Washakie Creek

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Originally uploaded by Brambor.

The upstream portion was slightly deeper. I caught about 30 brookies. 3 of them made it to my frying pan.

Washakie Creek

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Originally uploaded by Brambor.

I hiked a pleasant trail which was relatively level until I reached Washakie Creek. Washakie Creek was boiling with fish. I couldn't resist and took another break for a swim, meal and fishing.

Tarn

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Originally uploaded by Brambor.

This lonely tarn was at a high plateau close to Washakie Creek.

In the Shadow

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Originally uploaded by Brambor.

This small canyon was a welcome change of scenery from the usual dry coniferous forest or high meadow. This canyon was mostly in the shadow with a lushes brook running through and wildflowers galoer along the trail that intersected it.

From Dad's Lake to Skull Lake

Day 3 Dad's Lake to Skull Lake
Originally uploaded by Brambor.

Wind River Range is littered with ponds and streams. Signposts reflect that.

From Dad's Lake to Skull Lake

From Dad's Lake to Skull Lake
Originally uploaded by Brambor.

The skies were clear and the temperature rose as the day progressed. Occassionaly I would scoop up water in my baseball cap and put it back on. This kept me cool.

From Dad's Lake to Skull Lake

Day 3 from Dad's Lake to Skull Lake
Originally uploaded by Brambor.

I kept passing named and unnamed ponds. The trail was up and down but not too steep. I was constantly out of breath due to the altitude change but the hike was pleasant all day.

Halucinating

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Originally uploaded by Brambor.

I was halucinating at night due to the elevation change. I kept twisting and turning and shaking my head. I wasn't sure whether I'm dreaming or whether I just have a big headache.

I felt better in the morning but the altitude had an effect on my physical well being. Every activity felt like a lot of work. Just tying my shoelaces left me out of breath.

I made strawberry granola for breakfast. I barely ate the whole package. Normally I could eat it but not today.

I was on the trail around 8AM heading towards Washakie Pass.

Camp at Dad's Lake

Day 2 Camp at Dad's Lake
Originally uploaded by Brambor.

Dad's lake. I could not ask for a better place to camp. Here is my tent. I cooked dinner and then fished for about 30 minutes. The fish did not want my flies but I found out if I twitched a deer hair caddis a little I was able to entice them to bite. I caught 3 small brookies in 8" range. I cooked dinner downhill from my tent on the lake shore. I also did essential laundry and prepared to spend my first night at the Winds.

Mirror Lake

Day 2 - Mirror Lake
Originally uploaded by Brambor.

After fishing I started hiking againg. Here I passed Mirror Lake. Walking along the shore I noticed a few brookies in the 12 inch range. Because I just finished fishing the creek I did not fish this lake but continued climbing higher into the Wind River Range. It was getting late and I wanted to find a suitable place to break camp.

Day 2 Brookie from Fish Creek

Day 2 Brookie from Fish Creek
Originally uploaded by Brambor.

Here is one of the brookies from Fish Creek. The creek was overloaded with fish. It did not take a lot of finesse to pick them up. As long as the presentation was drag free and the angler was out of the view you had a fish guarranteed. I usually looked for feeding rings and then cast the dry a few feet upstream. I released all of the fish back into the water.

Day 2 from Big Sandy to Dad's Lake

Day 2 from Big Sandy to Dad's Lake
Originally uploaded by Brambor.

This creek was boiling with fish. I looked at the map. They named it Fish Creek. Let's try it out then. I caught about 10 small but nice brookies on Grizzly Adams #16. I did not fish for long. Perhaps 15 minutes. A party of 4 horses and cowboys passed by. This is the American West and I loved it.

Day 2 from Big Sandy to Dad's Lake

Day 2 from Big Sandy to Dad's Lake
Originally uploaded by Brambor.

Another transition between forest and meadow. This meadow eventually led to another brook called Fish Creek. I caught my self thinking more about whether I'm affected by the high altitute. I don't know if it was a good or a bad thing.

Wide Open

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Originally uploaded by Brambor.

This innocent looking trickle was boiling with fish when I was crossing it. I could not resist to take my backpack off and set up my fly rod for first fishing experience. I went on all four to reduce my visibility and pulled out about 6 brookies. The brookies appeared stunted. There wasn't a brookie larger than 8 inches. But the color of the fish was magnificent. Deep dark blue with gorgeous red and orange spots, orange bellies mixed with pearl white.

Day 2 from Big Sandy to Dad's Lake

Day 2 from Big Sandy to Dad's Lake
Originally uploaded by Brambor.

Many places I passed showed evidence of past fires.

Day 2 from Big Sandy to Dad's Lake

Day 2 from Big Sandy to Dad's Lake
Originally uploaded by Brambor.

My first glimpse of mountains. The hike was going well. My plan was to hike until about 5pm and then break out camp. Primary objective, at this point, was to get acclimated to the altitude change.

From Big Sandy to Dad's Lake

From Big Sandy to Dad's Lake
Originally uploaded by Brambor.

The trail wasn't steep. It was nicely meandering between sandy coniferous areas and meadows like this. This guy was filtering drinking water and the hikers were just returning from their 3 day hiking trip. The smell of pine sap was in the air.

Day 2 On the Trail from Big Sandy

Day 2 On the Trail from Big Sandy
Originally uploaded by Brambor.

The road to Big Sandy was long and bumpy. I was ready to get out of the car and start walking. The surroundings looked dry and ready for a forest fire. Rick dropped me of at the trailhead and wished me good luck. I started at elevation 9120feet.

I headed out towards Dad's Lake by taking a left at this fork in the road. I could have chosen Cirque of Towers but I've been warned that everyone goes there. I wasn't ready for the crowds at this juncture.

Day 2 - Big Sandy

Day 2 - Big Sandy
Originally uploaded by Brambor.

DAY 2. Tthe outdoor shop shuttled me to the Big Sandy trailhead. Rocket Rick (his hockey nickname) gave me all kind of useful info during the 2 hour drive. At this place he also showed me the tracks from the Oregon Trail that are still visible to this day.

Day 2 - Fallers Market

Day 2 - Fallers Market
Originally uploaded by Brambor

I have stopped at 3 places to buy batteries for my camera but none of them carried them. I was beginning to worry that I won't be able to photograph my journey.

Fallers General Store is where I found batterries for my camera. I was all set with supplies. It is time to head out for the hills.

Rex, from the outdoor shop, picked me up at the Jackson Airport and drove me to Pinedale.

I spent a night at a local campground among trailers and campers. The showers were nice.

Pitching a tent at around midnight in Pinedale's campground could be interesting. I simplified it by pitching it on the activity field. Right next to horseshoe pit. I'll be packed before the camp folks wake up or at least before they consider playing a game of horseshoes.

I N T H E M O R N I N G

The office was still closed so I left a note and money to the management and headed out to buy white gas for my stove, fishing license and some local fly patterns.