Summer TO explore STICKING CLOSER TO HOME THIS YEAR? Here’s how to enjoy the best of Wyoming’s outdoors.
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A tent sits nestled in the sand and trees on the shore of Boysen Reservoir. Boysen State Park is the perfect place to bring a book, relax and enjoy summer. CHRISTINE PETERSON, FOR THE STAR-TRIBUNE
CHOOSE YOUR OWN
ADVENTURE Wyoming State Parks offer a little something for everyone. Escape with these 5 getaways.
CHRISTINE PETERSON,
For the Star-Tribune
W
e all have our go-to places for outdoor fun. It may be the local mountain outside of town, in that campsite tucked in the lodgepole pines where you feel alone but also know there’s handy access to water and a bathroom. It may be the local lake or reservoir where your kids learned how to swim and you fish for trout or walleye.
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Know before you go Wyoming State Parks require all campers this summer to reserve their sites in advance at nearly all state park campgrounds. For maps and information about campgrounds and sites go to wyoparks.wyo.gov. You can also make reservations by calling 877-996-7275. Or maybe you haven’t quite found your favorite place. This summer, while we’re all sticking a little closer to home, might be the perfect time to go somewhere new or try something different. We’re not suggesting you transition from casual weekend camper to mountaineer hanging your tent off cliff faces (though if you want to and spend enough time training and preparing, we applaud you). We’re just suggesting maybe breaking out of that rut we all know we’re in. Think about what would be the perfect outdoor weekend. Do you dream of relaxing on
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a beach with a book? Do you want to catch something new? Is mountain biking your growing passion? Whatever it is, chances are reasonably high Wyoming has a state park to match your interests. The Star-Tribune has outlined five weekend options for you to consider. Just remember to reserve your campsite in advance.
Sit on a beach and read a book
Sure, Boysen Reservoir is known for its walleye, trout and perch fishing. But if you’ve ever been on the water, you’ve also likely noticed that much of the shoreline is beautiful sand and gravel. Boysen State Park has almost a dozen campgrounds scattered on the east and west shores of the reservoir and along the Wind River below Boysen Dam. It rarely sees the crowds of other state parks, and camping on the west side is so remote, in fact, the State Parks office isn’t requiring it be part of the reservation system. So head over some weekend and take along a book you’ve been meaning to read, an umbrella and a chair fit for napping.
Take a dip when you’re too hot and admire the surrounding bluffs and islands rimmed in the distance with snow-capped mountains.
Catch something toothy and prehistoric Keyhole Reservoir, tucked up in the northeast part of the state at the foot of the scenic Black Hills, is a regular destination for any outdoors person living in Gillette, Sundance or Moorcroft. But what much of the state may not realize, is that Keyhole is the only place in Wyoming to catch the toothy, voracious northern pike. Northern pike are a typical Midwestern fish, a prolific hunter capable of growing well over 3 feet long. Wyoming’s state record, pulled from Keyhole in 2004, was 47 inches long and weighed more than 27 pounds. Expect a hard fight, and when you bring one up to the surface, make sure you have a net. The sharp teeth in those wide mouths are serious. Please see ADVENTURE, Page 6
An angler holds a northern pike caught in Keyhole Reservoir. Keyhole is the only place you can catch northern pike in Wyoming, and they’re worth the adventure. CHRISTINE PETERSON, FOR THE STAR-TRIBUNE
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Adventure From 4
If mountain biking is your thing
What better place to work on your mountain biking skills than on 10,000 acres of public land covered in 45 miles of trails? Wyoming trail officials and groups of dedicated volunteers have been building trails at Glendo State Park for years. The result is a maze of single track perfect for the most cautious beginner and a hard-core expert. Hop on trails at one of many parking areas or pull offs. Plan to camp at one of the 19 campgrounds with hundreds of sites. And as a bonus, if you need to soak your tired legs, Glendo Reservoir offers plenty of places to go for a swim or to just dip your feet.
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Get to the mountains
Few places are more aptly named than Sinks Canyon State Park. The middle fork of the Popo Agie River rushes down from its origins in the Wind River Range before, quite literally, sinking into the ground. A quarter mile later, it reappears as a pool full of trophy-sized trout (don’t try fishing, they’re just for viewing). A paved trail offers visitors of all ability levels the chance to experience the park. More difficult trails snake into the mountains. Stay in the park and enjoy the hikes, wildflowers and rock vistas or head deeper into the Wind River Range. Just up the road is the trailhead for the Middle Fork Falls, a 3-mile round-trip hike taking you to a series of stunning waterfalls and cascades. Camp in the state park or in the nearby U.S. Forest Service campground.
For adventure
In many ways, Curt Gowdy State Park is a one-stop shop for outdoor adventure. It has more than 44 miles of carefully constructed single track trail complete with bridges, technical rocky downhills and smooth, curving lines. The International Mountain Bike Association has labeled the trails as “epic.” Crystal and Granite reservoirs offer boating and fishing (though no swimming, the lakes are managed by Cheyenne’s board of public utilities). There’s also an archery range and a local concessionaire that rents paddleboards and sells food and ice. More than 100 campsites dot both reservoirs. The nearby Medicine Bow National Forest offers even more options for climbing, bouldering, hiking and mountain biking.
People travel back and forth with kayaks and paddle boards on Granite Reservoir at Curt Gowdy State Park. Visitors can rent paddle boards from a local concessionaire in the park. CHRISTINE PETERSON, FOR THE STAR-TRIBUNE
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Outdoor
dining Nine delicious recipes sure to please everyone in camp
CHRISTINE PETERSON,
I
For the Star-Tribune
f there was ever a summer to try something new, it’s this one. We’ve been cooped up, canceling plans and wondering what is next. One thing you can control right now is eating something more interesting than your usual oatmeal for breakfast and grilled brats with beans for dinner. Below find nine camping recipes sure to bring a little originality into your backcountry experience. They might inspire you to extend that weekend camping trip just one more day.
Thai ramen pot Step aside, Cup-O-Noodle. With no more than a pot, you can add flavor and substance to the typical camping meal. For even easier cooking at camp, chop the green beans and grate the carrots at home.
Ingredients
½ pound ground elk, deer, beef or pronghorn 2 c chopped green beans 1 c grated carrots 3 packages of Ramen noodles
with 2 seasoning packets
1 tbs Thai red chili paste ¼ c green onions, chopped Lime juice to taste
Directions
Brown meat in a pot, set aside. Boil water and cook green beans and carrots, then add noodles, chili paste and seasoning packets. When noodles are done, add browned meat, green onions and lime juice. (serves 4)
Thai ramen pot CHRISTINE PETERSON, FOR THE STAR-TRIBUNE
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Reuben hobo packs It doesn’t get easier than throwing food in a tinfoil packet and placing it on the grill. So while this might seem basic, the flavors definitely aren’t.
Ingredients
1 package of Andouille sausage, sliced 2 potatoes, thinly sliced 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced 2 c sauerkraut Thousand Island dressing to taste Salt and pepper to taste Swiss cheese, grated
Directions
Divide all ingredients except the Swiss cheese evenly into four tinfoil packets. Double wrap to ensure no juices leak into the fire pit. Place the packets on coals in the campfire. Don’t place directly in the flames. Cook about 40 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft, turning occasionally with a leather glove. When finished, open each packet and cover with Swiss cheese. Serve hot with additional Thousand Island dressing if desired. (serves 4)
Mexican pizza
Reuben hobo packs CHRISTINE PETERSON PHOTOS, FOR THE STAR-TRIBUNE
Build-your-own pizza If you’ve camped much with kids, chances are a pepperoni pizza has been on the menu once or twice. This year try something different. Load your camp bag or cooler with toppings and let your campers decide what they want. If you don’t want to mess with yeast, buy a pre-made crust.
Ingredients Crust
1 package of yeast 2 tsp sugar 1 tsp salt 1 c hot water 2 ½ c flour 2 tsp oil Garlic powder, Italian seasoning or chili flakes as desired
Toppings
Salsa, tomato sauce or even blue
cheese or ranch Black beans or roasted bell peppers Diced onion and bell pepper Chorizo, bacon or turkey sausage Chopped cilantro or diced apple Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese Diced tomato
Directions
Heat water until too hot to touch but not boiling. Mix in yeast, sugar and salt and let sit for about 10 minutes. Fry raw meats or heat pre-cooked meats and sauté vegetables. Mix flour and oil in with the yeast and knead until smooth. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Grease your pan with oil. Press pieces of dough into pan until flat and desired size. Cook on one side, flip and then layer the toppings. Cover and let sit few minutes until the cheese melts. (serves 4)
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Grilled brats in a blanket
Breakfast burritos
Breakfast burritos A little bit of flavor can go a long way in these breakfast burritos that could just as easily work as dinner – and hold you over long enough for breakfast and lunch.
Ingredients
1 lb breakfast sausage 14 oz canned diced
potatoes
8 oz green chili
Directions
8 eggs 3-5 tbs cilantro 2 avocados, diced Juice from 1 lime
Grated cheddar cheese Four large burrito tortillas Salsa Salt and pepper to taste
Brown the breakfast sausage, then place on a paper towel-covered plate. Drain potatoes then toss in frying pan with salt and pepper and cook until brown and crispy. Add diced green chilies. Sauté until hot, then add eggs. Cook until nearly done, add browned sausage and stir. Divide cheese between tortillas, then add sausage and egg mixture and top with lime, avocado, cilantro and salsa. (serves 4)
Barbecue bacon cheese ball
Grilled brats in a blanket Got kids but can’t eat another hot dog tucked in a white bun? Try these for the best of both worlds. You and your mini campers can still roast bratwursts over an open fire, but the melted cheese and golden crescent rolls give you something to look forward to. Package of your favorite bratwursts Smoked cheddar or pepper jack cheese
Tube of crescent rolls Mustard and ketchup for dipping
Directions
Roast bratwurst over coals on a stick until sizzling and dripping. Move from the fire and place slices of cheese on top of the bratwurst while wrapping in a strip of crescent roll dough. Seal dough on either end and make sure it is secure. Continue roasting over fire until crescent is golden brown.
Barbecue bacon cheese ball These are not your grandma’s holiday fare. While the name reminds you of a family gathering at Christmas, the reality is this is an easy, delicious answer to plain cheese and crackers. Throw it in a bag or Tupperware and take it out on the trail.
Ingredients
1 package cream cheese 5 slices bacon, diced 1 tsp Cholula 1 c grated cheddar cheese ½ c roasted pecans 2 tsp green onions 2 tbs barbecue sauce 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce Your choice of crackers
Directions
Soften cream cheese slightly in the microwave, then combine with cheddar cheese. Set aside a few tablespoons of pecans and bacon. Stir remaining ingredients into the cream cheese mixture and mold into a ball. Chill half an hour. Roll cheese ball in extra pecans and bacon. (serves 4) Please see RECIPES, Page 11
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... Connect with what really matters! Johnson County is home to some of the best and most diverse access to the Bighorn Mountains, with the small town of Buffalo nestled in the foothills at the junction of I-25 and I-90. A major attraction for locals and visitors alike who are up for adventure, striking panoramic views and rich Western history, Buffalo, Kaycee & all of Johnson County never fail to deliver. Buffalo is a hidden gem with a vibrant main street filled with fine art galleries, boutique shopping, family owned restaurants, and local retail stores offering all you need for a relaxing getaway or high country adventure. Experience a 4 star golf course, and a variety of unique lodging experiences from eclectic Airbnb options to cozy motels, hotels, RV parks and mountain campgrounds. A drive up Hwy 16 West, otherwise known as the Cloud Peak Scenic Byway, takes visitors directly into the Bighorn Mountains and Bighorn National Forest. With 189,000 acres of wilderness and 1,500 miles of trails the Bighorns are a popular destination for both tourists and Wyoming natives. A quick stop at the Forest Service before you take off can be a valuable asset to help you plan a fun, safe, successful adventure. If you’re looking to step back in time to the wild west, take a drive south to Kaycee, where you can take in a truly western community, home of country music artist Chris Ledoux. The area is complete with access to the Hole-in-the-Wall Country, home to the hideout of the infamous Hole-inthe-Wall Gang. Take in rustic dining, tour the Hoofprints of the Past Museum and relax in Chris LeDoux park.
Welcome to our community!
Content and photos provided by Johnson County Tourism Association
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Recipes From 9
Blueberry pancakes You could use a baggie of premade pancake mix for the usual camping fare, or you could try these for the perfect amount of sweet and filling. The pancake recipe is an adaptation from SACO buttermilk. Add grilled peaches and leave the syrup at home.
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Pineapple upside down cake Once you try this, you’ll never make another camping dessert. Promise.
Ingredients
Half a pineapple, diced 4 slices pound cake, broken into
pieces
2 tbs butter 3 tbs brown sugar
Directions
Place pineapple in the bottom of a tinfoil packet and top with pound cake, brown sugar and butter. Seal packet and double wrap. Place packet in coals, rotating occasionally for about 20 minutes or until pineapple is soft.
Pineapple upside down cake
(serves 4)
CHRISTINE PETERSON PHOTOS, FOR THE STAR-TRIBUNE
Ingredients
¼ c SACO Cultured
Buttermilk Blend ¾ c all-purpose flour ¼ c buckwheat flour 1 tbs granulated sugar 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda ¼ tsp salt 1 egg 1 c water 2 tbs vegetable oil 1 c blueberries
Directions
Mix dry ingredients together at home in a Zip-lock bag for quicker assembly in camp. In a bowl or pot, add egg, oil and water to the dry ingredients. For thinner pancakes, add more water. Fold in the blueberries. Heat oil in a frying pan. Add spoonful of pancake dough. Slice peaches and serve on top of finished pancakes. (serves 4)
Salted caramel, bacon s’more
Salted caramel, bacon s’mores We know, s’mores are the classic camping recipe. But instead of the standard two squares of chocolate and perfectly brown marshmallow, try this sweet and salty twist.
Ingredients
Thinly sliced bacon Graham crackers Salted caramel chocolate
squares
Marshmallows
Directions
Wrap a piece of bacon around your marshmallow stick. Roast over coals until done. Remove bacon and place on graham cracker with piece of chocolate. Roast marshmallow as much – or as little – as you like. Assemble and enjoy.
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CHRISTINE PETERSON
Build a A CAMP
CHRISTINE PETERSON,
For the Star-Tribune
box Never wonder if you forgot the can opener or hot chocolate again
yone who has a camper n knows preparing for the first overnight trip in the woods is as easy as restocking shelves and scanning for any winter dwellers who might have squirmed inside. It makes transitioning an inside family into an outside family relatively seamless.But what about those of us without a permanent place to store our camping essentials? What if you have your tent and sleeping bags but no permanent place to keep everything else? The first camping trip of the year doesn’t have to feel like Groundhog Day gathering plastic cutlery and paper plates only to inevitably forget the can opener. Build a camp box. They’re cheap, simple and you likely have most of what you need already shoved in a drawer or cupboard. Once it’s assembled, all you need is to pull it out each year, check for
any necessary hot chocolate or coffee refills and head out. So find a plastic tub with a good lid, or buy a cheap one, and get started. Use this as a basic guide and add or subtract whatever fits you and your family best.
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Matches, lighter and fuel
This seems like a no brainer, but if you forget one or the other, the whole trip can go downhill fast. Always make sure you have at least two ways to light a fire such as matches, lighter or magnesium. Keeping your fuel in your box prevents you from forgetting it, but make sure it can’t leak if it’s near food items.
Plates, bowls, cups and utensils
Don’t use paper and disposable plastic. They create more garbage you have to deal with and end up costing more in the end. Instead, use those plates and silverware you got when you first moved away from home that you’re still storing, or pick up a set at a dollar store. Don’t forget a spoon, spatula and can opener. No one cares what they look like.
Soap
Dirt is an accepted part of camping, but you will need soap to wash up your dishes. Buy biodegradable camp soap such as Coghlan’s. It’s cheap, lasts for seasons and is safe for the environment.
Pots and pans
If you want to buy something special for your camp box, this could be the place to splurge. You can find pots and pans that nestle (the handle on this frying pan unscrews) for relatively cheap with brands like MSR.
Bags, tinfoil, paper towels The beauty of car camping is that you can have luxuries like paper towels along. Put in a roll for dishes, drying or messes you need to get cleaned up fast. Tinfoil is a must for cooking over the campfire and a few extra bags will help you deal with leftovers.
Spices
The difference between a bland meal in the outdoors and something you could cook at home is often the spices you can include. You can buy bottles to build a spice bag or save the empties from your cabinet. Don’t forget the essentials like salt, pepper and garlic powder. From there pack whatever else you routinely use.
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Go outside. Be safe.
Recreating in the West comes with inherent risk, but being prepared for everything from wildlife encounters to sudden storms can help prevent the worst-case scenarios. CHRISTINE PETERSON, FOR THE STAR-TRIBUNE
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Wyoming’s wildlands don’t need to be deadly if you go prepared and stay calm CHRISTINE PETERSON,
R
For the Star-Tribune
ecreating in the West shouldn’t be unsafe or deadly. But almost every year, headlines announce a goring by a bison, a mauling by a grizzly bear, a car trapped in a flooded stream or a hiker injured or lost. Those stories are scary, but often preventable. Don’t let the fear of a bear attack or an unplanned night in the woods keep you from trying something new. Just be smart about it. The Star-Tribune compiled an easy guide on staying safe in Wyoming’s backcountry from how to behave around wildlife to what you should keep in your vehicle. And remember, stay calm – the worst decisions are made during panic.
Give wild animals their space
Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks have a really easy rule to follow around wildlife in the park – always stay at least 100 yards away. That means don’t try to sneak up on that bear to get a better picture. Don’t try to touch an elk calf. And whatever you do, don’t attempt to hug a bison. When fed and habituated to humans, even animals as skittish and small as foxes can become unpredictable. Staying safe while recreating in bear country requires a few more rules. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has broken down the basic ones: Be aware of your surroundings. Make noise: Talk, sing or call out to alert a bear of your presence, especially when you’re in thick trees or bushes. Travel in a group: Groups of people tend to make more noise than a solo traveler and look more formidable. Avoid recreating at dusk and dawn when bears are most active. Recognize signs of bear food: A bear’s diet varies and can include carcasses, deer or elk calves, roots, insects, wild fruits, berries, nuts and a variety of plants. Stay alert for signs of food like berries, bad smells or scavengers overhead. Recognize bear signs: Watch for bear scat, tracks, and other sign such as rolled rocks or torn logs and diggings.
NEAL HERBERT, NPS
A full-grown male grizzly can top the scales at 600 to 700 pounds. Follow the rules and use common sense while recreating in bear country. Keep your distance and respect all wildlife. Carry bear spray. Store all food inside vehicles, hardsided campers, horse trailers, bear canisters or bear boxes. Never store attractants in your tent. In the backcountry, hang food at least 10 feet from the
ground and four feet away from the tree Wyoming’s high country. trunk. Take along a map and compass or Sleep at least 100 yards from food GPS and know how to use them. Check the weather and be aware of storage and the eating/cooking area. storms that may roll through, especially above tree line. Prepare for the worst Call local U.S. Forest Service, BuWhen going for a long hike or backpacking trip, even in the summer, make reau of Land Management or Wyoming sure you’re prepared. State Parks offices for more information Always tell someone responsible about trail conditions. where you’re going and when you plan to return – even for day hikes. Stay safe in your vehicle Bring a basic first aid kit and know Travel with extra water, blankets how to use its contents. and food. Bring plenty of water and, ide Always leave town with a full tank ally, a water filtration system. of fuel. Pack at least two ways to Use your phone for directions if you start a fire, but be aware of want, but always have a map and cross wildfire danger, particu- reference both. If you’re lost, stay with your vehicle. larly in the summer. Bring an emergency Again, always tell someone responblanket. Even in July, snow sible where you’re going and when you’ll storms can roll un- be back. Never drive across flooded streams. expectedly through
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escapes ONE-NIGHT
Backpacking doesn’t mean a week off work. Try these three outings for your weekend fix
ELISE SCHMELZER,
N
For the Star-Tribune
t everybody can take a o w eek off from work to delve deep into Wyoming’s mountains. Others don’t quite have the experience for a multi-day trip. So this list is for you: Those weekend warriors who want to explore but are deeply aware of their limited vacation days. Those people who have finally amassed
all the gear to get into the backcountry, but aren’t ready to disappear for a week straight. Those parents who want to take their kids outside, but the idea of hauling toddler supplies across mountain passes for four days seems a little overwhelming. An ambitious and speedy hiker could do many of these hikes in one day. But pitching a tent for the night offers ample opportunity for off-trail exploring or a lazy morning reading a book in camp. Of course, do your research before you
The orange glow of early dawn lights up cliffs above the last of the Seven Brothers Lakes in Bighorn National Forest. The lakes in the Cloud Peak Wilderness are a 6 mile hike from a trailhead on the eastern side of the mountain range. ELISE SCHMELZER, FOR THE STAR-TRIBUNE
drive out to any trailhead. Know the regulations for the area you’ll be in. If you’re staying in bear country, bring bear spray and a bear can or supplies to hang your food. Tell someone your itinerary and when they should expect to hear from you. Keep an eye on the weather and be prepared for rain, sleet and snow — even in July. And then, after you’ve made your preparations and packed your bags, take the most important step. Get out there.
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A backpacker’s tent nestles among the rocks and trees near the Seven Brothers Lakes in Bighorn National Forest. A Laramie couple recently set the world record for the fastest time in setting up a two-man tent. FILE, STAR-TRIBUNE
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WYOMING Wildflowers bloom near theROAM Lewis Lake Trailhead in Medicine Bow National Forest. Hikers attempting a 14-mile loop through the nearby mountains begin their trek there.
ELISE SCHMELZER, FOR THE STAR-TRIBUNE
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Squaretop Mountain in Bridger-Teton National Forest Distance: 20-mile roundtrip out and back Start: Green River Lakes Trailhead, about an hour and a half north of Pinedale Elevation change: Less than 500 feet on the main trail, then a 1,200-foot climb to Granite Lake The edifice of aptly-named Squaretop Mountain looming over the Green River is one of the many iconic images
of Wyoming. This hike, recommended by the staff at The Great Outdoor Shop in Pinedale, will get you to the hidden lake at its base or — if you have enough time — to its peak. There is a lovely 39-unit campground at the trailhead with some of the nicest public lands restrooms around. You can camp here the night before you hit the trail if you want to get an early start. You have some options at the beginning of your hike. Either follow the Lakeside Trail along the shady west shore of the first lake or the Highline
Trail along the east, which offers almost no cover. After about 2.7 miles, the trails join between the first and second lake, where you’ll take the Highline Trail south along the east shore of the second lake toward the unmistakable Squaretop Mountain. The trail is relatively flat as it follows the valley along the Green River. If you don’t feel like scrambling up to Granite Lake, there are plenty of places to camp along the river valley. Now comes the hard part. There is no trail to Granite Lake marked on many maps, but hike past Granite Peak into
Mountains in the Wind River Range overlook Lower Green River Lake along the Lakeside Trail in Bridger-Teton National Forest. FILE, STAR-TRIBUNE
22 | SUMMER 2020 An early-morning reflection of a snow-speckled mountain ripples along Brooklyn Lake in Medicine Bow National Forest. The lake is one of many hikers will encounter along a 13-mile loop through the Snowy Range outside Laramie. ELISE SCHMELZER, FOR THE STAR-TRIBUNE
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Beaver Park and look toward the western treeline and it should be visible, according to the folks with the Outdoor Shop. The half-mile hike to the lake is steep, but it’s a great place to stake a tent for the night. In the morning you can opt to summit 11,695-foot Squaretop Mountain — about a three-hour hike up along a hard-to-follow trail — or meander back toward the trailhead and fish the river and lakes as you go.
Seven Brothers Lakes in Bighorn National Forest Distance: 12-mile loop Start: Hunter Trailhead, 30 minutes west of Buffalo Elevation change: About 1,700 feet Remember this as you trudge up this trail toward the string of seven lakes on the west side of the Cloud Peak Wilderness: It will be worth it. Park your car at the trailhead and fill out the required registration forms at one of the wilderness area booths near the parking lot. From the lot, follow dirt
road 395 down to the beginning of Buffalo Park (Trail 45) and cross North Clear Creek. From there, you’ll climb steadily through an open field of tall grasses, host to many bugs. The trail then becomes steeper as you walk through the remnants of a 1988 fire before turning into a series of switchbacks. After a small eternity, you’ll emerge onto a relatively flat section of trail as you approach the first of the lakes surrounded by green forests beneath peaks sprinkled with snow, even in July. Camp among the trees, though regulations forbid camping past the end of the marked trail or within 100 feet of any lake or stream. Don’t forget to venture to the final lake, which is bordered by impressive cliffs and has a small sand beach. If you get up before sunrise, watching those cliffs glow early morning orange is a special treat. The next day, hike back past the lakes and then take a left turn at Trail 44. This trail will take you down a series of steep switchbacks before depositing you on a valley floor next to North Clear Creek. Cross the freezing cold creek and continue east along Trail 24, which follows
the water before ending where dirt road with high country beauty comes diffi394 begins. Follow the road back to your culties. There is little cover along much car at Hunter Trailhead. of this trail. Bring sunscreen and bug repellent. Expect uphill climbs (you’re in Snowy Range loop in Medicine the mountains after all) though nothing is extremely strenuous. Bow National Forest Park near the Lewis Lake Trailhead (there is a fee). Head north from the Distance: 13-mile loop Start: Lewis Lake Trailhead, about an trailhead toward the Gap Lakes along Trail 108. Turn east at Black Spotted hour west of Laramie Elevation change: Less than 500 Lake, where the trail intersects with feet Deep Lake Trail (Number 110). After This loop will take you past fishable about a half mile, the trail will become streams and several scenic high alpine Sheep Lake Trail (Number 389) as it lakes. While the trek begins at Lewis continues east. The trail turns south Lake trailhead, one of the most popular at North Twin Lakes before hitting the spots in the forest, you will quickly find Brooklyn Lake campground. From there, yourself away from the crowds trudg- take the Glacier Lakes Trail back to the ing up Medicine Bow Peak, according Lewis Lake Trailhead. to Blane Ziegenfuss, who works for the Consider camping at North Twin Lakes, Forest Service there. approximately 7 miles into the hike. There Due to the high altitude — the trail- is good ground cover around this lake so head is at 10,800 feet — this trip should you won’t have to try to stake your tent wait until late summer if you want to into high mountain rocks. If you’re a beavoid snow. The hike takes you through ginner and don’t quite feel comfortable scenic Wyoming high country with lakes camping outside of a designated site, the bordered by wildflowers and the tower- Brooklyn Lake campground is only 1.5 ing grey peaks of the Snowy Range. But more miles down the trail.
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Medicine Wheel National Historical Site in the Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming. The site has been used by tribes for roughly 7,000 years. COURTESY
JOURNEY BACK THROUGH TIME M
Travel from Wyoming’s ancient history to its more recent past with these fascinating sites
CHRISTINE PETERSON,
For the Star-Tribune
any of us know dinosaurs once roamed Wyoming. Far fewer know flamingos were once commonplace. Wyoming has a storied past, from the days of ocean tides and rainforests to early people pulsing back and forth in waves to settlers marching and rolling wagons across the prairies. Luckily, pieces of that history have been preserved for you to visit. Travel back through time this summer as you seep yourself in tales from the past.
Ancient history
Dig your own fossils at American Fossil, a genuine fossil quarry near Kemmerer. The quarry is one of few places you can dig up your own fossils and keep them. Expect to find plenty of fossilized fish and the chance at digging up a fossilized shrimp, turtle, crocodile, camel, bat and even an ancient rhinoceros. For more information go to fishdig.com. Learn about the dinosaurs that lived, roamed and died in Wyoming at Wyoming Dinosaur Center and Dig Sites. TIME Magazine for Kids named the Thermopolis museum one of the world’s coolest places in 2019. Visit the museum to see vast and unique fossil displays.
Sign up for daily digs to be part of the museums own research and exploration. Go to Wyomingdinosaurcenter.org for more details.
Early history
Walk in the footprints of some of the earliest people to occupy Wyoming at Medicine Wheel/Medicine Mountain National Historic Landmark near Lovell. The are is a sacred complex and archeological property used by many tribes dating back to nearly 7,000 years ago. The Medicine Wheel is a circular pattern of stones about 82 feet across surrounding a central stone cairn. Radial lines extend from the center to the peripheral circle. Make sure you stay
on trails, keep pets on leashes and stay a respectful distance away if you arrive during a traditional ceremony. For more information go to www.fs.usda.gov/detail/bighorn. Travel even further back in time at the Medicine Lodge State Archeological Site, which dates back more than 10,000 years. The spot was an oasis for early people because of nearby shelter, food and water. It also served as a stopover point for two major migration routes for early inhabitants. Examine the 800-foot sandstone wall for pictures of shield figures representing warriors, elk, beaver, mountain lions and birds. For more go to wyoparks.wyo.gov.
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This undated photo shows the Fort Bridger Mountain Man Rendezvous. The Fort Bridger State Historic Site details the history of mountain men, Mormon travelers, military, milkbarn/model and is now a museum. CONTRIBUTED
Recent history
This undated photo shows the Fort Bridger Mountain Man Rendezvous. The Fort Bridger State Historic Site details the history of mountain men, Mormon travelers, military, milkbarn/model and is now a museum.
Explore Piedmont Charcoal Kilns State Historic Site in Uinta for a chance to understand what it took to supply coal for a growing iron smelting industry in the U.S. The kilns are 30 feet tall and 30 feet wide and look like massive beehives statues in the prairie. At one point 40 kilns supplied 100,000 bushels of charcoal. Now only three remain, and they’re worth the visit. Keep in mind the site is unmanned and remote. Cell phones won’t likely work. But plenty of signs will offer valuable history on the late 1890s coal-making industry. Visit wyoparks.wyo.gov for more.
Head over to Fort Bridger State Historic Site to explore multiple eras of Wyoming’s past. The site, just a few miles off of Interstate 80, details the history of mountain men, Mormon travelers, military, milkbarn/model and is now a museum. You’ll also find information from more than half a dozen historical trails including the Oregon, California, Mormon and Cherokee trails. The 37acre site includes 27 historic structures and four historic replicas. All buildings are open to look through and regulations request all visitors wear masks. For more information visit wyoparks.wyo.gov.
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An angler casts out to hungry trout on Gelatt Lake in early June outside Laramie. Summer in Wyoming means highs could be in the 90s one day and low 40s with rain the next, or even snow. But we also know the cold temperatures will pass and sun will return. CHRISTINE PETERSON, FOR THE STAR-TRIBUNE
ROAM WYOMING
THIS SUMMER, FIND COMFORT IN THE PREDICTABILITY OF EVER-CHANGING NATURE Outdoor images offer normality amid a tumultuous year CHRISTINE PETERSON,
A
For the Star-Tribune
s the ice finally thaws, and patches of brown grass appear after months without seeing the sun, the short, squat pasqueflower pokes through. It’s one of the first wildflowers to raise its stubborn, weary head, its translucent purple petals opening each day to soak in sunlight then closing again and bowing, bracing for each inevitable spring snow. As the delicate beauties fade, in their place come bluebells and shooting stars, then In-
dian paintbrush in a palette of orange, pink and red. One day those paintbrush, too, will fade, replaced by yet another flower, another seed, grass or fruit. That is the comfort of spring and summer. As they cycle through – snow slowly retreating up mountainsides leaving marshy, green grass in its wake – we know what’s coming next. That kind of ever changing constant may be the most perfect answer to our insecure lives. This summer won’t be normal for most of us. It won’t be baseball games and carnivals, rodeos and street festivals.
But nature will still be there. Wildflowers will still bloom. Fish will be hungry. Pronghorn babies will wobble behind their mothers until they can race around on their own. Bear cubs will stick close as they learn where to find berries, moths and roots. Yellow-headed black birds will flit through shore grass and pelicans will glide effortlessly over water. Take a minute this summer to appreciate those constants, those pieces of nature that existed long before we did and may well continue on after we’re gone. They’re the moments we should not take for granted.
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Above: A child and dog play on slick rock outside of Lander. Left: The early morning sun is reflected in Alcova Reservoir. Go ahead, stay in the tent a little longer on those nice mornings and watch the world wake up. CHRISTINE PETERSON PHOTOS, FOR THE STAR-TRIBUNE
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People learn to kayak, canoe and ride stand-up paddleboards on Granite Springs Reservoir at Curt Gowdy State Park. CHRISTINE PETERSON PHOTOS, FOR THE STAR-TRIBUNE
Left: Pelicans glide over Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Wyoming. Far left: A springbeauty pokes through pine needles and other vegetation to bloom near Esterbrook in the Laramie Range.
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A yellow-headed black bird flits back and forth along the shore of Meeboer Lake near Laramie. CHRISTINE PETERSON PHOTOS, FOR THE STAR-TRIBUNE
A wild iris blooms in a wet patch of ground in the Laramie Range. Wild iris are one of the surest signs of approaching summer.
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