Greybull Pass Thru Hike

• Shuttle to Trailhead: 2.5 hours
• Accommodations: Camping

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Cody, Wyoming where you’ll meet the rest of the group. We’ll conduct a short orientation and ensure everyone has the necessary gear and clothing before setting off to the trailhead. Our drive takes us into a stunning corner of the Rocky Mountains, across creeks and past breathtaking scenery. We will reach our campsite for the night, near our trailhead and the picturesque ghost town of Kirwin. Nestled in the mountains here, Kirwin boomed as a mining town in the late 1800s complete with a post office, hotel, and saloon. Mining explosions, avalanches, and the loss of prosperity drove its 200 residents to abandon the settlement, but most of its structures are still standing. We will marvel at the buildings and artifacts still remaining and set up camp here at 9,200 feet. Your guide will distribute camping equipment and food as we prepare our packs for our journey. We will complete the evening with a cookout in this unique, secluded setting.

• Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2500 feet
• Elevation Loss: 1500 feet

The next day, we will be glad to have placed ourselves just outside the trailhead for an early start because this backpacking trip kicks off with a hearty challenge. After breakfast, we will climb up through Brown Basin, ascending 2,500 feet in just 3.5 miles to reach Greybull Pass. Reaching this craggy pass will give us our first view of the epic alpine valley below, the headwaters of the Greybull River, and the highest point in the Absarokas, Franc’s Peak, in the distance. After an initially steep, rocky descent, we will reach the river and enjoy a gently sloping valley trail until we reach Yellow Creek and an impressive backcountry cabin. We will make camp somewhere near this junction and enjoy a well-earned backcountry feast.

• Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
• Elevation Gain: minimal
• Elevation Loss: 700 feet

After a filling breakfast, we will continue along the Greybull River, winding up and down the grassy hills, but ultimately making a mellow descent down the valley. Along the way, we will admire lush drainages, the unmistakable form of Pyramid Peak, and the impressive height of Franc’s Peak. With skilled eyes, it is possible to see bears along these talus slopes flipping over rocks to find some of their favorite delicacies, Army Cutworm Moths. We will camp, eat, and enjoy the stars along another beautiful creek.

• Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
• Elevation Gain: minimal
• Elevation Loss: 600 feet

On today’s hike, the valley will expand before us, offering more diverse views and new peaks in the background. We will continue descending ever-gently along the river, noticing it swell in size and increase with fish along the way. In the Fall, this area is a prime hunting post because of its rich elk habitat. After passing another old backcountry cabin, we will make camp near Haymaker Creek where we will stay for 2 nights.

• Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2100 feet
• Elevation Loss: 2100 feet

Today we get to leave our heavy loads safely stored at camp and day hike up to a high point for spectacular views. If the whole gang is up for a full day, we can reach the summit of Irish Rock. No matter how far we go, we are sure to see a breathtaking panorama of snow-capped peaks, reminding us how deeply embedded we are in this incredible mountain range. This layover day also offers one of our best fishing opportunities for any avid anglers on the trip. Due to grizzly bear safety protocol, we need to stay in groups of 3 and so will have to make a group decision on what to do on this layover day.

• Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
• Elevation Gain: minimal
• Elevation Loss: 800 feet
• Shuttle to Cody: 1.5 hours

After one last hearty breakfast, we will continue along the Greybull River, even crossing its rushing waters a few times. As we descend even further in elevation, this landscape will transform before our eyes becoming a tight canyon and exploding with riparian foliage we have yet to see thus far. Eventually, the mountains that hug us will shrink, and with a final push, we will emerge into wetlands and rolling hills where we commonly see moose, pronghorn, and our friendly pick-up driver. Relishing the trip along our shuttle drive home, we can generally anticipate arriving back in Cody before 5pm.