Big Horn Mountain Coalition, EDD

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BIG HORN MOUNTAIN COUNTRY

“Visit Wyoming’s Big Horns if you can stand the quiet”

From the peaks of the majestic Big Horn Mountains to the depths of breath-taking Big Horn Canyon, from the softly winding scenic by-ways through the Big Horn National Forest to the delicately trod upon wildlife trails in the foothills, Big Horn Mountain Country is an un-crowded year-round paradise enjoyed by visitors and area residents alike. This four-county area encompasses numerous square miles of vast open spaces and rugged beauty.  Lying in the center of this region are the spectacular Big Horn Mountains, so named after the great numbers of big horn sheep that were once found in the area.  Steep canyon entryways and high walls lead to a sky-high realm of forests and meadows, with remarkable scenic beauty and historic roots. Most of the Big Horn Country is public land, under the management of the Bighorn National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management.  Here, the combination of outdoor recreation, wildlife, scenery, wood, water and forage resources create a multiple use retreat where unlimited adventures await the visitor. The area boasts many developed recreation sties, which include camping areas, scenic areas, hiking trails and spectacular canyons.  A paradise for rock hounds, archaeologists and historians, Big Horn Mountain Country also features many geological formations and interpretive signs explaining historic attractions. Numerous area streams and lakes provide outstanding fishing opportunities for the angler, while the large open spaces, gentle slope of the land and abundance of snow in the winter supply some of Wyoming's best snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Large herds of deer and elk live in Big Horn Mountain Country, along with many other wildlife species, including moose, big horn sheep, waterfowl and upland game birds, to name a few.  These animals provide a multitude of photo opportunities and excellent hunting in season.  Back-country roads and trails provide access to these areas. The 189,000-acre Cloud Peak Wilderness Area is located within the Bighorn National Forest boundaries.  The entire area lies at elevations above 8,500 feed and travel is by foot or horseback only. Cattle and sheep grazing among the wildflowers are not an uncommon sight in the Big Horns, where many acres of grazing land exist.  Under a permit system, ranchers pay to use the rangelands for grazing purposes.  In the Spring and Fall, visitors to the area can see cattle and sheep being moved to and from the mountain, a most unique Wyoming sight.  Timber harvesting, part of planned timber management, plays an important part in maintaining the overall health of the forest. Big Horn Mountain Country has something for everyone-whether you're an outdoor recreationist, sightseer, traveler or merely wish to kick back and relax.  The breath-taking terrain and foliage, pristine air and unspoiled mountain beauty of the Big Horns bekon those who wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. There is no place in the world like Big Horn Mountain Country-we invite you to come and experience it for yourself.

Spend a night or two with us!  Great places to stay! Meadowlark Lake Resort        4700 U.S. Highway 16 E., Ten Sleep, WY 82442  http://www.thebighorn.com/meadowlark/lodging.htm Big Horn Mountain Resorts 4700 U.S. Highway 16 E., Ten Sleep, WY 82422 http://www.thebighorn.com/ Snowshoe Lodge Snowshoe Pass in Bighorn National Forest Shell, WY 82421 http://snowshoe-lodge.com/ Kedesh Guest Ranch 1940 U.S. Highway 14 E., Shell, WY 82441 http://www.kedesh.com/ The Hideout Big Horn National Forest Shell, WY 82441 http://www.thehideout.com/mountain-lodge.html Ranger Creek Guest Ranch 3261 Paintrock Road (FS Rd. 17) Shell, WY 82441 http://www.rangercreekranch.net/ Trapper Creek Lodge & Guest House Trapper Creek Rd./Trapper Creek Canyon Shell, WY 82441 http://www.trapper-creek-guest-ranch.com/ Arrowhead Lodge and Resort 6002 U.S. Hwy 14, Dayton, WY 82836 http://www.arrowheadlodgewyoming.com/ Bear Lodge Resort 1/4 Mi. South of Burgess Junction/Hwy. 14A Dayton, WY 82836 http://www.bearlodgeresort.com/ Foothills Campground/Motel Box 174, Dayton, WY 82836 http://www.foothillscampground.com/ The Passage Resort at Big Horn SE Burgess Jct./Hwy 14, Dayton, WY 82836 http://www.thepassageresort.com/info/indexsummer.php Spahn's Big Horn Mountain B&B, LLC 70 Upper Hideaway, Big Horn, WY 82833 http://www.bighorn-wyoming.com/ Spear Ranch Guest Houses 170 Brinton Road, Big Horn, WY 82833 http://www.wyomingtourism.org/overview/Spear-Ranch-Guest-Houses/4287 The Pines Lodge 7845 U.S. Highway 16 W., Buffalo, WY 82834 http://www.ultimatewyoming.com/businessdirectory/buspages/sec3/pineslodge.html Hitchin' Post Lodge 12 Ridgecrest Drive, Story, WY 82842 http://www.storybnb.com/ Piney Creek Inn B&B 11 Skylark Lane, Story, WY 82842 www.bighornvacations.com Wagon Box Inn 109 N. Piney Rd., Story, WY 82842 (307) 683-2444  800-301-3120 www.wagonbox.com Little Piney Ranch 414 Wagon Box Rd., Banner, WY 82832 (307) 638-2668 www.littlepineyranch.com Spear-O-Wigwam Ranch Bighorn National Forrest, Big Horn (307) 673-5543  888-818-3833 www.spear-o-wigwam.com Klondike Ranch 386 Crazy Woman Canyon Rd., Buffalo, WY 82834 (307) 684-2390  800-362-2982 www.klondikeranch.com Paradise Guest Ranch 282 Hunter Creek Road, Buffalo, WY 82834 (307) 684-7876 www.paradiseranch.com TA Guest Ranch 28623 Old Highway 87, Buffalo, WY 82834 (307) 684-5833  800-368-7398 www.taranch.com Triple Three Ranch 333 French Creek Road, Buffalo, WY 82834 (307) 738-2294 www.triplethreeranch.com Willow Creek Ranch at the Hole-In-The-Wall West Willow Creek Rd., Kaycee, WY 82639 (307) 738-2294 www.willowcreekranch.com Double Rafter Cattle Drives 84 Five Mile Road Ranchester, WY 82839 (307) 655-9539  800-704-9268 www.doublerafter.com HF Bar Ranch 1301 Rock Creek Rd., Saddlestring, WY 82840 (307) 684-2487 www.hfbar.com Eaton's Ranch 270 Eaton's Ranch Road, Wolf, WY 82844 www.eatonsranch.com South Fork Mountain Lodge & Outfitters 16 miles W of Buffalo (307) 267-2609 www.southfork-lodge.com Folded Hills Ranch - Little Bighorn Outfitters 28759 Old Highway 87, Buffalo, WY 82834 (307) 684-2365 www.foldedhillsranch.com

"Esther McWilliams purchased her first 35mm camera in the early 1980's and began to record with her own distinctive flair the beauty of her beloved Big Horn Mountains.  Her only rule of photography, she says, is to keep her camera always "at the ready" so as not to miss those once-in-a-lifetime shots.  She has a knack for being able to capture the things so many of us notice--but never truly see." Bob Mountain Laramie, Wyoming Esther passed away in March of 2010, leaving her legacy of the Big Horn Mountains forever captured in her book.  She was a feisty, spirited lady whose love of the outdoors led her out of the classroom and into the hills.  She was an inspiration to us all.              *Click on the image of the book to view photos* Produced in cooperation with the Big Horn Forest Service, "Beauty of the Big Horns" is in its second printing and can be purchased at the following retail locations: Retail Stores