Robert Stuart Trail 1812 — 1813

Day 24: September 4th, 2007 Idaho Falls — Pinedale

The breakfast recommendation is the Brady’s Restaurant just next to the motel. A little bit skeptical I enter the restaurant — and I am surprised by an absolute fantastic service! Definitely positively surprised I pay with a real good tip and then drive over to the next gas station.

Highway 26/BUS20/Northgate Mile, Idaho Falls, ID

Around a quarter past ten I am ready to roll. First I leave Idaho Falls on Highway 26 again.

E Heise Rd, ID

Then I continue to Heise on smaller roads.

E Kelly Canyon Rd, ID

FR218, ID

FR218, ID

FR218, ID

FR218, ID

Now I enter the Targhee National Forest on forest roads and I am back on Stuarts trail.

E 5400 S, ID

E 5400 S, ID

E 5400 S, ID

E 5400 S, Canyon Creek, ID

Continuing on E 5400 S, there are plenty of nice views of this landscape.

S Canyon Creek Rd, ID

S Canyon Creek Rd, ID

Finally I arrive at Highway 33. There, Stuart follows the same route as Hunt did the year before.

Highway 33, ID

Highway 33, ID

Highway 33, ID

Highway 33, Driggs, ID

I follow this route on Highway 33. First, this highway takes me to Driggs in Idaho.

Highway 33, State Line ID and WY

Then I am passing Victor and finally the state line to Wyoming. There, Highway 33 changes to Highway 22.

Highway 22, Teton Pass, WY

Highway 22, Teton Pass, WY

This highway takes me up all the way to Teton Pass. I can already see some heavy rain in the mountains. But lucky me, on my route everything stays dry — only one passenger car takes my right of way and I am just able to do a full break to avoid the collision…

Highway 22, WY

On Teton Pass I do a brief stopover for video taping. From there you can see the whole valley of Jackson Hole. Now I continue down into the valley. Regardless that I have thrown in the second gear, my truck really speeds up. When the engine reaches 4000rpm I slowly hit the brakes to avoid blowing up my old engine. But everything goes fine and I arrive in the valley at Wilson without any issues.

Highway 22, WY

Now I continue on Highway 22 to Jackson and from there I take Highway 26/89/189/191 out of town.

This highway takes me to Hoback Junction. Like last year, I turn there onto Highway 189/191 to the east.

Highway 189/191, Hoback Historical Marker, WY

Highway 189/191, WY

Highway 189/191, WY

Highway 189/191, WY

Highway 189/191, Hoback River, WY

Before I continue, I make another brief stopover at the Hoback Historical Marker. This is mainly about my last years trail, but also has a link to my Robert Stuart Trail!

FR30600, WY

Eventually I am back on my beloved forest roads.

FR30580, WY

FR30580, WY

FR30580, WY

FR30580, WY

FR30580, Hoback River, WY

But unfortunately this is only a brief side trip before I must return to Highway 189/191 again.

Highway 189/191, WY

Highway 189/191, WY

Highway 189/191, Astorian Camp Historical Marker, WY

Another brief stopover is at the Astorian Camp Historical Marker, which is again related to my last years trail. Then I continue my journey on Highway 189/191.

A second attempt is done to get back on my backroads in the area, where I already had no luck last year. And also this year private property stops my progress. But therefore I am able to see a pronghorn!

Forty Rod Rd/RD149, WY

Forty Rod Rd/RD149, WY

Pronghorn, Forty Rod Rd/RD149, WY

Pronghorn, Forty Rod Rd/RD149, WY

Forty Rod Rd/RD149, WY

Therefore I must return to the highway and continue up to RD149, like last year. But to my surprise, this road is now paved! Last year, this was just a regular dirt road! And once again I am allowed to see two pronghorns!

Ehman Ln/RD144, WY

On Highway 352 I continue south in direction to Pinedale. One last side trip to the backroads is planned at RD144, which also takes me to the local airport. For some reason this backroad is completely rain–drenched, although the paved road before was completely dry. Anyway, my truck gets completely covered with dirt, like on a real offroad trip.

Finally I arrive at Pinedale again. Due to my bad experiences with the Pinelodge and in the hope to find something cheaper, I drive on to downtown. First, I want to take a look at the Teton Court Motel. But this is not really convincing from the outside. But the Wagon Wheel Motel looks promising. I ask for a room and they tell me, that I am really lucky. One room was just returned. They even give me a discount to $85! The regular room rate would be $120! That is something I wouldn’t have expected, that even a simple motel is so expensive. I take the room and I am absolutely positively surprised! The room is extremely comfy and because there is no first floor, I have not to worry about my parking spot!

Already around a quarter to six I check in. Because I am still very early, I first check my video taping of today. Then I drive into the city for dinner. Unfortunately, the Los Cabos is closed today. Therefore I end up at the Stockman’s Restaurant again. The service is again mediocre and this place is definitely too expensive for what they offer. Around a quarter to ten I pay and run to my car. In the meantime it has started to rain heavily. To my happy surprise I am able to listen to Bob Kingsley and his American Country Countdown on my drive back. Now I know, what I will listen to while entering my next GPS coordinates and doing my bookkeeping. Around half past eleven I eventually fall dog–tired into my bed…