Nautilus Area
Nautilus Area in Wyoming has 5 sport climbing routes on 4 difficulty grades.
- 5 routes
- 5.11d – 5.12c
- Sport
Is Nautilus Area open right now?
No closures listed
The Forest Service lists no closures for Bighorn National Forest.
As of · Source: USFS · Bighorn National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Best time to visit Nautilus Area
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
38° / 15°
9 wet
Feb
37° / 14°
9 wet
Mar
44° / 21°
10 wet
Apr
53° / 28°
12 wet
May
60° / 38°
13 wet
Jun
70° / 45°
12 wet
Jul
81° / 53°
9 wet
Aug
80° / 50°
8 wet
Sep
70° / 42°
8 wet
Oct
56° / 31°
10 wet
Nov
45° / 22°
8 wet
Dec
37° / 14°
8 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Story, WY, 2.1 mi away at 5,168 ft. The station sits about 800 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.
The Nautilus Area is a climbing area in the Tongue Ranger District of Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among several other climbing areas, including Mytho Wall, Bermuda Triangle and The Shipyard, all within about a tenth of a mile. The Shipyard is the closest of these, and the Story Penrose Trail is a hike about a mile away. The climbing here is all sport, with five routes ranging from 5.11d to 5.12c. The median grade is 5.12b. Among the routes are Moskstraumen, Zero Chill and Captain Maximus, with the latter's first ascent listed as Stoner in 2020. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Story, Wyoming, run to highs around 81°F in July and 80°F in August, with lows in the low 50s. That station sits about 800 feet lower than the area, so temperatures on the rock run cooler. Winter is cold, with January highs near 38°F and lows around 15°F. South Piney Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 2.6 miles away, and Little Goose Campground is about 9.4 miles away.
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