Fulfilling a Dream (36 years later): Day 64: Dillon MT to Jackson, MT

Sunday, July 22, 2012, 48 miles - Total so far: 1735 miles*
* Miles ridden on the TransAm route
Odometer miles - Today - 48.2 Total to date - 1809.0 miles

A shorter, easier day - with two passes

It was another cold morning when we got started about 7:00am, but bright sunshine warmed things up quickly as we got started. The first stretch of the ride was 14 miles up to Badger Pass (6,760 ft.). At the base of the pass a small animal ran across the road. I thought it was a raccoon, but as it stopped and looked at me I realized it was a badger. How appropriate - and the first time I've ever seen a badger in the wild.

On the way to the first pass - Jackson Hot Springs, 43 miles

Every ranch in the west seems to have a high gate similar to this. This one is unique with the "Air Mail" box on the right gate support.

On the way to the first pass - mountains in the distance.

The climb to Badger Pass wasn't that steep and only about 3-4 miles of steady climbing. There was a nice downhill on the other side. Some of the group took a side trip at the bottom of the pass to Bannack State Park. The ghost town at Bannack was the site of the first territorial capital of Montana. There were apparently lots of neat exhibits, but Gina, Wendy and I decided we didn't want to add another hour+ to our ride. The day before was long so we were looking forward to a shorter day.

Nearing the top of Badger Pass

Heading down from Badger Pass

The second pass of the day, Big Hole Pass (7,400 ft.) came 18 miles later. It was higher than Badger Pass and steeper, plus it was the second climb of the day so we felt it more. Still the weather was great and the scenery was beautiful. We reached the top around noon with only 11 miles remaining to our overnight stop at Jackson, MT.

Mountains in the distance on the way from Badger Pass to Big Hole Pass

Top of Big Hole Pass - 7400 ft.

Another great downhill followed from the top of the pass.

Our route down from Big Horn Pass winds down from the right to the left in the distance.

Mountains in the distance as we approach Jackson, MT.

The wooden lean-to structures are used for stacking hay in huge piles in the fields. They were invented in the early 1900's - long before mechanized equipment was built to create the huge cylinders common today.

"Welcome to Jackson"

Our overnight spot in Jackson was the Jackson Hot Springs Resort. We pitched our tents in a very nice grassy area in the back. There was a restroom and shower for our use out back. There wasn't much of Jackson, MT except for this resort, a farm implement store and a few other buildings and houses.

After I arrived and got my tent up, Simon and I went to the bar/restaurant where I had a great cheeseburger. The lodge is very large and filled with animal heads of all kinds - very common throughout this part of the U.S. west. There is a hot springs pool and there were quite a few customers coming and going throughout this Sunday afternoon making use of the pool.

The resort didn't allow us to use our campstoves, so we had dinner at the restaurant. It was very good, but our group of 11 seemed to overwhelm the kitchen staff. Dinner started at 6:00pm and we weren't eating until after 7:00pm.