Near Douglas in Converse County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Formation of Ayres Natural Bridge

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 29, 2010

1. Formation of Ayres Natural Bridge Marker

Inscription. Meandering La Prele Creek drainage cuts into alternating layers of sandstone and sandy limestone of the Permian / Pennsylvanian Casper formation.

La Prele Creek erodes both the upstream and downstream sides of the outcrop.

Undercutting by creek collapses the lower level of stone forming the bridge. The creek then follows the shortcut, flowing undern the bridge.

In memory of Lou B. Reed

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.

Location. 42° 44.064′ N, 105° 36.693′ W. Marker is near Douglas, Wyoming, in Converse County. It can be reached from Natural Bridge Road (County Road 13) 2½ miles south of Spring Canyon Road (County Road 11). Natural Bridge Road can be accessed from Exit 151 of Interstate 25. The marker is located at the end of Natural Bridge Road in Ayres Natural Bridge Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Douglas WY 82633, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Wyoming’s Westward Expansion Trails Region

and in the Powder River Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Natural Bridge and the Oregon Trail (here, next to this marker); Oregon Trail (approx. 1.7 miles away); Ayres Natural Bridge Park (approx. 4.1 miles away); Sharp, Franklin and Taylor, (approx. 4.6 miles away);

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Junction of the Oregon Trail (approx. 6½ miles away); a different marker also named The Oregon Trail (approx. 7.1 miles away); Bill Hooker (approx. 7.1 miles away); Fort Fetterman (approx. 9.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Douglas.

Ayres Natural Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 29, 2010

2. Ayres Natural Bridge

View to the west from the pedestrian bridge over La Prele Creek

Pedestrian Bridge Over La Prele Creek image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 29, 2010

3. Pedestrian Bridge Over La Prele Creek

View to east from top of Ayres Natural Bridge, marker is at the right end of pedestrian bridge

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 29, 2010

4. Ayres Natural Bridge

View to the west from the north bank of La Prele Creek

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 29, 2010

5. Ayres Natural Bridge

Cliffs Along La Prele Creek image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 29, 2010

6. Cliffs Along La Prele Creek

View to west from top of Ayres Natural Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 840 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 27, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.