Tag: Wyoming
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[Day 74] The Winds
![[Day 74] The Winds](https://jarodlyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_5460-scaled.jpg)
Exhausted from my town exit, I slowly assembled my items this morning. I exited Sweetwater Guard Station Campground bummed out with a sore throat. My camera powers on, but the lense is awash with internal dew and the telescoping zoom sticks. I can hear the motor stalling. There might be a chance at recovery, but…
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[Day 73] Grizzly Country
![[Day 73] Grizzly Country](https://jarodlyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/dsc04935.jpg)
Today marks my formal entry in grizzly country. I make this distinction not because of fear of these animals, but because I sense this marks a symbolic change towards a more exclusive backcountry. Thus far, the seasons of the mountains and harsh nature of the deserts have made my travels less trafficked. Now, population density…
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[Day 72] South Pass
![[Day 72] South Pass](https://jarodlyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/dsc04887.jpg)
The mosquitos were plentiful this morning. For such a dry desert with limited wildlife, I am confused how these bloodsuckers manage to live on. In the morning, I hiked my way towards Atlantic City, a boom-to-bust mining town that sprouted from the 1867 gold rush in the area of Wyoming known as South Pass. Breakfast…
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[Day 71] Red Desert
![[Day 71] Red Desert](https://jarodlyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/dsc04756.jpg)
Technically, the trail is out of bounds of the Continental Divide split that defines the Great Divide Basin, but the proximity is close and the ecosystem is similar where it’s still very much high, flat desert. I’d call it a Basin from the views — or at least I am looking into a ditch in…
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[Day 70] Twenty-Four Hours
![[Day 70] Twenty-Four Hours](https://jarodlyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/dsc04388.jpg)
There was internal debate whether I’d give this a try. But, after some longer last days in Colorado, I entertained the idea. Beginning at 3pm from Rawlins, I hiked into the desert of the Great Divide Basin, intending to see how many miles I could cover in a 24 hour period. I have experience remaining…
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[Day 69] Rawlins
![[Day 69] Rawlins](https://jarodlyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/dsc04168.jpg)
I began around 7am. Analyzing my map this morning, I noticed a couple points to legally cut trail. By legally, I mean that I crossed public lands to eliminate needless miles. Trail followed dirt roads the entire day, and roads often honor grading before efficiency or directness. A urine-like nitrate smell was common today. I…
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[Day 68] Into the Basin
![[Day 68] Into the Basin](https://jarodlyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/dsc04047.jpg)
I awoke after a windy night camped less than a mile below Bridger Peak. The snow continued immediately and lasted some eight miles as trail slowly descended below 10,000 feet from Bridger. I knew, once below 10,000 feet, the snow would dwindle and no longer hinder hiking. 🗓️ Date July 2nd ⇢ Mileage 34.8 📍…
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[Day 67] Medicine Bow
![[Day 67] Medicine Bow](https://jarodlyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/dsc03766.jpg)
I am not too sure where the name for the Medicine Bow National Forest comes from (actually, I do), but Wyoming has thus far been — and I don’t want to jinks this — the medicine for my Colorado blues. The name Medicine Bow, by the way, originates from the mountain mahogany the native tribes…