Powder River Pass to Cloud Peak Wilderness

The old freight road from Powder River Pass climbs through the Bighorn Mountains’ high country, following routes established by miners and ranchers in the 1880s seeking access to the Cloud Peak mining district. The track branches from Highway 16 near the pass, winding through aspen groves and alpine meadows toward the wilderness boundary. Key waypoints include the abandoned Bald Mountain City site and the technical descent to Mirror Lake, where you’ll find remnants of the old mining operations that pulled gold and silver from these peaks through the early 1900s.

Moderate to difficult depending on conditions—high-clearance 4WD required for the full route, with some sections challenging enough to warrant low-range and decent tires. Best accessed June through October, though early and late season can bring snow at higher elevations. No permits needed for the road access, but wilderness camping requires following Leave No Trace principles. Dispersed camping available along the route with stunning views of Cloud Peak. This gives you a taste of Wyoming’s mining heritage with access to some of the most pristine alpine country in the state, all within striking distance of both coasts via historic routes.