The Tour

Oh right. That hour. Well, good - still a bit less pressure . No APRS broadcast yet. Always more to do.

 

found out that we are only doing the morning stuff not the afternoon recordings. So i will be on time after all!

 

you and mike can bet your dollar again

 

I just called Iron Star and they will be open on Sunday (the 17th) for sure. They close at 8:00 pm.

No Bets this time Ben.

 

bad ass!

PIZZAA!!

 

Yes I will still be going, my passenger may drop out because of work.

 

aaawwww lame! But good you are still able to make it!

 

We are up in the Cascades this week and she got a text for a meeting in Buffalo. We are hopping it gets canceled. We head back to Utah the 13th. Looking forward to meeting you guys for at least 4 days of your adventure. Will you be sending out a track for the trip?

 

Only if you want it. Plus the one i have avalible right now isn't 100% accurate of our route anymore after i preran stuff.

 

With only a week out. Here is a teaser of some of the areas we will be in. Just copy and pasting from my build thread:


Not sure where else to put this..so figure here is good

In March i started planning a big two week trip and it was going to be mostly local stuff and to try and connect them all was the challenge at hand. I had been to some place, but hadn't to others. Devins job and my job both got sunday nights off and mondays. We didn't want to stay in the valley as it was hot as hell and no AC doesn't make for fun. so we took the time to go up into the mountains and check out trail conditions and if my google foo earth mapping had paid off. It being sunday night and monday we also missed the weekend "crowds". Which was nice!

We first went to the Big Horns as they always melt off faster. This is in June by the way...yes, very behind on my photos. Better late then never! I had been to all these places but one spot in particular i had not been too in over 10 years since i was hunting with my dad in our 86 toyota truck. wasn't even sure the road existed anymore outside of Hyatville. That was the goal for this as well as scoping out camp sites.

We stopped at the dino track site first because..its cool!

Big Horns.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

After that, we continued down the road which i had never been to find our way to Hyatville.

Nothing like wide open spaces.

Big Horns-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Still snow way up high though..

Big Horns-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Remarkably, our road existed to the Medicine Bow historical site. Which was much more developed since i had last been there in boy scouts..probably 13 years earlier. The Petroglyphs looks great though!

Big Horns-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

It was the road out of this site that goes up into the Big Horns that was the one I wasn't sure existed anymore. But! It did! Had one little sketchy spot but nothing bad. Starts climbing right away.

Big Horns-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We had brought the dogs on this trip as it was only a day run. They were a bit cramped but stoked to be in the hills like us.

Big Horns-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

A very wet winter meant the wild flowers had exploded this year. Was very green as well.

Big Horns-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We made it to the top and decided to go to the Paint Rock Lakes just for fun and looked for camp sites.

Big Horns-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-22.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

At the lake, we let the dogs have their fun in the water.

Big Horns-23.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-27.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

After that we headed back down.

Big Horns-28.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-29.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Big Horns-30.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Just before the highway, caught this guy right by the ranger station.

Big Horns-31.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Was a good fun simple day.

The following week, we head to the Pryor Mountains. A place i had barely been, ever. Was looking forward to it. A short 40 minute drive and we were in the dirt climbing up and up the mountain.

Pryors.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We found a site next to an older cabin and enjoyed the awesome view and sunset.

Pryors-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The next day was a bit ambitious. We would end up going down and up the mountain about 3 times. Had to check out the cabin in daylight first though.

Pryors-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Weather was perfect. Nice clear day. The Beartooths were still very snow covered.

Pryors-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Flowers here were also up and crazy. Saw a blackbear around here too. No photo though.

Pryors-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

our ending point of the Big Horn Canyon could be seen here.

Pryors-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

No before we would come off of Big Pryor Mountain and go check out East Pryor Mountain though.

Pryors-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Found another FS cabin.

Pryors-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-22.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Found a different way that we will be taking on the trip rather then coming back down this way. Was pretty. But made the day super long and sights were sub par(if you can say that even). Was about 20-30 miles we will cut out.

Pryors-23.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Once on the main road it follows a cool canyon for most the road.

Pryors-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

After a very very bumpy road, we made it to the Ice Cave and ate lunch before taking of on the short walk to the cave.

Pryors-27.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-28.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-29.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-30.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This walk was weird. From where im standing, its 80º out. Where the mouth of the cave is, its 30º. Super odd.

Pryors-31.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Ice though year round.

Pryors-32.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

After this we topped out the mountain and started down the back side and entered the Wild Mustang Preserve. And promptly saw two horses.

Pryors-33.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-34.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Which was cool. I hadn't really expected to see any honestly. But then we got to a big area and there were tons. I bet we would see 150+ horses from here on out. Again, this is not like open grazing and people own these horses. They are 100% wild.

Pryors-35.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-36.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-37.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-38.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-39.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-40.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

There were a couple large herds here.

Pryors-41.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-42.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-43.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-44.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-45.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

After the big open area we stopped at Pen's Cabin.

Pryors-46.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-47.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-48.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-49.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Despite the threatening clouds, we didn't get rained on once.

Pryors-50.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-51.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Saw some wild turkey's too.

Pryors-52.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Once again we got to an overlook after the roughest section we had driven all day. Which was cake. But what a view of the canyon!

Pryors-53.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-54.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

These guys came charging up and ran by as well.

Pryors-55.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-56.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-57.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-58.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Our last horse of the day on the mountain. Saw more down below actually.

Pryors-59.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Finally made it off the mountains. We had driven a long ways in a day and covered about 80miles of bouncy dirt roads. Final stop was Big Horn Canyon.

Pryors-60.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-61.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The old canyon in the middle that has not river in it is call Natural Corals. Was used by ranchers for a long time.

Pryors-62.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Pryors-63.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

A great couple of days of exploring! Many other places to go still up there.

Next up was the area of Kerwin. I regret not taking more photos of this little trip. Mainly of the drive in. Its a very easy drive save for the water crossing can get huge. When we were there the river had just gotten down to a crossable level. But the road was still flooded in areas. We probably drove in straight water for over a mile. Was cool. The main crossing is about 200 yards wide and was still deep in spots. But we didn't have any issues.

Is a gorgeous area though.

Kerwin.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We camped at the end of the road in the parking lot by Kerwin.

Kerwin-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then spent the morning walking around checking out the old ghost town.

Kerwin-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Shame you couldn't drive the old roads in the town. One went way way up one of the peaks. We didn't have time to hike it though. All the mountains here were above 10,000' most at 11,000. We had camped at 9500' in the valley. But there was a short walk up the main trail to another cool mining site.

Kerwin-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

After this we headed down exploring every side road we could. Most were short dead ends sadly. Found this big wheel though. Drove something at one point. Would have hated to be the horse's that hauled this thing in.

Kerwin-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Kerwin-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The old dude ranch in the area.

Kerwin-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-22.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-23.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

One side road was kinda cool and climbed up a ways. But dead ended sadly.

Kerwin-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

After leaving Kerwin area we explored another area i had sprayed last year. As we were driving in, thought these were cows...but nope. Buffalo

Kerwin-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then we stumbled on a large heard of elk!

Kerwin-28.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-27.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Kerwin-29.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


And thats all for now! We also went to the Big horns 2 more times and up Sun light. but I had Frankenstein for those and for got the camera.


Was a good summer of weekend trips though.

 

Looks great, hope we're going to get similar views w/o smoke! Finally started to clear up here in Seattle the last couple days.

CB going in today. Can one of you bring an SWR meter for tuning? (and hey, for a HAM as well? )

 

meh. Was in a hurry.

Its clearing up here as well. Rain this week in the forcast should help

My dad, if he comes, has one for Ham/CB. Mike has one for CB as well.

 

we got our last Amazon shipment in of random things. Got some new organizers for food. I can't believe how well they fit haha

My leaf bushings got delayed Was hoping to get frank on all 4s tonight.

Got my new diamond antennas too for the hams. Just about done and ready to pack!

 

Awesome, thanks. Hoping I can tune before you get there, but there's some saying about beggers

 

Awesome awesome photography. Really looking forward to the Pryors and Big Horns.

Why new antennas?

For me as well.

Yeah, I always carry one. You are welcome to use it.

 

Thanks much, appreciate it! How often do you tune? Is this a "infrequently" deal, or should I really be getting an SWR?

 

Should be very infrequent. Unless you make changes to the length of your antenna, the SWR should not vary very much.

 

The smoke is dying down. Rain all this week so views should be good!

Gonna be chilly. Cooke City is a high of 58 and low or 30!

new antennas are just better. Tuned down to 1.2 SWR on my dads truck. Hoping to do the same on mine.

We use two boxes this trip. trying to buy everything all at once for the most part.

We use that same green bin we have always used. Shipping container. Can get them at our Ace store for liek 15 bucks. Ours is my moms which was her dads before. Its a good box. We added one of my military cases and I bought some freezer organizers that literally fit too perfect. haha but that one will get the cans and then potatoes onions and stuff for dinner. Green box will be bread, chips, softer items and things for lunch as it'll be packed towards the tail.

My packing game is on point now haha

Usually only need tuned once. But if you start having issues it helps to have meter to see if grounding is an issue.

 

Are you using the same base or are you swapping that too?

 

same mount. NMO mounts