Day
43, September 24
Locations: Mackay; Pallisades Reservoir; Rawlins, WY; Snowy Range
Miles driven: 597
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I woke up to an inch
of snow at Doublesprings Pass. A little lower on either side was snow-free.
There were low-hanging, clearing storm clouds off over the mountains to
the west towards Trail Creek Pass. I waited for the sun to rise to see
if the cloud bank would light up. It got to be a bit after the time the
sun should have risen, so there must've been clouds off to the east. The
immediate hills block the view. Right as I was about to leave, some light
appeared on the clouds and then even made its way on the some of peaks
across the way. I was figuring something should light up being that the
clearing storm clouds like these hang low with nothing above them, so
I was counting on the sun being able to rise above anything that sat near
the horizon. I almost wasn’t patient enough. I finished shooting
at 7:50 and then headed down. Unfortunately, the pictures I shot were
in the same boat as last night’s sunset, in that they were lost
due to a portable hard drive failure. Yes, I’m still upset!
I got down to Highway 93 at 8:11. I topped off the tank in Mackay and left there at 8:44. I continued south to Arco as the clouds were continuing to clear off the southern section of the Lost Rivers. I arrived in Idaho Falls at 10:08 and ran into some good rain about 20 miles east of there and looked like it could continue for awhile. I had entertained thoughts of possibly even heading home today if the weather didn't look like it would change, but it was still too early to tell and I'd probably still end up going to Sweetwater Gap in the Wind Rivers where K.C. had taken me on the second day of the trip.
At Pallisades Reservoir just west of the Wyoming border, there were some phenomenally and seriously red trees. It was still rainy as I was passing through and it was tough to pass this color up without taking any pictures, but I'd just press on eastward. After I passed the area, temptation got to be too much to bear and I decided to turn around. The color was just too much to pass up and I didn't want to throw away this opportunity. I figured I would have to use my tripod umbrella, but if I was able to get a couple of shots, it would be worth it. I had not seen the intense scarlet red fall colors like this before and I was really blown away. I first went to the end of Little Elk Creek Road where there was more wonderful color. This is where my only image posted below was taken from, and actually, just I was setting up for that shot, the rain had stopped.
I got back to the highway and backtracked further west and shot a lot more from various pullouts and shooting every composition I could of all these awesome trees. I was getting some very good shots, though this entire batch was lost as well. Everything from this point on was taken on my point-and-shoot and was saved.
I arrived in Pinedale, Wyoming, at 4:35. I fueled up and left there at 4:44. Due to still-prevalent overcast skies, I wasn't hopeful for sunset, so I would bypass a stop back in at Sweetwater Gap and head into the Snowy Range in the south-central part of the state—where I had never been. I was planning on passing through there on the way home tomorrow anyway, but by getting there tonight, I would be in position for a sunrise tomorrow.
I got onto I-80 at Rock Springs at 6:13 and into Rawlins around 7:40 after an amazing, huge glowing, red sunset back to the west. I couldn't successfully reach around 180 degrees to get a picture of it while driving, but did get a picture to the east of clouds that were getting some light. I was still going back and forth about whether I would hang out one last night or head on home tonight yet and get back super late. I was in a good driving zone and wide awake, so I figured I could make it, but not too long after, I knew I wanted to milk this trip out and I’d stay one more night.
A little east of Rawlins, I turned south onto Highway 130 for the approach to the Snowy Range. I drove into the town of Encampment, mistakenly, which was 10 miles beyond the turnoff I needed. I was watching a car's lights come down Highway 130 as I passed it (staying straight is a different highway number at this point) and this must have distracted me enough to where I missed the sign. Once I figured out where I was, I backtracked and headed east. I camped at the start of French Creek Road immediately below the highway 14 miles in. I stayed on this side of the pass so I could see what the entire route has to offer during daylight tomorrow. Again, this was my first time here.
It rained for just a bit around 11:00 and I had a number of rather close lightning strikes which is always comforting! In fact, the lightning had been at it since I crossed into Wyoming. The storm may have passed by midnight, but I must have fallen asleep to know for sure.
9:42 AM —
Eastbound on Highway 20 between Arco and Idaho Falls
~1:15 PM —
A beautiful scene at the end of Little Elk Creek Road
3:17 PM —
Eastbound on Highway 26 along the western end of Pallisades Reservoir
3:18 PM —
Colorful trees along Pallisades Reservoir
5:41
PM — Looking east from Highway 191 between Pinedale and Rock Springs
5:43 PM —
Southbound along Highway 191 between Pinedale and Rock Springs
6:32 PM —
Eastbound on I-80 just out of Rock Springs
7:08 AM —
Some color opposite a beautiful sunset along I-80