Living in Natrona County

Wyoming’s plains are the historical home to many nomadic tribes including the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Shoshone and Sioux. Today, about 6,000 Shoshone and Arapaho continue to reside on the 2.3 million acre Wind River Reservation, northwest of Natrona County.

In 1812, John Jacob Astor established Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia and sent Robert Stuart east to start what was hoped to become a network of trading posts. Stuart found South Pass by following a Crow Indian trail and entered our region. Near Bessemer Bend, Stuart and his small band erected the first white man’s hut in 1812. Although Astor’s plans failed when the British captured Astoria in 1812, trappers and scouts continued to explore our high plains and develop transit routes. On July 4, 1824, some of these trappers named Independence Rock.

In 1840, Father Jean Pierre DeSmet began spreading the gospel among area Indians. Father DeSmet was the first to carve his name on Independence Rock and give it the name, “The Register of the Desert.” In 1843, John C. Fremont (known as “The Pathfinder”) chiseled his name on Independence Rock and later with Kit Carson as his guide, went on to explore the country along the Platte and Sweetwater Rivers.

Apr 03

[ARCHIVED] Casper Mountain Late Season Grooming Update

The original item was published from April 3, 2023 2:09 PM to April 3, 2023 2:41 PM

April 3rd, 2023


In consideration of emails about  extending late season grooming because of the snow storm, that were in response to the Casper Nordic Club social media post  (the  emails reflect approximately 2%-5% of the seasonal trail passes sold this season) the following has been decided: 

To assist the Casper Nordic Club, Parks will groom once more after the storm to allow the Nordic Club to continue to groom with their snowmobile equipment.  This will most likely occur on Thursday (4/6) or Tuesday (4/11) between 9am and 3pm.  Friday is a holiday and my staff just shifted to Tuesday-Friday schedule in preparation for the spring and summer season.  This season has been great for skiing, but has taken a toll on the Parks budget due to higher than usual cost of grooming operations (fuel and labor).

The major trails will be done.  There will be no classic tracks set as they ice up if not maintained.  

People are more than welcome to ski ungroomed trails until the snow disappears.

The Casper Mountain Biathlon Club will continue to groom as long as possible this spring, if people are looking for additional groomed skiing.

 

Michael L. Brown,

Parks Director.








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