2016 OFFICIAL
Travelers Journal
Home of High Peaks & High Plains Hospitality! 307-307-2123 | www.pinedaleroundup.com
Welcome to Sublette County is approximately 4,936 square miles and was created February 15, 1921, with land detached from neighboring Fremont and Lincoln counties. It was organized in 1923. Historically, Sublette County takes its name from one of Wyoming’s early fur traders, William Lewis Sublette. From 1825 – 1840, fur trappers and traders had an annual spring rendezvous in this area, and today we continue to celebrate with our annual Green River Rendezvous in July.
Amazing Views
There are three official towns in Sublette County - Big Piney, Marbleton and Pinedale. Bondurant, Boulder, Cora and Daniel are census-designated places, and Calpet is considered an unincorporated community.
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Calendar Wildlife Birds Leave No Trace High Altitude Tips Wildflowers County Map Fish Outdoor Fun Pets
pages 4-5 pages 6-8 pages 10-12 page 14 page 15 pages 16-17 pages 18-19 pages 20-21 pages 24-32 page 33
EMERGENCY EMERGENCY - 911 Sublette County Sheriff 35 S. Tyler Ave., Pinedale 307-367-4378
Pinedale Fire Department 130 S Fremont Ave., Pinedale 307-367-4550
Pinedale Medical Clinic 625 E. Hennick St., Pinedale 307-367-4133
Marbleton-Big Piney Clinic 103 W Third St., Marbleton 307-276-3306
WY Highway Patrol 1551 W. Pine St., Pinedale 800-442-9090
ROAD CONDITIONS WY Road Conditions 888-996-7623
ANIMAL CARE Animal Clinic of Pinedale 43 S Madison Ave., Pinedale 307-367-4752
Home of High Peaks & High Plains Hospitality!
May 2016 • Soda Lake opens for fishing • Rendezvous Meadows Golf Course opens for the season • Museum of the Mountain Man opens • Living History Days at the Museum of the Mountain Man • Home & Garden Show • High School Rodeos • Wind River Archers 3D Shoot • Wind River Riders 4-H Club Open Classic Horse Show • Ranchers Branding season • Green River Lakes road opens end of month • Campgrounds start to open
June 2016 • • • • • • • • •
Soda Lake opens for motor boats High country opens for hiking Green River Valley Museum opens Sommers Homestead Living History Museum opens Big Piney Airport Annual Fly-in and Car Show Father’s Day Fishing Derby Kids’ Fishing Day Bondurant Beef BBQ Rendezvous Meadows Golf Tournaments
August 2016 • Jackass Pass to Cirque of the Towers clear of snow • Best time to hike Continental Divide • Sailing Regatta on Fremont Lake • Bondurant Heritage Day • Haying begins • Cowboy Shop Classic Rodeo • Ducks Unlimited Annual Banquet • Total Solar Eclipse mid month • Rendezvous Meadows Golf Tournaments • Rodeos & Ropings
September 2016 • • • • • • • • • • •
Fall colors Hunting seasons open Bow and Black Powder hunting Last of haying Volunteer Fire Department Open House/Picnic Pinedale Airport Annual Fly-in Pinedale Renaissance Faire Campgrounds shut down mid month Pinedale Half Marathon MESA Ride and BBQ Final Rodeos & Ropings
July 2016 • 4th of July celebrations • Chuckwagon Days & Lil’ Buckaroo Rodeo • Green River Rendezvous Days • Kids’ Fishing Day • Daniel Old Timer’s Community Picnic • MESA Horse Show • Green River Cattle Drift • Rendezvous Meadows Golf Tournaments • Weekend Rodeos & Ropings • Sublette County Fair • Higher Trails accessible by end of month
fireworks over P
inedale
October 2016 • Hunting Season • First snow in high country • Green River Cattle Drift and Ranchers Cattle Roundup • Museum of the Mountain Man Winter Gallery hours • Rendezvous Meadows Golf Course closes
November 2016 • Snow on ground through mid April • Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5000 Fun Run • White Pine Ski Area opens
December 2016 • • • •
Skiing and Snowmobiling Ice Hockey & Skating Holiday Festivities Museum of the Mountain Man Wreath & Chocolate Auction • Christmas Bird Count • Christmas Festivities & Parades • New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade at White Pine Ski Resort
February 2017 • • • • • •
Eukanuba Sled Dog Race Daniel Snowmobile Poker Fun Run Sonny Korfanta Ski Race Pinedale Winter Carnival Snowmobile Drag Races Ice Hockey Tournaments
March 2017 • • • •
Fremont Lake Fishing Derby Ice Hockey Tournaments Flamingo Cup Alpine Ski Race McKenzie Meningitis Volleyball Tournament • Aniel Daniel Chili Cook-off & Dessert Auction • White Pine Ski Resort closes for season
April 2017 • Various Community Easter Egg Hunts • Ranchers Calving Season • Granite Hot Springs opens
January 2017 • Lakes frozen for ice fishing • One-Lunger Vintage Snowmobile Race • Pinedale Snow Explorers Poker Run • Ice Hockey Tournaments • Alpine & Nordic Ski Races • Pinedale Aquatic Center Indoor Triathlon • Wind River Archers 3D Shoot • Eukanuba Sled Dog Race
Ice fishing!
Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before. ~ Anonymous
The Wind River Range in Sublette County comprises a landscape of high peaks (35 of which reach more than 13,000 feet in elevation), lush valleys, more than 1,300 lakes and the wild Wind River, Green River, New Fork and Hoback rivers making it a postcard-worthy setting for backcountry wildlife watching. Hike, ride or bike one of the plentiful trails and look for moose, elk, black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, pronghorn and mountain lions. There are many beautiful animals to be found in and around Sublette County. We’ve put together a basic list. Get out and enjoy. REMEMBER! Safety first, for both you and the wildlife. Photos courtesy of David J. Bell and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
AMERICAN PINE MARTEN Habitat: Forests The pine marten travels extensively under the snowpack.
BADGER
BEAVER
Habitat: Grasslands Badgers live in burrows and do not hibernate, but may become less active in winter.
Habitat: Ponds, streams, lakes The beaver is the largest rodent in North America and can weigh up to 70 lbs.
BLACK BEAR
BIGHORN SHEEP
BOBCAT
Habitat: Forests, alpine meadows The black bear is the smallest and most common species of bear in North America.
Habitat: Open mountainous areas, rocky slopes Bighorn sheep horns can weigh up to 30 lbs., while the sheep themselves can weigh up to 300 lbs.
Habitat: Open forest, brushy areas The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semi-desert and forest environments.
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COYOTE
ELK
GRAY WOLF
Habitat: Forests, grasslands Some say coyotes are symbols of the freedom, independence and resilience of the West.
Habitat: Open forests, meadows, fields The elk is one of the largest species of deer in the world.
Habitat: Forests and sagebrush Studies reaffirm that the gray wolf shares a common ancestry with the domestic dog.
GRIZZLY BEAR
MOOSE
MOUNTAIN LION
Habitat: Forests, alpine meadows Use caution while in backcountry so not to surprise them.
Habitat: Forests, lakes, slow streams, marshy areas Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males.
Habitat: Forests The mountain lion’s primary food source is deer, but they also prey on livestock.
MULE DEER
MUSKRAT
PIKAS
Habitat: Forests, meadows It gets its name from its large mule-like ears, and its tail is black tipped.
Habitat: Streams, lakes, marshy areas They have long tails covered with scales rather than hair.
Habitat: High alpine rocky slopes They are about 6 to 9 inches in length and weigh between 4 to 12 ounces.
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PORCUPINE
PRONGHORN
RACCOON
Habitat: Forests Quills are released by contact or may drop out when the porcupine shakes its body.
Habitat: Mountain foothills, grasslands, sagebrush They are the fastest mammal in the Western Hemisphere.
Habitat: Open forests, stream bottoms Studies show raccoons are able to remember the solution to tasks for up to three years.
RED FOX
RIVER OTTER
SKUNK
Habitat: Grasslands, open forest The red fox is one of the most important furbearing animals harvested for the fur trade.
Habitat: Ponds, streams, lakes They are playful animals and engage in various behaviors for sheer enjoyment.
Habitat: Open forests, grasslands Different species of skunk vary in appearance, but all have warning coloration.
Both grizzly and black bears inhabit the mountain forests in Sublette County. Bears are usually not a problem at campgrounds; however, during the seasons of drought, their natural food supplies are limited. Occasionally they will come to human-occupied areas in search of food. Some campgrounds, such as Green River Lakes and the Big Sandy area, offer bear-proof storage. Campers and hikers must follow food-storage requirements and be “bear aware.� Keep a clean camp at all times in order to not attract bears and carry bear spray for your safety in case of emergencies. 8 | 2016 Official Sublette County Travelers Journal
Sunsets
like nowh
ere else
on earth!
Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller. ~ Ibn Battuta Pinedale Roundup | 9
AMERICAN DIPPER
BALD EAGLE
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
This swimming songbird needs moving water and can be found searching for underwater bugs in riffles of our rivers.
Our national symbol can be found around any of the lakes, rivers or soaring high overhead.
This diving duck is found on lakes and slow-moving rivers.
CINNAMON TEAL
DOWNY WOODPECKER
GREAT BLUE HERON
This small colorful duck found in wetlands and ponds.
The small woodpecker is found at feeders and in aspen and mixed forest.
This large wading bird can be found stalking fish in any of the ponds and wetlands in the area.
GREAT HORNED OWL
GREATER SAGE GROUSE
KILLDEER
This raptor of the night can be found in a variety of habitats with it favoring cottonwood bottoms along our river systems.
This large grouse of the sagebrush and grassland areas is often seen when flushed.
Often heard before seen, this shorebird can be found throughout the county in a variety of habitats.
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MARSH WREN
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD
NORTHERN FLICKER
This small wren inhabits the wetland marshes.
This bird can be found in many habitats including aspen groves, cottonwood bottoms, and open sagebrush areas.
This common woodpecker is found in a number of habitats but seems to favor aspen forests.
OSPREY
RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER
RUFFED GROUSE
The fish-eating raptor can be found near any of the rivers and lakes in Sublette County.
A smaller woodpecker, it drills sap wells in trees for drinking. It is known to live in open forests and aspen groves.
The forest grouse is known to find a drumming log and attracts females by drumming its wings against its sides.
SAGE THRASHER
SANDHILL CRANE
TRUMPETER SWAN
This is a robin-sized bird of the sagebrush habitat. Its song seems to go on and on.
This is a large bird with a bugling call often found near water in wet meadows.
This beautiful bird will nest along the slow-moving waterways of the county and in wetlands.
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WESTERN TANAGER
WILLET
This colorful bird lives in coniferous or mixed forest.
The larger shorebird is often seen sitting on a fencepost along a rancher’s hay meadows.
WILLIAMSON’S SAPSUCKER This small woodpecker lives in open coniferous forest.
Elizabeth Boehm is a wildlife photographer living in Sublette County, Wyoming. More of her images can be found at www.elizabethboehm.com. WILSON’S SNIPE This small colorful shorebird is found in wetlands and ponds.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD A colorful bird of the cattail marshes, it has a unique “squawky” call.
There are over 1,300 named lakes in the county with Fremont Lake being the largest. Fremont Lake is the second largest natural lake in Wyoming at 12 miles long and a Annual half-mile wide. It is one of America’s Pinedale Sailing Regatta deepest lakes at over 600 feet deep. It is named after explorer and military man John C. Fremont, who surveyed the area in 1842, while mapping the Oregon Trail. 12 | 2016 Official Sublette County Travelers Journal
Prickly P
ear Cactu
s
The world is a book , and those who do not travel read only one page. ~ Saint Augustine Pinedale Roundup | 13
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Know your route and abilities. Consult guidebooks, use maps, and contact land managers for special considerations including private property. Make sure to start early. Be off any peak by noon to avoid lightening!
Use a camp stove to prepare meals. Campfires are not recommended near or above treeline. Dead wood is a crucial part of sub alpine and alpine ecosystems.
Respect Wildlife Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Stay on the trail. Walk through, not around, muddy and snowy areas, to avoid widening the trail. Never cut switchbacks, to help prevent erosion. Camp below treeline in existing campsites in order to avoid damaging fragile alpine tundra.
Dispose of Waste Properly
Observe wildlife quietly and from a distance. Never feed wildlife. Keep your dog on a leash for its safety and the safety of wildlife.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors Travel in small groups and avoid popular peaks on weekends. Consider the effects of your actions on other visitors.
Keep nature beautiful!
Pack out solid human waste from above treeline. Digging holes to bury feces damages fragile tundra. Other methods are unsanitary. Avoid urinating on vegetation. Salt in urine entices animals to chew and kill plants.
Leave What You Find Leave flowers, rocks, historic relics, etc. for others to enjoy.
Take only memories; leave only footprints. ~ Chief Seattle
Limit your alcohol intake and drink water, water, and more water.
nt
Hawk Nest Poi
Take precautions against sunburn. Higher elevations mean more exposure. Transition gradually from the valley floor to higher elevations.
Sublette County Elevations Big Piney: 6,824’ Bondurant: 6,611’ Boulder: 7,018’ Cora: 7,352’ Daniel: 7,195’
Green River Lakes: 8,000’ Marbleton: 6,867’ Pinedale: 7,182’ Square Top: 13,804’ White Pine Ski Resort: 9,500’
What does altitude sickness feel like? The most common adverse reaction is acute mountain sickness, also known as altitude sickness. The symptoms are described as headache, nausea, fatigue, and sometimes a little shortness of breath. Generally, those symptoms are worse when you combine higher elevations and exertion. If you feel that you might be suffering from acute mountain sickness, descend to the valley floor, stay hydrated, get some
rest, and most of the symptoms will pass. However, if symptoms persist, visit a doctor to rule out other health concerns. Visitors with preexisting medical conditions like heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, emphysema, and sleep apnea may have a difficult time adapting to altitude and can experience worsening of their conditions. See a physician if necessary or call 911 in case of emergency.
BITTERROOT
GLACIER LILY
PAINTBRUSH
Lewisia Rediviva Blooms in the Sagebrush region
Erythronium Grandiflorum Blooms in the Mountain region
Castilleja sp Blooms in the Alpine to Desert * Also found in the summer.
PASQUE FLOWER
SHOOTING STAR
WYOMING KITTENTAILS
Pulsatilla Patens Blooms in the Sagebrush region
Dodecantheon Pulchellum Blooms in the Meadows
Besseya Wyomingensis Blooms in the Sagebrush region
BALSAMROOT
BLUEBELLS
CACTUS - PINCUSION
Balsamorhiza Incana Blooms in the Sagebrush region
Mertinsia Ciliata Blooms in the Mountain region
Coryphantha Vivipara Blooms in the Sagebrush region
Photos by Julie Kraft, Sublette County Weed & Pest
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FIREWEED
HEART LEAF ARNICA
LUPINE
Chamerion Angustifolium Blooms in the Mountain region
Arnica Cordifolia Blooms in the Mountain region
Lupinus Argenteus Blooms in the Sagebrush region
MULE'S EAR
ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLUMBINE
Wyethia Amplexicaulis Blooms in the Mountain region
TUFTED EVENING PRIMROSE Oenothera Cespitosa Blooms in the Sagebrush region
Aquilegia Coerulea Blooms in the Mountain region
SCARLET GILIA Ipomopsis Aggregata Blooms in the Sagebrush region
WILD GERANIUM
WOOD NYMPH
Geranium Viscosissium Blooms in the Mountain region
Moneses Uniflora Blooms in the Mountain region
Help keep noxious weeds from spreading on our public lands.
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Travel time from Pinedale is approximate, based on road conditions, wild animals and traffic. LOCATION MILEAGE TRAVEL TIME Jackson, WY 77 miles 1.5 hours Grand Teton National Park, WY 82 miles 1.5 hours Yellowstone National Park, WY 90 miles 2.5 hours Rock Springs, WY 100 miles 1.5 hours Alta, WY 120 miles 2.5 hours Evanston, WY 156 miles 2.5 hours Riverton, WY 160 miles 2.5 hours Idaho Falls, ID 160 miles 3.0 hours Salt Lake City, UT 240 miles 4.0 hours Cody, WY 295 miles 5.0 hours Cheyenne, WY 356 miles 5.0 hours Gillette, WY 395 miles 6.0 hours Sheridan, WY 418 miles 6.5 hours Denver, CO 437 miles 6.5 hours Boise, ID 445 miles 7.0 hours
Sublette County Square Miles - 4,936 Elevation - 7,182 US Highway State Highway All Other Roads Town Limits Rivers and Lakes
Parks U.S. Forest Service B.L.M. State of Wyoming
Maps provided by Sublette County. Sublette County makes no claims as to the absolute validity or reliability of the maps and data. All maps and data contained herein are provided "as is." The user agrees to hold harmless Sublette County from and against any and all liability which may arise as a result of the use of the maps and data provided to the user from Sublette County.
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BROOK TROUT
BROWN TROUT
The brook trout is found in clean, cold streams and is well established in mountain regions throughout most of Wyoming.
They are more tolerant of high water temperatures than other trout, and feed on aquatic insects and plankton in lakes and reservoirs.
COLORADO RIVER CUTTHROAT TROUT The cutthroat trout is the only trout native to Wyoming.
GOLDEN TROUT
GRAYLING
LAKE TROUT
The Wyoming and world record for a golden trout was taken from Cook Lake, Sublette County, in 1948.
Graylings have been introduced into a number of high lakes in Wyoming, and do best in relatively shallow lakes.
The lake trout or mackinaw is found primarily in large, deep cold lakes. They are the largest fish that live in Wyoming.
RAINBOW TROUT
MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH
They prefer cool, clear water in either streams or lakes with a maximum water temperature below 70° Fahrenheit.
It is generally found in large, clear streams where it prefers deep, fast water and is indigenous to the Green River Drainage.
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Think you caught a record fish? Check the list of record fish to see if your fish might be a contender. If so, submit your record with the Official Wyoming State Fish Record Apllication. A complete list for the state of Wyoming is available online at www.wgfd.wyo.gov. Photos courtesy Mike Kaul, Two Rivers Emporium and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Sublette County contains over 1,300 lakes and thousands of miles of streams. Mostly trout are common to the lakes and streams in Sublette County. Area streams start to open in April. High country lakes usually are accessible in July.
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES There are several Wyoming Game and Fish regulations in place to protect Wyoming’s resources. All boaters should be aware of watercraft inspection requirement regulations. Any watercraft transported into Wyoming must undergo a mandatory inspection by an authorized inspector prior to launching.
Threats Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are organisms that are not native and cause significant harm to an ecosystem when introduced. Harmful impacts can occur to municipal water supplies, recreation, agricultrure, aquaculture, and other commercial activities.
Drain Clean Dry The WGFD will conduct watercraft inspections at ports of entry, other border locations, and major waters around the state. These watercraft
inspections will be marked with signs and all persons transporting water craft must stop at these check stations.
Decal All watercraft using Wyoming waters are required to display an AIS decal. Costs for the decals varies, depending on the state where the watercraft is registered. Please check with the WGF for all further information. WGFD Office 432 East Mill St. Pinedale WY 82941 307-367-4353
PLACES TO FISH IN SUBLETTE COUNTY for public fishing enjoyment. Public Wyoming Fishing access to a Walk-in Area is limited to Guide fishing only during the time period and The WGFD Fishing Guide is now available online, as both an interactive publication and a clickable map. Be sure to check a copy of the current Wyoming Fishing Regulations for stream restrictions before fishing.
Walk-in Fishing Areas A Walk-in Area (WIA) is a tract of private land or inaccessible public land on which the WGFD has leased rights
only for the specific species agreed upon by the landowner and the Department.
Float Access Areas There are float maps available at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for the Upper Green River and the Upper North Platte River for access areas.
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such beautiful scenery
You do not have to be rich to travel well. ~ Eugene Fodor 22 | 2016 Official Sublette County Travelers Journal
Try Something New! No matter the season, Sublette County offers endless diversions, with classes, workshops, and lots and lots of great local advice. Hit the trail (or bike paths), lace on your old sneakers and tr y bouldering, attend an outdoor concert or art reception! The older we get, the harder it gets to actually tr y something new. Let your inner child relearn how to play! Maybe you’ll become a mountain man for the day.
On a Horse of Course! Horses are meant as much for fun as work and the opportunities are grand, whether you want to saddle up for a day ride or pack trip, prefer to be pulled by
a draft team in a covered wagon or watch them race around at rodeos. Every season in Sublette County calls for enjoying our horse-crazy heritage, from skijoring to stagecoach rides. As the saying goes, we have a horse for ever yone! A visit just isn’t complete without fitting a horse in there somewhere.
ATV ETC Many trails on the BLM and BridgerTeton National Forest make it easy to access these public landscapes on ATVs. One good ride star ts at the North Piney Lake Trailhead and winds up along Nor th Piney Creek, per fect for fishing, picnicking, napping or watching for wildlife along the way.
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The adventurous can head toward Wyoming Peak, the highest in the Wyoming Range, and check out the historic fire lookout. Hoback Basin and the Upper Green also hold many marked trails to travel.
balls and delicate oyster mushrooms. Warm sunny days after spring or summer rains usually bring them out; know what you are picking before eating any mushrooms, though, as many can give you an unpleasant night at the ver y least.
Rockhounds Sublette County’s amazing geology ranges from solid granite boulders and Wyoming jade, to fragile cr ystals and fossil-packed limestone from its early sea-covered eras. Whether in the deser t, sagebrush flats or the mountains, keeping your eyes on the ground pays off. Occasionally, obsidian chips and flakes mark the passage of early Native Americans who summered in the area.
Mushroom Hunting Another fun pastime on the ground – searching for edible morels, white puff-
Catch of your life Looking for a fishing adventure? Check the map for Joe’s Lake, a day hike from the New Fork Trailhead in the Winds, to catch an elusive golden trout. Colorado River and Snake River cutthroats are native to many Sublette streams and rivers – and catching these two might star t you on the Game & Fish Cutt-Slam quest for all four species. Shore-fish by Fremont Lake’s upper campground, where the secret is adding a couple marshmallow bobbers to the nightcrawler on your hook. Beaver ponds in the Wyoming
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Range offer shelter for brookies. Meadow Lake, the only drive-to lake in the Winds, yields graylings – strange little fish with huge iridescent dorsal fins. Another odd but delicious catch is the ling cod at Big Sandy and Fontenelle reser voirs. When you haul it in, don’t scream! Build a fire, skin it like a catfish and wrap in foil with salt, pepper, lemon and herbs or onion.
calmer Half Moon Lake, with the overnight option to connect lake and rivers and make one memorable night out. Bring your snorkel gear to see what life’s like underwater. Full moons are a great time for a little romance – or fishing. For the bolder, take several days to canoe from Green River Lakes down the Upper Green, planning to stop at public sites to camp.
Tippy Canoes (& Kayaks Too)
Auction Action
Enjoy spectacular views from your float on Fremont, Green River or New Fork lakes, or travel down the Upper Green, New Fork and Hoback rivers – all with handy public access points and parking lots. Drop a tube in Pine Creek and laze through Pinedale past Boyd Skinner Park. Paddle around Green River Lakes or the smaller,
Sublette County has many enter taining sorts of auctions all year, whether local cowboy-trained geldings, community benefits, 4-H livestock or ranch-house sales. These are the best places to find the best deals and best souvenirs ever. Plus you’ll meet new people and never forget where you bought that little knickknack – in Sublette County!
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Mountain Salads Meadows and backcountry trails often bring you past dozens of edible plants and berries, from raspberries growing among the rocks to late summer huckleberries wild onions to fireweed salad greens. One excellent guide is Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies by Linda Kershaw.
Boulder/ Climb Stonehenge From Boulder, take the Boulder Lake Road until you see that big pile of rocks on the right. You can boulder and scramble on the rocks at Boulder‘s Stonehenge or take advantage of several fixed anchors for roped-up veterans. Rock-climbing and bouldering can be enjoyed around the county, like the Hoback Shield north of Bondurant, but the Winds are most familiar as
coveted summits for technical climbers, with far less traffic and more fantastic challenges.
Sweeney Creek Silver Mine This can be a steep and bone-jarring couple of hours‘ bike ride or drive but it is also a ton of fun. Drive or bike up to the Sweeney Creek Road just past the Half Moon Lake overlook. Follow signs to Sweeney Creek. The trail changes from a two-track to a wide trail through the woods, loaded with rocks and roots. At the end of the trail rest a few ruins from an old silver mine.
Trial, er, Trail Runs Two-tracks, county roads, public trails and paved pathways run the gamut, from level to lungwrenching. One great
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5-mile trail run star ts at the end of Half Moon Lake Road, along the lake’s north shore to the Pole Creek outlet. Here you get wet crossing the outlet. The trail going on to Fayette Lake is steep and rocky, then enters the timber before breaking out on a small beach on its south shore and skeeters galore. By the time you return to the outlet, you’ll be ready for that second dip!
Sacred Rim Sunset Hiking to the Sacred Rim is a rite of passage and offers a fantastic skyline view of the Winds. Drive to Elkhar t Park Trailhead and park, then walk a quar ter-mile and turn left on the unmarked but well-worn trail. About 2 miles later, you reach the overlook, the per fect place to stop. If you want to watch the sunset, bring a headlamp or flashlight to find your way back down.
Travel Union Pass Union Pass Road starts 25-plus miles past Cora and up along the Upper Green. Take a left over the Kendall Bridge, cross the Green and follow the road, watching for wildlife, grazing catttle, grizzly bears and wildflowers. This is Sublette‘s only passable dirt road (four-heel-drive and high clearance recommended) to the other side of the Winds and northerly Gros Ventres, coming out near Dubois about 60 miles away. This looks like a shortcut – but give yourself several hours at the very least each way.
Bondurant and ahhh, Granite Each Sublette community has its annual barbecue and Bondurant’s tradition is more than 75 years old, always on the four th Sunday after the
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St. Huber t’s Episcopal Church ser vice. The same recipes are still used for signature Bondurant Beef BBQ sauces, beans, salads and homemade desser ts. Head nor th to Granite Creek’s junction with the Hoback River. Then drive up Granite Creek Road about 10 miles to soak in Granite Hot Springs pool. Perfection!
Airplanes on the Plains Sublette County boasts two airports with hangar and apron parking as well as roomy facilities. Each airport hosts fly-in pancakes breakfasts where the public is invited to take a tour, special summer events and a popularity with private commuters, light and experimental aircraft pilots, tourists and plane-watchers.
Continental Divide Gateway As the state‘s first gateway community to the Continental Divide Trail System, Pinedale has a lot to brag about. The Continental Divide serves as the spine of the Rockies and there are as many ways to enjoy the trails as anyone could ask for. Access continues at the south end of Sublette County and into Fremont County over South Pass for driving and snowmobiling loops as well as historic sites.
Play Nine Holes Doesn’t matter the level of golfer you are, Sublette County has its own laid back and beautiful little golf course in Pinedale. Beating the ball through nine holes while throwing back a cold beverage and lunch at the clubhouse is a great way to spend a warm summer
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afternoon and evening. Along these lines, another evening entertainment might be pitching horseshoes at American Legion Park or catching a baseball tournament at the local baseball fields.
Hike the Highland Trail The East has the Appalachian Trail, the West has the Pacific Crest Trail, and in Sublette County, we have the Highline Trail, 90 miles through the Bridger Wilderness, from Big Sandy in the south to the Green River Lakes in the north. You’ll pass through places with great names like Iron Creek Meadows, Fremont Crossing, Brimstone Mountain, Three Forks Park, Tourist Creek, Granite Peak, and Battleship Mountain. You’ll also come close to at least 43 lakes including Tommy Lake, Stonehammer Lake, Cross Lake, Full Moon
Lake, Horseshoe Lake, and Lake Christina. Take a week if you can or split it up over several trips.
Fall Foliage While the mountains and foothills may not boast the dizzying colors of coastal forests, the simplicity of autumn colors is breathtaking as aspens turn neon yellow and orange, willows change from hues of green to earthy umber, and small shrubs and trees mark mountainsides in vibrant scarlet, rust, and coral splashes. Taking a drive, bike ride or horseback ride through this striking Sublette season is worthy of a day’s adventure along back roads and highways alike.
Sublette Hunting Wyoming Game and Fish hunting seasons on public and private lands are
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carefully planned to protect one of our greatest natural resources – the wildlife. Seasons and license are available for game birds, ducks, antelope, mule deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and even mountain goats. If you’re not into hunting with a bow or a rifle, watching, sketching and photographing these animals on their record-setting migration routes can be fascinating. As Sublette County hunts are so popular with once-in-a-lifetome memories, Game and Fish recommends nonresident and resident hunters alike plan early in the year for fall hunts.
Skis & Skates Sublette’s cross-country and downhill trails lure everyone from novice to expert skiers to White Pine Ski Resort and to groomed and backcountr y experiences on the forst. Anyplace with snow attracts the outdoorsy types and
offer solitude, White Pine, opened in 1940, is family-friendly with 25 downhill ski, snowboard or telemark runs and also features a tubing park. Frozen lakes, small skating ponds and the Sublette County Ice Arena offer beginners and Olympians a great chance to practice your hockey skills or perfect your axels. As with any winter sport, check weather and ice conditions first!
Ice Fishing Fanatics Grab your tackle for a day of ice fishing and later in the winter, maybe a bit of early spring fly-fishing? If you can stand the cold, challenge yourself on the area’s famous rivers and lakes. In the depth of winter, cut a hole in the ice for some great fishing. Many people cross the frozen lakes on snowmobiles or ATVs or on foot. Popular winter fishing destinations include Fremont Lake, Half Moon Lake, Boulder Lake and Green
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River Lakes in the Wind River Range and Middle Piney Lake in the Wyoming Range. Check ice depths and conditions at the Pinedale Wyoming Game and Fish Office.
13,000 feet), snow depths easily range from 5 to 10 feet. Be safe, travel with friends and check avalanche and weather conditions!
Mo‘ Snowmobiling
Meanwhile, Hospitality Rules
Sublette County sits right in the middle of the most popular snowmobiling trail systems in the west, which includes the Wyoming and Gros Ventres ranges and the Continental Divide, to find solitude away from the crowds. The trail to the eastern side of the Wyoming Range has been rated in the top 10 of “Best of All Time Trail Systems.“ The Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail is a unique and extensive trail system with hundreds of scenic routes throughout the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Because of high elevations on the Continental Divide (sometimes more than
Sublette communities might look like tiny towns but they are filled with people with big hearts. Visitors are always made welcome, any time of the year, at our community events, public libraries, rec centers, entertainment venues, art shows, farmers markets, holiday happenings, church socials, fun weekends and in our unique businesses, cafés, shops, and restaurants. Come enjoy our high mountains and high plains, and get a taste of the real western tradition of hospitality!
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Sublette County welcomes all visiting furry friends. Here is some information to help your pets enjoy their stay as much as you do.
Pet Friendly
National Parks
Sublette County is an extremely pet-friendly vacation destination. While you and your furry family member visit, you’ll be able to check off most of your activity list together. Your dog will need to be leashed in town, including parks and walking paths.
Leashed pets are permitted with their owners in developed campgrounds, turnouts, and picnic areas in national parks. Pets are prohibited in the backcountry and on park trails for their own safety and the safety of wildlife. See all national park pet regulations at nps.gov.
Vaccinate
Day Boarding
For your pet’s safety and that of other pets they may encounter, make sure their vaccinations are up to date, and that you have a copy of their medical records with you. If your pet is on medication or a special food, make sure to have proof of those prescriptions as well, so that local animal clinics can help as quickly as possible.
If you find an activity that suits your fancy, but is of no interest to your pet, there are a few local facilities that can help! Day boarding or extended stay needs for your dog or cat can be accommodated. Outdoor runs for warm weather are available, multiple walks each day, and the ease of mind that your pet is being cared for by professionals while you are away, make things easier for everyone involved. Animal Clinic of Pinedale can confidently administer medications, adhere to feeding directives, and understand the importance of caring for your furry friends physical and emotional well-being during your vacation.
National Forests Dogs are permitted in area national forests, but usage restrictions can apply. Check out fs.usda.gov before hitting the trail.
DON’T FORGET YOUR MUTT MITT! Most trailheads and paths include dispensers. Please remember to clean up after your pet!
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Such a view
Not all those who wander are lost. ~ J.R.R. Tolkien 34 | 2016 Official Sublette County Travelers Journal