This route starts at the Noble Hotel in Lander Wyoming. Lander is the gateway to the Wind River Range and the headquarters for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). The route goes through Sinks Canyon, Shoshone National Forest and along the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River.
The Route:
Start on bike at the Noble Hotel in lander WY and proceed West to WY 131 (Sinks Canyon Road) turn right and follow Sinks Canyon Road for 10.4 miles through the canyon until you reach Bruce's Bridge parking area. Secure your bike (lock it) and then run 6.1 miles up the Middle Popo Agie Trail to Sheep Bridge. At Sheep Bridge, turn around and run 6.1 miles to Bruce's Bridge via the same trail, remount your bike and return to the Noble Hotel via Sinks Canyon Road. 20.8 miles of biking and 12.4 miles of running with 3,901 feet of elevation gain.
Detailed Description:
The bike route starts relatively easy, then a gradual climb through pasture land and small ranches until you enter Sinks Canyon and the State park and the National Forest. The canyon is beautiful and I passed "The Rise" of the Popo Agie River and "The Sink" the locations where the river emerges from the limestone and the place where the river disappears. The road is biker friendly but often dodging cattle on the road is required. Upon reaching Bruce's Bridge parking lot there is a bridge to the right (Bruce's Bridge) and to the left of that a flat area where you can lock a bike to a tree. Once secure, I cross Bruce's Bridge and proceed up the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie Trail. There are numerous spurs (The Cattle Bypass and The falls Trail) so paying attention is important. Heading towards Sheep Bridge is pretty much elevation gain and minor switchbacks but absolute stunning views and constant perspectives of the river. 6 miles in you reach a sign that delineates the Sheep Bridge Trail. At that point, turn left and in .2 mile you hit Sheep Bridge. Sheep Bridge crosses the Popo Agie so do not continue to the other side. Reverse course for 6.2 miles back to Bruce's Bridge. The decent is very pleasant and quick. At Bruce's Bridge remount your bike for a very rapid decent of Sinks Canyon and return to the Noble Hotel.
Details of my run and phots/videos can be found here: https://www.strava.com/activities/15720747562
Safety:
1. There is no cell phone coverage in many parts of Sinks Canyon and the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie Trail. I recommend a Garmin InReach
2. There is substantial black bear activity in the area and scattered and infrequent grizzly bear activity. Bear Spray is highly recommended.
3. Sinks Canyon Road is a very bike friendly road but a strobe is recommended.
Thank you for considering this application.
