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Platte River Country
 

Bennett Mountains | Encampment River Canyon | Ferris Mountains | Pedro Mountains

Prospect Mountain | Sweetwater Rocks | Sweetwater Canyon

Introduction by Sue Lowry

 The Bureau of Land Management Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) located within the Platte River Country provide a unique combination of geology, plant communities, wildlife habitats, recreational opportunities and Western history. Platte River Country covers the central and southeastern portion of Wyoming, including seven WSAs under the citizens proposal.

The 350,000 pioneers who crossed the Oregon Trail witnessed the Platte River country much as it remains today. The Oregon Trail was located through this part of Wyoming due to the abundance of feed for the draft and stock animals, the availability of clean, high quality water, and the gentle grade leading to the top of the Continental Divide.

We are fortunate that many areas remain intact as the pioneers saw them in the 1840's and 50's. Independence Rock, Devil's Gate and Split Rock were landmarks to the pioneers along the Sweetwater River, assuring the weary travelers that they were nearing South Pass City and would soon be crossing to the western side of the Continental Divide.

The 5 WSAs along or near the Oregon Trail offer the BLM visitor spectacular geology, such as the Madison Formation outcrops of limestone against red granite in the unique V-shaped formations of the southern Ferris Mountains. The Sweetwater Rocks are made up of a remnant ancient granite mountain range. This area provides for challenging climbing opportunities and is used in training courses by the National Outdoor Leadership School. The Pedro Mountains are also a granitic remnant. The Pedro and Bennett Mountains provide a great example of island bio-diversity, with plant communities not found elsewhere in the sagebrush prairie that surrounds these small, secluded mountain ranges.

Oregon Trail travelers were rewarded with clear, fresh water as they reached the confluence of the North Platte and the Sweetwater River. The clear Sweetwater River was surely refreshing after the months of utilizing the warm, sediment filled waters of the North Platte and its tributaries. The same high quality water exists today in the Sweetwater River and supports an important trout fishery in the Sweetwater Canyon WSA.

The Encampment River and Prospect Mountain WSAs are located in the southern part of Platte River County. Prospect Mountain borders the Platte River and offers spectacular rafting and canoeing opportunities. The Encampment River WSA adjoins Forest Service lands along the canyon which have already been designated as wilderness. The inclusion of the BLM lands would afford several miles of the Encampment River and Canyon with wilderness protection.

High plant and wildlife diversity is found throughout the Platte River County WSAs. Wildlife species include moose, elk, mule deer, antelope, mountain lion, pine marten, bald and golden eagles, goshawks and peregrine falcon. 

We are fortunate to have these areas remaining in a near pristine state and they should be included as BLM wilderness.