Battle Pass Scenic By Way displays historical interpretive signs

Filled with a wealth of beauty and history, the journey west on Highway 70 leading from Encampment to Baggs will take you on a voyage of discovery. Take your time and let your imagination transport you into another century–to a time before pavement, four wheel drive pickups, before cell phones and even before sliced bread.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of a few relentless locals, there are new, exciting additions to this worthwhile trip. Interpretive signs, purchased with money earned through fundraisers and donations have been placed along the 28 mile route designated as a Scenic By Way.

The highway winds its way over the crest of the Sierra Madre Mountains, slowly desending into the Little Snake River Valley.

These tasteful, simple placards offer extensive historical facts as well as information of the fauna and flora, wildlife, and birds that make the Sierra Madres their home. Two of these signs sit off the highway, one on the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) and another at the entrance to Aspen Alley. If you look closely when you stop to read these signs, an old friend may be spoted.

The climb from Encampment at 7100 feet, peaks at the rest area at 9,995 feet above sea level. This also marks the division of the Continental Divide between the Atlantic and Pacific.

Wyoming highway 70 crosses the basement core of the Sierra Madre Range adjoining the Cheyenne Belt suture zone.

Gold seekers on the way to California in 1850 traveled along the nearby Southern Cherokee Trail.

Battle earned its name from a huge confrontation between fur trappers and Native Americans that occurred in the mid-1800s. Both parties enjoyed the plentiful game, clear water, and wide open spaces of the Sierra Madre mountains.

Unfortunately, in 1841 a group of fur trappers were attacked by over 500 Cheyenne, Sioux, and Arapaho. The trappers lost 3 men, but the losses to the Native Americans are not clear. It is estimated at least 100 Native Americans lost their lives.

One of the trappers escaped the fracas to Rawlins and was able to send a telegram to the Army at Fort Bridger. The Natives were forced to a reservation in Utah.

Legend has it, in 1878, Thomas Edison visited Battle Lake. While fishing he threw a bamboo fishing pose in the fire and as the frayed pieces glowed in the fire, he was inspired to develop his own design for the light bulb filament.

Late in the 1890s and early 1900s copper mining grew quickly in the Sierra Madres.

The Battle town sight, approximately 10 miles west of Encampment, is one of the many ghost town locations that were once bustling with commerce over 100 years ago.

These mountains are also home to Rudefeha, Dillon, Rambler and Copperton.

A few things to remember when traveling this stretch of road–a camera, a water bottle, your imagination and enjoy the Battle Pass Scenic By Way before snow flies.

The Battle Pass Scenic By Way is a Member of the National Scenic Byway Foundation.