Near Green River in Sweetwater County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Barren Land?

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2015

1. Barren Land? Marker

Inscription. The towers you see here are the remains of a complex system of sand filled channels of ancient Lake Gosiute. The sandstone promontories of the Laney Member of the Green River Formation were deposited during the middle Eocene Epoch from about 40 to 52 million years ago. These cliffs record the rich floral and faunal fossil bio-diversity of many years ago. Today as before, the cliffs of the Green River are teaming with life. While it may look at first glance like nothing could possibly survive, the land is actually a place of fantastic adaptation. The deep gullies, slopes and magnificent spires are home to a host of plants and animals, some of which are threatened and endangered or sensitive species: Pygmy rabbits and midget faded rattlesnakes live among the rocks. Ute ladies-tresses take root in the dry earth. Ferruginous hawks and bald eagles nest and raise their young in the high cliffs.

Erected by Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources.

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

Location. 41° 26.178′ N, 109° 31.898′ W. Marker

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is near Green River, Wyoming, in Sweetwater County. It is on State Highway 530 near Peru Cutoff Road (County Route 37), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Green River WY 82935, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: All Because of an Ancient Lake (a few steps from this marker); The Overland Stage (approx. 6½ miles away); The Overland Stage Station Route (approx. 6½ miles away); Sodium Carbonate Brine (approx. 6.7 miles away); William Manly - 1849 (approx. 6.8 miles away); The Great Unknown (approx. 6.8 miles away); William Ashley - 1825 (approx. 6.8 miles away); John Wesley Powell, 1871 (approx. 6.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2015

2. Barren Land? Marker

The marker is on the left.

in Green River.

Ferruginous hawk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Audubon.org

3. Ferruginous hawk

Ute Ladies-tresses Spiranthes_diluvialis) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by U.S. Department of Agriculture

4. Ute Ladies-tresses Spiranthes_diluvialis)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 571 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 30, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.