First Jedediah Smith Trail 1822 — 1824

Day 27: September 11th, 2009 Evanston — Montpelier

Map Evanston to Montpelier

Thanks to my ear plugs, I was able to sleep pretty well. Around half past seven I wake up, again pretty tensed up. Somehow, my shoulder and neck muscles don’t want to release anymore. I hurry up to have finished every task which needs water before they shut it down at nine. I am able to get everything done in time and around half past nine I am checking out.

I drive again to the Bear Town Restaurant across the street. This time I am driving to save some time. The breakfast is excellent. The bacon is great and plenty and the coffee service is perfect. Also the price is really low! It was a long time ago, when I payed less than $10 including tip, even when I started tipping in the meantime at least $2 when the service was good.

BUS80/BUS189/Bear River Dr, Evanston, WY

After this I drive over to the next gas station. Around half past ten I am on the road. First I drive a short distance in northern direction on Highway 89. But there I already hit a road construction where I must wait for quite a while. When the traffic slowly starts rolling again, I realize how lucky I have been anyways. The oncoming traffic is already jammed up for at least one to two miles!

Finally I reach my planned exit and follow now on smaller County Roads the Bear River to the north. Then I end up again on Highway 89.

Highway 89, State Line WY and UT

CR101, WY

CR101, Bear River/Woodruff Narrows Reservoir, WY

Ducks, CR101, Bear River/Woodruff Narrows Reservoir, WY

CR101, Bear River/Woodruff Narrows Reservoir, WY

CR101, WY

CR101, Bear River/Woodruff Narrows Reservoir, WY

On this Highway I continue for a short distance. Then I arrive at the state line to Utah. Exactly there, my next planned County Road, CR101, starts. Therefore I still stay in Wyoming. After following the wrong road first (CR101 does not run all the way through), I arrive at the Woodruff Narrows Reservoir.

Backroad, Bear River/Woodruff Narrows Reservoir, WY

Backroad, Bear River/Woodruff Narrows Dam, WY

Backroad, Bear River/Woodruff Narrows Reservoir, WY

Backroad, Bear River/Woodruff Narrows Dam, WY

Backroad, Bear River, WY

At the end of this small lake is a small dam. There is an open gate where a half rotten sign is hanging on and it seems not to be valid anymore. Also it is impossible to read the former writing. Then I arrive at the lake and drive over the small dam. On the other side the road turns into an easy offroad track.

At the lake house is a warning sign that states they are using surveillance cameras. Somehow it is not really clear if you are allowed to be here or not. Anyways, the road starts to run in a direction where I don’t want to go. Therefore I drive back and search for an alternative route.

Backroad, Bear River, WY

But after a short offroad drive, also this trail does not continue anymore. But at least I have a nice view of the Bear River from the end of this offroad trail, which meanders through the plane.

Backroad, WY

Backroad, State Line WY and UT

Backroad, Bear River/Woodruff Narrows Reservoir, WY

On another offroad trail I make a further attempt to follow my planned route, which brings some heavy inclines for me. Because I must concentrate myself more on the driving rather than look on my inclinometer, I don’t know, how much it was above 20 degrees. But it was definitely more. And I have the impression that I would make a rollover if I would be too heavy on the throttle. This was a real uneasy feeling. But I make it to the top without any issues. But also this trails only runs to the state line of Utah. There is again a fence. But the trail continues along the fence and my GPS software shows me a trail to Utah. But also this trail ends. Finally, the offroad trail turns back to the gravel road on which I have reached the reservoir. But the trail downhill is way more relaxed than the uphill run before.

Backroad, WY

Backroad, Bear River/Woodruff Narrows Reservoir, WY

When being back on the gravel road, I take out 4LO again. It is probably not necessary to mention that my coolant water has again reached the 240 degrees. Hopefully, this permanent overheating will cause no issues. Nevertheless, I try another side trip to a backroad. But also this one runs in a circle back to CR101.

Highway 16, UT

Now I must drive all the way back to Highway 89, which is Highway 16 on the Utah side. At Francis Road I make the next attempt to drive on a backroad. But a “Dead End” sign convinces me from something else. Therefore I drive immediately back to the highway.

Reed Ln, UT

On this one I drive just before Woodruff. There I turn onto Reed Lane. Via this road I am able to get back on my planned gravel road.

Brazeir, UT

American Magpie, Brazeir, UT

Brazeir, UT

Unfortunately, the road, which I originally planned to drive, is not allowed to drive on. But the other road continues. Therefore I follow this one and it takes me through a fascinating landscape. Now I am driving just one hill away from Bear River.

Backroad, WY

So I follow now this road, because I don’t want to drive on the fast highway. The landscape is this typical semi desert landscape with shallow shrubs and small cacti on the ground. In between is the sparse and firm buffalo grass. Sometimes, a slight feeling of Badlands shows up or the washouts from an already dried out creek. But the three to six feet deep ruts are daunting. If it starts to rain, you should be really careful…

Finally, I arrive in Wyoming on Highway 89. Originally, I only planned to cross this highway. But the road does not continue on the other side. A gate locks me out.

Highway 16, Sage Creek Junction, UT

Therefore, I turn to the west and arrive again in Utah and Highway 30. At Sage Creek Junction, I turn onto Manhead Road. Most of this road is paved and takes me back to my originally planned route.

Manhead Rd, UT

Manhead Rd, State Line UT and WY

CR207/Cokeville Utah Line Rd, WY

CR207/Cokeville Utah Line Rd, Bear River, WY

On this road I cross the well hidden state line to Utah. There is no sign pointing out the state line. Only the small County Road sign CR207 shows you, that you are now in a different state.

Main St, Cokeville, WY

At Cokeville, my originally planned route is blocked again. Therefore I continue on Highway 30/89 North.

Highway 30/89, State Line WY and ID

Border Rd, ID

Finally, I cross the state line to Idaho. Just past the state line is another possibility to get back to my originally planned route.

Pegram Rd, ID

Pegram Rd, Bear River, ID

Pegram Rd, ID

On gravel I continue now through a real swamp landscape which is formed by the Bear River. You can see the water all over the meadows and almost up to the road level.

Poverty Flats Rd, Bear River, ID

Sorenson Ranch Rd, ID

At Pegram I continue on pavement and immediately turn onto the next backroad. But after driving on this road for a while, another gate locks me out and I must drive all the way back.

Highway 30, ID

But at Pegram I am able to continue on paved roads all the way up to Highway 30. Now I am only driving on the other side of Bear River. When I want to turn onto the highway, the pilot car of an oversize load truck shows up. He stops and asks me not to enter the highway (the truck will approach me), because it is 20ft wide and needs the whole road. Therefore it is time for me to wait patiently.

A bunch of cars pass me, which have the task to protect the truck. Behind them is an endless line of trucks and cars. A trucker lady asks a bit annoyed how far he still wants to go. But the driver of the oversize load says, that there was no reasonable turnout so far. And another truck adds easily “Don’t worry Oversize, keep on truckin’…”

Eventually, all cars have passed and I am able to enter the highway. Now I continue for a couple of miles before I enter another backroad at Dingle.

Airport Rd, ID

When passing the airport, it seems that it is only a meadow. At least I see airport signs but nothing else. There is probably only a Cessna able to land. Now the road takes ma again through a little bit of a swamp landscape from the Bear River before I finally reach Highway 89. On my way, a big truck approaches me in a huge cloud of dust.

Highway 89, Montpelier, ID

Highway 89/Washington St, Montpelier, ID

The highway takes me to Montpelier and the destination of toady, the Super 8. When the reception lady greets me with the question for a reservation, I already fear the worst. Especially, because I have seen something of a farm exhibition on a banner in the city. But they still have rooms. Only the room rate of $82.50 incl. tax and AAA discount is pretty high. But these are the 10% on top compared to the Internet room rates.

The reception lady leaves the impression on me that she thinks I will immediately hit the road when I hear the room rate. She then really looks amazed when there is no reaction on my side about the rate. Well, I am already getting used to these rates. And Super 8 never had kept the announced rates in the past. And when you look at me with my dirty Jeans and the dusty shoes, I don’t really look I am able to afford a room for more than $80.

This time, my room is in the middle of the aisle — and when opening the door, I am totally surprised: The room is really huge, a huge bed and everything is in polished teak or mahogany wood. The TV is hidden behind a door. Unfortunately, only the slider for the TV does not work. But instead, I am able to move the working desk on wheels through the room. This time, I really have plenty of space to work.

I get all my stuff out and immediately put in another CD in my player. Then I start working on my bookkeeping and diary. For dinner, I will drive to the nearby Truck Stop. This was the recommendation of the reception lady. They also have a good breakfast. Therefore I will give it a try today.

Around a quarter to eight I leave my motel. It is a bit more than two miles and I already think, there will be nothing showing up. But then I see the big illuminated advertising. When I arrive there, I already see all the trucks parking here. Ranch Hand is the name of the restaurant, which is build adjacent to the gas station. There I order a sirloin, which is, unfortunately, pretty much marbled. But my server is really attentive. It seems to me that she has Mexican blood running through their veins. It also looks like the whole family is working here. She even serves me the salad to my table, which you usually must get yourself from the salad bar.

Also the Coke service is great — even a bit too good. Because, when I plan to leave and have already put the tip on the table and collect my stuff together, she grabs my cup before I am able to say something and brings it back full. Well, just to be nice I stay a bit longer and read in my book. After I have finished my cup by 2/3 I finally leave.

Paying is at this time at the gas station. The restaurant cashier is already closed. Then I drive back to my motel. It is already 10pm when I start checking my video tapes. I only make two tapes, then I copy my pictures to the hard drive.

Finally, I finish writing my diary and do the backup on my second hard drive. Then I am going to bed. It is already a quarter to one! And I must sleep with ear plugs again, because it is pretty noisy around here. Also, every now and then a train drives by…

The next day is in preparation…

Sights
Woodruff Narrows Reservoir

General
Breakfast: Bear Town Restaurant, Evanston
Dinner: Ranch Hand, Montpelier
Motel: Super 8, Montpelier
Distance: 163 miles

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