Saturday, October 31, 2009

 

 

 

This trek is combined with a trek to the Lime Kiln located on the MT-WY border alongside of Gypsum Creek, and is about a two-hour drive from Billings. These roads are mainly graded dirt; and unsuitable for rainy weather. A 4-wheel drive vehicle is recommended. 

 

Directions:

 

Take Hwy 310 south to Warren, exit east on HELT ROAD and follow the BLM Carsonite[1] sign #1015 on the OUT, and #1016 on the RETURN. This route goes in a loop returning you to the starting point. Use the BLM Billings-Bridger-Powell, WY map # 36 as a guide. Please note that some of these signs may have been vandalized, so pay close attention to the direction of travel at each road junction you encounter.

 

Start at the Warren turnoff, denoted by a sign HELT RD. There are numerous trails located throughout the area, many unmarked; so follow your map very carefully. Before reaching Point A, there will be a warning sign.

 

 

A – This a junction with Stockman Rd. Just before that point is Graham Trail, which leads to some old cabins built in the Pryor Mountains. Keep to the right until you reach Bear Canyon Rd (B)

 

B – Bear Canyon Rd junction (#1014) crosses the Helt Rd. A short distance from the junction you will cross a cattle guard. On the left there will be some fences reportedly built by CCC camps at an earlier time when they were established in the Pryors. Just beyond the crossing there will (or should be) a sign (#1016) that points to a road junction on the left. This is where you will return from the loop, ending at point J on the map.

 

C – At the junction, turn onto Gyp Springs Rd and travel to the first view point (D) for a 2 ft tall rock cairn. Between the road junctions there are some fences bordering both roads.

 

D – Continue on until you reach the center of Section 15. This is the stopping point for viewing the cairn.

 

 

Location of View Point from the road: 108.31.268 W, 45.03.140 E. The cairn sits on top of a small hill about 500 yards SW. There is a small abandoned road, barely noticeable or invisible, leading to its location. There is a fence bordering the road (all BLM property) to keep cattle from straying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E – Continuing on Gyp Springs Rd you will pass a ranch access rd on the right, then another cattle guard. Immediately on the right is a road leading to Petroglyph Canyon (restricted access.) About two miles before reaching the WY-MT border, on the left will be some red-rock formations called “Hoodoos.”

 

 

About one mile from the Crooked Creek Canyon junction (F), will be the view point for the 6’ rock cairn. It is located in Section 31 about¾-mile SW by W on an abandoned N-S road (no access.)  

 

Coordinates of the view point: 

 

108.26.461 W, 45.00.577 E.

 

The cairn is on the top of the small hill to the left of the picture. It was too windy (Sep 2006) to hike up and take a picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F – This the junction of three roads (1015, 1016, & 1017). Road 1016, the one that will return you to point C, actually tees off from 1017.

 

 

You will start downhill after the junction. Continue on Gyp Springs Rd towards the border to where the Lime Kiln is located.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

G – AT the border there will be a metal post on the east side of the road. This is the stopping point to view the kiln. It is immediately across Gypsum Creek. There appears to be no access to the kiln. This also the turn-around point for your return to Warren via 1016. You will have to proceed south into WY for a short distance before being able to turn.

 

 

 

H – Return to junction at (F) and turn right onto Crooked Creek Road (1017). Road 1016 forks off to the left about 200 yards from the junction, and can be easily missed. Continue on to (J) where the road re-joins 1015.

 

Point H has a road closed sign posted, but apparently some drivers can’t read; so the BLM dropped a hint by placing a few rocks in the path!

 

 

Point I joins with 1022, Red Pryor Road, J joins with the Horse Haven Road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J – You are now at the beginning of the trail. Point C. Happy trails back home.

 

 

 

MAP Section