TR: part 2 Yellowstone/Tetons and beyond

You can get the Hunt GPS chips through Cabela's. At least that's where I get mine, although I'm sure there are lots of other places that sell them.

Yes, the Frenchglen Hotel is where the author was shown that map, as well as met some pilots for that ranch. It was from there he drove to the ranch, something like 20 miles south from Frenchglen is the headquarters.

I just finished part 4, that's for posting up the story and the beautiful photos.

Owwyheedog: we will certainly honk. Hubby used to have a 1944 flat fender military Jeep. Sadly, we had to sell it a few years ago when he was laid off. Wish we had kept it. Now, we are looking at SxS UTVs for even more exploring. We could have towed the Jeep and saved some $$$. Thanks for the info on the app for the Garmin. Is it on the Garmin website? I will ask Santa for ones for Nevada and Oregon, maybe Idaho and Wyoming later. Closer to home and not as crowded as Utah, Washington, California and Arizona. We use our Garmin, iPad Mini GPS apps, Benchmark maps, NG Trails Illustrated maps just to discover those out in the boonies places. Or, rely on serendipity to just drive on a road to see what we can see.

btggraphix: yes, that Southeast corner of Oregon is remote which is why folks like us really like it. The 360 degree sunrises/sunsets are so amazing. We live on 6 acres of PNW woods so we like the view. And, the stars and quiet are very are just superb. I will have to check out the Roaring Springs ranch. the name is familiar. The Whitehorse Ranch is large also as is the one around Paisley (owned by Simplot, I think). Love the remoteness of Southeast Oregon. A quick Google search showed near Frenchglen and 205. I know we have driven by it. Another large ranch is in Nevada near Cedarville, California. It has no trespassing signs posted about every 50 feet. I think it is the Lone Pine or something like that, an LLC. Miles and miles of fencing and nary a cow in site. Someone told me that a corporation bought it for water to sell to Reno?

Not a fan of walmart or starbux and hope we don't need a hospital.

One cool little anecdote from the book I referenced above, is that the University of Oregon Alumni magazine published a map that was superimposed with the state outlines, with the entire US in white, with one small black patch in southeastern Oregon. The map was titled "A long drive for a latte". What is showed was the only area in the lower 48 that is greater than 100 miles to the nearest general hospital, 150 miles from the nearest Starbucks and 100 miles from the nearest Wal-Mart. Isn't it cool what GIS can do?

The point is, wow, the area is remote :)

The ranch that the author interacts with primarily in this portion of the book is the Roaring Springs......which is apparently around a million acres total (250K deeded plus 600K in BLM leases.) 75 miles north to south and 45 miles east/west at its widest. Another "wow".

It is called Hunt GPS I believe. It only works with Garmin GPS's and is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It shows whether the land is State, Forest Service, BLM or private and if it is private it shows who owns it. The downside to it is that you have to buy an SD card for each state at $99 a pop. But well worth it I think. Give me a honk if you see me and the Outfitter or if you see 3 Jeeps with military trailers cuz that wouold probably be us too.

This guy wasn't that happy about the area becoming a wilderness area. He said it brought to many people to the area. We didn't see very many other vp folks other than the locals. I wouldn't think a MH, TT or 5 er would be able to travel that 100 miles without some damage. Now, us TC folks would be fine, especially us pop up types.

We don't drink but I will keep that in mind if we ever want to gain access to private property. I see places in our travels that I would love to photograph behind locked gates. Now, BLM or USFS gates can be accessed. You just need to remember to leave them as you found them as I know you know.

Funny, but I enjoy talking to the ranchers even though I am a vegetarian. But, to find out the history and places to see, a local rancher can't be beat for info. We usually talk to them when we are pulled off to the side of a back road. They always ask if we are okay. Then we get to talking.

I believe their is an app for iPhone or iPad that shows public land, maybe private too. I have a Garmin that takes a micro SD. What is the map and is it for Garmin?

Maybe we will see you out there. We always honk at pop ups.

Nope not the same person. I had the good fortune to run into another gentleman that lives not too far from the North Fork campground that is also a multi-generation rancher in that area. We talked for a long time and he explained how he likes it when people come out and visit that area and wishes more people would. He thinks it is in his ranches best interest for people to understand the area. A really great guy that we have visited several times since when we are tent camping out there with our Jeeps. And he gave me the best advice for being welcome on ranchers property: THE KEY TO EVERY GATE IN OWYHEE COUNTY IS A BOTTLE. Hard to argue with that advice. I do know the Dougal ranch though. I have one of those SD cards in my GPS that shows land ownership and there is quite a bit of the land in Owyhee County that belongs to the Dougal's.

Owyheedog,
I can't remember his name but I think he said his family owns the Dougal Ranch. He drove an old truck and was a member of a local SAR group. Real nice guy, you would want him for a friend and he wasn't shy about his opinions which we mostly agreed with. Probably in his late 50s, he looked like a rancher, or at least a stereotypical one with weathered face, direct gaze, etc. We always enjoy talking with the locals.

OK I just gotta ask, was the first name of the rancher you talked with for a half hour Ted by any chance?

Thanks again for posting these links -- I really like those high lonely open spaces way out in the middle of nowhere -- excellent photography.