One of the interpretative signs on Battle Pass Highway (Highway 70) stands on the Encampment side of the pass. This is what John Farr, President of the Battle Pass Scenic Byway Alliance, would like to see more of along the entire pass.
John Farr, President of the Battle Pass Scenic Byway Alliance (BPSBA), wants to improve the number and quality of the interpretive signs on Highway 70 in-between Encampment and Baggs - which, was the start of the Michael Martin Murphey benefit concert for Battle Pass Highway.
The benefit concert is for the Battle Pass Scenic Byway in attempt to earn some funds to ultimately improve interpretive signs along the highway.
"There's some [signs] up but not all of them are accurate and there are some that need to be put up," said Farr.
Many grants are available for placing signs on scenic byways; however, according to Farr, many require matching funds - and that is something the BPSBA does not currently have. "There is some money out there, but you have to have some matching funds to accomplish a lot of things."
Farr sees the rich history in and around Battle Pass and thinks that with the high density of traffic that goes over the pass, there should be interpretation throughout the pass.
"You've got to tell people the story of these things or else they wont know what they are seeing."
Farr refers to a vacation he took with his parents to the Grand Canyon at a very young age. "A ranger told me 'everybody in their life wants to see the Grand Canyon. But your done seeing it in 10 minutes unless someone interprets it for you. They interpreted it for me and I've been here since.'"
That ranger taught him at a very young age the importance of interpretation. Still to this day he thinks that what makes a region of importance relevant.
Many notable topics that Farr would like to see further discussed along the highway is information about the Beetle Kill, the history and directions to Aspen Alley and the historic tramway that went through the forest.
Other notable work that the Battle Pass Scenic Byway Alliance has been focusing on is attempting to convince the Wyoming Department of Transportation to open the highway six weeks earlier every year, by May 1, so that commerce can resume with communities such as Baggs as well as for safety concerns.
Farr explains how locations such as Baggs are essentially cut-off from the rest of the county when the pass is closed. He thinks that hurts businesses in the region that try to trade with Baggs; however, are unsure in the spring when they can start up.
"All they ever tell us is that we will have it open by at least the 15 of June," said Farr. Well that's hard to plan a business around."
In addition, Farr thinks from a safety point-of-view, opening the pass earlier is a smart choice.
According to Farr, "if something happened on I-80 at Fort Steele, this is the best alternative to come around."
However, the biggest argument that has been hindering progress on that initiative is that many think 130 should have priority over Highway 70.
"Part of where we run into an issue is that some people think that 130 over Snowy Range is more important to open," said Farr. "They have access regardless, they can go on I-80 or on 230. This country's just cut off."
Although funds from the benefit concert will not be going towards their attempt to open Battle Pass Highway earlier, Farr thought it important to note. As the earlier the pass opens, the more people will be exposed to the mountains and the history it holds as well as increased trade with the Platte Valley and Baggs.
The benefit concert will be held at 7 p.m., August 28 at the Platte Valley Community Center. General admission is $25 and VIP tickets are $100.
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