Great Divide Ride- the Ride Begins

[jakescase]

Divide Ride

The day out of Pinedale was the MOST SCENIC in Wyoming. I recommend it to everyone. While Lander was historic and the Tetons dramatic, the drive from Pinedale through Daniel to Cottonwood/Ryegrass rd. through McDougal Gap and onto the Greys River Rd to Alpine was outstanding! If you're ever close to Pinedale, make sure you take this route...

A LOT of Photos:

 

[jakescase]

Divide Ride

And:

 

[jakescase]

Divide Ride

Now I know this IS getting like your "Uncle's vacation Slide show" but the drive was outstanding!
And thanks to 1/2mill90 in the FJ Owners forum for the Greys River suggestion:

 

[x32792]

Outstanding.

 

[jakescase]

Divide Ride

After overnight in Jackson, the next day we decided to take the route through Yellowstone to Southeast Montana rather than the Adventure Cycling one ( Ashton-Flagg to Fish Creek rd to Macks Inn) since through Yellowstone was more in keeping with our mission--staying close to the Continental Divide.

First through Moose and Jenny Lake to the Tetons:

 

[jakescase]

Divide Ride

Then after crossing the Continental Divide three times, Yellowstone.
For those who haven't been,Yellowstone is not to be missed. It is one of the most geologically active places on Earth and a "Hot Spot." We had been before,but couldn't miss Old Faithful- At the Old Faithful Inn, we parked within 50 yards of the Old Faithful viewing area, and within 15 minutes saw the geyser! Lucky timing--

 

[jakescase]

Divide Ride

On the way out of Yellowstone, Shelia spotted a cave with bones! See if you can spot them:



And to West Yellowstone-- We Southerners couldn't believe the speed limit-- for snowmobiles!

 

[jakescase]

Divide Ride

The next day we left West Yellowstone for a great drive-- Henrys lake and Red Rock Pass Rd. to Dillon. The entire drive from W.Yellowstone to Monida, we either crossed the C.D, or were within 5 miles of it.
Out of W.Yellowstone on 20 and into Idaho at the first Continental Divide crossing of the day and around Henrys Lake (After an emergency stop at Wild Rose Ranch):



Then around the west side of Henrys Lake to Red Rock Pass:

 

[jakescase]

Divide Ride

Then Past "Hell Roaring Creek," as the sign says "The utmost source of the Missouri River"-- the 4Th longest river in the world




And past Red Rock Lake to an interesting facility:

 

[jakescase]

Divide Ride

Past unusual and beautiful scenes:





We had originally planned to take the Blacktail Rd. to Dillon; we were advised that continuing Red Rock Pass Rd. to Monida was more scenic:

 

[jakescase]

Divide Ride

And past the Lima Reservoir to Monida




Then, trying to avoid the interstate, the service rd to Lima where Shelia had Chili Cheese Fries! and we bought some frames at an interesting shop:





We ended the day on the continuation of Red Rock Road ( parallel to I 15), through Lewis and Clark Camp Fortunate and to Dillon.
As an aside, could anyone who has driven the Blacktail road which we did not take, let us know if we missed an opportunity? Not for us, but for any that may follow our route...

 

[jakescase]

Divide Ride

The next day was a short one. We had been "on the road" for 21 days and it was beginning to show. We saw the restored Ghost Town of Bannack and travelled the Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway. We decided not to stay in Butte (Statue of Our Lady of the Rockies) but drove the Interstate(!) to Helena.
Bannack:

 

[jakescase]

Divide Ride

And onto the Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway.
Check out the Working Dogs. And through Butte:

 

[jakescase]

Divide Ride

This day July 18, was a longer one and more akin to offroad. We took 12 out of Helena and then Priest Pass rd., Austin-Mullan pass rd, Bald-Butte- Blossburg rd, Empire Creek rd, Lost Horse Creek rd, Little Prickly Pear rd, Marsh Creek rd and Stemple Pass Road to 279 and 200 to Lincoln for lunch and ending the day at Seeley Lake-- a friendly village.
A recommendation- by the time we reached Seeley Lake, the 5000 mile oil change which I got before leaving Birmingham ran out. Got the oil changed (and inspected the underside for the third time) at Glen's Automotive Service on Hwy 83-- A great place...
A caution about the roads we took in the morning- we had rain the night before and some areas were very slick.
We crossed the Continental Divide 5 times that day(Priest Pass, Bald Butte, Granite Butte, Stemple Pass and Flesher Pass)
Starting at Priest Pass:



We had a lot of "Kodak Moments"

 

[jakescase]

Divide Ride

more-- it was a longer day---

And yet