WILLOW CREEK TRAIL SYSTEM
Welcome to the Bridger-Teton NF Willow Creek trail network. This area, which is about 20 miles south of Jackson and 5-10 minutes east of Hoback Junction, provides a wonderful array of riding options with incredible vistas. There are 2-hour loops and full-day routes, all offering interesting experiences. the Wyoming National Recreation Trail runs through the middle of the network, starting at the trailer parking lot and going south to the Palisades. The hard-packed Ranch Road is one of the best places to ride in the spring when the rest of the valley trails are soft and slippery. Willow Creek is also the gateway to the Lick Creek and Alder Creek backcountry drainages.
Bridger-Teton NF has been working in recent years to make this area particularly attractive to equestrians by improving safety, restoring trails and adding signage. Additional improvements are planned over the coming two to three years. The map is a working plan, with the unofficial trails named with *...*. <click here to download the Willow Creek Map size is 1.8MB>
Most of the trails are intermediate or easier in difficulty, providing that the rider can control the horse on sometimes twisting steep trail sections. There are a few caveats that need to be recognized for safety and riding enjoyment:
* the area's soil has significant clay content which means that some trail sections can become very slippery when wet. The Wy Rec Trail from Ann's Pond to Ann's Ridge can become dangerous for horses to descend. When wet, it is advised to only ascend this stretch and return via the Ranch Road.
* The Alder Creek Trail, descending from Ann's Ridge, is steep and challenging, even in dry conditions.
* The Willow Creek Trail is narrow in a few sections, particularly just north of the Sheep Pack Bridge.
* A short section of the Ranch Road just north of the Ann's Ridge Trail junction slid out long ago, but it can still be deceptively boggy during long wet conditions.
* There is an unmarked cattle guard on the Ranch Road near the south end of the in-holding section.
* The trail coming into the Ranch Road from the south end of the in-holding has no exit.
* During the fall, the high outfitter horse traffic creates three or four very muddy sections on Ann's Pond Trail and on the Wy Rec Trail between the pond and the high ridgeline.
* After leaving the trailer parking area, the only water for horses is Willow Creek.
From the Broken Arrow Ranch via Willow Creek to Alder Creek/Sheep Pack Bridge is about 3.2 miles. From Alder Creek/Pack Bridge via Willow Creek to the junction with Adams Creek Trail is about 2.1 miles. From the parking area, the outer perimeter will typically take about 5 hours to circumnavigate.
Enjoy!
Welcome to the Bridger-Teton NF Willow Creek trail network. This area, which is about 20 miles south of Jackson and 5-10 minutes east of Hoback Junction, provides a wonderful array of riding options with incredible vistas. There are 2-hour loops and full-day routes, all offering interesting experiences. the Wyoming National Recreation Trail runs through the middle of the network, starting at the trailer parking lot and going south to the Palisades. The hard-packed Ranch Road is one of the best places to ride in the spring when the rest of the valley trails are soft and slippery. Willow Creek is also the gateway to the Lick Creek and Alder Creek backcountry drainages.
Bridger-Teton NF has been working in recent years to make this area particularly attractive to equestrians by improving safety, restoring trails and adding signage. Additional improvements are planned over the coming two to three years. The map is a working plan, with the unofficial trails named with *...*. <click here to download the Willow Creek Map size is 1.8MB>
Most of the trails are intermediate or easier in difficulty, providing that the rider can control the horse on sometimes twisting steep trail sections. There are a few caveats that need to be recognized for safety and riding enjoyment:
* the area's soil has significant clay content which means that some trail sections can become very slippery when wet. The Wy Rec Trail from Ann's Pond to Ann's Ridge can become dangerous for horses to descend. When wet, it is advised to only ascend this stretch and return via the Ranch Road.
* The Alder Creek Trail, descending from Ann's Ridge, is steep and challenging, even in dry conditions.
* The Willow Creek Trail is narrow in a few sections, particularly just north of the Sheep Pack Bridge.
* A short section of the Ranch Road just north of the Ann's Ridge Trail junction slid out long ago, but it can still be deceptively boggy during long wet conditions.
* There is an unmarked cattle guard on the Ranch Road near the south end of the in-holding section.
* The trail coming into the Ranch Road from the south end of the in-holding has no exit.
* During the fall, the high outfitter horse traffic creates three or four very muddy sections on Ann's Pond Trail and on the Wy Rec Trail between the pond and the high ridgeline.
* After leaving the trailer parking area, the only water for horses is Willow Creek.
From the Broken Arrow Ranch via Willow Creek to Alder Creek/Sheep Pack Bridge is about 3.2 miles. From Alder Creek/Pack Bridge via Willow Creek to the junction with Adams Creek Trail is about 2.1 miles. From the parking area, the outer perimeter will typically take about 5 hours to circumnavigate.
Enjoy!