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Author:
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Backpacker Magazine
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Activity:
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Backpacking
ActivitySearchBackpacking
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State:
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Wyoming (WY)
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Distance:
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30.57 mi
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Difficulty:
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7 / 10
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Rating:
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Unrated
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This four-day, 30-mile cross-country backpacking trip explores one of America's highest deserts. The Red Desert is wedged into a rift valley called the Great Divide Basin. This is where the Continental Divide splits, forming the country's longest big game corridor. This proposed wilderness is home to at least 65 species of mammals, reptiles and birds, including prairie falcons, bighorn sheep, wild horses, the largest desert elk herd in the world, and 50,000 pronghorn antelope.
WHEN TO GO: Late spring and early fall. Summers are scorching and winters are arctic. In any season, even moderate rain will make dirt roads impassible.
GEAR: With rock-hard playa, a freestanding tent is a must (imagine putting stakes into concrete). Cache water in seven-gallon containers like the Reliance AquaTainer ($17, relianceproducts.com).
Mapped by
Michael Behar
TO TRAILHEAD: From Rawlins, WY, take I-80 W to Bitter Creek Road (exit 142). Drive south on Bitter Creek (CR 19), following signs to the Eversole Ranch, about 27 miles from I-80. Continue through the ranch, take left fork in the road, and go 1.8 miles to a junction. Go straight on an unmarked BLM road for 20 miles to the starting point of the hike.
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Datum: |
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WPT01
| Dist: 30.57 mi |
Points: 500 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
Red Desert Track
WPT001
Location: 41.053181°, -108.326309°
Trailhead. Ahead is a winter grazing area for elk, wild horses, and pronghorn.
WPT002
Location: 41.062565°, -108.323433°
Edge of Powder Rim and viewpoint north into Adobe Town Canyon
WPT003
Location: 41.089027°, -108.302246°
Top of manmade earthen dam at lake
WPT004
Location: 41.101410°, -108.310471°
Author spots wild horse
WPT005
Location: 41.102894°, -108.310646°
Skull Creek
WPT006
Location: 41.111786°, -108.314507°
Camp One
WPT007
Location: 41.126682°, -108.313705°
East Fork of Skull Creek
WPT008
Location: 41.146477°, -108.307900°
Jumble of barbed wire; possibly an old horse corral
WPT009
Location: 41.151672°, -108.306694°
Main tributary of Skull Creek wash
WPT010
Location: 41.158146°, -108.299522°
Rocky overhand provides shade for midday water break
WPT011
Location: 41.158455°, -108.275177°
Viewpoint
WPT012
Location: 41.159458°, -108.274727°
Shady lunch spot
WPT013
Location: 41.163456°, -108.270569°
Trail skirts Skull Creek Rim with panoramic views east
WPT014
Location: 41.173599°, -108.261490°
Bizarre rock is tinted green and in the shape of a pterodactyl head
WPT015
Location: 41.198933°, -108.249199°
Good place to cache water prior to trip; head east for second night's campsite
WPT016
Location: 41.198074°, -108.242485°
Camp 2
WPT017
Location: 41.204586°, -108.284065°
Viewpoint of side canyon blocking our route across Monument Valley
WPT018
Location: 41.208405°, -108.291603°
Lunch break under large red boulder (good shade)
WPT019
Location: 41.210751°, -108.303612°
Overlook above Monument Valley
WPT020
Location: 41.212791°, -108.317184°
Another shady spot for a water break
WPT021
Location: 41.229389°, -108.340668°
Sand Creek
WPT022
Location: 41.237824°, -108.357590°
Cook Exploration jeep road
WPT023
Location: 41.252361°, -108.373688°
Camp Three
WPT024
Location: 41.251011°, -108.382782°
Camp Three water drop; backtrack to main north-south route
WPT025
Location: 41.255409°, -108.374825°
Viewpoint: Car is visible at end point.
WPT026
Location: 41.258427°, -108.376328°
Drop packs: Branch off main route for side trip to slot canyon and cave
WPT027
Location: 41.258904°, -108.379646°
Mud cave
WPT028
Location: 41.258804°, -108.380829°
Side trips ends at viewpoint. From here, backtrack to main route, then continue south along the Adobe Town Rim
WPT029
Location: 41.280479°, -108.379227°
Trip endpoint
