TEN SLEEP TO BURGESS JUNCTION – 116 miles

Fuel up for a long section, then ride east into Ten Sleep Canyon as it ascends into the Bighorn Mountains. The route leaves the pavement near the pass and enters Bighorn National Forest. These roads are rugged and will throw all sorts of obstacles at you. Pay attention to the tracks as they turn off Hyattville Road into Renner Wildlife Habitat Management Area (no fires, no camping). This route through state land can have deep sand and deep ruts, so take your time. You’ll also have to watch the GPX tracks as it’s easy to miss turns before getting back to Hyattville Rd.

After passing through Hyattville (pop. 97 and no services), we recommend doing the side trip to Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site to see the petroglyphs. Then begins another long ascent into the Bighorns. This twisty forest road leads to Medicine Lodge Lakes where you’ll find a couple campgrounds and Paintrock Lodge. The road quality improves after the lakes and you’ll ride roads that alternate between groves and prairies then open up to high elevation alpine hillsides.

After crossing Shell Creek you’ll come to another harder option. This one is 22 miles long and follows tough roads over remote Woodchuck Pass (elev. 9,636 ft). The first part of this harder segment tests riders skills immediately. If the roads in this area are wet, they’ll be slippery and could be impassible. The alternative option is mostly paved en route to Highway 14. Section 7 ends at Bear Lodge Resort near Burgess Junction where you can get food, fuel and a room for the night.