Greybull Pass Thru Hike

Shuttle to Trailhead: 2.5 hours Accommodations: Camping Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Cody, Wyoming where you’ll meet the rest of the group. We’ll conduct a short orientation and ensure everyone has the necessary gear and clothing before setting off to the trailhead. Our drive takes us into a stunning corner of the Rocky Mountains, across creeks and past breathtaking scenery. We will reach our campsite for the night, near our trailhead and the picturesque ghost town of Kirwin. Nestled in the mountains here, Kirwin boomed as a mining town in the late 1800s complete with a post office, hotel, and saloon. Mining explosions, avalanches, and the loss of prosperity drove its 200 residents to abandon the settlement, but most of its structures are still standing. We will marvel at the buildings and artifacts still remaining and set up camp here at 9,200 feet. Your guide will distribute camping equipment and food as we prepare our packs for our journey. We will complete the evening with a cookout in this unique, secluded setting.

Hiking Mileage: 5 miles Elevation Gain: 2500 feet Elevation Loss: 1500 feet The next day, we will be glad to have placed ourselves just outside the trailhead for an early start because this backpacking trip kicks off with a hearty challenge. After breakfast, we will climb up through Brown Basin, ascending 2,500 feet in just 3.5 miles to reach Greybull Pass. Reaching this craggy pass will give us our first view of the epic alpine valley below, the headwaters of the Greybull River, and the highest point in the Absarokas, Franc’s Peak, in the distance. After an initially steep, rocky descent, we will reach the river and enjoy a gently sloping valley trail until we reach Yellow Creek and an impressive backcountry cabin. We will make camp somewhere near this junction and enjoy a well-earned backcountry feast.

Hiking Mileage: 6 miles Elevation Gain: minimal Elevation Loss: 700 feet After a filling breakfast, we will continue along the Greybull River, winding up and down the grassy hills, but ultimately making a mellow descent down the valley. Along the way, we will admire lush drainages, the unmistakable form of Pyramid Peak, and the impressive height of Franc’s Peak. With skilled eyes, it is possible to see bears along these talus slopes flipping over rocks to find some of their favorite delicacies, Army Cutworm Moths. We will camp, eat, and enjoy the stars along another beautiful creek.