It had now warmed up and was perfect pedaling up Chief Joseph Pass as the road followed the Trail Creek and then the Joseph Creek through meadows of wild flowers and Lodgepole Pines. At the top of the pass, 7241ft, we crossed the continental divide, again! We then dropped 3000ft into the 80 deg F hot and dry valley to Darby,
This is the view from the visitors centre over the battlefield. We watched a video presentation of the events that lead to the 1877 battle between the Nez Perce (Indians) and the US Army.
When you spend a large part of the day at 4mph, you really get to enjoy the wild flowers. They don't stand out against the clouds, but the peaks in the background are still covered in snow.
14 July. A gloomy day greeted us today. Although the route was only 47 miles, there were two passes to cross and a headwind to make progress frustratingly slow.