Wyoming Warrior Back to Divide

Our next day was the last for fishing. Shane asked us which lake we wanted to fish. Paul mentioned a lake with Golden Trout that he had read about. Shane said it was at least a five hour ride and that didn’t allow time for much fishing. We had so much success at Divide Lake we elected to return for a second day.

While we were preparing to the leave, a mule train passed by up on the Loop Trail. The trail was upslope from our campsite, but we could see the mule train clearly. Each mule had bright red and green saddle blankets in addition to the paneers. Shane said the mule train was part of the US Forestry Division. They were traveling to Yellowstone to do repairs to the trails and bridges. He said the government provided at the supplies and materials and the work was done by volunteers.

The trip back up to the continental divide went smoothly. This was in large part due to me riding my other horse and leaving Warrior to graze. As we rode up, Shane had us stop the horses in a small spring that emerged from the mountain.

The water was clear, and Shane said we could drink from the spring. Don and I declined, but Paul jumped down and took a drink. Shane then advised him that most people preferred to drink upstream from the horses.

While he was dismounted, Paul noticed a bird carcass lying next to the spring. The carcass was some type of hawk and had obviously been a recent kill. We speculated that it might had been killed when it landed for a drink. Paul pulled several feathers from the carcass. Don and I each put a feather in our hatbands. I still have mine though it has been over ten years.

It was somewhat cooler when we arrived at Divide Lake, but the fishing was just as productive. The cutthroat is strikingly beautiful. The rainbow colored scales shine in the clear air. They fight fiercely when hooked. They were once again huge.

Temperatures were dropping as we rode back to camp. Joe (thanks for correction DM) was back in camp when we arrived. We had many questions about doing this type of work. Joe was originally from Minnesota and had been attracted by the mountains. He planned to set up a taxidermy business in Dubois in the near future. Joe said his dog was a Red Healer also known as Australian Cattle Dog and he was good with herding the horses.

Shane was a college student. He had worked in the oil fields, but enjoyed working with the horses in the mountains. Our husband and wife team had worked in different camps and different countries. All of these stories were a perfect way to spend our last night around the campfire.