Francs Peak is the highest point and sole thirteener of Wyoming's Absaroka Range. Its several-square-mile massif includes 8 measured sub-summits over 12,000 feet occupying several ridges and sub-ridges with the west face dropping steeply for 4000 feet to the Greybull River. In addition to reigning over the Absaroka Range and the Big Horn Basin, the expansive view from its summit includes the highpoints of Wyoming's other 13er ranges - Big Horn, Wind River, Teton, as well as Montana's highpoint. It was likely climbed by prospectors in the late 19th century from the nearby mining encampment of Kirwin and is named for Otto Franc, a Big Horn Basin homesteader. It is the only major Wyoming peak that has seen mining activity.

Approaches

Both approaches begin in Meeteetse (home of the world's rarest mammal). Heading SW on 290, after 7-8 miles an obvious junction is reached.
For the southern approach turn left at the junction above Meeteetse onto Wood River Road toward Kirwin. After 21 miles and a second campground (Brown Mountain) the road becomes rather rough for cars. Others can continue the climb to The Meadows (after a msall ford at JoJo Creek) and park a few hundred feet after the second creek crossing to find the Meadow Creek use trail (shown on the USFS maps). This road is being rerouted in this area. NavySeabee decribes the trailhead as clearly marked, but actually 150 yards through the grove of trees.
For the northern approach continue up the Greybull River branching off on the Phelps Mountain jeep road by some tanks a couple miles past the Four Bear hills & oil field . To avoid the 4WD section, continue on the main road for several more miles to the campground and trailheads at road end. The Jack Creek trail heads due south for 7 miles to the north slopes of the mountain.

Regulations and Requirements

No permit requirements. Wilderness rules and etiquette apply for group size, fires, and water filtration. Francs Peak is on the Washakie Wilderness boundary and administered by Shoshone National Forest. Francs is a known grizzly habitat; take precautions.

Camping

There are two basic FS campgrounds on the southern approach (Wood River) road. High camp can be made in Meadow Creek Basin to shorten the summit day. The northern approach is on alpine tundra with sparse water availability.

Geology and Trivia

The latest government survey lists the elevation at 13164' (4012m), an increase of eleven feet.
Francs is the fourth highest Range Highpoint in Wyoming and the lowest 4-km peak.
It was Otto Franc's accusation of cattle theft that resulted in the conviction of Butch Cassidy (Butch was later pardoned by Governor Richards). In Germany, Franc was a Count; in Wyoming he was a land baron, sheriff, and judge.
Absaroka (pronounced 'ab-SOR-kuh') is from the Crow indian word for themselves and translates to 'Sparrowhawk People'.
The rock in this region is Absaroka breccia making technical ascents rather dangerous
The Absaroka Range stretches 160 miles from Livingston, Montana to a point east of Dubois, Wyoming. At their widest they are about 75 miles thick. The are bounded by the Beartooth Range and Bighorn Basin to the north and east, the Wind River Basin and Jackson Hole to the south and the Yellowstone Plateau to the west. The largest section (Wyoming) was formed by extensive volcanism prior to the formation of the neighboring ranges of the Rocky Mountain chains. Though the volcanic activity has died and the sources have become indistinct, the active Yellowstone caldera hotspot is slowly creeping east, under the range. Breccia rock from the Abasaroka eruptions has been found as far away as Arkansas.
Because it is one of only four WYO 13ers outside of the Wind Rivers, a range highpoint, a county highpoint, and a peak with both 4000' of prominence and a 50 mile dominance, mountaineering activity has increased drastically in recent years along with the rise in list-making
The Shoshone National Forest was the first in the nation and was created due to its proximity to Yellowstone NP
More info on the endangered Black-footed Ferret
Meeteetse (meh-TEET-see), is Shoshone for "meeting place".
"I have named these mountains 'The Sierra Shoshonee' because the right to name them is clearly mine, as I have been the first to cross them and mark out their geographical position and extent."
- Captain William Jones, Army Corps of Engineers, 1873.

Sources/Bibliography

Turiano, Thomas (2003). Select Peaks; Indomitus Books, Jackson, WY.
Bonney, O.H. (1977). Guide to the Wyoming Mountains, 3rd Ed.; Swallow Press. Chicago,IL.
Mercer, Lee and Maughan, Ralph (2000). Hiking Wyoming's Teton and Washakie Wilderness Areas; Falcon Press. Helena, MT.

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