Wind River Canyon

[2] Work on U.S. 20/Wyo 789 through Wind River canyon began in 1922 and was finished in 1924, replacing the Bird's Eye Pass Route over the Owl Creek Mountains.

The canyon includes a number of homes along the highway and a Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad line.

The water gap was created as the topography of the mountains was raised over the past two million years from previously flat terrain.

From south to north, the canyon crosses an area of complex faulting, then narrows as it descends into Precambrian rocks at three road tunnels.

Beyond the tunnels, the strata dip, with high cliffs of sedimentary Madison Limestone, Bighorn Dolomite and sandstone.