In July Steve and I hooked our old camp trailer to the pickup and set off on an adventure with our granddaughters. Over the course of a 10-day trip we visited friends in Cody and southern Montana, saw family in Jackson Hole, and stayed away from crowds for the most part.
Our zig-zag journey took us to a place that has long been on our personal bucket list of places to visit in Wyoming: Union Pass.
We camped near the south fork of Fish Creek and had the chance to explore some of the area. It is such a big open country that it would take a lot more time than we had to really see it all, that’s for sure. We had perfect weather with blue skies, scattered clouds, warm days and cool nights, as you get only in the Rocky Mountains.
It was early July when we made the trip so the area was green with lots of grass for wildlife and livestock. In mid-August when news broke about the Fish Creek Fire, we knew instantly that much of that beautiful area where we spent time this summer would be changed for decades. Thinking back on it now, I wish we had gotten rained on during our trip.
This month the Fish Creek Fire and other blazes in the region merged and became the Pack Trail Fire. Those fires have now consumed nearly 90,000 acres and are not yet fully contained.
They have now burned for months, caused closure of the highway over Togwotee Pass, and threatened places like Brooks Lake Lodge and Teton County guest ranches. Even with snow this past week, there are still risks.
While much of that area is sparsely inhabited, it certainly is utilized by folks like us who like to enjoy Wyoming’s great outdoors. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail cuts through the area, cattle ranchers have animals on the mountain, and hunters and recreationists like the open country.
After years of talk and intent to drive over Union Pass, from Dubois to Pinedale, we finally did just that this summer, and let me say the descent into the Green River valley is quite a steep, rough road. But I’m grateful we got to see the country before the fires as we checked that drive off our bucket list just in time.
The people who know the Union Pass country better than I do are no doubt relieved by snow and some containment of the fires there – though they are not yet out.
This summer’s fire season didn’t confine itself to the mountain country in western Wyoming. For people living in northeast Wyoming – from the Bighorns to Devils Tower and south to Casper, Glenrock, Douglas, Lusk, and Guernsey – this fire year has broken all kinds of records.
Names like Elk, House Draw, Remington, La Bonte, Pleasant Valley, and Clearwater have become household names, especially for people living in the smoke and in sight of flames, or with the reality of destroyed homes, buildings, grazing lands, and loss of livestock and wildlife. Ranchers have battled along with volunteer firemen and those whose job is firefighting – like tribal smoke jumpers, and Forest Service or BLM crews.
I’m sure I speak for many when I say the snow that fell this past week is the answer to prayers and gives hope that the fire season of 2024 will soon be behind everyone in Wyoming.
Southern Wyoming didn’t have any large fires this year – and I hope I haven’t just jinxed the area by saying that. Even so, it’s dry out there and all our lands need more rain and snow. Our fire crews and residents near the fires need a break. Hey, Don Day, could you give Mother Nature a call and get the moisture spigot turned on again?
