The area near Jeffrey City provided a path for early settlers to cross the high plateau. The Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office offers a history and early photos of this region:

“The Sweetwater Valley contains three distinctive granite landmarks: Independence Rock, Devil’s Gate and Split Rock. The last of these, Split Rock, with its unforgettable gunsight notch, was visible to emigrants for two days or more as they approached and then left it behind them.”

Courtesy of WyoHistory.org, a project of the Wyoming State Historical Society.

Split-Rock Bureau of Land Management Interpretive Rest Area

For a marked tour of the area, explore the Bureau of Land Management site:

“The BLM has developed an attractive rest area here, south of Split Rock. A short hiking trail, with interpretive panels regarding the area and its history, leads to an overlook from which trail ruts are visible. Unfortunately, the location of the rest area precludes seeing the distinctive gunsight notch.”

Courtesy of the WyoHistory.org Split Rock site.