Fossil Trail loop

12.5 miles of hiking • 2750' elevation gain •

My original destination was Sheep Canyon but NF-81 was gated at Kalama Horse Camp. I hadn't been to this area and even though recent trip reports mention this significant detail, it just didn't register. With no "plan B", I quickly scanned the kiosk at the campground, took a cell phone pic of the map, then set off for Goat Mtn, naively assuming the trail went to the summit of Goat Mtn. It does not. Eventually, I looped my way around to the TH marker which was would have taken me to Sheep Canyon but by now I was 8 miles into the hike and running out of time so I headed back. Obviously there is a lot to explore in this area and I'm looking forward to return visits. Lots of options.