I was wondering if anyone could suggestion a place to visit and possibly stay a night between the Tetons and Denver/Colorado Springs.
We will be heading back to CS mid June. Nothing really stands out on the map in mid to southern Wyoming. I was thinking of possibly dropping down into Colorado from the HWY 80 to the Craig/Steamboat Springs area.
Anything else noteworthy to see on the way home thru Wyoming/Co?
I've seen pictures of the Red Desert in southern Wyoming. Looks cool, but never been there.
I make the drive between Rock Springs and Pinedale quite a bit, and down near is a wild horse area. If you go from Jackson to Pinedale to Rock Springs, you will find the wild horse area just north of Rock Springs. Never been here either, but looks interesting. Here's some info: http://tourwyoming.com/wildhorse.htm
The whole Wind River Range is great, too, but not really something you can just stop and shoot really quick. Definitely more of a backpacking destination.
South of Pinedale, you have a good chance of seeing antelope grazing.
You can stay in Rock Springs, but there's not much interesting there. Kind of a quaint downtown, with a decent little brewpub.
How 'bout the Medicine Bows and all those easy-to-access lakes west of Cheyenne? Great place for sunrise, great hiking trails, great place all-around. And don't forget the cool rock formations at Vedawoo (sp?) that Bill P. recently posted on this very forum.
Ya, the Snowy Range just West of Laramie, WY on Hwy 130 is one of my new favorite spots. Brent D shot some really nice stuff there last year.
It will likely still be quite snowy in June (the higher campgrounds don't even open until June 30), but the lower campgrounds will be open. If you're looking for hotel/lodging, the nearest town is Centenial - there's some, but not a lot.
Yes, both Titcomb and Cirque of the Towers are more than a day-hike. Even the drive to the Big Sandy trailhead for Cirque of the Towers is pretty long. But its worth it! Jack B., Rick D. and I backpacked there last summer and it was amazing. We've all got images and trip reports on our websites.
Your travelogue was awesome! You really payed the area justice with great images and descriptions of the journey. I just had one question about the first leg. Was there anything of interest toward the beginning of the hike (eg, streams, views, etc...) or was it pretty mundane until you got further in?
I realize I wouldn't be going to the 'main events' in the area. But I am trying to figure out if it is worth driving to at all for a stop along the way.
Just back from Yellowstone and the Tetons. Lots of good info above though most appears to be a bit more intense than a drive through family trip. Since you're travelling with family I might suggest a swing through the town of Cody an a stop at the Buffalo Bill Museum. Not much to speak of photographically but one of the top western heritage museums in the country. Great stuff for the kids big and small.
Depending on your route if you go down Hwy 20 from Thermopolis through Shoshoni and Waltman on the way to Casper you'll pass a place called Hell's Half Acre. Sort of Wyoming's version of Bryce Canyon with the stacks and hoo doos.
Discussion
8 repliesWe will be heading back to CS mid June. Nothing really stands out on the map in mid to southern Wyoming. I was thinking of possibly dropping down into Colorado from the HWY 80 to the Craig/Steamboat Springs area.
Anything else noteworthy to see on the way home thru Wyoming/Co?
Thanks,
Derek
I make the drive between Rock Springs and Pinedale quite a bit, and down near is a wild horse area. If you go from Jackson to Pinedale to Rock Springs, you will find the wild horse area just north of Rock Springs. Never been here either, but looks interesting. Here's some info: http://tourwyoming.com/wildhorse.htm
The whole Wind River Range is great, too, but not really something you can just stop and shoot really quick. Definitely more of a backpacking destination.
South of Pinedale, you have a good chance of seeing antelope grazing.
You can stay in Rock Springs, but there's not much interesting there. Kind of a quaint downtown, with a decent little brewpub.
Ya, the Snowy Range just West of Laramie, WY on Hwy 130 is one of my new favorite spots. Brent D shot some really nice stuff there last year.
It will likely still be quite snowy in June (the higher campgrounds don't even open until June 30), but the lower campgrounds will be open. If you're looking for hotel/lodging, the nearest town is Centenial - there's some, but not a lot.
After some additional research I found another place that looks worth checking out as well. Wind River Range just outside of Pinedale looks amazing. Here are a couple of links I found more info on it:
http://www.mountainmancountry.com/activities/summer-recreation/hiking-backpacking.html
http://www.mountainmancountry.com/attractions/destinations/trailheads.html#elkhartpark
It looks like some place in the Swiss Alps. I was thinking of driving into Elkhart Park and checking it out. Has anyone here ever been there before? Just curious.
Brent did mention it as more of a backpackers destination. But I wouldn't mind driving up to the trail trailhead and hiking just a bit with my family if there is anything to see. I can't tell if this shot taken by Fred Pflughoft is from deep into a hike or nearer the TH:
http://www.mountainmancountry.com/images/content-imgs/activities/summer/backpacking/titcomb-basin.jpg
Thanks again for the tips.
I think I just discovered that Titcomb Basin is pretty far in and not really a day hike. Wow, what a great place to see though:
http://www.mountainmancountry.com/attractions/destinations/island-lake.html
Your travelogue was awesome! You really payed the area justice with great images and descriptions of the journey. I just had one question about the first leg. Was there anything of interest toward the beginning of the hike (eg, streams, views, etc...) or was it pretty mundane until you got further in?
I realize I wouldn't be going to the 'main events' in the area. But I am trying to figure out if it is worth driving to at all for a stop along the way.
Thanks,
- Derek
Just back from Yellowstone and the Tetons. Lots of good info above though most appears to be a bit more intense than a drive through family trip. Since you're travelling with family I might suggest a swing through the town of Cody an a stop at the Buffalo Bill Museum. Not much to speak of photographically but one of the top western heritage museums in the country. Great stuff for the kids big and small.
Depending on your route if you go down Hwy 20 from Thermopolis through Shoshoni and Waltman on the way to Casper you'll pass a place called Hell's Half Acre. Sort of Wyoming's version of Bryce Canyon with the stacks and hoo doos.
Safe travels.