Experience the only place where the Continental Divide splits, creating a large circular basin where the water does not flow into the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans, but into a succession of ponds and salt flats in an area known as the Chain-of-Lakes. Native shrubs such as sagebrush, saltbush, and active sand dunes dominate the landscape. The Crooks Gap Road to Bison Basin Road segment is a 24-mile stretch of the CDT located southeast of Lander and northwest of Rawlins. It is ripe with potential wilderness experiences, including possible wild horse sightings. Brenton Springs, a perennial spring 4 miles into this segment, offers the first water source. The landscape takes on a new character as the route heads out of the basin and up onto Crooks Mountain.
It is rumored that “Crooks Gap” and “Crooks Mountain” were named perhaps as the site of an ambush or as a hideout for a gang of outlaws. The less exciting truth is that they were named after General George Crook, an army commander. In spite of the unrelenting sun, this segment of the CDT is very pleasurable. You’ll walk through sagebrush, limber pine, and the occasional cottonwood or aspen tree.
Photo by Matt Berger