2021-02-23 10:53:34
SUPERIOR GET BURIED IN MINING HISTORY. In its heyday, Superior was home to a thriving mining population, and it even led the West in mining production. But if you look at the abandoned mines today, you might think they’re just empty holes. Fortunately, these mines are anything but empty. They’re full of history and the memories of the thousands of miners who put them on the map. About Superior: Fueled by the booming times of the Union Pacific Coal Mines, Superior was once home to nine coal mines and bustling communities. The area’s most efficient mine—and the last to close—was the D.O. Clark mine, the largest producing mine west of the Mississippi. Superior’s mining days might be long gone, but the spirit and independence of those lively times remains. What to See and Do: • Stop by the restored Union Hall, once the largest union building in the West. • Hike the scenic trails of the continental divide. • Discover one of the remaining large concrete arrows used in the early 1900s to help air-mail pilots navigate transcontinental flights and deliver mail. WAMSUTTER HANG WITH THE LOCALS. If your idea of mingling with the locals involves antlers, then you’ll feel right at home in Wamsutter. A perfect place to admire Wyoming’s stunning scenery and explore its unique geology. Here, the wildlife seems to blend right in. About Wamsutter: Originally inhabited by Shoshone and Ute tribes, Wamsutter was founded in 1868 to service the transcontinental railroad, and it was formally incorporated in 1914. It has since served as a hotbed for sheep operations, wild horse roundups, uranium explorations, oil production and natural gas development. Not to mention, it’s home to the world’s only desert elk herd and the largest herd of pronghorn antelope—who frequently wander through the community. What to See and Do: • Bring a camera and some binoculars to view the area’s wildlife. • Hike miles of trails and enjoy the unique scenery. HISTORIC SOUTH PASS CATCH A CASE OF GOLD FEVER. If you were traveling here in the mid-1800s, South Pass, just outside of Sweetwater County, would have been swarming with crowds of people scrambling to get their piece of the gold rush. Thankfully, the crowds are much smaller these days, so you can have a more intimate experience as you dig in and strike it rich in the area’s history. But if it’s gold you seek, you can still try your luck at panning. About South Pass: Long before the mass move to the West, trappers and traders shared South Pass with Native Americans. But in 1849, when gold was discovered in California, the area became a heavily traveled route for those chasing golden dreams. And then in 1867, the Carissa Lode was found and word of gold in South Pass spread like wildfire. The short-lived gold frenzy left a mark on the area, attracting a new kind of Gold Rush to this day. What to See and Do: • Tour the famous Carissa Mine. • Walk the scenic Flood & Hindle Mining Trail.• Learn about the town and its residents on a guided South Pass City Tour.• Come in mid-July for Gold Rush Days to enjoy mining championships, baseball, games, music and more! THE EDEN VALLEY INSPIRE YOUR INNER PIONEER. Decades ago, the Eden Valley served as a gateway to the West, welcoming travelers across the Oregon and Mormon Trails. Today, it serves as a gateway to imagination as you discover its native roots. About Eden Valley: Starting with Native Americans, then followed by fur traders, mountain men and western pioneers, the Eden Valley served as a thoroughfare for settlers and passers-through long before the area was settled. While 1824 marked the first east-west crossing of South Pass, it was in 1907 that John M. Farson’s large-scale irrigation developments led to the settlement of the town. Long-term settlers were attracted to the area by pamphlets that promised, “fruit orchards will grow higher than a man’s head,” which was the beginning of the farming and ranching community that still thrives here today. What to See and Do: • Stop by the Farson Mercantile for some famous Big Cone ice cream, pizza and gifts. • Pitch a tent, launch the boat and catch the big one at the Big Sandy Reservoir. • Hike and bike to your heart’s content on historic trails.
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