Rawlins, WY to Sweetwater Guard Station - Day 1
Just the Facts
Location: Rawlins, WY south to Silverton, CO
Trip Highlights: Wind River Range, Echo Park and San Jaun Mountains
Bike: 2007 KTM 640 Adventure
Tires: Motoz Tractionator Desert H/T (front & rear)
Sweetwater Guard Station: 8,245'
Mileage: 162
We left after work on a Thursday and drove straight through to Rawlins, WY (right at 24 hours). We had a room reserved at an Econo Lodge but after checking in and getting gas we got the boot! The old grouch that owned the place saw Bob ride through the grass to park under the awning and told him to just keeping going that he didn't need his kind here. So, we checked out and went across the street to a different hotel.
Location: Rawlins, WY south to Silverton, CO
Trip Highlights: Wind River Range, Echo Park and San Jaun Mountains
Bike: 2007 KTM 640 Adventure
Tires: Motoz Tractionator Desert H/T (front & rear)
Sweetwater Guard Station: 8,245'
Mileage: 162
We left after work on a Thursday and drove straight through to Rawlins, WY (right at 24 hours). We had a room reserved at an Econo Lodge but after checking in and getting gas we got the boot! The old grouch that owned the place saw Bob ride through the grass to park under the awning and told him to just keeping going that he didn't need his kind here. So, we checked out and went across the street to a different hotel.
Day 1 (Friday)
We headed northeast toward the Wind River Range where we planned to camp at the Sweetwater Guard Station Campground. The route would take us along the Continental Divide Trail, Emigrant Trail, California Trail, and Oregon Trail. It's pretty cool to think we were following the same tracks as settlers in the 18th century. With such vast empty spaces families had to wonder what they had gotten themselves into.
We headed northeast toward the Wind River Range where we planned to camp at the Sweetwater Guard Station Campground. The route would take us along the Continental Divide Trail, Emigrant Trail, California Trail, and Oregon Trail. It's pretty cool to think we were following the same tracks as settlers in the 18th century. With such vast empty spaces families had to wonder what they had gotten themselves into.
We passed through South Pass City, WY and the Carissa Mine, Wyoming's biggest gold boom and bust. In the mid 1800's this place must have been hopping and full of excitement with hopes of striking it big. It seems like there must have been a lot more disappointment and heartache than joy from getting rich.
The Carissa opened and closed several times, closing for the final time in 1949. The State of Wyoming acquired the mine 2003 as a historic site.
We stopped in Atlantic City, WY where we got gas from Wild Bill and had lunch. Wild Bill caters to Continental Divide travelers - hikers, bikers and hunters. He has a B&B and a rental house dedicated to CDT travelers. He also has a decent gun shop - I'd guess he's the guy for locals and hunters.
I'm glad we got gas there because I was unknowingly getting really poor gas mileage which could have resulted in running out before the next real gas station.
I'm glad we got gas there because I was unknowingly getting really poor gas mileage which could have resulted in running out before the next real gas station.
We stopped for the night at the Sweetwater Guard Station Campground, the site of the first fire guard station (I'm not sure if that's the first in WY or the first in the country). We set up camp with the Wind River Range as a backdrop in the distance. This was a great campground and would make a good destination to plan around.
The first day was a relatively easy day with the exception of a steep rocky downhill and one water crossing. It wasn't terribly difficult but there were some decent size rocks that could result in a bobble and the water was deep enough that the result of dropping a bike would likely be disastrous.
The first day was a relatively easy day with the exception of a steep rocky downhill and one water crossing. It wasn't terribly difficult but there were some decent size rocks that could result in a bobble and the water was deep enough that the result of dropping a bike would likely be disastrous.