Wyoming, Montana, IdahoSunday, Sep 5
Cody WY to Choteau MT. Dead Indian Pass, Cooke City MT, Beartooth
Pass, Wide open space south of White Sulphur Springs, Lewis & Clark
National Forest.
Dead Indian Pass / WY 296
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First spot with open range stock - and not the last
Nice carpet of pine trees laying up the valley wall beyond
Cooke City, MT
Fuel and food stop. It is a 4-wheeler and snowmobile mecca.
Heading up Beartooth Pass - max's out about 11,000 Ft. MANY pedal cycles heading up
Snow capped peaks at hand
Up with the clouds
Tall road markers for the snow clearing equipment
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Right about the highest elevation on the trip - 11,000 Ft above Mean Sea Level
Coming down from the pass (notice the road cut at the top left of this
picture) we opened up onto a large valley. We will descend to the
valley floor near the left of this picture (roadway snake partially
visible) and exit to the right.
Scroll right if you can't see the whole image
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See the opening in the trees near the bottom of this picture?
Next picture down shows what's there - somebody had some fun!
The hill takes on a new scale when you discern the full sized pine trees on it.
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There's a bit of story with this picture. I'm tucked in behind
Ken and his slipstream and we're doing a miserly 40 to 50MPH.
Why? Fuel and the desire to get to the next fuel stop w/o having to
siphon fuel from his tank (he had enough) or to pull the tow strap from
my bag. The bike gulped fuel much faster than I've been used to -
reserve typically comes on about 135 miles with a range of about
150-165 miles. Today reserve lit at 100.0 miles. That's a
bit of a drop - but then we did have one hour of direct into a strong
headwind Montana speed limits Interstate driving - 80% to 90% (with a
bit of 100%) open throttle. At the point reserve popped on we
didn't want to turn around and head back for fuel as we were about 1/2
way between closest fuel stops (each 35+ miles away). With
reserve lasting right about 25 to 35 miles fuel conservation riding
came into play. Moderate speed, high gear, tucked down, riding in
Ken's slipstream. I made it and was able to pump the largest
amount of fuel into the bike that I ever have (4.589g).
White Sulphur Springs MT
Welcome fuel stop