Overview
The Solitude Loop provides an accessible introduction to the eastern slopes of the Bighorn Mountains without the high-country commitment of the Cloud Peak Wilderness routes. The loop traverses mid-elevation forest and meadow terrain near Burgess Junction with views toward the wilderness and back across the Wyoming plains from which the Bighorns rise.
From the Burgess Junction area, the trailhead is about 30 minutes from Sheridan, making this Bighorn National Forest's most accessible longer loop for residents of the Sheridan Valley. The elevation throughout stays between roughly 7,000 and 8,200 feet, which places the entire route in mixed conifer and aspen forest rather than the exposed alpine terrain found on Cloud Peak routes. That character keeps the loop shaded and cooler on summer mornings, though the ridge sections still warrant attention when afternoon thunderstorms build.
The Route
Miles 0.0 to 2.0: Trailhead to Ridge
The trail climbs from the Burgess Junction trailhead through pine and fir forest on a consistent moderate grade. The forest here is typical of the eastern Bighorn slopes: lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce with a broken understory that opens gradually as the trail gains elevation. The ridge crest at mile 2.0 provides the first views south toward Cloud Peak, the highest summit in the range at over 13,000 feet, as well as the wide rolling terrain of the high Bighorn plateau.
Miles 2.0 to 5.0: Ridge and Meadow Section
The trail follows the ridge through alternating forest and open meadow. Wildflowers peak in late July, with patches of paintbrush, lupine, and aster filling the clearings. Multiple viewpoints look west across the forest and east toward Sheridan and the plains stretching toward Montana. The contrast between the green mountain terrain underfoot and the tan and gold of the high plains to the east is one of the loop's defining views. Watch for mule deer in the meadow openings, particularly in morning and evening hours.
Miles 5.0 to 8.0: Loop Return
The return descends on a parallel drainage through aspen groves and returns to the trailhead. The aspen corridor on this side of the loop offers different character from the outbound ridge: cooler, more enclosed, with the filtered light of the quaking leaves overhead. In early fall, when the aspens turn yellow and orange, this section becomes the highlight of the route. The grade is gentle through most of the descent, with one short steeper pitch above the trailhead.
When to Hike
June through October is the accessible season. Snow can linger on the north-facing ridge sections into June, so early-season hikers should check trail reports before visiting.
July brings peak wildflower color in the meadow sections. September offers fall aspen color on the return drainage and typically stable weather with cooler temperatures.
Afternoons in summer bring thunderstorm potential on the exposed ridge sections; starting by 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. gives most hikers time to complete the ridge miles before midday storm buildups.
What to Bring
Many hikers carry 2 liters of water for this 8-mile route. A small stream on the return route can be filtered if you carry a filter, though flow varies by season. Trekking poles help on the descent, particularly in the steeper pitch near the trailhead. A light rain layer and an extra warm layer are worth packing for the ridge sections, where temperatures drop faster than the forested start suggests.
Trailhead Access
Near Burgess Junction off US-14/US-14A. No fee to park or hike (as of 2026). Vault toilet at the trailhead. The junction is well signed from Sheridan and from the US-14 corridor. The gravel parking lot holds 15 to 20 vehicles and fills on summer weekends by mid-morning.
Nearby
Hunter Corrals Trail is a short drive away and provides an entry into the wilderness lake country of the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Medicine Wheel Trail on US-14A accesses one of Wyoming's most significant cultural sites, a National Historic Landmark managed collaboratively with tribal nations.
Check conditions at checking conditions before you go. Practice Leave No Trace principles throughout.