Approaches

From East. US26/287 follows a minuscule Wind River, winding in regular oxbow pattern inside a very restricted V shaped ravine, that slowly climbs towards the west.

The land next to the road is fenced private ranch land for now, at least until some rich city guy gets a hold of it. Behind that is a buffer of National Forest land, and behind that is the land belonging to the animals and horse packers - relatively remote designated wilderness areas. The climb is gentle and never has to be anything but that. Curves in the road would be superfluous.

Near the area of Lava Mountain and Lava Ranch a barricade used in winter, signals that we are now on a mountain road. The grade picks up slightly. The road seems to head right between the two most recognizable mountains in this ridge of broken off mesas, Sublette Peak(10537ft) to the east , and Two Ocean Mountain (10724ft).

At the top sits a peaceful picnic area on what looks like a left over meander of a previous version of the highway. It is perched at the scenic end of a small lake, that is not visible from the road. A deep blue surface lies surrounded by a wall and a spire of rock. So this is what the headwaters of Wind River.look like.

From South. (described downwards) Rolling over the top I wait for a vista of the Teton Range. It doesn't happen. Turns out I have to wait a little while longer. A spot very near to the top is signed with the elevation sign 9658ft. As the bike gains speed on the downhill , I pass another sign :Continental Divide 9584ft. But there is no sign that explains the paradox further. But then when you think about, why should the highest ridge form the actual water divide ? However if the rain falls an inch west of the summit and ends up in the ditch next to the road, it will definitely end up in the Pacific.

The relatively steep upper section flanks the edges of bold mesas. It flows by quickly, and the bike enters a wide high grassy valley, resembling an elongated plate. Pedaling is a logical occupation again, instead of just letting it roll. After several miles of that comes finally the overlook, that makes all those distant Teton view fantasies come true - but only in relatively early light, let's say till 12 noon, because of the light angle. The spot for this viewpoint is an unassuming, almost imperceptible small knoll next to the road. How can this view be so different, than from the road itself, only about 100 yards away.

After this comes a long bowling alley roll towards the valley. It seems a little like a final raceway for all those family tourists that have chauffeured their families long distances across the continent. Here they finally roll in a straight line on passing lanes towards their destination, Yellowstone Park, The road is wide. But there are still remnants of rumble strips, which are very hard to see. So you run over them quite a bit without warning.

Once in the valley, the rarified surroundings of multi-million dollar horse ranches start lining the highway. The Teton Mountain Range only becomes even more impressive as it draws closer. The profile ends at at a fork in the road. This is where you have to make the decision weather to head for Yellowstone or Jackson Village (or turn around if you are on an out and back dayride, like me). There are no services here, just a sign stating that there are no public bathrooms in the nearby local offices building.

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