Trail Overview

Start the day at the red-grade road outside Sheridan, Wyoming. It's not a good idea to ride in this area alone;this is very challenging riding. Start up the dirt road and come to a creek that is about 30 feet across and about 2 feet deep. Crossing on a bike isn't too bad. From there, cruise up some dirt and rock roads to where the tough stuff begins. Most of this riding is very rocky and steep, with lots of varying elevation and switchbacks. Some of the switchbacks are very steep, extremely difficult, and satisfying to overcome.

Photos of Wyoming Big Horns

Want to see more?
View All Photos

Difficulty

Some of the terrain is intermediate. A very large part of it is for advanced riders. These trails are steep with big rocks and require a great deal of balance, clutch work, and good tires aired down to about 8 PSI in the rear and about 10 PSI in the front when it's wet. In the spring, there are around a dozen water crossings, several severe.

Technical Rating

Taylor Schindler

Jun 19, 2026

Open

Red Grade road above Bighorn is under construction currently so we accessed FS28, FS86, then FS320 via Penrose trail out of Story. Total loop was approximately 30 miles. FS28 was very challenging with creek crossings, rocky switchbacks, and steep sections. We traveled the trail East to west, but going the other direction would be considerably more difficult due to a couple very steep, rocky, switchback climbs. Once down to FS86 the trail was flowey and we covered some ground averaging around 20mph. One big stream crossing is about 18” deep but the route is solid. FS320 starts there and heads back to Penrose trail, it’s in good shape with a few rocky climbs then once up on the ridge we clipped along again finished up the loop and returned to story down Penrose trail.

Tyler Kreidlkamp

Jun 27, 2025

Open

I completed the pine creek trailhead loop via Penrose and the bighorn loop and back onto Penrose. Took about seven hours. Had two trees down I was able to drive around and one water crossing that was halfway up the atv. I would recommend bringing extra fuel and a second atv but I did it by myself (my back is wrecked)

Wesley Schiavone

Jun 14, 2025

Open

Chest deep water, unpassable via my xr600 due to depth and speed of flow

Brandon herauf

Sep 23, 2024

Open

The ride up to the top was a breeze! We decided to take the cut across on the big loop. The trail is littered with large rocks stream crossings and nasty switchbacks. Take your time and do it in a group setting. We took our new machines out here and were focused on getting out, so I didn’t get a lot of footage.

James Weed

Aug 22, 2024

Open

This is an extremely rough trail with large rocks. Took us most of the day to run the trail.

Westob Foner

Aug 01, 2024

Open

Tight switchbacks are very fun can be challenging but worth it. On a dirtbike, keep your momentum through them and keep tractoring uphill. At the top, hike up the rocks, you’ll get excellent cell service

Duffy Exon

Jun 21, 2023

Open