Stats:
Category: Easy
Miles: 3
Elevation Gain: 700'
Location: Shoshone National Forest
Directions: HERE
Description: Falling 150' over three-tiers, is wild and majestic Popo Agie Falls, a popular family hike just outside the small town of Lander, WY. Born from the glaciers and snow melt in the high-country of the Wind River Mountains, the Popo Agie River makes the dramatic leap down these falls and into a harrowing river gorge, before disappearing into the "the Sinks", a point at which the river flows entirely underground through countless caverns, only to reappear 1/4 mile later at "the Rise", before making its journey to join the Wind River miles downstream. The approach to the falls is a beautiful and quaint as any; with rustic mountain cabins near the trailhead, Quaking Aspen crowning the riverbank, wooden brides across the watercourses, and montane meadows and stately conifers covering the upper reaches of the trail.
The Trail: From Bruce's Bridge Trailhead, cross WY-300 (Louis Lake Road/Sinks Canyon Road), and walk over Bruce's Bridge, which straddles the Popo Agie River's banks. Here is a kiosk and the trail proper begins. Take the path westward as it wanders the banks of the river, littered with Quaking Aspen; verdant and fresh in summer, and gloriously bright orange and yellow in fall. The Trail passes some small cabins, before it suddenly gains elevation through a series of switchbacks about 600'. The trail then will level out, and a fork will present itself. Take the left fork (unmarked), about 0.25 miles, passing by the rugged river gorge below, before arriving at the Falls viewpoint and a small wooden bench and bridge. Return the way you came.
Hiked 10-16-2015, Fremont County, WY
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| Popo Agie River |
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| Quaking Aspen in Fall |
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| Popo Agie River Gorge |
*I apologize for the poor pictures--my camera broke, thus forcing me to use the phone camera....
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