Lake Helen -Cloud Peak Wilderness
Written & Photos By: Laurel Thompson
As the heat of summer starts to descend on the lower elevations in the Bighorn Basin of Northcentral Wyoming, like many Wyomingites, Sam and I begin to seek out high country adventures where the water remains crisp and the air cool.
Alpine Haven
Spanning over 189 thousand acres in Bighorn National Forest lies one of our favorite high elevation retreats – Cloud Peak Wilderness. Having long been recognized as some of the most magnificent alpine scenery in the lower 48 attributed to its sharp peaks and soaring sheer rock faces atop glacier-carved valleys, this is an amazingly beautiful and remote haven to explore.
Summer Access
Named after the highest peak in the Bighorn Mountains – Cloud Peak standing at 13,167 feet – this primitive area is blanketed in snow most of the year but reveals its lush meadows, vibrant streams, and glacier blue lakes during the warm months of summer for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages to enjoy whether you are hiking some of its 100+ miles of scenic trails, horseback riding, or backpacking!
First Visit of the Season
In mid-June, Sam and I were excited to take our first trip of the season into this magical country for a day filled of hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and pack rafting. With our gear and plenty of snacks in tow, we made our way to the Cloud Peak Scenic Byway which stretches 47 miles in the southern end of Bighorn National Forest.
This southern-most route can be reached from Buffalo to the east and Ten Sleep to the west. The scenic drive alone is worth the visit!
At the Trail Head
After climbing our way up through the picturesque switchbacks of Tensleep Canyon and the conifer lined, dirt road to West Tensleep Lake, we had arrived at our jumping off point into Cloud Peak Wilderness!
This area offers a variety of hiking trails whether you are looking for a quick stroll and picnic around the lake or are heading in for an overnight backpacking trip.
Picking a Trail
For this day trip adventure, Sam and I chose to hike and fish our way up to Lake Helen – about a 10-mile loop. The weather was beautiful – sunny and warm – perfect for a day of hiking and playing in cold mountain streams.
Creek Crossing
As we made our way around West Tensleep Lake, we encountered several cheery hikers and watched as kayakers made their way across the glassy water. We tried our hand at fishing the lakeshore for a few casts but had no luck and marched on!
Shortly after passing the lake, we reached the first portion of the trail that crosses through Tensleep Creek. The water was cold and quick, but low enough to cross with ease. Pepper, our red heeler, showed no signs of hesitation as she plunged into the refreshingly cold water.
Flooded Meadows
The trails scenery changed several times as we made our way up the rocky trail. We passed through cool, shaded bits of timber, open rocky meadows and walked along steep edges with spectacular views of Bomber and Cloud Peak Mountain.
One of my favorite spots along the way was a flooded meadow that appeared to be several small lakes due to the snowmelt runoff. We stopped for a while to fish the large pools of water and take in the calming views.
We caught several small brook trout, which have a beautiful coloring on their bellies. Brook trout, also referred to as “brookies” are native to the eastern United States, but slowly made their way out west as early as the 1850’s through introductions (Fws.gov).
Snow Covered Trails
As we continued to climb further up the trail towards Lake Helen, we began to encounter large amounts of snow on shaded portions of the trail. With our destination near, we pressed forward with frozen toes
in anticipation of lunch with a view!
Final Destination
Tucked away beneath rocky, snowcapped ridges and peaks, Lake Helen made for a breathtaking view! The still, crystal clear water was calling us out, so Sam quickly blew up his pack raft and shuttled Pepper and I out on the lake to a large rock for a cold beer and some fishing.
While we did not have any luck with the lake trout, we did enjoy the time spent floating the semi-frozen lake and soaking up the sun.
Chasing Sunsets
With a few hours of daylight left, Sam and I packed up our gear and began the journey back to the trail head. The sounds of the rushing creek and breeze in the trees, along with the evening alpenglow, made for a perfect descend. We were even fortunate enough to observe a few cow moose grazing during the last bits of sunlight.
A Wilderness Must-Do
While Wyoming is home to many wilderness areas, we highly recommend exploring Cloud Peak Wilderness in Bighorn National Forest! And, if you do, be sure to share your WYld adventures with us by tagging us @LiveWYldMag and using the hashtag #LiveWYldMag.
