About 5 miles outside of Cody there is a turn-off from the Greybull Highway.
The turn-off leads to a rutted out double track dirt trail that wanders for a mile or so before eventually ending at the base of BLM hills and walking trails.
We had always driven by this turn-off in the past, instead electing to continue on the highway for another five or so miles before pulling into the Oregon Basin.
We found this place by accident not long ago.
LC and I were tired that day, but Kory was restless.
We knew that the only way to settle that restlessness was to let our energetic dog run, and so we pulled into this new turn-off on a whim.
It was closer than Oregon Basin.
She could do a quick run there.............
We didn't go far on that day but a few days later I came out alone with Kory and together we spent a long time exploring one small section of trails.
What a beautiful place!!
The day was cold and crisp, the sky was endlessly blue, and it was one of those gorgeous winter days that demand you be outside.
Parking the truck in a wide open section of BLM land off to the side of the dirt and snow-covered trail, I reached into the back seat and unhooked my excited dog from her leash.
Within seconds of springing from the bondage of the vehicle she was in a full run, already heading up a trail.
I watched her for a few moments before heading out.
The sight of her joyful run made me smile and I hurried to catch up.
There was no real plan.
We didn't know the area and had no idea what was up over that first rise, and that was OK.
It was a beautiful winter day and new adventure lay ahead..............
Cody is situated at just over 5000 feet so it didn't take much climbing to feel as though we were towering over our new and still mostly undiscovered world.
A look to my right provided a great view of both Cedar and Rattlesnake Mountains................
Over the years since Kory joined our family, she and I have developed a rhythm to our walks.
I have confidence in her now - confidence that even though she wanders and disappears often, she always knows where I am and frequently comes back to me to touch base before wandering off again to explore wherever she wants to explore.
She knows I will not leave her behind.
Over the years the two of us have to learned to have confidence in each other.
We travel well together.
Communing silently together.
Enjoying nature together.
Enjoying being outside and traveling on foot together...............
The first section of trail was short and steep and I turned to look back over the almost-snowless terrain before picking up the second section of steep trail to my right.
More climbing and the effort felt great.
Kory was loving every minute of her new adventure.
With one last look over my shoulder at pup I continued, eager to see what was at the top of the next rise.
These hills were to my left.
This entire range of hills was long and continuous, and Kory and I were only exploring one small section on this day.
Good.
Plenty more to check out on other days.
We were high up and climbing higher, and I felt free.
Kory and I were alone out here and I could see nothing but quiet emptiness in all directions...............
By the time we reached this place on the trail I noticed a change in the trees.
The wind had been increasing in intensity as we climbed higher into the hills until it was strong enough that my ears were hurting (even though I was wearing a loose-fitting wool hat).
I hadn't paid much attention to it as I was climbing, but as I stood looking at this twisted tree I realized that it was twisted because of the wind.
Just as other trees in the Oregon Basin had grown in twisted and tortured shapes.
The wind blew wildly for much of the year and was incredibly strong almost without pause through the winter.
This beautiful tree was a testament to adaptation and survival.................
Beyond the tortured tree the trail flattened out for a short while before climbing again.
By this time I was warmed up, the day was cold but sparkling in that way that only happens in winter, and some of the rugged and rocky basin ridge lines were beginning to make their appearance.
Looking around me I could see Kory down at the bottom of a hill, happily exploring underneath a sage bush.
Without consciously even thinking about it I called to her, just so she knew where I was.
Time to move on.
There was a little more uphill to go, but I could already see the ridge line I wanted to walk.
It was up ahead and off to my left...............
Snapping pictures along the ridge...............
Looking out over one part of the vast Oregon Basin.
The Bighorn Mountains off in the distance (about 60 miles away) barely visible from my elevated vantage point.................
Carter Mountain in the other direction (about 30 miles away).................
Cedar Mountain on the left and Rattlesnake Mountain on the right (with a snow covered Jims Mountain barely visible on the back side of Cedar and Rattlesnake).
Through that canyon between the two mountains lies the winding two lane highway that takes you to Buffalo Bill Reservoir, Wapiti, the North Fork and the East Gate of YNP..................
Heart Mountain.....................
Continuing along the ridge line...............
I know nothing about geology but these kinds of wind-carved rocks are located all over the basin and I find them hugely interesting.
They are beautiful, natural works of art................
I took a few minutes at the far edge of the ridge line to snap more pictures and scope out the area I was now standing on.
It was beautiful up here - incredible - and I was in no big rush to leave, but at some point I was going to have to get back down out of these hills.
Looking for a trail and hoping that I would not have to go back the way I had come............
My happy dog - ears blowing in the strong wind - looking out over the world.............
There were no other visible trails that I could see and as I looked down over the world along with my puppy I debated a game plan.
There were only two options that I could see - go back the way I had come and pick up the same trail I had just spent the last hour climbing, or bushwack my way down to the deep washout at the bottom of this first hill and follow it out.
The internal debate lasted for less than a minute.
Adventure racers (even old retired adventure racers) were loathe to travel the same way twice..................
That "plan" lasted all of 15 minutes as I picked my way down surprisingly steep drops, through snow, over and around rocks and half snow-buried sage bushes.
I ended up skipping the ridge line walk again but eventually I found myself heading back towards the same trail I had taken up.
The walking was easier and the views were better.
Adventure racers (even old retired adventure racers) are nothing if not flexible..............
On the last downhill trail of our trip I veered off the trail for a few minutes.
I had noticed this particular tree on the way up and wanted to take a closer look.
It was noticeable at first simply because it was extraordinarily beautiful.
Perfectly shaped.
A Tree Of Life.
As I approached the tree on the way back down the trail I found myself mesmerized by it.
I noticed the boards laid across from rock face to rock face for a makeshift seat.
I took in the stone wall that seemed to partially encircle the tree, and then quickly realized that much of the stone was not naturally placed.
Someone (or a few someones) has taken the time to build this wall.
I stood looking at the tree and the wall, slowly regarding the entire scene in front of me.
Walking closer to it I realized that I could see the desert floor on either side of the tree trunk.
Could see the mountains in the distance.
The appearance of the wall and space on either side of the tree trunk screamed one thing to me.
Tactical cover.
From here I could see approaching enemies without being seen in return.
If I were armed with a rifle (instead of the hand gun I was wearing for protection against critters both four legged and two legged) I could fire from this protected and concealed and elevated venue, and the advantage would be mine.
I could...............
.........and then I turned away from the tree and for the first time noticed the fire pit.
Someone (or a number of someones) had built the wall to protect against the wind.
So they could sit on the makeshift bench and enjoy the warmth of a fire.
Not tactical cover at all.
Just a wind break.
Smiling inwardly my first thought was "I've been hanging around a military combat veteran and retired cop for too long".
Yes LC.
I actually listen to you sometimes.
But sometimes a cigar is just a cigar......................
The Tree Of Life from the front..............
By the time I got back down to the bottom of the hill and was heading towards the truck I could hear my puppy coming up behind me.
She had been with me and away from me off and on for the past couple of hours.
Wandering off to check out puppy-stuff but always coming back to check in with her momma.
I have learned over the past few years that she nearly always knows exactly where I am at any given moment.
It had been a great walk.
A fun adventure.
But now it was time to go home and eat.
We were both hungry....................
When the Man waked up he said, ‘What is Wild Dog doing here?’ And the
Woman said, ‘His name is not Wild Dog any more, but the First Friend,
because he will be our friend for always and always and always..............Rudyard Kipling (author, The Jungle Book)
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