Day 2, August 14

Day 2, August 14

Locations: Wind River Loop Road; South Pass; Sweetwater Gap; Red Canyon

Miles driven: ~160

Click map to enlarge

The fog was gone by morning and blue sky had taken over. I could’ve shot sunrise from the Blue Ridge overlook above camp, but I ended up not setting my alarm and I had slept in for a bit. K.C. had been up for awhile before I came out of my cocoon. As soon as I had put on my shoes, I climbed the stone steps to the former fire lookout atop the outcropping to get a sense of where I was and to get a look at the mountains. I enjoyed the 360-degree panorama and took a number of snapshots and some video while K.C. was napping below. I headed back down and I gave myself a manicure and pedicure since I failed to do that before I left home.

We broke camp and backtracked to Frye Lake which we passed next to when driving up last evening, but I had to see what that looked like without fog covering everything. We also stopped at Worthen Reservoir, Fiddler’s and Louis Lakes before coming out on Highway 28. We headed west over South Pass at the southern end of the Wind River Range, and along the Continental Divide. South Pass served as an important landmark along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Pioneer Trails. On the western side of the pass, we headed in a northerly direction and then cut in back to the east towards Sweetwater Gap. We took a forest road back in to its terminus that provided wonderful views of Mt. Nystrom. I thought this would make a great sunset spot to photograph from, but that would have to wait as we had to head back and see some more stuff today. Hmm, maybe I can come back here on one of the last days of my trip as I pass back through?

We got back over to South Pass and took a detour to South Pass City, a former gold mining town whose buildings have been restored, and snapped a couple of shots here. We then drove over to the adjacent Atlantic City where K.C. treated me to a double-patty, bacon Cowboy Burger at the Atlantic City Mercantile. And what a burger it was! Man, that hit the spot! I can still taste it to this day! I must go back! This would be the only restaurant meal I would have on the trip. The rest of the meals were all made at the 4Runner Cafe.

We got back on Highway 28 and turned off for Red Canyon that cuts north towards Lander, and we drove that stretch at sunset. As we headed towards Lander, I still wasn't sure where I'd camp tonight. K.C. showed me where the city park was where camping is free, but ultimately it was the mountains that were calling my name, so I decided I'd head back up there on my own this time. K.C. had to go to work in the morning so we said our good-byes at the park. He said he’d call his friend at the Toyota dealership and let him know I’d be there at 8:00 in the morning so he could check out the whining noise that has persisted.

I headed back up Sinks Canyon and the Loop Road not knowing exactly where I would make camp, but ended up settling on Frye Lake. I had driven the length of its dam in moonlight looking for possible campsites on the far end, but circled back and parked in the lot at the near end of the dam near the main road. On the drive up here, I turned on the radio for the first time since yesterday, but it didn't want to wake up. I took the console apart and finally found and fixed a loose connection. It had me a bit panicked that I may be potentially without any music for the duration of the trip. That wasn’t a pleasant thought. Whew! Hopefully, the ‘Runner checks out okay in the morning and my trip can carry on in smooth fashion.

8:13 AM — Looking north to our camp from Blue Ridge Lookout