Mason Draw – Hiking

RootsRated

Intro

Mason Draw in Dubois is an area that is easily accessible, with a short trail that is perfect for a morning or evening hike. Get up close and personal with the colorful Dubois Badlands, estimated to be about 55 million years old. This hike is just a taste of the beautiful and wide variety of scenery the region has to offer. Between the views and the potential for wildlife spotting, this trail on the edge of town is perfect for hikers of all levels.

What Makes It Great

Any time you can hike on a trail right outside of town and get up close to rock formations that are estimated to be 55 million years old, you know it’s something to add it to your to-do list. The wide path gives plenty of room for hikers, runners, or mountain bikers, and is best in the morning or evening because there is little to no shade along the way. Leading into the Dubois Badlands, expect to see hues of red, lavender, pink, cream, orange, and gray on eroded spires rising up to 400 feet around you. The trail sits around 7,000 feet, and there is a bit of climbing to get up and out to an open mesa. At the top are sweeping views of the Absaroka and Wind River Mountain Ranges, as well as the forests and wilderness of the greater Dubois region. This is an excellent hike for spotting wildlife, as this area is home to world’s largest migration of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Elk, mule deer, antelope, bald eagles, and golden eagles are also frequently seen in the draw. The trail itself is a 3.5-mile, point-to-point route from Kingfisher Road to Mountain View Drive. You could continue on along the draw, or make it a loop by following Mountain View Drive back down to your starting point (it would be just less than 10 miles roundtrip). If you have young children, or just want a shorter adventure, simply go out as far as you want and then turn around. A great destination for a modest hike is the prominent large formation known locally as Joe Back’s Throne, after a local homesteader who was also an artist and sculptor. You’ll see it off to the right as you head up the main draw. Scramble over a ridge toward the formation and then return down the far side of the same ridge for a ramble close to town that has great views and is so quiet you feel like you’re on the moon.

Who is Going to Love It

This easy trail is good for hiking, trail running, or mountain biking. The entire trail is around 7,000 feet in elevation, and there is a bit of climbing to get to the top. Small children might have a tough time, but you can take it slow and turn around anywhere you’d like on this out-and-back. This is a great place to spot wildlife, like elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and even bald eagles. The unique scenery is the perfect setting to catch a sunrise or sunset. It’s also close to town, making it ideal for a quick workout or a family hike before setting out on other adventures in the Dubois area.

Directions, Parking, & Regulations

Mason Draw is located just east of Dubois and can be reached by turning left on Kingfisher Road off of US-26 just west of the Longhorn Ranch and RV Park. At the end of Kingfisher Road take a right and then a left onto Mason Road where you will come to a green gate to an ATV trail you can follow to Mason Draw. There’s parking nearby the gate. Featured image provided by Bureau of Land Management
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