After departing from Interstate 80 and U.S. 30-287, the first mileage sign on southbound (eastbound) Wyoming 130 is for the towns of Saratoga and Encampment. Wyoming 130 passes through Saratoga on its way to the top of the Snowy Range. Follow Wyoming 130 south to Wyoming 230 south to reach Encampment. Photo taken 09/06/05.
After leaving Walcott Junction, this is the first reassurance shield along southbound (eastbound) Wyoming 130. The state highway will continue south through Saratoga, then turn east at the Wyoming 230 junction eight miles south of Saratoga. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Vast sagebrush plains and rolling hills dominate the view on southbound Wyoming 130 after Walcott Junction. The North Platte River rarely comes into view, even though it parallels the highway just to the west. Along the route are several connecting county routes that offer ranch access and river access. Photos taken 09/06/05.
Southbound Wyoming 130 enters the town of Saratoga, which is home to 1,726 people. The town has a history in lumber, but it has grown to include tourism as a gateway to the Snowy Range and as the location of the Hobo Hot Springs in downtown Saratoga. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Now entering the town of Saratoga, Wyoming 130 crosses over the North Platte River before entering downtown. The only other bridge over the river in the vicinity of Saratoga is via Bridge Street (Wyoming 74). Photo taken 09/06/05.
Eastbound Wyoming 130 (Snowy Range Road) reaches the Albany-Carbon County Line during the middle of winter. Wyoming 130 is only open to cross-country skiers and snow machines during the winter months, since it is too intrusive to plow the highway free of the several feet of snow on Wyoming 130 between October and May each year. Photo taken 02/02/02.
Eastbound Wyoming 130 (Snowy Range Road) reaches the point in Carbon County where the road is closed each winter. As seen in this picture, several feet of snow prevent passage during the winter, but snowmobilers and cross-country skiers may reach some of the most beautiful winter scenery - assuming it's not snowing at that time. Photo taken 02/02/02.
Much further east (after leaving the Snowy Range and crossing the Laramie Basin), eastbound Wyoming 130 and Wyoming 230 approach their junction with U.S. 30-287 and Business Loop I-80 as the state routes cross over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. Only U.S. 30 and U.S. 287 are signed in this junction shield assembly in Laramie. Photo taken 11/11/05.
Crossing over the Union Pacific Railroad near downtown Laramie, Wyoming 130 and Wyoming 230 come to a joint end as the highway approaches Third Street (Junction Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30-287). The route is signed with an END shield, like most major Interstate, U.S., and state routes in the Wyoming. Photo taken 09/06/05.
To reach the Laramie chamber of commerce, the University of Wyoming, and museums, follow Third Street (Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30-287) south. Photo taken 09/06/05.
This shield assembly omits the business loop, but it points the way to north/southbound U.S. 30-287. To the south, U.S. 30-287 travel together for several blocks, then divide at Grand Avenue. Grand Avenue heads east toward the University of Wyoming, while Third Street carries U.S. 287 south out of town and toward Fort Collins, Colorado. Photo taken 09/06/05.
The Wyoming 130-230 viaduct has an unusual arrangement that allows for a frontage road on the eastern approach. This photo shows the pending intersection with Third Street as seen from the frontage road rather than the viaduct. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Wyoming 130 - Snowy Range Road - Westbound
Wyoming 130 and Wyoming 230 travel together over the Union Pacific Railroad Viaduct just north of downtown Laramie. The two routes will continue together past the Laramie Territorial Prison, then divide in West Laramie after the Interstate 80 interchange. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Westbound Wyoming 130 and Wyoming 230 reaches their junction with Interstate 80 in West Laramie. At this interchange, Interstate 80 travels north-south in order to bypass Laramie. Photo taken by Jeremy Hamm, 08/99.
Now leaving Laramie, most traffic on Wyoming 130 is headed toward the Snowy Range or to the foothill town of Centennial. Photo taken 02/04/02.
Westbound Wyoming 130 (Snowy Range Road) enters the community of Centennial. Centennial is the gateway community leading into the Snowy Range Mountains, which loom large in the background. It is a very small town, with one local bar (Murf the Surf's) and a couple of restaurants. It is popular on the weekends with skiers who descend from the Snowy Range Ski Area. This style of population sign is no longer in use in Wyoming; they are now green rather than white signs. Photo taken 8/98.
Plenty of ranches surround Centennial; a small downtown is located near a bend in the highway. Photo taken 08/98.
Wyoming 130 ahead-back milepost equation markers located near Centennial. Photo taken 8/98.
During the winter months, Wyoming 130 ends at this point. The road is wide to accommodate parking for day use snowmobiler and skiers. Photo taken 02/04/02.
The highway is well traveled during winter, even though the road is ostensibly closed. Snowmobiles can travel the highway, as seen in this winter photograph. Photo taken 09/07/05.
During the winter months, the peaks of the Snowy Range help define the highest point of Wyoming 130, which is covered in snow. Lake Marie, the lake at the base of the range, is covered in snow. Photo taken 02/04/02.
Westbound Wyoming 130 leaves Albany County and enters Carbon County near the base of the Snowy Range. At the time this photo was taken, we were on snowmobiles on top of several feet of snow above the roadway. Photos taken 02/04/02.
As westbound Wyoming 130 leaves Saratoga, much of the highway passes through the North Platte River Valley. The North Platte River flows from south to north here, slowly winding its way northward to Casper. At Casper, the river turns east and then south, connecting with the South Platte River in Nebraska. Most of the turnoffs along this stretch of Wyoming 130 lead to Bureau of Land Management access points to the North Platte River for recreational uses such as boating, floating, and fishing. Photo taken 09/07/05.
This mileage sign, located immediately after leaving Saratoga, provides the distance to Walcott Junction (20 miles) and Rawlins (41 miles). Follow Interstate 80 west to Rawlins. Photo taken 09/07/05.
This suite of photos shows the rolling hills and sagebrush filled landscape between Saratoga and Walcott Junction. The North Platte River flows north on a route parallel to Wyoming 130, but it is seldom visible. Photos taken 09/07/05.
Northbound Wyoming 130 approaches its junction with Interstate 80 and U.S. 30-287. The freeway ramps are just ahead; two-lane Wyoming 130 transitions directly onto U.S. 30-287 eastbound. Photo taken 09/07/05.
End Wyoming 130 westbound approaching Junction Interstate 80 and U.S. 30-287 near Walcott Junction. As is standard practice, the end shield appears a half-mile or so before the actual terminus of the highway. Most primary state routes have end shields, but secondary state routes do not. All things considered, there are very few primary state routes in Wyoming. Photo taken 2/4/02.
The first ramp connects northbound Wyoming 130 with eastbound Interstate 80 to Elk Mountain and Arlington. Photos taken 09/07/05.
The second ramp connects with westbound Interstate 80/U.S. 30 and northbound U.S. 287. Continue straight ahead for eastbound U.S. 30-287 to Hanna, Medicine Bow (Junction Wyoming 487), and Rock River. Photo taken 09/07/05.
Other Scenes Pertaining to Wyoming 130
This is a view of the Wyoming 130 and Wyoming 230 viaduct as seen from downtown Laramie. Photo taken 09/06/05.
This is a view of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks looking south as seen from the sidewalk on Wyoming 130-230 (Snowy Range Road) in Laramie. Photo taken 09/06/05.
The Union Pacific Railroad yard spreads out below the Wyoming 130 and Wyoming 230 viaduct. Photo taken 09/06/05.
The only way to access Wyoming 130 across the top of the Snowy Range in the winter is via a snowmachine. Photo taken 02/04/02.
