Another cold night and morning meant that I needed to be proficient in getting out of camp so I could quickly generate some heat with the climb up to Fleecer Ridge. Using a bear bag really changes the routine from last summer and I think I finally have a good morning routine starting now.

The climb up to Fleecer Ridge was uneventful until I came into a clearing before the last climb to the very top. When I came into the opening, I could not believe what I was seeing. A large herd of elk were in the field and it took them a few seconds to realize I had arrived. Once they saw me, they quickly took off and the fifty, or so, elk ran as a herd and it sounded like a stampede.

After I sat for a while and let that moment and surreal experience soak in, I looked across the field and saw the final climb up to the tippy top. I may have ridden up only a quarter of the hill before pushing the bike up to the top, no worries.

I realized shortly after making it to the top that the riding portion would not begin again until I get down from this hilltop. Nothing could have ever prepared me for the descent down where it started as a 20% gradient, then made it to a 30% gradient and the highest I saw on the Garmin was a 43% gradient closer to the bottom. I fully understand my Garmin can give erroneous readings in certain environmental conditions. Seems like this stretch of road is in reality closer to 28-32% gradient, which is still what I would confidently call steep.

I could not walk down the hill on the trail because the big rocks were too plentiful on the trail. I walked to the side in the sage brush, which did a great job controlling our speed. I would not have believed it, if I had not seen this on my own. It was simply unbelievable and pictures cannot come close to portraying reality. On a side note, I did truly enjoy smelling like sage the remainder of the day.

Apparently, the locals used to have a good time on this side of the hill until about 45 years ago when a few locals were killed when their jeep rolled down the hill and the fun times were all shutdown. This is the story I got later today from an older local at the Wise River Mercantile.

Once I left the shop in Wise River after consuming a delicious poppyseed muffin and strapping two frozen burritos on War Dog, I had the entire 43 mile Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway to enjoy. This stretch of road has several campgrounds and fishing opportunities on the Wise River. I would love to bring the family back and do some fishing and enjoy the Elkhorn Hot Springs Resort.

The scenic byway was followed by an eight mile stretch of a busier road, which actually was the first time the GDMBR and the TransAmerica Trail intercepted so far. After a right turn to Bannack State Park on a much quieter road, the TransAmerica Trail continues to Dillon. I arrived and secured a spot at the hiker/biker campsite and before long a couple from Boise, Idaho showed up with their 22-month-old toddler in tow. They have to obviously deviate from the route sometimes, but they are out giving it a go for six weeks.

I got camp set up and headed for the main attraction, the ghost town of Bannack. It was really neat to be able to walk inside the buildings on the self-guided tour. I will not turn this into an history lesson, but it was a town that developed after gold was discovered in the area in 1862. My favorite part was reading about the jails and how during the gold rush they were rarely used. Offenders were simply warned, banished or hanged.

I am glad I brought bug spray because the mosquitoes are out in force. Early evening thunderstorm just blew in and cooled things down a little just in time for bed.

Pro Tip Of The Day: Never aim your bug spray in vicinity of your eyes unless both of your eyes are closed.