Exploring the Backcountry of Central Wyoming

[Robert Apple]

My wife and I were driving the endless dirt roads and 4wd trails exploring central Wyoming and started to see power lines and pipelines , there were no towns on the map so we followed them to see where we would end up. We found a small mountain in the middle of nowhere with Roads going nearly to the peak. We discovered Black Mountain, a place where in the late 1800’s some “Nut” decided to drill for oil, He struck one of the largest Black Oil deposits in the western U.S.
Black oil isn’t fuel grade, is very dark and sticky and makes really good asphalt ,tar , and heavy greases. At the top we found a virtual ghost town of old industrial buildings as well as one modern one, after over 150 years the area is still producing, and being the tallest formation for many many miles one hell of a view.
Click to see a larger view and explore the hillside.

[Patrick]

Great clarity Robert , when you look at the big version you can see just how big that place is with the scale of the roads

[Robert Apple]

Thanks Patrick, it was a great find.

[Dahlia Ambrose]

An amazing grand view Robert. Can see the powerlines and the roads 🙂

[Robert Apple]

Thanks Dahlia

[beth]

interesting find.  did you explore the area or is it off limits?

[Robert Apple]

@loki we were able to drive to the top and into the area where the buildings were , there were quite a few active security cameras in the area with the buildings so we didn’t linger there , but we did have lunch on the top of the mountain and shot a few pics. And there was this sign full of bullet holes that might of said no unauthorized personal, but you could barley read it. We passed a locked gate that was clearly marked and didn’t go in there, Wyoming is still a shoot first, ask questions later State.

[beth]

probably a good choice on your part.  i love finding stuff like this.

[Tersha]

Wonderful landscape Robert, love the textures when seen big.

[Robert Apple]

Thanks Diane

[Author]

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