We are trying to come up with some funny headlines for today's post. "Flat Stanley has a run-in with the law" -- Annabel says that isn't so funny! Rody said, how about: "Flat Stanley meets Trooper Carter" -- I said "That is boring!" So, I'll stick with Snow, Teton Pass and the Wyoming Highway Patrol!
We stopped at the "Top of the Pass" on the way to Idaho Falls. We had a big snow storm the day before so there was quite a bit of snow on the top. Officer Carter was in the parking lot at the top making sure people were safely driving in the snow. He knew all about the Flat Stanley project and was happy to take a break and have his photo taken!
Teton Pass is actually Highway 22. This road runs between Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Victor, Idaho. The "Top of the Pass" (meaning the road itself, the mountains around the road are even higher!) is at 8431 feet. When winter comes, the pass can be an interesting place to drive! It is very steep up to the top and very steep down to the bottom. The Wyoming Highway Department actually discharges bombs in the mountains to "control" the snow. That means they take bombs, blast them on the slopes next to the road. If the snow is unstable then it will avalanche down the slope and across the road. The snow plows will come clean it up and people can drive safely through. This is much better than having the avalanche happen when the cars are on the road.
Look at those snow banks, pretty big for October! You should see them in February!!
This is a famous sign that all visitors see coming into Jackson Hole from the Idaho side.
Flat Stanley had to get a good view of the cowboy! Rody didn't have his snow boots on.... RUN!!
I found a good article in the Pinedale newspaper that shows what Teton Pass looks like after an avalanche. pinedaleonline.com
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