Part 2 If you haven't watch part one first. Here is a link:
• Bighorn Mountains Cloud Peak Wilder...
After I struggled the first 2 days, in days 3 and 4 things go better. I acclimated, temperatures were cooler, and my pack was lighter. These sections of the trail were also much more scenic. Lake Solitude, Mistymoon Lake, Florence Pass and Florence Lake were highlights. A storm rolled in as I was atop of mountain and things got interesting.
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://midwestbackpacker.creatorsp...
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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/duplextent
Top Quilts
UGQ Outdoors 20 Degree Bandit
https://ugqoutdoor.com/topquilts/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 InReach 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/fannypack/
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...
DermaSafe Folding Knife
https://www.garagegrowngear.com/produ...
Salty Britches Chaffing Ointment
https://www.garagegrowngear.com/produ...
#solitudeloop #wyoming #cloudpeakwilderness