Freedomflyer 1,886 Posted October 2, 2023 (edited) We had a great weekend with our friends from Wyoming. Left work early on Friday, needed to was a loooong week, went and picked up my trailer. Already had the machines loaded, mowed my yard, grabbed our lunch, my 10mm, and bear spray and headed out. Our friends were coming right by the exit we needed to take to the trailhead, so we just drove to the exit and met them there. When they showed up they put on some extra layers and we headed up to the trailhead, we were unloaded and on the trail by 6. Was already cooling down so we knew we needed to get going and get up to where we wanted to have our picnic dinner. Wind was blowing pretty good so I knew it was going to be chilly on top. We worked our way up stopping as always to admire the colors and scenery. Got to our scenic overlook and enjoyed our dinner and a great visit. As predicted was windier than all get out at the top to ended up getting behind some of the few trees to eat. Unfortunately we ended up yakking a little longer than we should've so by the time we got back on the trail I could see we weren't going to get to our spot to watch the sunset. We stopped at our overlook to the west and stopped anyway for a stretch and to enjoy the last few rays of sunlight and another time of fellowship. After the sun set we headed down the dark trail to the truck, stopping one last time for a few more pics of the moonlight through the trees. We got back to the truck and loaded up about 9:30, wife was a chilled to the bone, was about 49 and not enough layers. But as always was great to be out and and saw the local beauty of our area. Edited October 2, 2023 by Freedomflyer 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Freedomflyer 1,886 Posted October 2, 2023 Dinner and a visit 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Freedomflyer 1,886 Posted October 2, 2023 Couldn't believe the size of some of these trees, But never noticed them, pretty old growth. Sky was also beautiful that night. Had to leave a longer exposure to catch the stars. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Freedomflyer 1,886 Posted October 2, 2023 Got up the next morning and headed out around 9:15. After perusing our file of pictures, They decided they wanted to go on the ride that we took my friend Prov on last year. We were so grateful for the weather Saturday, the forecast was for rain but that got pushed back until today. We got on the trail about 10 then. Then about 9 miles in we stopped for a break. I went to the trunk to get some snacks out and discovered. I had left the lunch in the back of the pickup.😕 So......... Hold the trunk off the front of our machine and took off back to the truck. The ride was a 30 plus mile ride and I knew the women were not going to survive without food. My screamed background failed as I could without flying off the corners. It ended up only taking me about 45 minutes to go the 9 miles down and back. Once back we decided to just have lunch where we were. As we dropped down into the other drainage, we started to see some of the fall colors. There was still enough moisture on the trails from the snow we had a couple of weeks ago, so it was not dusty. The day was not a Blue Bird sky day but was pleasant enough with intermittent sun and clouds. Our friends do live near mountains in Wyoming But said our area is totally different than theirs. They really enjoyed the dand we're already talking about Coming back next year. Let me get back that night to the house my friend Ryan was already looking on facebook marketplace in craigslist for a machine. They really enjoyed the comfort of our 2 up Outlander. He said he was going to pursue something, and actually found a package deal of a two up sportsman with trailer, We'll see what they decide to do. Said they want to bring family with them next time, Hope so it's a lot of fun sharing our area with others. We woke up to rain this morning, so was grateful. The weather held out for our time out. We've got a text around one o'clock that they made it home o k And were thankful for the opportunity to make it out again. I know a lot of these areas are repeat, however, Every time we go, It is different times of the year, As well as different times of the day, So things always look different. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Freedomflyer 1,886 Posted October 2, 2023 We've never been in The Swan Creek drainage this time of year, so things looked quite different, normally it's during the summer, so it is always greener, the colors were great. We don't have a lot of different kinds of trees here in the mountains, Fir trees, lodge pole pines, rocky mountain Juniper, and Quaking Aspens. The only ones that really change are the Quaking Aspens, there are different types of ground cover that have different colors, but I have no clue what the different names of those are. Saw several muley Does and thud one small muley buck, also a ton of grouse. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Freedomflyer 1,886 Posted October 2, 2023 This is always one of our favorite parts of the ride. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fishfiles 20,145 Posted October 2, 2023 Nice pics as always. Fall ain’t got here yet. They forecasting a mild front soon. Water usually in to the woods. Drought condition. 50 ft in front the bike on the right , by the bush , is Mount Lacombe highest spot south of I-12 Elevation 1.25 feet on a good day 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeepwm69 7,619 Posted October 2, 2023 Dry as the Gobi here. We need a rain bad, none in the forecast for the next 10 days. I've toodled around on the farm a bit, but too dang dusty to enjoy it much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheeler 2,525 Posted October 4, 2023 Beautiful pics! Fall is definitely here. Leaves all falling off trees, cool temps ect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
