GDR2 - Day 2 Eureka to Tuchuck CG

Start - 2700'?
High pt  5223 @ whitefish divide
Lo pt. ~2700' ?
End Elv ~4660'
Climbing ~3000+

Miles 31.9
Total time 6:20
Ride time 4:30??

Departed Eureka, a town proud of their logging and xmas tree heritage, and cruised down the rolling old Hwy 93, with occasional homes, hobby farms and real ag property for about 10 miles.
Crossed the bridge at the start of the Tobacco River, where Graves Creek and the Fortine River join and  forgo further claims on their waters. Saw a gaggle of turkeys near by, with little in line between mom and dad.

Then up up up for 13 miles, the first 7 is on pristine new pavement at first cruising through home and agricultural land mixed with forest soon turn to primeval forest lands, at least where it hadn't burned.
Ahh, but where it did burn, I was scouring for huckleberries. I did indeed find a few good patches, but my passage was generally too early. I did stop and roam through some looking for that odd berries that were ripe enough to sample. The samples were effective, as I suspect I will post slower times for the remainder of my divide journey to look for more.

The road turn to gravel and gently climbs but for the last 2 miles, which are a more attention getting pitch. I summit, and take to requisite break to take it all in while I  am still in the euphoric hypoxic state. On one side of the pass is a not to huge avalanche chute, and on the other side a great example of the avalanche going up hill, take out major timber on the way. This could not have happened often, or that timber would not have gotten so big. The forces at work to level hundreds of 3+ foot diameter trees leaves me in awe (and wishing I had skied some Montana ski areas that winter, in bounds of course)

From the whitefish divide it was a rolling downhill on moderately rough road to Tuchuck campground, keeping an eye for the elusive huckleberries along the way.

Also camping at Tuchuck were 2 other single divide riders; Alberto, a through rider from Barcelona,  and Linda from  Helena, riding from Banff back home. I also chatted with her at the top of todays pass. She had done Wyoming and Colorado sections previously. Interesting hearing their tales, getting Albertos read on the Catalan independence movement, given he is Catalan. Linda had a mobile bike shop in Helena and just recently picked up bikepacking touring after leading road tours for many years. They both had a more lean gear setup than I. Sigh.... but good to chat up gear with them. Had a good visit over the campfire, sharing drinks and fruit with them,  and we all went off our seperate itineraries in the morning. These chance crossing of paths really add to the ride.