Black Mountain, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-3-19)

Day 8 of Lupe’s 1st 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming!

Squirrels, deer, elk and even a moose!  Nothing like a frenzied barking spree to start a day off right!  The dawn patrol drive along USFS Road No. 16 to the start of No. 222 was one Dingo delight after another.  The Carolina Dog’s response had been overwhelmingly enthusiastic!

At the start of USFS Road No. 222. Photo looks SSE.

100 yards on No. 222, and the road curved E (L) revealing a stream ford.  The G6 was done.  No matter.  Black Mountain (9,489 ft.) was less than a mile due E.

We’ll take it on paw from here! Only 2 miles to Black Mountain at most, even as the trail goes! Photo looks E.

6:15 AM, 45ºF, USFS Road No. 222 – The stream, a minor tributary of the Little Tongue River, was an easy rock hop.  On the other side, a broad, straight, level trail went S (R).  The road went NE (L).  No signs.  Which way?  SPHP checked the topo map.

Stick with the road, Loopster!

Lupe passed by a couple of occupied dispersed camping sites as No. 222 started uphill.  Before long, the road leveled out and curved E.  The sky had been mostly cloudy on the drive over here.  Now fog in the treetops lent an air of mystery.

A mere 7 minutes after rock-hopping the first stream, Lupe came to the Little Tongue River.  It wasn’t any bigger, just another rock hop.

We’ve barely started, and here we are at the Little Tongue River already! Photo looks E.

After crossing the Little Tongue River, USFS Road No. 222 curved SE (R) proceeding up the river valley, although not close to the stream.  Even if there hadn’t been the 2 fords, the road was too rough in spots for the G6.  High clearance vehicles wouldn’t have had any problem, though.

The fog thickened as Lupe steadily gained elevation.  Not good, but she kept going.  About 0.67 mile from the Little Tongue River ford, the road ended at a circle around a single large pine.  The American Dingo had reached the start of Trail No. 011.

At the turnaround circle at the end of USFS Road No. 222. Photo looks NW.
Even though it’s foggy, let’s keep going! Maybe we’ll climb out of it? Loop at the start of Trail No. 011. Photo looks E.

Trail No. 011 was easy to follow.  Wide and well-beaten, the trail went E.  As Looper trotted along it, the sky brightened.  The fog soon dissipated.  Good news, but at least so far, the forest still hid any views.

Before too long, No. 011 began a series of long switchbacks higher.  The rate of climb increased.  Higher up, the switchbacks shortened as they brought Lupe farther N.

On Trail No. 011.

Loop must have been within 150 to 200 feet of the top when the terrain finally leveled out.  A level stretch on a shoulder of the mountain SE of the summit led to a much rockier region and the first views of the day.  The best was of Cloud Peak (13,167 ft.) far to the SSE.

At one of the first good viewpoints. Cloud Peak (L). Photo looks SSE.
Black Tooth Mountain (13,005 ft.) (Center) and Cloud Peak (just R of Center). Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.

Approaching the summit region, Lupe came to a wall of rock.  Staying S of this wall, the trail went NW to an outhouse.  A sharp bend E near the outhouse led to a rough ramp constructed of flat rocks.  At the upper end of the ramp, the trail bent sharply back to the NW again, but this time on the NE side of the wall of rock.

Approaching the wall of rock as Lupe reaches Black Mountain’s summit region. Photo looks NW.
Near the outhouse. Photo looks NW.
Heading up the rough ramp. Photo looks E.
On the NE side of the wall of rock. Photo looks N.

The last section of Trail No. 011 was quite short, but the most fun of all!  Heading generally NW, the trail skirted along the NE side of the wall of rock.  Lupe could see a huge amount of territory!  Off to the E, foothills of the Bighorn Range overlooked an ocean of clouds hiding the prairies of NE Wyoming.

Getting close to the top. Photo looks NW.

At the very end, a little switchback led up onto the summit block.  The old Black Mountain fire lookout was just ahead!  A huge boulder right next to it appeared to be the true summit of Black Mountain (9,489 ft.).  Lupe leapt up onto it to claim her peakbagging success!

On the summit block approaching the fire lookout. Photo looks NW.
Perched atop Black Mountain. Photo looks NW.
At the true summit.
The Dingo guru of Black Mountain lost in meditation. Photo looks NE.

The Black Mountain fire lookout appeared to have been abandoned for many years.  The entrance to the balcony surrounding it was chained off.  Slipping under the chain, Lupe took a look around.  The balcony boards were weathered, but firm, except at the far corner where several boards were broken.

To the N and W, a huge expanse of the Bighorn National Forest was in sight, but Loop saw no other sharp peaks.  Twin Buttes (8,235 ft.) looked small and insignificant from here.

Looking N.
View to the W. Lots of forest, but no sharp peaks.
Twin Buttes (R). Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

The ocean of clouds washing up against the foothills to the E made it seem as if the Bighorn Range guarded the edge of a continent.  Nothing could be seen of the prairies below the billowing white sea.  A much higher layer of clouds wasn’t as thick or continuous.

On the summit rock with a view of the foothills. Photo looks E.
Looking back down the trail from the summit. Photo looks SE.
Gazing across the ocean of clouds. Photo looks E with help from the telephoto lens.

For a while, Lupe and SPHP sat together by the chain at the entrance to the fire lookout balcony.  The sun shone weakly through the thin layer of high clouds.  A chilly 5-10 mph NW breeze sprang up.  6 miles to the S, Lookout Mountain (10,147 ft.), where Lupe had been only yesterday, appeared slightly higher, but not very dramatic – just a big ridge.

SPHP still wondered if the 2 higher peaks beyond it had been correctly identified as Dome Peak (10,828 ft.) and the Sheridan County High Point (11,020 ft.)?

The most impressive attractions, of course, were Cloud Peak (13,167 ft.) and Black Tooth Mountain (13,005 ft.), which appeared close together much farther SSE.

Lookout Mountain (Foreground) with possibly the Sheridan County High Point (L) and Dome Peak (R) beyond it. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.
Black Tooth Mountain (R) and Cloud Peak (far R). Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.

Exploring the summit region, Lupe discovered a survey marker on rock formations outside of a cable serving as a handrail along Trail 011.  The marker was stamped “Black Mtn. No. 2”.  An arrow pointed toward the true summit and fire lookout.  However, only a small metal bar stuck up out of the summit boulder.  If another survey marker was still around, it must have been hidden under the fire lookout.

Loop standing close to where she discovered the Black Mtn. No. 2 survey marker. Photo looks SE.
Black Mtn. No. 2.

A happy hour raced by.  Despite the early morning fog, the luck of the Dingo had held long enough for Lupe to get to see the world from Black Mountain.  Not even 9:00 AM yet!  Still plenty of time to visit another peak or two, if she got going.  Black Mountain had been fun, and with such a good trail all the way to the top, pretty easy, too.  However, it was time to hit the trail again.

Looking down Trail No. 011 from Black Mountain’s summit boulder. Photo looks E.

The descent was super easy.  Lupe did a little more sight-seeing while still up in rocky region.  Down in the forest, she sniffed and explored.  Near the end, she plopped down in the Little Tongue River to cool off.

Checking out the views on the way down. Photo looks SSE.

And that turned out to be it for this Dingo Vacation.  Lupe’s luck ran out.  Despite plans to visit Freeze Out Point (8,305 ft.) next, it didn’t happen.  Minutes after reaching the G6 (9:49 AM) fog came sweeping up from the E.  Sea level was rising.  No point in staying.  It seemed likely to last.

The clouds were 3,000 feet thick.  A strange day for July!  Down below the murk, it was so cool that SPHP let the heater add a little warmth to the G6.  The high plains of Wyoming were the lushest SPHP had ever seen them this time of year.  Hills were yellow with blossoms.

Loop had a grand time barking ferociously at cows and horses along I-90, but arrived home looking dejected.  The excitement was over.  Her fun in the Bighorn Mountains had been cut short.  What a grand time it had all been!

The American Dingo needn’t have worried.  Lupe’s 2019 adventures in the Bighorn Mountains weren’t over yet!  Before July was out, she would return.  The best was yet to come!

Oh, I hope you return to join me on my next Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains! We have a couple of splendid mighty peaks to climb! Relaxing in the Little Tongue River on the way back from Black Mountain, 7-3-19

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Lookout Mountain, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-2-19)

Day 7 of Lupe’s 1st 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming!

Off to a great start!  The sun peeping above the horizon found the American Dingo already busy barking excitedly at deer in the meadows as the G6 rolled by raising dust.  The Burgess picnic ground was only a mile away.  Lupe arrived to find yet another delight – squirrels chattering in the trees!  With enormous enthusiasm, she gave ’em what for!

The ruckus didn’t matter.  The picnic ground was completely deserted this early in the day.  Frost on the picnic table began melting as the first rays of sunlight hit.  While the camp stove heated up a can of beef and barley soup for breakfast, SPHP downed a strawberry Ensure while strolling along the beautiful North Tongue river, which was running high, full from bank to bank.

Lookout Mountain (10,147 ft.) was the Carolina Dog’s objective today.  After breakfast, SPHP drove S from Burgess Junction on Hwy 14, turning NE (R) on USFS Road No. 26 after passing the Owen Creek campground.  No. 26 eventually turned S.  A few miles past Dead Swede campground, Lupe stopped to have a look at the remains a historic splash dam more than 100 years old.

Display near the splash dam along USFS Road No. 26.
After 114 years, the splash dam was a bit worse for the wear.

Beyond the splash dam, No. 26 wound SE for a mile or two before finally turning E.  SPHP slowed down as a long meadow appeared on the R (S).  USFS Road No. 520 was supposed to be somewhere along in here on the L (N).  Turned out it was well marked and easy to find.  SPHP parked near the sign.

Perfect!  Lookout Mountain (10,147 ft.) was now only a bit over 2 miles due N.  Lupe could start for it from right here.  (8:32 AM)

At the start of Lookout Mountain Road. Photo looks NE.

No. 520 headed NNE up the E side of a shallow valley gaining elevation at an easy to moderate pace.  The valley was mostly meadow flanked by forests.  Early on, parts of the road were so rough that it was probably a good thing the G6 had been left behind, although a high clearance vehicle wouldn’t have had any trouble.

Heading up USFS Road No. 520. Photo looks NNE.

After going 0.5 mile, the road started to level out.  Shortly before coming to a minor pass, No. 520 entered the forest.

Looking back shortly before reaching Pass 9520. Photo looks SW.

At the pass, the road curved NE maintaining elevation.  For the first time, Lupe had a tree-broken view of Lookout Mountain.

Lookout Mountain comes into view. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.

Beyond the pass No. 520 curved N again.  During a slow descent, Lupe went by a series of big puddles connected by tiny streams coming from hidden snowbanks still melting away in the surrounding forest.

The last puddle was the biggest.  Beyond it, the terrain leveled out at a clearing which provided an unobstructed view of the E summit of Lookout Mountain.

Lupe comes to a series of puddles on USFS Road No. 520. Photo looks NE.
At the last and largest puddle. The E summit of Lookout Mountain is dead ahead. Photo looks N.

Upon reaching the clearing, the road curved NW revealing a 5 foot high snowbank just ahead.  In the American Dingo’s opinion, this was cause for celebration.  Christmas in July!  The W end of Lookout Mountain, where the true summit was supposed to be, was now in sight.

Well isn’t this something? An enormous snowbank in July, and a view of Lookout Mountain, too! Photo looks N.
That’s our objective right over there! Doesn’t look too hard to get to, does it? Photo looks N.

Past the huge snowbank, No. 520 reentered a short stretch of forest.  Once through it, Lupe could see a long grassy valley to the WSW.  This valley was part of the Mohawk Creek drainage.

The upper E end of the Mohawk Creek drainage. Photo looks SW.

More forest was ahead.  Upon entering it, Lupe came to yet another big puddle.  Beyond this puddle were snowbanks several feet deep.  Vehicles tracks going right over the snow showed the road went NW from here.

This way, SPHP! Back in the forest by another big puddle and more snow. Photo looks NNW.

Lupe went by another open area where she could see the Mohawk Creek drainage again.  No. 520 turned N for a bit, then back to the NW.  Such a lovely day!  White clouds sailed through the azure sky.  The temperature was perfect.  The rhythmical march up a gradual incline was easy.  Lupe roamed the forest looking for squirrels.

SPHP suddenly snapped to.  Must have been daydreaming!  How long had Lupe been wandering along this stretch of road?  The topo map showed a saddle not too far ahead where numerous abandoned side roads split off No. 520.  Had the Carolina Dog already passed this saddle, or not?  SPHP didn’t remember seeing it.

Slightly higher ground was just N of the road.  A quick side trip up there revealed nothing but a rather steep slope going down into a valley.  Since this whole region was forested, SPHP couldn’t see the bottom, or even tell if the valley drained E or W.

Half convinced the Carolina Dog was already too far W, SPHP led Lupe 100 yards E along the high ground.  It all looked about the same.  This valley shouldn’t be too deep, especially if Loop actually was too far W.  May as well find out!  SPHP started down.

A distinct trail appeared heading straight down the slope.  Quite a bit of deadfall had fallen across this trail, nearly all small stuff less than 6″ in diameter.  Loop had no sooner reached the trail than a loud crashing commenced.  Something big was fleeing through the forest!  Lupe froze at attention, intensely excited.  Deer?  Elk?  SPHP caught only a glimpse.  Had to be more than just one.  A few seconds, and silence returned.

On the game trail leading into the mysterious valley. Photo looks N.

Down!  Down!  The valley was deeper than expected.  At the bottom, the trail ended at a small clearing.  Practically the whole thing was sopping wet with meltwaters trickling from several little snowbanks.  At least this clearing provided a good landmark where Lupe would be able to find the trail again, if she came back this way.

At the small, wet clearing at the end of the game trail. Photo looks NE.

The clearing drained E, which meant this had to be the Sawmill Creek valley.  Evidently, Lupe hadn’t really gotten all that far W before SPHP snapped out of the daydream.  She was still E of the saddle leading to Lookout Mountain.

SPHP followed the American Dingo W up the Sawmill Creek drainage.  Oh, it was an exciting time!  Lupe found plenty of squirrels to bark at.  15 fun-filled minutes and 100 feet of elevation gain brought her to the edge of a flat meadow.  She had arrived at the saddle to Lookout Mountain.  There was USFS Road No. 520 again, heading NW on the far side.

Good deal!  The Carolina Dog was back on track.

At the saddle leading to Lookout Mountain. Photo looks SW.

Loopster was ready for a break.  For nearly an hour, she relaxed in the shade of a large tree along the N edge of the meadow.  A squirrel finally appeared and broke the lazy day spell.  Lupe sprang back into action, but try as she might, the squirrel kept winning at hide and seek.

Enough!  Time to press on, if the American Dingo ever expected to get to Lookout Mountain.  No. 520 left the saddle heading down into the Graves Creek drainage, but a fainter road, no doubt one of the many abandoned side roads, went NE staying on high ground.  Leaving the tricksy squirrel behind in disgust, Lupe set off on the side road.

Near the start of the side road. Lookout Mountain (L). Photo looks NE.

The side road immediately curved ENE before straightening out as it slowly gained elevation.  Unfortunately, ENE wasn’t the right direction.  Approaching the road’s high point, Loop left it.  She went down a little embankment, then headed NNE across a plain of mostly open ground.  Live trees and stacks of ancient large diameter deadfall bleached gray by the sun were scattered across this plain.

The W and E summits of Lookout Mountain are widely separated by a big saddle of moderately lower ground.  This saddle looked much easier to get to than trying a direct assault on either of the summits.  As Lupe headed toward it, the mostly open plain gave way to increasingly forested territory.

Approaching more heavily forested territory as the mostly open plain comes to an end. Photo looks NNE.

The plain had been fairly level, but Lupe was now gaining elevation at a steadily increasing pace.  Many large boulders were scattered among the trees.  Before long a wall of rock appeared on the R (SE) running parallel to Lupe’s route.  Staying W of this wall seemed best.

Lots of big boulders along in here! Photo looks NE.
Near the long wall of rock. Photo looks SE.

Soon Lupe heard water.  SPHP caught a glimpse of a valley to the NW 20 or 30 feet lower than the slope Loop was on at the moment.  Since this valley was more open territory, the Carolina Dog entered it, but found the ground quite boggy.  She explored ENE (upstream) along the near edge for 200 yards before turning N toward Lookout Mountain again.  Using large diameter deadfall as bridges, Lupe crossed several small streams, all part of the headwaters of Graves Creek.

In the boggy valley. Photo looks NNE.
Lookout Mountain’s W summit from the boggy valley. Photo looks NW.

Although it looked quite possible to go almost directly up to the E side of Lookout Mountain’s W summit from here, Lupe stuck with the original plan of aiming for the saddle between the E and W summits.  Once across the open ground of the boggy valley, Lupe reentered the forest.  She came to a few more streams, but none were difficult to cross.

By one of the small seasonal streams.

Beyond the last of the streams, Lupe proceeded N on increasingly stony, steep terrain.  Fortunately, several boulder fields hidden in the forest were easily avoided.  Animal trails and occasional grassy lanes provided routes higher.  Partway up, a squirrel tree held Lupe’s attention for 5 or 10 minutes while SPHP gasped for breath.

Come on down, squirrel! We’ll have a game of predator and prey!
By one of the larger boulder fields.

Pushing higher, a tall rock formation appeared.  Lupe stayed to the W (L) of it, passing through a dense stand of pines hiding rugged terrain.  She soon managed to get through, however, and emerged in a big field full of tiny white flowers.  From this field, Black Tooth Mountain (13,005 ft.) and Cloud Peak (13,167 ft.) were in sight far to the SSE.

Approaching the first tall rock formation. Photo looks NE.
In the field of little white flowers. Lookout Mountain’s W summit in the background. Photo looks WNW.
Black Tooth Mountain (R of Center) and Cloud Peak (R). Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.

The top of the big, broad saddle between Lookout Mountain’s E and W summits wasn’t much farther.  More isolated stands of forest and rock formations were ahead, but the terrain was no longer as steep.  Wide grassy lanes provided easy routes higher.  Before long, Lupe was sitting in a flat grassy field.  She had made it to the saddle!

Getting close to the top of the ridge. Photo looks N.
Rock formations E of Lupe’s route up. Photo looks SE.
We’ve made it to the big saddle between the E and W summits! The W summit is somewhere up on the ridge behind me! Doesn’t look much higher, does it? Photo looks W.

A mostly forested ridge, rocky and open toward the S, was close by off to the W.  The true summit of Lookout Mountain (10,147 ft.) was hidden somewhere up there!  Staying toward the S on the open ground, Lupe went to look for it.

The S end of Lookout Mountain’s W summit region. Photo looks WSW.

The open ground got her partway up, but Lupe eventually turned WNW into the forest.  A short climb got her to a more gentle slope.  The forest turned out to be fairly open, permitting an easy trek higher.

Several minutes exploring W brought Loop to a long snowbank.  A small rocky ridge sat slightly higher beyond the snow.  The summit?  Maybe!  Detouring clear around the S end of the snowbank, Lupe discovered more territory beyond a little rise.  A rock formation 25 foot high to the SW appeared to be even higher than the little ridge.

At the base of the long snowbank.
The true (W) summit of Lookout Mountain (R). Photo looks WSW.

The scramble to the top was easy.  No doubt about it.  Lupe was standing at the true summit of Lookout Mountain (10,147 ft.)!

The true summit turned out to be a huge orangey, pinkish golf ball rather nicely decorated with black and light green lichens.  If you want to get technical about it, not really a golf ball, but a big, dimpled, rounded boulder that resembled one.  The golf ball was big enough for Loop to stand or sit comfortably while enjoying the 360º views.

At the true golf ball, err… summit, of Lookout Mountain! Photo looks NW.
A storm was off to the N when Lupe first arrived at the golf ball, but soon sailed off to the E (R). Photo looks N.

The most impressive view was of the rugged territory far to the SSE around mighty Cloud Peak (13,167 ft.).  Cloud Peak was certainly living up to its name!

Cloud Peak (Center) from Lookout Mountain. Photo looks SSE.
Cloud Peak (Center) with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SSE.

Other attention grabbing views included Lookout Mountain’s E summit, a mere 22 feet lower than the golf ball.  Black Mountain (9,489 ft.) was the most prominent peak to the N.  SPHP couldn’t positively identify Dome Peak (10,828 ft.) or the Sheridan County High Point (11,020 ft.) to the S, but they had to be out there not too far away somewhere along the spine of the mountains extending NW from Cloud Peak.

E Summit of Lookout Mountain (Center) from the true (W) summit. Photo looks E.
E summit with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks E.
Black Mountain (L of Center). The small rocky ridge SPHP initially thought might be the summit of Lookout Mountain is on the R, slightly lower than Lupe’s golf ball. Photo looks N.
Black Mountain with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks N.
Looking S.
Same view, but with help from the telephoto lens. SPHP suspects the peak at (Center) may be Dome Peak. The high point on the (L) may be the Sheridan County High Point. Photo looks S.
Bruce Mountain (10,320 ft.) (Center). Photo looks SW.

In addition to the golf ball, several other boulders were resting up here on a level platform of granite.  Hardly any room existed to move around, but a small rock shelf provided a spot to sit down.  After an initial survey of the splendid views, Lupe decided SPHP’s lap was more comfortable than any other option.  She curled up there dozing or snapping at flies.

A storm off to the N sailed away to the E.  Another storm came creeping closer from the NW.  SPHP kept an eye on it.  The sky to the S and E was full of white cumulus clouds, but Lookout Mountain remained mostly sunny.  Conditions were near perfect – temperatures in the upper 60’s ºF, and a 10 mph SW breeze.

Nearly an hour and a half went by.  The Carolina Dog seemed inclined to spend the whole day relaxing on Lookout Mountain, but she was getting heavy.

Loopster, sorry to bother you, but you’re cutting off my circulation.  My legs are going numb!  Could you please move?

Of course, why didn’t you say something earlier, SPHP?  Are we going to start back now?

Oh, I don’t know.  We don’t have to.  We could go check out the ridge over by the snowbank, just for fun.  Then maybe it would be worth heading over to the E summit, to see what’s over there?

More exploring?  Looper was fine with that!  Leaping back up onto the giant golf ball, she lingered atop the true summit of Lookout Mountain while SPHP started down.

Last moments atop the Giant Golf Ball, the true summit of Lookout Mountain. The golf ball looked more blocky than round from this perspective, but so what? The name had stuck! Photo looks SW.

The ridge near the long snowbank was only 150 to 200 feet away.  Lupe circled back around to approach it from the E.  She had to cross the snow going this way, but that was fun!

Getting up onto the ridge was easy.  It was flatter and larger than the true summit with plenty of room to walk around, but definitely a bit lower than the giant golf ball.  While the views were nearly identical, coming here had been worthwhile.  Lupe discovered a couple of survey markers, both stamped “Look”.

Looking back at the true summit from the small ridge. Photo looks SSW.
The “Look” survey benchmark.
A second marker that pointed to the first one.

The weather was changing.  As Lupe had left the Giant Golf Ball, the wind had shifted.  Now it was out of the N.  Suddenly the sky over Lookout Mountain was filled with gray clouds.  Looked like rain.  Maybe not immediately, but soon.  If Loop was going to visit the E summit, she had better get on with it!

So the Carolina Dog remained for only a few minutes up on the small ridge.  Then it was back down across the snow bank to head E through the forest.  She stayed a bit farther N than before on the way back to the huge saddle leading to the E summit.

Approaching the E summit, a gradual trek higher through the forest brought Lupe to an enormous rock formation.  Staying toward the N, she searched for a route higher among great chunks of weathered talus.  SPHP wondered if she could even get to the top, but Looper succeeded in getting to the ridgeline only a little N of the high point.

Gah!  This rock formation wasn’t the E summit!  Lupe could see it again from here, but still farther E.  Getting back down off this enormous rock formation and over to the next one looked like a time consuming project.

Nah, not going to happen!  On a nicer day, sure, but conditions were iffy.  A careful retreat down the talus, then it really was time to head back.

As she began her descent from the huge saddle between the E and W summits, Lupe stayed farther E than she had been on the way up.  This proved to be an even easier route with more open terrain and fewer obstacles.  She went by a dramatic ghost tree before losing so much elevation that she lost sight of the unsettled scene way over by Cloud Peak.

The ghost tree Lupe came to during the early part of her descent.
A final look at Cloud Peak (R of Center), during the descent. Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.

By the time the rain hit, Lupe had already made it back to USFS Road No. 520.  SPHP donned the blue plastic “Cookie Monster” rain gear.  The drippy march was pleasant enough.  The rain was steady, but light, and ended shortly before the Carolina Dog made it back to the G6.  (3:34 PM)

SPHP drove to Burgess Junction.  For a second evening in a row, a juicy hamburger was purchased to share with the soggy doggie to celebrate her latest peakbagging success.  If anything, today’s hamburger was even more enthusiastically received.

The evening was restful, but dull.  Rain off and on.  Nightfall found the American Dingo back at the start of USFS Road No. 165, right where she’d started the day so many hours ago.  Loopster never did make it to the E summit of Lookout Mountain, but she’d been to the Giant Golf Ball, and that was all that really mattered!

On Lookout Mountain, Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming, 7-2-19

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