July 2021 - 36

March 11, 2007
Taking in the views while traveling and hauling gear
is par for the course when going to and from the
Thorofare cabin. (Photo by Raymond Bredehoft/WGFD)
Fagan heard wolves howling at about 4 a.m. toward the Yellowstone. We
ice fished Bridger Lake with no luck. Tried three locations but couldn't catch
a thing. Bad luck or maybe bad fishermen?
(Day total: 10 miles; trip total: 83 miles)
March 13, 2007
We picked up the camera sets. No new pictures taken over the night. We
got our gear ready to leave early in the morning. We hope it gets cold and stays
cold so the snow is not soft on the journey out.
(Day total: 10 miles; trip total: 109 miles, plus 34 miles out = 143 miles)
Game and Fish personnel did other field work out of the Thorofare
cabin. The following is an entry from Fagan and Bruscino. It should be
noted that although the cabin is isolated, those who stayed there often
ate like kings.
July 15, 2008
Woke to another beautiful morning (37 degrees at 6 a.m.). After the horses
were fed we decided to classify some bighorn sheep and elk. In honor of the
200-year anniversary of Colter's Run from the Blackfeet in 1808, we decided
to do the " Colter Climb " to the top of the Trident. It took us about three hours
to get to the top. Plenty of bear tracks, 21 sheep including some good rams
and 28 elk. There is a lot of drifted snow still on top of the Trident in places.
Looked over into Escarpment Creek and Coyote Creek. Lots of alpine aster,
Indian paintbrush and alpine buttercups on top. Also, arrowleaf balsamroot
and American bistort. We had lunch in the alpine at 10,585 feet with a view
up the Thorofare, a view of Yellowstone Lake and the Tetons. We had a fantastic
dinner of baked ham and scalloped potatoes before an early night to bed.
In August of 2009, Gov. Dave Freudenthal and his wife, First Lady
Nancy Freudenthal, spent a few days at the Thorofare cabin. They planned
to be there in 2005 for the 50th anniversary celebration of the cabin but
were not able to make it. This was the next opportunity where everyone's
schedules aligned. Fagan and Gary Brown (former Cody Region wildlife
supervisor) were the guides and hosts, and also packed the Freudenthals
in and out of the cabin. According to the journal, Freudenthal was the
first governor to journey to the cabin. Freudenthal was governor from
2003-11. Here are some takes from the governor and first lady.
Aug. 10, 2009
The day started bright and beautiful (after an equally bright evening of stars
... the most I have seen for many years). We were treated to a fine breakfast
of biscuits, bacon and eggs by Tim (Fagan). I am hoping Dave doesn't think
all his breakfasts in Cheyenne will be so filling. Tim asked us to participate
in some photos for a slide presentation next week in Montana. It was great
fun pretending to find him honing his presentation, and then pretending to
fall asleep while he practiced it on us. We toasted the cabin with him and
36 | July 2021
Having wood on hand is essential at the Thorofare cabin
where temperatures drop even during warm months.
(Photo by Brian Parker/WGFD)
July 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2021
