Sinks Canyon State Park

Last couple of days has been frustrating - our wireless hotspot (Verizon), the AT&T hotspot (our cell phone Internet connections), and the free WiFi here at the campground has been very slow, spotty, if at all. Grrr.  So, we stay up late and find that we can have connectivity after 9pm, after the sun is set, and night has begun.  Weird, but it is what it is.  And it has not helped that a huge Class A motorhome  was parked right beside us and we think was blocking the signal for us.  Mr. Big Boy left this morning and guess what?  I am on and running fine!

We traveled back into Lander today to visit Sinks Canyon State Park, hike a little, see nature.  The Sinks Canyon is named because of the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie (po -po - shoe) river that rushes down from the Wind River Mountains, through the canyon.  Popo Agie is a Crow Indian word meaning "gurgling water".  Boy, accurate description! Halfway down the river abruptly turns into a large limestone cavern, disappearing, the water going underground for 1/4 mile where it resurfaces at an area called "The Rise".  Then the Popo Agie continues on its course flowing down the rest of the canyon and beyond.

The Sinks Cavern

Popo Agie River roaring down into the cavern

Closeup of the cavern - the water drops down under ground

The Rise where the river comes back above ground 

At end of Rise - Popo Agie begins to tumble down the canyon again

Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout - not stocked, arrived naturally

Very impressive to see.  We could walk right to the cavern area and see the water just rushing to it, and then gone, going underground.  Poof.  Dye tests prove that the same water flowing into the cavern is the same coming out, only about 2 hours later! Geologists speculate that the water travels in and out of fissures in the rocks below, and, they know that more water flows out at The Rise than goes into the cavern.

And we climb, and climb, and climb

We drove through up the canyon after visiting the Sinks and Rise of the river to the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie where there are seven waterfalls.  We became too exhausted to make it to the end to seen the falls but did see enough of the lower rapids to know it must be spectacular.  The heat of the day, afterward we found out that this hike was rated moderate to strenuous.  Dah, no wonder we got tired. The hike was 1 1/2 miles almost straight up, climbing over 750 feet, keeping the Popo Agie on our left as we climbed and climbed!  Our elevation by the time we turned around was 5850.  I kept looking up for big horn sheep, or moose, or deer - did not see any.  And I had the sensation that if I looked hard enough, I would find the Von Trapp family (Julie Andrews' movie - Sound of Music) come strolling over the peak.

Stunning walk with River beside us

Last, we drove from the trail head up into the Wind River Mountains, about 8 miles of switchbacks up the mountain to a primitive camping area with a 'words cannot describe' beautiful lake.  Lots of people there, they are roughing it, camping without electricity, water, sewer hookup!  But, oh - to wake up and see that scenery in the morning, and to sit by the lake.  Wow.

Zoom to middle of pic - see the cattle drive?

The Hills are alive with the sound of music!!

So beautiful!!

Cooper's Hawk looking for his dinner

Last, we drovein to a primitive camping area with a 'words cannot describe' beautiful lake.  Lots of people there, they are roughing it!  And a gorgeous lake right at their steps.  Stunning scenery.  On the way up I looked across the canyon to where we were hiking before and saw a cattle drive going on - must be taking the cows to the higher pastures for the summer.  Wonderful day outside!  The wildflowers, the birds chirping, the sound of the water rushing over the boulders, the wind through the canyon, the smell of junipers/sage/wild roses, just a stunning day. This is the first hike where our timing to see wild flowers was spot on.