Casper Mountain
| Casper Mountain | |
|---|---|
Casper Mountain, from the east side of Casper, Wyoming.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 8,130 ft (2,480 m) |
| Coordinates | 42°45′09″N 106°18′52″W / 42.75250°N 106.31444°W |
| Geography | |
| Parent range | Laramie Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Goose Egg, Casper, Brookhurst, Freeland, Crimson Dawn, Otter Creek |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hiking, on roads |
Casper Mountain is located at the north end of the Laramie Mountains overlooking Casper, Wyoming along the North Platte River. At a top elevation of 8,130 feet (2,478 m), the mountain rises approximately 3,000 feet (914 m) above Casper.
Casper Mountain is largely privately owned, however there are still several miles of trails for hikers.
There are many recreation opportunities on the mountain. Hogadon Ski Area is one of very few ski areas with a parking/entry point located above the resort. Although small, the ski area provides the largest source of winter entertainment on the mountain. Other winter activities include cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. A small part of the cross country ski trails are lit at night, providing night skiing.
Summer activities on Casper Mountain include camping, hiking, and picnicing. The Braille Trail offers a short scenic hike, and is meant for those who are blind, but caters to everyone. The trail celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2010, and was visited by about 2,000 people. The area around the trail has picnic sites, and is popular during the summer. The trail is accessible on a road near the base of Tower Hill. Along with the Braille Trail, Casper Mountain has many other hiking trails. At the base of the mountain's north side, lies Garden Creek Falls. The Casper Rotary Club manages the trails around the area and in December 2010 began to renovate some of them in order to make them safer for hikers. The club plans to install low intensity lighting in the parking lot, to be powered by solar panels.
The mountain is also host to annual summer-solstice gathering at Crimson Dawn. This event, based upon children's stories told by a local woman to her children in the 1930s and '40s, has grown into a local tradition, with hundreds of families migrating up the mountain to see actors re-enact tales of witches and warlocks. The area around the ranch is reported to be by the woman.
Casper Mountain is also home to Beartrap Meadow, a large open space at the base of the road leading to the far east side of the mountain. Large parties have and continue to be held in the meadow. Beartrap Meadow also houses several campsites. Since 1994 Beartrap Meadow has hosted the Beartrap Summer Festival in late July or early August. It features bluegrass music and has included bands such as Ricky Skaggs, Earl Scruggs and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
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Wikipedia