John Colter Trail 1807 — 1808

Day 23: September 5th, 2005 Dubois — Jackson

Just beside the motel is the Chandler’s Ranch House Restaurant, one of these typical American family restaurants. And the coffee service is absolutely great! I pay and walk back to my motel. Then I put all my stuff into the car and check out.

Around half past nine I am ready to leave the gas station. Today I will cross the Continental Divide.

FR532, Wind River, WY

From Highway 26 I drive on Forest Roads to Sheridan Pass.

FR532, WY

Unfortunately my originally planned route is closed and I have to figure out a detour to get up to the pass, which took me a while to find out.

FR538, WY

Around a mile below the pass I must continue on foot. There is only a hiking trail going up to the pass.

FR538, Sheridan Creek, WY

TR3110, Sheridan Pass, WY

TR3110, Sheridan Pass, WY

I start my hike and have even the chance to watch two eagles, who are circling around in the air. It is a great feeling to be up here, listen to the cry of the eagle and enjoy the giant mountain ranges.

FR532, WY

FR532, WY

There are also a lot of possibilities for camping. You just must be careful, because this is already bear country and you must store your food bear proof. After I almost forgot time at the pass, I am now back at my car and drive back down to Highway 26.

Highway 26, WY

Continental Divide, Highway 26, WY

Highway 26, WY

Highway 26, WY

Then I drive over Togwotee Pass to Jackson Hole. The views are fantastic. Unfortunately you do not have the chance to go slow here, because it is a main road. So all the mountain romance disappears in the hectic of this road…

Highway 26, WY

At Moran Junction I continue south in direction of Jackson. Originally I would have reached this plane along the Gros Ventre River. But as I was not able to take Sheridan Pass, I reach the river now from the west.

FR30400, Lower Slide Lake, WY

I am still good in time and therefore I decide to follow my original planned route now backwards as long as time permits. First the road starts as paved road. But soon it turns into the almost usual gravel road. There are also plenty of nice camping spots along the road.

FR30400, Gros Ventre River, WY

FR30400, WY

FR30400, WY

FR30400, WY

FR30400, Gros Ventre River, WY

FR30410, Gros Ventre River, WY

FR30410, WY

FR30410, Breakneck Creek, WY

FR30410, WY

At some portions the road is really bad, which forces me to go very slow. But the landscape outweighs this multiple times.

FR30411, WY

FR30411, WY

FR30411, Cottonwood Creek, WY

Finally I am stopped by Private Property again, but also by time. It is already past 5pm. I quickly video tape the path, which John Colter most likely took over the mountains. Then I start my drive back.

FR30410, Breakneck Creek, WY

FR30410, WY

FR30410, Gros Ventre River, WY

The sun is slowly going low and I am afraid to face another night drive on gravel roads.

FR30400, Gros Ventre River, WY

FR30400, WY

FR30400, WY

FR30400, WY

FR30400, WY

FR30400, WY

FR30400, WY

FR30400, WY

FR30400, Gros Ventre River, WY

Therefore I drive a little bit faster than usual and I make it at sunset to the little lake at the Gros Ventre Slide.

Sunset Lower Slide Lake, WY

Sunset Lower Slide Lake, WY

Sunset FR30400, WY

There I have the chance to get some real nice shots of the sunset before I continue my drive.

Sunset Gros Ventre Rd, WY

Sunset Gros Ventre Rd, WY

When I reach the big plane, the sun is almost vanishing behind the Teton Mountains. I stop once again for some picturesque video taping and photos of the sunset.

Then I continue my drive while the night approaches. The road to Jackson takes me way longer than originally expected. Therefore I arrive there in total darkness.

The city is more than well visited. The drive through downtown results in a huge traffic jam. Around half past eight I eventually arrive at my Super 8, which I have almost missed. The dinner recommendation from the reception was not very helpful this time. Also the phone book did not really help here. So I start the search for a dinner restaurant on my own.

Due to all the traffic I do not want to drive into the city. I also assume, that there will be an issue with parking and I am not in the mood to search around forever to find a parking spot, because I am already very tired. But I am lucky and I encounter a Village Inn on my drive into the city. There I go for dinner and even receive a nice big table. Unfortunately my server is completely overloaded and the waiting is long. Additionally a lot of young people are arriving just past me. When I leave the restaurant around 10pm, there is already a long waiting line. If I had to wait already this much for my dinner, then it will take them probably forever…