Bannack State Park, MT to May Creek Camp Ground (Chief Joseph Pass)
Friendly horn taps: 2
Miles: 65
Total so far 3,678
Gate post on a ranch
*Wriiten on 7/1/2011; Posted from Darby Montana on 7/2/2011*
The Montana route so far has been a series of fertile green valleys and fairly significant mountain passes. No sooner do we complete the climb of one pass, we drop into a valley that is surrounded by mountains, cross the valley and make for another pass. The passes have not been extremely steep, long, or really high in altitude (today we did the highest, Big Hole Pass at 7,400′). The route itself is amazing, because the terrain is so diverse and stunningly beautiful.
Big Hole River
We can tell we are much higher in latitude also. It does not get dark here until well after 10:00pm, and we were told in the town of Wisdom that they only average 32 days of frost free weather a year. That’s for a valley at 6,400 feet above sea level. We were told they can’t grow alfalfa here because of the frost.
We were witness to heavy frost last night at about the same altitude, as we had to pack our tents while still full of ice this morning. I thought it was because the campground was situated right on a creek bank (creek banks are nice for camping, but quite cold in the west – cold air descends, etc.), but perhaps at this latitude this is common for the first day of July.
Although we are having cold mornings until we drop significantly in altitude tomorrow after clearing Chief Joseph pass, the days have been quite nice with highs in the 60’s. Today there is little wind, so we had a near perfect day for cycling this beautiful state.
Descending into the Big Hole Valley with the Beaver Head Mountains in the background
The only common complaint among cyclists we meet is the mosquitoes are out with a vengeance. The Big Hole Valley must be the northern hemisphere headquarters for mosquitoes. The entire valley seems to be one large irrigated hay field, and that is prime real estate for the little fellows. I’ve seen bigger mosquitoes, but the numbers here are impressive. With all the frost, I’d sure like to know how they survive, but they seem to thrive.
One rancher was complaining that the hay in the valley wasn’t getting tall enough, quick enough, and another said, “Maybe the mosquitoes ought to pull it up a little more.” I’m sure they would if they could.
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Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Stephanie Mae Andring
Stephanie Mae Andring
Stephanie Andring was killed at the age of 14 riding in a vehicle with a drunk driver. She was in her first year of high school, a Junior Varsity Cheerleader, and involved in the performing arts. Stephanie was from Metter, Georgia.
In Memory of Warmer Summers 
Is there anyway you could add my son, Jason Moffitt? 9/19/76-7/10/99 killed by a drunk “designated” driver. The days seem to be rushing by until the 10 and even though it has been 12 yrs. that entire week I find myself thinking….everhow many yrs ….what I was doing the whole time…. getting the phone call…everything going bright white…screaming for my husband…going to get his wife and 2 babies to bring here. Go to the funeral home…..my son’s here somewhere but they won’t let me see him. WHY NOT!!! the entire right side of his body is crushed. The car he was in got t-boned in the passenger side….Jason was in the back seat of the passenger side…I had to go see the car..I had to see where my son died. I get home…why won’t these people leave….I don’t want people here.
I cant write more…it’s too much the 10th will be here soon enough. I think what you are doing is a wonderful thing. I can’t imagine how you do it. I know your pain.