On the way over Snoqualamie Pass, there was an omnious bang under the car. After leaving the freeway at the Cle Elum exit, a frightening grinding noise came from under the car. I came to a stop blocking the entrance to the parking lot of this Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Soon cars filled with people in their "Sunday" best, were trying to park in the lot.  The pastor came out wondering what was going on.  After explaining out situation, he offered to have the congregation pray for us and take up a collection on our behalf.  I told him prayers were OK but we didn't need a collection.  Fortunately we were able to have the car towed to an open muffler shop.

For more of the story CLICK HERE.

After the delay caused by the loose wheel, we were not able to make our planned destination of Glenn's Ferry, Idaho and had to settle for a campsite at the Farewell Bend State Park (shown here - Google 2021). For more of the story CLICK HERE.

We camped here at the "Pinedale Campground" in Pinedale, Wy. The campground is now closed.  It wasn't much back then either, but at least it had hot showers.

Note: I've marked the tree that Adam backed into as we were leaving. As you can see it was the only tree in the area.

Google Street View 2007: The Pinedale Campground is even more run down than when we stayed here.

On my previous trip to Pinedale in 1988, we went out for dinner at McGregor's Pub as seen here.  I was able to talk Charlie,  Peckinpaugh, Andrew, Kyle, and Peter to go with me. The dinner didn't disappoint and still stands as one of the best steak dinners ever.

Unfortunately, it has since closed permanently. (image courtesy of Pinedale Online)

After dodging multiple steers that refused to give up the right of way, herds of antelopes, and a deteriorating road, we stopped to decide how best to proceed.

Willow Creek Trailhead - The road was so bad that we had to shuttle cars, packs and people. As a result we didn't hit the trail until 4:30 in the afternoon.

While the adults were gone on their hours long car shuttle, the scouts had a little trailhead mayhem.

Map is best viewed at "Original Size". Click on thumbnail and then click again on the pop-up image (or choose "Original" from the menu below the enlarged image).

Taking a rain break on way to Section Corner Lake - We heard a bunch of coyotes howling near here.  Lightening was coming down pretty close to us here.

As we were getting ready for bed we became aware of some strange lights moving in the sky south of our camp.  UFO's???

A year earlier there were numerous reports of similar lights over Pheonix in 1997.  Video Here

Camp 1 - We didn't make Section Corner Lake.  It was getting dark so we dropped everything on the first flat place we came to.

Action on the morning of the 2nd day of our trip. You can see Roger and Austin laying out the troop gear/food piles for that day.  Each day we reorganize the piles as they become smaller as the food and other items are consumed.

Map is best viewed at "Original Size". Click on thumbnail and then click again on the pop-up image (or choose "Original" from the menu below the enlarged image).

We took a half hour break at the lake in order to do some fishing even though it looked like rain was imminent.

The map shows the trail continuing on the shore of the lake. However when we got to the intersection of the Palmer Lake trail, there was only a marshy bog where there was supposed to be a trail. So we went up the Palmer Lk Tr to see if we could go around the marsh.  On the way we spied two moose.

We saw two moose in the meadows at the upper end of Section Corner Lake.  As we circumnavigated the meadow we saw some tents and horses.  It was a "Dude" camp for the Lozier Ranch in the valley below. We talked to a young cowboy who was overseeing the "dudes" and he pointed out the way to get back on our intended trail.

We saw two moose in the meadows at the upper end of Section Corner Lake.  As we circumnavigated the meadow we saw some tents and horses.  It was a "Dude" camp for the Lozier Ranch in the valley below. We talked to a young cowboy who was overseeing the "dudes" and he pointed out the way to get back on our intended trail.

Taking a break along the trail between Section Corner Lake and Trapper Lake. This was a good uphill climb.

Trail leaving upper Trapper Lake - we saw a group with llamas camped here.

Austin and Buckwheat preparing supper at our camp at Trail Lakes - No fish were caught here.

There are two lakes side by side and we were camped on a narrow strip of land between the lakes. It was a nice campsite and we had a good fire pit against a rock. After supper we cooked Bill's trout over the fire.

As you can see a group of 15 can assemble quite a large pile of firewood on short notice! In the picture to the left of Jason, you can see the four garbage bags full of all the food that we were carrying. It was way too much to hang so we just piled it up hoping that a bear would not be bold enough to bother our large group.

Just before dusk, the sun came out again and made us forget the gray clouds and rain that we had hiked through during the day.

Map is best viewed at "Original Size". Click on thumbnail and then click again on the pop-up image (or choose "Original" from the menu below the enlarged image).

Gang swinging by Gotfried Lakes - there were fish jumping in this lake. Brian got out his fly rod and tried a few casts.

View of Borum Lake & Sky Pilot Peak from pass between Gotfried and Borum Lakes. If you look closely (or enlarge photo) you can see Charlie in the distance.

Break at Borum Lake. Discussion ensues about forming a "Marmot" Patrol in honor of Jason's hike hairdoo.

Break at Elbow Creek - After watching this video you may be wondering if Greg Phillips caught Giardia on this trip. No one knows for sure but his comment "No. 52 is in the books" may be a little seems a little excessive.

Guys making their way around Pass Lake (enlarge photo). We must have missed the turnoff for the trail as there is no trail visible here.

Sky Pilot Peak and Pass Lake - we turned south here for the final leg to the First Bridger Lake

Meadow brook below Sauerkraut Lakes- We took a break here before a long climb up to the first Bridger Lake.

Andrew, Brian, Jon, Chip, Danny, Austin, Bill M., Charlie, Jason, Roger

Camp at 1st Bridger Lake. Another disappointing fishing lake - not one fish, strike, or even seeing a fish rise for bugs.  In 1988 there was good fishing here for 12-14 inch Golden Trout.