Wildlife and Geology Tour in Wind River Country, Wyoming
Day One
This scenic tour that features our unique geology and wildlife starts in Lander, Wyoming, the first community settled in Wyoming’s Wind River Country. From historic downtown Lander, take Sinks Canyon Road to Sinks Canyon State Park and walk the interpretive hiking paths or go to the Visitors Center. Here you can learn about the geological wonder known as the “Sinks,” where the Popo Agie River disappears underground into a rock cavern, only to mysteriously reappear one-quarter mile down stream at the “Rise.” You’ll be amazed at the monster trout that live in the “Rise.” Enjoy many choices in canyon hikes and nature trails along the river.
Later in the day you can head for Wyoming’s newest Scenic Byway in the Wind River Canyon, located on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Take Wyoming Highway 789 north to Riverton then US Highway 26 to Shoshoni where you’ll turn onto US Highway 20. This Scenic Byway drive offers travelers 34 miles of dramatic canyon views, 2000-foot cliffs, geologic field exploration opportunities, abundant wild life, float trips, canyon fishing, and boat launching and state park facilities.
For hundreds of years, Native Americans, explorers, and pioneers used this scenic canyon as a corridor to travel between central and northwest Wyoming. As you continue north through the Wind River Indian Reservation, you may spot some of the many wildlife species that inhabit the area such as mule deer, herds of antelope, bighorn sheep, elk and eagles. In 1995, 43 Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep were "transplanted" along the canyon rim after being moved in horse trailers from Dubois, Wyoming. The big horn sheep were then loaded onto railroad flatcars, transported 7 miles on the railroad tracks and released in the Wind River Canyon. Today the estimated number of bighorn sheep is over 100. You’ll get more spectacular views in the other direction as you return back toward Lander.
Day Two
Today you’ll head out to Dubois, nicknamed the “Valley of the Warm Winds” on US287.
Turn left on US287/26. The lone butte to the north of the highway is called Crowheart Butte. The legend says that in 1866 the Shoshone and Bannock tribes were battling with the Crow Indians over hunting grounds in the area. Chief Washakie (Shoshone) and Chief Big Robber (Crow) were to fight alone on the top of the butte, and the winner was to eat the other’s heart. Chief Washakie won the fight, thus the butte was named “Crowheart.”
First settled about 1866, Dubois has a history typical of the Old West. Many legendary hunters, trappers and explorers such as Kit Carson, Jim Bridger and Butch Cassidy passed through this area. Five miles from town, across from the cliffs, turn right on Forest Road 411. Cross the cattle guard and turn right on a dirt road for 1.5 miles to the Dubois Fish hatchery. Guided tours of the facility are offered. After your tour, head back but turn right before the cattle guard onto Trail Lake Road. This 10-mile scenic drive will take you to the trailhead and past the basin at the base of Whiskey Mountain (named for an early resident’s still and cache of whiskey.) This is the home of one of the largest native herds of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. There is a wildlife viewing area with a public scope 2.5 miles from the highway. You may spot antelope and mule deer as well as the bighorn sheep. Peek viewing of the Bighorn Sheep rut is in November and early December.
To the south, granite peaks protrude from the majestic Wind River Range. Over 2.5 million years old, these peaks were formed as a result of the earth’s uplifting, erosion, and advancing and retreating glaciers. The Absaroka Mountains, to the north, were formed from volcanic material flowing over an older, existing mountain range. After erosion of the volcanic rocks, peaks were exposed like the Ramshorn, so named for its resemblance to the horn of a bighorn sheep. While in the town of Dubois, you’ll notice the spectacular badlands to the north of the highway including the Cathedral Cliffs.
On your way back from Dubois, continue on US26 to Riverton. Turn left on Federal and left again on Fremont Ave. to visit the Wind River Heritage Center, 412 E. Fremont Ave, for a free exhibit of local wildlife mounts. You may want to call ahead (307-856-0706) to see if Jake Korell, a famous, local trapper, is there so you can hear many of his enjoyable tales of trapping and living in this area.
To view the original site of the 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous where trappers came to trade their furs, return to Federal Ave. and drive five blocks south. Turn left on East Monroe Ave. and after one mile, turn right on Smith Road. From here you’ll follow the signs to the dirt road and then a buck and rail fence in a wooded area. This site is also the confluence of the Big and Little Wind rivers. The walking trail, which explains the rendezvous and tales about the mountain men, is open year-round.
Give or take a few, it is 400 miles across Wyoming on Interstate 80. By anybody’s standard that is a solid day’s travel. But hey, don’t just buzz through the state. There is a lot to see and do along the way. So much, in fact, that it’s best done in sections. So instead of hitting Wyoming at Pine Bluffs, putting the cruise control on 75 mph, and blowing out of the state around eight hours later at Evanston, set your sights on just some of the towns.
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