Wyoming Range Backcountry Gravel Loop

The Wyoming Range has never been a destination for cycling, but this area near the state's western border has some wonderful gravel roads, minimal traffic, and stunning scenery. Loops are tough to create in the region, but this 85-mile circuit with 6,000' of climbing is a stunner in the central part of the range. It takes in a big chunk of the Wyoming Range, touches the Green River Basin, and follows the Greys River along the foot of the Salt River Range. It's 100% gravel/dirt roads (some can be rather rough), 95% on public lands of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and is guaranteed to be a memorable ride, whether it's a big day ride or a multi-day bikepack.

The loop follows the rolling Wyoming Range Road on the east side of the range, crosses the range divide at McDougal Gap, and then plunges down to the Greys River Road. Turning south, this road gradually climbs along the river to its headwaters below Tri Basin Divide, a unique pass where the Columbia River, Colorado River, and Great Basin watersheds all meet. The Greys River Road and some of the McDougal Gap Road west of the gap are the roughest on the loop. At Tri Basin Divide, the route turns eastward onto what was once the Lander Cutoff of the Oregon Trail (now the La Barge Road) and then closes the loop by climbing Thompson Pass, crossing Snider Basin, and hopping back up and over to the Middle Piney drainage.

A few other helpful tidbits:
-- Given how rough some sections of the route are, the widest gravel tires you can fit are recommended. A mountain bike would also be great.
-- Water is plentiful along this loop. Bring a filter, a couple bottles, and you'll be golden.
-- Counterclockwise is the recommended direction due to how steep the west side of McDougal Gap is, but the loop could certainly be ridden in either direction
-- If the roads are wet, you're guaranteed to encounter death mud
-- There are no services along the route. The closest towns are Big Piney and Alpine.
-- Camping is allowed virtually anywhere along the loop, and there are many beautiful dispersed camping sites.
-- The roads are busiest in the fall during elk hunting
-- Cell service is very sparse