West Fork Little Bighorn River

Heading Location: Confluence with unnamed tributary upstream to confluence of Pumpkin and Mann creeks.

How to get there: Take highway 14A east from Lovell or west from Burgess Junction. Turn north on Forest Rd 11, or the Sheep Mountain Road. After about 3 miles, there is a four-way intersection; turn right to stay on Forest Rd 11. This is a good gravel road for much of the way. Travel another 5.3 miles from the intersection past Duncum Mountain to the turn off to Boyd Ridge. Take a right here onto Forest Rd 110 and travel 9.4 miles to a cow camp cabin and gate. It’s possible to travel this entire way with a vehicle but ATVs are recommended for the last couple of miles. Park at the gate and hike about a half mile further before descending down into the canyon. A fire went through this area in recent years so it is much easier to hike through compared with slopes that are densely forested, but be careful on the predominant screed slopes and to avoid the abundant cliffs. From the top of the ridge down to the study site is just under a mile in distance and a change in elevation of about 1650 ft.