Speed Trap Hunter Blog: Wyoming, From Two Miles High

2 Mile High Cathedral

Yesterday, Lisa and made a special trip, a very special trip—two miles above sea-level and we didn't make the trip in a plane, we did it in our car, by way of State Highway 130 through the Snowy Range (Medicine Bow Mountains) west of Laramie, Wyoming.

This stretch of highway that runs to upwards of 10547 feet above sea-level, is closed that majority of the year due to excessive snow and an inability to remove it from the highway.

Many Roads Lead to Heaven

However each year at the end of May and beginning of June, this very special road is opened for public use. This stretch of highway 130 runs about 30 miles from the small town of Centennial to Saratoga Hot Springs (not Saratoga, New York). Although Lisa and I did not swim in the hotsprings, we were told that during winter, when it snows, the hot springs create a "bubble-effect" which turns the falling snow into a mist-like precipitation; it is very surreal.

Population 100 in Centennial, WY

On this road there is no need for speed enforcement, as the speed limit signs are accurately posted, and should be greatly respected. One wrong turn and you could end up in some very serious trouble. Furthermore, Moose and Elk, which make their home up here, if struck, will often result in serious injury [to you]; and even though we had a radar detector mounted on our windshield, it remained silent the entire trip.

Vanilla Sky

Summer in late June up here is essentially early Spring, as the snow finally begins to melt, in a big way.

Vehicles work harder at this altitude and power drops off as the air is quite thin. For the brave and adventuresome willing to trek to this altitude, it is very advisable to bring plenty of water and warm clothing as there is no cell coverage in case of an unexpected emergency and temperatures are often onforgivingly bitter. Our timing was very fortuitous, as the temperatures hovered around the low 50s.

At any rate, mere words can not express the awesomeness of this part of Wyoming, so we'll let our pictures do the talking. Lisa and I think you'll believe, as we do, that this is simply one of the most sacred and serene places on earth: