Second Jedediah Smith Trail 1824 — 1826

Day 24: September 14th, 2010 Ogden — Wells

Map Ogden to Wells

Although I went to bed so early, I get up not before a quarter to seven in the morning. My circulation is still not like it should be and I try to compensate this by drinking a lot of water — and of course I take again some Korodin Cardiovascular Drops.

First thing today is to write my diary and to copy the minimum necessary which I was not able to do yesterday. Then I take a shower and get myself ready for the day.

Breakfast is again at IHOP. However, my turn signal now completely stopped working, not only the control light at the dashboard. So I quickly drive over to Pep Boys. They have my relay. However, when I open the fuse box, the relay already falls out — it seems that it has been vibrated loose on the washboard roads!

Regardless, I still mount the new relay because it looks way better than the one from AutoZone. The old relay will be kept as spare. All in all, it is still functional.

I–15, Ogden, UT

Then I hit the road. In the meantime, the outside temperatures already hit 70 degrees when I enter I–84. Shortly after, I turn onto I–15.

I–15, UT

On this Interstate I continue up to Exit 365 and proceed then on Highway 13. Past Corinne, I travel on Highway 83.

Highway 83, UT

Like a couple of days ago, I turn onto 7200 N at Lampo Junction.

Golden Spike Dr, UT

7480 W Rd, Great Salt Lake, UT

7480 W Rd, UT

I pass again the branch to the Golden Spike. But also this time I have not enough time for a visit.

Cedar Springs Rd, UT

Cedar Springs Rd, Great Salt Lake, UT

On Cedar Springs Road I reach the Salt Wells.

Salt Wells Rd, Great Salt Lake, UT

Salt Wells Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Like a couple of days ago, Salt Wells Road takes me to the Old Railroad Grade Road.

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, Historical Marker Zias Siding, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

But this time I do not continue on Emigrant Trail at Kelton but on Old Railroad Grade Road. On this road you pass a lot of rotten bridges and you drive on the railway embankment of the former railroad.

Old Railroad Grade Rd/Peplin Mountain Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Then Peplin Mountain Road takes me a bit away from the straight line but soon takes me back to the former railroad. At some spots are pretty deep washouts and for a short distance I even drive in 4Low due to all the rocks and washouts. But most of the time I am able to travel with 20–30mph.

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, Ombey, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, Historical Marker Romola Siding, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, Historical Marker Matlin, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

88 S10 Blazer, Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, Historical Marker Red Dome Siding, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

The weather generates an interesting mood.

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, Historical Marker Terrace Cemetery, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, Terrace Cemetery, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, Historical Marker Terrace, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, Historical Marker Watercress, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, Historical Marker Bovine, UT

Sandstorm Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, Historical Marker Medea Siding, UT

And soon I have the pleasure to drive through a small sandstorm. Suddenly the wind increases extremely and it blows a whole lot of dust over the open plain! After just a couple of seconds, everything is already gone and I can easily proceed. Due to the bad weather it is pretty windy. Suddenly, another sandstorm approaches me, but this time a real one! Driving is like in heavy fog and it gets immediately dark. Also this time it only takes a couple of minutes until it is getting brighter again. Now you can imagine how the old trappers must have felt, completely unprotected on their horses, when such a sandstorm has approached them! It is really impressive if you can watch this happening out of the safety of your vehicle!

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, Historical Marker Historic Lucin, UT

88 S10 Blazer, Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, Historical Marker Railroad Grade, UT

Old Railroad Grade Rd, UT

But I still make good miles. You only have to watch out for the old nails. They are still laying around in some spots on this grade! Finally I arrive in Lucin. Originally I have planned another route. But when I look at this landscape, the route I took right now looks way more close to the original trail of Jedediah Smith.

Pilot Mountain Rd, UT

Highway 30, UT

On Pilot Mountain Road I continue to Highway 30.

Highway 30, State Line UT and NV

Highway 233/Montello Rd, NV

On this highway I cross the state line to Nevada — getting off my trail, but on my way to the closest accommodation. In Nevada, Highway 30 changes to 233.

Highway 233/Montello Rd/Front St, Montello, NV

Highway 233/Montello Rd, NV

On Highway 233 I drive through Montello in Nevada.

Highway 233/Montello Rd, NV

I–80, NV

I–80, Pequop Summit, NV

I–80, NV

This highway takes me to I–80. Now I must only cross Pequop Summit.

After almost 30 miles I arrive in Wells. At the local Motel 6 I only receive a room on second floor. But I have no other choice. Then I look for a nice dinner restaurant. But there is nothing to see in my software! Oh no! There is also not really much to see in the phone book. At least a Flying J should be there.

So I drive along the Business 80 Loop, but the Bar&Grill in Downtown looks too much run down to me. In this case I will choose the 4 Way Casino just across the street at my motel. To this location I could have been walking over. But however, I am already here now with my car.

The menu is really huge. But somehow, nothing really catches my eye. Finally I go for a Mexican Combo Plate, which tastes quite okay. There is also a refill service on my beverage. Around eight in the evening according to my watch (around here it is just seven!) I pay and drive back to my motel.

Back there, the guys below my room have already heated up their grill and are grilling in front of the motel room! This is something I have never seen before. They are really having a party out there. I am really wondering when it will be getting quiet tonight. But I don’t really care. All in all, I have my ear plugs. And because I will really need sleep tonight, I will definitely use them again!

But for now I will start checking my video taping of the last two days. Then I copy my pictures and start the backups of my video taping. While doing this, I plan to listen again to my CDs. But my player is not working anymore! That’s really sad. It seems like it is finally broken! But I am still able to listen to my CDs via my laptop. At least I can still use my headphones!

I already have done my bookkeeping. Now I must only write my diary. Well, the new CD from Dierks Bentley is not really this great, well. It’s probably better to be more selective on my next buy and not just buy CDs by the artists name. If someone has released two great CDs it doesn’t necessarily mean that the third one will also be great!

Finally I check my pictures before I go to bed. Today, I am not forced to remap my next trip. Tomorrow I will be eventually able to follow my original planned route! However, it is already half past eleven, oh no…

The next day is in preparation…

Sights
Old Railroad Grade Road

General
Breakfast: IHOP, Ogden
Dinner: 4 Ways Casino, Wells
Motel: Motel 6, Wells
Distance: 224 miles

Go back to day 23

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