Day 45 Colter Bay, WY to West Yellowstone, MT

Yorktown, VA to West Yellowstone, MT Miles Ridden 2,945
Average 67 miles/day, Expected Finish July 14, 2015

Biking Detail Colter Bay, WY to West Yellowstone, MT

Day 45, June 25

Met up with Andreas at the Colter Lake Campground at 8:00 am and started the day's ride from there. Beautiful ride through last part of Grand Teton National Park. Lots of car and RV traffic but shoulder was wide and in good condition. 

Unfortunately as soon as we entered Yellowstone Park the shoulder disappeared. Heavy traffic and no shoulder made for much slower biking. Stopped at Grant Village for lunch and this is where we left Andreas. He plans to spend another full day in Yellowstone hopefully to do a guided hiking trip or perhaps something on Lake Yellowstone. We look forward to spending time with Andreas and his son when they tour through the Northwest in August!!! 

Leaving Grant Village involved some good climbing up the Grand Loops Rd to another Continental Divide crossing followed by Craig Pass. Unfavorable headwind so granny gear came into play. Was nice to see the downgrade pretty much all the way to Old Faithful.

There was road construction about ten miles E of Old Faithful with flag man. Tied up car traffic for long ways but I biked to the front of the line so really no delay for me. Did not stop at Old Faithful as we visited the park five years ago and didn't feel like battling the crowds of summer tourists!!! Still had thirty miles to get to our night's lodging in West Yellowstone!!!

About ten miles before West Yellowstone large mother elk crossed the road and her two calfs, who were temporarily on other side of the road. The happy reunion took place in middle of road and little one decided to nurse right there with cars stopped in both directions.  Arrived at our motel about 5:15 pm. Long, hot day in the saddle!

One more peak of the Tetons

Starting the day me in blue Andreas in florecent yellow

Good Bye Tetons

The Tetons fade into the distance

Starting some climbing

Andreas at the top of first climb

Entering Yellowstone

Lewis Falls

Lewis Lake

Another Continental Divide

After we leave Andreas still another Divide

The smoking hills of Yellowstone

Mama Elk feeding along the Firehole River

Here she is looking for her two calfs

Mama and calf re-united in middle of road

The One Horse Motel, our bed in West Yellowstone

Day 44 Dubois, WY to Colter Bay, WY

Yorktown, VA to Colter Bay, WY Miles Ridden 2,857
Average 66 Miles/day, Expected Finish July 14, 2015

Biking Detail Dubois, WY to Colter Bay, WY

Day 44 Wednesday, June 24

Left Dubois at 6:15. Unfortunately faced early morning headwind as headed towards Togwotee Pass. So much for leaving early before winds kick up! At least the road is in good condition with nice wide rideable shoulder. And great scenery to focus on while moving at slow speeds! Road and shoulder pretty good all day. The climb up to Togwotee was long and gradual for 30 miles....5 to 6% grade at the steepest with lots of smaller climbs along the way. The headwind just made it a very long, slow climb. 

Got excited when I saw the sign at the top that said 6% grade downhill for 17 miles. However was only partially true. After about 2 miles had some short uphills and again with headwinds it was work. About ten miles down winds shifted and ride was much more pleasant and at that point several back to back 6% downward grades! 

Stopped for lunch at Hatchet Lodge, 8 miles E of Morgan Junction...and where we have a room for the night. Early enough in the afternoon decided to bike another 23 miles to Colter Bay. This will make ride to West Yellowstone little shorter tomorrow. Jumped in our SAG vehicle and rode back to our room. As we were driving back met Andreas just E of Colter Bay. We are meeting up with him there in the morning so we can bike together thru Yellowstone.  Haven't seen him since our first day in Kansas so will be fun to re-connect!

Started the day early, Grand Tetons on the Horizon

Lot of deer in the fields today

Nice wide shoulder but wind in the face for many miles

First signs for bear, meals on wheels doesn't count

Pass the "Hack" memorial to those that
made the early railroad ties

More deer on the road than cars early on

First view of Togwotee Pass skyline

Look closely, a bear is riding my bike at the Lava Mountain Lodge
15 miles from the top

Heading up

Pretty impressive rocks

At the top 9,584 ft

Heading down,but into a headwind boo!

The Grand Tetons appear as we come down the other side of Togwotee

Coming down from Togwotee Pass, Grand Tetons on the horizon

Capturing some of the 17 miles downhill

Lunch at Hatchet Lodge Grill

Back on the road to Grand Teton National Park

Entering Grand Teton National Park

We looked but didn't see any bear or cubs

Fields of wild flowers with the Tetons looking on

Jackson Lake

Spectacular Scenery

I recognized this convenience store from our stay 5 years ago

Colter Bay

Colter Bay at the Visitor Center

Our room at Hatchet Lodge

Enjoying the day

View from our room

We thought this was moose droppings outside our cabin

But we found the culprits