Free 2021 Edition Platte Valley Adventures For the “Good Times Valley” & Beyond Saratoga, Encampment, Riverside, Hanna, Medicine Bow, Elk Mountain, The Snowy Range & The Sierra Madres Your guide to summer activities and attractions Produced by the Saratoga Sun Welcome To East Carbon County 6DUDWRJD6XQ (VWDEOLVKHG (GLWRU3XEOLVKHU -RVKXD:RRG (GLWRU6DUDWRJD6XQ#JPDLOFRP 5HSRUWHU 0LNH$UPVWURQJ $UPVWURQJ06DUDWRJD6XQ#JPDLOFRP $G6DOHV $PDQGD6KHSKHUG 6KHSKHUG$6DUDWRJD6XQ#JPDLOFRP *UDSKLF'HVLJQ 'DQD'DYLV 'DYLV'6DUDWRJD6XQ#JPDLOFRP (%ULGJH$YH 6DUDWRJD:< 7KH6DUDWRJD6XQLVSXEOLVKHG HYHU\:HGQHVGD\E\6DUDWRJD6XQ ,QF(QWHUHGDV3HULRGLFDOPDWWHUDW WKHSRVWRIÀFHDW6DUDWRJD&DUERQ &RXQW\:\RPLQJ8636 3RVWPDVWHU 6HQGDGGUHVVFKDQJHVWR Jack Creek 6DUDWRJD6XQ 32%R[ 6DUDWRJD:< ello and thank you for picking events to pass the time in eastern Interstate 80, take a detour from the 2ZQHGE\ up Platte Valley Adventures, a Carbon County. traffic and take some time to enjoy our 6DUDWRJD6XQ,QF new publication from the staff If you’re still concerned about being scenic beauty. You don’t even have to *DU\DQG6XH6WHYHQVRQ ofH the Saratoga Sun. a little too close to people, you will get back on the interstate to continue Longtime readers of the Sun will also find some simple ideas for social your drives, either. 6XEVFULSWLRQUDWHV remember that, for over 20 years, distancing adventures in the Platte If you’re going east, you’ve got three the newspaper put out an annual 'LJLWDORQO\ Valley and the areas around Hanna, alternate routes in the summer; you summer guide that evolved from the Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow. The can take United States Highway 30 LQ&DUERQ&RXQW\ Platte Valley Adventure Guide to the Valley is surrounded by the Snowy through Medicine Bow, head out on HOVHZKHUHLQWKH Adventure Guide. Originally it was Range and Sierra Madre mountains Wyoming Highway 130 and take in printed on newsprint and eventually and sports wonderful hiking trails. the splendor of the Snowy Range and on glossy, high definition pages. If hiking and biking are a little on Lake Marie or embark on Wyoming In a way, we are returning to our the dry side, why not try something a Highway 230 through Riverside and roots by going back to newsprint. The hope is you will carry us with you as little closer to the water? Better yet, try down into Colorado. you go on your adventures, even if something on the water. There are two If a more westerly direction is it’s rolled up and in your back pocket. blue ribbon fisheries in the area; the in your plans, take United States Previous publications put out by North Platte River, that runs through Highway 70—also known as the Battle the Saratoga Sun have featured Saratoga, and the Encampment River, Pass Scenic Highway—over Battle events throughout the summer that which runs through Riverside. Not Mountain and cross the continental have drawn hundreds of people each only do both rivers provide excellent divide into the Little Snake River year. Last year, many of those events fishing, they are also ideal for floating. Valley. were unable to take place due to the Indeed, there is plenty in this There’s always something new to pandemic. This year, however, you will little corner of the Cowboy State to discover, so why not take the time to find a schedule of new and returning keep you busy for days! If you’re on explore? 2021 Platte Valley Adventures 3 Fishing the North Platte River ne of the best kept secrets The public access areas are: Six among fishermen is trout fishing Mile Gap, Pickaroon, Bennett Peak, Oin the Upper North Platte River, Treasure Island, Saratoga, Foote, which has been designated by the Pick Bridge, Sanger access and Wyoming Game and Fish Department Eagle’s nest. as a Blue Ribbon trout stream because Always check water levels before of the population of trout that swim its going out on your own. Local waters. With an estimated 868 fish landowners kindly request that per mile, the river offers remarkable visitors respect private property signs. fishing opportunities for all sorts of Riverbanks and bottoms are private fishermen, whether they prefer fly property, even though the water that fishing or tackle and bait fishing. runs over them is public. The river is loaded with several trout Access areas closer to Colorado like species including brook trout, brown Six Mile, Pickaroon and Bennett Peak trout and rainbow trout. Expert guide are more remote with rugged terrain. services located throughout the Valley Access points further down the river offer guided fishing expeditions that are much more open, less rugged and provide some of the most enjoyable more accessible by vehicles. and relaxing fishing trips around ... One favorite of the local Upper Platte and may just land anglers a once-in- Valley fisherman is the Encampment a-lifetime trophy fish. River, which ties into the North Platte Wade fishermen will also find the River just above the Treasure Island Upper North Platte River to be a Access. For access information, haven for their sport. Numerous public consult the office of Wyoming Game access areas are scattered along the and Fish by calling 307-326-5583, or length of the river from the Sierra one of the Valley’s fishing guides. Madre Mountains closer to Colorado, Licenses, conservation stamps, near the towns of Encampment and tackle, flies and bait can be purchased Riverside, to the high prairies near at any of the numerous fishing retailers Saratoga. in the Valley. Pic Bridge Access Boating and Floating the North Platte River hether your idea of fun is a lazy afternoon on tranquil waters or a heart-pounding whitewater Wadventure, the North Platte River has what you’re looking for. With one of the most diverse ecosystems in southern Wyoming, the North Platte has a wide variety of wildlife to see and fish to catch. One way to explore this unique waterway is by floating it on a boat or raft. Though the river can be tricky, and even dangerous in places, there are plenty of seasoned local guides who can help enthusiasts who are unfamiliar with the area. It’s important to note that each person in a boat or raft is required to have a life preserver. Another consequential rule to remember is, that in the state of Wyoming, water flowing over private land is public, but the underlying river beds and adjacent shorelines are still considered private. Signs found along many portions of the North Platte indicate whether land is public or private and can be helpful to those floating the river. Public access to the North Platte is dependent on mutual respect between private property owners and the boaters and fishermen who float the river. Generally, the river flows best for fishing and rafting during June and July. By these months, the water has usually stabilized from spring and early summer run-off, and fishing is good for both spinning tackle and fly-fishing. In addition to life preservers, boaters should take along sunscreen, plenty of water, a dry bag with warm clothing and perhaps a wetsuit. North Platte water remains cold late into the summer and those floating should be prepared. Float times vary depending on how high the river is running, so some flexibility should be built into the timetable of any trip. North Platte River Public Access Platte Valley Adventures Page 5 Hiking the Snowy Range and Sierra Madres ith the Sierra Madres to the rises to 12,013 feet above sea-level. south and the Snowy Range Wildflowers, spruce-fir forests and Wrising up in snow-capped glory stunning panoramic views provide to the east, the Platte Valley is right next ample rewards for those willing to door to a veritable alpine playground. attempt the physically demanding trek. Easily accessible trails and picnic areas Compared to better-known national allow beginning hikers to enjoy the parks, neither the Snowy Range nor the region’s unique beauty while remote Sierra Madres are teeming with people, wilderness areas and peaks provide a so those wishing to truly immerse challenge to even the most experienced themselves in solitude can find it in mountaineers. southern Carbon County. The Snowy Range Scenic Byway linking The Sierra Madre Mountains are even Saratoga to the town of Centennial less visited than their Snowy Range is only open between Memorial Day counterparts. These mountains, Weekend and late fall, but it is well worth straddling the Continental Divide, the wait. The drive is one of the most form part of North America’s tectonic beautiful in the country and provides backbone. They, too, offer myriad access to many trails, peaks, pristine opportunities for camping, backpacking, lakes and alpine meadows. Along this mountain biking and hunting. route, anglers can fish in remote Mirror, Particular highlights include Green Lookout and South Gap Lakes while Mountain Falls, the Encampment River hikers can make an ambitious attempt Wilderness and Bridger Peak. at summiting Medicine Bow Peak, which Snowy Range Hiking Trails Platte Valley Adventures Page 7 Calendar of Events House. a special third course which will be and Rodeo is a perennial Father’s Day JUNE held at the Old Peryam Stage Stop event that draws participants from all ENCAMPMENT east of Riverside. Registration is $50, over. Watch as loggers compete for SARATOGA don’t forget the Friday night blind draw the title of Rocky Mountain Champion June 5-12, 2021: The Grand double at the 3rd course with a $5 buy Lumberjack. June 5, 2021: 11th Annual Hiwater Encampment Museum will celebrate in. End the day by attending the melodrama Hoedown. Whether the river is at Grand Encampment’s copper mining at the Grand Encampment Opera highwater or not, enjoy this annual history for an entire week as they hold June 19-20, 2021: Attend the 60th House, a perennial favorite that elicities music event near downtown Saratoga.