Bitch Creek

 8/20/22:  I'm headed to fish Bitch Creek, a little east of Ashton, ID.  I also might try Falls River and such if the weather is good.

Western side of the Tetons will be on full display. 

I drove deep into the Targhee NF on a service road that was in top condition...at first.   The branch that went the last 6 miles o was neither well traveled nor well maintained.   Still, it was very much within the Taco's capabilities until the last quarter mile.  The road suddenly plunged sharply downhill with loose rocks and dirt.  A rock outcropping stuck out, leaving about a 12 inch cliff to go over - right to the very limit of the truck's clearance.   The hill was so steep and loose that backing up was impossible and the road was way to narrow to risk turning around.  Perfect time to panic. 

Just then a guy came along in an ATV and spotted me as I attempted to go over the outcropping.  Given that I was about 30 miles from the nearest paved road, it was sheer luck he happened to come by.  At least he could go for help if I got stuck.

I eased forward slowly and made it over the obstacle!  The sky now darkened with afternoon thunderstorms on the way. Rain would turn the clay to slick, slippery mess so, I was obliged to immediately turn around at the bottom and try to climb that same hill.  As I approached the climb over the outcropping  the tires started to spin.  I was already in 4 Low,  diff-locker was the only option left but that's meant for one wheel spinning which was not my situation. 

I  hit the breaks and gave the Taco a good talking to about how 4 wheel drive is supposed to be smart enough to deal with poor traction on each wheel but I left out the parts about it being such  steep grade with loose dirt and rock.  I eased forward again, but the tires spun which caused a slip/slide toward the roads edge with a steep drop-off.  Miraculously,  the 4WD kicked in and the Taco started forward.  I kept the tiny bit of momentum going and slowly clawed my way to the top!

ATV guy stopped by and congratulated me on the climb.  Turns out, he was out scouting for grizzlies for the hunting season next week and proceeds to show me trail camera pictures of these beasts right near Bitch Creek.  Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

I  spent a very nervous right  thinking about that as the afternoon thunderstorms got underway.   It rained for about 5 hours which was likely to make the roads far more difficult than when I came in.

Next morning sky was battleship gray.  Better get any fishing done right away.  I packed my fishing and survival gear and set off down the hill - on foot this time.  Arrived at the Creek which had turned from gin clear to milky due to the rains.  Bummer but wait, that's Jack Pine Creek which flows into Bitch right nearby.  Bitch was still clear so I followed it upstream. 

Battleship gray sky turned to azure blue.  Sun was out, game on!  Gorgeous trout water everywhere.   This is why I went to all this effort.   I caught several small cutties and a nice fat rainbow on my foam caddis. Time beat it outta here before I become grizz bait.