We rode uphill for 2700ft but it was even more downhill. The pass is called “Dollarhide” – that’s an odd name. I’ll have to research that later.
Smoky Bar Store (no “e”) placed lots of signs on our road including at the top of the pass (19 miles to go) and all along the downhill dirt roads. It’s one of those “middle of nowhere” stores that doesn’t have any real competition.
It seems one of us always loses something. This time it was Bob’s turn. He lost his “camp shoes”. There was hope that Brent would find it since he was a little behind us. Brent found one of them.
While eating lunch, a guy named CJ offered to buy us a beer. OK maybe.
We met a cowboy named Tim with 3 very helpful dogs. He said his wife Larson worked at the bar/store would make us a cheeseburger. Just like a husband to offer that. Later down the road we met a ~85 year old cyclist named Jim riding his $7000 fancy mountain bike. He was incredibly fit and an inspiration. He was a part-time local and cursed the too-deep sandy roads in this section just like we did.
We finally arrived at the store and Larson was tending to her baby while helping the random customers including us. CJ did indeed meet us there and bought us a beer. I was pleasantly surprised to see they sold 805 beer. We had a good chat with Larson and she talked about her various jobs in several states. I asked her which was her favorite so far. She said Wyoming (the least populous in the 48). I shared a few of my Wyoming stories too.
Bob couldn’t resist buying some flip-flop sandals to walk around camp. The lemon graphics and shiny straps indicated ladies styling but practicality over fashion.
On our last stretch to Baumgartner campground we were temporarily stopped by a brief, quick moving rainstorm.
We rode 45 miles with 2700ft of climbing.
Next we not sure which campground we will chose but it will soon be decided.
I got ya covered Mike:
The History Behind the Name
The Prospector:
Alexander Hamilton Dollarhide mined across the American West during the mid-to-late 1800s, staking claims in California, Nevada, and eventually Idaho.
The Dollarhide Mine:
During the Idaho mining boom in the 1880s, Dollarhide staked silver, lead, and gold claims along the mountain ridge separating Warm Springs Creek and Carrie Creek in the Little Smoky Mining District (near present-day Sun Valley and Ketchum). He named these claims after himself, creating the Dollarhide Mine.
Naming the Surrounding Topography:
As was common during the mining boom era, the high mountain peak adjacent to the workings became known as Dollarhide Mountain (elevation 9,301 ft), and the high mountain pass traversing the Smoky Mountain ridge (at roughly 8,800 ft) was named Dollarhide Pass.