(Press release) — Wyoming Wilderness Association (WWA) is pleased to share some of the most pristine mountain and desert wild lands through our summer outings program. With seventeen outings across Wyoming this summer, you will have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of terrain on FREE hikes led by experts in the field.
Hikers will learn about wild land policies, wilderness characteristics, and development threats.
Venture into Wilderness, Recommended Wilderness, Wilderness Study Areas and Roadless Areas to explore the beautiful outdoors. This program provides first-hand experiences to help make informed decisions about protecting wild places.
Saturday, May 30th
Run the Red: Running Race in the Red Desert (moderate)
Your choice of a 20-mile or half marathon trail run through the Red Desert offers expansive views of the Boar’s Tusk, North and South Table Mountains, the Killpecker Sand Dunes, Steamboat Mountain, and the Wind River Mountains. Runners will enjoy wide open spaces while traversing this wild landscape. Register online at www.active.com.
Friday & Saturday June 5th–6th
BLM Wild Lands: Honeycomb Buttes Car Camping & Photography Workshop with Nicolaus Wegner (moderate)
Join WWA, Wyoming Outdoor Council (WOC) and naturalist John Mionczynski at the Honeycomb Buttes for an overnight car camping trip to learn tricks of the trade from photographer Nicolaus Wegner, creator of Wyoming Wildscapes I and II and Stormscapes I and II. Nicolaus is very familiar with Wyoming’s Red Desert and the Honeycomb Buttes are his favorite location in the Desert.
Tuesday, June 23rd
Bridger-Teton NF: A Sketch of Wilderness-A Plein Air Experience (easy)
The Teton Plein Air Painters will provide another interpretation of wilderness through art through this WWA event. This popular all-day open outing allows artists of all mediums to explore the tranquility and creative inspiration of the Palisades Wilderness Study Area. In collaboration with Bobbi Miller, President of the Teton Plein Air Painters, WWA is once again thrilled to offer this unique outing.
Thursday, June 25th
Shoshone NF Travel Monitoring: Union Pass Mountain Bike Ride (moderate-strenuous)
WWA staff and bike advocates from Lander, Dubois, and Jackson, have planned a day of trail ground-truthing in preparation of the Shoshone’s Travel Management Plan. Many hands (or bikes) will make light work of assessing motorized use and potential bike routes on the many scenic two-tracks in the area. There will be shuttle opportunities for those who prefer a longer ride.
Saturday, June 27th
Bighorn NF: Flower Hike in Rock Creek Recommended Wilderness (moderate-strenuous)
Sheridan College Professor and Biologist Ami Erikson will lead a hike with the WWA staff into the Rock Creek Recommended Wilderness and Fire Box Park. See the regrowth of the forest after the Gilead Fire of 2012.
Date TBD – end of June/early July
Red Desert, Yoga and Hiking in the Northern Red Desert (moderate)
Yoga-Instructor and Personal Trainer, Sylvia Carl will lead a hike and yoga session with the WWA for a hike and yoga session in the Northern Red Desert. We will go on a 3-5 mile hike along with a 45 minute yoga session to enjoy the open spaces and sweeping views of Wyoming’s Red Desert. Any level of yoga experience welcome! Families encouraged!
Wednesday, July 15th
Bridger-Teton and Shoshone NF: Brooks Mountain Day hike (moderate-strenuous)
This long, gradual climb leads to the top of Brooks Mountain from the Togwotee Pass highway. You’ll be rewarded with a scenic overlook of Brooks Lake and the DuNoir valley as well as views of the Tetons and the Wind Rivers. Bring a picnic lunch and celebrate our recent success defending the historic DuNoir Special Management Unit.
Tuesday, July 21st
Bridger-Teton NF: Wilderness Trail Maintenance in the Gros Ventre Wilderness (moderate)
Accompany WWA and Tim Farris, Bridger-Teton Backcountry Trails Supervisor, on an all day excursion into the heart of the Gros Ventre Wilderness to learn about the unique aspects of trail maintenance in a forever-changing landscape.
Saturday, July 25th
Bighorn NF, Ranch-to-Ranch picnic hike (strenuous)
Spend a full day with HF Bar owners Margi Schroth and Lily Bliss following a 10-mile FS trail from Paradise Guest Ranch to the HF Bar Ranch through wide alpine meadows overlooking the Ant Hill, Seven Brothers and Cloud Peak. Take time to view alpine wildflowers and mountain birds and some of the most intriguing Rock Creek scenery. Finish following the South Fork of Rock Creek through a deep canyon full of swimming holes that will tempt you for a dip.
Date TBD
Bighorn NF, Service Day with USFS
USFS staff and WWA have coordinated a forest service day in the Bighorns. Volunteer your time for a hands-on experience while lending a helping hand in one of the many projects that surround our wild lands. Projects may include fence removal, trail maintenance, or GIS surveying, among other things. Please call the Sheridan office (307) 672-2751 or visit our website www.wildwyo.org for updates.
Saturday and Sunday, August 1st and 2nd
Shoshone NF Travel Monitoring, Wiggins Fork/Castle Rock Stewardship weekend (all abilities)
Join WWA and the East Fork Grazing Association (EFGA) for a weekend of stewardship and exploration in the Castle Rock Roadless area. Saturday night we’ll cook and camp out at the cow camp cabin maintained by the EFGA. Saturday stewardship projects will include motorized route monitoring and fence repair. Sunday there will be varied guided hike options or free adventure time. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get to know this spectacular front country and the stewards that work it.
Saturday, August 1st
Bighorn NF, Yoga Hike at Buffalo Cave (all abilities)
Take a quiet hike past Red Canyon and into Buffalo Cave where yoga guru Dawn Sopron will lead us through an hour of relaxation as you listen to the babbling creek and a slight breeze blows through the trees. This trail provides great access into Rock Creek Recommended Wilderness! There are a few creek crossings on this hike, so bring shoes you don’t mind getting wet!
Saturday, August 8th
Bighorn NF, Devil’s Canyon Roadless Area (moderate)
Devil’s Canyon is home to 34,000 acres of undeveloped, roadless, primitive land on the western slope of the Big Horn Mountains. Join us, along with trekking extraordinaire and environmental scientist, Jack Smith, on this moderate hike that boasts incredible views of steep slopes and mountain plains that serve as the perfect habitat for Bighorn Sheep!
Saturday, August 15th
Bridger-Teton NF, The Palisades Wilderness Study Area (moderate)
Come with the WWA on this climb up Taylor Mountain in the enchanting Palisades Wilderness Study Area. We will take stops along the way to discuss the unique ecology and the natural role that fire plays in this wonderful piece of land just out the backdoor of Jackson.
Saturday, August 22nd
Shoshone NF Travel Monitoring, Warm Springs Ride (moderate-strenuous)
Horsemen and horsewomen are invited to join WWA and the Wind River District Backcountry Horsemen in a route-monitoring outing in the Warm Springs Area. Contact Sarah for more details: swalker@wildwyo.org or (307) 455-2246.
Saturday, September 12th
Shoshone NF, Bonneville Pass DuNoir SMU Hike (easy-moderate)
Join WWA Governing Counsel President, Dick Inberg and Wind River District FS staff to celebrate the continued protection of the Dunoir Special Management Unit. 6 miles roundtrip. Contact Sarah for more details: swalker@wildwyo.org or (307) 455-2246.
Saturday, September 19th
Shoshone NF Travel Monitoring, Sunlight Basin (easy-moderate)
Join WWA and conservation partners in a travel monitoring field trip in Cody’s front country. WWA will provide training and GPS’s for participants to help us document existing motorized routes to inform the Shoshone National Forest’s upcoming Travel Plan.
We ask that those interested do not sign up for outings if unsure of attendance. Some folks may miss an opportunity to participate. We completely understand health and weather cancellations.
For more information please call WWA at (307) 672-2751, visit our website www.wildwyo.org and email narisse@wildwyo.org to sign up!! See you on the trail!