Snowy Range Pass

Snowy Range Pass

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Snowy Range Scenic Byway

We left Rawlins, WY this morning with the main objective of driving the Snowy Range Scenic Byway between Saratoga, WY and Laramie, WY on route 130.  The road climbs to nearly eleven thousand feet and has amazing views of the Snowy Range area.  We first stopped in the town of Saratoga to see the historical Wolf hotel and a downtown that is almost frozen in time.







The drive on 130 is smooth but you start climbing right away.  Pictures can barely do justice to the scenery, but I hope these will give an idea.  Areas of this mountain range are 2,5 Billion years old.  There are numerous lakes and wild flowers are everywhere.


















After descending an 8% grade for 10 miles, we arrived at the end of scenic road in Centennial, WY.  We decided to visit the local museum and let the brakes cool down.





9 comments:

Wanderin' said...

WOW! The elevation at 11,000 feet would probably mean we would avoid that route. Breathing probably isn't easy. Love the pictures! Gorgeous.

Erin said...

Wow! I love the views especially the ones showing the mountains and the lake. I can see why you took that route, but in the Phaeton, it would be a route we would drive in the CR-V.

Paul and Marti Dahl said...

I bet your brakes appreciated the chance to cool down. That's quite an elevated ride, but the scenery was definitely worth it!

Unknown said...
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Happytrails said...

Oh my gosh!!! What beautiful views in every direction!! That is quite an elevation. Good you all had a place to stop and let those brakes catch up!!

Nickie and Jim said...

Envious!

Paul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009 said...

What a super drive! The scenery is gorgeous. Glad you didn't get any nose bleeds from the high elevation!

Sherry said...

Love the little town. I hope the stores are still in business rather than empty. 8% grade for 10 miles! Wow!! We've done some steep ones but never more than 3 or 4 miles. But those views were fantastic. So beautiful!! Aren't you glad you didn't have to hike up to over 10,000 feet to see them

Jim and Sandie said...

I think I'm going to have to add that road to our travels. What beautiful beautiful scenery. I can see why you wanted to let the brakes cool down.