19.6 miles

Cliff Creek

Gros Ventre & Wyoming Ranges

Fee: $0.00

Access:

Drive south from Jackson to Hoback Junction on Hwy 89/191, then left (southeast) on Hwy 191/189 toward Bondurant. Continue southeast for approximately 14.7 miles to Cliff Creek Road on the right (west). Turn off the highway and park on the forest service road. Limited parking is available.

Description:

The Cliff Creek winter trail begins just a few hundred yards southwest of Hwy 191/189, on the unplowed snow-covered USFS forest service road. The trail may have a snowmobile track or, after recent snowfall, only a skier track or might even remain untracked. Due to the wide and easy terrain, this is also a suitable trail for fat biking and snowshoeing. The trail follows the forest road south for approximately 6 miles, with relatively flat and wide terrain, following Cliff Creek into the Wyoming Range. The trail offers beautiful views of the surrounding wilderness and follows the creek bed at times, with shallow traverses across the bottom of south-facing slopes on the north side of the creek. As the canyon narrows, avalanche risk may increase, so be sure to check snowpack conditions and take necessary precautions.

Skiing Experience: The trail offers a moderate level of difficulty with mostly flat terrain, skier tracked suitable for cross-country skiing, fat biking, and snowshoeing.

Winter Conditions: The trail may have a snowmobile track or skier track, depending on recent snowfall. Avalanche risk may increase as the canyon narrows, so check snowpack conditions and take necessary precautions. Visit JHavalanche.org and consult with the USFS for updates.
Summer Conditions: During the summer months, the winter trail serves as a forest service dirt road, suitable for gravel and mountain biking. The Cliff Creek Falls hiking trail begins where the dirt road ends, approximately 9 miles from the highway.

Nordic Skiers: The wide terrain offers excellent opportunities for Nordic skiing.

Fat Bikers: The wide and easy terrain makes this trail suitable for fat biking.

Dog Owners: Dogs are welcome on the trail; please keep them leashed and clean up after them.

Directions:

Beginnings: Access the trail a few hundred yards southwest of Hwy 191/189, on the unplowed snow-covered USFS forest service road.

Views: Enjoy scenic views of the Wyoming Range and Cliff Creek.

Trail Options: Follow the forest road south for approximately 6 miles to the summer trailhead of the Cliff Creek trail. The trail continues south to Cliff Creek Falls, approximately 6 miles further into the canyon.

Return: Return via the same trail, allowing ample time for the long distance.