FR550 Hog Park - Red Dirt
Park s(u)
This wide dirt road links two
prominent parks in the aptly named Park Range, the
range of many parks - not the manmade, but the
natural kind. The road crosses the Continental
Divide, even if it's hard to tell from the
scenery.
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1.(mile00.0,8450ft)
START-END NORTH: low point on FR550 in Hog
Park
2.(mile06.7,9250ft)TOP:highest point on
FR550
3.(mile10.0,8280ft)FR550 crosses into
Colorado
4.(mile14.7,8270ft)FR550 reaches low point
while crossing Middle Fork of the Snake
River
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Approaches
From North. FR550
reaches a low point where the water from Hog Park
reservoir floods across the road, just shallow
enough so that I can ride around it. The profile
takes a hard left a short distance after the
reservoir. My destination is Steamboat Springs, as
the sign says. The same sign indicates an
alternative to the right, that seems like a whole
world away: Encampment, Wyoming. This is not just
a simple directional sign, but also a testament to
the remoteness of this area. There is also a
second left in this area. But it just dead ends at
the reservoir.
The road climbs in bits and pieces, safely
remaining in the forest and far away from far open
views, except for the occasional small park and
small reservoir along the way. At the top a sign
announces the turnoff to the Pipeline Trailhead
for the Continental Divide Trail.
From South (described
downwards). The Continental Divide crossing is not
signed along this road, but I am assuming it runs
along the top. The entrance to Colorado on the
other hand is signed, and new distances are given
for Columbine and Steamboat Springs. There are
alternatives to descend towards the north side of
Columbine
Pass and Savery, Wyoming. But the profile
stays on FR550 and ends back in Red Dirt Park. To
continue to Columbine this way involves another
small climb after the profile.
FR550 after a short summer shower with Hahn's
Peak in the background
A ride with this point as intermediate summit
is on page: FR500
Red Dirt Park - Hay Park
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