WWR Day 24 Arco ID to Blackfoot, ID
WWR Day 24 Arco ID to Blackfoot, ID
Mon Aug 19, 2019
Distance 72.4
Start elevation 5302
End elevation 4498
High point 5344
Low point 4498
Climbing 500?
Ride time 6:57
Total time about 8:00
Days bike camping: 16
Contiguous days riding : 7
Another blue sky morning with high forecast for 91. Research shows no real camping options between Arco and Blackfoot, 72 miles away. I mean there is 50 miles of BLM sage land available, bit satellite views show scant options. But there is no big climb and the route guide says on this section that the roads are good. There are no real camping option in Blackfoot or vicinity either. So I make a motel reservation and plan to get up early.
I do my morning bustle in record time and am out in 2 hours at 8AM, by far my earliest.
A few miles of pavement out of town past irrigated fields beforing turning to dirt. Once past the fields, it is dry sage and lava lands - empty, desolate, dry, void of trees. There are a few cinder cones off in the distance, including the Big Southern Butte, which will be my companion for many 10's of miles.
In the distant are vague hints of mountain ranges, painted pale grey in the morning light. My future in a few days me thinks.
I make good time and it still cool.
I stop now and again for picture of the plaintive landscape.
My first goal is 25 miles in at a place called Frenchman's Cabin at the NW shoulder of Big Southern Butte, where one of the 3 water sources are. There is an old log ranch house and outbuilding with scattered junk lying about.
It is a bit of a climb around the west side of the Butte. It rises 2500' and has hardy trees in sheltered crevices.
It is a good 5 miles around the the south side, which reveal a bit more crags.
This is the high spot, about 30 miles in and it is net down hill from here.
Rolling roads swerving to avoid lava flows surfacing around be is my guidr for the next 20 to 25 miles. Noon comes and I am half way done. I am stopping regularly to refuel, drink, absorb the emptiness. There is almost no others humans on this road other than a couple of ATVers early in the day.
It is getting warm in the afternoon, riding is preferably to stopping as it helps cool me down. The the wind is out of the SW and helps on some curves and should aid my final approach to Blackfoot.
At about 40 miles I hear a side by side ATV approaching while I am stopped munching and wringing.
It turns out to be Albert and his 2 teenage sons who live a ways off over the emptiness. They had just gone to the Big Butte and now were scouting for coyotes. He politely inquires about my ride, his kids shake their heads. He give me a Pepsi and a frozen water bottle, adds he can't help me with shade, and thinks Blackfoot will be achieved.
Off again, counting the miles on the fast road, eventually I see trees and I know I am entering the extensive area of irrigated fields in the Snake River plain.
The road becomes "improved" which means there is an inch deep of loose round gravel and my progress slows. I know I hit pavement on 8 or 9 miles, but I need to surf the loose stone. It becomes better as I get closer to town.
Pavement, yeah!!, only 12miles to go through outlying homes, hobby farms and neighborhoods.
Cross the Snake River and I15 and I reach the hotel.
Wow 72 miles, nearly 60 of which was dirt, in some remote empty land on a hot and windy summer day. Glad I did it, that's done, and had a good outcome.
Side note
Arco's claim to fame is it was the first town to be power by atomic energy generated electricity. There is still a research lab in the nrighboor good (Atomic City mayhaps) and I have been jokingly warned to not take a wrong turn, and don't visit to long. I will need the advice as I don't need to add to my flowing personality, at least not from isotopes.
Mon Aug 19, 2019
Distance 72.4
Start elevation 5302
End elevation 4498
High point 5344
Low point 4498
Climbing 500?
Ride time 6:57
Total time about 8:00
Days bike camping: 16
Contiguous days riding : 7
Another blue sky morning with high forecast for 91. Research shows no real camping options between Arco and Blackfoot, 72 miles away. I mean there is 50 miles of BLM sage land available, bit satellite views show scant options. But there is no big climb and the route guide says on this section that the roads are good. There are no real camping option in Blackfoot or vicinity either. So I make a motel reservation and plan to get up early.
I do my morning bustle in record time and am out in 2 hours at 8AM, by far my earliest.
A few miles of pavement out of town past irrigated fields beforing turning to dirt. Once past the fields, it is dry sage and lava lands - empty, desolate, dry, void of trees. There are a few cinder cones off in the distance, including the Big Southern Butte, which will be my companion for many 10's of miles.
In the distant are vague hints of mountain ranges, painted pale grey in the morning light. My future in a few days me thinks.
I make good time and it still cool.
I stop now and again for picture of the plaintive landscape.
My first goal is 25 miles in at a place called Frenchman's Cabin at the NW shoulder of Big Southern Butte, where one of the 3 water sources are. There is an old log ranch house and outbuilding with scattered junk lying about.
It is a bit of a climb around the west side of the Butte. It rises 2500' and has hardy trees in sheltered crevices.
It is a good 5 miles around the the south side, which reveal a bit more crags.
This is the high spot, about 30 miles in and it is net down hill from here.
Rolling roads swerving to avoid lava flows surfacing around be is my guidr for the next 20 to 25 miles. Noon comes and I am half way done. I am stopping regularly to refuel, drink, absorb the emptiness. There is almost no others humans on this road other than a couple of ATVers early in the day.
It is getting warm in the afternoon, riding is preferably to stopping as it helps cool me down. The the wind is out of the SW and helps on some curves and should aid my final approach to Blackfoot.
At about 40 miles I hear a side by side ATV approaching while I am stopped munching and wringing.
It turns out to be Albert and his 2 teenage sons who live a ways off over the emptiness. They had just gone to the Big Butte and now were scouting for coyotes. He politely inquires about my ride, his kids shake their heads. He give me a Pepsi and a frozen water bottle, adds he can't help me with shade, and thinks Blackfoot will be achieved.
Off again, counting the miles on the fast road, eventually I see trees and I know I am entering the extensive area of irrigated fields in the Snake River plain.
The road becomes "improved" which means there is an inch deep of loose round gravel and my progress slows. I know I hit pavement on 8 or 9 miles, but I need to surf the loose stone. It becomes better as I get closer to town.
Pavement, yeah!!, only 12miles to go through outlying homes, hobby farms and neighborhoods.
Cross the Snake River and I15 and I reach the hotel.
Wow 72 miles, nearly 60 of which was dirt, in some remote empty land on a hot and windy summer day. Glad I did it, that's done, and had a good outcome.
Side note
Arco's claim to fame is it was the first town to be power by atomic energy generated electricity. There is still a research lab in the nrighboor good (Atomic City mayhaps) and I have been jokingly warned to not take a wrong turn, and don't visit to long. I will need the advice as I don't need to add to my flowing personality, at least not from isotopes.
The mountains _/\_/\_/\_ are calling and you must go 》》》
ReplyDeleteAww gawd yes, there are voices in my head. It not all pretty in there
ReplyDeleteWe look forward to your enhanced Glowing personality.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you won't need a headlight at night.
👽
Delete