Flaming Gorge-Uintas byway has a lot to offer

It would be hard to pick a single reason for traveling the 82-mile, Y-shaped byway known as Flaming Gorge-Uintas.

It could be the natural beauty — green forests, the deep blue water of Flaming Gorge Reservoir or the flaming-red cliffs that embrace the landscape.

It could be its history. Nowhere else on earth is it so easy to view the entire world's history — Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic and Precambrian periods — through the various rock formations.

Then again, it could be the wildlife. During one overnight camping trip, Katherine Gardiner, office manager/information officer for the Dinosaurland Travel Region, spotted bighorn sheep, marmots, a ferret, several species of hawks, osprey, deer, elk and moose.

Whatever the reason, the scenic roadway that reaches from the Wyoming border down to Vernal, cradling Flaming Gorge Reservoir, is one of the state's most popular byways.

Available at travel centers in surrounding counties, and upon request from the Dinosaurland Travel Region office, 25 E. Main Street, Vernal, 1-800-477-5558, is a brochure entitled, "Wildlife Through the Ages." The brochure directs you to roadside signs, pull-off kiosks and trails along the route.

It identifies the different formations, shows where pull-offs are located and pinpoints trailheads to popular hiking/biking trails.

The roadway is located within the Uinta Basin, which is one of the few places where the world's entire history is exposed, starting with the newest formations and going back to the Precambrian Era, which dates, some believe, to when the world was first formed — 4.5 billion years ago.

Another thing the basin is known for is mammals from the Eocene Era. The Eocene period dates back between 45 million and 65 million years.

The three must-see stops along the way are:

• The Sheep Creek Geological Loop, a 13-mile scenic backway. The road takes passengers through a wide range of geological wonders, cliffs, canyons and wildlife viewing areas. This includes the visually dramatic Uinta Fault, which runs for about 100 miles along the Uinta Mountains. It also passes Spirit Lake and a visually inspiring view of Sheep Creek Bay.

• The Red Canyon area and the Red Canyon visitors center, which offers an exciting view of the valley floor some 1,400 feet below. Visitors can also see videos, displays and take self-guided tours.