek, Roaring Forks, Tosi Creek, Tepee Creek. Old logging roads galore. The jewel is Elk Ridge. A steady two track climb from the river west to the base of the ridge. (Chain stretch is very probable on this ride) Now that you are completely out of gas, carry the bike to the top of the ridge. Sit down and consume the scenery. The Wind River Mountains to the east, the Wyoming Range to the southwest, the Gros Ventre Range immediately to the west, the Absorkas to the north, and just a touch of the Tetons through a break in the Gros Ventres. Then above the Green River Valley (might as well get that stick a shaken again) is Union Pass, Lake of the Woods, Fish Creek, Seven Lakes, etc. Bondurant and the Hoback Rim AreaA neat hike is to Water Dog Lakes. Heading
north towards Bondurant, just before the Rim, hang a left. Take this road
a few miles to where the sign says "No motorized traffic beyond this point.
(A good place to stop and unload.) The Bondurant area. The west side of Sublette County is the Wyoming Range. If apple pie is American, then the Wyoming Range is mountain biking! West of the town of Merna (the word town is used to mean a few mail boxes on a post) is a creek called Horse Creek. Drive to the end of the road and YOWSER!! A single track following north Horse Creek to the top of the drainage to a large (I mean large) open meadow and at the ridge on the west, a look into the Grays River Valley. The trail leads back down. No road sign there, but if there was it would say, "Please check brakes before descending". Excellent afternoon. If you know your directions (real important!!) and have a shuttle, the trail can lead north to the Upper Hoback Canyon for a scenic narrow stream crossing descent. The North Horse Creek trail is a good afternoon ride, up and down. The connection with the Hoback is a long day ride, and you need to know your directions as it can easily become a two or three day ride with directions provided by the Search and Rescue Squad. The South Fork of North Horse Creek is an excellent ride starting right at the fork between the creeks. It follows an old logging road and then an intense uphill to single track and up the ridge to a stupendous view of everything and it ends at Gunsight Gap. Pack the tent, Ma, and don't forget the ice chest. We're going to Cottonwood Creek. More riding than one can do in a week! The area was timbered for railroad ties starting back in the 1800's and lasting until the 1930's. Old timber roads, miles and miles of spectacular alpine meadows, thousand foot cliffs. The best family ride is the North Fork of the South Cottonwood. And nice afternoon ride as far as one wants to ride and enjoy. Open forest to enjoy, great photos to be taken. The North Fork of the South Fork of Cottonwood is a nice afternoon ride. A ride to Kleinstick Mine or up Shoberg Creek are great moderate rides in North Cottonwood. The North Fork of the South Cottonwood can be ridden and hiked until the pass into Sheep Creek is achieved. Check the helmet strap, put a turn or three on the brake adjusting screws, we're going down hill! On this descent one may ponder the possibility of dismounting and walking a few steps. If this thought occurs, it is probably too late. You and the bike are about to change relationship as to top thing and bottom thing. When the trail levels to a condition not requiring arse aft of the cushion, Sheep Creek Falls will be on the left for your private viewing. A shuttle from South Cottonwood to just over McDougal Gap is required. Piney Creeks west of Big Piney. More of the best mountain biking. The cream of them, North Piney Creek. More scenery and single track than can be tolerated in one day. If the ride from the top of North Piney Meadows to the bottom is consumed in one sitting with no breaks, the brain and the bike will suffer meltdown. Don't forget Menace Falls at the top of North Piney Meadows, heading into the drainage north. A truly all day ride if one has the stamina. North Piney Lake, Middle Piney, Snyder Basin. Will it never end? Somewhere near LaBarge the county ends, but the Wyoming Range continues. BLM land and the MesaIn between the Wind River Range and the Wyoming Range exist some sage brush covered hills of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This entails 900,000 acres of every kind of riding and terrain imaginable with ridges, glacial moraines and deposits, and badlands. Names like Chapel Canyon, Stewards Point, Squaw Nipple, Blue Rim and the Mesa. So many draws and gulches they ran out of names to use. There was so many places to name when they were drawing up the maps for Sublette County, they had to import a couple of hundred people just so they had some different names to use. Ride the roads over easy, rolling hills and enjoy a 360 degree view that includes the complete Wind River Range skyline, the Gros Ventre Mountains, the Tetons, the Wyoming Range, and the Big Piney plateau. At one time the Mesa mountain biking trail was planned through here by the BLM, but never completed or marked. Got a question about mountain biking
in our area? Many thanks to Dale Hill for the information provided on this page. When he's not out mountain biking, Dale can be found at the Pinedale A to Z Hardwaree store, which he owns and operates with his wife, Ardell. Dale stocks mountain bikes and accessories. Stop by and see him if you're interested in good information and advice on mountain biking in Sublette County! Credits: All photos copyright Dale Hill, 1998-2005. May not be used without permission. Continental
Divide Mountain Biking Trail: Season
and Services Many of our trails and riding areas are remote and infrequently used, so bikers are strongly urged to come prepared with everything needed for a self-sufficient trip. Riders often must rely on their own resources to get out of trouble or back to civilization. Cell phone reception is spotty in many areas. Carry maps, water, food, tools and extra clothing. Many trails are not well marked, so it is important that riders come with detailed maps and directions for where they wish to ride. Mountain
biking rules & tips: For more area information: Bridger-Teton National Forest Big Piney Ranger District Sublette County
Visitor's Center/Sublette Chamber of Commerce |
|
| |
| To
contact Pinedale Online, call 307-360-7689, e-mail: support@pinedaleonline.com,
or stop by our office located in Office Outlet in Pinedale, 43 S. Sublette Ave.
Copyright 2022, all rights reserved. Photos by Pinedale Online unless otherwise
credited. May not be used without permission. | |
One
would think that they would take some of those granite rocks out of here.
Follow the trail to the old Ski Lodge, then the road for a 1/4 mile and
then down the creek back to the car.
Right
across the creek, over the hills, and through the woods to... the Twin
Creek Valley we go. You paid for all them low gears, might as well
use them here. Nice steady climb through a sage brush valley rimmed with forest
leads to Water Dog Lake located at the base of a large sandstone cliff. A bottle
of gatorade and a camera (and as long as one is bringing, the fishing pole
and fishing license) would make this a nice afternoon.
A
good many Creek drainages to ride, but the destination here is the Upper
Hoback, west of Bondurant at the Post Office. A lot of old logging
roads to ride, then there is the Upper Hoback Canyon. A test of man and stead.
A few river crossings. A bike carry or two. But at the end there is the Upper
Meadow and Roosevelt
Meadows and Hoback
Peak. Hope you didn't break the camera or get it wet. 
