Here are some pics of the Day:
Breakfast at the Bunnery - a great stop in Jackson Hole. We are burning about 500 calories per hour on these long biking days. Over an 8 hour biking day, that's 4,000 to 5,000 calories. You need a good hearty breakfast to do this. The bunnery is the best place in Jackson for breakfast. By the way, Jackson Hole is named thus as it is the lowest point in the valley. The Tetons are our youngest mountains and are still rising.
Departing Jackson, beautiful morning views over the lake
Barry's former pad in Jackson Hole. Barry spent a winter here in Jackson Hole in 1967. He was a competitive surfer and had spent the summer at surfing competitions on the California Coast. When the surf season ended, he and several buddies decided to head to Jackson Hole for a winter of skiing. On the distant hill is the residence they stayed, still there, just outside Jackson. Barry still has lots of stories to tell about the deep snow in the valley in the winter, rescuing stranded travelers and even a few stranded elk.
The Grand Tetons. This was our first view of the Tetons. As we get closer the pictures get better.
Jackson Hole Ski Area. Here is Jackson Hole ski area, just 5 miles north of Jackson on the south end of the Teton Range. Pentagon Ski club makes an annual trip here. What's not to love; 459 inches of snowfall per year, more than 2,500 acres of skiing on 81 trails....it is one of the best ski areas in the world.
Barry and I taking a photo break
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| Entering Grand Teton Park! |
The Snake River roaring thru the Jackson valley floor. We are still west of the continental divide. We have been following the Snake River thru Idaho for more than a week. Here it is near it's source in the Togwatee pass. These waters will ultimately join with the Columbia River and empty into the Pacific at Astoria, Oregon (where we started the ride)
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| Lot's of wildlife in Grand Teton Park! |
The Jackson Hole Airport (at the base of the Tetons). Lauren will like this shot. We watched a number of jets fly in and out of the valley during our morning ride.
Approaching the Grand Teton. The highest peak in the Teton Mountain Range, the Grand Teton, reaches 13,770 feet into the sky. Twelve of the Teton peaks are over 12,000 feet high, many having mountain glaciers.
Seven of the 12 Peaks of the Tetons
Glaciers on the Easter Face of the Tetons. We could see ski tracks on the face of several of the glaciers where some of the more hearty skiers had hiked up the face for a quick trip down.
Tourists take my picture. Many of the people we meet are intrigued by our journey east. Here some tourists from Florida have offered to take my picture.
Terry, Julie and Chuck riding thru the Tetons
Ranches at the north end of the Valley overlook the Tetons
The Snake River at the north end of the valley. Here is a last shot of the Snake River, near it's source in the Togwatee Pass (and Lake Yellowstone)
Leaving Teton Valley - Climbing Togwatee Pass (Saying Goodbye to the Tetons). Here is my riding partner (Barry Lucas) as we start the long climb up Togwatee Pass as we begin to cross Continental Divide. This was a 20 mile climb to our highest elevation yet (9617').
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| Mike saying goodbye to the Tetons |
Snow melting on Togwatee Pass. As we gained altitude on this climb, we got to the melting snow that has the Snake and other rivers overflowing their banks. Here is a view going up the pass.
Getting Closer to the Divide - more Snow
Higher up Togwatee pass, snow near the road
The Rocket (and me) taking a rest
Nearing the top of the Divide.....we know which is up!
At the Continental Divide - a milestone. Here we are at 9,658 feet atop Togwatee Pass at the Continental Divide. This was a very inspiring ride to see the water from the melting snow just before the Divide flowing west toward the Columbia River Basin and the Pacific and just as quickly after the divide, flowing east toward the Mississippi, all in just a few hundred feet.
SAG Stop at the Continental Divide. We spent some time at the top enjoying this moment atop the Continental Divide. It was inspiring to have come this far from Astoria Oregon and stand at the watershed of our country.
After the Divide - the long downhill with the Wind River Mountains in the Background
Stopping for a late lunch at the Bearskin Lodge (Nancy, Barry, Matt, Adrienne, and Montreal Mike. Here we are having a late lunch on the downhill sharing stories of our day's ride. Nancy (left) was took pictures of buffalo that was not more than 10' away. Barry had 7 Elk jump out in front of him. Everyone had stories to tell!
Looking Back at Togwatee Pass and the Continental Divide
The start of Wind River East of the Divide
The Wind River (and Wind River Range) East of the Divide. Here is the Wind River which has it's source on the east side of the Togwatee Pass. We will follow the wind river for the next two days as it flows into the North Platte near Casper Wyoming.
The end of the Day - Rolling into Debois WY. Here we are at our lodging after a 25 mile downhill on the West Side of the Divide.
Barry surrounded by antlers in the town of Dubois
We had a great dinner at the Cowboy Cafe and called it an early night. What a great day in the Tetons and crossing the Divide!
Tomorrow we have an early start on our downhill trip from Dubois to Riverton where we we will spend most of our time on the large and beautiful Wind River Indian Reservation.
Love to All,
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