Hike 24 - Porcupine Falls

It was day two in Wyoming and we’d already completed two hikes, but Jesse suggested we explore another area that second afternoon. We were on board as it involved a waterfall and a short hike. Jesse noted that the last time he was in the Big Horn mountains with the guys they had intended to end up here by starting on another trail. However, they discovered that the trail wasn’t going to get them where they wanted so hours later they turned around and headed back to the trucks. They eventually found the trail head, but only one guy was up for making the hike. He returned sharing how beautiful it was so Jesse wanted to make sure he saw it this time.

It did not disappoint.

I don’t normally include trails that are under a mile here because that seems ridiculous, but since this was hiked after two other hikes (one strenuous, one moderate) and this had a very steep pitch, it really felt like a much longer trail. My body at this point was feeling fairly shot so I tried to get my mind in the game, but heading down a trail first knowing that you had to climb back up on the return was messing with me. This trail was a lot of dirt and rocks, but also had spots where stairs were built into the hillside (with rocks or wood). We debated about if the stairs were actually helpful, or if they hurt our knees (me) and ankles (Jesse) more. While Riley flew up Steamboat Point, she generally wallowed behind like her mother on this one making many pit stops along the way.

While we could have spread these hikes out a bit more, this was really the culmination of all three for me. Sure the views of Steamboat Point were amazing, and the symbolization of peace, unity, courage, and harmony at the Medicine Wheel trail was powerful, but this waterfall was something else. Knowing the challenge we had to go through to get here meant something. Knowing that we had the place to ourselves meant something. Knowing that there are places this beautiful that exist meant something.

Hike #: 22

Trail: Porcupine Falls

Location: Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming

Trail surface: gravel road

Date: 8/26/19

If this was the first hike of this trip, I may have rated it a little higher as the views and peacefulness of the trail was amazing. I think we would have enjoyed it a bit more if they lengthened the trail to make it a little less steep.

Jo: ★★★★

Jesse: ★★★★★

Riley: ★★★★

Hike 23 - Medicine Wheel Trail

Hike two of our Wyoming trip was on the Medicine Wheel trail. This was a bit of a relief after the incline of our Steamboat Point hike. Don’t get me wrong, I still took it slow, but I don’t remember thinking I was going to die. It was chilly, but beautiful.

We parked in the lot at the head of the trail, which was really just a dirt road. There was a small hut in which the rangers hung out, pit toilets, and a bunch of walking sticks for the hike. The hike was easy enough although I was still feeling the impact of our last hike up to Steamboat Point. While we were walking up the mountain, it did have a few ups and downs at slight inclines and declines which helped it not feel so strenuous.

The Medicine Wheel has been used by generations of Native Americans in ceremonies for health and healing and is suspected to be about 7000 years old.

Hike #: 22

Trail: Medicine Wheel Trail

Location: Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming

Trail surface: gravel road

Date: 8/26/19

As we came back to our truck, small snowflakes floated down upon us for a fleeting moment making this feel like a magical place. I know that may be the norm in the mountains in August, but it was a nice touch to wrapping up this hike.

Jo: ★★★★

Jesse: ★★★★★

Riley: ★★★★

Hike 22 - Steamboat Point

After a long day and a half drive we finally made it to the Big Horn mountains in Wyoming. Our first stop was a hike, one that Jesse did the year before, and he prepared me that it was short but steep. I could do that - steep would be a challenge, but it was short. How hard could it be? Lolz. In reality, I huffed and puffed my way up this mountain. Headache slowly creeping up , heart trying to beat out my chest, but I made it with a number of breaks in shaded spots and sips of water or Gatorade.

But I made it.

My 9 year old led the three of us. She and Jesse seemed fine even though she would later express how hard it was. Neither of them seemed to be breathing as hard as me which leads me to believe that I’m not made for these inclines. I suspected this when we were in Utah and I dragged behind the pack, also huffing and puffing away. I don’t do well in high altitudes, in heat, in pushing myself too hard, but I know that I can do this at my own pace.

Hike #: 22

Trail: Steamboat Point

Location: Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming

Trail surface: dirt, rock - very steep

Date: 8/25/19

In retrospect I can recommend this hike. Just make sure that you take it at your own pace as the view will be worth it when you (eventually) get to the top.

*Also my rating is probably more reflective of how I handle these hikes than an average person.

Jo: ★★

Jesse: ★★★★

Riley: ★★★