Loop to Big Horn and Big Goose Canyon-Sheridan Gravel

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Sheridan, WY, US

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Route Overview

We Ride 4

Nonprofit addressing child obesity and healthy lifestyles by getting more kids riding bikes

40 mi.

1,840 ft.

Ride through historic Big Horn, WY and glorious prairie with stunning views of the Big Horn Mountains.

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Route Details

This route starts in historic downtown Sheridan, then winds its way south to the historic town of @point[Big Horn](d,17553.76). When you first enter the town on on Rte 335 stop for a photo at the @photo[Big Horn Town Sign](15897738). Then turn left onto Johnson Street and roll down into history past the historic @photo[Big Horn Post Office](15897751) and @photo[Big Horn Mercantile](15898605). If the Mercantile is open, you can stop here to fill up on water and snacks. This is the only opportunity you will have on the route to restock.

After leaving Big Horn, the route continues West on Rte 335 for approximately 1 mile before turning right onto Beaver Creek Rd and the start of the gravel segment of the route. For the next 6 miles, you will be on hard packed gravel that winds up and down prairie hills. The grades are gentle but the @photo[views of the valley and the Big Horn mountains](15897743) are dramatic. @photo[(Photo of Beaver Creek Rd)](15897741)

At mile 18, you will turn left onto Bign Horn Rd. For the next 4 miles you will encounter even @photo[more amazing views](15897748). As the road winds through several ranches, the surface of the road gets a little rougher. This road is not maintained but it is still very rideable. We had a group of 70 riders on this route, with varying degrees of comfort on technical terrain and everyone handled it just fine. For those not as experienced, just travel slowly and with caution and it will be fine allowing you to take in the amazing views of the surrounding area. @photo[(Photo of Big Horn Rd)](15897749)

*Note: This section of the route is a dry weather only road. If the area has recently had a lot of rain or it is raining on the day of your ride, we suggest choosing another ride option.*

At just over mile 22, you will come to the @point[intersection with Rte 331](d,36047.62). Turn left here to head towards Big Goose Canyon. Stay on Rte 331 for approximately 1 mile and your will be at the turn for the start of @poi[Big Goose Canyon](129342981) (Big Goose Cyn Rd).

Big Goose Cyn Rd is a public road for approximately 3.5 miles. After that it is private land, so turn around at the gate and head back out to Rte 331. The ride along the canyon road follows the Big Goose Creek. You will get periodic views of the creek as well as lush green vegetation along the road, a nice break from the prairie grass that lines most of the rest of the route. @photo[(Photo of Big Goose Canyon Rd)](15897740)

When you get back to Rte 331, turn left and follow this for approximately 10 miles back into Sheridan. Most of this segment is on paved road. However, there is a good shoulder all the way into Sheridan and traffic on this road is typically fairly lite.

**We Ride 4** - This route is part of a collection of three routes that were part of a 3-Day gravel adventure conducted by We Ride 4 for its Cycling Club Members. Click on this link to view a video capturing the 3 days of riding. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngLM0GqIU3o](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngLM0GqIU3o)

**Sheridan, WY** - Click on this link to view an extensive history of the town of Sheridan. [https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/sheridan-wyoming](http://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/sheridan-wyoming)

**Big Horn, WY** - In 1881 Big Horn was founded; the area had caught the eye of well-to-do cattle and sheep ranchers who established operations along the base of the Bighorn Mountains. Big Horn is along the valley of Little Goose Creek. Polo was first played in the area at a summer fair in Sheridan in 1893. Today, in the summer the community attracts polo players from around the world who enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of Big Horn Polo and the Flying H Polo Club.

At one time Big Horn had nearly 1,000 residents, a college, a brick factory, a newspaper, two churches, a hotel, a livery barn, two saloons, and a mercantile. It made a bid to be the seat of Sheridan County, but an 1888 runoff election gave the title to Sheridan. There was an exodus of residents and businesses around 1891 when it was learned that the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad was being surveyed through Sheridan. The railroad came to Sheridan in 1893, and since then Big Horn has been a satellite community of Sheridan.

According to local legend, Frank James and Big Nose George (Of the James Gang) were hiding out along Little Goose Creek in 1878. Supposedly, things got "too hot" for them in the Black Hills of South Dakota, so they headed for the unsettled country near the Big Horn Mountains.

There is another local legend that a ranching family named Hilman employed a mysterious man for a time, who regularly engaged in target practice with his pistol. The family believes this man was Butch Cassidy, based on a note left on his sudden departure from the ranch, which read: "This is the only home I have ever known—Robert Parker."

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Loop to Big Horn and Big Goose Canyon-Sheridan Gravel

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