Day 17 - Rawlins, WY to Little Sandstone Creek wild campsite.

After yesterday's long slog across the Great Basin Desert, I planned today to be a bit more relaxed and while filled with climbing, a much shorter day. So... Shorter it was, only a bit over 52 miles, but with a out 4000" of climbing, and a 20-25mph headwind, it wasn't a lot easier ;-) But the good news is, the Great Basin is firmly in the rear view mirror, and tomorrow should be much easier!
There's always hope! Besides,I'm only planning on 35 miles to get the Brush Mountain Ranch where I'm hoping to meet up with Mike Buckley:-)

Today took me up and over Bridger Pass at an elevation of about 8300'.
It would have been pretty straightforward if it was just the pass, but the road kept wandering from one big alpine valley to another as I headed south towards Colorado. Once again, the views and wildflowers were spectacular, and on the wildlife front, I saw my first Bald Eagle of the trip.
And three very curious Pronghorn checked me out thoroughly while I ate my lunch on the roadside. Also of note we're the long drifts if red Penstemons lining the road above 7500'. 
Absolutely stunning!

While I'd hoped to spend only about 5 hours in the saddle today, the wind stretched it out to closer to 7, but ultimately I found the camping area I read about in the GDMBR guide book, and set up a nice little campsite just off the road with a little brook running just beside it. 
While there was an old fire ring, it was otherwise pretty unused and undeveloped, but served my needs perfectly:-). Hopefully I can break cama but more efficiently tomorrow than on my Adirondack shakedown ride ;-)
Cheers from the GDMBR!

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