As
one drives westward from Laramie, Wyoming
on State Highway 130, the barren and windswept
high plains come to an abrupt halt about 25 miles away.
A fortress of emerald-colored mountains known as the Snowy Range is centered in
the horizon and a jagged ridgeline of snow and rock reaches high into the cobalt
sky.
This is extraordinary, pristine
alpine high country with a colorful history
well worth exploring. The "Snowies" are a part of the Medicine
Bow-Routt National Forest
and much of this captivating area has been
designated as a 'National
Scenic Byway' (Note:
a great map and info are found at this link). As the quaint town of
Centennial (WY) is left behind, one traverses across Snowy Range Pass (10,840')
and a stunning picture postcard comes alive. From the high point,
Medicine Bow Peak at 12,031 feet, a series of rock faces, the
Southeast Faces of the
Snowy Range progress in a
southwesterly direction. The Faces are tilted upright like huge defensive plates of Stegosaurus armor
and separated from each other by snow-choked couloirs. To the WEST of this high ridgeline, the land
gradually declines in densely forested hills punctuated with occasional lakes,
aspen groves and subalpine meadowlands for nearly 30 miles in
the direction of the historic towns of (Grand) Encampment and
Saratoga (the fishing capital
of the Cowboy State). To the
EAST however, there is a sheer drop of at
least 300 to over 1,100 feet into an aesthetic collage of snowpack,
talus slopes, tundra meadows, scattered lakes sparking like gemstones and
gurgling streams, all surrounded by strong stands of Englemann Spruce and other
less populous fir, pines and aspen depending on altitude. Here,
wildflowers literally explode during the foreshortened summers, decorating the
high meadows like an impressionist's canvas. The scene is nothing short of
spectacular, as is the opportunity for CLIMBING,
HIKING and CAMPING.
Here are some shots in and around
Centennial' (WY),
population 100 or less, the 'eastern gateway' to the "Snowies"
on Highway 130. The first shot is about 10 miles out (east of town,
looking west), and one can see the Southeast Faces (1) as well as Medicine Bow
Peak (2) from this vantage. The second shot is approaching the town, third
is in town. Judging from the state of the police car, coffee can emergency
lights and all, it is pretty rural territory. Stop in here - there are
some very nice, old fashioned hotels, visitors amenities and friendly people
found in this historic little mining town.
A D D I T I O N A L
C O M M E N T S
1.)
Look at the
Snowies Map
for a GENERAL OVERVIEW of the area.
