Bighorn Mountains
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70 million years ago, the Bighorns began rising from the sea and to elevations well over 20,000 feet. Centuries of glaciation and erosion wore the Bighorns down to their size today.
The Bighorn National Forest was established in 1897. Within it lies Cloud Peak Wilderness and within that the highest point in the range: Cloud Peak (13,167').
In addition to dinosaur tracks at Red Gulch and cultural sites such as the Medicine Wheel and teepee rings in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, the Bighorns abound with history including towns like Tensleep, now known as a basecamp for climbing, but originally named because it was Ten Sleeps away from a large camp on the Platte River near present day Casper, WY.
The Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area lies between Pryor Mountain to the West and the Bighorns to the East. Mountain Lions are reported to be in the Bighorn Mountains to the East and not present on Pryor Mountain. A local camper shared that problem bears from Yellowstone get relocated to Pryor Mountain.
A short 45min drive from Spur Canyon at 5000', which ends at the Yellowtail Reservoir of the Bighorn River, to Paradise Falls at 9000' can drop July temperatures by 30 degrees F.