Ten Sleep Canyon

Wyoming’s Ten Sleep Canyon

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The scenery in Wyoming is absolutely stunning. On one of our trips West we were driving in Wyoming on Highway 16 through the Big Horn Mountains. We were heading from Buffalo on our way to Yellowstone National Park. On the way we found ourselves climbing up to and descending from the Powder River Pass (elevation 9666) which was frankly at times a white knuckle affair!

Blue skies over the rocks

Massive limestone cliffs

 

 

 

 

 

We soon came to beautiful and awesome Ten Sleep Canyon. The glacially formed cliffs had nearly vertical walls that we later learned were popular for rock climbing. There were wide shoulders to the road which enabled us to stop and take in the view.

Sher enjoying the break from mountain driving. The exit from the canyon is in the “V” in the distance.

Just past Ten Sleep Canyon is the little town of Ten Sleep, Wyoming. With a population of about 250, it is at the junction of Nowood and Ten Sleep creeks. Historically it was a Native American rest stop, called that because it was 10 days travel, or “10 sleeps,” from Fort Laramie (southeast), Yellowstone Park (west-northwest), and the Indian Agency at Stillwater, Montana (northwest).

Mountain driving and Ten Sleep Canyon in Wyoming

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The deep gorge of the canyon, looking west from the Highway 16 turnoff.

The deep gorge of the canyon, looking west from the Highway 16 turnoff.

Let me say that Sher and I were amazed at the scenery in Wyoming. Let me also say that the mountain driving in Wyoming on Highway 16 through the Big Horn Mountains was an experience in itself towing our travel trailer. Climbing up to and descending from the Powder River Pass (elevation 9677) was at times a white knuckle affair!

We were heading west from Buffalo, Wyoming on our way to Yellowstone National

Hello from Ten Sleep Canyon

Hello from Ten Sleep Canyon

Park. We had no idea what to expect, just that we knew we were in uncharted waters for a couple of Hoosiers from the flat farm lands of Indiana. This terrain we were seeing was awesome, but the road was a bit scary.

All of the feelings of “Did we really drive that steep curvy mountain road?” slipped away when we got to Ten Sleep Canyon, on the western side of the Big Horn Mountains.

 

 

The stark beauty of the cliffs of the canyon.

The stark beauty of the cliffs of the canyon.

Cliffs that take your breath away.

Cliffs that take your breath away.

This valley was formed by a glacier. The rocks of the canyon are almost vertical in many places, and this area is very popular for rock climbing.  The pictures do not do the canyon justice.