Triple and Mc Dougal Peaks Wyoming Mountain Range

Wyoming Moun­tain Range

Overview

The Wyoming Range is not as rugged or remote as the near­by Wind Riv­er Range or Gros Ven­tre Moun­tains, but has a strik­ing beau­ty all on its own. With a won­der­ful diver­si­ty of wild­flow­ers and rel­a­tive­ly easy access, it is a great place to go to find soli­tude for an out­door expe­ri­ence away from the crowds.

The Wyoming Range is home to elk, moose, deer, ante­lope, griz­zly and black bear, moun­tain lions, lynx, and many oth­er species of wildlife. The land­scape is a mix­ture of rolling open slopes dot­ted with sage­brush and pock­ets of aspen trees and forest­ed hills.

Popular Activities

Mountain Biking 2 Visit Pinedale WY

WYOMING RANGE NATION­AL RECRE­ATION TRAIL

This scenic trail sys­tem runs for approx­i­mate­ly 70 miles along the Wyoming Range, with much of the trail at or near the crest above 9,000 feet ele­va­tion. Most of the trail is closed to motor­ized vehi­cles, although one short seg­ment between Lake and North Piney creeks is open to trail bikes. The rest of the trail is for hik­ers, horse­back rid­ers and moun­tain bik­ers. Access is typ­i­cal­ly from July through Sep­tem­ber, although some por­tions may be accessed as ear­ly as mid-May or as late as mid-Octo­ber, depend­ing on the weath­er. Best time for opti­mum trail con­di­tions and access is August and Sep­tem­ber. The trail begins in the north in the Hoback Canyon at Bryan Flat/​Willow Creek at an ele­va­tion of 6,300 feet and ends at the South Piney Creek Trail­head at an ele­va­tion of 8,200 feet.

A SECLUD­ED PAR­ADISE FOR NATURE LOVERS

Many back­coun­try hik­ing trails tra­verse these moun­tains, includ­ing the Wyoming Range Nation­al Recre­ation Trail. Trails are open to hik­ers, horse­back rid­ers and moun­tain bik­ers. Trails cross remote, prim­i­tive coun­try, and in some places they may be hard to find. Roads usu­al­ly are snow free from mid July until mid Octo­ber. Dur­ing the win­ter, roads serve as a net­work of snow­mo­bile trails.

LOCA­TION

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Snowmobiling Visit Pinedale WY

BEFORE YOU GO

Access to the range is by a network of one-lane gravel roads that wind through the mountain slopes, and are suitable for two wheel drive cars and trucks. Some roads are not recommended for RVs or trailers.

Roads are often narrow and windy with limited sight distance, and caution is advised to watch for rocks on the road and wash boarded sections that can affect handing of your vehicle. To get to the interior, you need to park your car and either hike or horseback trail ride in.

  • The eastern side of the Wyoming Range can be accessed from US 189 (watch your speeds here too!). Commercial services are available on the perimeter, but none are available within the range.
  • Get gas and food in Pinedale, Daniel, Big Piney, or Marbleton, and be sure to have a full tank of gas and a good spare tire.
  • You will find the best variety of lodging in the town of Pinedale.

For more information, visit the Forest Service Ranger Station offices located in Big Piney (US 189) and Pinedale (US 191).