Archaeology work
Dave Vlcek, with Bonneville
Archaeology, monitored the
road construction.
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Pronghorn herd
A herd of pronghorn passing
over the wildlife overpass
on August 19, after the road
construction was completed.
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New access road to Trappers Point Monument completed
by Museum of the Mountain Man
August 25, 2020
The rebuilt access road to Trappers Point overlook is open. The site is now accessible by all types of vehicles and even buses.
The overlook was dedicated in 1968 and rededicated in 2018 with interpretation of the Green River Rendezvous grounds, a National Historic Landmark. The high point has a beautiful view of the entire Wind River Mountains as well as the Green River and New Fork River flats. The unique site also interprets two other National Register of Historic Places sites, the Green River Drift cattle driveway, and 6000-year-old Trappers Point archaeological site, the oldest pronghorn kill processing site in Wyoming.
The archaeology in the area is very significant and sensitive, in addition to the presence of Green River Drift sorting grounds and pronghorn migration. These challenges have made it difficult to maintain a deteriorating access road across BLM that was built before permitting. Over the past two years, the Historical Society, Sublette County, BLM, and archaeologists came together to find a solution.
The County now holds a public access right of way, has rebuilt, and will maintain the road. To avoid disturbing new archaeological materials, the road was rebuilt using fill with minimal ground disturbance. The route and construction were limited to the already disturbed roadway. To minimize maintenance, the access road will be closed during the winter.
This access problem has been festering over many years with no practical solution. The Historical Society owes a big thanks to the following organizations and people for their creativity and contributions to finally make it happen:
Archaeology: Dave Vlcek of Bonneville Archaeology, and Mike Bies of O W Heritage Research.
Sublette County Road & Bridge: Billy Pape, Casey Calhoun, Bo Morss, Doug Mika, Brad Kelly, Mark Steele, Brandon Chadwick, Scott Thomas, Ron Smith, Philip Donley, and Dan Racich.
Sublette County Board of County Commissioners: David Burnett, Joel Bousman, Mack Rawhouser, Tom Noble, and Doug Vickrey.
Rio Verde Engineering: Aaron Seehafer, Mike Jackson, and Mark Eatinger.
BLM: Brigid Grund, Tracy Hoover, Travis Chewning, and Doug Linn.
Trappers Point Overlook is owned and maintained by the Sublette County Historical Society. It is located 5 miles west of Pinedale just off Highway 191 near the wildlife overpass. At Cora Junction, turn south on the East Green River Road, after 400 feet turn right at the Trappers Point sign, and follow the dirt road ½ mile to the top of the hill. From the parking lot, there is a 200-foot walking path to the overlook.
The Sublette County Historical Society is a private, non-profit organization located in Pinedale, Wyoming, that owns and operates the Museum of the Mountain Man, Sommers Homestead Living History Museum, the Lander Trail New Fork River Crossing Historical Park, and three other historic sites. For more information visit www.mmmuseum.com, email info@mmmuseum.com or call 307-367-4101.
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