We are in Rock Springs, Wyoming working our way south to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the annual Balloon Fiesta. We're still recovering from our trip up north. We put a number of logistical items off while traveling through Canada, including getting our truck serviced. While Great White is getting its inspection and oil change, we've been busy cleaning out our closets in anticipation of downsizing to a small motorhome. However, all work and no play makes us cranky, so we finished our chores and went off to explore the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. We've heard of Flaming Gorge, but we hadn't focused on it much until our friends, Alan and Beverly Tackman, raved about it on Facebook posts. We were not disappointed.
On Tuesday, September 13, 2016, we started our adventure with a 60 mile drive down US 191, a National Scenic Byway, to the Flaming Gorge Visitor's Center. The National Recreation area was established in 1968 to protect and manage the watershed created by the building of the Flaming Gorge Dam and Reservoir. The dam impounds waters of the Green River and extends almost 91 river miles with over 300 miles of shoreline. Here's our first look at the dam.
After watching a couple documentaries on the building of the dam and history of the area, we were eager to put boots on the ground. The Little Hole Trail is seven miles one way and follows the Green River starting just below the dam. Since the water coming out of the dam is regulated to keep the temperature a constant 52F-55F, the Green River has become a blue ribbon trout stream. We were curious to see if we would run into any fisherman along the trail.
Here's Dave at the trailhead.
Our trail started high above the Green River. From this vantage point the river looks more blue than green as it reflects the clear blue sky above. Back in 1869, Major John Wesley Powell explored the Green River and named Flaming Gorge after he and his men saw the sun reflecting off the red rocks.
We hiked through high desert terrain filled with sage brush and juniper. The red rock sentinels looked down on us as we began our hike.
After switchbacking down the canyon wall, we found ourselves on the banks of the swift moving Green River.
The shade from the Ponderosa pine trees was a welcome relief. Kathy took a moment to show her appreciation.
There were several areas along the trail that were either washed out by the river or taken out by rock fall from above. In each of these locations, a boardwalk was constructed.
An island in the making.
While we only ran into one fisherman on the banks, we did see a number of float fishing boats working their way downstream.
We were just a little envious. Had we know about the great trout fishing on the Green River, we might have brought our fishing rods instead of our hiking boots.
We took this photo to capture the fall foliage, but discovered a rock monster coming out of the river!
This photo captures the green of the Green River.
This lizard tried his best to hide from us by blending into the red rocks.
We hiked about three miles downstream before heading back. We picked this rapid as our turnaround point.
We watched several kayakers shoot the rapid. When one of the fishing boats approached, we shot this
video of float fishers shooting some rapids on the Green River.
The return hike was spent looking for little trouties hiding along the river bank, commenting on the casting techniques of the various fisherman and complaining about the heat. In order to get back to the parking lot, we had to hike up the Flaming Gorge!
As a final note, we give our thanks to Alan and Beverly. Keep on scouting great locations for us, you two!
Some great pics. Looks like a great place to go fishing!
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