ON THE CALENDAR: Intl Climbers Festival in Lander July 8-12

WY Beef Summer WLM 2015

Intl Climber Fest 1

From the Wind River Visitors Council …

Lander, WY – The International Climbers’ Festival is a five-day rock climbing festival that brings together hundreds of people from across the country to Lander. The event includes rock climbing clinics, speakers, and plenty of fun for climbers of any age.

Located in central Wyoming, Lander sits at the base of the spectacular granite-filled Wind River Range, which has some of the best alpine routes in the country. Just outside of town are the legendary limestone-dolomite sport-climbing crags of Sinks Canyon and Wild Iris, where you can find single pitch sport and traditional climbing as well as bouldering with grades for the whole family.

Questions:   climbersfestival@gmail.com or visit www.climbersfestival.org

Image by Wind River Visitors Council
Image by Wind River Visitors Council

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8

  • Noon- Registration Opens at Wild Iris Store
  • Evening Events at American Museum of the American West, BBQ from 5:30-8:00pm
  • 6pm- Legends & Lore at the Museum of the American West
  • 8pm- Boulder Bash at Cabin Boulders (with lights!)

THURSDAY, JULY 9

  • 8am-Noon- Access Fund Service Project, with Support from the Trango
  • 9am-11:00am: Shoe Demo at Wild Iris Store (return to store as well)
  • Noon-4:00pm: Tour Lander Brewing on the hour @ the Cowfish
  • 3:00-5:00pm: Falcon Guide Writer’s Clinic
  • 5:00pm- Central Bank & Trust Art Crawl begins and will make stops at local businesses to see various art displays and scotch/beer tasting.
  • 7:00—11:00 pm- Opening Party, brought to you by La Sportiva and the Lander Bar at the Gannett Grill. Pull-Up competition starts at 7:00pm and band, Trout Steak Revival, starts at 8:00pm.

FRIDAY, JULY 10

  • 8:00am- Breakfast Burritos by Solid Rock Climbers’ For Christ in City Park
  • 8:30am-10am: Shoe demos in City Park (return to City Park as well)
  • 9:00am- Meet for clinics at City Park and carpool to Crag
  • 2:00pm-9:00pm- Trade Fair at City Park. Includes booths, exciting games, gear giveaways, and a Dyno Comp that starts at 6:00pm.
  • 9:00pm Peculiar Patriots playing at the Lander Bar

SATURDAY, JULY 11

  • 7:00-9:00am- Dolomite Dash Trail Run, sponsored by Elemental Gym with support from Dynafit @ Wild Iris Crag (21k at 7:00am, 5k & 10k at 7:30am)
  • 8:30 am- Crag Breakfast by the Middle Fork @ Wild Iris Crag
  • 8:30 am-10am Shoe Demos at Wild Iris Crag (return to Wild Iris Store)
  • 10:00 am- Clinics at Wild Iris Crag
  • 6:00 pm- Autograph Session with Athletes at Community Center
  • 7:00pm- Millet Keynote Speaker Series
  • 8:30pm- Closing Party and DJ Cut La Whut

SUNDAY, JULY 12

  • Coffee by prAna
  • 9:00 Slide Show by Hans Florine (City Park)

All Access Pass – $70
All presentations, $10 Art Crawl dollars, Trade Fair, T-shirt, and Clinics. Includes select free food and discounts for drinks. Your way to experience the entire Festival!

Children’s Ticket – $35
All Access pass, specially priced for kids ages 6-17. Kids under 6 are free!

 

Intl Climber Fest 3

Image from Wind River Visitor Center
Image from Wind River Visitor Center

ON THE CALENDAR: Lander is HOPPING in June – June 5-7, June 11-13!

2014_1202_WYLifestyle_web_958_460Wyo Lifestyle magazine Fall 2013.indd18b5ecd4-795b-446d-964d-7bc902da7ce8 (1)
LANDER BREWFEST – JUNE 12& 13

The 2015 Lander Brewfest will be held on Friday June 12th from 5-9pm and Saturday June 13th from 2-7pm in the Lander City Park, 405 Fremont Street. Tickets and more information about the breweries and program are available at www.landerbrewfest.com. The early-bird ticket rates are $25 for a one-day pass and $45 for a full weekend pass. Tickets can also be purchased day-of for $30/$50, giving 21+ age adults unlimited access to over 70 beers from our 25+ breweries that are coming from Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Colorado.

“We are excited to be moving Brewfest back to City Park,” said Rose Burke, Event Coordinator of the Lander Chamber of Commerce. “In addition to the centralized and sheltered location, this year’s event will include vibrant music, excellent food, and interactive games such as Beer Trivia and the Lawn Game Olympics.” Burke adds, “And the event is open to all ages, so kids and non-drinkers are welcome for free.” Please note: as an all-ages event, Lander Brewfest coordinators require all minors be accompanied by an adult and to please leave pets at home.

Burke noted that this year’s event gives regional craft brewers an opportunity to shine and has added new programs such as “Brewer’s Corner Classes” and “You Be the Beer Judge” sessions where participants can learn more about craft beer. “Our craft brewers are really artists that create some of the best beer in the country. They have a lot to share about their trade and have a vested interest in educating beer connoisseurs,” she added. “Hopefully, we all leave Brewfest with a better appreciation of who is making good beer and continue supporting these small businesses by demanding these products at local bar taps and on supermarket shelves.”

Lander Brewfest is also hosting Wyoming.com “Golf with the Brewers” 9-hole scramble at the Lander Golf Club, Saturday June 13th from 9am-12pm. “We have 30 of our brewers signed up and most of them are bringing some of their brews to share,” said Burke. “It should be a fun opportunity to play golf, talk with the brewers, and play golf.” Tickets are $30, available online.

Brewfest is partnering Saturday’s events with the Fremont Area Road Tour, a road bike race for all ages, levels, and distances beginning and ending at Lander City Park. June 1st is the deadline to register for the “Bike and Brew” packages: www.landercyclingevents.org.

The 2015 Lander Brewfest is presented by Fremont Toyota and sixteen additional partnering sponsors and organizations. Please thank these businesses by supporting them with your patronage.

For more information or to volunteer contact Rose Burke, Event Coordinator, Lander Chamber of Commerce: rose_burke@landerchamber.org, 307-332-3892. Press release from Wind River Visitor Council

 

Lander Running Club June 2015

Lander Running Club June 2015 2

Lander Running Club June 2015 3

SINKS CANYON ROUGH & TUMBLE TRAIL RACES SATURDAY, JUNE 6

The Lander Running Club is excited to announce the first ever Sinks Canyon Rough and Tumble Trail Races to be held this Saturday, June 6th! The race will be held in the spectacular Sinks Canyon on the Shoshone National Forest, starting and finishing in Bruce’s Parking Area.

 

“With two race distances of 4 and 11 miles, the runs promise to challenge runners of all inclinations and abilities; both include hill climbs, swooping smooth singletrack, and technical running,” said Evan Reimondo, co-founder and coach of the LRC. “These runs feature new, world class trails in the foothills of the Wind River range, and we truly believe they will become classic trail races.” said Amber Wilson, also co-Founder and coach of the running club.

 

The Lander Running Club was founded in December of 2013 by Evan Reimondo and Amber Wilson shortly after they transplanted to Lander following their graduate studies at NAU in Flagstaff, AZ where they both enjoyed the sense of community, encouragement, and friendship that came with participation in the local running club there – Team Run Flagstaff. “This was an attempt to bring that sense of running community with us to Wyoming, and we’re very excited to see it growing and becoming pretty successful,” said Amber.

The Lander Running Club hosts a weekly track workout on Wednesday nights and group trail runs on Saturdays along with a growing series of races year-round. Membership in LRC is free and open to the community. Runners of all ages and abilities are welcome. For more information about the Lander Running Club or to sign up for the group’s once-weekly newsletters detailing weekly group runs and upcoming running events, visit landerrunning.blogspot.com, visit and “like” LRC on Facebook at facebook.com/landerrunning or email Evan and Amber and landerrunning@gmail.com.

Race day registration starts Saturday, June 6th at 7am in Bruce’s parking area.

11-mile race briefing: 7:45

11-mile start: 8:00

4-mile race briefing: 8:15

4-mile start: 8:30

The Sinks Canyon Rough and Tumble Trail Races have permit approval from the Shoshone National Forest, and are sanctioned by the USATF.

— from Coach Amber Lynn Wilson,  Press Release from Wind River Visitor Council

Collared Sow Grizzly bear with two cubs along the highway near Dubois
Collared Sow Grizzly bear with two cubs along the highway near Dubois

DUBOIS MUSEUM PRESENTS WYOMING COMMUNITY BANK SPEAKERS SERIES — BEAR SPRAY 101 JUNE 11

“Bear Spray 101 How to avoid bear encounters, the proper use of bear spray and how to defend yourself during an attack,” Fourth program in the Wyoming Community Bank Speaker’s series at the Dubois Museum in the Dennison Lodge June 11, at 7 p.m.

Bear Spray 101: How to avoid bear encounters, the proper use of bear spray and how to defend yourself during an attack.

A program on Bear Spray 101 will be presented June 11 at 7 p.m. at the Dennison Lodge in Dubois. The program is the Fourth in the Wyoming Community Bank Speakers Series at the museum. The series will feature speakers and programs on the area’s culture and history at all three county museums throughout the summer and fall. The programs are free and open to the public.

The program, led by Brain DeBolt, the Large Carnivore Conflict Coordinator with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

The next speaker through the Dubois Museum will be at the Dennison Lodge July 9, 7 p.m. and will be a program by Mark Thompson sharing his story of life in the Dunoir Valley. This will also be a great opportunity for others to share their stories of Dubois in the past.

For more information call the museum at 307-455-2284, on Facebook at: Dubois Museum & Wind River Historical Center

Byrd Draw Trek  - Photo Credit Lary Treanor
Byrd Draw Trek – Photo Credit Lary Treanor

DUBOIS MUSEUM PRESENTS WIND RIVER VISITORS COUNCIL TREK SERIES JUNE 13 — “Byrd Draw Explorations”

First program in the Wind River Visitors Council Trek Series at the Dubois Museum Saturday, June 13 at 8:30 am.

Bruce Thompson and Sally Wulbrecht will lead the trek. The trek will investigate what the rocks, plants and animal tracks have to tell us about life in the badlands canyon. Bring a lunch, plenty of water and dress for hiking on rocky trails.  The trek is free and open to the public. Meet at the Dubois Museum at 8:30am. Please call the Dubois Museum 455-2284 to register for the program.

This program is the First in the Wind River Visitors Council Trek Series at the museum. This series will feature treks on the area’s culture and history at all three county museums throughout the summer and fall.

The next activity will be a Wind River Visitors Council Trek Series through the Dubois Museum on Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. to the Torrey Basin Petroglyphs, Limit of 12 people so call now to reserve your spot.

For more information call the museum at 307-455-2284 or on Facebook at: Dubois Museum & Wind River Historical Center  — Press Release from Wind River Visitors Council

WYO OUTDOORS: Enjoy the Wind River Country Trails

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image courtesy Wind River Visitor Council

Wind River Country, WY – National Trails Day was June 1 — but who needs one day to enjoy the great Wyo? Hit one of many great trails in Fremont County, depending on access due to the spring snow conditions. Keep reading on for lots of Wind River Country info!

For road bikers, there are a number of loops that can be made through Wind River Country ranging in length from the leisurely 13-mile Squaw-Baldwin Creek loop popular with the lunchtime crowd in Lander, to a 100-mile circuit that links Lander, Riverton, and Sweetwater Station.

Highway 287 from Togwotee Pass through Dubois and Lander and then on to Rawlins by way of Jeffrey City and the Sweetwater Rocks area is part of the TransAmerica Bike Tour Route, a 4,247-mile transcontinental bike route established for the Adventure Cycling Association’s celebration of the U.S. bicentennial. The route, which continues to be the most popular way to cross America by bicycle today, includes ocean coastline, lush forests, high deserts, mountain passes, snow-capped peaks, sweeping vistas, fertile farmland, rolling hills and wide rivers. Transcontinental riders are frequently seen traversing Wind River Country along this route every summer.

For bikers who prefer dirt to pavement, many of the trails that traverse Wind River Country’s millions of acres of public land are multiple use and open for mountain biking.

Recently the Lander Cycling Club with the help of the Lander District BLM, and the Wind River Backcountry Horsemen made major improvements to the parking lot at Johnny Behind the Rocks (JBR).

Lander Cycling Club president Scott Van Orman said, “In a cooperative project we made the parking lot into a  trailhead. The parking are was enlarged for pull-through parking of trailers and additional parking for smaller vehicles. A cattlegard was installed so there is no longer a need to open and close the gate. Because the parking lot is fenced to keep keep vehicles and cows in the appropriate area, an additional smaller cattlegard was built and installed for the convenience of bikes and hikers while the equestrians will still pass through a gate to access the trails. An informational kiosk and trailhead sign should be in place by the end of the summer. The project certainly helps visitors find the trails and shows that we really care about the non-motorized recreation at JBR. It was made possible by donations from the Lander Cycling Club, Wind River Backcountry Horsemen, SDI Construction, The Bike Mill, and Gannett Peak Sports.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

image courtesy Wind River Visitor Council

Since the Loop Road will be closed, at last notice, until June 7 now is also a great time to ride the road bikes up the switchbacks without the worry of cars, trucks and campers. The pedal up is mostly on moderate grades and the descent is exhilarating!  Bring a jacket and make sure your brakes are properly adjusted.

Bikes and hikers must yield to horses: stop, step off the trail and talk to the horse and rider in a calm voice, loud enough to be heard. The horse will recognize you as a person not as a strange speeding object that triggers the horse’s flight instinct.

Check in at Bob`s Bike Corral in Dubois, Out Sportin’ in Riverton or Gannet Peak Sports in Lander for ideas on rides. You’ll find there’s something suitable for all ability levels from easy two-track tours in the desert, to technical challenges on rocky terrain in the mountains.

There will be a trail work day on June 15 with the US Forest Service (USFS) to start a new trail in Sinks Canyon. Matt Walters of the USFS planned the new trail to be multi-use and should also give Lander another Cross Country ski trail in the winter. When completed the yet to be named trail will make a connection from the warming hut trails to Fossil Hill and give non motorized users a way up without being on the road.

If you prefer to celebrate our trails on horseback this year, there are twenty-five Dude/Guest ranches and backcountry outfitters offering all kinds of riding options from short day-trips to week-long stays. Check out the entire list available inWind River Country.

There are two accredited Volksmarches in Wyoming’s Wind River Country. In the spirit of European noncompetitive hikes through gorgeous country settings, the American Volkssport Association Volkswanderung, German for “people’s walk,” began more than four decades ago to promote health and fellowship. The walks are not races, and they are designed to accommodate walkers of all athletic abilities.

There is a sanctioned Volksmarch at South Pass City State Historic Site and another at Sinks Canyon State Park near Lander. For more information, contact http://www.ava.org

Another short hike in the Shoshone National Forest with a variety of scenery is the 4.4 miles (round trip) trail to Lake Louise south of Dubois. The hike begins at the Trail Lakes and Glacier Trail trailhead parking lot. This popular, moderate hike starts off in a desert-like area but quickly changes to mountain vegetation ending in a zone of granite outcrops-perfect Bighorn Sheep country. Plan to spend some relaxing time at this destination – an alpine lake framed by peaks and cliffs.

For serious and experienced back country hikers, The Cirque of the Towers is a remote, strenuous but impressive 16-mile hike from Big Sandy Trailhead into the heart of the southern Wind River Range and the Bridger Wilderness. There’s an option to take a shorter hike (11 miles) to Sandy Lake. The lake trail parallels the Big Sandy River so plan on fishing during your hike! If you continue on to Jackass Pass, where you will view the Cirque of the Towers, you will travel a very rocky steep trail. It will be worth it though as you enjoy one of the most spectacular alpine scenes in the US!

A fun, easy hike near Lander in the Shoshone National Forest brings you to the glorious Popo Agie Falls. The short trail, 3 miles (round trip) starts at the beginning of the Loop Road at Bruce Picnic Area and follows along the Middle Popo Agie River. Once you reach the falls, there are more paths to explore before you unpack your picnic.

An even easier hike, 1.4 miles (round trip) with big views is Blue Ridge Lookout off the Loop Road through the Shoshone National Forest. Here, at around 8000’, you can admire the southern Wind River Range, and to the east, the high Wyoming plains, plus Fiddlers Lake and the Absaroka Mountain Range.

Hikers should have a good map, sunscreen, basic first aid kit, bear spray, wear good shoes and a hat, carry water and snacks, be bear-aware and consider the elevation and weather as they travel in the Wind River Country’s high-altitude beauty. Contact the Shoshone National Forest offices in Dubois and Lander, and the Bureau of Land Management offices for maps and local information about the trails before you head out.

Some trails in Fremont County can also be used for ATV riding. The trails present challenges to the seasoned ATV rider along with pleasurable, scenic riding for the beginning and leisure ATV rider.  Through-out the State of Wyoming, several beautiful places have been designed for some very relaxing and enjoyable off-road riding. Check for rules and regulations on public lands.

To learn more about what Wind River Country has to offer, or to request a vacation packet, please visit us at Wind River Country or call 800-645-6233.