Bighorn National Forest

There’s a profound sense of connection that comes from tuning into the Earth with my camera in the passenger seat. It’s a meditation for me – the road in front of me, my curiosity for adventure and the anticipation of spending hours in nature gives me deep, profound joy.

Setting out along Highway 14 on the Bighorn Scenic Byway to explore Bighorn National Forest,  I felt a deep sense of adventure and peace in the utter silence that surrounded me.

Ancient Rock Formations

The drive from Sheridan to Shell Falls along the Bighorn Scenic Byway is also a stunning journey through geologic time.

As the road climbs, it cuts through  cliffs of the Tensleep Formation, remnants of ancient Pennsylvanian dunes and shallow seas. Above that, the layered Amsden Formation marks a shifting shoreline, followed by the fossil-laden Madison Limestone – a remnant of a 300-million-year-old inland sea – now shaped into ridges and canyons.

Just before Shell Falls, the subtle Darby Formation appears.

It’s absolutely incredible to see how much humans are mere specks of dust to the timeline of Earth.

 

Shell Falls

Shell Falls was nothing short of stunning. The waterfall drops roughly 120 feet into Shell Canyon, offering dramatic views of cascading water.

Sibley Lake

On the return drive, I paused at Sibley Lake, where water and mountains invoked a sense of calm and clarity within me. The Bighorn Mountains were simply beautiful.

Again – it’s truly humbling to realize how much of a speck of dust humanity is – within the time table of earth. It’s similar to how I felt while touring the Royal Tyrrell Museum. It literally makes all of the human bullshit that’s happening now meaningless.

Conclusion

As I completed my drive through the Bighorn National Forest, I not only had stunning photos of vistas and cascading waters, but a profound appreciation for the meaningless of human existence.

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