Last Day in Big Horn Mountains

Tuesday we had stopped at the Big Horn National Forest Ranger station in Buffalo and inquired about some relatively easy but scenic hikes we could do up in the mountains.  We were given a couple of options and also an historic place to go to - Tyrell Ranger Station.  We wrote down instructions and decided that yesterday would be the best day, heat wise.

One thing we have seen and puzzled about, but then found out.  Wyoming drivers are one of the worst in the country, and as we travel along in this state we have seen a weird looking sign posted every now and then.  In 2003 the state decided that no more personal memorials are allowed along the side of the road when there has been a fatality.  Too distracting to motorists. Instead, this sign is put up as a reminder and memorial to all as they pass by.  In Montana it is a bright white small cross.  Not sure how this goes over to the non-Christian folks, but it is what it is.

Roadsign to show a fatality - 2 here

Still smoke in the mountains as we entered from the east side on Route 16, Cloud Peak Scenic Byway.  I have come to really enjoy these mountains, they are spectacular and stunning.  We did not see any sign of past or recent fires - although we were corrected about the rust blight we saw, not so.  Last year someone shot off fireworks and caught the trees on fire, but luckily, it was extinguished before the fire got out of hand.  The ranger said they are not sure if the trees will fully recover.

Up and down, around we go

And over Pole Creek

Could not get lost - orange signage on trees

Just beautiful

Off we drove to FR 31 road, also known as Pole Creek Road.  Beautiful high mountain scenery.  Lots of pine, the smell is incredible. Lush undergrowth.  Every now and then we would see an abandoned campsite, or one occupied with  RV tucked into the forest.  Did not see any wildlife for the first couple of miles.  The road was a hard pack dirt/gravel - very level, not dusty.  Twisted and turned, up and down, over Pole Creek, Caribou Creek, in and out of meadows.  Hard to believe we were in 8600 feet elevation.  Cool, damp, the smell of forest.  I was in heaven.

RV tucked in

2 week max per stay

And then!  MOOSE!!!!!!     Somehow I caught the movement of a huge animal up in the pines - and was able to get a lot of pictures.  We were not sure if it was a moose or a caribou, but researching when we got back - MOOSE!!!  I AM SO HAPPY!!!

Big ugly MOOSE!

Mule deer, regular deer, marmot, squirrels, and of course the open range cows grazing.  Some of those cows are enormous.  Continued along, wondered where in the heck that historical ranger station was - never saw it.  Bummer. When we got back I looked it up on the internet - totally different road than FR31, oh well.

Mom and baby deer

Mule deer just resting by road

Marmot hiding in rocks

Helloooo!

Drove on back towards Buffalo and stopped about 5500 elevation about about 7 miles from Buffalo, to Moiser Gulch picnic area where the ranger said that the Clear Creek trail was and we followed it along for some distance along the creek.  Pretty scenery, walked about a mile until the sun got to us and turned around and headed back to the car.  Lovely day in the mountains.  Got a yuck, yuck when we were heading back - seems that people who have dogs around here let the dogs travel outside of their truck in the bed.  This particular one had a backpack on, just prancing back and forth inside the bed of the truck.

Dog with backpack on - racing back and forth

Clear Creek

Stunning

Road moved up into mountains - turned around here

Yep, I could live here

We pack up and leave tomorrow, Saturday, for Casper, Wyoming.  Since we are getting close to the holiday weekend, we will stay there until the 8th of September.  We wanted to see some things there and when we started out this spring, our original plan was to head to Laramie, Cheyenne and Casper before turning north.  We reversed our plans and are now heading south doing Casper then Cheyenne before heading to Colorado.