Washakie Wilderness

Named in honor of Chief Washakie, a leader of the Shoshone Indians, the Washakie Wilderness encompasses 704,529 acres in the southern Absaroka Mountains. It is characterized by deep, narrow valleys exposing volcanic strata. Broad, flat-topped mountains and plateaus separate canyons. This volcanic material, much of which is deposited in horizontal layers, is unstable and highly erodible, which results in steplike cliffs and buttes. These unusual geologic formations, along with petrified remains of forests and abundant wildlife, are the main attractions of the Washakie.