Days 16-18 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!
7-1-22, almost noon – July already! While SPHP moseyed about cleaning and organizing, Lupe had spent most of this beautiful morning relaxing on her pink blanket, displaying no sign of ambition.
C’mon, Looper! We’ll be moving on soon. Last chance for a sniff before we head out.
Rather reluctantly leaping out of the RAV4, Lupe joined SPHP on a short stroll along Road No. 10399 out to Greys River Road and back again. She then wandered down to Greys River for a drink.
This is a wonderful spot! I love it here, SPHP! You haven’t even caught up the trip journal yet. Why do we have to leave?
Because you’ve climbed all the mountains we intended to around here on this Dingo Vacation, Loopster, and I’m not in a trip journal mood. So we might as well start getting into position for the next big thing. Besides, I’m kind of looking forward to a nice, long, scenic drive. You’ll enjoy it, too!
Will there be any cows and horses to bark at?
Can almost guarantee it, Loop!
And what is the next big thing, SPHP? Where are we going?
The Wind River Range, Looper! Ever since reading Wind River Trails by Finis Mitchell, I’ve always wanted to climb Mitchell Peak (12,482 ft.).
7-2-22, 1:28 AM, pullout along Hwy 352 near the turn to New Fork Lake – The only thing wrong with the drive to Pinedale was that it wasn’t long enough. Lupe had arrived in plenty of time to enjoy not one, but two sniffs along Pine Creek. Not inclined to stray too far from civilization this evening, near sunset SPHP had driven W out of town, admittedly the wrong way as far as getting to the Big Sandy Opening, but this pullout was a quiet enough spot late at night.
Lupe had been happy in the RAV4 most of the day, but the Carolina Dog wanted out now. SPHP grabbed the flashlight.
OK, let’s go!
Moonless, the night was very dark, the Milky Way overhead but a faint glow. Enjoying the cool air, Lupe sniffed along the tall grass bordering the pullout. A surprisingly busy highway during the day, silence reigned now. 15 minutes of star-gazing pondering the universe sufficed.
7-2-22, predawn hours – Ugh! Awake again. Not due to the American Dingo this time, though. In fact, Lupe never even seemed to notice, but there’d been increasingly bold scurrying in the RAV4 every night since this Dingo Vacation started. About time to put an end to it, but how?
Grabbing the flashlight, SPHP shone it around. A set of beady black eyes stared back a moment, then vanished. Aha! Knew it! An idea formed. Might work! SPHP opened the door of the RAV4, and hopped out.
Where are you going, SPHP?
Stay put, Loop. I’m gonna catch that mouse!
Getting a big, clear plastic bag out of the back, SPHP put some of Lupe’s Taste of the Wild in it. Then placing it on the floor behind Lupe’s seat with the bag kept open, SPHP turned off the flashlight.
Didn’t take long. The scurrying recommenced, right into the trap!
Closing the bag suddenly, SPHP turned on the light. Got him! Trapped like a rat, a really small one. Moments later, SPHP released the mouse unharmed into the grass along the pullout before returning to the RAV4.
Hah! So easy! I should have thought of that sooner, Loop. Mouse must have been getting pretty hungry in here.
The words were scarcely out of SPHP’s mouth, when scurrying resumed. What? Two mice? Inconceivable! But front and back, here and there, bold scurrying commenced anytime the light was off.
The Taste of the Wild trap worked a second time. This time, just in case, SPHP released mouse 150 feet from the RAV4. Blissful silence reigned even after the light was turned out. Finally, that was that!
For 20 minutes, then the scurrying returned. 3 mice? No, not possible! That same dang mouse must know how to get back into the RAV4.
You’re no help at all, Loopster! Can’t you do something about this mouse?
Like what, SPHP? I’m a Carolina Dog, not the breed you need in a case like this.
Really? What does breed have to do with it? And what breed would you recommend?
A cat would be a good choice, SPHP.
A cat! Maybe so, but a cat isn’t technically a canine, Loop. Hate to break it to you, but cats are a different species entirely. Cats are felines.
No need to slander cats, SPHP, just because they aren’t very bright. Cats are canines, too, you know! Not their fault they’re too mentally deficient to be decent members of the pack. They’re loners by nature. And despite their obvious handicaps, you’ve got to admit they are excellent mousers.
Cats are canines, too? No, they aren’t silly Dingo! But whatever, we’re fresh out of cats in any case, and apparently you aren’t going to lift a paw to help me.
Well, here’s a thought, SPHP. Since you seem to be almost as good at catching mice as a cat, how about next time you play catch and release, run back to the RAV4 and drive away. Mouse will never catch us.
Hmm. Not a bad plan, Loopster! Might be the only thing that will work.
Except it didn’t. Mouse was wising up. This time it took a while before the mouse dared enter the plastic bag. SPHP snapped it shut.
Did you get him, SPHP?
Nope, doesn’t look like it. Shoot! Thought I had him.
SPHP reset the Taste of the Wild trap only to see the mouse scurry out of the bag before turning off the light.
Well, dang it! I did have him all along, and now I don’t!
Major fail, SPHP!
Bold, in-your-face scurrying continued whenever the flashlight was off the rest of the night, but mouse wasn’t falling for the Taste of the Wild in the plastic bag trick again.
7-2-22, 8:00 AM – What a night! The morning sun was already well above the Wind River Range when SPHP woke up. No scurrying now that it was light out, but the stowaway was almost certainly still on board as SPHP fired up the RAV4.
In Pinedale, Lupe enjoyed another long sniff along Pine Creek. By noon, SPHP had the trip journal fairly close to being caught up. An afternoon drive to Boulder, then along the Lander Cut-off was great fun and very scenic, with terrific views of the Wind River Range the whole way.
7-2-22, 2:30 PM, Big Sandy Opening – Actually a few parking spots left at the trailhead when Lupe arrived. SPHP was amazed, considering it was 4th of July weekend. Tucking the RAV4 neatly into a spot, work on the trip journal resumed despite all the activity outside. Meanwhile, the Carolina Dog was perfectly content snoozing on her pink blanket.
By 4:05 PM, the journal was caught up again.
What are you doing, SPHP?
Getting ready, Loop.
You aren’t seriously considering setting out now, are you? Late afternoon already, and it was kind of a short night last night with all the antics you and mouse went through. Why not stay here tonight, rest up, and hit the trail in the morning when we’re fresh?
Days are long this time of year, Looper. If we head out now, maybe we can shave enough distance off this evening to put us within striking distance of Mitchell Peak tomorrow?
7-2-22, 5:30 PM – Finally ready, but as SPHP registered near the start of Big Sandy Trail No. 099, someone was not amused. Lupe clearly didn’t want to go.
Took a good deal of pleading and persuasion, but Loop finally followed SPHP over a small rise into the forest. Almost immediately, a sign for the Meeks Lake Trail appeared.
A little beyond the sign, the broad, heavily-trafficked trail broke out of the forest, entering a flat meadow. Lupe remained unenthused. Even the sight of Laturio Mountain (11,342 ft.) ahead failed to lift her spirits.
C’mon, Loop, cheer up! We aren’t going to do anything difficult today, just make some tracks. Going to be alright, you’ll see.
It became almost a contest of wills. SPHP led the way, while Lupe played an extreme version of her stalking game. The American Dingo wouldn’t budge an inch until SPHP was not only out of sight, but gone for a while. Forced to wait, SPHP had to resort to the whistle a few times.
Took way longer than it should have to cover the easy 0.75 mile to where Continental Divide Trail No. 096 split off from Trail No. 099 to Big Sandy Lake, but Lupe finally got there.
The Carolina Dog’s reluctance to continue on diminished after taking much less frequented Trail No. 96, but Loop still hung back playing her stalking game for a while. At least she was staying closer than before.
The trail wound gradually higher through a forested region. Mosquitoes had been bad back at the Big Sandy Opening trailhead, and were worse here. An enveloping cloud of the blood-thirsty little vampires whined in almost instantly during any pause. Lupe caught up when SPHP finally stopped to slather on some Eucalyptus cream, followed by a liberal spraying of Repel.
Hold still, Looper. I’ll put a little on you, too!
My, isn’t this fun, SPHP? So glad we’re getting to serve as local blood banks, and I’m not stuck in the RAV4 snoozing peacefully with a full tummy after a decent meal. Why, mouse might start scurrying around, and make me bat an eye! Wouldn’t that be awful?
Yeah, I know, the mosquitoes are horrid, Loop. I hate ’em too. If ever there was a species I’d be glad to cheer on to extinction, they fit the bill.
Reeking of Eucalyptus, the journey resumed. Poor Lupe! Mosquitoes still kept attacking her eyes, lips, and paws where SPHP hadn’t dared to apply any Repel or Eucalyptus. SPHP killed hundreds on her to no avail. Constant motion was the only real defense.
After 0.33 mile, Trail No. 096 crossed a stream. An easy rock-hop, this was the outlet stream from Meeks Lake.
Beyond the stream, the trail climbed another 100 feet before leveling out and turning NNW. Soon patches of blue could be glimpsed in the thick forest W of the trail, but a good view of Meeks Lake never materialized. Lupe was already beyond the lake when the trail forked again upon reaching a clearing.
Lupe had been here before. Diamond Lake Trail No. 100 angling off to the R was the way to go. Combined with Trail No. 096, it was a slightly longer, but far more secluded route than Big Sandy Lake Trail No. 099, which it would eventually rejoin past Diamond Lake.
After crossing the flat clearing, No. 100 started to climb as it headed NE back into the trees. Before long, the surrounding forest was a complete shambles. Deadfall everywhere, some of it gigantic!
Fortunately, the USFS service had made a valiant, and largely successful, effort to keep the trail deadfall-free. Still some deadfall to contend with, but not anywhere near the nightmare it might have been. After gaining 200 feet over 0.25 mile, Diamond Lake Trail No. 100 topped out going over a minor pass. A steady descent began, and the forest was soon looking much healthier again.
7-2-22, 7:03 PM – By the time Lupe made it to V Lake, the evening was drippy and gray. Scheistler Peak (11,640 ft.), Temple Peak (12,972 ft.), and Peak 11930 were only dimly in view. For a while, mist or light rain fell. Multiple blue tents were up on an open hillside NW of the lake, along with the only people seen since leaving Big Sandy Trail No. 099.
Beyond V Lake, the trail was quite flat as Lupe continued NE through huge meadows, parts of which were swampy, and stretches of forest where the ground was firmer. Progress was rapid on this easy terrain. The Carolina Dog forded several small gravelly streams, none of which presented any difficulty.
Reaching a big slab of exposed bedrock, 3 mountains were visible ahead for the first time.
Hey, hey, Loopster! Told ya this was a good idea. Looks like we’re starting to get somewhere. There’s Mitchell Peak (12,482 ft.)!
Which one is Mitchell, SPHP?
The one on the L, Loop.
Do those other 2 peaks have names, too?
They most certainly do! That’s Dog Tooth Peak (12,488 ft.) in the middle, and Big Sandy Mountain (12,416 ft.) on the R.
Dog Tooth Peak! What an awesome name, although Dingo Fang Peak would have been even better. Let’s climb Dog Tooth Peak, too, SPHP! It’s the highest one. In fact, we could climb all 3.
Glad to see your enthusiasm returning, Looper! I’ve actually been hoping we can climb Dog Tooth in addition to Mitchell. I knew you’d like that name! Big Sandy is fine with me, too, of course, if we have time. Might be a bit much in one day, though, and I didn’t bring enough supplies to stay up here very long.
A mile past V Lake, Diamond Lake came into view. The trail passed through another semi-swampy big meadow NW of the lake.
Beyond the meadow, Lupe stuck with Diamond Lake Trail No. 100 a little farther as it went back into the forest. Light was soon starting to fade. SPHP marched off into the pines NW of the trail.
This ought to be about far enough for today, Looper. We don’t want to go so far that we reach Trail No. 099 again. Much more secluded here.
Fine, fine, but hurry, SPHP! Set up the tiny house. I’m getting eaten alive!
The mosquitoes were horrendous! Setting up the tiny house in record time, it was a tremendous relief to scramble inside, and zip that door shut! After a bite to eat before it got dark, pleased how it had all gone, SPHP drifted off to sleep thinking Lupe was well-positioned for an ascent of Mitchell Peak, and maybe even Dog Tooth Peak tomorrow.
7-3-22, black as pitch – No telling what time it was. Flashes of light so faint SPHP wasn’t even sure they were real soon brightened. Lightning! Before long, the pitter-patter of raindrops. Nothing too serious, probably just a shower. After pulling part of Lupe’s sleeping bag over her, SPHP rolled over and went back to sleep.
7-3-22, morning – Light out, but still raining. Lupe had slept long and hard. Even so, apparently she still felt listless, perfectly content to laze about on her red sleeping bag. Also lethargic, SPHP laid listening to the rain, trying to doze. Face it, getting soaking wet while facing a horde of vampires, wasn’t much of an incentive. None dared leave the tiny house.
7-3-22, 10:30 AM – It had finally quit raining. Slathered in Eucalyptus cream and coated with the last of the Repel spray, SPHP unzipped the door of the tiny house.
Going to try to do this fast! Just stay inside, Loop, until I’ve got the tiny house ready to roll up.
No worries there! The American Dingo hadn’t the slightest intention of disobeying that order. Clouds of mosquitoes enveloped SPHP. Happily, chemical warfare was working. Only got bit once before having to kick Loop out of the tiny house. Hoisting the pack as soon as possible, a hasty retreat back to Diamond Lake Trail No. 100 ensued.
Heading NE, it turned out Lupe had spent the night only a few minutes from the junction with Big Sandy Lake Trail No. 099.
For some grand, mysterious reason there were no mosquitoes to speak of along Big Sandy Lake Trail No. 099. The day was getting sunnier, and the trail was busy. Lots of people both coming and going. Plenty of dogs to sniff with, too!
Lupe had started out playing her stalking game again, but soon gave that up and trotted right along. The trail ran NE, climbing at an easy pace. By noon, the Carolina Dog was wading in the cold, shallow waters at the SW end of Big Sandy Lake.
Continuing along Big Sandy Lake’s W shore on Trail No. 099, forest soon gave way to a big meadow. The scenery was magnificent, and it was lunch time, too!
Doesn’t get much better than this! Want to take a break, Loop? I brought beef jerky.
An offer too good to refuse! Heading W up a short grassy slope, a sunny perch was settled upon on some big rocks. Mitchell Peak (12,482 ft.), Dog Tooth Peak (12,488 ft.), and Big Sandy Mountain (12,416 ft.) were all on display. Directly across the lake, Scheistler Peak (11,640 ft.) was most impressive.
See that gigantic wall of rock? That’s Haystack Mountain (11,978 ft.), Loop. The pointier peak to the R that looks like you’re walking a plank is East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.).
East Temple Peak! Why we were there only a couple of years ago, SPHP! Remember how beautiful Deep Lake was, and how we couldn’t find the tiny house in the middle of the night?
Sure do, Loopster! How could I ever forget all that?
7-3-22, 1:21 PM, N end of Big Sandy Lake – A very pleasant hour in the warm sunshine had shot on by. The beef jerky had, of course, been a huge hit. After crossing the alluvial plain where Lost Creek spread out into various trickles only a few inches deep, Lupe was now at the next trail junction.
Which way, SPHP?
Go L, Loop, unless you want to climb East Temple Peak again!
Don’t tempt me, SPHP! I’d do it in a heartbeat.
For the first time, Big Sandy Trail No. 099 climbed aggressively, winding N through a forest. Loopster gained 400 feet of elevation before the trail flattened out. Ahead, a big gap was visible between two towering peaks.
That’s War Bonnet Peak (12,369 ft.) on the L, Looper. Part of Mitchell on the R. We’re only a couple of miles from Jackass Pass.
We’re going to Jackass Pass, SPHP? You mean we’ll be visiting the Cirque of the Towers and Lonesome Lake again? Been forever since we’ve been there, and so spectacular!
Sadly, no. We’ll have to leave the trail before we get to Jackass Pass, Loop, if we want climb Mitchell Peak.
And Dog Tooth Peak, too, SPHP! Don’t forget Dog Tooth. I’ll bite you, if you do!
That ought to remind me, Miss Dingo Fang!
7-3-22, 2:05 PM – As Lupe trotted N along the flat section, it was clear any attempt at an ascent today would mean she’d only get to one summit at best. Too late already, and to tell the truth, SPHP wasn’t feeling even that ambitious. Maybe better to pitch the tiny house somewhere, and rest? Might be possible to hit 2 summits tomorrow with an early start.
Seemed like a better plan. Checking out the grassy slopes W of the trail, the best place to camp was already taken, but there was another spot a bit farther on that might do.
Loop, leave the trail here! Let’s go up there and take a look around.
How come, SPHP?
We got off to too late a start due to the rain. Let’s find a place to camp. We’ll wait on mountains until tomorrow.
A short climb led to a great view from some big rocks, but the little patch of relatively level grassy ground next to the rocks proved too rocky.
Terrific view, but this isn’t going to work, Looper. We’re going to have to keep looking. Oh, that’s sad!
What’s sad, SPHP? Keeping looking?
No, I see a dead animal on top of a big rock 50 feet away. Poor thing!
What kind of a dead animal, SPHP?
Not sure, Loop. Let me take a look with the camera’s telephoto lens. Hmm, well, that’s surprising.
What’s surprising, SPHP? Don’t keep me in suspenders!
Suspense, not suspenders, Loop. Think it’s a marmot, or maybe a pika. What’s surprising is how lively it looks for a dead one.
Oh, I love marmots, SPHP! Pikas, too. Hope it’s not dead. Which is it, alive or dead?
Since I’ve seen it move now, and it’s eyes are open, I’m revising my earlier opinion, Loopster. Clearly alive.
As much as Lupe would have liked to play a game of hunter and prey with the marmot, that really wasn’t possible. The marmot’s lofty perch was eminently secure. Returning to Trail No. 099, the trek N continued, but not very far before the trail dropped down to cross North Creek.
North Creek was a fairly good-sized rushing stream, but SPHP managed to rock hop it while Lupe waded on through. Now on the E side of the stream, the trail immediately began winding higher. Lupe gained a good 100 feet of elevation before it leveled out again, heading N.
Let’s leave the trail here, Looper. The topo map shows sort of a big flat ridge not too much higher up this slope to the E, and a shallow valley on the other side where there’s a tributary of North Creek. Might be our best shot at finding some level ground.
Abandoning Trail No. 099 yet again, Lupe started up a thinly forested slope that didn’t look very promising. The topo map was right, though. Before long, the terrain began to level out. Soon the Carolina Dog was on top of a wide ridge of exposed bedrock. Scattered, scrawny trees grew wherever the bedrock harbored a bit of soil.
Oh, my gosh, Loop! This ridge is gorgeous, and the views are spectacular! We’ve got to find a place to pitch the tiny house up here.
Look over there, SPHP! Isn’t that the top of Pingora Peak (11,884 ft.) over by the Cirque of the Towers beyond Jackass Pass?
Oh yeah, you’re right, Looper. How awesome is that? We’re staying here!
7-3-22, 3:32 PM – A small, shallow patch of flat pine-needle covered soil was found that sufficed. Before long, SPHP had Lupe’s tiny house up.
Despite an easy day, a certain weariness had set in for both human and Dingo. The sky was clouding up again, too, the weather a bit unsettled, although there hadn’t been any more precipitation. Occasional brief gusts of wind shook the tiny house.
Hate to say it, but I feel like a nap, Loop.
Me too, SPHP! Why don’t we take a snooze, and see what develops? If it’s nice out, we can emerge and do some exploring this evening. If not, we’re already as snug as a bug in a rug.
Great minds think alike, Looper!
7-3-22, 6:07 PM – A long nap had done wonders, even for the weather. Lupe emerged from the tiny house to mostly blue skies and sunshine. An evening of joy and beauty was in store as Lupe and SPHP explored this fascinating region together.
NW, War Bonnet Peak (12,369 ft.) and Sundance Pinnacle (11,054 ft.) dominated the W side of the North Creek valley. The distinctive, massive rounded spire of Pingora Peak (11,884 ft.) was visible in the distance.
The ridge of bedrock that Lupe’s tiny house was pitched on at 10,200+ feet extended S several hundred more feet. Venturing out that way, the Carolina Dog enjoyed superb views of Haystack Mountain (11,978 ft.), East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.), Temple Peak (12,972 ft.), and Schiestler Peak (11,640 ft.).
Back to the N was a tremendously encouraging view of Lupe’s two prime objectives, Dog Tooth Peak (12,488 ft.) and Mitchell Peak (12,482 ft.).
The shallow valley shown on the topo map just E of this ridge was in sight too. Lying at the base of Dog Tooth Peak’s gigantic SW slope, the valley looked exquisitely beautiful.
Look, SPHP, it’s Dog Tooth Paradise! Let’s go down there!
Toward the N end of the valley, a pond was fed by a crystal clear stream. Below the pond, the stream flowed S over bedrock, or next to meadows full of tiny wildflowers. Upstream from the pond, Lupe discovered Dog Tooth Waterslide.
While the sun sank slowly in the NW, Lupe roamed and sniffed her way around Dog Tooth Paradise to her heart’s content. She came to a place where an enormous slab of bedrock supported scattered pieces of Dog Tooth Peak that had broken off and come tumbling down the mountain.
A sense of magic grew. Somehow, in an over-crowded world, this hidden valley only 10 minutes from the heavily trodden trail to Jackass Pass was an unknown gem, unvisited and unspoiled.
You’re right, Loopster! This is Dog Tooth Paradise! How lucky we are to have found it!
Links:
Next Adventure Prior Adventure
East Temple Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: Big Sandy Opening to Clear Lake (7-18-20)
East Temple Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 2: Deep Lake to the Summit (7-19-20)
Big Sandy to Jackass Pass & Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, WY (9-1-15)
Cirque of the Towers, Lonesome Lake, Skunk Knob & Jackass Pass, Wind River Range, WY (9-2-15)
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