Hugh Otte
Campground
Campground · 0.5 mi from the trail
Wyoming · Hiking · Near Lander
Middle Fork
- 12.8 mi
- round trip
- 1,348 ft
- climb
- 8,506 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jun–Sep
- best months
Is Middle Fork open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists an alert for Shoshone National Forest.
Morrison Jeep Trail
Agency alert covering Shoshone National Forest · USFS · Shoshone National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Shoshone National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Middle Fork is a hard hike in Wyoming's Shoshone National Forest, within the Washakie Ranger District. The trail is an out-and-back of about 12.8 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,348 feet, starting at a low point of 7,133 feet and reaching a high of 8,506 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural-surfaced and open to horses. It is not an accessible trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Atlantic City, Wyoming, show July highs around 78°F with lows near 43°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s and 30s. The Middle Fork Trailhead is the starting point, with parking labeled "MIDDLE FORK." The trail is open year-round. Climbers will find Il Brutto and Jehovah Cabana about 0.1 mile away. Hugh Otte campground is about half a mile off, and Sinks Canyon Campground is about 1.2 miles away.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Taco John's
Fast food
On your way back · 9 miIf it rains The Lander Pioneer Museum
Museum
In town
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in LanderBest time to go · Jun–Sep
Best time to visit Middle Fork
Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
30° / 1°
Feb
31° / 7°
Mar
38° / 13°
Apr
46° / 21°
May
57° / 29°
Jun
69° / 37°
Jul
78° / 43°
Aug
76° / 42°
Sep
67° / 33°
Oct
52° / 23°
Nov
37° / 12°
Dec
29° / 5°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Atlantic City, WY, 17 mi away at 7,821 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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