Day 2
Summer Solstice Friday June 19
Lost Trail Hot Springs to Jackson MT
51 miles
Breakfast this morning in the RV camp kitchens was breakfast burritos! Jeanne outdid herself with all the fixings and fresh salsa. Delicious of course!
6 riders rode up the big pass this morning. 3 e-bikes and 3 regular. From the top a few of us switched out riders and took the big descent back from the continental divide to Wisdom..25 miles. It’s nearly 25 miles downhill! For me that’s big chain ring time.
The weather started out sunny and comfortable temp in the 50’s. Around 11am we could see the clouds building and rain was coming. By 1pm the thunderstorms rolled in. By this time we were all in Wisdom at the bicycle camp for lunch. A few people waited out the quick storm and started off on the 18 mile ride to Jackson MT. The temps had dropped considerably following the rainstorm. They made it about 5 miles when the next thunder and lightning bolts swept through. By design as support, we were there to provide shelter in our van. Another sag vehicle picked up a couple of their bikes and we shuttled to Jackson.
A storm system is moving in with unsettled weather bringing rain, wind and cold temps. Saturdays weather could be wet…. definitely will be cold. The low tonight was 32 degrees and Sunday forecast is winter storm warnings. There’s expectations of 4” of snow at our elevation. Did I tell you it’s the first day of summer??? True Montana weather anyway.
Everyone has a warm bed for the evening and we all took a soak in the hot springs pool. The water was warm and none of us were disappointed by that.
On the big climb in the morning there was also a young couple going across the USA (Oregon to Virginia). Several of our group had conversations with them along the way. Their destination was also Jackson. They waited out the first storm in Wisdom but got caught in the second one to Jackson. They arrived cold and wet. Turns out Jackson is “hopping” this weekend. The hot springs motel is all full and the little hotel “hostel” across the street was booked for a private group!
You can tent camp at the hot springs which on a normal day is just fine… but not tonight. The evening temps are freezing… the early morning will be in the 40’s. Brrrrr…
The lodge has a big great room with bar, cozy fireplace setting with couches and chairs and a nice restaurant. I said hello to them and they asked if anyone in our group had room for them to sleep on the floor (indoors). We didn’t in our van but I said I’d ask the rest of the group. Good fortune for them as Curt and Mia had a suite setup with a room extra living area! Perfect!
Perhaps the most interesting part of these two cyclists is that they are both mute-deaf. They communicated with us by texting and we would text talk reply on their phones. Of course with each other they use sign language. A first experience for all of us that visited with them.
They joined us for dinner…compliments of Curt and Mia! I had noticed they were traveling pretty light… turns out they were under prepared for any kind of really cold weather! No hats, gloves, puffy jackets, long underwear, etc…. Most likely this will be their coldest weekend for the remaining seven weeks of their trip. They are off this morning for Dillon…47 miles… and two passes! And.. they have a WarmShowers arrangement in Dillon. They’ll be fine.
Thank you Curt and Mia for your human kindness! In the bicycling touring community we know and understand the vulnerability in some situations. We also try to help other cyclists when possible.. fixing gear, tires, food, water, etc. In this situation warm and dry sleeping quarters! I wish them the best on their journey across America!
Tomorrow we are staying in Jackson again. We will ride out and back headed toward Grasshopper Creek.
cinnicrew 