#5: [20-Jun-22]

#4: [08-Jul-14]

#2: [14-Aug-03]

#1: [05-Jun-01]

02-Nov-2014 -- Continuing on CR 4 west from 41°N 108°W we skirted the Meeker/Sweetwater county border (Colorado/Wyoming) until meeting up with Route 430 in Wyoming, where we turned left and headed south. Route 430 is paved until you enter Colorado, at which point it becomes a decent dirt road and changes name to CR 10. We initially turned west on CR 94 to head in the direction of the confluence, driving past many a cow on the road, but it turned out it was an ostensible dead end into a ranch here (we later found out the road does indeed follow through, although you’d have to open and close three unlocked gates – I spoke in Spanish with two confused cattle drivers at the site of the first gate who somehow didn’t know that it was a thru-road, or didn’t understand my question/route). We opted to double back and instead head west on CR 72, the turnoff to which was a bit north of CR 94 along CR 10N and with a higher elevation approach. All of these county roads (4, 72, 94) pretty much necessitate 4WD in this part of the state.

CR 72 meanders west and northwest almost directly to the point. The only confusing point was a fork where the left spur seemed way better maintained than the right, but the right was clearly marked with a 72 (here). The sign was indeed correct, so never you fear! I suspect the other is more frequented since it heads directly to a large portion of the apparently popular hunting territory of the Browns Park State Wildlife Area.

The sky was absolutely breathtaking as we approached and arrived at the confluence: brilliant blue sky punctuated by low, puffy white clouds, some of which were nestled right atop several of the peaks that surrounded us. The temperature was a crisp 34°F. We parked at 1:45pm and zeroed out within a hundred feet of the car. The elevated confluence provided nearly unobstructed views in all directions, only impeded by close-up trees. What a spectacular corner of the world to be in. While the driving time was long, this confluence visit was absolutely worth it for the vista alone.

Driving back east along CR 72 we slowed down for a herd of pronghorns bolting across the road north to south. Their headlong pursuit to cross the road ahead of (never behind) an approaching vehicle even if it necessitates running diagonally to keep pace with the moving car never fails to amuse me. We made it back to CR 10N and continued south to our last of five confluences this weekend, 40°N 108°W.