2018 Map of Parting of the Ways

About this map

Parting of the Ways marks a significant historical junction in the high desert of the Wyoming basin, where the California - Mormon Rd splits to offer travelers different routes westward. This 2018 survey documents the enduring physical presence of the Sublette Cutoff, a trail bypass used by emigrants seeking a more direct, albeit water-scarce, path toward the Pacific. The landscape is defined by its intermittent drainage systems, including Dry Sandy Creek, Juel Creek, and Little Sandy Creek, which converge in a region of sparse human development. Ranching infrastructure like McCann Ranch Rd and the Williams Reservoir Number 2 highlights the modern management of this arid environment. Situated near the border of Sublette and Sweetwater counties, the map preserves the alignment of these historic migration corridors relative to local landmarks such as the Squaw Teat promontory.