The Bighorn Mountains are beautiful, provide outstanding recreational activities, and are a great source of water for surrounding communities. Unfortunately, the United States Forest Service (USFS) budget cuts are hampering property management, and enforcement of laws and regulations, designed to protect, preserve, and facilitate access to our shared bounty.

The recent "Roadless Collaborative" is one example of how Wyoming Government is sabotaging our National Forests. Wyoming chose to ignore the "2001 Roadless Rule" when the Bighorn National Forest (BNF) 2005 Forest Plan was adopted. When the "Roadless Rule" became US law in 2012, Govenor Mead had to make changes to be compliant. The "Roadless Collaborative" is an attempt to finesse compliance, without gathering much public input.

Wyoming mythology fosters many unrealistic ideas, such as the Bighorns being a good timber resource. It takes 100 years (on average), to grow a Lodgepole Pine tree 7" in diameter on the BNF. Almost all of the suitable timber was logged in the 1800s for the railroad ties, and again before the Roadless Rule took effect. Many areas of the forest have a 'thin green line' of standing trees near the roads, to hide the clear cuts beyond.

The USFS has mapped out areas of the Bighorns for Elk Security Areas, which may double nicely as Human Sanctuaries. No motor vehicles are allowed in these areas, but they are generally a short hike from available roads or trails. A few maps are provided, to give a sense of changes, and challenges.

The Bighorns are beautiful, however most flowing water is NOT managed for recreational use. The State reclassified 3/4 of Wyoming streams as fit for cow dodo, so please look, but don't drink! E. coli bacteria are an indicator species widely used to track microbial contamination. Please see Wyoming stream classification maps below, or on the Wyoming Outdoor Council (WOC) website for additional information.

Giardia is also a too common problem for Wyoming streams, spread by birds. WY streams look pretty, but dunking your head, or exposing mucous membranes, is NOT advised.

The wildflower season starts in May at lower elevations. The 3rd weekend in June is often an optimal time for higher elevation photo ops.

The 3rd weekend in June also features the Bighorn Wild and Scenic Run. This popular race features 100, 50, 30, and 18 mile runners going through the Tongue River Canyon on Saturday. Please be courteous, and don't interfere or distract runners. Enjoy!