Baggs

Settled by cattle and sheep ranchers, the Little Snake River valley—and its largest community, Baggs—is still ranch country. Two emigrant trails passed nearby: the south branch of the Cherokee Trail (circa 1849–50) crosses near the community, and the Overland Trail (1862–65) lies farther to the north. Notorious outlaw Butch Cassidy frequented the area, often hiding out here after pulling off a train or bank robbery. To the west of Baggs, large herds of wild horses range freely on public lands. The town is on the southern edge of what is now a major oil, gas, and coal-bed methane field, so large numbers of equipment trucks, big water trucks, and field workers ply the roads. The restaurants and one hotel in town stay busy.