Over the Top

Packing up the tents this morning we left the town of Dubois ready to conquer mountain pass that awaited us. For the next 30 miles we followed the Wind River up into the Shoshone national forest. The Horizon was always the peak of the next mountain, the road winding around it.  When pressing up long climbs, it is easy to become jealous of everyone in motorized vehicles, sitting comfortably in their RV’s, cars and motorcycles.  Although it was only 30 miles to the top of the pass which also was the continental divide, the time it took with our pace was incredible. The town from which we left was at around 6000 feet and the top of the pass was closer to 10,000. Between these two places lay numerous climbs and descents making the total feet of climbing well over 10,000 .

The scenery however, made up for every ache and pain. The snowcapped peaks which we have been approaching for days, now lay right over us with layers of pine trees blanketing their bases. Between trying to catch our breath because of the altitude, and ignoring gravity’s constant effort to keep us from reaching the top, we were able to enjoy the majestic landscape around us.  We stopped for lunch at Lodge, the restaurant was closed but we bought a pack of frozen hot dogs to grill on our stove outside. After a meal of bun less, lukewarm hot dogs, washed down with severely overpriced soda, we left to attempt our final assent to the top. This was perhaps the most difficult part of the trip. No longer was there a meandering river that the road followed, but rather steep graded highways. By this time we had been on the saddles for 5 hours. Fatigued both physically and mentally we finally crossed the continental divide. We were also greeted with a sign that said “ caution, 6% grade for 17 miles”,  Joy to our ears. Flying down from close to 10,000 feet is both exhilarating and scary.  My mind tried to balance between being overjoyed at the rush and being fearful that any wrong move would result in unneeded skin graft.

The rapid descent eventually evened out after a few miles. Around a little bend, we saw photo pull off, pulling in to see exactly what the overlook was about, one of them most beautiful sites was spread across the horizon. Up from the ground the grand Tetons reached sharply toward the sky, their peaks covered in snow, a valley of pine trees and rolling hills leading up to them. I can see now why these peaks are typically chosen to represents this state in photographs, they are truly awe inspiring.  By the time we had arrived at the overlook, it was around 4, we had 50 more miles until Jackson, a goal now unreachable except by night riding.

We chose to stop for the day. There is a campground operated by the forestry department about a mile into the wilderness. Tomorrow we hope to be in Jackson. It is also where Sauder and I say good bye to Andrew, who has to be home in time for a wedding. It will be strange to be back to only two riders, but we also press on knowing that we are almost done. Pictures will come later because service this far out is quite limited. Good night and thanks for reading.