Forest Service Road 700 (Vedauwoo Road) - Southbound
Forest Service Road 700 connects Wyoming 210 (Happy Jack Road) with Interstate 80 through the Vedauwoo Recreation Area in the Medicine Bow National Forest. It is a dirt road for most of the route, but it is passable by most passenger cars (weather permitting). This scene is afforded on southbound Forest Service Road 700 after leaving Happy Jack Road. Photo taken 09/07/05.
Dust control can be a major issue during dry times; during wet times, the road may be impassable. Photo taken 09/07/05.
Much of the highway is unpaved, with a slightly pink coloration to the gravel and dust. Photo taken 09/07/05.
At lower points where the road is protected from the wind, tall evergreen and aspen trees grow unabated, such as the evergreen trees seen here. Photo taken 09/07/05.
Otherwise, the tree coverage is rather spotty, and this is largely due to the omnipresent wind speed. Photo taken 09/07/05.
A short spur route from the main Vedauwoo Road leads to this rock formation, which is profiled in the next several photos. Photo taken 09/07/05.
Vedauwoo consists of ancient granite rocks that have been slowly weathered and eroded due to the cyclical changes of ice and snow. Photo taken 09/07/05.
Turtle Rock and its brethren are clustered together along Vedauwoo Road. Photo taken 09/07/05.
These views of the surrounding countryside are afforded from on top of one of the rock formations. Photos taken 09/07/05.
Small groves of aspen trees are found in valleys and low basins adjacent to the large rock formations at Vedauwoo. At the time this photo was taken, summer was just beginning its annual transition to autumn, and green leaves were shifting into yellow coloration. Photo taken 09/07/05.
The dirt road shifts into a paved road upon reaching the main parking area. Photo taken 09/07/05.
Turn right here to the parking area. Camping, picnicking, and RV parking are available at this site. Photo taken 09/07/05.
This is the welcome sign for the Vedauwoo Recreation Area. Photo taken 09/07/05.
The rocks of Vedauwoo are interspersed with the trees and forest. Photo taken 09/07/05.
Only a couple of months later, icy conditions change the character of Vedauwoo Road south of the main parking area. Photo taken 11/12/05.
The icy roadway continues south all the way toward busy Interstate 80, which on this day was also suffering from the effects of the snow and ice. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Forest Service Road 700 ends as it meets Interstate 80 and U.S. 30 at the Vedauwoo Road interchange east of the Sherman Hill summit and west of Buford. Photos taken 09/07/05 and 11/12/05.
Forest Service Road 700 (Vedauwoo Road) - Northbound
Now in November 2005, a cold, wintery storm descended upon Sherman Hill and the Vedauwoo area, presenting blowing snow and ice along the roadway. Rock climbing would not be an option on this day. Photo taken 11/12/05.
A thin sheen of slush and ice froze over, leaving a treacherous driving surface for the rest of the way into Vedauwoo. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Looking to the east, the wind has blown the snow into a dizzying storm that has blanketed the grassy hills. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Only a few short months after the warm September visit, snow left an icy cover on a portion of the Vedauwoo sign in November. Photo taken 11/12/05.
The ice also covers the wooden fence and plants near the main parking area (see "parking area" section for more photos of that area). Photo taken 11/12/05.
The entry station to the main parking area at Vedauwoo was deserted except for one vehicle. Since this area is closed during winter, vehicular access to the rocks is not permitted. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Icy conditions continue north along Vedauwoo Road, even as the roadway changes from asphalt to dirt. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Vedauwoo Parking Area
This series of photos profiles the road leading from Forest Service Road 700 to the Vedauwoo Parking Area. Photo taken 09/07/05.
Amateurs and professionals flock to Vedauwoo year round to test their rock climbing skills. While fun, the climb can be dangerous, especially when climbers loose their footing or slip off a rock. Photo taken 09/07/05.
Due to limited sight distances and limited areas to turn around, RV's are not permitted beyond this point. Photo taken 09/07/05.
This set of photos show the rock formations in and around Box Canyon. Photos taken 09/07/05.
