Bridger Valley Historic Byway Muddy Creek Historic Backway

Backroads to Historic Emigrant Trails

It’s the place where the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails, the Pony Express, the first Transcontinental Railroad and the Lincoln Highway, America’s first coast to coast road, all crossed paths. Today, the Bridger Valley is home to the Bridger Valley Historic Byway and the Muddy Creek Historic Backway, a combined total route of 45 miles. They lead to some of Wyoming’s most historic neighborhoods filled with stories from America’s westward movement. Jim Bridger, of mountain man fur trapper fame in more northerly Pinedale, arrived here in 1843 to build a trading post to serve emigrants, after he realized that beaver hats for which he provided furs, were going out of style. Mormon Thomas Bullock, writing in 1847 stated, “at three o’clock p.m. we crossed Muddy Creek, a beautiful clear stream of water with a pebbly bottom and camped on the west side after traveling three miles during the day … we had a pretty campground… the brethren sang hymns for the President; it was a delightful evening.” Bridger clashed constantly with the Mormons until he escaped capture by a US militia and finally they built their own supply fort nearby. Reconstructed Fort Bridger and other historic sites along the way introduce you to the stories of the hardy pioneers who made their way west in search of a better life for their families. It is truly the road less traveled, yet well worth the journey through unique landscapes while exploring the timeless history of the region.