Cook Lake

Cook Lake Llama Trip
Dickinson Park TH, Popo Agie Wilderness Area,
Shoshone NF July 18th-20th, 2009

Cook Lake

Kutz and Mandy's Awesome Adventure!

Mandy with Kutz and Stoney

Decided to do a little backcountry jaunt out of our favorite trailhead last weekend. Initially we thought we'd take the kiddos, but the grandparents in Casper wanted some entertainment and voluteered to take them for a few days. That was nice. Saturday then, Mandy and I headed up to Dickinson Park with two wooly friends, packed for a few days in the Windriver backcountry.

The trail out of Dickinson Park.

Mandy leads Stoney along (it was Stoney's first time packing in the backcountry).

Pausing for lunch, and a great view of Windriver Peak.

We headed up the Smith Lake trail, hoping to camp at Cook Lake and explore that canyon and cirque a little more the next day. The view just off the trail here overlooks the North Fork drainage Windriver peak dominating the background.

A view of the Cathedral Buttress from Middle Lake.

Mandy wades the creek coming out of Middle Lake with Kutz.

Shad dances with Stoney in the creek.

Stoney's view of Cloverleaf Lake

The next morning as we were getting ready to do some day hiking up the canyon, Stoney somehow pulled his stake and headed for home. He made it just few hundred yards before he got tangled up. Little bugger! We made sure that couldn't have again.

Mendarin Lake cirque

During our layover day at Cook Lake we hike way up into the canyon above it. All sorts of beautiful country up there- waterfalls, lakes, streams- ending in an impressive cirque that surrounds Mendarin Lake.

Mandy poses in a glaciated clearing.

Adventure pose: Shad points out potential ski terrain.

Revealed: The twinkle in Mandy's eye.

The aftermath and path of a huge avalanche (some years old now).

Mandy, on the rocks... above Mendarin Lake.

Good spot for lunch.

"Peek-a-boo!"

On our way back down we took a route that gave us a good look a these spectaluar falls.

A look down the canyon, towards Cook lake.

Looking back up the canyon.

Nap time.

A panoramic view.

YIKES! A pink sasquatch drying off after a mid-afternoon dip! Very rare sighting.

Mandy roasts her dinner while day-dreaming about the day's adventure, particularly the sasquatch sighting.

Captain Llama packer prepares to give a lesson in packing, after slurping a quart of freshly pressed, stout coffee!

Gear for two, all laid out and then packed into the panniers.

Kutz, before and after.

Stoney pauses while Mandy hydrates (her camel back was in Stoney's pannier).

Coming out we didn't have enough wieght for two Llamas, so we made Stoney carry our day packs. Good training!

Enjoyed lunch from our perch above the North Fork again.

Mandy strides out with Kutz on the home stretch.

Woohoo! We made it. Back at the trailer.

Great trip, good to get out with the Llamas again. Thanks Scott!

Southern Wind Mountain Biking

High Plains Cruisin'
South Pass City Gold Rush Days
July 12th, 2009

Mandy pedals west, the Oregon Buttes in the background.

High Prairie Pedal Porn

Takin' a breather.

Rockin' before rolling!

Earlier in the week, I took a nifty spill off my road bike while powering around a corner. This is what it did to my helmet. A great reason to wear one!

(click to enlarge)

This is what it did to me, even with a helmet on. Lots of road rash, even on the inside of lips. Sucked! The bike came out okay though- just some dings on the shifters.

Fairfield Hill Loop- MTB Ride
July 13th, 2009

Had a great ride Monday, after getting off South Pass. Did the classic Fairfield loop from my house in Lander. Great ride- beautiful country!

Profile of ride (click to enlarge and read). It's a lung buster!

The view after the first major climb.

A look into the Leg Lake cirque part way up the last climb.

Me, getting ready to drop a couloir on the Kona, Windriver Peak in the background.

Another angle on the couloir.

Looking down at the rest of the trail.

4000 vertical feet of climbing in 16 miles took about two hours. I was happy with that.