Day 36: Colter Bay to Lava Mountain Lodge (west of Dubois)

Ride time: 4:21
Average: 9.9 mph
Distance: 43.35 mi

After nearly four weeks of pretty wonderful weather following our initial four-day downpour, we had a near repeat of the beginning of our trip.  It rained a very cold rain all day long.  We awoke early at camp and headed into the village to stock up on food and grab breakfast.  The general store has the best cinnamon rolls!!

We ran into Mark, a Transcontinental roadie, who's spinning to end finning.  I think he was enjoying a cinnamon roll, too.  It was drizzling a little bit as we left, but near Moran Junction, it began to rain steady, so we pulled off at a Griswold gathering--everyone was checking out a young moose--and put on our dusty rain gear.  Then it got more intense, and the lightning and thunder forced us to stop at Teton RV park and wait out the storm, but we seemed pretty socked in.  It was too bad because we missed some stunning views of the Tetons.

Mark then walked in and joined us for lunch and pretty soon, the three of us set off again, making our way up Togwotee Pass (crossing #12).  The climb was nearly 2,000 feet of elevation over 9 miles, so we were struggling.  Finally we crossed over the pass, and then jumped into the back of a pickup truck so that we could get ferried through the construction that was being done.

A free ride through the construction

We ended up at Lava Mountain Lodge, a hip place that charges a bit too much for camping ($15), but had pay showers and a nice staff.

Future GDR Riders: Colter Bay is a nice rest day spot, and has a very well-stocked grocery store.  Get a cinnamon roll (or 2 or 3).