My Journey

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Galvyork.....thanks for the feedback. Very slowly feeling better. Strange trip this one is. Seems like I been hurting quite a bit.....

Hey Park (I corrected your name spelling).....yes I'm still in Lander.....posting from the City Park along the ice cold river right now. Came here for one night but this will be my third. I love the coffee shop at the corner of Main Street and Third Street. Did you make it in there ? It's even got a small climbing wall. Excellent coffee, homemade everything.....





Yesterday we drove up to Sinks Canyon and checked out the Sink and the Rise.....the river goes underground (the sink) and comes out about (500) yards below (the rise).....





Afterwards I drove up the canyon to the top of the mountain and took the dogs swimming.....



We did some exploring on some Jeep trails and got into some more remote areas.....



Then back to Lander for the night.....



I may leave tomorrow and I may stay awhile. Great town.....

 

[parkkitchings]

Jerry....I did make it to that coffee shop. I concur, great place to hang out in the am and yes, Lander is a great town in the summer. Middle of January....might think otherwise.

There is a road, think it's the same one that goes up by the Sinks, leading up out of Landers that turns to gravel where you can access the Continental Divide Trail. Road will to take you to South Pass City. Worth checking out and there is some really good dispersed camping up on the ridge before dropping down into South Pass City.

Another area you might want to check out is a little town called Ten Sleep in Wyoming. Friend of mine, Justin Smith, owns and runs the Ten Sleep Brewery there. Great little town with friendly people and the surrounding area is spectacular.

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

I think I drove through Ten Sleep on the way to Riverton. I was focused on getting to Riverton at the time and wasn't thinking much about stopping. I also think I'll pass on taking the rig up Sinks Canyon. That's one hell of a steep grade. And honestly Park, I'm a happy camper right here in the City Park for now. This guy (Wally) stopped by in his 1931 truck and we chatted for awhile. Interesting over the road trucker, Jeeper, and neat person.....





I had my morning coffee at the coffee shop. Still loving Lander, Wyoming.....

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Lander is turning out to be a great little town to hang out in. I'm getting ready to spend my seventh night here at City Park. The guy in charge tells me that he's never seen the park so void of campers, possibly down as much as 90 % from the norm. This year they've implemented a (3) night limit here but since it's so empty the guy in charge has allowed me to stay on indefinitely. Still not sure when I'll move on but I know I'm in no hurry to get somewhere. It's been so relaxing to sit still for a week after all the traveling.....

The Sticker Man was in town this week. Perfect cause I needed my "Ontario" sticker for the camper.....





Every evening I make my way up to the NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) building to shower ($2 for a hot shower) and chat with the gal behind the front desk. I got an invite for some kayaking tomorrow but the ribs are still sore so I passed on that. The building is quite amazing.....



Not sure what this is actually.....



Park was right about the people here.....I've met a ton of cool people.....so thankful for that.....

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

I start most mornings in Lander with long walks down the shady, tree lined streets. I love the weather in the western states as they are nearly void of humidity and the skies are generally blue all day.....





Then I'll walk the streets of downtown Lander.....



Yesterday there was a farmer's market at the City Park. I had a good time chatting with the vendors and picking up some fresh vegetables.....



One of vendors asked if I'd be interested in studding out Montana with his female Goldens. He thought Montana was the most beautiful Golden.....and I agree.....but I found him so he has no papers.....



In the afternoon we drove up Sinks Canyon and did a (3) mile round trip hike to some waterfalls on the Po Po Agai River.....





Evenings are spent relaxing in the shade. Shade is a must here as the afternoon sun gets brutal.....

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

So today was finally the day to leave Lander and head into the mountains. The City Park sure was a nice place to call home.....



On the way out of town I decided to get some wiring redone for towing the Jeep at this local shop. I've been talking to these guys since I've been here about building me a new rig (more about that at a later time) so I felt comfortable having them do the work. Less than (2) miles from their shop my truck died.....lost almost all power from the engine. They came out and diagnosed as something not attributed to what they did. Hmmmm.....







So here I sit in the same parking lot as last Friday / Ssturday. Hopefully they can get it repaired tomorrow and I can get on down the road.....

 

[unkamonkey]

Jerry, I think I understand. I've had about two weeks of crappy luck here.
I'm back to hiding under my rock and sucking on my thumb.

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Unamonkey.....hate to hear about your struggles.....life is so short.....



But I'm simply telling my story, not trying to come off as complaining, and all is just fine here. I've learned to adapt and adjust to what confronts me in life, and do my best each day. Regarding the truck, everything worked out for me. It turns out that the breakdown had nothing to do with the wiring work that was just done.....it was just a coincidence that it died when it did. I was so lucky that Freemont Chevrolet in Riverton, Wyoming was able to look at it first thing in the morning, diagnose the problem, and had the part in stock. It turned out that the wiring harness to cylinder #2 was bad. While it was in the shop I decided to have both of the thermostats replaced due to the previous overheating issues. Again I'm fortunate to have the funds available to get the required work done. I was back on the road by noon less about $1,200. I returned to Lander last night, had a long, hot shower, a healthy dinner, and a good night's sleep. Everyday I'm thankful for these experiences.....

Headed to the Wind River Mountains.....

 

[longhorn1]

Jerry, glad to see you back on the road. Haven't checked in for about a month so I just got caught up. Keep safe. jd

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Hey JD.....



As much as I enjoyed my time in Lander, I was happy to get into the mountains. This is why I come west every year and I was excited to get there. I drove west, climbing higher and higher, and the temperatures began to fall. I knew of a spot just east of Dubois, Wyoming that would provide us with hiking and kayaking and some nice quiet time. It was late afternoon when we arrived at Ring Lake, one of (4) lakes located on Forest Service Road 411. I picked a spot not more than 20' from the edge of the lake. The views across the lake were spectacular and this would be our home for the next (4) nights.....



Nights were spent reading a good book, but the mornings were spent with a hot cup of coffee and a fire along the lake. One morning I had the company of a pack of coyotes nearby. It sounded like a pack of dogs barking and howling but under the circumstances it was more than welcomed.....



I was finally able to get back into the kayak and paddle with minimum pain, if any at all. So thankful that the body continues to heal. Yukon loves the kayaks and at times we paddled together and then there were the times when she preferred to lead the way.....





I returned to view the petroglyphs which were a short hike from my campsite.....



I forget how many times I circumnavigated the lake but it's something that you just don't tire of.....

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

One day we hiked Glacier Trail to Lake Louise. The trail meanders through meadows, dense forests, and rocky outcroppings as it rises to the glacier fed lake. It also parallels the river which flows from Lake Louise to the (4) lakes further downstream and beyond. Beautiful rapids and waterfalls can be heard for the nearly the entire (7) mile round trip hike.....





If you've been to Iceberg Lake in Glacier National Park, you would see similarities with Lake Louise, without the hundreds of other visitors. The wildflowers were just beginning to bloom.....the scenery was magnificent.....







It's funny how sometimes hiking down a mountain can almost seem like a different trail than when you hiked up the mountain. So I found myself stopping often to admire the river's beauty and the sounds of the rushing, clear waters.....



I had plans to stay longer but on the fifth day a guy pulls up in an old, beat up trailer and unloads a massive construction generator. I lasted maybe (30) minutes and was packed, and moved deeper and higher into the canyon along one of the other lakes. Here the mosquitos were unbearable, so late evening we packed again and moved down the mountain to a lower elevation and warmer temperatures. Our campsite was next to this sign which is an excellent map of the area.....



The following morning we packed up yet again, and continued west.....

 

[longhorn1]

That is really beautiful. We are going to take the western path along the mountains up to Green River Lakes and then onto Grand Teton NP. Will have to keep your location in mind for another trip. jd

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

JD.....it's hard to go wrong when you go west.....enjoy.....

I was headed to Jackson, Wyoming but I wasn't quite ready for the city life so my next layover was near the Continental Divide at Togwotee Pass (9,658'). So it up was up another forest service road for some more quiet time and exploring in the mountains. They say this area is swarming with bears so I was hopeful of some bear sightings.....





This sign was posted along the road so I knew I was in the right spot and my chances were good.....



I grabbed my bear spray and the dogs, jumped in the Jeep, and headed up into the mountains for some hiking.....



I happened to meet the Wyoming state guys that were trapping and tagging the bears. In conversation they mentioned that they were tracking a bear as we were speaking. Then pointed at the tracks in the dirt road which I had completely missed. It's amazing the difference between the trained eye and mine. Once he pointed the tracks out, they stood out like a sore thumb.....



After a day of 4 wheeling, hiking, and exploring, the dogs are dead.....

 

[chet6.7]

Good to see you back on the road.
I like the dog picture,I took my dogs backpacking,on the first day they were running all over having a great time,by the 3rd day the stayed on the trail and crashed out at camp.

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Yep Chet.....same with my guys. I've noticed this year that they have slowed down quite a bit. I've started them on glucosamine and fish oil pills. I've begun to let them relax in the camper at times, while I still am able to put in the miles daily.....

In my opinion, there's no better way to enter the Tetons than the Dubois route. The initial view of the Tetons as you come over the crest of the mountain is unparalleled. You almost can't help but pull over and just stare. And that's what I did.....



At Moran Junction, I steered left and headed south for Jackson. I was anxious to get back to Jackson, to visit with my friends, yet apprehensive due to the mass of people that I knew I would soon be dealing with. I made a few stops along the way, took a few photographs for my blog, and pulled into Jackson in the early evening.....









I pulled the rig into the RV parking lot which is posted "no parking 2 a.m to 7 a.m.", walked the dogs around the town square a few times, returned to the rig and called it a day.....