Montana Big Sky Country and into Yellowstone NP

 

Chuck on the way out of Wisdom, MT

The weather the last few days has been chilly in the morning, but warming up to be excellent riding weather as we progressed from Wisdom to Ennis and then on to West Yellowstone.  So far we have had favorable winds for the most part.  We are just hoping we won't be hit with a really bad wind day this next week as we have some very challenging days coming as we cross Wyoming and the Big Horn mountains, then beyond to the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Fly fishing in the Madison River south of Ennis

Ennis, MT is a hot spot for fly fisherman and probably every other car passing us on the highway was pulling a drift boat.  There are probably as many fly shops and fishing outfitters in Ennis as there are permanent residents.

Earthquake Lake just northwest of West Yellowstone, MT

I had recently made a 3D wooden terrain map for David Krum, an old work friend from Honeywell of his favorite fishing area.  It is located along the Madison river about 25 miles northwest of West Yellowstone, MT and includes Hebgen and Earthquake lakes.  It was really interesting to ride through the area after having made the 3D map. Earthquake Lake was formed in Aug, 1959 when a 7.5 earthquake occurred in Hebgen Lake and caused a massive landslide in a canyon along the Madison river.  More than 20 people camping or in cabins along the river were killed.

We spent the night in a KOA campground about 8 miles to the west of West Yellowstone.  Our route took us directly to town, but we had to ride the 8 miles on a busy highway with very little shoulder.  Why we stayed there, is a mystery to us since there are many campgrounds in and around West Yellowstone.  To add insult to injury, there was no water in the KOA for showers or laundry.  

Luckily, I had arranged for a bed in a room in the hotel next door with the 3 Amiga's because the overnight temps were to be in the low 30's. I am not quite sure how this arrangement came to be, but sharing a room with the 3 ladies was not on my bingo card of what might happen on this trip.  But as the fix-it guy, I have earned some good will among the group. It all worked out and it was a good laugh with everybody.  A "3's Company" or make that 4... situation.  The hot shower was really nice after an almost 80 mile day.

Herd of elk early after entering Yellowstone

Riding through Yellowstone National Park is always a challenge, but most of the traffic is going slow and was courteous.  As usual there are a few that are impatient, but we all made it to Grant village without a problem.  I did almost get charged by a bison as I left Old Faithful's parking lot as he bounded out of the trees onto the road, but he missed.

Bison along the road

Old Faithful was right on time

Firehole River

Jocelyn, me, Julie and John.  Julie, John's wife, joined us in West Yellowstone and rented a monster ebike to ride with us through the park to Cody, WY

Some of the logistic issues continue with the trip.  After no laundry in the KOA in West Yellowstone, most every one was out of clean clothes thinking we would have laundry facilities at the Grants Lodge where we are staying for our rest day in Yellowstone.  That is kind of what the rest day is for, laundry, bike maintenance, resting, etc.  Per the lodge website, there is a substantial laundry facility in the lodge complex, but there is this little detail about not being open until near the end of June.  Luckily, I had done a small load of laundry 3 days ago and can make it to Cody tomorrow, but most of the group was out of clean clothes.  

Through another snafu of the tour organizers, our lone husband and wife couple, Doug and Deb, were to spend our two nights here in separate rooms with roommates. I had paid for a single room all the way through the trip, so I had a spare bed in my room, so I offered to take on a roommate, Glen. We did a shuffle to let Deb and Doug room together.  However, Glen (77) was out of clothes so he ended up with the bathtub laundry.  I sent this pic to his wife and she got a real kick out of it!

Glen (77) doing his laundry

 

Clothes drying and bike maintenance.  More clothes lines in the trees.

While there are logistical issues with the trip, I am having a good time and really enjoy the company of the group.  So far, we are all taking things in stride.  With favorable winds tomorrow a few of us may shoot for a 100 mile day into Cody, WY.

Current Stats:

Location: Grants Village, Yellowstone National Park

Miles:  1149 miles

Elevation climbed: 55,000'

Track of the ride so far.  The gap is the day of the snow storm from Chief Joseph Pass to Wisdom, MT