Grayback Parallel Trail

Difficulty: Strenuous Trail Use: Moderate

Length: 19.5 miles from jct with Willow Cr Trail/Wyoming National Rec Trail at Anne’s Peak to Pickle Pass, ~7 miles to jct with Lick Cr Trail #4146, ~9 miles to jct with Mumford Cr Trail #4144, ~12 miles to jct with Phosphate Cr Trail #4147

Elevation: 7413 ft at jct with Willow Cr Trail/WNRT (Anne’s Peak), 8036 ft at jct with Lick Cr Trail, 7100 ft at jct with Mumford Cr Trail, 7717 ft at jct with Phosphate Cr Trail

Open to: Hikers, Equestrian

Trail Highlights:

• This trail starts at a large 4 way junction on top of the ridge just below Anne’s Peak. The trail heads down through open meadow and aspen stands until it reaches Willow Cr and crosses on a large steel girder bridge. The trail crosses the bridge and heads up to another junction with the lower Willow Cr Trail.
• From here the trail winds up through thick forest and small meadows, following the creek until departing and climbing up the ridge, eventually reaching a large open saddle just under Grayback Ridge. From here it drops off the ridge, across the hillside and reaches a junction with the Lick Cr Trail. It continues to drop off the hillside through open meadow and the trail can be difficult to see.
• The trail then follows the creek down to another faint junction with the Mumford Cr Trail, which is marked with a rough post. From here the trail turns right and follows the drainage up again. It continues on, winding through forest and small meadows. Not much trail maintenance has been done in this area leading up to Phosphate Cr so the trail will most likely be rough and hard to follow. Eventually it reaches another open hillside and drops down to a junction with the Phosphate Cr Trail.
• From here the trail parallels upper Willow Cr, and the condition of the trail will be rough. Eventually the trail reaches Pickle Pass where it meets up with the Willow Cr/WNRT Trail.

Options:

• There are several connections from this trail that can be formed into loops. You can access the Lick Cr Trail, the Mumford Cr Trail, the Phosphate Cr Trail, the Palmer Cr Trail up on the ridge, or take it all the way to Pickle Pass and come back on the Willow Cr Trail.

Important Information

• This trail has not seen a lot of maintenance, so expect downed trees, rough creek crossings and faint tread. Work began in 2012 to clear, remark, and rebuild this trail but conditions will continue to be rough for several years. Know your route well before going.
• This trail is located on USGS quad maps for Camp Davis, Bailey Lake and Pickle Pass, 7.5 minute.
• Always check the posted information at the kiosks for maps, updated material on forest regulations and closures.