34 Days Through the Western United States and Canada

Day 32 – Tuesday August 30th
Rock Springs, Wyoming to Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Morning – Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Douglas Pass


This morning’s ride starts in the town of Rock Springs, Wyoming. Located in Sweetwater County, this is Wyoming’s vast high desert country. As one heads south on Highway 191, the immediate impression is that of having left civilization far behind and being alone in nature.

High desert country, Sweetwater County Wyoming



Southeastern Wyoming is deserted and isolated. I count less than 10 vehicles heading north as I cover the 52 miles between I-80 and the Utah state line. Although the landscape seems totally empty at first glance, there is more to the desert than meets the eye. I spot several jack rabbits, including a couple that take their lives in their hands as they dart across the road in front of me. As I stop for pictures, I can hear the birds that have built their nests in the sagebrush. The high desert is home to antelope, deer, and even an occasional elk that graze on the grasses and sage. The desert is also home to eagles, osprey, hawks, coyote, sage grouse, fox, and large herds of wild horses. This is also the domain of the western rattlesnake and the scorpion.

Miles and miles of open country



The sage-covered desert mesas are surprisingly colorful



Entering northeastern Utah in Daggett County, the peaks and ridges of the Uintah mountain range loom in the south. The Uintah range is the only major range in the United States which runs in an east-west direction.

A cattle guard spans the road at the Utah State line



Foothills of the Uintah Range



Approaching Flaming Gorge Reservoir from the east side, Highway 191 climbs to 8,000 feet, crossing an impressive, deserted, and intensely colorful landscape of peaks and valleys. Flaming Gorge Reservoir is formed by a damn on the Green River which originates in Wyoming and flows eventually into the Colorado River and the Gulf of California. Flaming Gorge Reservoir extends some ninety miles north across Utah and into Wyoming.

Flaming Gorge Reservoir



Flaming Gorge Dam spans Red Canyon and rises 500 feet above the Green River. Completed in 1964, it required six years to build.

Flaming Gorge Dam



Marker on a vista overlooking the Flaming Gorge Reservoir



Highway 191 bridge crossing Flaming Gorge Reservoir



Highway 191 bridge



Highway 191 bridge


Beyond Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Highway 191 begins a steep ascent into the Uintah range.

View looking north of Flaming Gorge Reservoir and Red Canyon



Ashley National Forest between Flaming Gorge Reservoir and Vernal, Utah



Highway 191 north of Vernal, Utah



Crossing the Colorado State Line on Highway 64



Just east of Rangely, Colorado, I head south on Highway 139. About 36 very isolated miles south of Highway 64 in Garfield county, Highway 139 crosses Douglas Pass at 8,268 feet.

Douglas Pass



Douglas Pass



Douglas Pass



The landscape south of Douglas Pass, like most of the country I have ridden through this morning, is isolated and remote. My reason for choosing this route was to return to Red Mountain Pass just south of Ouray on my way back to Indiana. I ride the 155 miles from Douglas Pass to Ouray without stopping, eager to have plenty of time left this afternoon at Red Mountain Pass for taking photos.