Bridger-Teton National Forest

Brooks Lake – Day 5

After a great day exploring South Dakota, it was time to start moving west and north again, enroute to meet me some high school friends. We decided on the Bridger-Teton National Forest – and specifically Alpine, WY as the good meeting place. This would allow us to stock up on any needed provisions, fuel up before heading into the wilderness, obtain fishing licenses, and some much needed local knowledge as to the current conditions.

Driving in from SW South Dakota meant I had another full day of diving ahead of me. At least I would be off any major interstates, instead traveling by two-lane highways, dirt tracks, and other less-traveled roads.

My route would take me first through Casper, WY, through Shoshomi and then the Wind River Reservation and up into the national forest. I arrived at what appeared to be a good area late in the afternoon and decided to get a camp site for the night. This is what I found…

• 

• 

• 

Like I try to in every campground, I met some great people from all over. Fellow overlanders from outside Idaho Falls. A nice couple with their 6-month baby boy from White Salmon, WA, right across the Columbia River from Hood River, and home to my god mother. Small world! They were touring the area in a sweet right-hand drive Mitsubishi Delica 4×4 van. As always, we talked about our various vehicles, where we were going, where we had been, etc. This was the first night of this trip camping at or close to 10,000 feet in elevation. Time to break out the warm sleeping bag!

In the morning the program was to wake early, break camp, and start the 2 hour drive to meet the guys in Alpine. I got distracted along the way…

• 

• 

• 

After meeting the guys and kitting out, it was time to head back into the national forest. We followed the Grey’s River Road for roughly 40 miles into the wilderness, eventually finding a great dispersed camp site along the river. Just big enough for two adventure rigs and a tent.

The time has come for me to shove off. More from the road soon!