SALT TO STONE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: TOLLGATE ROCK, WYOMING OFFICE OF TOURISM; J.C. PENNEY HOMESTEAD, WYOMING OFFICE OF TOURISM; GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, JASON HATFIELD. WYOMING You are here Follow the Continental Divide Trail to Yellowstone National Park along Wyoming’s western slope and stop along the way for boating at Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, a fossil dig at Fossil Butte National Monument or backpacking in the Wind River Mountains. ROUTE A EVANSTON TO KEMMERER KEMMERER TO PINEDALE OR AFTON Upon crossing the Wyoming state line, stop in Evanston , a railroad town founded in 1868. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the city is a hub for fishing, hunting, hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing. Find your way back to the interstate and exit onto Hwy 30 to the town of Kemmerer , the headquarters for two famous festivals: Fossil Fest in June and Oyster Ridge Music Festival in July. It’s also where James Cash “J.C.” Penney founded his first retail store in 1902 when it was a booming mining town. Just west of Kemmerer is Fossil Butte National Monument. As Wyoming’s newest national monument, it contains more than 8,000 acres and protects a portion of the largest deposit of freshwater fish fossils in the world. The visitor center houses more than 300 fossils but if that’s not enough, hike one of the interpretive trails. Once you’ve stopped in Kemmerer, choose between Pinedale and Afton as your next destination. Pinedale is nestled on the western flank of the Wind River Mountain Range. The 12-mile-long boater-and fisher-friendly Fremont Lake is just 3 miles from town. On your way to the lake, stop by the Muse-um of the Mountain Man for a fascinating look into life during the 1800s fur-trade era. Afton is located in a growing rural commu-nity along the banks of Swift Creek. Admire the world’s largest elk-antler arch, built in 1958 with more than 3,000 elk antlers. Locals contribute to the growing arch when elk shed their antlers each year. PINEDALE TO JACKSON rides at Buckys Vintage Snowmobile Museum or the Museum of the Mountain Man ’s fur-trading relics. From there, jump back on Hwy 191 and make your way to Jackson, cutting through the southern end of Bridger-Teton National Forest. JACKSON HOLE TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Grand Teton National Park shelters stunning mountain scenery and a diverse array of wildlife. Rising more than 7,000 feet above the valley of Jackson Hole , the Teton Range dominates the park’s skyline. The range is very popular among climbers, hikers and photographers. Yellowstone National Park has more than 2 million acres of sprawling wilderness to explore, including the world-famous Old Faithful geyser. The park’s vast network of trails takes hikers to hundreds of secluded places where nature is left to its own devices. Once you arrive in Pinedale , consider stay-ing at one of the welcoming dude and guest ranches for a real taste of Old West charac-ter. Check out the collection of old-school TravelWyoming.com 59
Wyoming Official Travel Guide 2017 Wyoming OTJ: Page 59
