Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#111001 - 02/09/09 11:22 PM suggestions needed
trutildeathxxx Offline
newbie

Registered: 02/09/09
Posts: 2
Loc: milwaukee, wi
Hello board,
im new here as well as to the world of backpacking, i have been in love with the outdoors my whole life and have always hunted, fished, hiked, and camped. Im looking to broaden my horizons a bit and do some serious backpacking. I am looking for suggestions of places to go (ie. trail heads, sight seeing, locations in general) in the wyoming area. I am thinking the bighorns, not really sure where or what part but i have drivin through there and like the area. i plan on being out 3-5 days with about 4 guys, we are young and acitve and pretty outdoor savy. Ideally i would like one location that will take up that time, provide a bit of a challenge and not be to overly popular or crowded. i have looked in the cloud peak area but it seems pretty strict on rules, such as camp fires, and things like that. any suggestions would help greatly or anyone or any sites, or phone numbers, would help as well.
thanks a ton and i look forward to hearing from all of you.

Top
#111003 - 02/10/09 12:43 AM Re: suggestions needed [Re: trutildeathxxx]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
You'll find that any areas in the Rockies, or out here in the Cascades or Sierra, area strict about campfires. They are usually forbidden near or above timberline where the wood supply is scarce or nonexistent and where scars can take a lifetime to heal. They are also forbidden at any altitude in times of high fire danger, which often happens in late summer. I suggest you bring a stove (either buy a canister stove or make your own alcohol stove) for cooking and consider a campfire a luxury to be used only when appropriate--at lower altitudes in pre-existing fire rings and where there is plenty of dead and down wood available. All wilderness areas have rules about party size and about camping so many hundred feet away from trails and water sources. (Note that each wilderness area may have different rules.) They all require that you dig catholes well away from water for potty purposes, that you pack out all your trash and garbage including toilet paper, that you not cut green trees or cut down snags. The purpose of these restrictions is to preserve the wilderness for the next generation of backpackers. If you don't like these restrictions, I suggest you find a place other than the western mountains where the environment is a bit less fragile.

Also, if you're going to the Rockies, give yourselves extra time to acclimatize to the altitude. Either plan very short days, with no more than 1,000 ft. elevation gain per day, for the first 3-4 days, or spend a few days before your trip camping at lower elevations and hiking higher up during the daytime.

For online research, start with the websites for national forests (fs.fed.us) and national parks (nps.gov). Google is your friend.


Edited by OregonMouse (02/10/09 12:45 AM)
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
2 registered (), 174 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum