Section 2 Polaris, MT to South Pass City WY - D12

06/21 Day 12, Idaho/Wyoming  Island Park, Tetonia, Driggs, Jackson (109 Miles)

We made biscuits with peanut butter in our cabin then headed out by 6:30 for the “big” detour that would take us south, around the massive snows in the Tetons.

The detour route had 2 30 mile converted rail bed sections.  The first rail to trail was soft black dirt completely torn up by ATV traffic.  Riding was slow and difficult though with beautiful views of marshes off each side, birds and flowers.  Stopping meant being totally swarmed by mosquitoes as we were still in wetlands/wildlife refuge.  We were passed at one point by the first south to north bound racer – a smile and good morning and he was off.  I think it was the end of this first rail trail that followed above the Warm river.  The gorgeous views of the river and canyons made us forgiving of the terrible trail that got us there. 

Rail Trail 1 crossing wetlands

Rail Trail 1 - why front suspension was invented

Likely the only attractive shot on Rail Trail 2

Warm River gorge

Closed train tunnel

Finally pavement but just when we thought life was good, another rail to trail, this one worse than the first with a perfectly good paved road running along side.  STB ran out of water.  We investigated several spots but in the end she just toughed it out.  We came across a sign on the trail, a notice from the race director, that we were not to take the bike path over Teton pass because of snow and ice.  Nice to know. 

We finally get off the rail to trail onto a paved bike path in Tetonia then road to Driggs and thankfully, a Subway (sandwiches not transportation).  We regrouped over a sub and decided to tackle Teton Pass (2300 feet higher than the 6100ft elevation of Driggs) while there was still daylight. 

What a climb.  Sit, stand, sit, even pace, breath, heart rate, sweat.  There was a large shoulder thank goodness with all of the big trucks passing by.  I was very proud of our accomplishment at the top.  As STB said after – Colorado will be a breeze. Hmmmm? 

At the top, a photo-op was necessary since the top of the pass took us out of Idaho into Wyoming.  Wet with sweat from the long climb, we put on warm clothes then enjoyed the screaming long downhill to Wilson.  The road flattened and we put our heads down to finish the day, pulling into Jackson Hole right at dark. 

We got a beautiful room at the Best Western in Jackson Hole and had a fantastic chicken pot pie at the brew pub across the street. 

Several days of puny had turned into mildly feverish and a pretty raw throat so I took advantage of being in Jackson to go to a doc in the box.  As these things go, between that and the fantastic natural grocery next door, it was a stupid long while before we left town – something like 11:30.