Month: July 2016

191 Road Closure: Alternate Routes

There is currently a wildfire near Bondurant and Highway 191 to Jackson is closed indefinitely.

For more fire information visit: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4865/

Here are 2 backroads routes between Pinedale and Jackson that take 3-4 hours as opposed to 6-7 hours following the highways via Dubois-Lander-Pinedale or Alpine-Afton-Kemmerer-Labarge-Pinedale.

McDougal Pass Road:

From Jackson take Highway 89 south to Alpine, turn left onto Greys River Road/Forest Service Road 138 follow approximately 30 miles on good dirt road paralleling the river. You will pass the BOX Y ranch, continue several miles, turn left onto McDougal Gap road (sign says “Sheep CR”) heading east, road narrows, gets rough, and goes uphill. This road will take you over a mountain pass and down. Continue about 11 miles, you will reach the forest boundary and the road will turn into County Road 23-129. Go about 8 miles to the intersection turn left onto County Road 23-116 continue 1 mile turn right onto County Road 23-117 go 11 miles to Highway 189. Turn left to head to Daniel Junction.  Road is pretty good and passable by passenger car, and vehicles with trailers.

Union Pass Road:

From Jackson take Highway 26/89 to Dubois. 8 miles before Dubois turn right onto Union Pass Road #240 it will turn into #263. It will climb a steep mountain with switchbacks, in about 11 miles you will reach Lake of the Woods. This area of the road is slow going and bumpy. The road will be flat and start to descend into the Upper Green River Valley, continue about 22 miles to the intersection of the Green River Lakes Road, turn right going south, continue 3 miles to the forest boundary. The road will turn into pavement Highway 352 follow for about 20 miles to the intersection of Highway 191, turn left to proceed to Pinedale 6 more miles. This route is the rougher of the 2, heavy trailers, and low clearance passenger cars are not recommended. This area also contains grizzly and black bears, so be aware!

Neither route has much in the way of services, be sure to gas up, have food and water, and have a spare tire, jack, and wrench. There is little to no cell phone coverage in these areas.