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The Bighorn Mountain backdrop along the Black Mountain Trail |
This is one of my favorite rides in the northeastern Bighorn Mountains. It can be done either as an easy, five-mile, out-and-back (10 miles total) with a Darth Rating of "Yes," or as a tougher 17-mile loop with a Darth Rating of "Yes, but be careful."
Getting There
From Sheridan, I take Interstate 90 north to the Dayton exit. I continue on Highway 14 toward the mountains, passing through Ranchester and Dayton. I climb up the switchbacks and into the mountains. At the Black Mountain Road sign (Forest Road 16), I turn left and continue 2.6 miles to another fork in the road where I park in a nearby camping spot and unload my bike. Darth can hardly contain his enthusiasm as he bounces around me.
The Ride
Together we head east on Forest Road 186. The first 4.5 miles follow a rough and rocky double-track that climbs steadily. My legs burn with the effort. Just before the burn becomes scorching, the trail levels off to give my legs and lungs a break.
After 4.8 miles, the road passes through an old forest fire burn where tree carcasses stand like charred, gray sentinels guarding the green of new young trees.
After another 0.2 mile, the trail reaches a summit that overlooks Wolf and Quartz Creeks. This is the turnaround point for the out-and-back route. However, Darth and I continue on the loop as the trail begins its descent to the valley floor. Advanced cyclists may be able to stay in the saddle and ride the trail to the bottom, but I opt for the safer method and bike-hike over the rock and loose debris.
At the valley bottom, the trail crosses the creek. I wade across only to find the trail recrosses the creek after another 50 yards. This time, I decide to stay on the west side of the creek and bushwhack along the bank. After 100 yards I come to a clearing with a corral. A sign calls this the"Big Bend Picnic Area." I go behind the corral (to the west), find the trail heading back up the hill, and reconnect with it.
This begins the significantly aerobic portion of the route. In nearly five miles, the route climbs 1,700 feet, passing through lodgepole timber before entering an old forest fire burn. After two miles of climbing, the trail joins an old logging road. Here the grade eases, but it's still uphill.
With each mile the road improves until, after four miles, it joins the graveled Black Mountain Road. The final three miles are quick as the road winds downhill back to the start. This section earns a Darth Rating of "Yes, but be careful."
Where are you going?
What do you want to do?
