Medicine Wheel

[bubbabod]

Eight years ago I visited the Medicine Wheel, high up in the Big Horn Mountains. Its origin is not known, but lots of speculation. It is considered a sacred place to the Indians. As they do in other sacred places, they place feathers, ribbons and other offerings there. There's a fence around the medicine wheel, and only Indians are allowed beyond the fence. It is located in about the highest place in the Big Horns, there's a parking lot and then about half a mile moderate to steep hike along a trail where there is a ranger to give talks. I'm glad I visited it, but not sure I'd go way out of my way to see it:

Medicine Wheel and offerings:


Offerings at Medicine Wheel:



Wider view of Medicine Wheel:

[Diane Merkel]

I have never heard of it. Does anyone know the story behind this place?

[shawn]

Not sure, but I think its supposed to be the oldest man-made structure in the western hemisphere...predating even the pyramids. Cant put my finger on it, but i know i read it somewhere.

Shawn

[bubbabod]

Diane, et al, here's a brief history of the Medicine Wheel:

www.sacredland.org/historical_sites_pages/medicine_wheel.html

[Diane Merkel]

Interesting, Bubba. Perhaps we'll make the trek the next time we're out west.

Thanks!

[grahamew]

I've been to this one but there are others...

[bubbabod]

Diane, the Medicine Wheel is pretty interesting, but I wouldn't drive way up into the Bighorns just to see it. But if you're driving 14A over the mountains towards, say, Cody, then it's just very close off the highway and would be worth it. It is a short but fairly steep hike from the parking lot to the MW.

[Diane Merkel]

We want to return to Cody, so I'll keep Medicine Wheel in mind.

Thanks, Bubba. I'll take my hiking shoes along.