The Wyoming Legislature has tentatively allocated $35,000 to extract and preserve a historically significant tree located in the remote Washakie Wilderness within the Shoshone National Forest, near Yellowstone National Park, Wyo File reports.
The tree, inscribed by surveyors over 130 years ago, is seen by many as a cultural artifact and a unique piece of Wyoming history.
In October 1893, surveyors P.M. Gallaher, J.L. Dorsh, C.L. Sawyer, and J.E. Shaw carved their names into the trunk while stranded during a five-day snowstorm. The team was tasked with mapping the Yellowstone Forest Reserve, which would later become the Shoshone National Forest—the first designated national forest in the United States.
Historian Lawrence Todd, a retired Colorado State University professor and Meeteetsee resident, uncovered detailed field notes from Gallaher, describing the severe weather that led to their unusual carving activity. Todd emphasized the historical importance of the tree, which stands as a reminder of early conservation efforts in Wyoming.
Removing the tree and transporting it to the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne presents logistical and bureaucratic challenges. The site lies approximately 28 miles from the nearest trailhead, deep within federally protected wilderness. Helicopter extraction is not typically permitted in such areas, requiring a special permit and analysis by federal officials.
Lee Livingston, a former Park County Commissioner and Cody outfitter, is spearheading efforts to coordinate the extraction. The plan involves a helicopter lift without landing, as well as a team of specialists who will prep the tree on-site using chainsaws.
“It’s an amazing record that’s in danger,” Todd said.
He noted that the tree faces threats from wildfire and decay. However, he cautioned against removing it without proper documentation, likening such an act to “stealing an arrowhead from a site on public land.”
On the Wyoming House floor, Republican Representative John Winter from Thermopolis advocated for the $35,000 budget amendment to recover the tree, citing its cultural significance. Senator Larry Hicks echoed the sentiment in the Senate, emphasizing that the tree represents a rare and valuable link to the state’s history.
Despite bipartisan support, some lawmakers expressed reservations. Representative Jeremy Haroldson, a Republican from Wheatland, acknowledged the tree’s historical importance but questioned whether the timing was appropriate for state investment.
Nevertheless, the amendment passed with a 40-21 vote in the House and a 22-6 vote in the Senate.
Wyoming State Museum Director Kevin Ramler has already identified a space to display the tree section in a wing dedicated to the state’s federal lands. Ramler highlighted the tree’s role in telling the story of Wyoming’s conservation history, linking it to Yellowstone National Park and the establishment of national forests.
“This is critical,” said Senator Ogden Driskill of Devils Tower. “We need to get it out. This is our history. This is a good spend of state money.”
