Cloud Peak, Mountain summit in Big Horn County, Wyoming, United States.
Cloud Peak is a mountain summit in the Bighorn Range of Wyoming that rises to approximately 13,167 feet above sea level. The landscape around it features alpine meadows, mountain lakes, and rocky terrain that characterize this high-elevation wilderness area.
The Bighorn Mountains and this peak served Native American tribes for many centuries as a hunting ground and part of their traditional territory. European settlers began arriving in the region during the 1800s, eventually leading to the creation of protected wilderness areas to preserve the landscape.
The peak draws visitors from across the region who come to test themselves against the mountain and experience high-altitude wilderness firsthand. People speak of the summit as a destination that connects them to the raw landscape and their own limits.
This is a challenging climb requiring good physical fitness and high-altitude hiking experience, especially across the rocky and often snow-covered upper sections. Bring plenty of water and food, start early in the day, and check the weather forecast before heading out since conditions can change rapidly at elevation.
A glacier on the north-facing slope persists at the summit and remains one of the last in the region, slowly releasing water to surrounding streams during dry months. Few visitors realize they are walking near a slowly melting ice field, despite its importance to the local water supply.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
