Early in the morning, four moose are startled by a car stopping on the side of US Highway 14 Alternate somewhere near Burgess Junction.

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

First up was Sykes Mountain Trail which begins at the Crooked Creek ranger station located along State Highway 37 about 15 kilometres north of the junction with US Highway 14/14A.  Leaving my car at the ranger station, we walked across the highway and found the trailhead which is right beside a big sign board for Horseshoe Bend.  The terrain here is very much like a desert, and it felt reminiscent of the hiking in southern Nevada or Arizona.  One odd difference though was the surprising presence of mosquitoes in this supposedly arid landscape.  While not as prolific as what we encountered recently in Cloud Peak Wilderness, the mosquitoes here proved to be just as persistent and still highly annoying.

Zosia and I skirted around the north end of an outlying ridge before heading south up a draw to gain the northwest ridge of Sykes Mountain.  Although the trail is initially easy to follow, it is less defined higher up the ridge.  Fortunately, trail markers are plentiful, and the terrain itself is easy to negotiate even when off-route.  The official trail ends at an unexpectedly scenic overlook with a commanding view of Bighorn Lake to the east.  From there, it is possible to wander either to the actual summit of Sykes Mountain about 1.7 kilometres further to the southeast or to an even higher point known as Crooked summit about a kilometre to the southwest.  Unfortunately, the rising heat of the day was becoming unbearable, and after taking a few photographs from the overlook, we beat a hasty retreat back to the trailhead and ranger station.

	Zosia gets ready to hike from Crooked Creek ranger station (water and public washroom available).
	Zosia follows Sykes Mountain Trail toward the northwest end of its namesake land feature.
	The signed trail is less defined higher up the northwest ridge.
	A mule deer looks back warily at some bipedal creatures passing nearby. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Near the end of Sykes Mountain Trail, Zosia tests the looseness of a huge boulder that seems poised to tumble down the cliff.

Sykes Mountain Trail ends at an overlook with this view of Bighorn Lake.  The marina at Horseshoe Bend is also visible at left.

 

	Sonny and Zosia pose at the overlook in front of Bighorn Lake.
	With the heat of the day becoming unbearable, Zosia descends the trail with some urgency.
	Total Distance:  4.7 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  1 hour 59 minutes Net Elevation Gain:  169 metres GPX Data

Given the hot weather, Zosia and I decided to forego the rest of the hikes we had planned, and instead, we essentially toured the rest of the southern half of the NRA by car.  This included brief stops at Devils Canyon Overlook, Two Eagles Interpretive Trail and Barry's Landing--all located on the MT side of the state border.  Returning to WY, we stopped at Horseshoe Bend for an extended lunch break before heading to the NRA's visitor centre in nearby Lovell, WY.  At our request, the park staff played an interpretive movie for us, and we took advantage of the opportunity to have a wonderful nap in the dark and air-conditioned theatre.  Once we were suitably refreshed, we departed the visitor centre and ultimately left WY for good.

	Behind this roadside interpretive display is a comprehensive view of Sykes Mountain.  The display talks about wild horses that road the area.
	On the MT side of the state border, Devil Canyon Overlook provides probably the best views of Bighorn Canyon.  Note the motor boat on Bighorn River below. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Here is the view to the north from the other side of Devil Canyon Overlook.  At far left are the Pryor Mountains. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	All around Two Eagles Interpretive Trail are rings of stones that were once used to hold down the edges of teepees while nomadic Native American tribes were camping in the area.  Once the tribes moved on, the stones were left behind in their ring formations. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	In the southern section of Bighorn Canyon NRA, the paved access road ends at a boat launch called Barry's Landing. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	A lone wild horse grazes on a ridge next to the road. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Returning to WY, Sonny enjoys lunch under a picnic shelter near the marina at Horseshoe Bend.  Sykes Mountain is visible across Bighorn Lake. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	At the NRA's visitor centre in Lovell, Zosia dons a bear skin before hibernating in the air-conditioned theatre.