Popo Agie Wilderness
The United States Congress designated
the Popo Agie Wilderness in 1984 and it now has a total of 101,870
acres. All of the wilderness is in Wyoming.
This piece of land is one of the loveliest in Wyoming. So rich in
wildlife, it definitely ranks among my favorites. Along the western
boundary, which Popo Agie (pronounced "po-po-zsha") shares
with Bridger Wilderness, stands Wind River Peak, at 13,255 feet the
highest point in the area. More than 20 other summits rise above
12,000 feet. The lowest elevation in the Popo Agie is the Middle
Fork of the Popo Agie River at 8,400 feet on the eastern boundary.
Bordering the north side is the Wind River Indian Reservation, outstanding
country where visitors must first obtain a permit before entering.
Bridger Wilderness
The United States Congress
designated the Bridger Wilderness in 1964 and it now has a total
of 428,087
acres. All of the wilderness is in Wyoming.
Jim Bridger, certainly one of the most famous mountain men in American
history, is memorialized by this popular Wilderness area in the Wind
River Range of western Wyoming. This rugged piece of the Rocky Mountains,
extending for approximately 80 miles along the western slope of the
Continental Divide, contains a unique combination of jagged granite
rock, alpine forest, and open alpine meadows. Serving as the headwaters
for the mighty Green River, this wilderness holds 7 of the 10 largest
glaciers in the Lower 48, more than 2,300 cold crystalline lakes
and ponds, and numerous glacier-carved cirques, kettles, valleys,
and hanging troughs. Gannett Peak, located on the shared boundary
of the Fitzpatrick Wilderness, is the highest point in Wyoming at
13,804 feet, towering above a vast area of stark granite summits
that were once thrust violently into the sky by enormous compressional
forces within the earth. In addition to the Fitzpatrick Wilderness,
the Popo Agie Wilderness and Wind River Indian Reservation also lie
directly adjacent to this wilderness on the eastern side of the Divide.
Fitzpatrick Wilderness
The United States Congress designated
the Fitzpatrick Wilderness in 1976 and it now has a total of 198,525
acres *. All of the wilderness is in Wyoming .
Originally called the Glacier Primitive Area, this Wilderness now
holds 44 active glaciers (one spanning 1,220 acres) and many ragged
mountain peaks in the northern half of the Wind River Mountains.
Lying on the east side of the Continental Divide, this area displays
incomparable beauty and grandeur. You can climb Gannett Peak--at
13,804 feet it's the highest point in Wyoming--for what seems to
be unlimited mountaineering challenges. The western border is the
Continental Divide, shared with Bridger Wilderness. The eastern border
is shared with the Wind River Indian Reservation. Carved by glaciers
from granite and limestone rock, the area contains splendid alpine
meadows, rocky plateaus, and stands of virgin timber. Precipitous
canyons shadow tumbling streams, and at least 60 crystalline lakes
are full of fish. More than 75 miles of streams offer excellent trout
fishing. Many species utilize these mountains as summer habitat,
including elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, black bears, bobcats,
and coyotes. Fall brings many big-game hunters. |
Morning glow on an unnamed lake in the heart of Wyoming's Popo Agie Wilderness.
 © 2003
Red Desert Design
Thumb Lake on a beautiful early September day in Wyoming's Popo Agie Wilderness.
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