State Parks In : An Insight by newsdesk

Bear River State Park :Abundant wildlife including a "herd" of bison afford rare viewing opportunities and give the visitor a taste of wild Wyoming. Hiking, skiing trails, picnic shelters and a lazy river all combine to make Bear River State Park a unique Wyoming experience. :Guernsey State Park has a campground and a large expanse of water perfect for boating and water-skiing. The park is filled with many wonders. Sandstone cliffs overlook cooling water-filled canyons. Hiking trails and birdwatching are available. Most of the park roads are paved. The park's area consists of high hills with generous stands of pine and juniper trees. The soil varies from large sandstone cliffs to sandy beaches and prairie areas. The grass ranges from the sparse to heavy stands of grass and sagebrush, depending on the soil. The scenic hills form one of the most attractive areas in the southeastern corner of Wyoming. The :One can enjoy soothing waters, views of the unforgettable bison, and some of the loveliest flower gardens in this hot springs state park. The Hot Springs State Bison Herd is the central herd for the Wyoming State Parks. In addition to those at Hot Springs Park, bison are also located at Bear River State Park. The herds vary in size depending on the graze available and the needs within the state herd system. The suspension foot bridge across the Bighorn River is commonly called "The Swinging Bridge." The bridge offers a unique vantage point from which to view the Bighorn River and Mineral Terrace. In 1896 a treaty was signed with the Shoshone and the Arapaho, which gave the public use of the largest mineral hot springs in the world. The hot springs was known as having "healing water." The hot mineral water is maintained at 104 degrees Fahrenheit to provide the safest healing water possible. A time limit of thirty minutes is set for the soaking time for safety reasons. :Sinks Canyon is so named because the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie, a rushing mountain river, flows out of the Wind River Mountains and through the Canyon. Halfway down the canyon the river abruptly turns into a large limestone cavern, and the crashing water "sinks" into fissures and cracks at the back of the cave. The river is underground for 1/4 mile until it emerges down canyon in a large calm pool called "The Rise" and then continues its course into the valley below. Where the water goes while it is underground is unknown. The sinks narrow to small, unexplorable log and rock jammed fissures. The Sinks and Rise occur in the thick, easily eroded off-white Madison Limestone formation. The amount of water flowing into the Sinks varies with the season. For many years it was unproven that the water flowing into the Sinks was the same water flowing out at the Rise. Dye tests have proven it is the same water but have revealed other mysteries: it takes the water flowing into the Sinks over two hours to reappear at the Rise. Geologists speculate that while underground the water circulates up and down and through many narrow, winding passages and pools until it resurfaces. It was also discovered that more water flows out at the Rise than goes in at the Sinks. The additional water may be coming from underground springs or other sinks formations in the area. It is unknown exactly how old the Sinks are although they are likely an Ice Age feature thousands of years old. The massive glaciers that carved the canyon exposed the soft limestone and the millions of gallons of water from the melting ice helped erode the underground passages. Native Americans knew of the Sinks for generations. The first white men to see them were fur trappers in the early 1800s.

State Parks In Wyoming: An Insight by newsdesk