Hand-Built Union Pacific Roadbed

Reportedly, Union Pacific Railroad engineers (not the ones who drive the trains) had trouble deciding what route to take across Wyoming. It is said that they called in local "mountain man" Jim Bridger to suggest the best route. He indicated an old buffalo trail through the mountains, where vast beds of coal proved to be an additional boon. Once the railroad was completed through southern Wyoming in 1868, there was more engineering--roads into and out of northern Colorado and northeastern Utah were built, all leading to Wyoming railroad towns. A self-guiding driving tour begins atop an original hand-built roadbed of the Union Pacific

Activity Details

Activity Type:Trips and Destinations
Discipline:Civil, Mechanical
Grade:K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Time:Full day

Fun Fact:Jim Bridger, one of Fort Bridger's early residents, was known for telling tall tales. One of the most repeated tales describes his attempt to jump across a gorge in a petrified forest. The gorge was wider than he expected, but he managed to survive by remaining aloft on the gorge's petrified air.