South Pass (Wyoming)
| South Pass | |
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Historic South Pass, seen from the east looking westward towards Pacific Springs
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| Elevation | 7,412 ft (2,259 m) |
| Traversed by | Oregon Trail, California Trail, and Mormon Trail, Wyoming Highway 28 |
| Location | Fremont County, Wyoming, United States |
| Range | Wind River Range and Antelope Hills (Radium Springs, Wyoming) |
| Coordinates | 42°22′12″N 108°54′49″W / 42.37000°N 108.91361°W |
| Topo map |
USGS Pacific Springs |
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South Pass
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Map of southwestern Wyoming showing location of South Pass at the headwaters of the Sweetwater River
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| Nearest city | South Pass City, Wyoming |
| Built | 1824 |
| Architect | Unknown |
| NRHP Reference # | 66000754 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 20, 1961 |
USGS Pacific Springs
South Pass (elevation 7,412 feet (2,259 m) and 7,550 feet (2,300 m)) is the collective term for two mountain passes on the Continental Divide, in the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Wyoming. The passes are located in a broad low region, 35 miles (56 km) wide, between the Wind River Range to the north and the Oregon Buttes and Great Divide Basin to the south, in southwestern Fremont County, approximately 35 miles (56 km) SSW of Lander. South Pass is the lowest point on the Continental Divide between the Central Rocky Mountains and the Southern Rocky Mountains. The passes furnish a natural crossing point of the Rockies. The historic pass became the route for emigrants on the Oregon, California, and Mormon trails to the West during the 19th century. It has been designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark.
The pass is a broad open saddle with prairie and sagebrush, allowing a broad and nearly level route between the Atlantic and Pacific watersheds. The Sweetwater River flows past the east side of the pass, and Pacific Creek rises on the west side. Historic South Pass is the lower of the two passes (elevation 7,412 feet (2,259 m)), and was the easy crossing point used by emigrants. Wyoming highway 28 crosses the Continental Divide 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the northwest at elevation 7,550 feet (2,300 m), and its crossing is also named South Pass. The Lander Cutoff Route crosses the Continental Divide at the far northwest end of the broad South Pass region, about 25 miles (40 km) to the northwest of the South Passes, at an elevation of 8,030 feet (2,450 m).
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Wikipedia