GDT Day 16 - Busters Place to Sweet Water River

Wed. Aug. 03, 2016

Start - 8050'
High pt  approx ?
Lo pt  7250'
End Elv 7250'
Climbing 1000 to 2000'

Miles 53.7 miles
Total time 8.5 hrs
Ride time 6:15
Day with BOB 15
Divide crossing - 3, 10 total

Spent most of the day close to the divide after it jumps out of the Wind River range. Followed the range until it slowly submitted to mother earths' encompassing embrace. The route undulating with the divide with much riding roller coastering  around 8000'. Passed many historic trails today, the Mormon , the Oregon, the California, and the pony express, all taking advantage of the relatively gentle South Pass, starting 175 years ago.  Largely treeless today, except around South Pass City and Atlantic City, both a shadow of their glory, but they persist, much like the indemic gnarled sage of these parts.
Leaving Atlantic City has me riding off the second map into emptiness, bothetaphoeically and in reality, as the next 135 miles is treeless sagebrush  scrub lands.
Our camp spot is an oasis that suddenly appears as one travels through the vast expanses of sage.

GDT - Day 15 - Fremont Lake to Busters Place

Thurs. Aug. 04, 2016

Start - 7500
High pt  8050
Lo pt 7000
End Elv 8050
Climbing 1300'?

Miles  52
Total time 6 hrs
Ride time 4:28
Day with BOB 14

Woke up at Fremont Lake to much heavier smoke than last night. Fortunately,  most of the first 20 miles headed south and away from fires was easy down hill pavement pedaling. In fact, 38 miles today was pavement, and  the next 13 miles was oiled gravel road that was very smooth, all with gentle grades.
I did get a flat on the BOB today. I suspect I picked up the offending metal wire when on US 191.
Today was riding through bottom lands with hay fields and a number small streams that gave way to expansive sage land. The route joined with old immigrant trails on the way to south pass. In fact, our dispersed campsite we named 'Busters Place' due to what we presume is an immigrant grave site across the clearing.
The route  gradually worked it way closer to the Wind Rivers; as they loomed closer, the air cleared due to distance  from the fires or winds. We have a great view of the range from our campsite.