After a less than satisfying breakfast of purple gruel, we headed out around 09:00 for a day of long gentle climbing. After about an hour of riding we came to the little town of Wise River where we bought lunch supplies for the next three days, and had pie (my favorite snack) and hot chocolate- which has more calories than coffee.
We left Wise River and rode on a beautiful road winding gently up the Wise River drainage. Since we were a little tired last night, our objective today was to ride around 25 – 30 miles and climb about 1/2 of the 2,500′ pass we would go over tomorrow. A light day in lieu of a rest day- mission accomplished!
We checked three campgrounds and got the last camping site of the three and checked in around 2:00. Last night, we got the last camping site in the only campground in the area!
By the way, virtually every mountain pass we have crossed has been an 2,000′ – 3,000′ climb. The summits, however, have consistently increased in elevation from about 6,500′ for Crossing #2 in Montana to 7,900′ for our mountain pass tomorrow.
Daily totals: 27 miles and 1,400′ of climbing.
You might be in Montana if:
Pretty lupines:
The Big Hole river- a top fly fishing river in Montana:
Pretty scenery:
We passed the Sagebrush Invitational golf tournament- notice the ATV’s used for golf carts:
Our campsite on Boulder Creek:
Our bear bag hanging by camp:
Dave Bikes America 