Gateway Salt Lake City, Utah SLC (Salt Lake City International Airport)

Drive Time: Spend the first night in Salt Lake City UT

Hotel: We’re sorry we do not have a recommended member in this community.

Major Activities:

Temple Square

Great Salt Lake

Day after Salt Lake City Arrival:

The next day’s drive will take you across southern Wyoming to join the tour at Elk Mountain. This drive roughly parallels the Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, California Trail, Overland Trail, the Transcontinental Railroad, The Lincoln Highway, and the Transcontinental Air Route.

Drive Time: 5 hours

Hotel in Elk Mountain: Elk Mountain Hotel

Sightseeing:

Fort Bridger

Wild Horse Loop Drive

Today’s drive takes you out of the Salt Lake Basin over the Uinta Mountains and across the Red Desert area of Wyoming. The route parallels the Transcontinental Railroad, Lincoln Highway, and The Transcontinental Air Route along with parts of the Overland Stage Route and the Wagon Routes.

Directions: Take I-80 east to WY Exit # 34 to Fort Bridger. It is on the right as you approach the town. Continue east on I-80 to WY Exit #102, turn right on Dewar Drive and the  Rock Springs Chamber will be on your right for directions and a map for the Wild Horse Loop Drive. Continue east on I-80 to Exit #255, Elk Mountain, Wyoming. A right turn will take you into town. The Elk Mountain Hotel is just across the creek on the far edge of town.

In 1843 Jim Bridger, a noted mountain man, gave up trapping and established  Fort Bridger to trade with the trappers, Indians, and immigrants who were crossing the country on the trails. It was located at an ideal spot with trees and water and at a journey point where the immigrants needed supplies and repairs.

Immigrant Joel Palmer:
"It is built of poles and dabbed with mud; it is a shabby concern. Here are about 25 lodges of Indians, or rather white trapper's lodges, occupied by their Indian wives. They have a good supply of skins, coats, moccasins; which they trade for flour, coffee, sugar, etc."

Wild horses have always been symbols of the West, living examples of a wide-open landscape and an untamed frontier spirit. Wild Horse Loop is a short driving tour near Rock Springs that will take you by places that wild horses are normally seen. There are some delightful vistas on this tour also. Pick up the directions at Rock Springs Chamber, 1897 Dewar Drive, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901-5739.  (307) 362-3771

Hotel: Elk Mountain Hotel

Major Activities:

Overland Stage Route

Exceptional food with Chef Susan Havers

On to Day  13

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