First Jedediah Smith Trail 1822 — 1824

Day 22: September 6th, 2009 Worland — Dubois (Union Pass)

Map Worland to Dubois and Union Pass Map Worland to Dubois and Union Pass
Map Worland to Dubois and Union Pass

The left ear plug was pinching a bit. But I was too tired to try to get it better in my ear. So I fall asleep again and finally wake up around seven in the morning. Then I get up and get myself ready. Today I eventually take the time to fill up my engine oil. I measure it and see that I have still a quarter above minimum left. So far, everything seems to be okay.

Then I drive into town to the Brass Plum. But they are closed again. Therefore I have no other choice than to drive over to Ram’s Horn. First, they offer my a buffet for $9. But I don’t like buffets. So I order my usual breakfast. The coffee service is again pretty lame. But the last cup finally works out.

Highway 20/789/W Bighorn Ave, Worland, WY Highway 20/789/W Bighorn Ave, Worland, WY
Highway 20/789/W Bighorn Ave, Worland, WY
Highway 20/789/W Bighorn Ave, Worland, WY Highway 20/789/W Bighorn Ave, Worland, WY
Highway 20/789/W Bighorn Ave, Worland, WY
Highway 20/789, WY Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY

Around ten I pay and drive over to the next gas station. Then I leave Worland on Highway 20/789.

Highway 20/789, WY Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY

On this highway I continue to Thermopolis.

Highway 20/789, WY Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789/N 6th St, Thermopolis, WY Highway 20/789/N 6th St, Thermopolis, WY
Highway 20/789/N 6th St, Thermopolis, WY

The museum, which I planned to visit there, does not open before 1pm. Therefore I immediately continue in direction of Riverton.

Highway 20/789, WY Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
88 S10 Blazer, Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY 88 S10 Blazer, Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
88 S10 Blazer, Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY
Highway 20/789, Wind River Canyon, WY

Now I am driving through the Wind River Canyon. This canyon already fascinated me on my first drive through. But this time I have enough time planned in and do plenty of stops for taking pictures and video taping.

Highway 20/789, WY Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, Boysen Reservoir, WY Highway 20/789, Boysen Reservoir, WY
Highway 20/789, Boysen Reservoir, WY
Highway 20/789, WY Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY Highway 20/789, WY
Highway 20/789, WY

At the end of the canyon the Boysen Reservoir is located which I follow up to Shoshoni.

Highway 26/789, Shoshoni, WY Highway 26/789, Shoshoni, WY
Highway 26/789, Shoshoni, WY
Highway 26/789, WY Highway 26/789, WY
Highway 26/789, WY

There I turn onto Highway 26 which takes me in direction of Dubois.

Highway 26/789, Boysen Reservoir/Wind River, WY Highway 26/789, Boysen Reservoir/Wind River, WY
Highway 26/789, Boysen Reservoir/Wind River, WY
Highway 26/789, Boysen Reservoir/Wind River, WY Highway 26/789, Boysen Reservoir/Wind River, WY
Highway 26/789, Boysen Reservoir/Wind River, WY
Highway 26/789, Boysen Reservoir/Wind River, WY Highway 26/789, Boysen Reservoir/Wind River, WY
Highway 26/789, Boysen Reservoir/Wind River, WY

On this highway I cross the southern extension of the Boysen Reservoir and with this the Wind River.

Highway 26/789/N Federal Blvd, Riverton, WY Highway 26/789/N Federal Blvd, Riverton, WY
Highway 26/789/N Federal Blvd, Riverton, WY
Highway 26/789/W Main St, Riverton, WY Highway 26/789/W Main St, Riverton, WY
Highway 26/789/W Main St, Riverton, WY

The next bigger city is Riverton, which I drive through.

Highway 26, WY Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, Wind River, WY Highway 26, Wind River, WY
Highway 26, Wind River, WY
Highway 26, WY Highway 26, WY
Highway 26, WY

Then I drive through the small village of Kinnear in Wyoming.

Highway 26/287, WY Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, Wind River, WY Highway 26/287, Wind River, WY
Highway 26/287, Wind River, WY

On the way it is starting to drip for a short amount of time, like always when I am on my way to Dubois.

Highway 26/287, Dubois, WY Highway 26/287, Dubois, WY
Highway 26/287, Dubois, WY
Highway 26/287, WY Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, Gedenktafel Union Pass, WY Highway 26/287, Gedenktafel Union Pass, WY
Highway 26/287, Gedenktafel Union Pass, WY
Highway 26/287, Gedenktafel Union Pass, WY Highway 26/287, Gedenktafel Union Pass, WY
Highway 26/287, Gedenktafel Union Pass, WY

Around three in the afternoon I already arrive there. In fact, I should check all my video taping. But there is still the Union Pass on my itinerary, which I was not able to drive up due to the fires in 2006. Also Jedediah Smith tried to go up this pass. But due to the high level of snow in February, he was forced to give up.

Union Pass Rd, WY Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY

Like in 2006, I drive up Union Pass Rd to the point where I had the interview with the park ranger about the current fire situation back then.

Union Pass Rd/FR263, Warm Spring Creek, WY Union Pass Rd/FR263, Warm Spring Creek, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, Warm Spring Creek, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, Warm Spring Creek, WY Union Pass Rd/FR263, Warm Spring Creek, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, Warm Spring Creek, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, Continental Divide, Union Pass, WY Union Pass Rd/FR263, Continental Divide, Union Pass, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, Continental Divide, Union Pass, WY

But this time, I am allowed to continue my drive up to Union Pass and the Continental Divide. I even have the chance to watch an approaching thunderstorm. But once again, I am not able to catch lightning on my pictures. At least, I have some on my video tape!

Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Eagle, Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY Eagle, Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY
Eagle, Union Pass Rd/FR600, WY

Then I continue on this high plane a little bit further. When I have reached the highest point I understand why this Crow Indian was so enthusiastic about the area beyond the pass when talking to Jedediah.

Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Cattle, Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY Cattle, Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Cattle, Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY

Then I turn around and drive back.

Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, Warm Spring Creek, WY Union Pass Rd/FR263, Warm Spring Creek, WY
Union Pass Rd/FR263, Warm Spring Creek, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY Union Pass Rd, WY
Union Pass Rd, WY

On my way back I have some nice views of the valley.

Highway 26/287, WY Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY Highway 26/287, WY
Highway 26/287, WY

Around six in the evening I arrive at the Super 8. I put my stuff into the room. Then I connect my laptop. First I search in my records for the Steakhouse where I always had dinner before: The Rustic Pine Steakhouse. Hopefully they still exist and they are still as good as in the past. But for now, I start writing my diary. Then I copy all the pictures.

Around a quarter to eight I leave the motel. At the restaurant I am almost unable to find a parking spot. Not before I turn around, someone coincidental leaves his spot, lucky me! The restaurant is still like in 2006. And also the filet is still excellent — and ridiculously expensive with $25! And the coke comes by the can which means, there is no free refill.

Around a quarter to nine I pay and drive back to my motel. There I check the next two video tapes. Then it is already again half past eleven. Now I quickly do a backup and get my ear plugs out, because my neighbor is profoundly deaf and I don’t want to be waken up in the morning tomorrow. Then I go to bed. I am really wondering, when I will be able to catch up with my video taping…

The next day is in preparation…

  • Sights
  • Wind River Canyon
  • Union Pass
  • General
  • Breakfast: Ram’s Horn, Worland
  • Dinner: Rustic Pine Steakhouse, Dubois
  • Motel: Super 8, Dubois
  • Distance: 226 miles
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