Lonesome Highway — Bighorn Mountains Powder River Pass to Hunter Corrals via Cloud Peak Wilderness Edge
Wyoming high plateau, zero crowds, big sky.
US-16 over Powder River Pass gets all the attention, but the real drive is on Bighorn National Forest roads threading east of the pavement near Hunter Corrals — a network of USFS two-tracks that drop off the 9,600-foot plateau into lodgepole draws, cross ice-cold tributaries of the Powder River, and put Cloud Peak’s granite walls right in your windshield. The stretch around USFS Road 17 between Battle Park Campground and the Hunter Corrals trailhead is the money section: rutted two-track through open meadow, creek crossings that run hard in June, and views across the Bighorn Basin that stretch to the Absarokas on a clear morning.
This is a moderate route that punishes the unprepared more than the mechanically unskilled — afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast above 9,000 feet and the clay-loam surface turns to axle-grabbing grease when wet. A stock 4WD with decent clearance handles it in dry conditions, but plan for airing down. Best window is mid-July through September. No permit needed, but Bighorn National Forest dispersed camping rules apply. Nearest fuel and groceries in Buffalo or Worland. Cell service is gone the moment you leave the pavement. Carry water — streams look clean but treat everything above the grazing allotments.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 34 mi / 54.7 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9680 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Buffalo, WY |
| Land manager | Bighorn National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run this without modifications?
Yes — a stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle handles this route. Lifted rigs have more margin on the rutted sections near Powder River Pass, but nothing here requires lockers or a lift.
When does this route actually open after winter, and is snow a real concern?
At nearly 9,700 ft max elevation, the route typically clears by early-to-mid July. Snow can linger on shaded sections well into June, and early September storms are not rare — July through August is the reliable window.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on this route?
No permit required to drive it. Dispersed camping on Bighorn National Forest land is free and legal under standard Forest Service rules — 14-day stay limit, 300 ft from water and trails. The Cloud Peak Wilderness boundary is nearby; stay on forest roads and you're fine.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The roughest stretch is the mid-route forest road descent with embedded rock and erosion ruts — nothing technical, but it'll punish low-clearance rigs and shake loose gear that isn't strapped down. Moderate means moderate here: capable stock 4WD and a driver who's read a topographic map.
How serious are the water crossings, and is there any resupply or gas between Powder River Pass and Hunter Corrals?
The crossings are seasonal stream fords — typically knee-deep or less by mid-summer, but check recent conditions after heavy rain. There is zero resupply on this 34-mile stretch; fuel up in Buffalo before you head up, and carry enough water since sources need treatment.
Trail track
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