Today's ride finally showcased to us the beauty of Montana. All day there were ominous looking clouds threatening to open their flood gates. The heavily laden sky above us just added to the beauty of the ride. Up here at this elevation we are really starting to feel the cold. It was only 51F when we rolled out of Darby this morning. Maybe we can start sleeping in a little later now.
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| East Fork Bitterroot River |
Most of the ride was uphill, continuing through the Bitterroot Valley and along the East Fork Bitterroot River for a short while, crossing the main Bitterroot River several times. We had a fairly peaceful ride for most of the day with not too many cars on the road.
The deer were back today, probably the most I have seen on one ride. Plus a few elk. I have missed seeing them over the last few days.
After 18 miles we stopped at Sula for a break and got talking to the lady at the Cafe who gave us the tip to not stay in Wisdom for the night as we had originally planned but to keep riding on another 18 miles to Jackson so that we could soak in the hot springs at the lodge as our reward for the day. Hence 76 miles became our mission for the day.
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| Morning tea break |
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| An injured mama bear |
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| View from the Lost Trail Pass |
From Sula there was more gradual climbing until we hit the base of the Lost Trail Pass, about 13 miles of climbing at about 6% gradient (except for each switchback that kicked up). We made pretty quick work of the pass, checking out the deeply forested scenery around us, of which pictures really do no justice. The Lost Trail Summit is also right at the Montana-Idaho border.
At the top, the lady from the Visitors Centre welcomed us with cold bottles of water, telling us we deserved it - damn straight!
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| Losing count of our summit selfies |
A mile up the road we hit our highest elevation yet at the summit of Chief Joseph Pass (7,241 ft) and also crossed the Continental Divide for the first time.
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| Fall foliage on the descent |
Donning our rain jackets to keep warm on the descent, we flew down the other side but felt totally ripped off. For all our climbing, it was a short descent as we came out of the mountains and stayed on the high mountain plateau of the Big Hole Valley at about 6,000 ft.
Fall seems to have come early in the mountains here as many of the trees were already a colourful russet red contrasting nicely with the remaining green foliage.
The plateau was beautiful. Cattle ranching country, widely irrigated to a vibrant green. The surrounding mountains and grey cloudy sky provided a moody backdrop. A cowboy on his horse with his dogs heading out on the ranch to round up the cattle.
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| Riding on the high mountain plateau |
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| Cattle country |
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| They stare at us as we ride past |
It was downhill to Wisdom where we stopped for a coffee and hot chocolate to wait out the thunderstorm that finally broke, and Steve also came out with a locally handcrafted hunting knife.
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| The town of Wisdom is OK |
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| Coffee break in Wisdom |
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| Inside Hook and Horn |
The final push to Jackson was a gradual uphill but we made good time as the haystacks and mountain peaks still covered with a little snow cover spurred us on.
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| Mountain scenery |
We are camping out the back of the Jackson Hot Springs Lodge. It is raining and the locals are saying there is a chance of snow tonight. The Hot Springs pool was very relaxing, the hot water nice and hot and clean. I am hoping my massive pork chop meal from Rosa's Cantina across the road keeps me warm tonight.
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| Jackson Hot Springs Lodge |
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| Jackson Hot Springs |
CRANKING ODYSSEY STATS
Total Odyssey miles: 1,150
Overall Fastest Speed: Steve (39.9 miles per hour) Mandy (35.3 miles per hour)
Bludge Days: 1
Bonks: nil
Dog chases: 3
Dummy Spits: Steve (2 - Day 10 because it rained; Day 16 - because the rocks in the river were slippery)
Mandy (0.5 - Day 14 those freakin' wreckless Idaho drivers!)
Flats: Katie (4)
Wrong turns: 6
Beer of the day: Madison River Brewing Co Salmon Fly Honey Rye
Lesson of the day: I should have packed a sewing kit
No. of our luxury items that Katie has used: 5 (duct tape + rope + pliers + a confused cup/bowl + can opener)
No. of days with no shower: 8
Starting weight: Steve (90kg) Mandy (51.5kg)
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