Welcome to US-20 in central Wyoming. Time to explore 14-mile Wind River Canyon along this 37-mile Scenic Byway. We will experience canyon walls soaring 2,500 feet above us and canyon width ranging from 200 feet to 2 miles. The beauty and drama of the canyon is only surpassed by the story of the rocks and cliffs which display over 3 billion years of geologic history–yes, B as in bravo. Let’s take a drive through history!
The picture above is about half a mile from the canyon’s entrance, and this point in the river is called Wedding of the Waters. The name does not mean the wedding or joining of two different rivers, but the renaming of the same river. It may be the only river in the USA, perhaps the world, that changes names at a point in its journey. From here it becomes the Bighorn River heading north to join the Yellowstone River in eastern Montana.
We are in a high desert plains ecosystem meaning little water and hot summers. The beauty of this ecosystem is early summer cactus blooms.
The river carves its way through the Owl Creek Mountains. At this northern end, the rocks are “only” 300-500 million years old. US-20 takes us down the eastern edge of the river. On the right (west) are the BNSF rail tracks (Burlington North Santa Fe). For train enthusiasts, don’t miss this history.
Never miss a chance to whitewater raft in the western states! Be sure to go with a qualified guide, you will be much safer.
I may not know much about geology, but I do know about finding great information on the Web. I’ll be sending you to much smarter people to describe the stratigraphy (geology of rock strata or layers). Good to learn new words. 😉
Much of the rock here is Mississippian Madison limestone, 300-360 Mya (Million years ago, and I did not make this up) atop Ordovician Bighorn dolomite, 444-485 Mya. The reddish area along the road is Cambrian Gallatin limestone, 543-490 Mya.
Thanks to many rainy days, there is still water running down the mountains. Quite a surprise in July. A better view of Cambrian Gallatin limestone to the left.
Deeper into the canyon and into geologic time.
Chimney Rock standing apart from the other Ordovician Bighorn dolomite with Cambrian Gallatin limestone below.
One of the widest areas along the river is Teeter Canyon. Every type of rock we’ve seen, from Permian and Pennsylvanian rocks to Cambrian are here.
Those darker rocks toward bottom are Cambrian Gros Ventre formations (pronounced grow-vant). Unique and intricate creations.
See more of the Cambrian Gros Ventre?
Catch a view mid picture of the train tunnel. We have tunnels of our own coming up.
We are now seeing the oldest rocks, Precambrian Archean dating 3,400 Mya which equals 3.4 billion years!
For more on geology in an easy to read format, don’t miss Roc Doc Travel blog. About half way down the page he explains Wind River Canyon. Don’t miss his explanation of The Great Unconformity.
At the south end of the canyon is Boysen Reservoir, created by the Boysen Dam holding back the Wind River. The reservoir supplies irrigation water for the Bighorn Basin, flood control for areas upstream, and hydroelectric power for many communities.
Ensuring good resources are used to their max, Wyoming established Boysen State Park along the river’s edge below the dam. The reservoir is home to fantastic fishing and water sports. A little bit of heaven in the desert.
Lovely reminder we are in high desert, Scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea (Nutt.) Rydb.). They love poor soil and little water. Now I call that easy to please.
Until next time my friend. . . when there’ll be a quiz on geology . . . only kidding. Bye for now.
