A Dream Trip Comes True
by Roger Bailey, Mount Vernon, IL

reprinted from Mules and More Feb 2000

First of all, my trail riding partner,Sharon O'Dell of Odin, IL and I would like to say a Big Thanks to Ben Tennison of Western Mule magazine for putting us in contact with Steve Richards of Wyoming Outdoor Industries in Cody, WY. After talking to Steve he suggested we contact Griz and Karla Turner of Lost Creek Outfitters in Cody. We called and arranged our first wilderness pack trip. We have both had dreams of a trip like this for many years, and it was about to come true.

We left southern Illinois on August 3, 1999 and headed for Cody. We made several stops, side trips, etc. so Sharon could shop, and trust me on this one, she can shop.

Arriving in Cody on Friday afternoon, our first stop was to meet Steve at Wyoming Outdoor Industries. While I talked with Steve you can only guess what Sharon was doing.....SHOPPING.

Saturday afternoon we took a three hour white water raft trip, 13 miles through the Shoshone Red Rock Canyon. by the end of the trip everyone was soaked and chilled to the bone.

Sunday arrived bright and clear. We meet up with Griz and Karla for breakfast, then off to the trail head, on the south fork of the Shoshone River. Griz, Karla and Grant (their packer) loaded everything onto the mules, weighing each side so it didn't shift and cause a wreck. In a very short time, with seven pack mules, we were on our way up into the mountains, which are in the Washakie Wilderness of the Shoshone National Forest, along the south fork of the Shoshone River.

Along the way we stopped at an old trappers cabin for lunch and short break. This is where the going got a little interesting. From this point on it was up hill. We crossed a section of trail called "the cat walk", and this is where I learned to trust my mule, Lotta. This path is on the side of the mountain about three feet wide (if that) and at least 200 feet down. Sharon and I were like a couple of kids in a candy store, oowing and aweing at all the marvelous sights. The camcorder and cameras (35mm and a panoramic) were in full use at all times. Griz had warned us to bring a lot of film.

We arrived at camp, which was near Robinson Creek. Griz and Karla unloaded the pack mules while we watched. Each mule got a leather strap, with a bell attached, around it's neck. Some had Swiss bells and others had cow bells. Griz warned us, if we don't hear bells, it's a long walk out. Mules were turned loose to roam and graze. Some mules that don't like to be caught, or just wanted to roam a little too far, were fitted with hobbles. Karla rode what is called "a bell mare". The mules are attached to this mare mentally and won't leave camp. the mare is secured, to guarantee the mules stay in camp.

After getting settled in, Griz gathered wood and Karla started supper, which consisted of one inch thick steaks and all the fixins', cooked over an open fire.

While supper was cooking, Griz set up his spotting scope, looking for game on the mountains afar. He spotted a couple of big horn sheep and a black bear. What a thrill this was to see these animals in their natural habitat, wild and free. After a short visit around the fire it was time for bed.

Monday morning arrived clear, with an astonishing view of Needle Mountain from our tent, and with a little frost on the ground. Following breakfast, Griz, Sharon and I headed out on the mules to explore mountains between Younts and Marston Creeks. Griz wanted to explore an area for a hunt camp. No trail.....just brush poppin', nothing like brush poppin' in the Shawnee National Forest where we trail guide on weekends on saddle mules.

We enjoyed lunch on an overlook and after a short rest, Griz spotted two elk on the next mountain ridge. What a thrill it was to see these animals. Much to our surprise, and Griz's too, we ended up seeing 30 elk on the mountainside feeding. All too soon it was time to head down and back to camp

After a delicious meal of fried chicken, Sharon and I walked over to the river to try my luck at trout fishing. Much to my delight I caught several....this was my first experience trout fishing.

Tuesday came just like Monday....beautiful. After a really good breakfast, I was off to try my hand at trout fishing once more. With the help of Griz, I caught a few more and hooked a really nice one Griz had spotted. All of these fish were released to fight another day. After lunch we rode out for a short ride up the East Fork. Along the way Griz spotted a moose feeding. We came to a meadow that Griz told us over 30 years ago hunters bought $25.00 horses to kill to bait bears with. These horses were tied to trees so the bears wouldn't drag the meat away. The bones of these horses can still be seen scattered all over the meadow.

Much to our sorrow Wednesday arrived and it was time to head back down to the trail head, with cloudy skies and a few sprinkles on our trip back in.

Sharon and I hated to leave the mountains, they were so peaceful. We cannot begin to describe the beauty of the area, and after taking 121 photos and videos, which don't do the scenery justice. Our trip was over much too fast and we hated leaving, but it was time to head home. We can't even begin to tell you all the beauty of this area, of our great country. It is awesome, inspiring, and an experience we should all have. We were putting together our next pack trip even as we drove homeward.

If you are contemplating a pack trip I would highly recommend you contact Griz and Karla Turner of Lost Creek Outfitters at 307-527-6251. Be prepared to be made one of the family, because that is just how they made us feel. Karla is one fine cook and you sure won't lose an weight around her.

Thanks to Griz and Karla for making our dream come true. We will see you next August for our next adventure. We would also like to mention the mules. Griz used draft mules to ride and pack, and we came away with mores respect for the draft-type mules. Their mules were very agile, sure-footed, and knew what to do and when to do it. On the way back to southern Illinois we also had to take a side trip to Jackson, WY so Sharon could shop some more. I got sick of shopping by the time we got home. I don't want to see another store until next year....at the soonest. Happy Trails.