WY Highway 296 Winter Conditions February 3, 2025

Drivers encountered difficult road conditions on Wyoming Highway 296 near Cooke City, specifically east of Crandall Creek by the K Bar Z Guest Ranch access road.

Protect Our Plug notes that snowplow driver shortages and budget constraints have been ongoing issues for the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), as previously reported by Cowboy State Daily. These challenges date back to at least 2020.

According to the WYDOT Snowplowing Priority Plan – Highway 296 is Low Volume IIIA which affects its priority level for snow removal. 

Low-volume (IIIA, IIIB) service generally involves other less busy minor arterial and collector routes and is provided after high-volume and medium-volume routes have been cleared, with exceptions sometimes made for school buses or similar traffic. Low-volume service is provided only during daylight hours. Level IIIB state highways receive minimum levels of service as resources become available. During severe storms, scheduling depends on available personnel and equipment.