The Solitude Loop - 60 Miles Through Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains

Рет қаралды 10,472

Күн бұрын

In August of 2022, I went out to Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains to get away for a bit. Here's the path I took:
caltopo.com/m/8ECH6
Here's the gear I carried, it was the same as what I took on the TMB:
lighterpack.com/r/qan92n
Only adjustments was that I also brought my Insta360 OneX/corresponding pole, and I didn't need my charging brick.
If anyone is thinking of doing this path, please check the Caltopo map and be aware of two difficult river crossings not shown in the video but listed on the map, and a very steep segment as seen in the video. This trail is not easy, and also is not for first time backpackers. This was rough, but I loved it.
I shot this video on a Sony ZV1 in 4k24p using the HLG3/2020 gamma/color space, a GoPro6 in 4:3-4k24p Flat profile, and an Insta360 OneX. I stabilized the ZV1 and GoPro footage using GyroFlow, an open source stabilization program that is way better than Catalyst Browse. All edits, color grading, and text graphics were made in DaVinci Resolve 18/18.5 Studio.
I made the mountain range using Blender 3.3. To get height map data, I used tangrams.github.io/heightmapper/ and to get satellite imagery, I used SAS Planet. I've improved a lot since initially making the Collegiate Loop mountains, but the overview video I made applies so if you want to see how I made it, check this out ( • Collegiate Loop Mounta... ). New features on this mountain chain was sun animation, light rays, cloud shadows, better path mesh, and much better...everything.
If you want to make videos like this, go for it! Resolve has a free version, and all the other software is free! But note that it took me months to make this, and learning how to do the mountains in Blender took a very long while. Message me and I can send you some notes on how to do it.
Songs Used:
Birdwoman - Poppy Ackroyd
Strata - Poppy Ackroyd
HYMN - Ben Lavar
Feathers - Poppy Ackroyd
Roads - Poppy Ackroyd
Timeless - Poppy Ackroyd
Life - Ludovico Einaudi
Taskin - Poppy Ackroyd
00:00 - Day 1
08:29 - Day 2
17:48 - Day 3

Пікірлер: 53

@wyomingadventures 8 ай бұрын

I'm from Buffalo Wyoming and have hiked in the Big Horns all my life. Been to all those high mountain lakes and climb the peaks. One thing I would tell anyone who is going up there is, don't rely on Google maps. They are way off. Bring a paper TOPO maps. Service up there is hit and miss. Especially if you aren't higher. Get in a drainage and you don't get service. There's numerous animal trails up here. Stay on Forrest Service Designated trails if you don't want to get lost. Look for blazed trees with a Forrest Service symbol. And an old fashion compass with a TOPO map always works. I used to volunteer for the Search and Rescue here. Nothing beats a paper map for directions. Glad you had a great hike. There's some beautiful country in the Big Horn mountains.

@trevort5380 Ай бұрын

I've camping in that exact same spot at solitude a couple times. The big horn mountains are a hidden gem!

@miker.4532 Жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed the video. I had an eight year streak of visiting the Bighorn mountains that culminated in 2021 with an attempt at the Solitude Trail. Due to a number of circumstances we had to bail on our original plan, and make the same "shortcut" you did. We cut east off trail across from Lake Eunice/Cliff Lake Trail. Initially it was a dissapointment to alter course and "downgrade" the trip. However, making this decision turned out to be more of an adventure and more rewarding than we could ever have imagined. There is something special about route-finding trough the mountains. The view from the top of that saddle (15:40) is truley incredible and worth the slow grind to get there. Getting down the jumbled rock shoots was heart-pounding, and even a bit terrifying, but worth it for the scenery that awaited below in the valley below Lake Loomis. I will never forget the site of the apline glow bathing the granite in pink while snow storms swirled above. It was an enchanted night in the heart of the mountains. The next day we also bushwacked for hours through the brush to eventually find the trail at Spear Lake. We then spent the rest of the day hiking through fierce winds and strobe-like weather conditions with occassional snow. At one point, while we were being lashed by winds and , I looked over to my hiking companion and asked if he was doing alright. He yelled to be heard over the wind. "Are you kidding me. I'm having the f*@cking time of my life." The funny thing was is that he meant it. To this day, one of my favorite backcountry experiences.

@marknicholson5293 Ай бұрын

We went to the Solitude Trail 2 years ago when a forest fire scotched our permit for Glacier National Park. Loved it. When the GPS map or even the paper map disagree with where the trail actually is on the ground, we have learned to follow the trail on the ground. We look for trail confirmation-blazes, cairns and especially saw-cut logs. We, of course use GPS, map and compass to get a more general idea of where we are and where we are going but it is not unusual for the GPS and map to be a bit inaccurate.

@beartechdeck 19 күн бұрын

Good job keeping calm when you were lost! I almost panicked when I lost the trail due to fallen trees in Sylvania wilderness.

@leahpowell8021 4 ай бұрын

My husband and I sat out to do this in 2017, but there was a major blow down in a pass so we climbed Cloud Peak instead. In 2021 we made it around the Loop. We have hiked much of the loop since, but will again do the whole loop summer 2024. Enjoyed reliving our hike through yours. Nice job!

@cjjt66 5 ай бұрын

Fantastic video. Excellent footage. Great exposition. THE BEST use of maps I have ever seen in a backpacking video. Good use of music--not too loud. I have no notes. A+++++ Keep up the good work!

@ericoiesen9832 8 ай бұрын

Excellent video - thanks! And, thanks for including your reaction to an outdoor moment of awe and wonder (around the 8 minute mark) . When I return from a backpacking trip and get the "hey, how was your backpacking trip?" question, I find it hard to truly convey the full experience. Just showing someone some pictures doesn't do it. And trying to communicate those hit-you-like-a-ton-of-bricks moments of awe and wonder that we all experience out there, it is easy to sound more than just a bit crazy. Your moment in the video (around the 8 minute mark) where you are wheeling around taking in the post-storm scenery with a big grin on your face and a loss for words captures the awe and wonder moment perfectly. I've shown it to some friends and family telling them "this is it - - this is the all-encompassing experience that I can't adequately put into words - - these moments make any of the challenges and discomforts completely worthwhile and keep me coming back for more". Keep up the great content 👍

@Away.Aweigh.A.Way. Жыл бұрын

Another stellar video, dude. People like you and Kraig Adams are making the best backpacking content on KZfaq in my opinion.

@TaylorPassofaro Жыл бұрын

Thanks! To be considered alongside Kraig is a great honor, one day I would love to make something in his more silent style, it's so beautiful.

@inthewildwildwest 9 ай бұрын

Love the Big Horns - Saw you video and then did the full loop on 038 the whole way a few weeks later! Coffen Park clockwise. I can't believe you crossed Kearny Creek right there before you got a bit lost! Wow scary. That creek was a raging river! I was in that exact spot in August '23 where the trail supposedly goes across. Definitely no trail now (ever), and the route does indeed keep going east until it hits trail 033 and guess what there is a bridge! You can see it on Google Earth. Thanks for the inspiration and fantastic video!

@jenb.6440 18 күн бұрын

Beautiful video! We really enjoyed it; we use Gaia when we're backpacking

@panatela001 Жыл бұрын

Magnificent video, wow. Cloud Peak Wilderness is one of my favorite places.

@Justin_Hikes Жыл бұрын

Your videos are really great on several levels. I was just up in the Bighorns last weekend and there's a LOT of snow. Had me wondering when you did this hike. Then I checked the vid Description and found that info and much more. Great job and keep putting your unique spin on these videos.

@TaylorPassofaro Жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙂 Haha I appreciate that someone at least reads the video description 😅 Good to know it's still really snowy out there this time of year (although I know this snowpack year is a bit different).

@johnmcnulty4425 9 ай бұрын

I love the way you animate the routes you take. Such a beautiful and happily overlooked mountain range - great narration!

@brigittelintner3336 Жыл бұрын

Amazing! I always love your vidieography well as wonderful story telling! Thanks for sharing your adventure with us! 😊

@TaylorPassofaro Жыл бұрын

That's a very sweet thing to say, thank you 😊

@caryanderson7212 5 ай бұрын

It’s impressive to see you cover that amount of traveling through not only such gorgeous country and the time you took to articulate your thoughts and feelings when you were off the trail. Panic can give way to fear and confusion but you dealt with it very well, which shows your experience in the wilderness. Traveling that distance in that varied rugged terrain was impressive to watch and I want to thank you for sharing your video with us! Bravo on such an incredible adventure! Now days my trips are from my bedroom to the kitchen and back and depending on the energy levels that day, I sometimes feel a little winded. Loved and subscribed. ❤

@kylesmamawat443 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful scenery!

@nathanferrey4486 11 ай бұрын

Just finished the loop. Started at west tensleep and went clockwise. It's truly amazing. Trip of a lifetime. Great video!

@billystack Жыл бұрын

That was a really good video Taylor! thanks for taking us along on your adventure!

@carlip 9 ай бұрын

I tried hiking to lake solitude yesterday (10/7/23), I turned back 2 miles from the lake due to snow. I need to go back earlier next year. Same experience, trails came and went but when they were there they were covered in 2 or more inches of snow. Good video.

@kukujeee 11 ай бұрын

Loved it, background music, nature sound makes it feel like a documentary.

@MidwestBackpacker 2 ай бұрын

Really enjoyed the video. Fellow Minnesota youtuber. Looking to complete the loop later this summer.

@SoloSchmitty 9 ай бұрын

Really enjoyed the video! Conjured some nice memories of my trip around the loop last year! Well done. Man if you would have made it to spear lake on day 2 you would have been gold! So close! Exit pass is cool. Little sketch on the way down. Love the map overviews. Very cool!

@whistlepig 2 ай бұрын

I love your style of filming/editing. Bravo on a tremendous adventure (and holding it together while lost). New subscriber.

@bencraighead Жыл бұрын

Once again, simply phenomenal work. You seem to have hiked just about every trail on my list! I was thinking of doing this one next summer but you beat me to it. Looking forward to seeing your Isle Royale Video 😉

@TaylorPassofaro Жыл бұрын

Thank you, that's very kind 😊 Haha I have had someone recently insist I need to hike Isle Royale, but I'm not sure how soon that will be on my list. I need to finish the last 30 miles I have left on the superior trail first! Also, there were 2 very tricky river crossings on my loop, I detailed them a bit more in my caltopo in the video description, but if you want to do something like this, be mentally prepared to get wet if it comes to it! I might also recommend the official Solitude Loop Trail to avoid all the getting lost and scrambling over the pass, but HYOH!

@matildagreene1744 2 ай бұрын

The Bighorns and Pryors are the BEST ! Interesting filming..thanks 😄

@nancykostrzak9275 Жыл бұрын

I watched your video again. I wouldn't go all buy myself. It's a little bit of Heaven on Earth 🌎. And that will be FOREVER!!🎉😂

@oscarclaesson3867 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic video!

@kmcgoeshiking27 7 ай бұрын

Great video!! Awesome challenge you put yourself through. Way to control you emotions and keep focused during difficult times. Thank you for sharing your adventure.

@ManivanAdventures 7 ай бұрын

Incredible video man! Love how you did the intro with the map. This definitely solidified my decision to go to the Bighorns next year. Beautiful scenery! That sunset/rainbow @7:41 too! Wow wow wow! So jealous! Lol

@likegreen_hiker Жыл бұрын

It‘s great trail. 😃👏👍

@minnil7927 4 ай бұрын

I’m about to head out from Chicago to the black hills for a night to the bighorns the next day and have to be back by Wednesday so I’m going to leave the park Tuesday morning. Just exploring with no plan and a Garmin in reach for someone to find me if needed. I’m 21 and this is my third trip after the breakup every young man goes through. It’s been a little over a year since I started going on trips outside of the north woods where I grew up. So far solo camping in the blue ridge mountains south of the smokies, been camping alone for two weeks in the Tongass on ABC islands, and I highly recommend going to the islands in the Tongass for wildlife. Anyway great video I’m excited to connect with your experience myself

@GiuliaontheSummit 16 күн бұрын

amazing nature!!

@nancykostrzak9275 Жыл бұрын

I lived in Buffalo, moved away, 2004. Other spots in the Big Horn mountains, an Indian Medicine Wheel. Leave Sheridan, up to Dayton, Ranchester, sign, go left. Get high above timberline. Breathtaking! Next is Bomber Mountain. WW2 plane crashed. Leave Buffalo. Another region is, Hole in the Wall. Hideout for criminals running from the law. Go south from Buffalo to Kaycee. Red Rock country. Ride horse 🐎back with others, is how I enjoy mountain trails.

@GaryEllington-dy8li 3 ай бұрын

I grew up in Riverton Wyoming & spent time in the winds or actually the Wind River Range .😊 Be safe 🙏

@woodyshepherd6904 Ай бұрын

great video!

@WKR79 10 ай бұрын

lol! When I hiked it last year I saw hoards of people! Anything but solitude.

@samanthamillang4022 Жыл бұрын

Loved this video! Adding this hike to my list (except the off trail part 😅). Favorite part was the gorgeous sunset/rainbow at the lake you were camping by. May I ask what earbud you are using? And is this just for music while hiking? I'm always afraid to bring non-wired ones for fear of losing it/them.

@TaylorPassofaro Жыл бұрын

Thank you! One slight caution is I'd advise you to check the caltopo map in the video description, there are 2 river crossings I have marked that were a bit tricky and are the only reason I'd hesitate to recommend and/or bring friends out on this loop. I was using the Galaxy Buds Live, and after 3 years I still really love them. They don't seal so you can still hear things mostly well, but are super small, have a great case, good battery life, and despite a hollow mid response they sounded better than I expected for an unsealed pair. If you want to know way way way too much about why I liked them, I did a roundup of wireless earbuds for backpacking: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fatidbOarMibY58.html They are mostly for audiobooks and music while hiking. I love reading, and backpacking gives me time to actually devour novels on trail. When hiking the Collegiate loop, I averaged 7 hours of audiobooks a day. I do also listen to music a fair bit when I want to feel like I'm in my own personal adventure movie, but usually I just use one earbud at a time so I can remain even more aware. Not having to deal with wires on trail was amazing, the ease of use was life changing, and I have yet to lose mine, although I am pretty meticulous with my stuff.

@samanthamillang4022 Жыл бұрын

@@TaylorPassofaro Excellent! Thank you so much for all of the info! Really appreciate it 😊 I'm almost thru all of your videos now I think (the Collegiate Loop was the first one I came across & I really enjoyed it!). Looking forward to more 😊

@AdventureswithWillem Жыл бұрын

Great video, thankyou. 2 questions what pack are you using there? And what editor did you use to create all those 3D moving lines of travel?😊

@TaylorPassofaro Жыл бұрын

Thanks 🙂 I'm using a Dandee35 pack, which I'll talk more about very soon...imgur.com/a/Et91GxB And I used Blender to create the mountain range and lines. I dropped a link in the video description to more information on that! Blender is really powerful and a ton of fun to play with.

@justinming1229 6 ай бұрын

What was your GPS source? I’ve heard AllTrails is notorious for bad directions.

@stephon55 11 ай бұрын

Are there any bears in this area? Thanks for the video.

@DavidTaggart 8 ай бұрын

Yeah but only black bears. You also have moose up there. Grizzlies could make it over I guess, but it doesn't happen. That said always pack bear spray and/or a gun, and pay attention.

@yamati150 9 ай бұрын

I look at every water portion that I think about how I'd have a fly rod and tackle with me on that trail. This is part of the reason I purchased a home in Wyoming.