Togwotee Pass, Wyoming

This post is more of a "did you know" than anything else.  Mostly because I went other routes several times before I wised up.  I highly recommend taking the Togwotee Pass if you are going to Jackson Hole, WY.  Since I live east of Wyoming, I'm always coming from that way.  I have always gone through Worland because I love going through the Big Horns and hitting the brewery at Ten Sleep.  In all honesty, I had gone out here several times in the days before cell phones and GPS guided maps.  Believe it or not, there used to be these things called paper maps that came in a binder or were folded in frustrating ways that always posed a problem to return them to their original design.  Back then, we fell into the traps of going the shortest way and even though we actually had conversations with real people back then, no one told us of a better, more picturesque way.  So, we went the northern route which takes you through Cody and into Yellowstone.  Any other road was far too long and out of the way.

So, I stumbled upon the Togwotee Pass by sheer luck.  And luck is what you are in for as it is arguably the most scenic road in the country.  Yes, there are more beautiful roads within National Parks, but this road is not in one, though it could easily be.  The awesomeness starts as you leave Thermopolis.  You're just tooling along when out of no where you enter this winding valley road that hugs the banks of the Wind River.  I remember thinking that I was entering somewhere special as it really does come out of no where and just grabs you.  The cliffs on either side are steep.  This is the Wind River Canyon and as you are thinking this is awesome, suddenly a massive body of water explodes onto the scene.  The Boysen Dam, first built in 1908 and then redone later, has created the Boysen Reservoir, which is huge and is where the river comes from.  The fishing is great and this area is really a destination spot for many in Central Wyoming, with a marina and Boysen State Park here as well.  If you're Boysen'd to the max, the name comes from Asmus Boysen, who built the original dam on land leased from the Shoshoni and Arapaho Indian tribes.  You will think about staying here, as I did, but I had no clue it was there and wasn't prepared.  I will plan better next time.  As you leave the area, and it is a nice long stretch, you will be weeping if you didn't stop.  Stay on Highway 26.  The road will turn to farmland and is a quiet let down after the power of the canyon and reservoir.  Once you get to Dubois, the scenery picks up dramatically. 

The pass is part of the Absaroka Mountains and is on the Continental Divide.  It reaches heights of 9.658 feet and will enthrall you for 50 miles of pure beauty.  A nearly $150 million renovation of the highway in 2012 makes this route a great option.  There are plenty of turn outs and vistas for photos.  Dominated by the Breccia Cliffs and the Pinnacle Buttes, there are dozens of trails and many campgrounds.  The slopes are covered in wildflowers in summer and in the winter, it is a haven for snowmobilers.   We saw several grizzly bears and Big Horn sheep.  We were blessed with a clear, beautiful sunny day, but I think no matter the weather, you won't regret the drive.  It sets the stage for the Tetons perfectly.  Falls Campground, Brooks Lake and Pinnacle Campgrounds are popular.  Brooks Lake is a magnet for grizzlies, so bring your camera and keep your sandwich in the car.  If you're a horse rider, there are at least two campgrounds for horse riders and many trails accommodate horses.  In fact, Brooks Lake Lodge has a lot of horses and at 4pm they send them all to pasture.  If you're lucky enough to catch a herd of horse running over the fields and hills, you'll probably never forget it.  The road will take you to Moran Junction, with the Tetons directly ahead.  Take the road less traveled, you won't regret it.