2015
4 | EXPLORE
Contents
Visitor Contact - 10
Events - 13
Activites - 31
Museums - 31
Mural tour - 34
Birding - 36
Mountain biking - 38
Hot pools - 40
Camping - 41
Floating - 42
Fly ﬁshing - 44
Sites - 46
Fort Steele - 46
Indian bathtubs - 47
Transportation - 49
Old Pen - 51
Seminoe State Park - 52
Fossil Cabin - 55
Encampment Trail - 56
Snowshoeing - 57
Dining & Lodging - 58
Historic Hotels - 58
Dining & Lodging listings - 60
Communities - 66
Explore Carbon County Staff
Publisher - Holly Dabb
Co-Publisher - Missey Turney
Editor - Han Cheung
Writers - Han Cheung, David Louis
Photos - Han Cheung, Gavin Elliott, David Louis
Design - Gavin Elliott
Graphics - Angie Iacovetto, Jay Hudson
Advertising - Bob Taylor, Sharon Howell, Jay Hudson
Circulation - Tina Turner
Explore Carbon County is produced by the Daily Times and
the Carbon County Visitors Council. Fore more information
about Carbon County, contact the Visitors Council toll-free
at 1-800-228-3547 or visit www.wyomingcarboncounty.com
8 | EXPLORE
Welcome to Carbon County
“For snow machining its up in the Snowy Range. For 4-wheeling and hunting it’s
out south in the Sierra Madres. For ﬁshing, it’s Seminoe. Rock hunting out in the
desert. It depends on what time of the year and what you want to do. I enjoy all of it.”
— Rawlins Mayor Robert Grauberger on his favorite places in Carbon County
W
elcome to Wyoming’s Carbon County. “Your Next Adventure Starts Here” in our gem of southeast Wyoming. Come discover the Western
frontier as it was and remains – a place that represents all that Wyoming is and a place where you can “Get Your West On.”
Whether you are here to explore Carbon County’s rich history full of colorful characters and infamous outlaws, crystal clear rivers (and the
trout that reside in them), natural hot springs, mountain trails for hiking or biking, seemingly endless forests teeming with wildlife, pristine
DOSLQHODNHVVPDOOWRZQVÀOOHGZLWKIULHQGO\SHRSOHFRQFHUWVURGHRVGDQFHVPXVHXPVZH·UHJODG\RXGHFLGHGWRFRPHH[SORUH&DUERQ&RXQW\
Whether you’re ATVing, cycling, climbing, hiking, horseback riding, skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing or driving and enjoying the scenery, we are sure you will appreciate the serene mountains, fertile river valleys, and the exotic high desert. You’ll completely understand why
everyone who has discovered Carbon County as their personal getaway agrees that it is Wyoming’s best kept secret.
If hunting is on the agenda, you’ll be glad to know Carbon County shares her lands with moose, elk, black bear, mountain lions, pronghorn
DQWHORSHELJKRUQVKHHSPXOHGHHUEOXHJURXVHDQGPDQ\PRUHFUHDWXUHV,IÀVKLQJLVZKDW\RXDUHKHUHIRUÀVKWKHZRUOGIDPRXV0LUDFOH
0LOH²DVWUHWFKRIDQJOHU·VSDUDGLVHDORQJWKH1RUWK3ODWWH5LYHU
5HFUHDWLRQLQVRXWKHUQ:\RPLQJLVXQSDUDOOHOHG2XUZLGHRSHQVSDFHVFRXSOHGZLWKORZSRSXODWLRQPDNHVIRUVRPHRIWKHEHVWUHFUHDWLRQal opportunities to be found. Explore more than 500 miles of snowmobile trails where the western powder is measured in feet – not inches.
'LVFRYHU6HPLQRH5HVHUYRLUDQG6DQG0RXQWDLQZKHUH\RXFDQHQMR\FDPSLQJERDWLQJMHWVNLLQJKLNLQJÀVKLQJDQGVRPHRIWKHEHVW$79ing Wyoming has to offer. If you love the great outdoors, Carbon County is the place to be.
We hope you will enjoy exploring Carbon County. And, yes, “Your Next Adventure Starts Here” in Carbon County where your can always
“Get Your West On!”
%HVW5HJDUGV
Leslie Jefferson, Executive Director
Carbon County Visitors’ Council
www.WyomingCarbonCounty.com
10 | EXPLORE
Visitor Contact Information
Bureau of Land Management
1300 N. Third St.
Rawlins, WY 82301
307-328-4200
www.wy.blm.gov
Rawlins-Carbon County
Chamber of Commerce
519 W. Cedar St.
Rawlins, WY 82301
www.rawlinschamberofcommerce.org
Saratoga/Platte Valley
Chamber of Commerce
210 W. Elm St.
Saratoga, WY 82331
307-326-8855
Wyoming Game
and Fish
307-777-4600
wgfd.wyo.gov
Rawlins DDA/Main
Street
116 Fourth St.
Rawlins, Wy 82301
307-328-2099
www.rawlinsmainstreet.org
Carbon County Visitors
Council
800-228-3547
www.wyomingcarboncounty.com
Rawlins Daily Times
522 W. Buffalo
Rawlins, WY 82301
307-324-3411
www.rawlinstimes.com
Saratoga Sun
307-326-8311
www.saratogasun.com
99 KTGA/Big Foot
307-326-8642
www.bigfoot99.com
Snake River Press
307-383-6861
P.O. Box 22, Baggs, WY
82321
facebook.com/snakeriverpress
Carbon County Business Directory
Automotive
Kilburn Tire Factory - 41
Rawlins Automotive - 4
Tom Neuman Trucking - 30
Wreck-A-Mend - 23
Banking and Insurance
Rawlins National Bank - 30
State Farm Insurance - 26
Dining and Libations
Anong’s Thai Cuisine - 48
Bella’s Bistro - 30
Denny’s - 1
Lollypops - 39
Wyoming Bar - 38
Dining and Lodging
Days Inn/Diamond Lils
Restuarant & Bar - 51
OakTree Inn/Penny’s Diner - 24
Hotel Wolf - 64
Carbon County Museum - 22
City of Rawlins Recreation
Services - 2
Grand Encampment Museum - 59
Lightning Productions - 4
Little Snake River Museum - 56
Medicine Bow Museum - 4
Saratoga Museum - 67
Wyoming Frontier Prison - 54
Home & Business Services
71 Construction - 38
Sunrise Sanitation Services - 40
Triangle Heating - 55
Lodging
Best Western CottonTree Inn - 9
Hampton Inn - 3
KOA Campground - 4
Roan Hill Ranch - 75
Silver Moon Motel - 39
Energy & Engineering
Sinclair Wyoming Reﬁnery - 27
Medical/Dental
Cesko Family Medical - 50
Curtis T. Stoddard, D.M.D. - 26
Entertainment/Recreation
Outdoor Sports
Hack’s Tackle & Outﬁtters - 63
Retail
Hat Creek Saddlery
and Trading Post - 60
Laura M - 43
Rasmusson Furniture - 35
Shively Hardware Co. - 5
Strong Tower Design - 29
The Outhouse Gift Shop - 40
The Red Wagon - 69
True Value - Inside back cover
Valley Foods - 36
Windy Corner - 12
Visitor Information
Carbon County Higher
Education Center - 32
Carbon County Visitor’s
Council - Inside front cover
City of Rawlins - 45
Platte Valley Community
Center - 7
Rawlins Daily Times - 37
Rawlins DDA Main Street - Back page
Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber
of Commerce - 62
EXPLORE | 11
Independence Rock
Road trip
R
awlins, Carbon County’s seat, is the
hub of activity for those seeking an
array of day trips to discover the western
frontier. Rawlins offers guests a convenient
jumping off spot to visit tourist destinations in
nearby counties.
South Pass City
The South Pass – approximately two hours
northwest of Rawlins – provided 19th century
emigrants with a relatively “easy” crossing of
the Continental Divide. Four National Historic Trails cut through the South Pass area:
the Oregon, Mormon Pioneer, California and
Pony Express.
South Pass is also where Wyoming’s gold
rush exploded. Hundreds of miners and others hoping to make their fortune in the area
founded the mining towns of South Pass City,
Atlantic City and Miner’s Delight.
South Pass City is now a state historic site
and museum.
In its heyday, more than 4,000 gold miners
and merchants called South Pass City home.
However, when the gold veins played out, people began to seek their fortunes elsewhere. A
demographic sign at the town entrance today
states: “About 5 people, approximately 4 dogs,
roughly 2 cats.”
7ZHQW\ÀYHRIWKHRULJLQDOEXLOGLQJV
in the town remain and house some 20,000 ar-
The Mormon Handcart Visitors Center at
Martin’s Cove is located on Wyoming Highway 220 near Devil’s Gate,
about 55 miles north of
Rawlins. The center is open
South Pass City Historic Site
during the summer from 9
Open May 15 – Sept. 30, 9 a.m. – 6
a.m. – 9 p.m.
p.m., seven days a week
tifacts, most of which were recovered on-site.
Nearby Atlantic City is also worth visiting,
with several businesses
still in operation.
Martin’s Cove
In August 1856, two
Located about 5.4 miles south of Wyoemigrant companies
ming Highway 28, roughly 2.5 hours drive
Independence Rock
of the Church of Jesus
northwest of Rawlins.
Named for a fur trader’s
Christ of Latter-day
Contact: 307-332-3684
Fourth of July celebration,
Saints — nearly 1,100
this huge rock became the
strong — left Nebraska
Martin’s Cove Mormon
most famous and anticipatTerritory and made
Handcart Historic Site
ed of all trail landmarks.
their way toward their
Open daily from 9 a.m. – 9. p.m., visitors’ center closes at 4 p.m. in winter.
Here the trail met the cool,
new homeland in Salt
Located on the west side of Wyoming
clean and clear Sweetwater
Lake City.
Highway 220, about 55 miles north of
River that would lead to
Because of a late
Rawlins
the South Pass.
start, one group of emContact: 307-328-2953
The large granite outigrants were caught in
cropping is 1,900 feet long,
severe winter weather
Independence Rock
700 feet wide and rises 128
near Casper. The MarOpen 24 hours year round
feet.
tin expedition fought
Located on Wyoming Highway 220, about
63 miles north of Rawlins
While encamped here,
off snowstorms and
emigrants inscribed their
subzero temperatures
names on the sturdy granbefore reaching a small
ite. Thousands of names
FRYHLQWKHÁDQNRIWKH
can still be seen all over the rock, especially
Sweetwater Rocks, about 55 miles north of
on top.
Rawlins.
The rock is now a state historic site,
As many as 145 of the 576 members of
located a rest area on Wyoming Highway 220,
the company froze or starved to death before
DERXWPLOHVQRUWKRI5DZOLQV
rescuers arrived from Salt Lake City.
More on page 12
12 | EXPLORE
Devil’s Gate
This remarkable cleft in the east end
of the Sweetwater Rocks drew diary
comments from many pioneers.
“The gap is truly wonderful, being a
space not over 20 yards wide and bout
500 feet high, having very much the
appearance of being chiseled out by
the hand of man rather then the work of
nature,” said Osborne Cross in his 1849
diary.
Many walked and waded in the
Sweetwater River through the gorge
while their wagons followed the trail
through the pass to the east, a route now
followed by an access road to the historic
Sun Ranch.
More than 20 graves are thought to
be located in the vicinity, although only
one is marked. Many emigrant inscriptions
can also still be found on the nearby
rocks.
While the emigrant trails follow braided corridors through much of Wyoming,
Devil’s Gate offers a single path.
A BLM interpretive site is located just
south of the Gate giving details of the
long and colorful history of the area six
miles southwest of Independence Rock
on WYO-220.
Rattlesnake Pass
Virtually every emigrant, freighter
and soldier who headed west along the
Devil’s Gate corridor passed through
Rattlesnake Pass. Here the routes of the
Oregon, California, Mormon trails and the
Pony Express are layered one on top of
each other. Deep trail ruts are still visible
south of the old highway just west of
Devil’s Gate.
From the BLM pullout for Devil’s Gate,
continue west for 0.75 mile and turn right
onto the entrance road to the Mormon
Handcart Visitor Center. Drive 0.8 mile to
the visitor center/public parking area.
Drive through the parking area and
past a residence toward the visitor center.
Turn east (right) on the old highway and
go a short ways to Rattlesnake Pass
where the old wagon trails crossed the
ridge.
Park at a small pullout on the right,
about 0.6 mile from the visitor center next
to the grave of Frederick Fulkerson on the
right. Walk back a few yards to the rock
formation closest to the road on the north
side to look for emigrant signatures.
Split Rock
As the dominant landmark of the
Sweetwater Valley, the unmistakable “gun
sight” notch in the Rattlesnake Range was
visible to the emigrants for the better part
of two days.
Rising 1,000 feet above the prairie,
Split Rock aimed the emigrants directly at
South Pass, still more that 75 miles away.
Split Rock Station is located a short
distance west of Split Rock between
Cranner Rock and the south bank of the
Sweetwater River in what is now a hay
meadow.
The station served as a Pony Express,
stage and telegraph station in the early
1860s.
A BLM interpretive site is at this
location. A second highway turn-out a
few miles west offers a better — although
reverse — view of the “split” and also a
look at the Old Castle, a smaller landmark
south of the Trail and highway eight and
11.5 miles west of Muddy Gap Jct. on
US-287.
Willie’s Handcart Disaster Site
The Mormon Exodus of 1846-47 to
Utah Territory was only the beginning of
emigrant travel on the Mormon Trail to
Utah. Thousands of converts followed in
succeeding years.
In 1856, a starving and freezing Mormon handcart company arrived at Rock
Creek but was waylaid by the worsening
weather.
By the time a rescue party from Salt
Lake City arrived at Rock Creek, 77 of the
404 members had died from exposure or
starvation. The Rock Creek site is located
nine miles from Atlantic City on Lewiston
Road. A marker located along the Hudson-Atlantic City Road commemorates
the party’s ascent of Rocky Ridge where
several emigrants also perished.
National Historic Trails
Interpretive Center
Learn more about the historic trails
of Wyoming at the National Historic
Trails Interpretive Center — a public-private partnership between the
BLM, the National Historic Trails Center
Foundation and the City of Casper. The
center is located at 1501 North Poplar
Street in Casper, Interstate 25
at Exit 189.
For more information call
307-261-7780.
Ice Slough
The Ice Slough is considered as an
amazing natural wonder.
A sort of oasis for hundreds of years
used by the Native Americans, by the
mid-1800s it was a welcome landmark
for emigrants along the Oregon Trail.
The tundra-like turf covers a marsh
that once provided enough insulation to
preserve frozen sub-surface water well
into the hottest summer months. For the
pioneers, it was a minor miracle.
While resting near this marshy
spring, 49’er J. Goldsborough Bruff
wrote, “by digging a couple of feet, ice
is obtained. The surface is dug up all
around by travelers - as much from curiosity as to obtain so desirable a luxury
in a march so dry and thirsty.”
Ice Slough is located 9.5 miles west
of Jeffrey City on US-287.
EVENTS | 13
M
Wy
Pla
tog
Se
An
Ro
Bo
Ma
3-5
eve
Wy
Ca
cal
Carbon County Fair
Carbon County events roundup
March 27-29
Wyoming Open Pool
Tournament
Platte Valley Community Center, 210
W. Elm Ave, Saratoga. Free to watch.
Several of the best players in the world
compete in the Annual Wyoming Open.
Past notable sign-ups include Rodney
Morris, Raj Hundal, Charlie Williams,
Shane Van Boening and Stevie Moore. The three main divisions are Masters,
Classic and Sportsman. Final redraw
takes place Saturday 3-5 p.m. for the
ﬁnalists with a live Calcutta. Main
events are at the Platte Valley Community Center. The Wyoming Open is
sponsored by Saratoga Lions Club and
Carbon County Visitors Council. For
more information, call 307-710-1447
or email [email protected] or
[email protected].
March 28
Chocolate Fest
CCHEC building at 1650 Harshman.
Make your favorite chocolate concoction – brownies, cookies, candies,
cakes or other secret recipes. Public
judging begins at 4 p.m. and opens to
the public at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30
single, $40 couple. Event includes a
cash bar and live and silent auction.
Funds go toward Carbon County Economic Development to help renovate
Carbon Mercantile’s facade. Call 3243836 for more information.
April 4-18
Where’s Rawley? Downtown
Scavener Hunt
The Where’s Rawley? Downtown Scavenger Hunt is back — a promotion with
no purchase necessary! Visit participating businesses in downtown and ﬁnd
a picture of Rawley the antelope. After
ﬁnding the antelope and receiving a
signature at 12 businesses, each card
is entered to win prizes. Game booklet
and complete rules can be picked up at
Artistry in Glass and Carbon Mercantile
during regular business hours on the
dates on the game. It is free to participate in this event. Call 307-328-2099 or
visitwww.rawlinsmainstreet.org for more
information.
April 17
Golf Tournament
Rawlins High School Invite, golf tournament at Rochelle Ranch Golf Course.
April 24
Arbor Day
Trees are available at the Rawlins Recycling Center, 1524 Daley Street, starting
at 8 a.m. until gone.
May 2
Saratoga Museum
Annual Meeting
This event at the Saratoga Museum,
104 E. Constitution Ave., features guest
speaker Russell Richard speaking on
his favorite topic, the “atlatl,” an ancient
14 | EXPLORE
Celebration of Wind
spear used more than 11,000
years ago for hunting. The
spears were found at the Colby site near Worland.
May 1-Sept. 30
Carbon County Museum, 904
Walnut St, begins summer
hours, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
May 2
Celebration of Wind
Crews of at least two, humans or otherwise, maneuver
wind-powered vehicles of all
types on the frontage road
between Jackson and Washington streets in Rawlins, north
of Interstate 80. Racers sign
in early for the 9 a.m. race. A
BBQ follows at Bolten Park.
Visitors can park along the
quarter-mile race route.
May 16
Indoor Garage Sale
Rawlins Family Recreation Center, 1616 Harshman, Rawlins, 8
a.m. – 1 p.m. Call 307-324-7529
to reserve a spot.
May 21
Pioneer Day
Fun ﬁlled day for outlying
schools at the Little Snake River Museum in Savery. Geared
toward third- and fourth-graders, but children of all ages
are welcome. Spend the day
making old-time crafts and
learning old-time chores, planting a garden, panning for gold,
chopping wood and cooking
on an old-fashioned wood
stove. For more information,
call Little Snake River Museum
at 307-383-7262.
is taking place in honor of the
Wyoming author.
May 24
Little Snake River
Community BBQ
May 22-24
Pig Digger Memorial
Weekend Mud Rally
May 23
Whistle Pig Saloon, 2000 S
Hwy 130, Saratoga.
Warm up on Friday, May 22
listening to Redneck Rehab
followed May 23 by Steel Kitty.
Throughout May 23-24 is the
mud rally. Gates open at noon,
drivers meet at 1 p.m. and rally
begins at 2 p.m. During the day
everyone has a chance to get
muddy with foot races in the
mud for children and adults,
followed by a BBQ. Visit www.
whistlepigsaloon.com for more
information.
Saratoga Museum
Opening Day
May 23
May 22
Grand Encampment
Museum Opening Day
807 Barnett Avenue, Encampment. The museum will be
open seven days a week May
22 – Oct. 12. Hours are 9 a.m.
– 4 p.m. A must see is the
famous two-story outhouse.
Participants are treated to a
free pancake breakfast and
family activities. The museum,
located at 104 E. Constitution Ave., Saratoga, is open
through Oct. 1. Hours are
Thursday-Monday, 9 a.m.–4
p.m.
A C.J. Box Trivia Competition
Wyoming Frontier Prison
Tour Season Begins
Wyoming Frontier Prison, 500
W. Walnut St., Rawlins. Staff
begins giving nine tours a day,
seven days a week, including
all summer holidays, through
Labor Day. The museum is
open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., with
tours offered every hour on
the half hour, with the ﬁrst tour
departing at 8:30 a.m. and the
last tour departing at 4:30 p.m.
Additional tours are offered
throughout the year, call 307324-4422 for more information.
Little Snake River
Museum Opening Day
13 County Road 561 North, Savery, and the Outlaw Stop, 250
North Penland Street, Baggs are
open for the summer daily from
11 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information call 307-383-7262. Admission is free. Lunch is served at
the museum in Savery.
May 25
Shark Shootout
Memorial Day 3-Person Shark
Shootout, golf tournament at
Rochelle Ranch Golf Course,
Rawlins.
May 23-25
Seven Bar Ranch
Summer Cutting
Free to the public. Cutting-horse events are conducted at the Seven Bar Arena,
12 miles south of Saratoga at
EVENTS | 15
the Silver Spur Ranch. Contact
307-327-5550 for more information.
June 6
June 1-July 15
A 5K run through Rawlins from
near the operating State Prison
to the Wyoming Frontier Prison
grounds, 500 W. Walnut St.,
Rawlins. The Run is followed
by a BBQ open to the public,
awards, live music and games.
Little Snake River
Outlaw Exhibit
Little Snake River Museum
Outlaw Exhibit
June 2
Camp Peak
Day camp for kids ages 4-11
sponsored with the Carbon
County Higher Education
Center and Little Snake River
Museum.
June 5
Wyoming Frontier Prison
Haunted Night Tour
Must be 12 years old to participate,
reservations required, call 307324-4422 for more information.
4th Annual Pen to Pen
Fun Run & Prison Fest
Fifth Annual
High Water Hoedown
Museum, 904 W. Walnut St.,
from 1-3 p.m.
At The Yard, 801 S.E. River St.,
Saratoga. Three bands provide your entertainment: Von
Stomper, J Shogren Shanghai’d and Peculiar Patriots.
Starts at 6 p.m. There is an
admission fee.
June 13
June 9-10
Walk for Life
Camp Peak
Starts at 9 a.m., this Dixon to Savery charity walk raises money
to help local residents who are
coping with cancer. A brunch
follows at the Little Snake River
Museum. The event is sponsored by the LSR Lions Club.
Call 307-380-8126 for more
information or visit www.townofbaggs.com for a sign-up sheet.
Day camp for kids ages 4-11
sponsored with the Carbon
County Higher Education Center and the Little Snake River
Museum.
Marian Baker Shoot
Below the Grand Encampment
Museum
June 10
Discovery Corner
Don’t miss out on free, fun
kid’s crafts and activities. This
event takes place every other
Wednesday afternoon in June
and July at the Carbon County
Saratoga Ranch Rodeo
Buck Springs Arena, Saratoga.
Performance starts at 6 p.m.
Western States Ranch Rodeo
Association sanctioned rodeo
pits teams of local ranchers
against one another. Admission fee is $5 for ages 10 and
up. Concessions available. For
more information contact Siara
Hatch 208-681-3794.
June 13
Encampment
Movie Night
Movie starts at 7:30 p.m. at the
Grand Encampment Opera
House, fun for all ages with a
movie and refreshments.
June 14
Father’s Day Son/
Daughter Golf Tournament
Father’s Day Son/Daughter,
golf tournament at the Rochelle
Ranch Golf Course, Rawlins.
June 14
WYOmerica Caravan
A traveling concert circus of
sorts featuring Screen Door
Porch, Patti Fiasco and Canyon
Kids. At The Yard, 801 S.E. River
St., Saratoga, begins at 2 p.m.,
$10 admission.
June 16-17
Camp Peak
Day camp for kids ages 4-11
sponsored with the Carbon
County Higher Education
Center and Little Snake River
Museum.
June 17, 19 and 20
Grand Encampment
Opera Co. Melodrama
In conjunction with the Woodchoppers Jamboree, the Grand
Encampment Opera Company will give a performance of
“Saved by the Serendipity Circus” or “She was Trapped with
Ease” at the Opera House, 622
Rankin Ave., Encampment. Admission to the melodrama is a
donation. Performances begin
at 7 p.m. with dress rehearsal
on June 17 and performances
June 19 and June 20.
June 19
Red Steagall-Ride
for the Brand Show
Ride for the Brand Presentation with Red and the Boys in
the Bunkhouse, Don Edwards,
Jean Prescott and Dan Roberts.
A show combination of music,
lyrics and photographs. Cost is
$30 at the Platte Valley Community Center Theatre, 210 W.
Elm Ave., Saratoga.
June 20
Keg for Cure
Woodchoppers Jamboree
Keg for Cure, golf tournament
EVENTS | 17
at the Rochelle Ranch Golf
Course, Rawlins.
vendors begin serving around
5:30 p.m.
June 20-21
June 23
55th Annual
Woodchoppers
Jamboree and Rodeo
Junior Golf Tournament
Encampment-Riverside Lions
Club Arena, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.,
there is a daily gate fee, children under 12 can attend for
free. For more than 50 years,
the chips ﬂy during Father’s
Day weekend every year in
Encampment as loggers come
from all over the country to
compete for the title of Rocky
Mountain Champion Lumberjack. Using power saws, axes
and hand saws, competitors
cut down “trees,” chop logs
and saw squared wood blocks
in half, racing the clock for the
fastest time. During this twoday event, visitors can watch
cowboys ride bulls and broncs,
view the annual parade and
eat some delicious food.
For more info about the Jamboree, call Ron Harvey at 970210-2955 or e-mail [email protected]. June 18
Music in the Park
Come to Washington Park in
Rawlins at 7 p.m. for a free
concert. Food and drinks are
available for purchase. Food
July 2
Music in the Park
Bi-Rite Junior golf tournament
at the Rochelle Ranch Golf
Course, Rawlins.
Come to Washington Park in
Rawlins at 7 p.m. for a free
concert. Food and drinks are
available for purchase. Food
vendors begin serving around
5:30 p.m.
June 24
July 3
Discovery Corner
Saratoga Freedom Fest
Don’t miss out on free, fun
kid’s crafts and activities. This
event takes place every other
Wednesday afternoon in June
and July at the Carbon County
Museum, 904 W. Walnut St.,
from 1-3 p.m.
Visit Saratoga July 4 weekend
to participate in a weekend
of festivities. The day kicks off
with an old-fashioned parade,
complete with patriotic music,
candy, ﬂoats and more. The
fun continues all afternoon,
with great eats, ﬁne arts as
well as various crafts, vendors
and booths, and more. Enjoy
ﬁreworks at the Old Baldy Club
at dusk. The community also
hosts events throughout the
weekend. Speciﬁc information
will be posted at a later time.
In conjuntion with Freedon
Fest, The Yard at 108 S.E. River
St., Saratoga, is hosting local
favorites Teka Brock of Sheridan and Harley and the VeeTwins. Music begins at 7 p.m.
There is an admission fee.
June 25
Music in the Park
Come to Washington Park in
Rawlins at 7 p.m. for a free
concert. Food and drinks are
available for purchase. Food
vendors begin serving around
5:30 p.m.
June 27-28
Shriner’s Golf
Tournament
Shriner’s golf tournament at the
Rochelle Ranch Golf Course,
Rawlins.
July 4
Independence Day
Old-Time Family Fun
Little Snake River Museum
provides homemade ice
cream, watermelon and group
games for all. This event kicks
off at midday at the museum in
Savery. Call 307-383-7262 for
more information.
Celebration of Custom
and Culture
The Saratoga Museum, 104 E.
Constitution Ave., Saratoga, is
hosting this event, which features the culture of the Platte
Valley, from the Ice Age to the
homesteaders. The 67th Army
Band from Cheyenne will perform at the pavilion following
the parade. Demonstrations
of brain tanning, Dutch oven
cooking and spinning will take
place throughout the day.
July 8
Discovery Corner
Don’t miss out on free, fun
kid’s crafts and activities. This
event takes place every other
Wednesday afternoon during
June and July at the Carbon
County Museum, 904 W. Walnut St., from 1-3 p.m.
July 9-11
Wyoming Ranchers
Family Camp
This interdenominational
camp features Bible study and
worship, singing and visiting,
and chuckwagon-style meals.
18 | EXPLORE
Grand Encampment Cowgoy Gathering
It is open to the public. There is
no charge to attend the event,
but a freewill offering is gratefully
accepted. Park your RV or tent
camp right on the grounds at
Bottle Creek Campground in the
beautiful Sierra Madres. U.S. Forest Services fees will be charged
to those staying overnight.
July 10-11
Platte River Rodeo
Association Rodeo
Buck Springs Rodeo Arena,
Saratoga. The WRA sanctioned
rodeo begins nightly at 7
p.m. Events include tie-down
roping, team roping, breakaway roping, bull riding, saddle
bronc riding, bareback riding,
steer wrestling and barrel racing. The show is complete with
a clown.
July 11
Hawaiian Luau
Hawaiian Luau at the Rochelle
Ranch Golf Course, Rawlins.
July 11
Encampment
Movie Night
Movie at the Grand Encampment Opera House, fun for all
ages with a movie and refreshments. Bring a comfortable
chair or blanket and the entire
family. Movie begins at dusk.
July 11-12
Summer Cutting
34rd Annual Little Snake
River Lions Club Rodeo
and Fun Day in Dixon
Free to the public, cutting-horse
events are conducted at the
Seven Bar Arena, 12 miles south
of Saratoga at the Silver Spur
Ranch. Contact 307-327-5550
for more information.
Dixon’s annual rodeo is at Russell Community Park, 7 miles
east of Baggs on Highway
70. Dances follow Saturday’s
rodeo at both the Cowboy Inn
in Baggs and the Dixon Club in
Dixon. Fun Day follows Sunday’s rodeo. Fun Day youth
events include pig chasing,
chicken chasing, sheep riding,
calf riding and more. Call 307383 7976 for more information.
July 11-12
Seven Bar Ranch
July 11
Color Run
Starting at the Rochelle Ranch
Golf Course at 8 a.m. The 5K
run is not timed.
July 11-12
SummerFest
Saturday July 11: Want to see
EVENTS | 19
outhouses barreling down the
street through an obstacle
course and see how fast you
can actually eat ice cream?
Celebrate summer coming to
Rawlins with this classic Rawlins event including Outhouse
Races, vendors, sidewalk sale,
eating contests and more!
This is the weekend to be in
Rawlins, with great events taking place, there is something
for everyone. Free, although
contests may have entry fee.
SummerFest sponsored by
Rawlins DDA/Main Street. For
more information, call 307-3282099 or visit www.rawlinsfest.
com.
Rawlins Jam
Join motorcycle riders from
around the region for Rawlins
Jam. Enjoy a poker run through
beautiful Carbon County. When
you get back, enjoy live music
and dance with your friends.
Cash prizes will be awarded.
For more info, call 324-3401 or
visit www.rawlinsfest.com.
July 16
Music in the Park
Rawlins Summerfest
Sunday morning. There is also
a Cowboy Church. Visit www.
grandencampmentgathering.
org for more information.
July 17
Wyoming Frontier Prison
Haunted Night Tour
Come to Washington Park in
Rawlins at 7 p.m. for a free
concert. Food and drinks are
available for purchase. Food
vendors begin serving around
5:30 p.m.
Must be 12 years old to participate, reservations required,
call 307-324-4422 for more
information.
July 17-19
4-H Shooting Sporting
Clay shootout
Grand Encampment
Cowboy Gathering
This annual event is a truly
unique event organized by
ranchers, musicians, poets and
writers living in the area as a
way to help preserve and promote ranching, cowboy culture
and lifestyle. It is co-sponsored
by the Grand Encampment
Cowboy Gathering Outﬁt and
Grand Encampment Museum.
Families of all ages can come
and enjoy an entertaining
action-packed weekend.
Dutch oven cook-off, stick
horse rodeo, and cowboy jam
session featuring artists and
locals from the region. A chuck
wagon breakfast is served on
July 18
July 22
Discovery Corner
Don’t miss out on free, fun
kid’s crafts and activities. This
event takes place every other
Wednesday afternoon at the
Carbon County Museum, 904
W. Walnut St., from 1-3 p.m.
Movie Night
Movie Night at the Carbon
County Museum, 904 W. Walnut, beginning at 8:30 p.m.
July 23
Music in the Park
Come to Washington Park in
Rawlins at 7 p.m. for a free
concert. Food and drinks are
available for purchase. Food
vendors begin serving around
5:30 p.m.
July 24-25
WHAT Fest
If you love great music, you’ll
enjoy this free festival event,
which takes place in Riverside
at the Bear Trap Bar & Cafe
and Riverside Garage & Cabin.
Dozens of regional bands
perform all weekend. For more
information visit www.whatfest.
com.
July 24-26
Sierra Madre Muzzleloaders Mountain Man
Rendezvous and Black
Powder Shoot/Living
History Days
Located on the Grand Encampment Museum grounds,
local black powder enthusiasts recreate the days of the
Mountain Men with primitive
camping, authentic costuming,
traders row, and black powder
shoots and tomahawk throws.
Kids games take place each
day. The museum will present
living history reenactments
and demonstrations. Call Josh
Saier at 307-326-5503 or Joe
Morrison 307-329-7944; e-mail
[email protected]; or
write SMMLRC, P.O. Box 214,
Saratoga, WY 82331, for more
information. The Grand Encampment Museum presents
Living History reenactments
and demonstrations all day as
a fun way to learn about the
area’s past.
July 25
Living History Day
at the Grand
Encampment Museum
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission is free.
Upper North Platte
WRCA Ranch Rodeo
Starts at 3 p.m. in the Lion’s
Club arena in Encampment.
Free to the public; concessions
will be available.
Golf Scramble
Cross Country Scramble, golf
tournament at the Rochelle
Ranch Golf Course, Rawlins.
20 | EXPLORE
July 22- Aug. 12
Aug. 1
Outlaw Days
Cow Plop Festi-Bull
Historical discussions and
crafts on Wednesdays at the
Outlaw Stop in Baggs.
Cows and fun go hand-in-hand
at this annual event in Rawlins.
Events kick off at 5 p.m. at
the Tractor Supply parking lot.
Come purchase tickets for a
chance to win cash. If a cow
plops in your square, you win.
In addition to the main event,
the evening features food, live
music, vendors, and games
for children and adults. For
information, call the Rawlins
Carbon County Chamber of
Commerce at 307-324-4111.
July 25-26
Gerald Culverwell
Memorial “Ride the
Divide” Tractor Ride
Antique tractors will be driven
from Savery to Encampment
and back. Meet at the Little
Snake River Museum at 9:30
a.m. on Saturday to see the
tractors. Lunch will take place
at the museum following the
return ride on Sunday.
July 30
Music in the Park
Come to Washington Park in
Rawlins at 7 p.m. for a free
concert. Food and drinks are
available for purchase. Food
vendors begin serving around
5:30 p.m.
July 31-Aug. 2
King Coal Days
This is a celebration of Hanna’s early coal mining days
and includes food and several
activities at the Hanna Recreation Center, 8000 Highway
72. Call 307-325-9402 for
information.
Aug. 1
Town of Encampment
Eighth Annual
Community BBQ
and Dance
You’re invited to attend the Annual Community BBQ & Dance
in Encampment’s Grandview
Park. The BBQ is from 4-6 p.m.
with everyone asked to bring
a side dish, salad or dessert.
The town council is serving
burgers.
Sierra Madre Muzzleloaders Mountain Man Rendezbous
and Black Powder Shot/Living History Days
Aug. 2
Story-telling Festival
The Carbon County Library
System is sponsoring a
Story-telling Festival at the
Carbon County Fair Grounds.
Admission is free. There will
be prizes for amateur storytelling, training sessions, Cowboy
poetry and music.
Aug. 1-Aug. 8
Carbon County Fair
Livestock shows and sales,
project displays and demonstrations, cotton candy and
pretzels, demolition derby and
rodeo events, 4-H and FFA
exhibits and more. The event
takes place at the Carbon
County Fairgrounds, Rawlins.
Call the fair office at 307-3287811, e-mail ccfair@carbonwy.
com or visit www.ccfairwy.com
for more information.
Aug. 8
Grand Encampment
Movie Night
Join us at the Grand Encampment Museum, 807 Barnett
Ave., Encampment, for a movie
beginning at dusk.
Aug. 13
Music in the Park
Come to Washington Park in
Rawlins at 7 p.m. for a free
concert. Food and drinks are
CARBON COUNTY | 21
High Plains Powwow
available for purchase. Food
vendors begin serving around
5:30 p.m.
Aug. 14-16
Sinclair 90th Celebration
The town of Sinclair is planning the 90th celebration of
the town with all current and
former residents of Sinclair and
Parco invited.
Aug. 15
Saloon Day
Savery Museum. Live ragtime
music, dancing and BBQ with a
classic silent movie complete
with piano accompaniment and
games.
Aug. 15
Steinley Cup Microbrew
Festival and Chili
Cook-off Competition
“Bring the Crew ... Stay for the
Brew” -- Since 1995, this competition brings together the top
professional microbreweries
in Wyoming in search of the
coveted Saratoga Steinley Cup
and is Wyoming’s official state
microbrewery competition.
Live music and a chili competition and tasting complete
the event, which takes place
rain or shine. The event takes
place at Kathy Glode Park,
so make a weekend of it and
bring your whole family. There
is a fee to attend. Call the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber
of Commerce for more info at
307-326-8855.
Aug. 22
Club Championship
Golf Tournament
Club Championship, golf tournament at the Rochelle Ranch
Golf Course, Rawlins.
Aug. 22
Saratoga Bullfest
The Bullfest is an exciting
bull riders-only event at the
Buck Springs Rodeo Arena in
Saratoga, which features the
region’s top cowboys. There
will be $6,000 added purse.
The admission fee is $7 in
advance or $10 at gate, with
proceeds going to the Lions
Club. Children under 12 can
attend for free. The Bullfest
begins at 7 p.m. For more information about entering, call Bo
at 307-326-7991.
Aug. 29-30
Quilting Retreat
Grand Encampment Opera
House.
Aug. 30
Fifth Annual
Girls Night Out
The Yard, 801 S.E. River St.,
Saratoga. Mollie O’Brien, Mama
Linney and the Remedy, Alysia
Kraft, Mary Jo Greenwood
performing and more to be
announced.
Sept 4-14
Photo Show
Open to all at the Little Snake
River Museum in Savery”
Sept 12
High Plains Powwow
The Carbon County Museum
invites you to celebrate Native
American Indian culture at
the third annual High Plains
Powwow at the Carbon County
Fairgrounds in Rawlins from 11
a.m.-10 p.m. Cash prizes will be
awarded to the best dancers
in more than 20 categories.
This event is free and open to
the public to the public. For full
information call 307-328-2740,
e-mail Lauren Hunley at education@carboncountymuseum.
22 | EXPLORE
org or visit www.carboncountymuseum.org.
Sept. 12
Passion & Pride Ball
Come invest in your downtown – Rawlins’ premier formal
event at the Jeffrey Center
raises funds for brick and mortar
projects in downtown Rawlins.
Call 307-328-2099 or visit www.
rawlinsmainstreet.org for more
information.
Sept. 12-13
Encampment Copper
Days Festival
Antique tractors on display and
tractor pulls have made this
event in Encampment a family
favorite for more than 30 years.
Sponsored in part by the Encampment Chug ‘n’ Tug tractor
club, this event takes place the
weekend after Labor Day. For
more fun, there is dancing on
Saturday evening and enjoy
brats and beer and hot dogs for
the kids. Call the Saratoga/Platte
Valley Chamber of Commerce
for more info at 307-326-8855.
Party on the Platte
Sept 13
October Fest
Little Snake River
Community BBQ and Soccer Tournament
At the museum in Savery, a day
of family fun and games.
Sept. 27
Fall Trek
Join an auto tour to historic
petroglyphs within Carbon
County. Meet at 8 a.m. in Baggs
at the Cowboy Inn with a full
tank of gas and a lunch. This allday event is sponsored by the
Little Snake River Museum. Call
to conﬁrm 307-383-7262.
Sept. 19
Fundraiser for the Plate Valley
Community Center, 6 – 9 p.m.
Oct. 3
Snowy Mountain Brewery,
Saratoga
Oct. 18
Fall Festival
Little Snake River Museum hosts
an afternoon of harvest crafts
and games. Costumes are encouraged. There will be plenty
of old-time fun for the whole
family with many door prizes.
This event takes place from 1-4
p.m. in Savery.
Oct. 23, 24, 31
Haunted Halloween Night
Tours 2015
This event features 33 tours
over three nights. Each year features a new frighteningly haunted tour of the historic Wyoming
Frontier Prison. Must be at least
12 years old to attend. Reservation are required. Call 307-3244422 for more information.
Oct. 30
Trick-or-Treat
on Downtown Streets
Stop by participating businesses
throughout downtown Rawlins
from 3:30-5:30 p.m. to go trickor-treating. Free. Call 307-3282099 or visit www.rawlinsmainstreet.org for more information.
Oct. 30
Halloween Masquerade
Wyoming Frontier Prison, annual
masked gathering featuring hors
d’oeuvres, adult beverages,
costume contest, dancing and
EVENTS | 23
the spooky atmosphere on
the eve of Halloween. Must be
21 to attend. Reservations are
required. Call 307-324-4422 for
more information.
Oct. 31
Halloween Walk
Taking place in downtown Saratoga, kids can trick-or-treat at
local businesses. It’s convenient
and safe for everyone. Call the
Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber
of Commerce for more info at
(307) 326-8855.
Dec. 4
Festival of the Trees Gala
and Auction
This event takes place in the
Platte Valley Community Center‘s Great Hall from 6-9 p.m.
This special event is a terriﬁc
way to begin your holidays.
For more than 10 years, local
organizations, businesses and
individuals donate decorated
trees, wreaths, centerpieces, gift
baskets and other holiday items
for you to take home and enjoy
the entire season. Trees are on
display Thursday and Friday,
with Gala and Auction hosted
Friday night. Proceeds go to
local charities and organizations.
This event is sponsored by the
Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber
of Commerce..
Dec. 5
and Cribbage
Ice Fishing Derby
Come to the Little Snake River
Museum in Savery for a fun day
of holiday craft making, cookie
baking and cribbage. Help ﬁnd
Santa in a horse drawn sleigh.
Do your holiday shopping in the
gift shop. This event takes place
from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 307-3837262 for more information.
Somewhere beneath the ice
capping Saratoga Lake, a ﬁsh
with a pink tag affixed to is dorsal ﬁn is circling. It is the bounty
ﬁsh and is worth a big money
prize. It is one of many ﬁsh and
prizes up for gabs at Saratoga’s
annual Ice Fishing Derby. Fishermen not only compete for hourly
prizes, but also the biggest ﬁsh
of the weekend. Prizes for junior
anglers under age 14 are also
available. Call the Platte Valley
Chamber of Commerce at 307326-5588 for more information.
Dec. 12
WinterFest
This is the annual fundraiser for
the Friends of the Old Pen. Pick
up holiday gifts from a variety
of local vendors. Call 307-3244422 for more information.
In downtown and participating
businesses throughout Rawlins.
Stay in Rawlins this Saturday
for Breakfast with Santa, family
crafts, business specials and
giveaways and a Christmas
parade. Call 307-328-2099 or
visit www.rawlinsmainstreet.org
for more information.
Dec. 6
Jan. 16 – 17
Christmas Out of
the Big House
Cookies, Crafts
Saratoga Lake
Feb/March, exact
date TBA
Don E. Erickson
Memorial Chariot Races
You’ll never have more fun
than the chariot races at the
Buck Springs Rodeo Arena,
ﬁve miles east of Saratoga.
Swingin’
sounds
CARBON COUNTY | 25
ACTIVITIES | 25
Carbon County hosts a diverse range of musical stylings — from open mics to bluegrass to punk, there’s plenty to ﬁll your ears
W
hile Carbon County doesn’t get
many “big name” performers passing
through, that doesn’t mean there’s not a music
scene. From Music in the Park to the community Christmas concert, musical opportunities
abound – if you look close enough.
Music in the Park
Rawlins residents live for Thursday night
during the summer months. As the workday
HQGVKXQGUHGV²VRPHWLPHVWKRXVDQGV²ÁRFN
to Washington Park for this concert series put
on by the city.
The concert takes place every Thursday at 7
p.m. from June 18 – Aug. 13, excluding Aug. 6.
Vendors line the outskirts of the park with
a wide selection of food and beverages, so leave
your cooler at home. Just bring a lawn chair –
and a jacket, since it’s Rawlins – and enjoy the
music. Each concert is free.
Jubilante Ensembles of Carbon County
This modern ensemble group puts on
events year round – from outdoor summer
concerts to English handbell choir showcases.
Its 2014 Christmas concert featured not only
Jubilante musicians, but also the community
choir and theater group. Want to be part of the
fun? The group’s open mic night takes place
every second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.
at Rawlins Music Academy, 214 4th St. Call
307-324-8924 for more information.
Lollypops
Saratoga’s monthly open mic night is hosted at downtown café Lollypops, 107 Bridge St.
If you’re lucky, café owner and county music
star Bobby Chitwood could make a personal
appearance for a few tunes. Showtime is 6
p.m., every third Friday.
What Fest
From bluegrass to punk and everything in
between, What Fest features an eclectic lineup
of mostly home grown bands from Wyoming
and Colorado. This year’
More than 30 artists perform on three stages – two outdoor and one indoor – at the Bear
Trap Café and Bar in Riverside, population 54.
Cabins are available in town, but most
people camp.
This year’s event is set for July 25-26 at the
Bear Trap Café & Bar, Riverside.
The Yard
Every summer, Saratoga resident Chris
Shannon turns his backyard by the Platte River into a rockin’ venue. Shannon has four concerts planned for 2015: June 6, June 14, July 3
and Aug. 30. Local artists like Mollie O’Brien
and Alysia Kraft frequent The Yard. Check out
The Yard’s Facebook page for more information: www.facebook.com/theyardsaratoga
Virginian Hotel
You won’t even notice that you’re in a
historic hotel during the hotel’s Battle of the
Bands event, typically hosted in August. This
year saw the addition of February’s Midwinter
Meltown, featuring bands from Laramie. Check
with the hotel at 307-379-2377 for dates.
Other venues, such as the Saratoga Resort
and Spa, also provide live music on a regular
basis. Check the Rawlins Daily Times’ community calendar while you’re in town.
26 | EXPLORE
I came, I sawed, I conquered
Woodchoppers Jamboree draws thousands to Encampment
F
RUPRUHWKDQ\HDUVWKHFKLSVÁ\
during Father’s Day weekend as
loggers from around the nation descend
upon Encampment to compete for the title
of Rocky Mountain Champion Lumberjack.
Contestants use power saws, axes and
handsaws to chop logs and saw squared
wood blocks in half, racing the clock for the
fastest time.
Other contests include axe throwing, tree
felling and pole climbing. Participants also
KDYHDFKDQFHWRVKRZRIIWKHLUPRGLÀHG
chainsaws.
The festival, now in its 55th year, doesn’t
revolve solely around timber, though.
ACTIVITIES | 27
There’s an event kick-off parade, a
Wyoming Rodeo Association sanctioned
rodeo, and a melodrama featuring local
actors at the Grand Encampment Opera
House.
In 2014, the jamboree was listed
among 10 “favorite Wyoming activities”
on www.americathebeautiful.com.
Organized by the Encampment/Riverside Lions Club, event proceeds support
club projects such as providing eyeglasses
for children and scholarships.
28 | EXPLORE
Rawlins Summerfest
Summertime in the 307
Summerfest
Picture a beautiful summer day in
downtown Rawlins
where Cedar Street is
transformed into one
big street festival. People sift through retail
items on sidewalks
and participate in eating contests and other
family activities. Then
the outhouses whiz
by. Regardless of your
interests, Summerfest
likely has an activity
for you.
Festivities usually
kick off Friday night,
June 11 with a haunted tour at the Wyoming Frontier Prison.
Saturday, June 12
is when the party begins. The Outhouse Race
is a local summer tradition, being held every
year since 1997. Teams race homemade
outhouses — fashioned with wheels — up
and down Cedar Street, while performing
UHTXLUHGWDVNVVXFKDVÁLQJLQJDFDUGERDUG
WRLOHWVHDWRQWRDWUDIÀFFRQH
There are also various eating contests, children’s activities, performances and
business giveaways.
Winterfest
Summerfest’s
December counterpart does not carry
as many outdoor
activities, but the
concept is the same:
“There’s something for
everyone.”
The event usually
kicks off Saturday
morning with Breakfast with Santa at the
Jeffrey Center. Stores
around Rawlins host
special events and proYLGHSOHQW\RIUDIÁHV
and giveaways. Kids
participate in activities such as a snowman-building contest.
The event continues
to grow and evolve. New additions in 2014
included a Christmas parade and a ballet
performance. Call DDA/Main Street at 3282099 for more information
st
“The Nutcracker” at Winterfest
30 | EXPLORE
Carbon County Museum: Tending to history
H
istory, legend and lore can be found
in every corner of Carbon County at
its delightful community museums scattered throughout the northern plains.
The Carbon County Museum, open year
round, tells the stories of the region and
its communities. It interprets the history
of the region, including the vast Native
$PHULFDQLQÁXHQFHWKHFRPLQJRIWKHUDLOroad, the outlaws of the Old West, and the
ranchers who continue to work the area. It
also houses the only Thomas Edison exhibit
in the state to commemorate the inventor’s
visit to the county in 1878.
The museum has rolled out three brand
new permanent exhibits in the past three
years, covering Native Americans, mountain men, early pioneers and the impact of
WKH8QLRQ3DFLÀF5DLOURDG
The museum debuted its Discovery Zone
in 2013, a hands-on learning environment
for children. Its 2015 theme is mining. In
the summer, children can visit the museum
for a variety of Discovery Corner
IF YOU GO
904 W. Walnut St., Rawlins
307-328-2740
Winter hours (Oct. - April)
Tues - Sat, 1 - 5 p.m.
Summer hours (May - Sept.)
Tues. - Sat., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
craft activities.
The museum also puts on community
events such as outdoor movies and the annual High Plains Powwow.
ACTIVITIES | 33
Carbon County’s rich history
M
ost town museums are seasonal, opening their doors after the
ORQJ:\RPLQJZLQWHUÀQDOO\SDVVHV
First to open in 2015 are the Grand
(QFDPSPHQWDQG6DUDWRJDPXVHXPV
The Grand Encampment Museum
preserves the history of the area with
its collection of over a dozen historical
buildings dating from the late 1800s
WR(DFKEXLOGLQJLVÀOOHGZLWK
artifacts representing the area’s early
inhabitants, as well as the ranching,
timber, mining, and agricultural hisWRU\RIWKH(QFDPSPHQW9DOOH\+RXUV
RI2SHUDWLRQ0D\³2FWDP
WRSPVHYHQGD\VDZHHN$GGUHVV
%DUQHWW$YH(QFDPSPHQW)RU
PRUHLQIRUPDWLRQFDOO
The Saratoga Museum is housed in
WKHWRZQ·VRULJLQDO8QLRQ3DFLÀF
5DLOURDG'HSRW7KHPXVHXPRSHQHG
in 1980 and provides an opportunity to
H[SORUHWKH3ODWWH9DOOH\·VKLVWRU\,W
features one of Wyoming’s largest gem
and mineral displays including their
newest exhibit of Wyoming jade with
KXQGUHGVRIVSHFLPHQV´7KHUHDUHWZR
IDVFLQDWLQJSDUWVRIWKHPXVHXP7KH
ÀUVWWKLQJLVZKHQ\RXFRPHWKRXJKWKH
GRRU\RXZDONLQWRWKHÀUVWWZRURRPV
of the 1915 train depot,” said SaratoJD0XVHXP'LUHFWRU9LUJLQLD3DUNHU
´:HKDYHDORWRIWKHRULJLQDOHTXLSPHQW(YHU\WKLQJLQVLGHWKHGHSRWLV
VWLOOLQWDFWHYHU\WKLQJLVDOOWKHVDPH
´7KHRWKHUWKLQJWKDWLVUHDOO\FRRO
that stands out, is one of the largest
geological natural science exhibits in
:\RPLQJ:HJRIURPSUHKLVWRULFZLWK
DPDPPRWKWRRWKWRDOONLQGVRIIRVVLOV
DQGWRQVRIURFNV,W·VDIDVFLQDWLQJDUUD\RILWHPVµ+RXUVRI2SHUDWLRQ0D\
23 — Labor Day, Thursday - Monday,
DPWRSPRUE\DSSRLQWPHQW$G-
GUHVV&RQVWLWXWLRQ$YH6DUDWRJD
For more information, call 307-326
2SHQLQJRYHU0HPRULDO'D\ZHHNHQGLVWKH/LWWOH6QDNH5LYHU/65
Museum in Savery, and Baggs’ Outlaw
6WRS7KHLUGLUHFWRU/HOD(PPRQVLV
always excited when opening day arrives for the chance to show off the exKLELWVDQGKRVWRIKLVWRULFDOVWUXFWXUHV
Each of the nine historic buildings has
LWVRZQVWRU\WRWHOO7KHPDLQPXVHum building was originally the Savery
6FKRRO7KHVFKRROWDXJKWDOOJUDGHV
until 1958, when the high school was
FORVHG(OHPHQWDU\VWXGHQWVDWWHQGHG
the school until 1972, when the Little
6QDNH5LYHU9DOOH\6FKRROVFRQVROLGDWHG7KH2XWODZ6WRSLQ%DJJVLVWKH
VHFRQG/650XVHXP9LVLWRUVFDQVHH
WKHROG%DJJV7RZQ+DOOZLWKLWVWZR
cell jail, along with the Mathews/Gaddis home, a historical stop for outlaws
²LQFOXGLQJ%XWFK&DVVLG\²SDVVLQJ
WKURXJKWKHDUHD+RXUVRI2SHUDWLRQ
0HPRULDO'D\ZHHNHQG³HQGRI
2FWREHU6DYHU\0XVHXPLVRSHQ
DPWRSP0RQGD\³6XQGD\7KH
2XWODZ6WRS·VKRXUVDUHDPWR
SP0RQGD\³6DWXUGD\DPWR
SPRQ6XQGD\)RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQ
FDOO
The room in which the Parco/Sinclair Museum is presently located in
ZDVRULJLQDOO\WKH)LUVW1DWLRQDO%DQN
RI3DUFR7KHEDQNRSHQHGLQDQG
FORVHGLQ7KHLQWHULRUORRNVPXFK
WKHVDPHDVLWGLGLQWKHHDUO\V
7KHPXVHXPLVRSHQ\HDUURXQGDP
WRSPDQGSPWRSP$GGUHVV
/LQFROQ$YH6LQFODLU)RUPRUH
LQIRUPDWLRQFDOO
2WKHU&DUERQ&RXQW\PXVHXPVLQclude: Medicine Bow Museum, located
LQWKHWRZQ·VUDLOURDGGHSRW2SHQ
DPWRSP0RQGD\³6DWXUGD\
during the summer months / hunting
season and part-time or by appointPHQWGXULQJWKHZLQWHUPRQWKV
$GGUHVV/LQFROQ+Z\0HGLFLQH
%RZ)RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQFDOO
RU
+DQQD%DVLQ0XVHXPRSHQIURP
SPWRSP)ULGD\6XQGD\)RU
PRUHLQIRUPDWLRQFDOO
34 | EXPLORE
Make the mural tour
W
hether you’re an art lover or
history buff, the murals scattered
around downtown Rawlins – all painted
by local residents – should be able to whet
your appetite if you’re just in town for a
day.
1. Thomas Edison, east façade of The
Keg Saloon, painted by Sarah Johansson.
The legendary inventor indeed spent time
in Rawlins, arriving in July 1878 as part
RIDVFLHQWLÀFH[SHGLWLRQWRYLHZDWRWDO
eclipse of the sun.
Legend has it that Edison arrived at
the idea of using bamboo for the light
EXOE·VÀODPHQWGXULQJKLVVWD\LQ&DUERQ
&RXQW\DIWHUVHHLQJWKHSLHFHVRIKLVEURNHQEDPERRÀVKLQJSROHJORZ
LQWKHFDPSÀUH
2. Historic DowntownQGDQG&HGDUSDLQWHGE\3HJJ\&ROVRQ7KLVPXUDO
shows what downtown Rawlins looked like
in the 1940s.
3. Big Nose George, Front Street,
west of Rawlins Historic Depot, painted by
Ben France. This mural depicts several episodes from the story of notorious outlaw
Big Nose George: A botched train robbery,
the subsequent killing of two lawmen near
Elk Mountain, the lynching of George
after his failed prison break attempt, and
Dr. John Osborne’s gubernatorial
inauguration.
After George was lynched, Osborne had
George’s skin sent to a tannery and made
into a pair of shoes. He reportedly wore
the shoes during his inauguration.
4. Train Platform, south of Depot
3DUNSDLQWHGE\3HJJ\&ROVRQ7UDQVform into a mother and child preparing to
ERDUGD8QLRQ3DFLÀFWUDLQDWWKLVPXUDO
which takes the form of a life-size photo
stand-in.
5. Antolik MuralWKDQG&HGDU
painted by Jerry Antolik. This iconic
ZLOGOLIHVFHQHLV5DZOLQV·ÀUVWPXUDOKDYing been on display since 1987. More than
10 native animals are featured, including
the mule deer.
6. Desert DustWKDQG&HGDU
painted by Kerry Hanson. This mural
depicts the wild stallion “Desert Dust”,
who earned his name from his ability
to disappear into the Red Desert. Nobody succeeded in capturing him until
Frank Robbins showed up with Rawlins
photographer Vern Wood. As the party
FRUQHUHG'HVHUW'XVWLQDER[FDQ\RQ
Wood snapped the photo that the mural’s
centerpiece is based on.
7. Cattle Kate, 6th and Buffalo on
Daily Times building, painted by Dianne
Johansson. This mural tells the story of
Ella Watson, the only woman ever known
WREHO\QFKHGLQ:\RPLQJ6L[SURPLQHQW
cattle barons abducted Ella Watson and
James Averell, accused them of cattle
rustling and hung them near the northHUQERUGHURI&DUERQ&RXQW\7KHSUHVV
sided with the barons and went on a
VPHDUFDPSDLJQGXEELQJ:DWVRQ´&DWWOH
Kate.” The nickname stuck, and the perpetrators never went to trial.
:LOGÁRZHU:DONDERXW, Soroptimist Park. This mural, featuring a selecWLRQRIORFDOZLOGÁRZHUVZDVFUHDWHGE\
ORFDO%R\VDQG*LUOV&OXEFKLOGUHQXQGHU
the supervision of acclaimed Australian
performing artist Paul Taylor.
9. Aspen Alley, in front of Wyoming
Frontier Prison, painted by Sarah Johansson. Located about 60 miles south of
Rawlins on Highway 71, Aspen Alley is one
RIWKHPRVWVSHFWDFXODUJURYHVLQH[LVWHQFH
10. Sheepwagon, corner of 5th and
Buffalo, painted by Ray J. Martinez. Essentially a mobile home for sheepherders,
this Rawlins invention was used all over
the West.
11. Scoggin Collection, Bank of the
West lobby, by Bill Scoggin. These scenes,
DGDSWDWLRQVRI&05XVVHO·VZRUNVHPbody the life of a traditional cowboy.
12. Mormon Trail, 221 3rd Street on
WKHVRXWKIDFDGHRI%DQNRI&RPPHUFHE\
Dianne & Sarah Johansson. These panels
tell the story of the Mormon emigrants of the
0DUWLQ+DQGFDUW&RZKRZHUHWUDSSHGE\D
blizzard north of Rawlins and took shelter in
ZKDWLVQRZNQRZQDV0DUWLQ·V&RYH
Bird-brained
36 | EXPLORE
If bird-watching is your bag, Carbon County
boasts a whole bevy of feathered residents
Bird is the word
C
Lazuli bunting
arbon County’s variety of habitats
provide for excellent bird-watching opportunities. Just ask Palma Jack, a volunteer
instructor at the Carbon County Higher Education Center. Jack, who teaches introduction
to bird watching, is an enthusiast as well.
“One of my favorite places is Saratoga
Lake. It’s such a great bird sanctuary,” Jack
said.
At Saratoga Lake, one can spot in the
marshes shorebirds like avocets, striking
black-and-white stilts with red legs, sandpipers, plovers and long-billed dowitchers. Mid
to late April, pelicans will nest at the lake in
huge quantities – 70 birds or more.
“Almost every type of bird in our area,
\RX·UHJRLQJWRÀQGWKHUHµ-DFNVDLG
Throughout Carbon County, Canada
geese appear on lakes and ponds in the
spring, followed by migrating terns, then
nesting shorebirds. Ducks congregate by the
hundreds at tiny Odd Fellows
Park in Saratoga.
April through June are peak bird watching months, with male bird’s plumage coming
into brilliant technicolor life in order to
attract a mate.
ACTIVITIES | 37
Great-horned owl
In sagebrush country, an observer
may see sage, vesper and Brewer’s sparrows; sage thrashers, sage grouse and
green-tailed towhees.
Chukars and pheasants sometimes
show themselves in the farmland along
the North Platte River.
In the Sierra Madre and Snowy Range
mountains, Clark’s nutcrackers or “camp
robbers” frequent campgrounds seeking
KDQGRXWV+XPPLQJELUGVÁXWWHUDURXQG
ÁRZHUVRUIHHGHUVWKURXJKRXW
the county.
According to Jack, Carbon County
is home to several different raptors, the
VFLHQWLÀFWHUPIRUELUGVRISUH\
Look along fence posts and on top
of power poles for raptors ranging from
pretty little kestrels to the large golden eagles. Ferruginous, red-tailed and
Swainson’s hawks are also common.
%DOGHDJOHVDQGRVSUH\VRUÀVKHDJOHV
are often found perched in old cottonwoods along the county’s rivers looking
for their next meal.
Jack recommends two more areas
for great bird watching: Along Wyoming
Highway 789 between Baggs and Meeker, Colo., and along Wyoming Highway
130 between Saratoga and Encampment.
Northern Bullock’s oriole
38 | EXPLORE
Not for the weak of heart
C
arbon County’s rugged wilderness
offers endless opportunities for
mountain bike enthusiasts to roam the
untamed lands of south-central Wyoming.
Three of the area’s trails will bring riders
up close and personal with the
beauty of the land.
Hydrology Road (BLM Road 3422)
This route follows two-track and
improved gravel roads. It starts near the
Continental Divide and cross over the Di-
vide twice. Vegetation includes sagebrush,
aspen and cottonwood. There are spectacular vistas of the Sierra Madre and Snowy
Range mountains. Antelope, elk, deer and
raptors can be seen along this trail.
The Hydrology Road trail is a loop ride
ACTIVITIES | 39
of approximately 35 miles with
some opportunities for side
trips. Riding time is 2–5 hours.
The elevation on the west end
of the trail is 8,130 feet and on
the east end 7,250.
To access this trail from
Rawlins, head south on State
Highway 71 that becomes
Carbon County Road (CR)
401 about 11 miles south of
Rawlins. Continue on CR 401
for about 17 miles. Start riding
at BLM Road 3422 (Hydrology
Road) and head east 17 miles
to intersect with CR 500.
Travel west on CR 500 for
15 miles to CR 401. Turn north
on CR 401 and ride three miles
to the start of the ride. This
loop route can be ridden in
either direction. For those that
would rather stay on two-track
roads (avoiding graveled roads)
this route can be an out-andback ride of 34 miles.
This route does cross private
land. Permission must be
obtained before riding off of
public roads. To determine
land ownership, contact Carbon
&RXQW\$VVHVVRU·VRIÀFHRURQline at www.huntinggpsmaps.
com
Deep Gulch
This route uses a combination of improved dirt-graveled
and two-track roads. Riders
can start either on the lower
or upper end and make a loop
ride, and enjoy an out-and-back
ride on a two-track road.
If planning a loop or outand-back ride, there will
be some climbing to enjoy.
Vegetation includes sagebrush,
serviceberry, aspen, and limber
pine. Antelope, elk, deer and
raptors can be seen along this
trail.
The Deep Gulch trail is a
loop ride of approximately 30
miles with some opportunities
for side trips. Riding time is
2-5 hours. The elevation on the
lower end is 6,640 feet, and on
the upper
end 7,768 feet.
To access this trail from
State Highway 789 (the Baggs
highway) at Dad (20 miles
north of Baggs or 28 miles
south of Creston Junction)
head east on Carbon County
Road 608 about six miles, turn
on to BLM Road 3305. Proceed
for half a mile and get on BLM
Road 3308 proceeding easterly
about four miles. Cow Creek
will be on your right. Park here
and either ride up Deep Gulch
on the two-track road or ride on
BLM Road 3308.
Shirley Mountains
This area consists of roads
that start in the sagebrush
ÁDWVDQGFOLPEDPRQJWKHSLQH
ÀUDQGDVSHQ&KRRVHDYDULHW\
of road surfaces from maintained graveled to undeveloped
two-tracks. Wildlife viewing
of deer, elk, and antelope is
common.
The Shirley Mountains trail
offers a variety of rides from a
Book
now for
Hunting
Season
31-mile loop out of Prior Flat
Campgrounds to shorter rides
of the mountain. Riding time
is one hour to all day journeys. The elevation at Prior
Flat Campground is 7,130 and
climbs to 9,151 on the mountain.
To access this trail from
State Highway 487, 22 miles
north of Medicine Bow, take
the State Highway 77 turnoff.
Proceed nine miles to Carbon
County Road 102. Head west
two miles to BLM Road 3115 or
continue another seven miles
to the western junction of BLM
Road 3115 at Prior Flat Campground. BLM Road 3115 is a
loop road through the Shirley
Mountains.
Some private land is found
on the mountain. Permission
must be obtained before riding
off of public roads. Also, there
may be active logging operations on the mountain so be
alert for equipment and
logging trucks.
Clean, comfortable rooms
within walking distance
to restaurants, tourist
attractions and the
North Platte River.
Silver Moon Motel
412 E. Bridge St. • P.O. Box 604
Saratoga, WY 82331
307.326.5974
FAX 307.326.5975
40 | EXPLORE
Soak it up
T
ime spent soaking in hot
springs can be restorative, healing or just plain fun.
Steam rises and beckons
visitors to soak away their
tension and troubles in the
“healing” waters of the various
hot springs that draw people to
Saratoga throughout the year.
Native Americans were the
ÀUVWWRXVHWKHKRWVSULQJVFDOOing the area “the place of magic
waters,” according to Saratoga
Resort and Spa’s website. The
waters are known for their high
mineral content and low sulfur
odor.
At the Saratoga Resort and
Spa’s mineral hot springs, there
are numerous pools guests of
the resort can enjoy.
One is the large natural
mineral pool. The pool is 30 feet
by 75 feet and about 7 feet at
the deep end. The temperature
of the water hovers around 90-
92 degrees, but because it’s a
QDWXUDOSRROWKDWFDQÁXFWXDWH
The resort also boasts a large,
open hot tub that sits right in
the middle of the courtyard and
four smaller hot tubs covered
by tepees for a more intimate
experience and to keep out the
elements.
Water temperature in the
soaking tubs hovers anywhere
between 100 and 108 degrees.
Another soothing attraction
in Saratoga is the Hobo Pool.
The natural hot springs pool,
operated by the Town of Saratoga, is located on Walnut Street
along the banks of the North
Platte River behind the public
swimming pool.
Visitors can choose between
a not-so-hot pool, hot pool and
the “lobster pot.” Changing
rooms with free hot showers are
available.
The hot pool is open year
Hot pool driving directions: From First Street (Hwy 130), turn east on Walnut.
Go two blocks to the end of the street. The swimming pool building is in front of
the facility. There are two sidewalks to the hot pool on either side of the building.
For more information about the Hobo Pool, contact Saratoga Town Hall at
307-326-8335.
Saratoga Resort and Spa is located at 601 E. Pic Pike Road. For rates and more
information, contact the resort at 307-326-5261 or visit the website
at saratogaresortandspa.com.
round, 24 hours a day, seven
days a week and is free to anyone who wants to take a long,
relaxing soak.
The water temperature
ranges from 108 to 119 degrees.
The not-so-hot hot pool is about
10-20 degrees lower.
ACTIVITIES | 41
Camping in Carbon County
Jack Creek Campground, 19 miles west of
Saratoga on County Road 500, then 8 miles
west of NFSR 452. June-October, $10 per night
fee, 16 campsites, 14-day stay limit.
Lost Creek Campground, 18 miles southwest of Encampment on Highway 70. June
15-October, $10 per night, 13 campsites, 14-day
stay limit
Bottle Creek Campground, 7 miles west
of Encampment on Highway 70, then south
one-quarter mile on NFSR 550. Mid-June-October, $10 per night, 16 campsites, 14-day stay limit.
Hog Park Campground, 6 miles west of Encampment on Highway 70, then 16 miles south
on NFSR 550, then 3 miles south on NFSR 496.
June 15-September, $10 per night for camping
and $5 for parking, 49 campsites, 14-day stay
limit
Encampment River Campground, one-quarter mile west of Encampment on Highway 70,
then 1 mile south to CR 353, then three-quarters
of a mile south on BLM Road 3407. June 1-Nov.
15, $10 per night, eight campsites.
Corral Creek Recreation Site, 4 miles south
of Riverside on Wyoming Highway 230, then left
on County Road 660 for 12 miles, then 6 miles
down Bennett Peak Road (BLM Road 3404). June
1-Nov. 15 (typical season), free, six campsites.
Bennett Peak Campground, 4 miles east of
Riverside on Wyoming Highway 230, then left on
County Road 660 for 12 miles, then 7 miles on
Bennett Peak Road (BLM Road 3404). June 1-Nov.
15, $10 per night, 12 campsites, no limit.
Lincoln Park Campground, 20 miles east of
Saratoga on Highway 130, then 2.7 miles north
on NFSR 100. Mid-June-October, $10 per night, 11
campsites, 14-day stay limit.
South Brush Creek Campground, 8 miles
south on Highway 130/230, then 10 miles east
on Highway 130, then one-quarter mile north on
NFSR 100, turning left on NFSR 200 and traveling
1.5 miles to campground. June 1-October, $10 per
night, 20 campsites, 14-day stay limit.
Ryan Park Campground, travel 8 miles south
of Saratoga on Highway 130/230, then 12 miles
east on Highway 130. June 15-October, $10 per
night, 49 campsites, 14-day stay limit.
French Creek Campground, 25 miles east of
Saratoga on Highway 130, then 15 miles south on
NFSR 225/206. June-October, $10 per night, 11
campsites, 14-day stay limit.
Six Mile Gap Campground, 26 miles south of
Encampment on Highway 230, then 2 miles east
on NFSR 492. May-October, $10 per night, nine
campsites, 14-day stay limit.
Bow River Campground, 15.5 miles south of
Elk Mountain on County Road 101, then .2 mile
west on NFSR 100 to turnoff. June-October, $10
per night, 13 campsites, 14-day stay limit.
Deep Creek Campground, take NFSR 111
south of Arlington, then 2 miles south on NFSR
101. July-Labor Day, $10 per night, 12 campsites,
14-day stay limit.
42 | EXPLORE
North Platte River at Bennett Peak
Change of pace on North Platte River
H
drifting. The strategically placed access
eadwaters of the Upper North Platte
SRLQWVRIIHUWKHFKRLFHRIÁRDWWULSVUDQJLQJ
River originate in the mountains ringfrom a few hours to three or four days.
ing North Park, Colorado, and join numerous
Mule deer and a few white-tailed deer
other tributary streams before forming the
can be seen along the river. Pronghorn
river as recreationists know it near the ColoUDGR:\RPLQJERUGHU$WWKHÀUVWPDMRUERDW antelope utilize the open valleys and foot
access point (known as Routt), the elevation is hill areas. Blue grouse broods are found
7,900 feet above sea level. Near Saratoga, Wy- along the forested portions of the river in
summer, and sage grouse are present in the
oming, the elevation is 6,800 feet and at the
sagebrush/shortgrass prairie adjacent to the
backwaters of Seminoe Reservoir, the river’s
river.
ÀUVWLPSRXQGPHQWWKH
The route begins in
elevation is about 6,300
If you ﬂoat:
remote Colorado valley
feet.
For more information, or to rent a raft or hire a
ﬂoating guide:
where the North Platte
The gradient in the
National Forest Services Brush Creek/
crosses the highway.
upper part of the river,
Hayden District, 307-326-5258
The river immediately
where the steep walls
Hack’s Tackle & Outﬁtters, 307-326-9823
leaves the open valley
of Northgate Canyon
Stoney Creek Outﬁtters, 307-326-8750
and enters the canyon
contain a narrow, high
BLM Rawlins Field Office 307-328-4200.
where steep and pine
velocity section that drops
covered canyon walls
an average of 40 feet per
rise 400 to 1,000 feet.
mile. After leaving the
Federal designation as the “Northgate
canyon, the river widens into the gentle slopes
of the foothills of the Medicine Bow and Sierra Wilderness Area” promotes healthy populations of deer, elk, bighorn sheep, beaver,
Madre mountains, then takes on a steadily
and coyote. Whitewater enthusiasts often
increasing meander and more gentle gradient
encounter eagles, ducks, and Canada Geese
DVLWÁRZVWKURXJKWKHDJULFXOWXUDO6DUDWRJD
searching for food and raising their young
and Encampment valleys. Numerous tribualong the riverbanks.
tary streams enter the Platte, adding varying
The trip starts off mild, but before long
DPRXQWVRIZDWHUWRLWVÁRZDVLWSURJUHVVHV
rafters encounter a succession of challengdownstream toward Seminoe Reservoir.
LQJUDSLGVUDWHGXSWRFODVV,9
Much of the Upper North Platte River
2IÀFLDO¶ZLOGHUQHVV·GHVLJQDWLRQDOVR
ÁRDWLQJVHDVRQLVGXULQJ0D\DQG-XQHZKHQ
guarantees that rafters will have a primiair and water temperatures are cold and can
FUHDWHGDQJHURXVFRQGLWLRQVIRUÁRDWHUV,I\RX tive wilderness experience.
Northgate Canyon is the 9.8-mile stretch
PXVWÁRDWDULYHUZKHQWKHZDWHULVYHU\FROG
of the North Platte River between Routt Acequip yourself properly and protect yourself
cess, Colorado and Six-Mile Gap, Wyoming.
against the hazards of cold water.
Beginning not far from the source of the
$OORIWKH8SSHU1RUWK3ODWWH5LYHULVÁRDWNorth Platte River, Northgate Canyon is
DEOHRYHUPLOHVRIIUHHÁRZLQJZDWHU
the river’s gateway north. The water follows
from the boulder-strewn, torrential whitewaWKHZHVWHUQÁDQNRIWKH3DUN5DQJHLQ
ter of Northgate Canyon near the state line,
Colorado as it plunges at approximately 20
through the rolling agricultural lands of the
feet per mile in Wyoming and through the
Saratoga and Encampment valleys, down to
Northgate Canyon.
the placid waters and sagebrush hills near
The high gradient produces some of the
,QWHUVWDWH'XHWRLWVYDULDEOHQDWXUHWKH
EHVW&ODVV,,,SOXVUDSLGVLQ&RORUDGRDQG
river offers numerous boating experiences
Wyoming including Windy Hole, Cowpie,
ranging from whitewater thrills to leisurely
Narrow Falls (The Gate), Tootsie Roll,
and Stovepipe.
Most of the riverbank is public land.
However, a small section, (visibly marked
with several cabins) the Gingerquill Ranch
located along its Colorado section is private.
Non-emergency landings at the ranch are a
violation of state law.
Windy Hole
Beginning about one-half mile below the
put-in at Routt Access, Windy Hole is the
ÀUVWUDSLGLQ1RUWKJDWH&DQ\RQ7KHULYHU
WDNHVDVKDUSWXUQWRWKHOHIWDVWKHÁRZ
cuts through solid rock.
The entry is usually just left of center.
Windy Hole (the hole itself, not the rapid) is
about 2/3 through the rapid, and is barely
right of center. Only experienced experts in
large craft should attempt to take the hole
head-on, and then only in lower water conGLWLRQV$VWKHÁRZLQFUHDVHV:LQG\+ROH
EHFRPHVPRUHGLIÀFXOW
Cowpie (also known as Houserock)
This long rapid begins some time after
crossing into Wyoming. The rapid begins
after a leisurely right turn in the river and
the gradient noticeably increases.
Also, a large outcrop of granite on river-left that resembles a cowpie marks the
HQWUDQFH$WWKHÀUVWFRUQHUDOHIWWXUQD
particular maneuver is required to pass an
obstacle known as Split Rock (also known as
Cowpie Rock). This is generally navigated on
river right with a hard pull back to the left.
Proper navigation of Split Rock allows
for the ideal set up for the remainder of the
UDSLG7KHÁRZLVREVWUXFWHGE\VHYHUDOODUJH
boulders and the current weaves from bank
to bank.
Once the river narrows into a shearwalled canyon, Cowpie is over and Narrow
Falls has arrived. There is no gap between
Cowpie and Narrow Falls. The two rapids
ÁRZVHDPOHVVO\LQWRRQHDQRWKHU$PLVWDNH
in Cowpie could prove disastrous.
ACTIVITIES | 43
Narrow Falls
(also known as The Gate)
Immediately after Cowpie,
the river makes a right turn
and has a very distinct horizon
line. Towering cliffs mark both
sides of the rapid.
At water levels at or below
2,100 cu ft/s a large rock is
visible on river right. At higher
ÁRZVWKHURFNEHFRPHVDPDVsive pour-over/hole that should
be avoided at all costs. The
run is center, just next to the
large rock on the right. A chute
exists that cannot be scouted
for (Narrow Falls is extremely
GLIÀFXOWWRVFRXWH[FHSWIURPD
kayak). One left-hand stroke
can slide the boat into the
chute.
Be aware, between 2,100 cu
ft/s and 1,600 cu ft/s a current
pushes strongly toward the
wall on the left. Above that
level, a breaker wave appears
and provides a cushion on the
wall. The remaining rocks in
the center and left of center can
be avoided (by going right) or
fairly easily navigated by an
experienced boatman.
Monster at the end however.
The two large, often submerged boulders here create
two extremely powerful ledge
holes. The holes may sneak up
on boatmen that are not paying
attention. There is a commonly
used sneak run to river right.
The alternative is to run the
holes, which can be avoided
DWFHUWDLQVSHFLÀFOHYHOVE\
delicate maneuvering. This
judgment call should be made
by the boatman.
North Platte River at Treasure Island
$WPRGHUDWHWRORZÁRZVDQ
edie forms on river right below
the falls allowing boats entering the falls a place to provide
safety for later boats.
Tootsie Roll
About a mile downstream
from the conclusion of Narrow
Falls, Tootsie Roll appears.
The rapid is mostly straightforward. Be aware of Cookie
Stovepipe
The last rapid in Northgate
Canyon is Stovepipe. The shear
walls and slight right turn
make the entrance to this rapid
LGHQWLÀDEOH
The take-out for day trips is
immediately below the rapid
just past the free standing
rock pillar and boatmen should
stay left to make sure they do
not miss it. The rapid itself is
a large, but clean wave-train.
Caution should be taken to
avoid getting too far right,
which could result in getting
slammed into the wall there.
44 | EXPLORE
Raining rainbows
I
n Carbon County, you're only a stone's
throw away from blue ribbon trout waters
in every direction. But don't throw stones, you'll
VFDUHWKHÀVK
DUGWAY CAMPSITE
A short drive east to Sinclair and then north
RQ6HPLQRH5RDGIRUDQRWKHUPLOHV\RX
OOÀQG
the Dugway campsite nestled alongside the
1RUWK3ODWWH5LYHU+HUH\RX
OOÀQGPRVWO\EURZQ
trout with a few rainbows sprinkled in. Golden
eagles make their nests on the sheer cliff face of
the opposite bank.
Directions: From Rawlins, take Interstate
80 east 5 miles to the west Sinclair exit, then go
north on County Road 351 about 7 miles to the
turnoff on the right. Camping is available.
SEMINOE RESERVOIR/MIRACLE MILE
Driving farther north of the Dugway on Seminoe Road will bring you to Seminoe Reservoir,
ZKLFKFDQÀOO\RXUZDOOH\HQHHGV%H\RQGWKH
reservoir, across the mountains, is the world-famous Miracle Mile, a stretch of the North Platte
just below the Seminoe dam known for producing
trout the size of small pigs. Chances are, if you
KDYHDÁ\URG0LUDFOH0LOHLVZK\\RXFDPH
WR&DUERQ&RXQW\<RXFDQÀVKWKLVVSRW\HDU
round.
To Miracle Mile from Sinclair: Take County Road 351 north for 45 miles (this road may be
closed or require chains during winter months).
From Hanna: Take County Road 291 north,
turning west on County Road 351.
Camping is available.
PLATTE RIVER VALLEY
If you head out east from Rawlins on Interstate 80 and then south on WY 130 to Saratoga,
:KHUHWKHWURXWOHDSRQ0DLQ6WUHHW\RX
OOÀQG
yourself in the Platte River Valley near several top-tier trout
spots. North of Saratoga is Pick Bridge. The area features
camping at the Foote Access area and Saratoga Lake.
6RXWKRI6DUDWRJD\RX·OOÀQG7UHDVXUH,VODQGDFFHVVDUHD
This gem of a spot right off WY 130 provides for plenty of
ZDGHÀVKLQJRSSRUWXQLWLHVZLWKDWZRPLOHORQJVWUHWFKRI
ZDWHUZLWKSXEOLFDFFHVVRQERWKVLGHV)LQGDVODELQWKHÁDW
GHHSUXQVZLWKDJHQWO\SODFHGGU\Á\
ENCAMPMENT RIVER
Push farther south from Saratoga on WY 130 and you'll
ÀQGDQRWKHUEOXHULEERQVWUHWFKRIWURXWZDWHUDWWKH(QFDPSPHQW5LYHU7KHUHDUHWZRDFFHVVSRLQWVIRUWKH(QFDPSPHQW
— the Odd Fellows access and the Riverside access, with a
hiking trail connecting the two.
'U\ÁLHVLQODWHVXPPHUDOZD\VSURGXFHVHYHQWIXOPRUQings and evenings.
Directions: From Interstate 80, take WY 130 and WY 230
south approximately 38 miles to Encampment. Follow highway through town to WY 70. County Road 353 is left approximately a 1/4 mile west of town. Follow it 1 mile south to BLM
Road 3407. The campground is about 3/4 mile down the road.
Head north or head south, you can't go wrong. Choosing
EHWZHHQWKH0LUDFOH0LOHDQGWKH(QFDPSPHQW5LYHULVOLNH
choosing between a Ferrari and a Lamborghini — you should
probably try both.
Miracle Mile
46 | EXPLORE
Finding Fort Steele
F
WRKHOSTXHOOWKH5RFN6SULQJV
ort Fred Steele was estabMassacre against Chinese immilished on June 20, 1868 to
grants.
guard the men who were build$IWHUWKHIRUWZDVRIÀFLDOO\GHLQJWKH8QLRQ3DFLÀF5DLOURDG·V
commissioned in 1886, a sparse
section through Wyoming.
population of civilians remained,
Soldiers had been sent to
forming the town of Fort Steele.
protect the construction of the
The primary industries of the
railroad and its primary stratown were sheep ranching and
tegic structure, the bridge over
railroad tie processing.
WKH1RUWK3ODWWH5LYHU
The Lincoln Highfrom Native American
IF YOU GO
way passed through
attacks.
Fort Fred Steele
the town and boosted
&RO5LFKDUG,'RGJH State Historic site is
its economy. When the
WKHIRUW·VÀUVWFRPPDQG- about 13 miles east
of Rawlins, Wyoming highway was rerouted
LQJRIÀFHUVHOHFWHGWKH
and 1.25 miles north
in 1939, most commersite on the west bank
of Fort Steele Rest
cial activity ended and
of the North Platte
Area just off of Interthe number of residents
5LYHUDQGQDPHGWKHIRUW state 80, exit 228.
rapidly declined.
after Maj. Gen. FredEventually, the pasrick Steele, a Civil War
Open daily from 9
a.m. to 7 p.m.,
sage of time took its toll
hero who commanded
May 1 through
on fort, with many of its
a division of the Union
November 15.
buildings being moved
Army at the Battle of
to other locations or deVicksburg.
For more information,
VWUR\HGE\ÀUH2Q1HZ
The troops spent most call 307-320-3013.
<HDU·V(YHWKH
of their time with grunt
two remaining barracks
work because although
burned to the ground.
feared, Native American
Visitors can see the stone
skirmishes at Fort Fred Steele
foundations and remains of
never materialized. Still, the garvarious structures throughout
rison did see action throughout
WKHVLWH2QHRIWKHIHZLQWDFW
southern Wyoming and Colorado.
Along with participating in the structures is the powder magD]LQHWKDWKRXVHGWKHIRUW·V
1878 Meeker Massacre, troops
ZHUHVHQWWR5RFN6SULQJVLQ ammunition.
SITES | 47
‘Bathtub’ with a view
I
f you want an easy hike
with breathtaking views
and a pleasant surprise at
the end of the trail – head on
to the Indian Bathtubs near
Riverside.
The trailhead is easy to
miss, because it literally
begins on the side of Blackhall
Mountain Road, located just
east of the former copper min-
ing town of about 52 residents.
There’s no parking lot. Just
pull off to the side, get out, and
start hiking.
The trail is only 1.25 miles
one way – but it has some
rises and dips that can still
PDNH\RXVZHDW7KHÀUVWKDOI
of the walk takes you through
DQH[SDQVLYHVDJHEUXVKÁDW
before ascending to the half-
IF YOU GO
From Riverside, take Wyoming Highway 230 east one
mile to Carbon County Road 200 (Blackhall Mountain
Road). Turn south and proceed one mile to trailhead.
way point, where you can take
a breather on a bench under
a picturesque, gnarly Juniper
tree.
The trail then plunges down
to Cottonwood Creek before
turning upward. You will see
some large rock outcroppings –
that’s your destination.
Natural “bathtubs” form
when rainwater collects in
bowl-shaped depressions on
top of the rocks.
It is said that in the past,
Native Americans would visit
the “bathtubs to clean up after
hunting.
While relaxing atop the
bathtubs, don’t forget to check
out the views of the entire
Medicine Bow range and the
Encampment-Riverside Valley.
SITES | 49
Transportation in Carbon County
Carbon County ramblin’
I
f you’re a transportation buff, Carbon County is the place for you.
From pioneers traversing the OverODQG7UDLOWRWKHQDWLRQ·VÀUVWWUDQVFRQtinental highway, the area has always
been a passing point
The Overland Trail was a safer alternative to the Oregon Trail during a time
of frequent Native American attacks.
Between 1862 and 1868, an estimated
20,000 pioneers in stagecoaches and wagons slowly made their way west through
Carbon County.
While not much is left of the Overland
Trail in Carbon County, just a two-hour
drive away is Fort Bridger Historic Site
in the town of the same name, where the
Overland Trail met the Oregon Trail.
The Overland Trail was made obsolete
E\WKHFRPSOHWLRQRIWKHÀUVWWUDQVFRQWLQHQWDOUDLOURDGE\WKH8QLRQ3DFLÀF
Most southern Wyoming towns owe their
existence to the railroad.
Artifacts can be found all over the
county. In fact, both Saratoga and Medicine Bow museums are hosted in their
town’s old railroad depots. The Carbon
County Museum has a permanent exhibLWWLWOHG´8QLRQ3DFLÀF5DLOURDG7UDQVforming Carbon County.”
If you happen to visit Cedar Street,
5DZOLQV·PDLQGUDJ\RX·UHVWDQGLQJ
right on the Lincoln Highway – the
QDWLRQ·VÀUVWWUDQVFRQWLQHQWDOKLJKZD\
7KHKLJKZD\HQWHUHG5DZOLQVIURPWKH
east, turned north on Fifth Street, and
continued west on Spruce Street.
One of the most intact sections of
the Lincoln Highway in Wyoming can
EHIRXQGRQ865RXWHZKLFKWDNHV
travelers on a scenic detour between
Walcott Junction and Laramie. If you’re
KHDGLQJHDVWWDNHH[LWRQ,QWHUVWDWH
80 towards Hanna. Notable attractions
are the historic Virginian Hotel in Medicine Bow and the Dinosaur Cabin.
The Lincoln Highway also passed directly in front the Spanish Mission style
Parco Inn in Sinclair, which in its heyday
hosted notable guests such as Franklin
'5RRVHYHOWDQG$PHOLD(DUKDUW
Quality Healthcare...
for every age and every stage
Para toda la familia y todos
los estados de la vida
Nuevos Pacientes Bienvenidos
Obstetrica • Recien Nacido • Geriatrico
Hablamos
Español
Cesko Family Medicine, M.D.
Certified American Board Family Practice
819 W. Maple | Rawlins, WY
307-324-3667
New Patients Welcome
Obstetric • Newborn • Geriatric
Complete Prenatal Care and Delivery
Dr. David Cesko, M.D.
SITES | 51
‘Old Pen’ life
D
uring its more than 80-year
history as a corrections facility, approximately 13,500 inmates
called the Wyoming State Penitentiary in Rawlins “home.”
Wyoming’s Frontier Prison, often
referred to as the “Old Pen,” housed
11 women from when it opened in
1901 until 1909, at which point it
became a facility primarily for men.
One of these women was Annie
Bruce, who killed her father with a
poisoned plum pie.
Another notable resident was
William Carlisle. A serial train
robber, Carlisle was also known as
the “Gentleman Bandit” because he
never shot anyone and only robbed
men, apologizing to women and
children for disturbing them.
Carlisle escaped from the prison
in 1919, only to be caught a month
later.
The prison contains three cellblocks and, when it opened, was
equipped with 104 cells but had no
running water or electricity.
A Block, the oldest part of the
prison, has a particularly grim history. An inmate was lynched in this
area in 1912.
Offenders met their deaths in
other ways. The prison houses gallows and a gas chamber, the latter
of which was installed in 1936.
These facilities were contained in
what was called the Death House.
Five inmates were executed in
the gas chamber and nine others
were hanged. A total of 200 died
ZLWKLQWKHSULVRQ·VFRQÀQHVGXHWR
execution, suicide, inmate violence
and natural causes.
Between 15,000 and 17,000 people visit the prison each year. Full
tour season for 2015 is from May
23 to Sept. 7, with reduced tours in
the winter. A local favorite is the
haunted night tours, set for Oct. 23,
24 and 31.
Call the Old Pen at 307-3244422 for the tour schedule.
52 | EXPLORE
Spending time at Seminoe
S
tand on a sandy beach in
Seminoe State Park and
stare into the clear waters. You’ll
forget you’re in Wyoming – until
the wind starts blowing.
Situated along the largest
reservoir on the North Platte
River, the park is an outdoor
recreational paradise for residents and visitors alike. Whether
it is water-based activities such
as swimming and boating, riding
nearby dunes on off-road vehicles
or simply walking around and
enjoying the scenery, Seminoe is
a great place for the whole family.
The state park is about 27
miles north of Sinclair on Carbon
County Road 351, a paved scenic
byway that offers some spectacular views.
The reservoir has 180 miles
of shoreline, most of it federally
owned, and three boat ramps
open to the public. Two of the
boat ramps are in Seminoe State
Park and one is available for
public use at the private Seminoe
Boat Club, located south of the
park.
The state park is located on
the north end of the reservoir,
just south of Seminoe Dam. The
295-foot high, concrete-arch dam
can be seen at a lookout point
further north along the county
road.
June and July are the best
PRQWKVIRUÀVKLQJDQGUHFRUG
walleye have been pulled from
the reservoir.
The Miracle Mile — a short
section of the North Platte
IDPRXVIRUWURSK\WURXWÀVKLQJ
— has been featured in such
publications such as “Fly Fisherman,” and is located on a rough
dirt road eight miles north of the
dam.
There are campgrounds at
North Red Hills, South Red Hills,
Sunshine Beach and the boat
club. The park headquarters is at
North Red Hills.
Antelope, deer, waterfowl,
many species of birds of prey,
and the occasional elk or big horn
sheep can be viewed from the
state park.
Seminoe is a corruption of
the name of a French trapper
who worked in the area in the
1850s and had a trading post at
Devil’s Gate. The original name
is variously reported as Cimineau
or Simono, meaning little Simon.
The reservoir, created in 1939,
adopted the name.
SITES | 51
Miracle Mile
Hog Park Reservoir
CARBON COUNTY | 55
The Oldest
Building in
the World
T
hough built in 1933, the Fossil Cabin
near the dinosaur graveyard at Como
Bluff is billed as the “Oldest Building in the
World.”
That’s because the building, located
just inside the Carbon County line on U.S.
5RXWHLVPDGHSULPDULO\RISHWULÀHG
dinosaur bones unearthed from Como Bluff.
The building reportedly weighs 102,116
pounds and contains 5,796 dinosaur bones
from various species, along with a small
amount of rock.
Thomas Boylan, a former cowboy, moved
to the area in 1908 and began collecting
bones in 1916. He constructed the cabin as
a roadside attraction for his gas station on
U.S. Route 30, which used to be the legendary Lincoln Highway.
“The Fossil Cabin is a relic of a bygone
era of motorized travel when petting zoos
and buildings made of dinosaur bones could
entice a driver to stop and gas up,” its entry
on the cabin in the National Register of
Historic Places states.
The cabin garnered national attention
in 1938 when Robert L. Ripley called it the
“world’s oldest cabin” in his nationally syndicated feature, “Believe It or Not.”
With the completion of Interstate 80 in
1970, the Lincoln Highway became obsolete,
and so did Boylan’s gas station.
While the cabin museum is currently
closed and the land is for sale, the exterior
of the house made of bones still makes a fascinating sight for visitors. Situated right on
the side of Route 30, the cabin makes a nice
detour for those traveling between Rawlins
and Laramie.
Medicine Bow is the closest town.
56 | EXPLORE
Follow the Encampment Trail
A
bridge is the
ÀUVWVRXWKERXQG
VWHSRIWKHWUDLOEHDULQJWKHULYHU·VQDPHVDNH7KH(QFDPSPHQW5LYHU7UDLO
7KHWUDLOZKLFK
EHJLQVDWWKH,QWHUQDWLRQDO2UGHURI2GG
)HOORZVFDPSJURXQG·V
QRUWKHUQHQGLVD
VKRUWWULSVRXWKIURP
WKHWRZQRI(QFDPSPHQWRQDZHOOJUDGHG
JUDYHOURDG,WVWUDGGOHVWZRZLOGHUQHVV
DUHDVWKHDFUH
(QFDPSPHQW5LYHU
:LOGHUQHVVDQGD
%/0RZQHGVWXG\
UHJLRQ
2SHQLQJZLWKD
FDQ\RQOLNHKLOOIDFH
RQWKHOHIWDQGDVWHHS
GRZQJUDGHOHDGLQJ
WRWKHULYHUEHORZRQWKHULJKWWKHWUDLO
VRRQHQWHUVDOHYHOPRUHRSHQDUHDZLWK
VDJHEUXVKVHWDJDLQVWDEDFNJURXQGRI
ÀUVDQGVSUXFHVDFFHQWLQJUROOLQJKLOOV
7KHSDWKLVKLNLQJWHUULWRU\,W·VWRR
WKLQIRUDQ$79RUDKRUVH:KLOHLW
UHPDLQVZHOOPDUNHGWUDYHOLQJVRXWK
WKHEHVWFKDQFHVWRFULVVFURVVWKHULYHU
ZKLFKIRUWKHPRVWSDUWGDQFHVDORQJVLGH
WKHWUDLODUHVWRQHVRU
ORJV
2FFDVLRQDOO\WKHULYHUWDNHVOHDYHIURPWKH
WUDLOOHDYLQJDKLNHULQ
VQXJZDOOVRIWUHHOLQH
$WWLPHVWKH(QFDPSPHQW5LYHU7UDLOJLYHV
RSSRUWXQLWLHVWRYHQWXUH
RIIWKHEHDWHQSDWKDQG
VFUDPEOHXSWKHVLGHRID
KLOORUXVHVHYHUDORSHQ
DUHDVLGHDOIRUDPDNHVKLIWFDPSVLWH
$PLOHKLNHIURP
HQGWRHQGWKLVWUDLO
LVLGHDOIRUDWZRGD\
KLNHZLWKDWUDLOKHDG
RQWKHQRUWKDQGVRXWK
WLS$QRWKHUWUDLOKHDG
DW3XUJDWRU\*XOFK
DURXQGPLOHVIURPWKH
QRUWKHUQHQGRIWKHWUDLO
DOORZVKLNHUVWRVSOLWWKH
VWUHWFKLQWRWZRSDUWV
&DUERQ&RXQW\YLVLWRUVZLOOPRVWOLNHO\
HQWHUWKHWUDLODWLWVQRUWKHQGDWWKH2GG
)HOORZV7UDLOKHDGVRXWKRI(QFDPSPHQW
RQ&DUERQ&RXQW\5RDG
Making tracks
W
e met our guide, Rosalyn, shortly
after 1 p.m. at Brush Creek Ranch,
near Saratoga on Highway 130.
Never a big fan of winter, this would be
P\ÀUVWVQRZVKRHLQJH[SHULHQFH,·GEHHQ
told it is simply a winter version of hiking,
DQG,GRORYHKLNLQJ
´<RXGRQ·WUHDOO\QHHGDORWRIWHFKQLTXHV
WRGRLW,W·VMXVWOLNHZDONLQJLQWKHVQRZµ
said Debbie Bishop, owner of nearby Medicine Bow Lodge.
´,W·VWKHEHVWVQRZDFWLYLW\IRUEHJLQQHUVµ5RVDO\QWROGPHDV,FOXQNHGDURXQG
the lobby of the activity lodge in huge boots
DQGZKDWIHOWOLNHPHWDOH[WHQVLRQVRIP\
feet.
7KHVHVQRZVKRHVORRNTXLWHGLIIHUHQW
IURPWKHLPDJH,RULJLQDOO\KDGLQP\KHDG
ZKLFKZDVRIWKHWUDGLWLRQDOWHQQLVUDFTXHW
looking type – the type probably used by
someone like Jim Baker, a local “mountain
PDQµZKRURDPHGWKHVRXWKHUQ:\RPLQJ
wilderness during the 19th century.
But the principles are the same. Snowshoes work by distributing the weight of
a person over a larger area so the person
´ÁRDWVµRQWKHVQRZLQVWHDGRIVLQNLQJDOO
the way down.
:HJHWLQWR5RVDO\Q·V-HHSDQGZHVHW
out into the undisturbed white canvas of the
ranch. Brush Creek is a private recreational
facility where guests are provided with free
HTXLSPHQWDQGDPHQLWLHVWRHQMR\DZLGH
range of both outdoor and indoor activities.
:KLOHLWOHDQVWRZDUGWKHOX[XULRXVVLGH
guests pretty much have the entire 15,000
acres to themselves during the winter.
We stop by a creek, get out, and start
walking up a hill. The good thing about
VQRZVKRHLQJLV\RXFDQZDONMXVWDERXW
anywhere you want. When you are doing
other activities, such as snowmobiling or
cross-country skiing, you have to stay on
certain trails.
The art of snowshoeing has been around
for more than 4,000 years, but during its
earlier days it was a necessity for winter
transportation. Today, the sleek, modernized versions are mostly used for recreational purposes, though a modern forest ranger
may have to put them on to check on areas
inaccessible by vehicle.
,IHOWP\ERG\ZDUPXSTXLFNO\,WZDV
TXLWHDZRUNRXWEXWLWZDVIXQWREHDEOHWR
ZDONRQVQRZXVLQJVXFKDXQLTXHPHWKRG
And the scenery was beautiful. After about
an hour of making tracks, we take a loop
around a bridge and head back to the lodge.
****
The other two popular winter activities
in Carbon County are snowmobiling and
cross-country skiing.
Bishop said people have two main reasons for snowmobiling. “There are the ones
WKDWOLNHWRMXVWJRIRUVHHLQJWKHVFHQHU\µ
she said. “Then you have the thrill seekers.
,W·VUHDOO\KLJKDGUHQDOLQHDVIDUDVMXPSV
most developed snowmobile area in the
county, with 306 miles of trails. These trails
can be accessed from Saratoga, Riverside,
Encampment and Elk Mountain.
The Sierra Madres can be accessed from
Baggs, on the west, or Encampment, on the
east. Another spot the CCVC recommends
is the Shirley Mountains north of Hanna
and Medicine Bow.
´,QDGGLWLRQWRGHVLJQDWHGFURVVFRXQWU\
ski trails, almost all snowmobile trails are
DOVRDFFHVVLEOHWRVNLLQJDQGVQRZVKRHLQJµ
the CCVC website reports.
Popular public cross-country skiing
spots in the county include the Bottle Creek
Trails west of Encampment and the Brush
Creek Trails southeast of Saratoga.
Visit http://wyotrails.state.wy.us to
download a snowmobile trail map or call
the Wyoming State Snowmobile Program at
307-777-7550. Cross-country skiing maps
can be downloaded from the US Forest Service website at http://www.fs.usda.gov.
Maps are also available at the Rawlins-Carbon County Chamber of Commerce,
519 W. Cedar St., Rawlins, 307-324-4411
Snowshoes & cross-country skis
Saratoga Resort and Spa, 601 E. Pic Pike Road, Saratoga,
307-326-5261, sleds also available
Trading Post, 410 Riverside Ave., Riverside/Encampment,
307-327-5720
Medicine Bow Lodge, Star Route 8A, Saratoga, 1-800409-5439, call ahead to check availability
Brush Creek Ranch, 66 Brush Creek Ranch Road, Saratoga, 307-324-5284, available to guests only
RQWKHWUDLOV3HRSOHKDYHDORWRIIXQµ
According to the Carbon County Visitors
Center, Snowy Range is the largest and
Snowmobiles
Saratoga Resort and Spa, 601 E. Pic Pike Road., Saratoga,
307-326-5261, guided and unguided tours
58 | EXPLORE
Step back to the 1900s: Historic Hotels
Travel back to the days of the Wild,
Wild West when you stay in one of these
historic hotels in Carbon County. All family owned and operated, the hospitality you
will receive at these places also harkens to
the customs of yore. Just beware; legend
has it some of these hotels are haunted.
Hotel Wolf
101 E. Bridge St., Saratoga
2IÀFLDOO\RSHQLQJLWVGRRUVRQ-DQ
1894, the “Grand Old Gal of the Valley”
celebrates its 120th anniversary this year.
It was built for $6,000 by German immigrant Frederick Wolf, who had traveled to
Saratoga to seek relief for his rheumatism
in the hot springs.
The two-story Victorian-style hotel
quickly became a popular resting spot for
people traveling between the Grand Encampment mines and Walcott Junction on
WKH8QLRQ3DFLÀF5DLOURDG·VPDLQOLQH´,W
ZDVDZRUNLQJPDQ·VSODFHµRZQHU'RXJ
Campbell said. It was also known as Hotel
Sisson for many years.
The hotel was also a meeting spot for
the people of Saratoga, and was often the
scene of extravagant galas and celebrations.
The Campbells bought the hotel in
1977 and have since expanded it into a
successful restaurant business.
People come from all over the state and
EH\RQGWRGLQHDWWKLVÀQHHVWDEOLVKPHQW
which is perhaps best known for prime rib,
steak, sandwiches and cheesecake.
The hotel currently has 10 rooms available. Call 307-326-5525 for reservations or
visit www.wolfhotel.com.
Virginian Hotel
404 Lincoln Highway, Medicine Bow
After visiting Medicine Bow, author
Owen Wister wrote “The Virginian,” a
1902 novel about Wild West ranch life.
A year prior to that, work began on a
three-story hotel along the Old Lincoln
Highway in Medicine Bow. It opened in
1911 as the Virginian Hotel, named after
:LVWHU·VQRYHO
´,W·VDOZD\VEHHQOLNHDELJKRXVHIRU
a big family, though,” said Vernon Scott,
third-generation owner and Medicine Bow
native. “We love to sit and chat and can
serve a group family-style, in big bowls
on the table, or anything like that if you
want.”
The rooms are colorfully decorated in
the Old West style, and suites are also
DYDLODEOH7KH\·UHVWLOOLQWKHHDUO\V
style: small but cozy.
7KHKRWHOKDVDEDUDQGDÀQHUHVWDXrant that is perhaps best known for
DINING & LODGING | 59
biscuits and gravy, chicken-fried steak, pie
and cinnamon rolls.
Call 307-379-2377 for reservations. Learn more at www.facebook.
com/pages/The-Historic-Virginian-Hotel/335140298460
Elk Mountain Hotel
102 E. Main St., Elk Mountain
Work started on the Elk Mountain
Hotel in 1905, with the aim to make it one
of the most modern and up-to-date luxury
hotels in the area.
Current owner Susan Havers said the
hotel was completely restored before she
and her husband Arthur purchased the
building in 2007. Like many hotels built in
that era, it started with shared bathrooms,
but has since been updated to having private bathrooms for every room.
Many of the rooms are named after faPRXVKLVWRULFÀJXUHVVXFKDV1HOO\7D\ORH
5RVVWKHÀUVWIHPDOHJRYHUQRUDQG(OL]D
6ZDLQZKRZDVWKHÀUVWZRPDQWRYRWHLQ
an open and public election in Wyoming on
Sept. 6, 1870.
The hotel décor itself is a step back
in time. “We try to hearken back to that
slower age, I suppose,” Havers said. “At the
end of the day you settled around a table
with a meal and something to drink and
had a conversation. That was the entertainment.”
Some of the rooms are named after
famous musicians who played the venue
and stayed at the hotel. Hank Thompson,
Lawrence Welk and Louis Armstrong all
played at the Elk Mountain Garden Spot
and Pavilion, located on the hotel grounds,
in the 1950s.
Havers, a Cordon Bleu-trained chef, is
carrying on of the hotel’s tradition of serving good, traditional Western food, too. The
restaurant is perhaps best known for lamb,
duck, steak and bread pudding.
Call 307-348-7774 for reservations or
visit www.elkmountainhotel.com.
Ferris Mansion
Built as a private residence for the
Ferris family and now a bed and breakIDVWWKHPDQVLRQUHFHLYHGLWVÀUVWJXHVWV
in 1979 under the ownership of David and
Janice Lubbers. They closed it to the public
in 1998 until their daughter, Kaye-Marie
Wilder, reopened it as a business in 2010.
The mansion was commissioned by
George Ferris in the late 19th century and
is essentially a replica of the Queen-Anne
style C. R. Joy House in Keokuk, Iowa.
George never saw the house because
he died in a buggy accident in 1900. His
widow, Julia, oversaw the completion of
the mansion in 1903 and lived there until
her death in 1931.
The mansion had been partitioned into
a makeshift rental until the Lubbers purchased and renovated it.
Wilder believes the Ferris Mansion is
popular because of its location. “Most bedand-breakfasts are destinations,” she said.
“I’m not. It’s a stopping point.” She receives
visitors from all over the world on their
ZD\WR<HOORZVWRQH1DWLRQDO3DUN0W
Rushmore and other locations.
Though only for guests, Wilder is proud
of her homemade breakfast. “I always
have a homemade granola and a big bowl
of fresh fruit to start with,” she said. “I
have a caramel apple French toast and I
take the pancake very seriously. There’s
homemade buttermilk or citrus pancakes
… topped with homemade syrup.”
She also makes her own bread, which
her guests enjoy preparing themselves in
an antique toaster.
The mansion is currently for sale, but
Wilder said she is only willing to sell to
someone who plans to keep it as a bed and
breakfast.
Call Kaye-Marie at 307-710-3961 or
visit www.ferrismansion.com for more
information
60 | EXPLORE
Dining
Rawlins
Aspen House Restaurant
318 Fifth St.
307-324-4787
Anong’s Thai Cuisine
210 Fifth St.
307-324-6262
Burger King
2510 E. Cedar St.
307-324-3866
Buck’s Sports Grill
401 W. Cedar St.
307-382-5582
Buck’s
DINING & LODGING | 61
Penny’s Diner
Cappy’s
Restaurant
2351 Spruce St.
307-324-4847
China House
1800 E. Cedar St.
307-324-3636
Diamond Lil’s
McDonald’s
307-324-7706
Inside the Days Inn
2222 E. Cedar St.
307-324-6615
2225 E. Cedar St.
307-324-7377
Rose’s Lariat
Domino’s
Michael’s Big City Bar
and Grill
312 W. Cedar St.
307-328-1400
1711 W. Spruce St.
307-324-4868
El Moreno
Cloverleaf Cafe
113 Fourth St.
307-328-0180
Country Pride
Inside the T.A.
1400 S Higley Blvd
307-324-8722
Deb B’s Family Espresso
1902 E. Cedar St.
307-324-2919
Denny’s
I-80 and Johnson Road
307-324-0078
114 5th St.
307-349-4157
Huckleberry’s
509 W. Cedar St.
307-324-4758
The Office Bar & Grill
1307 W. Spruce St.
307-324-3290
410 E. Cedar St.
307-324-5261
Subway
2014 E. Cedar St.
307-324-6130
Tex Mex Restaurant
416 W. Cedar
Penny’s Diner
Tico’s Tavern
2005 Daley St.
307-324-4700
309 W. Cedar St.
307-324-5474
606 E. Cedar St.
307-324-2673
Peppermill Bar & Cactus
Jack’s
Sinclair
KFC-Taco Bell
1602 Inverness Blvd.
307-324-8100
2421 Plaza St.
307-328-5890
Pizza Hut
Jerry’s Donuts
506 Higley Blvd.
I-80 Travel Plaza
Ext.221 off Interstate 80
307-324-4407
62 | EXPLORE
The Corner Bar
Bella’s Bistro
101 N 10th St.
307-324-2407
218 N. First St.
307-326-8033
Su Casa
J.W. Hugus Restaurant
Ryan Park
405 N. First St.
Rendezvous Lodge
20 N. Penland St.
307-383-7515
Platte River Pizza
Wyoming Highway 130
888-326-8998 (toll free)
307-326-8998
Medicine Bow
705 E. Lincoln Ave.
307-328-1745
Saratoga
Silver Saddle Restaurant
601 E. Pic Pike Road
800-594-0178 (toll free)
307-326-5261
Hotel Wolf
101 E. Bridge St.
307-326-5525
113 W. Bridge St.
307-326-8932
Sweet Marie’s
117 W. Bridge St.
307-326-3244
Lollypops
107 Bridge Ave.
307-326-5020
Duke’s Bar and Grill
Riverside
110 E. Bridge St.
307-326-3853
Bear Trap Cafe & Bar
Whistle Pig Saloon
2000 Highway 130
307-326-5477
120 Riverside Ave.
307-327-5277
Mangy Moose
Bar and Grill
108 Riverside Ave.
307-327-5117
Hanna
216 Cottonwood
307-383-7722
El Rio Restaurante
The Virginian
Eating House
Dingy Dan’s
404 Lincoln Highway
307-379-2377
Miner’s Plaza
307-325-9829
Elk Mountain
Nugget Bar
2200 First St.
307-325-6872
Baggs
Bobcat Inn
15 S. Miles St.
307-383-7059
The Dixon Club
Elk Mountain
Hotel Restaurant
Reservations required
102 E. Main St.
307-348-7774
Wamsutter
Broadway Cafe
315 Broadway
307-324-1056
DINING & LODGING | 63
Hotels and motels
Rawlins
Days Inn of Rawlins
Hotels/Motels
America's Best Value Inn
Phone: 307-324-6615
Address: 2222 E. Cedar St.
Web: www.daysinn.com
Phone: 1-888-315-2378
Address: 1392 S. Higley Blvd. (Exit
214 off I-80)
Web: www.americasbestvalueinn.
com
Econo Lodge
Phone: 307-324-2905
Address: 1500 W. Spruce St.
Web: www.econolodge.com
Best Western
CottonTree Inn
Express Inn of Rawlins
Phone: 307-324-2737 or 800662-6886
Address: 2221 W. Spruce St.
Web: book.bestwestern.com/
bestwestern
1st Choice Inn
Comfort Inn of Rawlins
Phone: 307-324-3663
Address: 2366 E. Cedar St.
Web: comfortinn.com/bestrate/
rawlins-wyoming-hotels
Phone: 307-324-3471
Address: 1720 E. Spruce St.
Phone: 307-328-1401 or 1-866578-8596
Address: 1904 E. Cedar St.
Web: www.1stchoicerawlins.com
Holiday Inn Express
Phone: 307-324-3760 or 888233-9450
Address: 201 Airport Road
Hotel Wolf
64 | EXPLORE
Web: www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress
The Hampton Inn
Phone: 307-324-2320
Address: 406 Airport Road
Web: hamptoninn3.hilton.com
Key Motel
Phone: 307-328-5621
Address: 1806 E. Cedar St.
(Exit 215 off I-80)
Oak Tree Inn
Phone: 307-324-4700
Address: 2005 E. Daley St.
Web: www.oaktreeinn.com
Roadway Inn of Rawlins
Phone: 307-324-2783
or 307-324-9476
Address: 1801 E. Cedar St.
Super 8 Motel
Phone: 307-324-2583
Address: 1819 W. Spruce St.
Phone: 307-328-0630
Address: 2338 Wagon Circle
Drive
(Exit 211 off I-80)
Web: www.super8.com
Microtel Inns & Suites
Travelodge
Phone: 307-324-5588
Address: 812 Locust St.
Motel 7
Phone: 307-328-1600
Address: 1617 W. Spruce St.
(Exit 211 off I-80)
Web: www.travelodge.com
Phone: 307-324-2263
Address: 1915 W. Spruce St.
(Exit 211 off I-80)
Campgrounds
KOA Campground
La Bella Motel
Phone: 307-328-2021 or 800-
562-7559
Address: 205 E. Highway 71
Web: http://koa.com/campgrounds/rawlins/?ccwu
Saratoga
RV World Campground
Phone: 307-326-5751
Address: 1500 S. First St.
Phone: 307-328-1091 or 877-3281091
Address: 3101 Wagon Circle Road
(Exit 211 off I-80)
Web: www.rvworldcampground.
com
Western Hills
Campground
Phone: 307-324-2592 or 888568-3040
Address: 2500 Wagon Circle
Road
Web: westernhillscampground.
com
Bed & Breakfast
Ferris Mansion
Phone: 307-710-3961
Address: 607 W. Maple St.
Web: ferrismansion.com
Hotels/Motels
Hacienda Motel
The Riviera Lodge
on the River
Phone: 307-326-5651 or 866326-5651
Address: 104 E. Saratoga
Web: www.therivieralodge.com
Sage and Sand Motel
Phone: 307-326-8339 or 888860-8339
Address: 311 S. First St.
Web: sageandsandmotel.net
Saratoga Resort & Spa
Phone: 307-326-5161 or 800594-0178
Address: 601 E. Pic Pike Road
Web: www.saratogaresortandspa.com
DINING & LODGING | 65
Silver Moon Motel
Ryan Park
Campgrounds/Motels
Elk Mountain
Phone: 307-326-5974
Address: 412 Bridge St.
Medicine Bow Lodge
Lazy Acres
Campground and Motel
Hotels/Motels
Hotel Wolf
Phone: 307-326-5525
Address: 101 E. Bridge St.
Web: www.wolfhotel.com/index.
html
Guest Houses/
Ranches/RV Parks
Deer Haven RV Park
Phone: 307-326-8746
Address: 706 N. First St.
Web: www.deerhavenrv.com
Saratoga Lake
Campground & RV Park
Phone: 307-326-8335
Address: Saratoga Lake
Roan Hill Ranch
Guesthouse
Phone: 307-326-8502
Address: 1107 Hugus Ave.
Web: www.roanhillranch.com
Cabins/Cottages
Jack Creek
Ranger Station
Phone: 307-326-5258 or 877444-6777
Reserve online: www.reserveamerica.com
Address: Call for directions
Season Dates: June 15, 2014Oct. 21, 2014
Platte River Cottages
Phone: 307-321-1658
Address: 117 E. Elm
Web: platterivercottages.com
The River Cottages
Phone: 800-409-5439 or 307326-5439
Address: Star Route 8A, Saratoga, Snowy Range Highway 130
Web: www.medbowlodge.com
The Place
Phone: 307-326-8372
Address: 20 miles southeast
of Saratoga on Snowy Range
Highway 130
Rendezvous Lodge
Phone: 307-362-8998 or 888326-8998
Address: Scenic Byway 130 and
Ryan Park Road
Web: therendezvouslodge.net
Ten Mile Inn
Phone: 307-326-5928
Address: Highway 130, Snowy
Range Road
Web: www.tenmileinn.com
Bed and Breakfast
The Hood House
Phone: 307-326-8901
Address: 214 N. Third Ave.
Web: www.hoodhousebnb.com
Encampment/
Riverside
Cabins
Bed & Breakfasts/
Lodges/Ranches
Spirit West River Lodge
Bed & Breakfast
Phone: 307-327-5753
Address: Encampment
Web site: www.spiritwestriverlodge
Platt's Rustic Mountain
Lodge and Bed and
Breakfast
Phone: 307-327-5539
Address: HC 32, Encampment
Web: www.plattoutﬁtters.com
Spur Outﬁtters' Elk
Hallow Lodge
Phone: 307-327-6505
Address: Encampment
Web: www.spuroutﬁtters.com
Water Valley Ranch
Phone: 307-509-0227
or 307-327-5536
Address: 353 Finley Hill Road
Web: www.watervalleyranch.com
Cottonwood Cabins
Medicine Bow
Phone: 307-327-5151
Address: 411 First St., Riverside
Wed: cottonwoodcabinswy.com
Hotels
Virginian Hotel
Riverside Garage
and Cabins
Phone: 307-379-2377
Address: 404 Lincoln Highway
Web: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Historic-Virginian-Hotel
Stoney Creek Outﬁtters
Phone: 307-326-8750
Address: 216 E. Walnut
Web: www.ﬁshstoneycreek.com
Phone: 307-327-5361
Address: Located in Riverside
on Highway 230
Web: www.riversidegarageandcabins.com
The Lodge & Spa
at Brush Creek
River Ridge Cabins
Phone: 307-327-5284
Address: 66 Brush Creek Ranch
Road
Web: www.brushcreekranch.
com
Phone: 307-5968
Address: Main Office: 110 Fields
Ave., Riverside; located 38 miles
South of I-80 (exit 235)
Web: www.lazyacreswyo.com
Phone: 307-327-5345
Address: 2 miles north of Encampment
Web: wyriverridge.com
Guest Dude Ranch
M&M Ranch Vacations
and Outﬁtting
Phone: 1 Fisher Road, one mile
east of Medicine Bow
Address: 307-379-2215
The Historic Elk
Mountain Motel
Phone: 307-348-7774
Address: 102 E. Main St.
Web: www.elkmountainhotel.
com
Ranches/Cabins
Elk Mountain Cabins
Phone: 307-348-7778
Address: 107 Main St.
Web: www.elkmountaincabins.com
Baggs
Hotels/Motels
Country Inn Motel
Phone: 307-383-6449
Address: 800 Highway 789
RV Parks
Happy Camper RV Park
Phone: 307-383-7120 or 307380-8083
Address: 1 mile north of Baggs
on Highway 789
Bed and Breakfast
Bobcat Inn Bed and
Breakfast
Phone: 307-383-7059
Address: 15 Miles St.
Web: www.facebook.com/Bobcatinn
Savery
Dude and Guest Ranch
Boyer YL Ranch
(June 1-Sept. 1)
Phone:
Address: 831-624-3426 or 505670-2359
Web: boyerylranch.com
Dixon
Motel
The Dixon Motel
Phone: 307-383-2300
Address: 217 Cottonwood St.,
66 | EXPLORE
Rawlins
Population
Rawlins is home to a projected 9,173 people, according to a
2013 census estimate.
History
Rawlins draws its namesake
from Civil War veteran Maj.
Gen. John Rawlins. The general
arrived in the area in 1867 on
a surveying trip with Union
3DFLÀF&KLHI(QJLQHHU*UHQYLOOH
Dodge, in hopes that the dry
air of the West would help his
tuberculosis.
Out of water, the party
discovered a spring near where
the town of Rawlins now stands.
The general proclaimed its
water the sweetest he’d ever
tasted. “(Rawlins) said that if
anything was ever named for
him, he wanted it to be a spring
of water. I said, ‘We will name
this Rawlins Springs,’” recalled
Dodge in his memoir.
The town that sprung up
nearby was named Rawlins
Springs. It was designated as
a division point of the railroad
and a depot was built. By the
time the town was incorporated
in 1886, the “Springs” had been
dropped from its name.
Major events
A favorite event during
Rawlins’ mild summers is Music
in the Park. Hosted at Washington Park, the concert series
features musicians performing
a variety of genres on a weekly
basis. Downtown Rawlins hosts
the popular Summerfest, an
annual celebration featuring
outhouse races, sidewalk sales,
children’s activities and games
and an ice cream eating contest.
A local favorite is the Cow Plop,
where cows are placed on a grid
and people bet on where the cow
´SORSVµÀUVW
for children. Another popular
spot is the Rochelle Ranch Golf
Course, which offers visitors
a chance to tee off on a course
that Golf Digest ranked 29th
on its 2010 list of the nation’s
toughest golf courses. Rawlins
is also home to the Carbon
County Fair and Rodeo, which
draws contestants from all over
the state.
Things to do
As the county seat, Rawlins
is the gateway to the outdoor
playgrounds of Carbon County.
A favorite attraction in Rawlins
is the Carbon County Museum,
which is ever expanding and
adding new displays, including
an interactive “Discovery Zone”
Places to see
The Wyoming Frontier
Prison, also known as the
2OG3HQÀUVWRSHQHGLQ
and housed more than 13,000
inmates during its 80 years as
a correctional facility. Now, the
Old Pen attracts visitors with
its “I did time in Rawlins, WY”
COMMUNITIES | 67
slogan and hosts guided tours through the
prison, including a visit to the death chamber.
The prison’s haunted tours around Halloween
can also be quite the experience.
Shopping and dining
Rawlins offers an array of shops that cover
everything from hunting gear to souvenirs. In
addition to good ol’ American fare, Rawlins also
has a nice selection of ethnic restaurants, including Thai, Mexican and Chinese. The town
has two supermarkets: City Market and the
UHFHQWO\RSHQHG:DOPDUW)RUWKHÀUVWWLPHLQ
many years, Rawlins now boasts an art gallery
and bookstore, both located downtown.
Economy
Rawlins’ top employers include the Wyoming State Penitentiary, Carbon County
School District 1 and Memorial Hospital of
Carbon County.
68 | EXPLORE
Saratoga
Saratoga
“Most people come here to ﬁsh in the lake and soak in
the hot pools, but we do encourage walks downtown
and visiting the Chamber of Commerce.”
— Saratoga Clerk Suzie Cox
Population
Saratoga is home to a projected 1,671 people, according
to a 2013 census estimate.
History
The mineral hot springs,
located right in the middle of
town, has long drawn people
to the Platte River Valley. The
ÀUVWWRXVHWKHVSULQJVZHUH
Native American tribes, who
called the area “the place of
magic waters.” The town itself
was founded in the early 1870s
under the name of “Warm
Springs.” Former Wyoming
governor Fenimore Chatterton,
who grew up on the East Coast,
renamed the town Saratoga in
1884 after Saratoga Springs
of New York. Soldiers from
surrounding forts, including
Fort Fred Steele, came to the
DUHDDQGÀOHGZDWHUULJKWVLQ
the 1870s. Ranchers also made
their early homes around Saratoga. Some of these ranches are
still in existence today.
Major events
Visitors to Saratoga in the
summer can attend the Platte
River Rodeo Association Rodeo
in July at the Buck Springs
Rodeo Arena. Other favorites
include the Steinley Cup state
microbrewery competition
and Bullfest, a bull riders-only event. During the winter,
visitors can compete in the
DQQXDOLFHÀVKLQJGHUE\DQG
bet Calcutta-style at the annual Donald E. Erickson Chariot
Races.
ing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting and horseback
riding.
Attractions
Saratoga is known for its
mineral hot springs. Visitors
can either soak in the pools of
the Saratoga Resort and Spa
or take a free dip at the Hobo
Pools in the middle of town.
Saratoga Lake provides yearURXQGÀVKLQJZLWKDQLFHÀVKing derby that attracts anglers
from all around the country. In
the summer, the lake is often
XVHGIRUERDWLQJZLQGVXUÀQJ
and water skiing. The nearby Medicine Bow Forest and
Snowy Range provide hundreds
of miles of trails for snowmobil-
Things to do
9LVLWRUVFDQHQMR\DÁRDWWULS
down the North Platte River
starting in Saratoga or schedule an outdoor adventure, such
DVDJXLGHGÀVKLQJWULSZLWK
RQHRIWKHPDQ\RXWÀWWHUVLQ
town. The North Platte River
LVNQRZQIRULWVWURSK\ÀVKLQJ
opportunities, hence the town’s
motto, “Where the Trout Leap
on Main Street.” Travelers can
stop for lunch or shopping in
town before embarking upon
the Snowy Range Scenic Byway
— usually open from Memorial
Day weekend to mid-October
COMMUNITIES | 69
— and traverse the Medicine
Bow Mountain Range.
Places to see
The Saratoga Museum is
housed in the 1915 Union
3DFLÀF5DLOURDG'HSRW,Q
DGGLWLRQWRKLVWRULFDODUWLIDFWV
WKHPXVHXPLVKRPHWRRQHRI
:\RPLQJ·VODUJHVWJHPDQG
PLQHUDOGLVSOD\VDQGLQFOXGHV
DQH[KLELWRI:\RPLQJMDGH
7KHPXVHXPDOVRKDVRQGLVSOD\DUHDOPDPPRWK·VWRRWK
IURPDQHDUE\H[FDYDWLRQ
VDPHPDJD]LQHUDQNHGWKH
WRZQWKRQLWVOLVWRIWKHWRS
20 outdoor recreation cities in
the nation.
SOLHVIURPVHYHUDOSODFHVLQ
WRZQDQGWKHPDLQVWUHHWIHDWXUHVDJDOOHU\WKDWGLVSOD\V
ZRUNIURPUHJLRQDODUWLVWV
Nationally known
Saratoga was ranked 10th
LQ2XWGRRU/LIH0DJD]LQH·V
OLVWRIWRSKXQWLQJDQG
ÀVKLQJWRZQVLQWKHQDWLRQ
LQ(DUOLHULQWKH
Dining/shopping
6DUDWRJDRIIHUVDZLGH
UDQJHRIGLQLQJRSSRUWXQLWLHV
UDQJLQJIURPJRXUPHW,WDOLDQ
WRJULOOHGEXUJHUV9LVLWRUVFDQ
EX\KXQWLQJDQGÀVKLQJVXS-
Economy
7KHWRZQ·VWRSHPSOR\HUV
LQFOXGH&DUERQ&RXQW\6FKRRO
'LVWULFW86)RUHVW6HUYLFH
)RUHVW0DQDJHPHQWDQG6LQFODLU2LO5HÀQHU\
70 | EXPLORE
Sinclair
“Our attractions would be the Parco/Sinclair museum, the
fountain during summer because it’s spectacular when it’s ﬁlled.
People should also go to the Parco Hotel and ask for a tour.”
— Sinclair Clerk Lezlee Musgrave
Population
Sinclair is home to a projected 426 people, according to a
2013 census estimate.
History
Founded in 1924, Sinclair
was originally named “Parco”
DIWHUWKH3URGXFHUVDQG5HÀQHUV
Corporation (PARCO), which
built what is now known as
6LQFODLU:\RPLQJ5HÀQLQJ&RPpany. Residents voted to rename
the town Sinclair in 1943 after
WKH6LQFODLU5HÀQLQJ&RPSDQ\
purchased all of PARCO’s properties in 1935. Originally, the
town was company-owned, but
LQWKH6LQFODLU5HÀQLQJ
Company sold the houses to
WKHLURFFXSDQWV7KHUHÀQHU\
located in the center of the town,
remains in use today.
Major events
The annual Holiday Fair
offers shoppers a multitude of
items, including holiday crafts,
jewelry, food and clothing. The
event takes place in November,
a week or two before Thanksgiving, or in early December at
the Sinclair Recreation Center.
Things to do
History enthusiasts can
learn about the area’s past at
the Parco/Sinclair Museum, a
historic building that served as
the First National Bank of Parco from 1924-1933. The historic
district features unique Spanish
Mission style architecture and
a large “bearcat” fountain that
was recently renovated. Visitors
can tee off at the Sinclair Golf
Course, which is usually open
from mid-April to mid-October.
Golfers can play an 18-hole
game on the nine-hole course,
which contains two tee boxes.
Economy
As it has since its founding, Sinclair’s economy relies
KHDYLO\RQWKHUHÀQHU\ZKLFK
produces 60,000 barrels of
petroleum products per day.
Sinclair Oil is the town’s largest
employer.
COMMUNITIES | 71
Elk Mountain
“The new museum, our easy access to
Medicine Bow National Forest and our
historic Elk Mountain Hotel make Elk
Mountain a good visit.”
— Clerk Linda Crane
Population
Elk Mountain is home
to a projected 196 people,
according to a 2013 census
estimate.
History
The town of Elk Mountain shares its name with
a mountain located seven
miles away, which was
named after Sioux Chief
Standing Elk. The area was
originally used as a crossing
point over the Medicine Bow
River. Ben Holladay had a
stage stop built at what was
known as Medicine Bow River Crossing. As time passed,
the town’s economy turned
to timber, mining and ranchLQJ7KHWRZQ
VÀUVWVWRUH
was built in 1902.
Things to do
Elk Mountain is home
to the Historic Elk Mountain Hotel. Built in 1905,
the hotel boasts about its
historic roots, serving “entrepreneurs and laborers who
traveled (to Elk Mountain)
for the timber, mineral and
ranching industries.” Another structure on the historic
river is the bridge crossing
Medicine Bow River. The
one-lane bridge is more
than 100 years old. The
county moved the trusses
of the bridge to county road
109 in 2012. They’re set up
alongside an existing bridge
and are still visible from far
away.
Gateway to the outdoors
Visitors can cast a line
into the Medicine Bow River
from the town park or they
can take a scenic drive
on County Road 400, also
known as Rattle Snake Pass
Road, or Pass Creek Road.
Both routes connect to Wyoming Highway 130.
72 | EXPLORE
Hanna
Hanna’s standouts are the Rec Center, museum
and the elementary school because it’s high-tech.”
— Hanna Clerk Vivian Gonzales
Population
Hanna is home to a projected 827 people according to a 2013 census estimate.
History
The town of Hanna was established in
E\WKH8QLRQ3DFLÀF&RDO&RPSDQ\
as a company town. Many Hanna residents have family stories to tell about the
No. 1 mine explosion in 1903 and again in
1908. The 1903 explosion killed 169, making it the largest coalmine disaster in the
history of Wyoming. The mining industry
KDVÁXFWXDWHGFRQVLGHUDEO\LQWKHDUHD$
slowdown occurred after 1954 when Union
3DFLÀFFRQYHUWHGWRGLHVHOSRZHUHGORFRPRtives. The industry was revived in the late
1970s and 1980s — mainly by strip mines
— before slacking again in the late 1980s.
Hanna’s population peaked at 2,294 people
in 1980 and has steadily declined since the
coalmines ceased their operations.
Major events
King Coal Days, which commemorates
the town’s mining history, usually takes
place annually at the end of July. The
event includes a parade and horseshoe
DQGFULEEDJHWRXUQDPHQWV$QLQÁDWDEOH
amusement park is set up for children.
Things to do
Hanna is a gateway to a variety of
outdoor recreational opportunities. Visi-
Medicine Bow
Population
The town of Medicine Bow is
home to a projected 277 people, according to a 2012 census
estimate. This number is slightly
less than the 2010 census, which
calculated 284 people.
History
Like many other towns across
southern Wyoming, Medicine
Bow was established as a result
of the construction of the transcontinental railroad in 1868.
In the mid-1880s, Philadelphia
lawyer Owen Wister stopped in
town and wrote a description of
the town in his journal. He later
used the historic setting of Medicine Bow as a backdrop for his
novel "The Virginian," which is
FRQVLGHUHGWREHWKHÀUVWQRYHORI
the “Western” genre. The historic Virginian Hotel, completed in
1911, was named after the novel.
Major events
Medicine Bow is home to Bow
Days, an annual celebration
weekend in June. Events include
WRUVFDQÀQGKXQWLQJDQGÀVKLQJVSRWVLQ
the area or head north to Elk Mountain
or south to the Medicine Bow National
)RUHVWZKLFKRIIHUVFDPSLQJKLNLQJÀVKing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing,
snow-shoeing and trails for horseback
riding.
Economy
The newest development in Hanna’s
economy stems from a groundbreaking
company. The area has been selected to
EHFRPHKRPHWRRQHRIWKHÀUVWFRDOWRJDVoline companies in the United States,
DKRW. The project was expected to start
construction in 2014, but has since been
on hold.
The Virginian Hotel and museum are good visits. And the Dino
Cabin. Although it is closed down, the real interest is the outside because it’s made out of dinosaur bones back when that
was allowed. — Medicine Bow Clerk Karen Heath
a parade, outdoor dances and a
re-enactment of the lynching of
Dutch Charlie, which took place
in nearby Carbon.
Things to do
Visitors can enjoy a meal
or stay at the Virginian Hotel,
named after Owen Wister’s classic novel. The hotel also hosts
the “Battle of Old Wyoming”
music festival in August. A few
miles east on Highway 30 is the
Dinosaur Fossil Cabin, built
entirely of bones excavated from
the nearby “dinosaur graveyard”
of Como Bluff.
Economy
In contrast to Medicine Bow’s
early days, when the workforce
relied heavily on the railroad,
the town’s top employer is now
the Virginian Hotel. Residents
are preparing for the construction of the DKRW coal-to-liquid
SODQW²RQHRIWKHÀUVWRILWVNLQG
in the nation. The project is
expected to bring more jobs back
to the town.
CARBON COUNTY | 73
Baggs
Population
Baggs is home to a projected 435 people, according to a
2013 census estimate.
History
Baggs, established in 1879,
was named after Maggie
and George Baggs, early
settlers and ranchers. Prior
to its founding, fur trappers,
prospectors and Native
Americans were drawn to the
area around Baggs, known
as the Little Snake River
Valley. The infamous outlaws
“It would have to be our big beautiful community
center and the Baggs Outlaw Stop.”
— Baggs Mayor Katharine Staman
Butch Cassidy, the Sundance
Kid and the rest of the "Wild
Bunch" are said to have
frequented Baggs and Dixon
quite often.
Major events
Baggs and other members
of the Little Snake River
Valley boast several events,
including the annual Music
Fest in July at the Little
Snake River Museum in Savery, located about 11 miles
east of Baggs. The Fall Trek,
a day trip that takes partic-
ipants to various historical
sites in the area, takes place
in September.
Things to do
Visitors can visit the Outlaw Stop and view the house
that Butch Cassidy occasionally stayed in. Sportsmen also
can take advantage of local
hunting with the aid of local
RXWÀWWLQJEXVLQHVVHV9LVLWRUV
also can take a drive along
the Battle Pass scenic byway
(Wyoming Highway 70) starting in Baggs and traveling
east on through Dixon and
Savery to Encampment and
Riverside. The route winds
through the Medicine Bow
National Forest and passes
by several campgrounds.
Travelers should note that
the byway is closed during
the winter months.
Economy
The Devon Energy Corporation is Baggs’ major
employer. The area is also
home to various ranching and
oil and gas operations.
74 | EXPLORE
Encampment/Riverside
“For Riverside it would be ﬁshing on the Encampment River beause it runs right
through town, and in July people have to come and attend WHAT Fest.”
— Council member Fred Lorenz
Population
The town of Encampment is
home to a projected 443 people according to a 2013 census
estimate. Riverside is home to a
projected 53 people, according to
a 2013 census estimate.
History
Encampment and Riverside
are the only two remaining
towns of the eight Hamlets of
the Grand Encampment, which
were mostly formed after the
1897 copper strike in nearby Sierra Madre Mountains. During
the boom period, Encampment’s
population numbered in the
thousands. At one point a 16-
mile aerial tramway was built
– at that time the longest in the
world. In 1908, the company,
which had produced $2 million
in copper ore, was indicted for
overcapitalization and fraudulent stock sales. Mines closed
and most of the settlements were
abandoned. A large sawmill operated in the town between 1950
and 1998.
Major events
Encampment is home to the
Woodchoppers Jamboree, an
annual celebration featuring a
rodeo and a variety of competitive wood chopping events. The
celebration usually takes place
in mid-June. Downtown Encampment also hosts the annual
Sierra Madre Winter Carnival
at the end of January. The
annual celebration includes sled
and snowmobile races, turkey
curling, chili and fresh bread
cook-offs and snow sculpturing.
The town also hosts the Grand
Encampment Cowboy Gathering
in July. The event features free
entertainment, a children’s stick
horse rodeo, a concert and a
Dutch oven cook-off. Riverside is
home to What Fest, a music festival featuring regional artists.
Things to do
Fishing enthusiasts can
drive about one hour south of
Encampment and Riverside
to Hog Park Reservoir, near
the Wyoming-Colorado border.
Visitors also can take a drive
from Encampment to Baggs on
the Battle Pass Scenic Byway
(Wyoming Highway 70), which
crosses the Continental Divide
at Battle Pass.
Economy
Although Encampment
and Riverside were once home
to a copper boom, the current
largest employer in the area is
local government. The town of
Encampment employs the most
people now.
COMMUNITIES | 75
Wamsutter
Population
Wamsutter is home to a projected 481
people, according to a 2013 census estimate.
%HFDXVHRIDORFDO%3RIÀFHLQ:DPVXWWHU
the town’s population has increased rapidly
over the past several years.
History
:DPVXWWHUZDVÀUVWNQRZQDV:DVKDNLH
and began as a station on the transcontinental railroad in 1868. The name was changed
to Wamsutter in the mid-1880s after freight
DQGPDLODGGUHVVHGWR)RUW:DVKDNLHQHDU
/DQGHUNHSWEHLQJDFFLGHQWDOO\VKLSSHGWR
:DVKDNLH7KHWRZQZDVLQFRUSRUDWHGLQ
1914. Since its inception, Wamsutter has
served as headquarters for sheep operations,
wild horse roundups, uranium explorations, oil production and, most recently, the
development of natural gas reserves. In
2002, BP America, the largest area producer,
announced an investment of $2.25 billion in
H[SORUDWLRQDQGSURGXFWLRQ7KLVÀJXUHLVH[pected to increase during the next 25 years.
Major events
Wamsutter hosts an annual Christmas
tree lighting ceremony, which includes lighting up the areas surrounding Town Hall and
WKH%HDXWLÀFDWLRQ7ULDQJOH
Attractions
The Wamsutter area offers a variety of
ZLOGOLIHDQGJHRORJ\5RFNKRXQGVFDQVHDUFK
for fossils southwest of Wamsutter or view
wild horses north of town. Adobe Town, a
geological formation located south of Wamsutter near the Colorado border, is another
great attraction for the outdoor enthusiast
or amateur geologist. Brochures about local
attractions are available at the Wamsutter
7RZQ+DOO0F&RUPLFN$YH9LVLWRUV
should get detailed maps of the area that
show where public and private land is located before setting out. They are available at
the Bureau of Land Management’s Rawlins
)LHOG2IÀFH17KLUG6W
Economy
BP and D&D Oil are the area’s largest
employers.
Dixon/Savery
Population
Dixon is home to a projected 92 people, according to a
2013 census estimate. Savery
is unincorporated and census
data is not available.
History
Native Americans and
PRXQWDLQPHQÀUVWVHWWOHG
Savery. It is nationally recognized as the home of the
beloved Wyoming mountain
man Jim Baker, one of the
ÀUVWVHWWOHUVLQWKHYDOOH\
Descendents of Baker still live
in Dixon and tend to the fam-
ily cemetery. Much like the
town of Baggs, Butch Cassidy
frequented Dixon and Savery
DQG6XQGDQFH.LG·VULÁHLV
featured on display at the
Little Snake River Museum.
On at least one occasion, local
trappers clashed with Native
Americans. Battle Mountain,
located east of Savery, was
the site of a two-day battle
in 1841 between area Crow
and Sioux Indians and local
trappers.
Major events
Every summer, the com-
munity hosts a barbecue and
a Peruvian soccer match for
seasonal ranch workers on the
Little Snake River Museum
grounds.
Things to do
Outdoor enthusiasts can
hunt an array of wildlife in
the area, including mule deer,
elk, antelope, mountain lions
and bears -- all of which are
indigenous in the Little Snake
River Valley. Fishermen can
visit Savery Creek along the
Little Snake River for Colorado River cutthroat, mountain
ZKLWHÀVKUDLQERZDQGWLJHU
trout. Visitors can also learn
about the local history at the
Little Snake River Museum,
located in Savery. In addition
to Jim Baker’s cabin, the museum grounds contain replicas
of three historic businesses:
Freddie Johnson Barber Shop,
John Irons Saloon and the
Harris Mercantile.
Economy
Ranching and oil and gas
companies are the biggest
economic sources in Savery
and Dixon.
SCENES FROM ... | 77
Bennett Peak
78 | SCENES FROM ...
Rochelle Access
on the North Platte River
SCENES FROM ... | 79
Aspen Alley
Lake Marie