Mistymoon Lake and Cloud Peak from West Tensleep

Cloud Peak Wilderness, Bighorn National Forest (West Tensleep Trailhead north of Ten Sleep)

Cloud Peak, at about 13,160 to 13,180 feet depending on the source, is the high point of the Bighorn Mountains, and the standard backpacking approach comes from West Tensleep Lake on the range’s west side. The trail climbs past Lake Helen and Marion Lake to Mistymoon Lake, and the summit route goes off-trail from there.

Travel Wyoming lists the full out-and-back at 23 miles with about 5,300 feet of gain. Stopping at Mistymoon Lake makes a shorter, all-trail overnight.

The hike

The trip starts at the West Tensleep Trailhead, half a mile past West Tensleep Lake Campground, according to Travel Wyoming’s 2022 trip guide by Elisabeth Brentano. Trail Run Project describes Misty Moon Trail #063 heading north from the shores of West Ten Sleep Lake, climbing above Tensleep Creek into the Cloud Peak Wilderness, and gaining nearly 1,000 feet before reaching Lake Helen, Marion Lake, and Misty Moon Lake.

Travel Wyoming puts Mistymoon Lake about 7 miles and 1,150 feet above the trailhead. Its author spent the first night lower, at a site near 9,000 feet, to acclimate.

Near Mistymoon Lake, Trail Run Project says to join the Solitude Trail #038 for a short stretch northwest to the start of the Cloud Peak route. Travel Wyoming describes the summit section as just over 3 miles with about 3,000 feet of gain: a waterfall at Paint Rock Creek, about a mile of cairns, a two-mile boulder field, a quarter-mile ridge, and a final half-mile push gaining 600 feet. “The quarter-mile ridge isn’t super exposed, but every move matters,” the author writes. Trail Run Project suggests a light day pack for the summit and collecting the rest of your gear on the way out.

Travel Wyoming also describes a 24-mile alternative with about 6,000 feet of gain that loops in from Battle Park and shares the route near Paint Rock Creek.

Trail Run Project and Travel Wyoming both warn about moose, and Travel Wyoming advises staying at least 75 feet from moose, elk, and deer and 300 feet from bears and wolves.

For a shorter trip from the same trailhead, see Lost Twin Lakes. The Solitude Loop circles the whole peak.

Tips

Register at the trailhead. The self-issued registration is free and required.
Consider a lower first camp to acclimate, as Travel Wyoming’s author did.
Carry waste bags. Travel Wyoming recommends WAG bags or a portable toilet.
Use a bear canister for food and toiletries, per Travel Wyoming.
Keep your distance from moose.

Camping

Bighorn National Forest order 02-02-26-01 (March 31, 2026, through 2030) requires a free, signed and dated self-issued registration. Groups are limited to 10 people and 15 head of stock. Camping is prohibited within 100 feet of any lake, stream, or pond. Above 9,200 feet only self-contained chemical stoves are allowed. Solid human waste must be packed out of the West and Middle Tensleep drainages.

Along Forest Road 27 below the trailhead, a 2025 order (02-02-01-25-02) prohibits camping outside developed campgrounds.

Inside Intel: Travel Wyoming’s author hiked about half a mile past Mistymoon Lake to find a site after a moose sighting, then moved camp closer to the Paint Rock Creek waterfall to shorten the return from the summit. A 2022 Backcountry Post group also camped near a waterfall in the Paint Rock Creek valley, “behind a rock,” before their summit day.

Trail facts

Distance: 23 miles round trip with the summit (Travel Wyoming); 23.8 miles (Trail Run Project); about 7 miles one way to Mistymoon Lake
Route type: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate to Mistymoon; strenuous with the summit
High point: Cloud Peak, about 13,160-13,180 feet (sources differ)
Campsites: Dispersed; Mistymoon Lake area and Paint Rock Creek
Water: Lakes and creeks; treat it
Permits: Free self-issued registration required
Fires: Chemical stoves only above 9,200 feet
Human waste: Pack out in the West and Middle Tensleep drainages
Trailhead: West Tensleep Trailhead, end of FSR 27
Last verified: October 12, 2026

The Lowdown

Camping past Mistymoon after a moose sighting:

One author walked half a mile beyond Mistymoon Lake to find a site, then moved camp toward the Paint Rock Creek waterfall. Our side-sleeper tips help when the best legal spot isn't the flattest.

Get the side-sleeper tips →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.