Deadline Ridge Fire Lookout An Open House was held on Saturday, August 24th to celebrate the restoration of the fire lookout on Deadline Ridge. The restoration was done by members of the Sublette County Historic Preservation Board (CLG) in cooperation with the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The Open House included a visit by Smokey Bear and a birthday cake for his 75th Birthday. About 55 people attended the celebration. Click here for more pictures of the event. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.

Interpretive Panels New furnishings have been placed inside the lookout as well as four interpretive panels about the history of the lookout. The public is invited to visit the structure before it is closed up for the winter, and sign the guest book. A high clearance vehicle is recommended. The lookout is located at about 10,000 feet elevation in the Wyoming Range. There is also an interpretive display for the lookout at the Green River Valley Museum in Big Piney. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.

Death Notice: Robert Scott Thompson (posted 9/13/19)
Robert Scott Thompson, 70, of Big Piney, Wyoming, passed away in Idaho on August 24, 2019. A private service will be planned in Big Piney at a future date.

Related Links:
Obituary – Scott Thompson

Fire Danger decreases to Moderate (posted 9/12/19)
Bridger-Teton National Forest
WESTERN WYOMING - The fire danger rating for Grand Teton National Park, National Elk Refuge, and Bridger-Teton National Forest lands has decreased to moderate following recent rainfall and cooler temperatures.

A moderate fire danger rating does not mean that people should let their guard down. This time of year frost starts to kill summer's grasses and wildflowers, creating more light cured fuels to carry fire. Larger-diameter fuels remain dry throughout the fall season. Additionally, with fall comes the arrival of hunting season and an increase in both front country and backcountry use on public lands. People hunting and recreating on public lands will want to have warming fires and campfires with the cooler overnight temperatures.

Help to prevent wildfires by not having a fire at all. Dress for success with layers and warm clothes. If you choose to have a fire, keep your fire small. Be present with your fire at all times, and have a plan for putting your fire out before lighting it.

Campfires and warming fires must be completely extinguished. This means pouring a lot of water on the fire, stirring the coals and ashes into a thick muddy soup, mixing the white ash from the fire's edges into the water, and then feeling for heat. Repeat this process until no heat remains. Use your hand to feel the center, the big pieces, and the edges for heat. Consider not having a fire if you don't have a shovel and water, if there is not an established fire ring, there is not an area of bare mineral soil free of flammable materials, or if there are winds to carry sparks.

To date, 146 campfires have been abandoned or left unattended in the Teton Interagency Dispatch area. This count was 119 at the end of August, meaning that 27 campfires have been left burning in this area in the past 12 days. Please be responsible with fire this fall.

Learn more about wildfire prevention and current wildfires by visiting www.tetonfires.com.

WYGF seeks info on pronghorn poaching (posted 9/12/19)
Wyoming Game & Fish
FARSON, WYOMING – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is seeking any information regarding a buck pronghorn antelope that was illegally shot and left to waste near Farson on the morning of Sunday, September 8, 2019. The young buck was shot with a rifle on an irrigated alfalfa field two miles north of Farson (the old Jack McMurry Ranch) in Antelope Hunt Area 91. The hunt area was only open to the taking of doe or fawn antelope, during a special early season designed to alleviate damage to growing cultivated crops on private land.

Witnesses in the area described a vehicle that may have been involved as a small blue truck driven by a middle-aged man with light colored hair, accompanied by a young woman with dark hair and a nose ring. It is also believed the occupants of the blue truck were unaware that they did not have permission to hunt on that particular parcel of land due to a recent change in land ownership.

South Pinedale Game Warden Jordan Kraft states, "This type of action shows a blatant disregard for wildlife and is a theft of the wildlife resource to law abiding citizens."

Anyone with possible information regarding this poaching incident, or who was in the area and may have noted suspicious vehicles or activities, is encouraged to call the Pinedale Game and Fish office at 1-800-452-9107, the STOP POACHING hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847) or the South Pinedale Game Warden, Jordan Kraft, at 307-367-2470.

Callers may remain anonymous and any information leading to an arrest and conviction may result in a reward of up to $5,000.00.

Scam Alert (posted 9/12/19)
The Sublette County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous calls recently of a variety of scams. These people can sound very convincing and may threaten legal action and/or arrest warrants if you do not pay money or provide personal information.

NEVER GIVE OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE.

These scammers may be threatening, or sound very convincing and claim they are law enforcement officers, collection agencies, or bank officials. Remember, government agencies, law enforcement, and reputable businesses will NEVER ask you to give out your personal information or demand payment over the phone.

Even the Caller ID showing on your phone can be faked by scammers and may show the call to be coming from your bank or local law enforcement, when it really is not. DO NOT TRUST the Caller ID number showing on your phone as being legitimate.

Recent scams circulating involve social security numbers, student loans, vehicle warranties and more. Senior citizens can be particularly vulnerable to these scams. Never wire money, buy money cards to send to callers, or give out bank account or personal identification information to callers on the phone.

Hang up on these callers. If you are concerned about the status of your utility or bank account, call those companies directly using the number from your billing statement rather than using any phone number given to you by the scammers.

Please report suspicious phone calls to the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office, 307-367-4378.

Senator Enzi accepting nominees to military academies (posted 9/12/19)
Deadline to apply is Nov. 5, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., is accepting applications for nominations to the U.S. military service academies for the 2020-21 school year. Every year, Enzi gives Wyoming youth considering military careers the opportunity to apply for a nomination to the Air Force Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy, the Military Academy at West Point and the Naval Academy.

"Military service academies provide exceptional opportunities to young people, including a quality education," Enzi said. "These academies open doors and provide a unique set of experiences that graduates will carry with them throughout their lives. I highly encourage anyone who is interested to apply."

All applicants for service academies require a nomination and an appointment. To be considered for a nomination, a student will be evaluated on leadership, extracurricular activities, academic grades, SAT/ACT test scores and letters of recommendation. Based on the applicant’s interview with Enzi’s selection committee, applicants are recommended to Enzi for final approval. Following Enzi’s nomination, final appointments will be determined by each academy.

The application, procedures and specific criteria are available on Enzi’s website. For additional information, please contact Martha Wilson at (307) 772-2477 or Martha_Wilson@enzi.senate.gov.

Complete application packets are due to Enzi’s Cheyenne office by Nov. 5, 2019 at 2120 Capitol Ave. St. 2007 Cheyenne, WY 82007. Enzi’s committee will interview qualified applicants on either Dec. 6 or 7.

Two wildlife underpasses to go in north of LaBarge (posted 7/30/19)
The Wyoming Game & Fish has approved $1.25 million to help pay for two wildlife underpasses along US 189 north of LaBarge, Wyoming. The underpasses and associated fencing will go in along a five mile stretch of highway that has a record of vehicle collisions with mule deer. The road intersects an area where mule deer cross in the fall and spring traveling to and from their winter range habitats. The agency expects the underpasses will reduce collisions by up to 90 percent. The projects are expected to be completed by 2022.

Middle Piney Dam and Road Closure (posted 7/11/18)
Middle Piney Lake access will be closed for three summers for dam reconstruction
PUBLIC NOTICE: Forest Road #10024 heading to Middle Piney Reservoir is now closed above Sacagawea Campground for the next three summers while the dam is being reconstructed. There will be heavy equipment up and down that road. Due to a safety concern for both the public as well as the construction crew, the road will be closed to all traffic during the summer season (including on foot).

The back side of the lake will still be open to the public, but know that it is going to be a long hike OFF-ROAD AND OFF-TRAIL, and there will be NO MOTORIZED access.

According to the Wyoming Water Development Office, the dam is in need of reconstruction due to its high risk of failure. The State is also funding the reconstruction project.

Construction is going to take the shoreline down to its natural level and completely reconstruct the man-made dam. Because of the short field season in the area, the process is going to take at least three years to complete.

During the winter season, while construction activity is on hold, NW Construction will remove their equipment and supplies as much as possible to allow winter access.

Please call the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest for more information, 307-276-5800.

Click on this link for more pictures

Related Links:
Bridger-Teton National Forest

Info on vehicle registration laws in Wyoming for non-resident workers (posted 5/29/18)
Sweetwater County
In a joint release issued on Tuesday (May 29, 2018), Sweetwater County Sheriff Mike Lowell and County Treasurer Robb Slaughter described the details of Wyoming statute concerning vehicle registration for non-residents working in the state.

"The Wyoming statute that addresses this issue," Slaughter said, "is W.S. 31-2-201 (j) and (k). It can be reviewed online at the State Legislature’s website at http://www.wyoleg.gov/StateStatutes/StatutesConstitution?tab=0 ."

Lowell and Slaughter outlined the statute as follows:

A non-resident who is employed in Wyoming, on either a temporary or full-time basis, and who is the owner or operator of a vehicle in Wyoming that is not a commercial vehicle must immediately obtain a valid Wyoming registration or purchase a temporary registration.

To obtain a temporary registration, their vehicle must display a valid registration from another jurisdiction and be properly insured. Application is made in person at the County Treasurer’s Office at the Sweetwater County Courthouse at 80 West Flaming Gorge Way in Green River. The fee for a temporary registration is $50.00 per month and cannot exceed 120 days per vehicle. If a worker is going to be employed in Wyoming for longer than 120 days, a regular Wyoming registration must be issued.

Those applying for a temporary registration will need to bring with them the following:

- The vehicle’s current, non-expired registration
- Proof of insurance
- Color of vehicle
- Payment for temporary registration in the form of cash, credit card, or debit card

Subsection (k) of the statute makes the following provisions for a commercial vehicle owner, a non-resident owner of a vehicle who is not employed in Wyoming, or any owner, upon transfer of ownership to, as an alternative to registration:

A 30-, 60-, or 90-day permit may be obtained in any 12 month period. The temporary permit begins on the date the owner enters Wyoming or on the date of purchase of the vehicle. The fees for a temporary permit are:

Up to 30 days - .10 X regular registration fee
Up to 60 days - .20 X regular registration fee
Up to 90 days - .30 X regular registration fee

Lowell and Slaughter noted that Wyoming has full reciprocity agreements with Idaho, New Mexico, Illinois, and Nebraska. Non-residents working in Wyoming who live in these states may run with their regular registration. If they take up residence in Wyoming, however, (by living here over 120 days, for instance), they must obtain Wyoming registration.

In addition, Wyoming has daily commuter reciprocity with Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Utah. Non-residents who live in these states and commute to work daily in Wyoming may run with their regular registration.

Lowell emphasized that Sweetwater County deputies are enforcing this statute, and will continue to do so.

Slaughter said those with questions may contact their County Clerk’s office.

3 towns call themselves the ‘Ice Box of The Nation’ (posted 1/15/18)
Including Big Piney, Wyoming
Wyoming Public Radio posted an article today (Monday, January 15) about three towns that are fighting to claim the title of "Ice Box of the Nation.’ Those three towns are International Falls, Minnesota; Fraser, Colorado; and Big Piney, Wyoming. Each has had record cold recorded temperatures. Big Piney has reached -61F.

For more on this story, click on this link,Why Three Towns Are Fighting To Be The 'Ice Box Of The Nation' and then click on the audio link on the left hand side. Story by Kelly McEvers, All Things Considered, npr.org, Jan. 15, 2018

Local Contact Numbers
Big Piney Town Hall
PO Box 70
Big Piney, WY 83113
307-276-3554
www.bigpiney.us

Marbleton Town Hall
10700 US 189
Marbleton, WY 83113
307-276-3815

Flicks & Pins Entertainment Center
Open Sunday through Thursday from 3:00PM to 10:00PM
Friday & Saturday 3:00PM to Midnight
Phone 307-276-4062 for movie times
www.flicksnpins.com/

Big Piney Ranger District
Bridger-Teton National Forest
P.O. Box 218
Big Piney, WY, 83113
307-276-3375 or 276-5800/5200
Fax: 307-739-5235/276-5835
www.fs.fed.us/btnf/

Sublette County Courthouse
21 S Tyler, Pinedale, WY 82941
Big Piney Direct Line 307-276-3827
Marbleton Annex 307-276-3735
Pinedale Information: 307-367-7722

Sublette County Sheriff's Department
PO Box 701
Pinedale, WY 82941
Marbleton: 307-276-5448
Pinedale: 307-367-4378

Big Piney Post Office
401 Budd Avenue
307-276-3772
1-800-275-8777

Sublette County School District #9
Superintendent's Office: 307-276-3322
Big Piney High School: 307-276-3324
Big Piney Middle School: 307-276-3315
Big Piney Elementary School: 307-276-3313
Big Piney Pool: 307-276-9966
www.sublette9.org


Southwest Sublette County Pioneers Senior Citizen Center
429 E First St, Marbleton, WY
P.O. Box 33
Big Piney, WY 83113
Phone: (307) 276-3249
Fax (307) 276-3249
E-mail: southwest001@centurytel.net
Open 8:00am to 4:00pm
Lunch at 12:00 noon Tue. Wed. Thurs. (starting July 1, 2008)
Joan Mitchell / Director
www.bpmseniorhousing.com
Facebook page

Green River Valley Cowbelles
www.greenrivervalleycowbelles.com

More Area Information:
Sublette County Chamber of Commerce (Pinedale)
307-367-2242 or 1-888-285-7282
www.sublettechamber.com

BigPiney.com (Pinedale Online!)
307-360-7689 (days, evenings, weekends, after hours calls ok)

Sublette County Fair
July - August
The Sublette County Fair is packed with entertainment and fun. There is something for everyone to enjoy.

One of the many highlights is the Lil' Buckaroo Rodeo. The audience holds their breath as these young cowboys and cowgirls try their hand at bronc riding. The evening ends with the youngest contestants competing in the stick horse barrel race. The greased pig contest is another favorite, the crowd roars with laughter watching the wave a kids overtaking the slimy critters.

Spend some time viewing the livestock shows and watch the participants as they receive their awards for a job well done. Enjoy the wonderful food which some how tastes more delicious in the atmosphere of the fair festivities. Finish the night off at the rodeos with many local cowboys and cowgirls participating in the fast paced events. Visit the Sublette County Fair web page to enjoy pictures from previous years fairs.

For more information visit - www.sublettecountyfair.com.

Green River Valley Museum
Open June through October
The Green River Valley Museum is located on the main street in Big Piney. Artifacts from prehistoric Indians, pioneers, homesteaders and other various groups that have settled this area are on display at the museum. Many of the items displayed at the museum were donated by local families. 'Hard Hats and Stetsons' is the annual fundraiser for the museum. The name of the fundraiser itself reflects how important the cattle and oil industry have been for this valley.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 Noon until 4:00 PM from June into October (opening date varies, so watch for announcements on the specific date each year). Admission is by donation. Special tours can be arranged by calling Museum Director Jeannie Lockwood at 307-276-3637.

For more information visit www.grvm.com

Chuckwagon Days July 3rd & 4th in Big Piney
Chuckwagon Days takes place each year over the 4th of July holiday in Big Piney. There is a Lil' Buckaroo Rodeo, a parade down Big Piney's main street followed by a free BBQ at the Sublette County Fairgrounds, an afternoon rodeo, street dance and late evening fireworks (on the 4th).

The "Chuckwagon Chug" a 5k and 10k Walk/Run, will be held on July 4th, before the Big Piney Parade. Start/Finish is at the Big Piney High School parking lot. There will be prizes for top finishers and gift bags for all contestants.

More information about Chuckwagon Days can be found here: www.ChuckwagonDays.com

Local Lodging
If you are looking for local lodging and places to stay in the Big Piney-Marbleton areas, be sure to check the Sublette County Chamber of Commerce website under lodging. Big Piney and Marbleton are located about 35 miles south of Pinedale, so look under motels, RV parks and campgrounds specific to our towns.
Lodging Links:
Bed & Breakfasts, Cabins, Motels, Guest Ranches, RV
www.sublettechamber.com

Camping near Big Piney & Marbleton
The closest campgrounds are located on the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. They offer two developed campgrounds and many opportunities for dispersed camping in the Wyoming Range west of Big Piney and Marbleton. The forest boundary is approximately 20 miles from local businesses and town services. For detailed information, contact the district office at 307-276-3375.

Sacajewea Campground Located 25 miles west of Big Piney. This campground has 26 sites, basic amenities, and is open June 15th through September 30th. The camping fee is $7.00 per site, per night. This campground has running water, an on-site host, and is well maintained. No electricity, showers or phone.

Middle Piney Lake Campground This is a primitive campground located further down the road from the Sacajewea Campground. This camp area is next to Middle Piney Lake and has 5 tent sites, tables and pit toilets. NO running water, electricity, showers or phone service. NO fees. Because of the narrow winding road to this campground, it is not recommended to take trailers to the lake site.

Forest Service Cabins Big Piney Ranger District offers two Forest Service work centers for rent for overnight stays. One is located at Snider Basin and the other in the Hoback. Contact the Big Piney office for more information on availability and fees.

NOTICE ABOUT BEARS: These campgrounds are in bear country. Both black bears and grizzly bears inhabit the Wyoming mountain range. Visitors are strongly encouraged to practice clean camping techniques and store attractants in a manner that makes them unavailable to bears. Bear-proof canisters are available for rent from the Big Piney Ranger District office. Bear-proof dumpsters are located at various locations at campgrounds and recreation areas on National Forest land.

Dispersed Camping:
There are practically unlimited opportunities for dispersed camping on the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Big Piney/Marbleton. The forest boundary is approximately 20 miles from town. Stay limit is 16 days in any one location. Campers should either bring their own water or boil water obtained from sources in the outdoors to avoid getting sick from organisms that live in lakes and streams. Do not drink untreated surface water. Dispersed camping is available along the Piney, Cottonwood and LaBarge Creek drainages.

Camping on BLM land
There are no developed campgrounds on BLM land near Big Piney or Marbleton, however there are many places for dispersed camping for those who are prepared to bring their own drinking water and camp without developed facilities. For more information, contact the Pinedale Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management in Pinedale.

Private RV Campgrounds
There are several private businesses that offer RV campsites for overnight and extended stays. Most have power, water and sewer hookups. Click here to our sister website, Pinedale Online, for info about private RV campgrounds and services.

Related Links:
Bridger-Teton National Forest/Big Piney Ranger District
Sublette County Chamber of Commerce

Big Piney, Wyoming, "Ice Box of the Nation"

Big Piney & Marbleton
Ice Box of the Nation
Big Piney is the oldest settlement in Sublette County, Wyoming and was named by Dan B. Budd for the Piney Creeks. In 1879, Daniel B. Budd and his partner Hugh McKay brought a thousand head of cattle from Nevada hoping to ship them at Point of Rocks, but winter caught up to them here in the Green River Valley. The following year Dan Budd moved his family here and that is how the settlement of this town began. Big Piney was called "Ice Box of the Nation" when it was officially made a weather station in 1930. Big Piney had the coldest year round average temperature of any place nationally.

It's a curiosity, considering most Wyoming towns are few and far between, that Big Piney and Marbleton would only be a mile apart. They have separate post offices and town governments. Big Piney was incorporated on July 5, 1913. In the early days there was a lot of drainage problems with the site on which Big Piney was built. So Charles Budd, eldest son to Dan B Budd had hope to build the town up on the bench to alleviate this problem. Charles did establish Marbleton on the bench, in late 1913, but it never replaced Big Piney. Any attempts to combine the two towns has been unsuccessful. The truth is people here kinda' like it that way. Both towns cooperate with each other, they have a common school. The citizens of these two towns take a lot of pride in the growth of their little metropolis over the past years and think the founders would be proud too. Both communities have thrived in the last several decades because of the oil and gas industry. In the 1980's Marbleton recieved it's own post office, because of the number of people moving to the area.

To contribute information to this community website,
please e-mail: info@bigpiney.com or info@marbleton.com.
Phone: 307-276-5699 • Fax: 307-276-5414