07.17.2023

jackson lake is 6,772 feet above sea level.
u.s. 26 goes through the rockies at togwotee pass which is also the continental divide, elev. 9,531
lake jackson is 40 miles from the pass but it looks like the climb starts seriously with about 18 mi. to go.
dubois, wy (that's 'dew-boys', according to the billboard and anyone you might happen to run into), is set at 6,946  

so the total climb is slightly greater east bound, but eastbound has some breaks in the climb and has the wind, at least today.  westbound from dubois is a continous climb, 4-6%.
i met 2 separate couples and one solo women going westbound.  all were rueing the wind.  it's really disheartening when you climb up a mountain but never get to enjoy the downhill. 
i was able to find out from them that there is an episcopal church in dubois that runs a 'ministry' hostel for biker/hikers.  fantastic.  i had no plan on where to spend the night.
i pulled into town mid afternoon, pretty hot and tired.  after asking directions at a convient store, i got pointed in the right direction and found the church.  lovely log cabin structure right on the main corner.
the facilties were really just a space on the floor in the meeting room with a bathroom inside and a shower outside.  a shower.  man, that felt nice. what else could i want?  
a fellow traveller showed up at the hostel later that afternoon.  another 70 year old geezer who apparently spends a lot of time bicycle touring and backpack hiking.  this time he was hiking the continental divide trail.  it appeared to have gotten the better of him.  the trail ia apparently pretty rough, his feet were killing him.  he was throwing in the towel, packing it in and taking the bus back to colorado.
we went out and had a beer at the local 'saloon' and dinner at the cowboy cafe, buffalo meatloaf, mash potatoes and grilled vegetables.

200 mi to a host in casper and a warm shower.  not much between here and there but it is downhill with a wind at my back. 2 days if i was young, 3 days if i'm smart.  problem is finding a place to stay or camp.  well, want to post now, i'll clean it up in casper.

Comments

  1. UnknownJuly 18, 2023 at 8:55 AM

    love your pictures Glenn, some of the mountains look so foreign to our eastern lush rock n Green ones here. keep it safe man.

    ReplyDelete

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