Robert Stuart Trail 1812 — 1813

Day 26: September 6th, 2007 Rock Springs — Lander

Today I slept extremely well — beside that I needed the restroom at 3am. For breakfast I drive to the nearby Village Inn. The service is okay, only the bacon are some very small stripes. I pay and drive over to Wal–Mart. There I buy 8 picture rolls, water and 3 CDs. Then I continue to the next gas station.

Around half past ten I am on the road again. This morning it is pretty chilly with only 50 degrees.

Highway 191, WY

First I take Highway 191 back to Farson. There I continue on Highway 28.

Highway 28, WY

Highway 28, Continental Divide, WY

Like yesterday I travel the same highway back to South Pass.

South Pass City Rd, WY

South Pass City Rd, South Pass, WY

South Pass City Historical Marker, WY

From there I drive on backroads to South Pass City, an old western town. But driving through is not as inviting as I originally thought. Therefore I do not stop for a longer visit and continue my journey. The temperature of 48 degrees is also not really inviting.

Louis Lake Rd/FR300, WY

Louis Lake Rd/FR300, Louis Lake, WY

Louis Lake Rd/FR300, WY

Louis Lake Rd/FR300, WY

Louis Lake Rd/FR300, WY

Louis Lake Rd/FR300, WY

Louis Lake Rd/FR300, WY

Louis Lake Rd/FR300, Louis Lake, WY

My next destination is the Louis Lake Road through the Shoshone National Forest. Even when Stuart was not in this area, it was looking too promising to skip it. Unfortunately, the “road” is an extreme washboard road which you can only drive really fast or in walking pace. Into the bargain, the road is closed after half the distance. The views are really breathtaking. But regardless I start my drive back pretty annoyed. According to my map, there is also a 4WD trail which should take me around the road closure. But the entry to this road doesn’t really look promising. If the whole trail is like this then this short stretch would take one full day. Because it is already 3pm I decide to not take chances and to drive back to the main highway.

All in all I still have the visit of Red Canyon on my bucket list, which I was not able to visit yesterday due to my drive to Rock Springs. Highway 28 takes me there pretty fast.

Red Canyon Rd, Red Canyon, WY

Red Canyon Rd, Red Canyon, WY

Red Canyon Rd, Red Canyon, WY

Red Canyon Rd, Red Canyon, WY

Red Canyon Rd, Red Canyon, WY

Red Canyon Rd, Red Canyon, WY

Red Canyon Rd, Red Canyon, WY

Red Canyon Rd, Red Canyon, WY

Red Canyon Rd, Red Canyon, WY

Red Canyon Rd, Red Canyon, WY

Red Canyon Rd, Red Canyon, WY

Red Canyon Rd, Red Canyon, WY

Red Canyon Rd, Red Canyon, WY

Red Canyon Rd, Red Canyon, WY

Red Canyon Rd, Red Canyon, WY

Red Canyon Rd, WY

A small forest road takes me along the canyon wall through the whole Red Canyon and gives fantastic views. There I am able to get real great pictures and videos. Also a deer with extreme long ears runs in front of my camera.

Highway 287, WY

Then I reach Highway 28 again. Later I take Highway 287 to Lander.

Already around a quarter past five I arrive there and drive to the Holiday Lodge first. This motel is already completely booked! Unbelievable at this time of day! During my search I arrive at the Silver Spur Motel. Actually, they are also completely booked. But I am lucky again and receive a 3 bed room, which usually costs $85, for $55 plus tax. Without hesitating I take this room immediately to not be forced to search around any more. When asking about this situation the reception guy tells me, that we are still in tourist season. Additionally, there are also many workers around due to the road construction. And finally, tomorrow is a special sightseeing flight day. So I ended up once again at special events without knowing about them…

For dinner he recommends the Oxbow Restaurant. They offer good food for reasonable prices. Because it is still very early, I first check all of my video taping of today. Then I drive over to the restaurant. There I order some chicken, where you usually cannot go wrong. I pay and around 9pm I am back in my motel room. First, I make myself a coffee. Then I do my book keeping, enter the next GPS coordinates and do my diary — while doing this I listen to my new CDs.