Snowy Range and Flu Pains

(2025 Balloons and Beyond Ep 5)

Leaving the hills, mesas and pioneer landmarks of western Nebraska behind, we arrived in Wyoming.    There were broad vistas and mountains to the southwest as we passed Cheyenne and Laramie.

Lincoln Monument in Wyoming?

We continued west on I-80, stopping at the Summit Rest Area a few miles from Laramie.

There we found the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument, erected in 1959 to mark the president’s 150^th birthday.  The monument is a 13.5 ft bronze bust of Lincoln created by Wyoming artist Robert Russin.  It sits atop a 35-foot granite pedestal.

The monument was originally located nearby on US 30.  Better known as the Lincoln Highway, US 30 was the first transcontinental highway.  It was completed in 1923 and ran 3389 miles coast to coast – from Times Square to the Golden Gate Bridge. 

The monument was moved to its current location on I-80 in 1969 when the Interstate was completed.

Exploring Medicine Bow

West of Laramie, we camped in Saratoga, a small town near the Snowy Range Scenic Byway and Medicine Bow National Forest.

^{Saratoga is known for Hobo Hot Springs along the North Platte River. Unfortunately, we were unable to enjoy the springs.}

Perhaps you remember Medicine Bow as the fictional town and setting of the Virginian, a 1960s television series that focused on the activities at the Shiloh Ranch in the late 19th century.

(The Medicine Bow area actually got its name from Native Americans who came to the area to cut mountain mahogany, water birch and juniper for making bows)

We decided to explore the area.  James skillfully drove his Jeep up narrow gravel roads as we ascended into Medicine Bow National Forest.  We drove through an area devastated by the East Troublesome Fire in October 2020.  Amidst the charred stalks of once robust pine and fir trees were low bushes and small aspen trees.  It will take many years for the forest to recreate itself.

We followed a route suggested by Google and started up a steep, narrow road that became impassible.  We backtracked and asked three camouflaged elk hunters for directions.

We eventually made it to Centennial WY where we turned back toward Saratoga on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway.  We crossed the Snowy Range pass at 10847 ft and were breathless –  from the elevation and from an amazing view of the Snowy Range.  The tops of the mountains were covered with fresh snow from the prior evening.

The tallest mountain in the range is Medicine Bow Peak.  At 12018 ft, it is the highest point in southern Wyoming.

That evening we celebrated James’ birthday!

Flu Pains

That night I (Ed) awoke with severe chills and fever.  This repeated for two more evenings along with nearly a week of dry coughing spells.  Although Pat was spared from flu symptoms, she felt the effects of a bad cold.  We extended our stay in Saratoga to six days as we finally began to recover.

We said goodbye to James as he continued to Jackson WY and Grand Teton NP. 

The next day we finally made our way up the Snowy Range Scenic Byway to spend a chilly night at Sugarloaf Campground.  The campground is situated near three lakes at the base of the Snowy Range and Sugarloaf Mountain.   At 10800 ft, the campground is one of the highest in the United States.

We took it easy, limiting ourselves to several short hikes.  The effects of the flu, cold temperatures and high elevations would linger with us for more than another week.

Critter Count

Our biggest critter surprise was along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway.  As we neared a parking area for a short hike, a bull moose and cow were hastily crossing a field beyond the parking area.  As we parked, another moose cow was making her way through the woods toward the other two moose.  This was the first Bullwinkle (our name for a bull moose) we have seen in all our travels including Alaska and Newfoundland!

• Mule deer- 14
• Pronghorn antelope – many
• Bald eagle – 1
• Moose – 1 bullwinkle and 2 cows
• Grouse – 1

Next Week

Bugle players at Rocky Mountain NP.