Bighorn Mountains - Cloud Peak Wilderness

Often overlooked due to its proximity to Yellowstone and the Tetons, the Bighorn Mountains are located in north central Wyoming. Halfway between the Black Hills and the Grand Canyon, the Bighorn National Forest is over 1 million acres and is covered in snow for most of the year. On the roughest mountain terrain of the Bighorns is Cloud Peak Wilderness Area. Cloud Peak tops out over 13,000 feet and much of the area is over 10,000 feet and offers a wide variety of mountains, pine forests, alpine meadows, alpine lakes, creeks, and waterfalls.

The Solitude Loop Trail (#38) is a 55 mile loop that is mainly in Cloud Peak Wilderness. The loop requires an additional walk in from a trailhead. I chose to start at Hunter Coral Campground Trailhead. This was about 7 miles into the loop. Hunter Coral trailhead has more traffic and security than other trailheads and is closest to the city of Buffalo.

In this video, I start my four day hike and struggle right off the bat with an unmaintained trail. I enjoy the amazing views while I battle the affects of not acclimating to the high altitudes.

If you want to see what I packed for this trip, check out this video:
   • Bighorn Mountains - Cloud Peak Gear List  

Midwest Backpacker Merch:
https://midwest-backpacker.creator-sp...

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Gear I frequently Use:
Backpacks -

Pilgrim Ultralight Highline Framed
https://pilgrimul.com

Hammock - Warbonnet Ridgerunner -
https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com​

Rain Fly - 13' Warbonnet Thunder Fly and Mountain Fly-
https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com​

Tent - Zpacks Duplex -
https://zpacks.com/products/duplex-tent

Top Quilts-
UGQ Outdoors 20 Degree Bandit -
https://ugqoutdoor.com/top-quilts/ban...

Hammock Gear O, 20, and 40 Degree Burrows-
https://hammockgear.com​

Under Quilts-
Warbonnet Outdoors 40 Degree Lynx Underquilt
https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com​

Loco Libre 20 and -20 Degree Ridge Reapers with 900 - fill power goose down - https://www.locolibregear.com​

Garmin In-Reach Mini Communicator
https://amzn.to/3A29lxJ

MSR Mini Groundhog Stakes -
https://amzn.to/35w1Wwd

Brooks Cascadia 16 Trail Runners -
https://amzn.to/3pKo50A

Anker Power Banks -
https://amzn.to/2Uxx2xv

Nitecore NU25 Headlamp -
https://amzn.to/3vPU9Ao

Hilltop Packs Custom Printed Food Bag -
https://www.hilltoppacks.com/#/

REI Magma 850 Hooded Down Jacket (seasonal) -
https://www.rei.com​

Sea to Summit Compression Dry Sack
https://www.rei.com/product/867058/se...

Cascade Mountain Tech Hiking Poles-
https://amzn.to/35PfrDr

Toaks 550ML Cook Pot-
https://amzn.to/3qycNfb

BRS Stove-
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NNMF70U?...

Fancy Feast Stove-
   • Fancy Feast Stove - DIY - GIVEAWAY  ​

Toaks Long Handle Spoon-
https://amzn.to/3j30HJ8

REI Rainpants-
https://www.rei.com/product/137186/re...

Enlightened Equipment Visp Rain Jacket -
https://enlightenedequipment.com/mens...

Appalachian Gear Company Hoodie-
https://appalachiangearcompany.com

CNOC 2 Liter Water Bag -
currently unavailable

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter -
https://amzn.to/2TYmPK6

Sit Pad -
https://amzn.to/3hOliz2

Camera- iphone 14 Pro Max

Ultrapod Lightweight Camera Tripod-
https://amzn.to/3qm3wq6

Noxgear39g Bluetooth Speaker -
https://www.noxgear.com/39g

Peak Refuel Freeze Dried Meals (Used BCE15 Discount Code for 15% off)
https://peakrefuel.com/

Down Socks-
https://www.garagegrowngear.com/produ...

Lite AF Fanny Pack-
https://liteaf.com/product/fanny-pack/

Permethrin-
http://www.thetickterminator.com

Injinji Merino Wool Toe Sock Liners-
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LW7RHEY?...

Darn Tough Merino Wool Socks -
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008N4G3TC?...

Wuru Wool Company - Light Weight Merino Wool Hoodie
https://wuruwool.com

Trailbrush Toothbrush -
https://www.garagegrowngear.com/produ...

Derma-Safe Folding Knife -
https://www.garagegrowngear.com/produ...

Salty Britches Chaffing Ointment -
https://www.garagegrowngear.com/produ...

#solitudeloop #wyoming #cloudpeakwilderness