[ WYOMING BACKROADS ]

Conditions updated August, 2011

Rougher roads this year
Wyoming had record snowfall and rain this year and snow is lingering longer than usual, especially in the Beartooths, Snowy Range, and BLM Roads. Roads that are normally dry by mid-July are being delayed until early August.

In general, statewide, there are many reports that roads are rougher this year due to the extra precipitation and erosion. This is particularly true of those dirt routes that do not have gravel. What does this really mean? If you were planning on driving a sedan or minivan on a "backcountry drive", you might consider a pickup or SUV instead... and be prepared to turn back.

Road Damage in the Bighorn Basin east of Worland
Above average moisture has damaged many of the routes in the Bighorn Basin this year. Among them is the Slick Creek Road (part of the Nowater OHV Trail System near Rattlesnake Ridge), which is completely closed due to a washout.

Road Damage in southeast Wyoming
Various BLM roads near Kemmerer have been damaged from melting snow and heavy rainfall. The Dempsey Ridge Road (page 448 in the book) is one such route and there are trees leaning over the roadway that are going to be cleared.

Washouts in the Medicine Bow National Forest
During heavy rains on July 19, South Brush Creek washed out these three roads on the Saratoga side of the Medicine Bow Mountains (near Ryan Park): Forest Road 100, 225, and HWY 130 (Snowy Range Scnenic Byway). The highway is currently open again with a single-lane bridge.

Sunlight Basin Road Closure in the Shoshone National Forest
This road northwest of Cody near Dead Indian Pass is closed at the bear gate (about halfway in) due to a large rockslide.

Changes to Louis Lake Road/Southern Wind Rivers - Shoshone National Forest
(pages 380/383 in the book)
The steep switchbacks above Sinks Canyon State Park (outside of Lander) are now paved all the way to the turnoff to Worthen Meadows Campground. Opinions are mixed on this; some hate to see the rough, hillside-clinging turns turned into a highway... but a lot of those same folks will admit that it's pretty nice now - especially when towing trailers.
When you get to the top (at Fossil Hill), you'll find that the parking area on the left has been improved and now includes a vault toilet and level, gravel parking lot. There's good room there now for bringing an ATV trailer.

Additional Route Descriptions
Obviously the printed book can only hold so many routes, so more are being posted here on this site.

Blue Ridge Lookout - Shoshone National Forest
For the Louis Lake Road description on page 380 of the book, you'll find a brief mentioning of a side 4WD road that leads to the Blue Ridge Lookout. Here's a little more information about that short but way-cool side trip.

Start: The turnoff is found at the highest point on Louis Lake Road (9,576 feet), about 11.5 miles from Sinks Canyon near Lander.

Description: The road is only .7 miles but gains some 300 feet in elevation. The path isn't terrible, but it's got some rough spots for sure... these are easily handled on ATVs and side-by-sides, but trucks make a slower go of it. On my visit this month, I found that most 4x4s were parked at the bottom and folks hiked up on either the road or on the hiking trail which also leads to the top. Any decent 4x4 could make it, though.

The road switchbacks steeply through the pine forest for the first half mile and then breaks out into a meadow at the top of the mountain. The road forks here. Take the right fork (the left fork continues westward towards the wilderness boundary) and drive across the grassy park. You'll soon reaches a turn-around. Park here and hoof it over to the large rock outcropping. Take the foot trail around the base of the outcrop to find an a steep rock staircase leading to the top (this isn't for those who are afraid of heights). At the top you'll find an open stone platform with impressive 360° views, including Fiddlers Lake to the immediate south. The lookout was built in 1938 by the CCC and a sign at the trailhead indicates that it is still used on occasion after intense lightning storms. Here's a few pictures:

Blue Ridge Lookout Road

Blue Ridge Lookout

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Conditions updated August, 2011 Rougher roads this year Wyoming had record snowfall and rain this year and snow is lingering longer than usual, especially in the Beartooths, Snowy Range, and BLM Roads. Roads that are normally dry by mid-July are being delayed until early August. In general, statewide, there are many reports that roads are rougher this year due to the extra precipitation and erosion. This is particularly true of those dirt routes that do not have gravel. What does this really mean? If you were planning on driving a sedan or minivan on a "backcountry drive", you might consider a pickup or SUV instead... and be prepared to turn back. Road Damage in the Bighorn Basin east of Worland Above average moisture has damaged many of the routes in the Bighorn Basin this year. Among them is the Slick Creek Road (part of the Nowater OHV Trail System near Rattlesnake Ridge), which is completely closed due to a washout. Road Damage in southeast Wyoming Various BLM roads near Kemmerer have been damaged from melting snow and heavy rainfall. The Dempsey Ridge Road (page 448 in the book) is one such route and there are trees leaning over the roadway that are going to be cleared. Washouts in the Medicine Bow National Forest During heavy rains on July 19, South Brush Creek washed out these three roads on the Saratoga side of the Medicine Bow Mountains (near Ryan Park): Forest Road 100, 225, and HWY 130 (Snowy Range Scnenic Byway). The highway is currently open again with a single-lane bridge. Sunlight Basin Road Closure in the Shoshone National Forest This road northwest of Cody near Dead Indian Pass is closed at the bear gate (about halfway in) due to a large rockslide. Changes to Louis Lake Road/Southern Wind Rivers - Shoshone National Forest (pages 380/383 in the book) The steep switchbacks above Sinks Canyon State Park (outside of Lander) are now paved all the way to the turnoff to Worthen Meadows Campground. Opinions are mixed on this; some hate to see the rough, hillside-clinging turns turned into a highway... but a lot of those same folks will admit that it's pretty nice now - especially when towing trailers. When you get to the top (at Fossil Hill), you'll find that the parking area on the left has been improved and now includes a vault toilet and level, gravel parking lot. There's good room there now for bringing an ATV trailer. Additional Route Descriptions Obviously the printed book can only hold so many routes, so more are being posted here on this site. Blue Ridge Lookout - Shoshone National Forest For the Louis Lake Road description on page 380 of the book, you'll find a brief mentioning of a side 4WD road that leads to the Blue Ridge Lookout. Here's a little more information about that short but way-cool side trip. Start: The turnoff is found at the highest point on Louis Lake Road (9,576 feet), about 11.5 miles from Sinks Canyon near Lander. Description: The road is only .7 miles but gains some 300 feet in elevation. The path isn't terrible, but it's got some rough spots for sure... these are easily handled on ATVs and side-by-sides, but trucks make a slower go of it. On my visit this month, I found that most 4x4s were parked at the bottom and folks hiked up on either the road or on the hiking trail which also leads to the top. Any decent 4x4 could make it, though. The road switchbacks steeply through the pine forest for the first half mile and then breaks out into a meadow at the top of the mountain. The road forks here. Take the right fork (the left fork continues westward towards the wilderness boundary) and drive across the grassy park. You'll soon reaches a turn-around. Park here and hoof it over to the large rock outcropping. Take the foot trail around the base of the outcrop to find an a steep rock staircase leading to the top (this isn't for those who are afraid of heights). At the top you'll find an open stone platform with impressive 360° views, including Fiddlers Lake to the immediate south. The lookout was built in 1938 by the CCC and a sign at the trailhead indicates that it is still used on occasion after intense lightning storms. Here's a few pictures: