Cloud Peak Wilderness

A wilderness area is a region where the land is in a natural state; where impacts from human activities are minimal—that is, as a wilderness. In 1984, through the Wyoming Wilderness Act, the Cloud Peak Wilderness was designated in the Bighorn National Forest. The Cloud Peak Wilderness is home to Cloud Peak (13,187’ above sea level) and Black Tooth Mountain (13,004’ above sea level).

“As a whole, the mountaineering is certainly equal to what we found in the Tyrol … We returned to the East with the convication that the mountains we had happened upon were ideal for a short climbing holiday. They certainly provided us with some of the most superlative fun of our mountain experience.” — W. B. Wilcox, whose party named many of the mountains in the Bighorns, writing to the American Alpine Club, 1934.

Black Tooth Mountain

Test yourself with an ascent of Blacktooth Mountain, the Bighorns’ second tallest mountain. 

Leaving off from the Little Goose trail above Sheridan, the trip up to Black Tooth involves a sustained 8-mile approach to the Sawtooth Canyon lakes, passing Princess Falls and multiple alpine lakes along the way. After a night camped between two of the Sawtooth lakes, the team will start its ascent to the summit, starting with a three-mile approach through the the terquoise Sawtooth Lakes, along a broken slope of scree and boulders, which give way to the mountainside itself – a tall, ramp of granite that delivers climbers to the summit. 

Ascending Black Tooth is a strenuous and rewarding undertaking, full of challenges and spectacular views. Those who make it to the summit will be able to see into the surrounding drainages, along the Hallelujah Ridge, and the Northern flank of Cloud Peak, and to sit in a place that few get to visit. Sawtooth Canyon and the summit of Blacktooth is visible from multiple points around Sheridan, which gives those who have climbed it plenty of chances to reflect on the awesome experience.

Trips up Blacktooth start at $1,400.

Call or email to inquire at Ben@bighornmountainguides.com or 256-348-5323.