The Great Divide Basin

Rawlins, Wy., is located just east of the Continental Divide and the start of the Great Divide Basin. This huge area drains to neither the Atlantic or Pacific. It didn't say where it drained but I suspect it's self contained. The Continental Divide is low throughout this area as it zigzags around ranging from a low of 6700 to 7550 at South Pass. This is the area the Oregon Trail, Overland Trail, Cherokee Trail and many other lesser known trails pass through the divide. South Pass was also known as "Parting of the Ways" as travelers here heading for Oregon took the Oregon Trail and those heading to Utah or California headed south. The tracks from the wagon wheels are still clearly visible. When you see the terrain these pioneers crossed, it's hard to see how they did it, and crossing the Continental Divide here also marked the completion of the easy part of the trip and the beginning of the hard part. Today this area is where I-80 passes through the Divide as well railroads, pipe lines, electric lines and everything else.
We started a lap around this area by heading west on I-80 for about 110 miles. We try hard to stay off interstates, but it's the only east-west road in the area. We set the cruise at 80 and see more truck traffic than we've seen all trip. The terrain is rolling with buttes, bluffs and rock outcrops everywhere. Immense. We hit Rock Spring and turned north on Rt. 191 up to Farson past the Red Desert and took Rt. 28 NE. This lead us to historic South Pass and South Pass City and Atlantic City, a couple of revived gold mine towns. Rt 28 then intersects Rt 287, and we headed back SE to Rawlins. Our loop traveled about 330 miles and the scenery was spectacular. Once again, I've never seen anything prettier.
Something really noticeable out here are the large, long, high sections of snow fence always on the west side of the road. They aren't like snow fences back home, but are metal structures with A-frames connected by horizintal struts. In some areas they are layered up to five or six deep. They appear to be over 6' tall. The wind is a constant through this area.
Back in Rawlins, we looked for a place to eat and finally located the Aspen House. It was a real treat with fine food and service. I take back everything I said about Rawlins yesterday. Off to the Tetons today.