GDT Day 6 - Little Joe CG to Bannack State Park

Thurs July 21, 2016

Start - 6800'
High pt  7825'
Lo pt
End Elv 5800'
Climbing ~1300'

Miles 38.5
Total time 7:00 with 2 hour lunch
Ride time 4:18
Days with BOB 5

Hot day with beautiful Pioneer mountains to wake up to and to embrace on a glorious morning ride.

The day started with a stiff climb to start the 1000' ascent to teh local pass. It soon moderated and opened to several parks, with the Pioneer Mtns embracing the eastern view the whole way.

After summiting the pass, it was a ripping downhill into Polaris, passing Maverick Mountain ski area.

Today was all pavement, except for  1 to 2 miles on Old Canyon Road  that allowed me to forgo a moderate climb up the paved road. This led to a quaint row of homes along the creek. 

Made good time and Glenda and I had lunch together at the Grasshopper Inn and Saloon. Met Mike the divide biker  again, and overlapped lunch with him. Food was good, and so was the local IPA.

Off again, and arrived at Bannack State Park, a pretty well preserved ghost town. This gold rush town seems to have started the settlement of Montana, and was one the territorial capital ( for but a year). Very interesting, and the park allows patrons to walk through many of the old building, including, the Courthouse, Saloon, Methodist Church, Mason Hall, School, jail and lots of homes.

Back at the campground, there were riders doing the divide north to south, south to north, and also road riders doing the Trans Am trail two. Too many for the dedicated biker space, so we hosted 4 riders in our trailer spot. One again was Mike from WA, but also Lauren and Roger from Portland areas, and Verla( sp?) from Finland. got so good info Lauren, Roger, and Verla  as they were south to north riders. Also met Jeff and Kyle from Klamath Falls, riding north to south.

It was an enjoyable post dinner social hour