Worland, WY to Tough Creek Campground (Shoshoni, WY) - Bad wildlife photography.
6/26/26 - 66 miles - Can't remember the hours of seat time
The goal for the day was to get all the way south to Shoshoni where the route would turn to the East towards Nebraska. We would stop in Thermopolis for a break and maybe take a dip in a hot spring.
The ride started out nice enough and I engaged in a bunch of questionable wildlife photography. I finally caught one of the weirdo white tail deer on camera, but a significant distance so the colors are pretty washed out.
I also tried to get some pics of what I was mentally calling Ibex, though they look nothing like Ibex. I have just learned that they are called Pronghorn, and are colloquially called Antelope, though they are not in fact Antelope. So sayeth the wikipedia, and so it shall be.
The ride into Thermopolis was uphill with a headwind, which was frustrating. At one point the GPS route took me off road through some BLM land and I was getting hangry about riding hills on gravel, but I did get to this little fishing spot.
The hot springs in Thermopolis were sulphureous, so I decided to pass on a dip. I'm stinky enough after half a day on the bike in the sun. I was tempted to go hit the regional pool. It looked like everyone in there was beating the heat of the day nicely. Lots of kids.
After a lunch break and the associated nap, I got back on the bike and started into Wind River Canyon. This was a bipolar experience if ever there was one. The views within the canyon are stunning. The rock formations on the side are sedimentary and there are signs on the side telling you how long ago they were formed.
It's also a bit of a visual illusion riding through the canyon. It looks like you are riding downhill while rolling South, but the water from the Big Horn is traveling North which is clearly downhill.
So, you are climbing, despite the visuals. Then you add in the wind. The headwinds were brutally concentrated in places slowing the riding pace to the point where at times....it just felt better to walk.
The canyon ends with 3 small tunnels with narrow shoulders. It's probably the sketchiest riding I've done, but traffic was low and I made it through all three tunnels without being passed in either direction.
After the tunnels/canyon you make a final climb to Boysen Dam, and the Boysen State Park, where we camped for the evening. Once again, I put on water sandals and defiled a water source by going for a swim.
Twice.
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