Hike 24 - Porcupine Falls

It was day two in Wyoming and we’d already completed two hikes, but Jesse suggested we explore another area that second afternoon. We were on board as it involved a waterfall and a short hike. Jesse noted that the last time he was in the Big Horn mountains with the guys they had intended to end up here by starting on another trail. However, they discovered that the trail wasn’t going to get them where they wanted so hours later they turned around and headed back to the trucks. They eventually found the trail head, but only one guy was up for making the hike. He returned sharing how beautiful it was so Jesse wanted to make sure he saw it this time.

It did not disappoint.

I don’t normally include trails that are under a mile here because that seems ridiculous, but since this was hiked after two other hikes (one strenuous, one moderate) and this had a very steep pitch, it really felt like a much longer trail. My body at this point was feeling fairly shot so I tried to get my mind in the game, but heading down a trail first knowing that you had to climb back up on the return was messing with me. This trail was a lot of dirt and rocks, but also had spots where stairs were built into the hillside (with rocks or wood). We debated about if the stairs were actually helpful, or if they hurt our knees (me) and ankles (Jesse) more. While Riley flew up Steamboat Point, she generally wallowed behind like her mother on this one making many pit stops along the way.

While we could have spread these hikes out a bit more, this was really the culmination of all three for me. Sure the views of Steamboat Point were amazing, and the symbolization of peace, unity, courage, and harmony at the Medicine Wheel trail was powerful, but this waterfall was something else. Knowing the challenge we had to go through to get here meant something. Knowing that we had the place to ourselves meant something. Knowing that there are places this beautiful that exist meant something.

Hike #: 22

Trail: Porcupine Falls

Location: Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming

Trail surface: gravel road

Date: 8/26/19

If this was the first hike of this trip, I may have rated it a little higher as the views and peacefulness of the trail was amazing. I think we would have enjoyed it a bit more if they lengthened the trail to make it a little less steep.

Jo: ★★★★

Jesse: ★★★★★

Riley: ★★★★