Fun on the lake
Beautiful weather is on tap for Memorial Day weekend recreationists!
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Memorial Day Weekend Updates
by Dawn Ballou
May 26, 2005
Weather
It looks to be a gorgeous Memorial Day weekend this year, with sunny days and temperatures in the 70s through Monday. Expect our usual summer weather pattern of clear and calm in the morning (best time for picnics and outings), with clouds, wind and possible thunderstorms building up in the afternoon. See the Riverton office of the National Weather Service for current local weather.
Congratulations Graduates!
Big Piney high school seniors graduated on Tuesday. Pinedale High holds their graduation ceremony Friday evening at 7 pm at the Wrangler Gym. Pinedale is honored to have Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal as the speaker for this year’s graduation!
Updates from the Pinedale Ranger District/Bridger-Teton National Forest
Almost all campgrounds will be open for the Memorial Day weekend, except the two at the highest elevation. Trail’s End (Elkhart Park) and Big Sandy still are snowed in and won’t be open for another couple of weeks. Nightly fees for campgrounds with full services went up $2/night to $12 now. Campgrounds have water, restrooms and garbage dumpsters. None of the National Forest campgrounds have power, phones, showers or RV hookups.
Green River Lakes Campground: Closed until July 1. Trailhead & boat launch open. When it opens, fee will be $12/night.
Narrows Campground at New Fork Lake: Open, has water, $12/night.
New Fork Campground: Open, NO water, $7/night.
Half Moon Lake Campground: Open, NO water, $7/night.
Whiskey Grove Campground: Open, NO water, $7/night.
Willow & Boulder Lake: No services yet.
Big Sandy & Elkhart Park Trail’s End Campgrounds: Closed due to snow
Skyline Drive still blocked by snow to within 3-4 miles of campground.
Some campground spots can be reserved ahead of time online through ReserveUSA.com. Most others are first-come, first served. Holidays and weekends are typically the peak use times, but rarely do the big campgrounds fill entirely up and you can usually find a spot at Green River Lakes, New Fork and Fremont Lakes. You can stop by the Pinedale Ranger District office for current status and conditions when you come if you are concerned about finding a spot before you drive all the way up to the campground.
Campground Info
Hiking & Trail Conditions
Hikers should expect spring hiking conditions on backcountry trails. Mosquitoes and biting bugs will be out soon. Trail crews won’t start clearing downfall on trails until July. Hikers and stock users can expect to find high water at stream crossings, snow at higher elevations, wet and muddy trail conditions in places, tree downfall across trails at various locations. Black bears and griz are out, and there already have been sightings of black bears reported in the Green River Lakes area. No fire danger rating yet or campfire restrictions. Food storage requirements are in effect on the Bridger-Teton National Forest to try and reduce bear/people conflicts: Food Storage Order
More Trail Info
Fishing Conditions
The Green & New Fork Rivers, and smaller streams, are swollen and muddy with spring runoff right now. Lake fishing is the best bet, and the fish are hungry! See our Fishing page for more info and businesses that can provide more information about where to fish, guided fishing trips, and the best fly patterns to use. See the Fishing Hatch Report by John Ross of Two Rivers Emporium, for great info and local fishing news.
Outdoor and Sporting Equipment
More Fishing Services
Guest Ranches and Lodges
Most places are open with partial or full services as of Memorial Day weekend. Everyone is watching for the opening day for the newly remodeled Half Moon Lake Resort. The word from Amy and ‘Just Brad’, as of today, is "Very Soon!" They can’t give the exact day, but will announce it as soon as they have it all ready. The new facilities will be well worth the wait! Stay tuned to the radio and online sources for the big Opening Day announcement. For those of you looking to rent ATVs to explore the backcountry roads, Green River Guest Ranch/The Place is the only one that is offering 4-wheeler rentals, with or without guide service (you don’t have to rent a cabin and stay there to rent the ATVs). Local Guest Ranches offer horseback riding (day rides & longer trips), spot packs and gear drops, photography trips, backcountry guided fishing trips, retreats and more. They know the country very well and each has their own unique facilities and specialized services for an incredible adventure in the outdoors. Fishing boat and canoe rentals are also available. Guest Ranches & Lodges
Outdoor Equipment and Rentals
Outfitters & Guides
Click here for local Outfitters & Guides, pictures of the areas in which they operate description of their services, and links to their websites and contact information.
See the Bridger-Teton National Forest website for a list of permitted outfitters and guides on the Forest. The Sublette County Outfitters & Guides Association (SCOGA) website also has more great information and links to local outfitter services.
Final note about summer lodging
If you don’t yet have your motel reservations for Green River Rendezvous and other summer event dates, we strongly encourage you do that ASAP. Things book up fast. Motels | Bed & Breakfasts | Cabins | Guest Ranches & Lodges
For more information:
Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF), http://www.fs.fed.us/btnf/
Pinedale Ranger District/BTNF, 307-367-4326
Big Piney Ranger District/BTNF, 307-276-3375
Pinedale Field Office/Bureau of Land Management, 307-367-5300
Wyoming Game & Fish Department, 307-367-4352
Sublette County Chamber of Commerce 307-367-2242, www.sublettechamber.com, sublettechamber@wyoming.com
Sublette County Visitor Center, 1-888-285-7282, www.visitsublettecounty.com
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