How To Travel The Morrison Jeep Trail In Wyoming
Located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming, the challenging Morrison Jeep Trail is a very rough drive. It's a challenging ride because of the combination of altitude and terrain. It is not for the timid or people in poor condition.
Where is The Morrison Jeep Trail?
The trail is located northwest of Cody and southwest of Billings, on the northern part of Wyoming, within the Shoshone National Forest.
How long is Morrison Jeep Trail?
The Morrison Jeep Trail (Forest Road 120) is 35 km (22 miles) long, running from Clarks Fork River valley to the Beartooth Plateau. It’s an extremely dangerous, narrow, single-lane trail with no turn-offs.
Is the Morrison Jeep Trail remote?
The trail wanders twenty-some miles across the Beartooth Plateau, one of the most remote places in the state. Moose, black and grizzly bears, mountain goats, and bobcats inhabit the area. There’s no cell service, and there’s a good chance no one will be passing by to help if your ride breaks down.
Is Morrison Jeep Trail difficult?
The road is extremely challenging with heavy rocks and deep ruts, and high-clearance vehicles with 4WD are the only vehicles that should be attempting this trail. It is known for its 27 tight switchbacks that make up the ascent from the Clarks Fork River to the top of Beartooth Plateau, with a drop-off of a few hundred feet on one side. The turns are narrow, steep, and even steeper than they look, with some areas having a grade as steep as 25 degrees.
How long does it take to ride on Morrison Jeep Trail?
The road is very difficult, so plan about 7 hours to complete the drive. There are lots of single-track trails cutting off from the main route, but make sure you have a map and know where you're going before wandering off too far.
When does Morrison Jeep Trail open?
The road tops out at 3,107m (10,193ft) above sea level, so it is usually impassable from late October through late June or early July (depending on snow). It's not recommended to drive this road when it's wet, muddy, or slippery. There are a couple of very technical and rocky climbs, and a handful of grinders that are long and straight, but this is where you cross the 10,000 ft mark, so the oxygen is limited.
Pic: Brandon M