Even though I usually take Hwy 287 when traveling between Fort Collins, CO and Laramie, WY, on occasion I have reason to take the long way using I-25 and I-80 and for years have been curious about the sight of a tree growing out of what seems like solid rock between the East- and West-bound lanes. Anyone who has traveled across the country on I-80 (or at least across Wyoming) has likely seen it as it is clearly visible from both directions but it’s easy not to really notice until it’s too late to stop. A couple of weeks as I was piloting the RAM 3500 along I-80 I finally decided to stop at the little parking lot in the median and check it out.
This part of Southern Wyoming is fairly wind-swept and doesn’t have that many trees, so this one is already a bit noteworthy but the setting just gives it more mystery (and charm). Back when the Union Pacific Railroad laid its tracks in the 1860’s in this area of the Sherman Mountains before there was a road, the workers noted the Limber Pine and actually jogged the tracks sideways a bit more than originally planned in order to get closer to it.
It became a stop for the trains and the firemen on the trains would give the tree a bucket of water as a drink, or so the story goes. In 1901 the railroad moved their tracks a few miles to the south and the abandoned grade became a wagon road. Then in 1913, the old Lincoln Highway came by the rock; in the 1920’s, the Lincoln Highway gave way to US Highway 30 and then in the 1960’s Interstate 80 was built, solidifying the tree in the rock as an icon to be looked at by millions of motorists when passing by.
The tree now has a little fence to protect it but the age of the tree is unknown. Limber Pines can apparently grow to be 2000 years old. It’s a good little place to stop during a long journey to stretch ones legs but not much is nearby although it is considered to be in the town of Buford, population either 1 or 2, depending on the decade. You’d better supply your own snacks though as there is nothing around besides a small parking area accessible from either side as well as the tree and some rocks.
Tree Rock has been the subject of numerous postcards (the above example dates from the 1930’s) and entries in travel books over the years. I kind of look at it as symbolizing Wyoming and a large part of the American West, with one plucky individual (or tree) able to withstand significant hardships and make a go of it. I’m not a born American myself, but this tree sort of represents America to me in a way and the values I like to associate with it.
Those values being the ideas that adversity will be overcome and obstacles can and will be conquered. What greater obstacle can there be than needing to grow roots through solid rock? (Note – Of course there is likely really a crack in the rock for the roots to extend below into the soil but the symbolism stands. Also, this isn’t meant to be political in any way whatsoever so please don’t make it that but just take it for what it is.)
In any case it’s a worthy place to stop on a long journey just for a few minutes; it’s right at mile marker 333 on I-80 halfway between Cheyenne and Laramie. If you have kids with you (or others young at heart) there is a small pile of more pink granite (visible in the lead picture) in front of the tree that is easy to climb and provides both a good picture perch as well as an excellent opportunity for a photo of the others on the rocks in front of the tree. And perhaps you’ll give this plucky little tree a sip from your water bottle. Safe Travels!
I love this. Somehow I missed Tree Rock when I was on I-80 in Wyoming about 15 years ago.
That trip was memorable because my wife and I took a vacation to Colorado, and along the way we swung up to Cheyenne and Laramie. We saw some things in Cheyenne and then headed over to Laramie on I-80 in the late evening to get a hotel room. However much to our disappointment, every hotel room in Laramie was booked (due, apparently, to some statewide high school athletics even being held at the University). So, annoyed, we drove back to Cheyenne. And then in the morning drove back to Laramie, yet again.
Somehow, on those three drives along that stretch of I-80, I missed the Tree Rock. Or at least I saw it but don’t remember after 15 years. If I’m ever there again… I WILL STOP.
Went by many times and never noticed it, though often at night.
In that area I thought Virginia Dale was of particular beauty and interest when I plied 287 to go to Loveland the back way via Owl Canyon Road.
This area is very significant in the history of Wyoming. Generally this is called Sherman Hill. The UP transcontinental line was built across Wyoming because of the relatively modest grades – compared to the more mountainous Colorado to the south. The highest elevation on the route is here.
Recently the restored UP 4014 “Big Boy” has been in the news. Hauling heavy trains up the grade at Sherman Hill was difficult and the purpose of the Big Boy 4-8-8-4s was to get those loads over this hill on the Cheyenne-Ogden route.
Also interesting in this area is the Vedauwoo rock formations just north of this location – walking distance if it was safe. This can be seen easily on foot (or mountain bike) in the Curt Gowdy park just a bit to the east. If you have more time for the area take Happy Jack Road/Wyoming Route 210 to hit the area from the north.
This area, being the easiest route across the Rockies, is also important in aviation history. When our airliners were piston powered and not pressurized the United Airlines east/west main line was routed over here between Cheyenne and Salt Lake. This was Boeing 247s, Douglas DC-3 and DC-4 territory and there is wreckage up here from some flights that did not get through.
CC Effect – Saw Big Boy just this morning!
I was out in Wyoming a couple of years ago visiting my Brother who has relocated to Laramie. We continued on to South Dakota to see Mt Rushmore and the Crazy Horse monument (Amazing Story!) That little tree does make a fitting monument to a wide open, sparsely settled State. I don’t recall my exact route but I may have missed the tree. I think about Wyoming a lot these days. Since my brother moved, he returns to the Bay Area frequently to visit his kids and grandkids. We discuss local news. He seems to like it there. I’ve been watching the Longmire television series in which the stories occur in Wyoming, although it is filmed primarily in New Mexico. Either way the scenery is so open and beautiful.
Here’s our UP4014 Big Boy story, can’t believe I forgot to include the link!
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/trackside-classic/trackside-classic-1941-union-pacific-4-8-8-4-no-4014-amazing-things-happen-in-wyoming/
Big Boy to arrive in Southern California for an excursion on October 12 & 13, 2019.
http://www.railgiants.org/Big-Boy-Excursion-Info.php
Fascinating. Especially at how little that tree has grown since 1930. These are remarkable trees, and I’ve spent a lot of time admiring them near the treeline on many hikes in the Rockies and in some places in CA and Eastern Oregon. But to see an isolated example like this one on Sherman Hill is unusual, but certainly within its range.
Very interesting – I love natural anomalies like this. Wish I had seen this on one of several trips across Wyoming. I’ve also missed the near by Ames Monument, a pyramid designed by the great architect Henry Hobbs Richardson in 1887 marking the highest point of the transcontinental railroad at 8,247’ (2,514m).
I have seen (from a moving vehicle) the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument from 1959 commemorating the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, originally on US30 (Lincoln Highway) at the 8,835’ Sherman’s Summit, moved in 1969 to be along I-80
Thank you for sharing the story of this plucky tree. While l I have been on I-80 in every state I have not driven/ridden the entire length of I-80 so I have not seen this tree yet. Seeing this tree reminded me of the Survivor Elm in Oklahoma City
That’s one plucky tree.
You sure are on a tear this week with the CC posts Jim, I am loving this stuff.
Isn’t he just?
Loved this piece, Jim. Would love to see more pieces like this!