Barry’s Island Path, located on the finish of the paved street in Bighorn Canyon, was my third hike of the day and second within the park. I added a foray into the Drugs Creek/Davis Creek drainage, which was terrific however not really useful for these with out some off-trail navigation talents. I additionally encountered essentially the most bighorn sheep I’ve ever seen; they had been in a batch of 20 or so alongside the principle path and had been seemingly not afraid of people. A cool sight within the canyon bearing their title.
The Barry’s Island Path is a curious little route, rounding not an island however a peninsula of types, a pointy hairpin bend within the Bighorn River in the course of Montana’s Bighorn Canyon Nationwide Recreation Space. Whereas the canyon partitions on this a part of the park are usually not as tall, the orange-, red-, and tan-hued limestones and sandstones make for a colourful palette. That is additionally a comparatively uncommon hike that’s at river/lake degree, and the mildly meandering path presents distant views to Pryor Mountain and the Bighorn Mountains. Anticipate to take 2-3 hours to finish this nice hike.
The hike
To achieve the trailhead, drive Wyoming Route 37 (Bighorn Canyon Highway) to its finish, rising up into Montana and following a facet canyon all the way down to river degree, close to the mid-point of Bighorn Canyon Nationwide Recreation Space. Park at Barry’s Touchdown, which boasts a big parking space and well-liked marina. Right here, near the vault bogs on the north facet, an indication signifies the beginning of the Barry’s Island Path, a 4.4-mile stem-and-loop that ventures north from right here.
The extensive double-track treads throughout ruddy soil and thru a pinyon/juniper panorama, with a broader part of Bighorn Lake (a artifical enlargement of the underlying Bighorn River) seen off to the east. The rosy crumble of the Chugwater Formation offers solution to the gray- and peach-colored Madison limestone simply above the water’s edge.
Move by way of a gate, then spherical a left-hand nook and skirt tree-lined Chain Canyon, which was as soon as used as an escape route for cattle rustlers within the late nineteenth century. After clearing the sandy drainage and inlet, the path bears eastward and comes inside a stone’s throw of the principle lakeshore, with the flattop of Barry’s Island seen forward.
From right here the Barry’s Island Path skirts the lakeshore and rises to a slender neck between Wassin Canyon and the principle gorge. That is additionally the beginning of Barry’s “Island”—really an oval-shaped peninsula. Right here there’s additionally a junction, with the route left heading towards Drugs Creek Campground (boat-in solely) and the Davis Creek drainage. Head proper, nevertheless, to start the Barry’s Island part, with the path shortly forking once more, signaling the beginning of a 1.5-mile loop.
Take a left to comply with the circuit clockwise, with views to the Wassin Canyon inlet, and, additional within the distance, some a lot greater limestone cliffs with a chunky thumb jutting out into the principle canyon. The vistas enhance because the path rises, however finally the observe turns inland and splits once more. Take the “higher path” to the left for one of the best views, tracing up a partly graveled observe to a better shelf with eastward vistas throughout Bighorn Canyon, with the Bighorn Mountains past.
Traverse the hightops—peppered with prickly pear cactus, yuccas, and cryptobiotic soil—finally coming to a grassier part the place the path is extra light however nonetheless traceable. Then ascend a pointy grade to a spot with a full panorama look. Spherical a dip and finally return to attach once more with the “decrease path.”
With the lake now all the way down to the left, descend mildly after which comply with the extent hint again to the beginning of the loop part. Say goodbye to Barry’s Island as you come back to the saddle. The adventurous can bear proper to take a look at Drugs Creek Campground and the beautiful Davis Creek drainage. However most will wish to head left, retracing your steps for 1.4 miles to return to Barry’s Touchdown and cap off the hike.
