ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH Explore three national parks and two national monuments on this breathtaking, 1,300-mile road trip that starts in Denver. 24 . Yellowstone Edition 2020 YSJ2020_RoadTrip-Rocky-Mountain_07.indd 24 3/5/20 8:32 AM ROCKY MOUTAIN HIGH DENVER TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN AND YELLOWSTONE AND BACK pend your rst day of this incredible 1,300-mile, Range Mountains. A erwards, stop in Saratoga, Wyo., round-trip route in the Mile High City, checking for a dip in hot springs. From there, visit wild horses in out the art and food scene before heading north Lander, Wyo., before reaching Jackson, Wyo., and from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park. Grand Teton National Park. SIn the park, take Trail Ridge Road, the countrys highest Head north to explore Yellowstone before driving south paved road, over the Continental Divide. From there to Fossil Butte National Monument, Flaming Gorge, explore the classic Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyo., giving Vernal, Craig, and Dinosaur National Monument on you easy access to the scenic route through the Snowy your return to Denver. PHOTOS: Mountain view from a Crossed Sabres Ranch outing (courtesy of Dude Ranchers Association), Odessa Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park (Depositphotos) MyYellowstonePark.com . 25 YSJ2020_RoadTrip-Rocky-Mountain_07.indd 25 3/5/20 8:35 AM ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Variable miles and time ROCKY’S TOP SIX Here are some of our favorite things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. 3 2 GO HORSEBACK 1 CLIMB LONGS PEAK RIDING WATCH THE SUN RISE If youre a strong hiker who has trained Saddle up with Sombrero extensively, head to Longs Peak, the Ranches at the Moraine Park Wake up early to get to Bear Lake parks tallest mountain at 14,259 feet. and Glacier Creek stables. and hike 1.1 miles around the lake to Reaching the summit can take up to 15 catch the sunlight rising over Hallett hours, so start really early [many begin Peak and Flattop Mountain. Arrive long before dawn with headlamps] to 30 minutes before dawn. beat a ernoon storms. 26 . Yellowstone Edition 2020 YSJ2020_RoadTrip-Rocky-Mountain_07.indd 26 3/5/20 8:34 AM ROCKY MOUTAIN HIGH 6 5 HIKE FROM 4 SEE THE SUNSET GRAND LAKE WATCH WILDLIFE Stop at the Alpine Visitor Center at Stroll .3 miles along the East Inlet the top of Trail Ridge Road and Trail to get to Adams Falls. If you Spot moose in the Kawuneeche take a short hike up for an continue on the trail, youll nd Valley along the Colorado River amazing Rocky Mountain sunset. yourself in a large valley with a and in the willows west of the river, small ponds and incredible Continental Divide. views. You can walk for miles before turning back. PHOTOS: Lily Lake (Depositphotos), Bear Lake (iStock), Longs Peak (Depositphotos), Horseback riding, Moose, Trail Ridge Road sunset, Adams Falls (Grant Ordelheide) MyYellowstonePark.com . 27 YSJ2020_RoadTrip-Rocky-Mountain_07.indd 27 3/5/20 8:33 AM ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH ESTES PARK, COLO., TO LARAMIE, WYO. 102 miles, 2 hours and 7 minutes LEGENDARY LARAMIE One hundred and 50 years ago, a Laramie resident became the rst female to cast a vote. Stop in Laramie to learn about her legacy, stay at a guest ranch and eat the best cinnamon roll ever. By Tori Peglar When 70-year-old WYOMING HOUSE SNOWY RANGE SCENIC Louisa Swain FOR HISTORIC BYWAY HWY. 130 stepped up to the WOMEN ballot box in 1870, WHY GO: This stunning road 1 WHY GO: This downtown museum 2enables you to bypass Interstate 80, taking you she did something past glacial lakes, granite peaks, gorgeous no female in the honors Louisa Swain and 12 other Wyoming women who had meadows and over the second-highest mountain country had ever far-reaching impacts on society. pass in Wyoming. This breathtaking route done—she voted. reaches its high point at 10,000 feet. It’s closed TRIVIA: Joining Swain as mid-November to Memorial Day weekend. Her revolutionary act was made possible by a trailblazers in 1870 were Eliza womens su rage bill passed by the Wyoming Stewart, the first woman in the TIP: On Fridays and Saturdays, stop by Golden Territorial Legislature. It would be 50 years country selected to serve on a jury Prairie Bakery, owned by Jennifer Small, to get before women secured the right to vote on a and Esther Hobart Morris, the fresh-baked cinnamon rolls and more. Two miles nation’s first female justice of the west of the airport, turn on Herrick Lane and take national scale. Discover how Laramies a right on BWJ Road. Drive .3 miles until you reach progressive roots have given rise to peace. Swain cast her vote a block from this building. the little red building in the cow pasture. entrepreneurial women and exciting attractions. UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING BASECAMP VEE BAR GUEST RANCH GEOLOGICAL MUSEUM WHY GO: Forgot a rain WHY GO: Settle into horseback WHY GO: See a 75-foot Apatosaurus jacket or need warmer riding, evening campfires and 3skeleton, along with other dinosaurs, in this museum. 4 layers? Owner Rebecca 5 incredible food at this gorgeous While it roamed Wyoming, a living Apatosaurus ate Walsh founded Basecamp outdoor guest ranch. The main lodge was built in 1891 one ton of vegetation daily and weighed 25 tons. The store to sell active clothing and gear, and served as a stage coach stop and a post museum’s hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, as well as host workshops and give office in its early days. trail advice. She also rents tents, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Admission is free. TRIVIA: Ranch manager and former wrangler Kari water filters, backpacks and stand-up Kilmer is the oldest granddaughter of Vee Bar TRIVIA: Disney-Pixar’s 2015 The Good Dinosaur paddleboards. featured a Wyoming Apatosaurus named Arlo who co-owner Lefty Cole. She and her husband Brent meets a human friend while navigating an TIP: Basecamp is located at 222 S. Kilmer have managed the ranch since 2006. unfamiliar landscape. 2nd St. in Laramie. Learn more at the Laramie Area Visitor Center/Albany County Tourism Board, 210 E. Custer St., in Laramie or at VisitLaramie.org. PHOTOS: Louisa Swain portrait (American Heritage Center - University of Wyoming), Hiking in the Snowy Range PHOTOS: Louisa Swain portrait (American Heritage Center - University of Wyoming), Hiking in the Snowy Range (Hermann Globel Photos, courtesy of Albany County Tourism Board) 28 . Yellowstone Edition 2020 YSJ2020_RoadTrip-Rocky-Mountain_07.indd 28 3/5/20 2:44 PM Need a place to stay in Jackson Hole? Stop searching and start exploring Jackson Hole. With four in-town locations and over 400 rooms, the Town Square Inns have more options to meet your style and budget than any other hotelier in town! 1.800.4tetons townsquareinns.com PHOTOS: Louisa Swain portrait (American Heritage Center - University of Wyoming), Hiking in the Snowy Range PHOTOS: Louisa Swain portrait (American Heritage Center - University of Wyoming), Hiking in the Snowy Range (Hermann Globel Photos, courtesy of Albany County Tourism Board) YSJ2020_RoadTrip-Rocky-Mountain_07.indd 29 3/4/20 5:33 PM ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH LARAMIE, WYO., TO SARATOGA, WYO. 98 miles, 1 hour and 35 minutes POWER TO THE PEOPLE In southern Wyoming, youll discover a string of towns reliant on ranching, coal and a growing wind turbine industry. Here's what to see and do. By Tori Peglar SOAK IN HOT SPRINGS ENJOY LOCAL FOOD DRIVE SCENIC BYWAYS SPEND THE NIGHT In Saratoga, choose between two Hit Lollypops in Saratoga for e 73-mile Seminoe-Alcova Spend the night at the historic di erent hot springs experiences. breakfast or ice cream and to Backcountry Byway brings you Hotel Wolf and Restaurant in e Hobo Hot Springs are free connect to WiFi. For ne dining, by a patchwork of prairie Saratoga, which was built by mineral pools and open 24 hours stop by the Aspen House country and high desert over the Frederick Wolf in 1893. a day. At Saratoga Hot Springs Restaurant in Rawlins for Seminoe Mountains. e south Walk through the swinging Resort, only guests can access the blackened ribeye or vegetarian end starts in Sinclair and ends in doors of the saloon to taste a teepee-covered mineral pools and dishes. Bucks Sports Grill and Alcova about 30 miles southwest regional microbrew and the 70-foot mineral hot spring pool. Anongs ai Cuisine in Rawlins of Casper. Or enjoy solitude on areas best burger. also are popular. the 29-mile Snowy Range Scenic Byway (see page 28 for details). Learn more about Carbon County at WyomingCarbonCounty.com. COWBOY EXPERIENCES There’s no greater Western wildlife, one ranch in And, neither will you. tradition than that of being Wyoming will take you to Whether you’re learning a cowboy. When you stay at see wild horses. Others horsemanship, exploring on a dude ranch, you’ll have amazing kids’ a long trail ride, enjoying experience cowboy life programs complete with dinner around a campfire or firsthand. While riding ziplining. One thing’s for simply reading a book on horses is a given, there are certain – no matter which the porch, you’ll feel all kinds of activities ranch you choose, you’ll connected to the land offered at dude ranches really connect with the and history of the West. across Wyoming, outdoors. To learn more and to Montana and Idaho. “Cowboys didn’t sit in find your perfect dude If you’re a foodie, there are front of TVs,” The Dude ranch vacation, visit ranches with mind-blowing Ranchers’ Association duderanch.org.