July 19, 2001. Dubois to Colter
Bay, Wyoming.
(66 mi.) Mile 2965
Up and
over to the Grand Tetons
This morning the wind was calm, or at most, barely enough to
bend the grass in our direction, but not the trees, a beautiful morning to
climb out of the scent of sagebrush to that of alpine meadows and
conifers. After 30 miles and 2600 ft of climbing through the craggy peaks of Wyoming's big game
country, we crossed the Continental Divide again at Togwotee Pass, where a sign said we had 17 miles of 6%
downhill. We
zoomed down the other side, only slowed by the westside headwind and the chilly
temperature. Yee-ha!
The other side of Togwotee opens into
miles of high elevation meadow and creek drainage. Near our lunch stop at Togwotee
Lodge, we got our first titillating look at the Grand
Tetons. These loomed larger
and more majestic as we rode toward them across the expansive valley and into Grand Teton National
Park. This was one of the most spectacularly scenic rides of our trip,
especially impressive from the open air vantage point of a bicycle. We set up our tent in the hiker/biker
campground and had dinner at Colter Bay Village Cafe. Late afternoon
thunderstorms soaked the Park, but we slept well, as usual.
The Grand Tetons
from Oxbow Bend
1)
2)
3)
4)
1) I
hope the bears follow the rules.
2)
Togwotee Pass
3) Another of many Continental Divide crossings
4) Our first titillating view of the Tetons from
Togwotee.
This morning the wind was calm, or at most, barely enough to
bend the grass in our direction, but not the trees, a beautiful morning to
climb out of the scent of sagebrush to that of alpine meadows and
conifers. After 30 miles and 2600 ft of climbing through the craggy peaks of Wyoming's big game
country, we crossed the Continental Divide again at Togwotee Pass, where a sign said we had 17 miles of 6%
downhill. We
zoomed down the other side, only slowed by the westside headwind and the chilly
temperature. Yee-ha! 
