Updated 10/10

🚨 Good News / Unfortunate News Trail Update 🚨

First the unfortunate news 

  • For your safety and the safety of those fighting the Elk fire, all of Red Grade Trails is closed. Please DO NOT GO to any of the trailheads.
  • To project our communities and our forest, firefighting personnel unfortunately had to cut a dozer line through some of the Red Grade Trails. As the fire is still being fought, all the details are not yet settled. We ask for your patience and will give updates when we know more.
  • We have confirmed with Bighorn National Forest administrators that damage to the trails and surrounding areas that were impacted by the construction of fire lines is being mapped. Once the threat of the fire has passed, SCLT and the Bighorn National Forest will develop a plan for repairing the trails. The trails will be repaired to SCLT standards with support including Federal funds and National Forest trail crews. We will share more once we know more and have had chance to form a plan.
  • The three new trails being built out of Aspens Trailhead were on track to open until the fire stopped everything. Work will resume as soon as the situation is safe and crews are able.

Now the good news 

  • The Double Eagle Trail accessible from the Kendrick Golf Course has reopened. ‼ It is closed beyond the junction with Kicking Eagle Link Connector at the fence crossing.
  • Double Eagle Trail features a 2.2-mile out-and-back loop and offers some great views of the mountain face. If you visit, please observe the rules posted at the trailhead. The trail is open one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset and pets must be leashed at all times. 🦮
  • The remainder of the Soldier Ridge Trail System, including Soldier Ridge Trail, Soldier Ridge Bench Trail, Kicking Horse Trail, The Link, Hidden Hoot Trail and Hoot Loop remain closed indefinitely.
  • The Green Room Trail @ Malcolm Wallop Park remains open and is in its full fall splendor. 🍂

A note from Don Roberts and Sheridan Community Land Trust pertaining to the closing of Soldier Ridge Trail

I would like to address the recent closure of the Soldier Ridge and Hidden Hoot Trail systems. The land that the trailheads and most of the trail sits on has been owned by my family since 1957. We have always been good stewards of the land, taking care of it and respecting it all these years.

I took access to the lay of the land and amazing views for granted, as I was out on it whenever and as often as I liked. But around 15 years ago I got to thinking that most of the residents of Sheridan didn’t have access to any of the beautiful view sheds, even though they lived so close. A few community-minded forward thinkers approached me with the idea of establishing easy access to the lands via trails open to the public. Which would be a complete reversal of the prior decades of “No Trespassing” signs and strict enforcement. It had been that way for a reason – no benefits came with trespassers, only damage.

I gave the Sheridan Community Land Trust a perpetual easement for approximately 8 miles of trails that became Soldier Ridge, Kicking Horse, and Hidden Hoot trails. There are a few rules as the land is still a working ranch, but for the most part unfettered free access to private property bordering town for all to enjoy.

Just like when there was no trespassing allowed on any of the areas, there are always a few that don’t respect the private property, can’t follow the rules, and sadly cause conflicts to arise. Regrettably, problems have been increasing the last couple years and unfortunately, it seems the Elk fire heightened the problems with abuse of the rules – being on the trails after dark, not staying on the trails, dogs off leash, and basic disregard of public safety. So, I worked with the SCLT to temporarily close the trails for these reasons during the time of danger from the fire.

Hopefully this pause in the availability of this terrific resource with allow all trail users to be mindful of how they and their friends use the trails, and how the trails can continue to be a beautiful, peaceful part of living in Sheridan.