Summer of 2020 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Mile High Hill in the Rochelle Hills, Wyoming (10-16-20)

7:42 AM, 20ºF, Black Hills, USFS Road No. 282 just N of Hwy 16, W of Jewel Cave National Monument – A bank of fog filled the valley beyond the hill Lupe now stood on, paws in an inch of new snow that must have fallen overnight. It had been 37ºF when the G6 pulled out of the driveway this morning, with a high in the 50’s expected. So much for that. 20ºF here!

SPHP hadn’t bothered to check the forecast for anywhere else. After passing Crazy Horse, everything had changed on the way into Custer. Snow on the ground, and the temperature plunged as SPHP drove into a dense fog. Stayed that way W of Custer, but this hill was a high point. High enough to be above the fog.

I don’t know, Loopster! Had no idea it was going to be like this.

We’re going to keep going aren’t we, SPHP?

I suppose. Newcastle isn’t that much farther. Guess we can go see how things are down on the plains, but if it’s all socked in, or any colder than this, that’ll be it. No sense in doing Mile High Hill (5,280 ft.) in the fog!

9:01 AM, 32ºF, corner of Lynch Road & Piney Creek Road – A mile back, SPHP had turned S off Hwy 450 at MP 37.1. Now Lupe stood near the old Darlington school. Conditions were considerably improved. What had ultimately proven to be merely an extensive ground fog had broken up on the way here. Blue sky now! A heat wave, too, at a balmy 32ºF.

Lupe had been at this intersection several times in the past few years, as SPHP tried to figure out if it was even possible for the American Dingo to get to Mile High Hill. This was as far as she’d ever gotten, but a little new information had been gleaned during each visit. Last time Loopster had been here a few months ago, Piney Creek Road had been a sea of mud, but not now. Mile High Hill was a go!

The big question was how close the G6 could get to it. Piney Creek Road (Piney Canyon Road on the topo map) might still be 4WD territory.

**Piney Creek Road** (L) and the old **Darlington school** (R) from the junction with Lynch Road. Photo looks W.

Still 9 or 10 miles to go just to get to the Rochelle Hills, a region of flat-topped ridges hundreds of feet high. Incredibly, as the high point of the Rochelle Hills, Mile High Hill’s claim to fame was that it was one of only 19 “peaks” in the entire mountainous state of Wyoming with at least 25 miles of isolation, meaning no higher ground in a 25 mile radius in any direction.

Not expecting much of a climb, Lupe had plenty of time to stop at scenic points along the way.

*Looks like **Piney Creek** is all dried up this time of year!* Photo looks SSW.

Approaching the **Rochelle Hills**. Photo looks WSW.

**Mile High Hill** is somewhere back in there! Photo looks S.

Piney Creek Road was fine for miles, although gravel so coarse that the G6 occasionally scraped bottom had been dumped in various low spots. These points were all passable, but the whole road eventually began to deteriorate once it turned S a couple of miles from the Rochelle Hills.

However, the road soon turned W again, starting up Piney Canyon. Here, Piney Creek Road had recently been repaired with a fine layer of reddish gravel. Smooth sailing for the G6 the rest of the way up to the junction with Rochelle Hills Road!

Heading up **Piney Creek Canyon**. Photo looks WSW.

Up on the plateau, near the junction with Rochelle Hills Road. Photo looks S.

13 miles from the Darlington school, right after Piney Creek Road went over a buried pipeline, the G6 reached the junction up on a plateau of sagebrush grasslands and scattered stands of junipers.

Turning SE on Rochelle Hills Road, SPHP drove slowly. Rochelle Hills Road wasn’t nearly as good as Piney Creek Road had been. Rocky and pot holey in spots, but still quite passable for the G6. Although Mile High Hill was supposed to be on USFS land, “No Hunting or Fishing without permission on the Two Rivers Ranch” signs were posted on barbed wire fences. The road crossed a couple of cattle guards along fence lines.

SPHP was watching for a 4WD road that veered off to the L. This road was shown less than 2 miles from Piney Creek Road on the topo map, and went all the way to Mile High Hill. Unfortunately, no sign of it.

At about 2 miles, SPHP did pass a road on the R (S) with a brown wand saying “1171D”, which seemed right, and shortly after “1171D”, a road appeared on the L marked “1171”, but the map showed nothing here, and that was the reverse of the expected order. Off to the E, a tower could be seen at the far end of a vast field.

Maybe “1171” went over to the tower, which might have been installed since the map was created? In any case, it was clear that Rochelle Hills Road was soon about to head down off the plateau. Turning around, SPHP drove NW very slowly. Nothing seemed any different than before, and the lack of any definitive landmarks other than some convoluted ravines made it hard to tell exactly what was what.

Back at Piney Creek Road, another check of the map yielded no further clues. Turning around again, SPHP drove SE on Rochelle Hills Road once more, this time parking the G6 at a big flat area just past an open green gate. This was a high spot (Point 5145 on the topo map) which couldn’t be too far W of where the missing road to the L was delineated on the map. Lupe hopped out.

You seem to be lost, SPHP!

Yes, and no, Looper! We’ve got to be close to where I thought we could just follow the 4WD road shown on the map all the way to Mile High Hill, but I haven’t seen it. Might have to just head NE from here. See that reddish road heading up onto a ridge about a mile away? A couple of big ravines between here and there, but if we can get to it, I’m thinking that might be the road that goes to Mile High Hill.

The sign doesn’t help?

Sign? What sign?

The big one on the green gate.

Huh? Oh! That sign. Actually, I hadn’t noticed it, Loop, was always busy looking the other way for the non-existent 4WD road. Let’s check it out!

At **Point 5145** along Rochelle Hills Road. Photo looks E.

In addition to the sign on the green gate, two smaller brown signs were along the barbed wire fence. Hiking and horseback riding permitted.

Glad you pointed this sign out, Loopster! Doesn’t explain what happened to our missing road, but at least I’m now 100% certain we’re parked on USFS land, and not on the Two Rivers Ranch.

So we’re going to start for Mile High Hill (5,280 ft.) from here?

Yeah, seems to be the thing to do.

11:02 AM, 38ºF, Rochelle Hills Road, green gate at Point 5145 – Crossing Rochelle Hills Road, Loopster set out heading NE across a grassy plain. Sagebrush was ahead, and beyond it a ravine draining to the N. Worried about cactus for Looper’s sake, SPHP was relieved to see little or none.

Upon reaching the sagebrush, the Carolina Dog turned E. Descending a small side ravine, she followed it down to the big one, crossed it, and started up the other side.

Heading out across the grassy plain. Photo looks NE.

About to descend into the **side ravine** (R). Photo looks E.

The **main ravine** after crossing it from the R. Photo looks SSE.

Looking SW back across the **main ravine**.

Continuing E through pine forest over a small hill, Lupe soon saw a gray and pink-sided ridge in the distance. A road was already in sight not too far away! Loop headed down to it.

Starting down the other side of the hill after crossing it. Photo looks ENE.

The **gray and pink-sided ridge**, with the road in the foreground. Photo looks ENE with help from the telephoto lens.

Didn’t take Loop long to reach the road. Well, that was easy! No worries about cacti now! This road might even be No. 1171, if it curved this way instead of going to the tower? Lupe could check that out on the way back. In the meantime, she followed the road N. Near the bottom of a gentle slope was a marker for the buried pipeline.

By the buried pipeline marker. Photo looks NNE.

Continuing N, the American Dingo passed W of low pine-forested hills. The road then began to curve NE. Directly ahead was the reddish road SPHP had seen from the G6.

Approaching the reddish road visible from back at the start. Photo looks NE.

Beyond the reddish segment, which led up onto a ridge, the road curved SE climbing more slowly. Things were matching up with the topo map. Seemed like Loop must be on the right track! SPHP felt confident that the Carolina Dog really was on the road to Mile High Hill.

A high spot was ahead. The road curved N again just before getting to it. Looper left the road to take a look, and was rewarded with impressive views of the upper NW Keyton Creek drainage.

Looking S across part of the **Keyton Creek drainage**. The tower Lupe had seen earlier from the G6 was visible to the naked eye on the far plateau (Center).

Returning to the road, it immediately swooped down into a minor saddle to the N. After climbing up onto a plateau on the far side, the road again resumed a SE course. A vast region was visible ahead.

About to venture down into the saddle. Photo looks NE.

After a longer trek SE along this plateau, the pattern repeated. The road again curved N. Lupe again left to take a look from a high point near the edge, before returning to head N.

**Upper Keyton Creek drainage** (L). Photo looks WSW.

Looking SE along the edge of the plateau.

After passing a minor grassy drainage beyond which a long ridge, one of the Pumpkin Buttes (6,052 ft.), could be seen on the far horizon, Looper came to a little hill. From here, the road wound down into a deeper and wider saddle than the first one.

The grassy draw Lupe passed shortly after turning N again. Photo looks NW.

Starting down into the next saddle. Photo looks ENE.

The big saddle and the ridge beyond. Photo looks NE.

Once up onto the next ridge, the road turned SE for a third time. While the road had never ventured far from the S edge of the high country, the Keyton Creek valley was now so close that Lupe could sometimes see down big side ravines. A NW/SE oriented fence appeared, and the road ran straight alongside it for a while.

*Getting mighty scenic from right here on the road!* Photo looks S.

The road eventually curved S away from the fence after getting past a large ravine. This region featured the first significant rock formations Lupe had come to. She snooped around a bit before continuing on.

*First big rocks we’ve come to!* Photo looks SSE.

On a dramatic point overlooking part of the **Keyton Creek valley**. Photo looks SW.

The road now wound S or E for a while, always staying fairly close to the edge of the plateau. Lupe was now getting E of the Keyton Creek valley where it broadened out onto the wide open plains beyond the Rochelle Hills. Periodically checking on the views, it was amazing how beautiful it all looked from up here!

**W end of the Keyton Creek valley**. Photo looks WSW.

**E end of the valley** with the **Rochelle Hills** beyond. Photo looks SW.

On a stretch heading E, the road eventually came to the fence line again. This time, there was a gate. After going through the gate, the road again paralleled the fence for a while, but on the other side.

*No signs! Guess it’s OK to go through.* Loop at the gate. Photo looks E.

Before going too much further, the fence turned NE in order to avoid the edge of the plateau. The road turned, too, staying within the fence.

By now, Lupe had come a long way. She was easily 4 or 5 miles from the G6, perhaps more the way the road had wound around. Couldn’t be too much farther to Mile High Hill. Ducking under the fence, the Carolina Dog continued a short distance SE, venturing out to a point.

Along the edge here, the upper layers of rock looked volcanic – brittle and laden with unusual minerals. Bright oranges and yellows! Deep reds and purples! About 0.33 mile E, across a deep ravine, was another point. This point was topped with a layer of intensely red-orange stone. Nearly surrounding it, steep slopes dropped to a band of chalky white cliffs, and thence to the prairie 600 feet below.

A narrow ridge connected Red Point to a slightly higher, forested plateau only a short distance to the N. Mile High Hill (5,280 ft.)!

**Red Point** (straight up from Loop) and **Mile High Hill** (far L). Photo looks E.

Colorful rocks (R) along the edge of this first point. Photo looks SW.

Close to her destination, Lupe returned to the road, which went N a short distance before winding E. The plateau was narrower along in here, but soon broadened out. The American Dingo had reached Mile High Hill.

Approaching **Mile High Hill**. Photo looks E.

Mile High Hill was scarcely any higher than the approach to it. Toward the N, a spacious area of grasslands dotted with pines sloped gradually downhill. Since the road curved that way, this was the end of the road trek. Slightly higher ground was to the SE, so Lupe headed that way looking for the true summit.

On **Mile High Hill**, heading off in search of the true summit. Photo looks SE.

Ducking under the fence again, Loopster caught sight of a giant deer! Startled by her approach, the giant deer took off, racing away through an open forest. In seconds, it vanished below the edge of the plateau. A brief, but exciting introduction to Mile High Hill for the Carolina Dog! However, the giant deer had been alone. Loop encountered no more during her search for the true summit.

The region in the biggest 5,280 foot contour on the topo map, where the true summit was marked on Peakbagger.com, was flat as a pancake. No cairn or any discernable highest spot. However, along the SE edge of the plateau were several rock outcroppings. Lupe visited what appeared to be the highest one, easily scrambling to the top. Whether it was any higher than the pancake was debatable.

On a possible true summit location along the E edge. Photo looks NE.

The second largest 5,280 foot contour shown on the map was near the S end of the plateau. Continuing in that direction, Lupe came to a mound of stones 4 or 5 feet high, topped by the gray, weathered branches of a dead tree.

Impossible to say for sure, Looper, but I think this is it!

The true summit of Mile High Hill, SPHP?

If I had to guess, and I do, since the trees prevent us from having a clear view of the other high spots, yes, I’d say this pile of stones is the summit. Congratulations on reaching the top of Mile High Hill (5,280 ft.)!

The **true summit of Mile High Hill**, as near as SPHP could determine. Photo looks SW.

40 or 50 feet from the edge of the plateau, the true summit wasn’t much of a viewpoint. Lupe continued S to the edge where the ridge leading to Red Point was in sight.

Approaching the **ridge leading to Red Point**. Photo looks S.

Gone were the morning’s blue skies! The ground fog hadn’t returned, but high overhead a vast mournful blanket of dismal gray increased a sense of ancient remoteness, silence, and loneliness. The wind picked up, gusting unpredictably out of the W at 15 mph, seemingly purposely gathering and concentrating its force in sudden blasts designed to thwart Lupe’s advance as she headed for Red Point.

At an initial high spot along the ridge leading to Red Point. Photo looks NNE.

Not far from the end after a short downclimb for a better look at the colored rock. Photo looks S.

In the wind at **Red Point**. Photo looks NNE.

Most of the ridge was forested. Lupe was already close to the end when she reached a flat spot beyond the last of the trees. Bordered by colorful rock formations, gritty red soil and tufts of grass covered Red Point.

Just ahead, a short, gravelly red sand slope led SE down to a smaller airy platform at the far end of the ridge. The multi-colored rocks down there were every bit as impressive as the sweeping views.

*Might as well go down to the very end, don’t you think?* Photo looks SE.

At the **SE end of Red Point**. Photo looks S.

Looking SW toward the **Keyton Creek valley**.

Going back up to the larger high spot where the precipices weren’t quite so close, Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap. 55ºF, certainly warm enough, but the wind still made it seem a bit cool. What a vantage point, though!

The E edge of the Rochelle Hills region stretched miles away to the SW, well beyond the lower end of the Keyton Creek valley. To the SE, a tan plain broken by long gullies extended to the horizon. The Miller Hills, a smaller line of ridges than the Rochelle Hills, were visible to the SSE.

**Rochelle Hills** from Red Point at the far S end of Mile High Hill. Photo looks SW.

**Miller Hills**. Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.

To the W, Lupe could see the region where the giant deer had run off to and some of the territory she’d been by on the way here, including the point where she’d first seen Mile High Hill and Red Point.

Looking W at the region Lupe had come from on her journey to Mile High Hill.

**Rochelle Hills** from **Red Point** at the **S end of Mile High Hill**. Photo looks WSW.

A glorious half hour spent in grand isolation at Red Point shot by. Time to move on. More to see up on Mile High Hill! Returning briefly to the true summit, Lupe then explored N along the E rim, stopping at various high points and scenic spots along the way.

Back at the **true summit of Mile High Hill**. Photo looks N.

At a rocky high point along the E edge. Photo looks E.

Scenic spot along the E rim. Photo looks NE.

One more sizable 5,280 foot contour existed on Mile High Hill. It was N of Point 5272 along the E rim, well to the N of the other high points Lupe had visited. Loop went all the way to it, posing on a small rock near the fence that seemed to be the highest point. She then kept going N until it was clear nothing higher was out this way.

On the horizon, beyond a nearby lower hill, was the long blue line of home. The Black Hills!

At the **NE high point**. Possibly the real true summit, but who knew? Photo looks S.

*Look! More hills and ridges to the N! Wonder if it’s all officially part of the Rochelle Hills?* Photo looks NNW.

As far NE as Lupe went on Mile High Hill. **Black Hills** (Center & R) on the horizon. Photo looks NE.

Home. Nearly 3:00 PM already. Probably time to start back.

Mile High Hill had been fun! A great, easy trek, and surprisingly scenic, an unexpected delight. SPHP was glad the American Dingo had finally made it here.

The wind weakened. Only a gentle breeze as Loopster crossed the long plateaus on the way back. Never really was much cactus to speak of. The Carolina Dog roamed fearlessly, pausing every now and then to see the sights. Far to the NW, long ridges of the Pumpkin Buttes came into view for a while.

*Glad we finally made it to Mile High Hill! What a beautiful place!* Photo looks NNW.

Loop followed the road all the way. In the end, it did hook into Rochelle Hills Road. Yup, she’d been on No. 1171 all this time.

At the start of No. 1171 just off Rochelle Hills Road. Photo looks NE.

Nothing left except a 0.60 mile march on Rochelle Hills Road to HP5145, the green gate, and the G6. Curly tail held high, the Carolina Dog trotted NW, her fabulous Mile High Hill adventure, years in the making, finally complete. (End 4:43 PM, 59ºF)

**Mile High Hill** in the Rochelle Hills, Wyoming 10-16-20

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Atlantic Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 2: Atlantic Lake to the Summit! (9-15-20)

Days 3-6 of Lupe’s 5th Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!

9-15-20, 7:27 AM, Atlantic Lake – Squirrels! A great way to start any day. An American Dingo’s shrill enthusiasm broke the tranquility of the mountain air.

Loopster! Hush! You’ll wake up the campers.

Well, lucky them! They’re missing out! Lots of squirrels here. No doubt they’ll want to get in on the action!

Yeah, keep that up, and I’m sure they’ll be coming over to thank you any minute now. Anyway, c’mon, we’re ready. You can look for more squirrels after we get sufficiently past their camp.

Smooth as silk! Scarcely a ripple disturbed the surface of Atlantic Lake. Such a beautiful spot! Unfortunately, no improvement in air quality. A little smokier than yesterday, if anything. Disappointing, but sadly not entirely unexpected.

**Atlantic Peak** (L of Center) from **Atlantic Lake**. Photo looks WNW.

The Carolina Dog set out heading W along the S shore, utilizing a mix of faint use trails. Soon turned out that there was a better trail a little off in the forest, away from the lake. As this region narrowed, Lupe traveled along the base of rock formations or slides. Big rocks sometimes created openings along the shoreline that provided viewpoints.

**Atlantic Lake** shortly after sunrise. Photo looks ESE.

Near the W end of Atlantic Lake, Lupe came to a vacant campsite. Not a bad spot! If SPHP had known about it yesterday, Loop would have spent the night here. A rushing stream was just beyond the campsite. Leaving Atlantic Lake, Loopster followed the stream up a steep forested slope. Crossing the stream after the terrain leveled out to some degree quickly proved to be a mistake.

At the campsite near the W end of Atlantic Lake.

Loop crossed the stream (hidden in the bushes) here, but ran into difficult terrain on the other side.

Returning to the S bank, Looper kept going, venturing through a region bounded by a steep rocky slope on the L (S), and the stream and forest on the R (N). She was often forced to scramble over talus at the base of rock slides. Only intermittent signs of any use trail now.

Following the base of the slope. **Atlantic Peak** (R). Photo looks WNW.

*Best to stay low and keep heading W for a while yet!* Photo looks S.

Crossing talus. **Atlantic Peak** straight up from Lupe. Photo looks WNW.

After a while, the stream disappeared in the forest. Lupe eventually came to the brink of a wide ravine. She needed to get across it, but was too high. A pond was visible 50 feet lower off to the N (R). This seemed like a decent landmark to check progress against, but the topo map didn’t show a pond in this region at all. Puzzling.

The mysterious unmapped pond. **Silas Peak (12,248 ft.)** (L). Photo looks NNW.

Need to get over there! Photo looks WNW.

Retreating into the forest, Lupe found a way to get down close to pond level. The pond was actually a wide spot in the same stream she’d been following earlier. Crossing only a minor tributary, Loop made it over to the base of the rock formations W of the ravine. The American Dingo’s ascent of Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.) was about to start in earnest.

Looking up **Atlantic Canyon**. **Silas Peak** (R). Photo looks NW.

*Made it across the ravine! Ready to start climbing?* Photo looks WSW.

Going around the S side of the first rock formation, Loop found herself on a rocky slope that would have been a slow trudge for SPHP, if not for exposed slabs providing excellent routes higher. The slabs were steep, but dry, so traction was good. Staying on the slabs as much as possible, Lupe and SPHP traipsed toward an increasingly blue sky.

*These slabs we’re coming to are the way to go!* Photo looks SW.

In the heart of slab country. Photo looks S.

*Wouldn’t want it to get too much steeper, but we’re doing great!* Photo looks W.

All good things must come to an end, and the slabs did, too. Lupe came to two high spots densely covered with low evergreens. Reaching the top of the first one, a world of rock was visible beyond it. Looked like some pretty rough ground.

At the **first high spot**. **Second high spot** (L) ahead. Photo looks W.

The evergreens were so thick, it was hard to push through them. Turned out to be easier to avoid them altogether by staying along the N edge of this hill. After getting past them, Lupe went SW toward the second high spot. She never quite got to the top of this next high point, again finding it easier to simply avoid the whole evergreen situation by staying NW.

Immediately beyond the second high spot was a ravine choked with talus. Fortunately, this ravine wasn’t terribly wide, enabling SPHP to rock hop through it all without losing too much time.

Lupe resumed her ascent. The slope ahead was rocky and steep, but she again came to a series of slabs creating easy routes higher. Between the slabs, she often found lanes of vegetation to follow. Progress was good. At about 11,000 feet, Loop could see a rock-free depression to the S that was somewhat lower. Maybe a tarn that had gradually filled in with sediment?

Looking down on the **sediment-filled depression** (Center). Photo looks SSE.

Comprising much of the enormous slope W of the depression was a huge expanse of exposed slabs. Looked steep at the upper end, and SPHP wasn’t eager to head that far S. Nevertheless, Lupe inched toward the slabs as she continued up the mountain. Soon a much smaller orange slab with a tiny meltwater stream appeared ahead.

Above the orange slab, a series of grassy benches existed among all the rocks. Various ramps connecting these benches enabled a winding route higher without having to do much scrambling. Lupe reached the N edge of the enormous slabby region far above the sediment-filled depression. A good chunk of Atlantic Lake was now in sight.

Exploring a grassy bench. Photo looks SW.

**Atlantic Lake** (L) and the sediment-filled depression (R). Photo looks E.

The slope Lupe was climbing was taking her W toward the ridge SSE of HP12261, Atlantic Peak’s eastern subpeak. The American Dingo was now getting close to the apparent top of this ridge, but SPHP realized that was merely an illusion. Fearing a long talus scramble ahead in the as yet unseen region above the slabs, reality ultimately proved to be much kinder. Far more vegetation and less rock than expected. Cake!

*Above all the slabs now, and my, isn’t this nice!* **HP12261** (R). Photo looks NW.

Before long, Lupe was approaching the genuine top of the ridge, a broad rock-strewn region between HP12261 and HP11801. The true summit of Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.) was already coming into view.

Along the W side of the crest of this ridge sat a line of rock formations, several separate mounds of talus of varying size and shape.

Approaching the ridgeline. **Atlantic Peak** (Center). Photo looks NW.

Approaching rock formations along the W side of the crest. Photo looks WSW.

Going to the rock formation at the S end of the line, Loop peered over the edge, getting her first look at a huge expanse of territory S of Atlantic Peak. Unfortunately, a grand panorama of Wyoming’s sagebrush plains beyond the Wind River Range was hazy and indistinct. Darn smoke!

The smoke was bad, but it wasn’t terrible. Lake 9590 was visible in the Blair Creek drainage, and so were the Sweetwater Needles (10,548 ft.) 1.5 miles beyond it.

**Lake 9590** (L), **Sweetwater Needles** (Center), **Peak 11101** (R), and **Peak 11456** (far R). Photo looks SW.

After surveying this smoke-diminished scene, Loop headed N, passing E of the rest of the rock formations.

E of the rock formations. **Atlantic Peak** (L) and **HP12261** (R). Photo looks NW.

**Atlantic Peak** (R of Center) from the N end. Photo looks NW.

From the formation at the N end, Atlantic Peak’s summit was in sight less than 0.75 mile NW. So were the long slopes leading to it. Rocky and steep, but nothing intimidating. Merely a time-consuming grind. SPHP got things off to a poor start by leading Lupe angling higher, which soon put her in talus. Would have been better to have stayed lower where there was more vegetation.

*Not that far now!* **Atlantic Peak** (Center). Photo looks NW.

Looking back to the SSE. **Peak 11892** (Center) with **Peak 11761** poking up just to the R.

Climbing was often easier than going straight ahead or back down, so Loop kept working her way higher. Trending NNW, the Carolina Dog gained a fair amount of elevation, but never reached the elusive top of the ridge above. None of these maneuvers provided significant relief from the talus.

A wretchedly slow traverse, but SPHP eventually got through the worst of it. A stretch of smaller rock and patches of vegetation allowed spurts of progress. More rock, including talus still ahead, but not as intense as what Lupe had just come through.

*Looking better now! We’ll aim for the saddle near that snowbank.* Photo looks NW.

Upon reaching the big saddle between Atlantic Peak and HP12261, Loop had only 300 feet of elevation still to go. A long, icy snowbank provided a useful ramp up a good part of it. Above the snow was another talus climb that wasn’t too bad. Staying toward the N, Lupe skirted a minor subpeak and came to a large flat spot. Another 50 or 60 foot scramble and she’d be on top!

W end of the saddle between **Atlantic Peak** (Center) and **HP12261**. Photo looks W.

Glancing back. **Silas Peak** (L), saddle leading to **HP12261** (R). Photo looks ENE.

Coming up to the **minor subpeak** (L). **Atlantic Peak** (R). Photo looks W.

Scrambling for the top! Photo looks WSW.

9-15-20, 1:22 PM, Atlantic Peak – Lupe came up at the E end of a 200 foot long E/W summit ridge. The whole thing was a collection of talus with a steep slope to the S, and an absolute cliff to the N, the highest rocks mostly right along that fearsome N edge.

**E end of Atlantic Peak’s summit ridge**. Photo looks W.

*Time to find the true summit and chalk this one up as a peakbagging success!*

Although not quite to the true summit yet, the views were tremendous! Due to the smoke’s interference with the clarity of distant objects, the most interesting view was of the Saddlebag Lakes and another unnamed lake tucked below the vertical S face of Silas Peak (12,248 ft.) way down in Atlantic Canyon.

**Saddlebag Lakes** (L & Center). **Silas Peak** (R). Photo looks NNE.

Despite the talus, it was relatively easy to maneuver W looking for the true summit. A white rock resting on a larger boulder, both on the brink of the precipice to the N, proved to be the high point, although another boulder 20 feet farther W appeared to be nearly as high.

The white rock was too small, sloped, and close to the edge for Lupe to get up on. However, she could easily touch the top with her paw, and stand on the boulder supporting it. She also visited that other boulder in contention to the W to complete her peakbagging success.

At the **true summit of Atlantic Peak**. **Highest rock** next to Loop. **2nd highest rock** (L). Photo looks NW.

One of the **Saddlebag Lakes** (far L) with **Silas Peak** and an unnamed lake beyond it. **True summit** rock by Lupe. Photo looks NE.

On the **2nd highest rock**. **West Atlantic Peak (12,430 ft.)** (Center) is the high point of the dark ridge beyond Loop. Photo looks NW.

So much to see! Atlantic Peak’s long W ridge curled N to a high point that had to be West Atlantic Peak (12,430 ft.). Miles beyond it, partially obscured by the haze, were several recognizable giants of the SE Wind River Range. Temple Peak (12,972 ft.), East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.), and mighty Wind River Peak (13,192 ft.) were all dimly displayed.

**Atlantic Peak’s W ridge** (L of Center). **Mount Nystrom (12,356 ft.)** (R of Center), **West Atlantic Peak** (R), and **Temple Peak** (far R) in the distance. Photo looks WNW.

**Mount Nystrom** (far L), **West Atlantic Peak** (L), **Temple Peak** (L of Center), **East Temple Peak** (Center), and **Wind River Peak** (R of Center). Photo looks NW.

**Temple Peak** (L), **East Temple Peak** (Center), and **Wind River Peak** (R). Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

Zoomed in on **Temple Peak**. Icky haze! Photo looks NW.

To the SW was the view of Lake 9590 in the Blair Creek drainage and the Sweetwater Needles (10,548) that Lupe had seen before from the rock formations in the saddle between HP11801 and HP12261. However, she now saw them from a different perspective as she peered down Atlantic Peak’s SW ridge.

**Lake 9590** (L) and the **Sweetwater Needles** (R). Photo looks SW.

**Atlantic Peak’s SW ridge** (Center). **Sweetwater Needles** (L) beyond **Peak 11456**. Atlantic Peak’s connecting **W ridge** (R). Photo looks WSW.

Lupe gazed down into Atlantic Canyon, she surveyed the route she’d taken up from the SE, and sat on many a boulder. After a good long while, though, it was time for a break.

With nowhere to rest close to the true summit, Lupe retreated back to the E, choosing shady spot where SPHP put sweatshirts and a jacket on a rock to provide some cushioning. Looper munched her Taste of the Wild and inhaled the beef jerky SPHP offered before trying to nap.

Looking NNW over **Atlantic Canyon**. One of the **Saddlebag Lakes** (R).

**HP12261** (L), **Peak** **11892** (straight up from Lupe), **Peak 11761** (R). Photo looks SE.

The **saddle where Lupe first reached the ridgeline** (far L). **Peak 11892** (Center) and **Peak 11761** (R) all in the foreground. **Christina Lake** (far L), **Granite Peak (10,404 ft.)** (L) and **Pabst Peak (10,261 ft.)** (L of Center) in the distance. Photo looks SE.

Chillin’ on **Atlantic Peak**. Photo looks E.

High in the mighty Winds of Wyoming! Photo looks NW.

3rd time had been a charm! The American Dingo finally really was way up here on Atlantic Peak. SPHP drank a Coke, pondering the splendid scenes in all directions. A shame it had to be so smoky, but what a spot!

The melancholy moment arrived. Looper stood again at the summit of Atlantic Peak. All the planning, long anticipation, and effort to get here! Not just here, but to any big remote peak. The joy of success! Precious minutes savoring it all, the world at your paws! Then suddenly it’s on the verge of over and done with, a fabulous airy place almost certainly never to be seen again. An instant both wonderfully real and terrible.

9-15-20, 2:52 PM, Atlantic Peak – Well, no sense in brooding. Just the way things are, have always been, and always will be. Plenty of fun yet to come! 1.5 hours after arriving, Lupe left the summit of Atlantic Peak.

About to head down. **HP12261** (Center). Photo looks E.

During the return, Lupe varied the route a bit. Instead of heading back to the saddle between HP12261 and HP11801, she stayed higher going through minor passes SE and SW of HP12261. After going through the second pass, an enormous long slope was in sight. Lots of rock. All the usual travails and little assists. And way down in the valley, a blue gem, Atlantic Lake!

Approaching the **first pass SW of HP12261** (R). Photo looks SE.

**Second pass SE of HP12261** (L) with **Christina Lake** beyond it. Lupe’s route up went through the lower pass seen on the R. **HP11892** (R) and **HP11761** (far R). Photo looks SE.

*At least it’s all downhill now!* **Atlantic Lake** (L) and **Christina Lake** (R of Center). Photo looks SE.

The sun was down and light beginning to fade as Lupe headed E along the S shore of Atlantic Lake. Not much farther to the tiny house! SPHP was surprised to see a campfire. Sort of expected the campers might be gone by now. Two people! They hailed SPHP. Up to greet them.

So Lupe and SPHP met Peter and Meghan Cielenski, brother and sister, from Cincinnati, Ohio. Right away, a miracle! Peter and Meghan knew Lupe! What? Turned out Meghan’s boyfriend, Josh, had found The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe while researching a prior trip to Tayo and Coon lakes here in the Wind River Range. Tayo Lake was on the way to Wind River Peak, which Loop had climbed in 2017.

Astonishing! First time anyone had ever recognized Lupe from her blog! SPHP asked Meghan and Peter if they were planning on staying up for a while, and if it would be OK to join them? Answer – affirmative on both counts! A quick trip to the tiny house to ditch the backpack and feed Loop before heading back to the campfire.

Starting to get dark already, but maybe enough light for a photo?

Lupe with **Peter & Meghan Cielenski**. First (and only so far!) people ever to recognize Lupe from T(M)TAOL.

**Peter & Meghan Cielenski** with Loop. A little fuzzy due to low light conditions. It was much darker than it looks.

Peter and Meghan were both very friendly, and a fun evening was spent with them. Unaccustomed to a campfire, Lupe mostly hung back in the shadows, listening to the conversation.

Peter had discovered the Wind River Range back in 2019. Already on his 3rd trip, he was a fan! Peter’s main interest was in fly fishing. He showed SPHP photos of brilliantly colored Golden Trout he’d caught when he and Meghan had gone all the way up Atlantic Canyon to the Saddlebag Lakes yesterday.

Meghan was a runner. She sometimes runs marathons, and was more into exploring than fishing. Meghan was hoping to see some shooting stars. Wyoming wish granted! The Milky Way appeared in the heavens as the night turned black. A zillion stars glittered overhead. A few fell, as sparks from the campfire’s embers sailed skyward in brief, doomed efforts to meet them.

The Cielenskis offered SPHP a Snickers bar, peanut M&M’s, and Babybel cheeses wrapped in cellophane and red wax so they’ll keep. SPHP had never seen Babybel cheeses before, but they were good, and a really big hit with Lupe! When the Cielenskis declined beef jerky offered by SPHP, the Carolina Dog made sure none of that went to waste, either.

Good times with Kevin and Meghan! But the evening wore on, the fire faded to embers, and it got late. A fabulous, long day in the mountains. Eventually everyone was ready to say good-night.

9-16-20, 8:04 AM, Atlantic Lake – Ready to go! If anything, Atlantic Lake was even smoother this morning when Lupe appeared to bid a final farewell to Atlantic Peak. A few moments to reflect, and it was nearly Puppy, ho! time. Before departing, the American Dingo ventured back to Peter and Meghan’s camp to say good-bye. No activity. Maybe they were already out and about?

On the way back to the trailhead, several groups of Californians were met. All had fled the bonfire their drought-stricken home had become. Some described smoke so thick that day turned to night. Not good! Some Year of Perfect Vision this turned out to be!

9-16-20, 1:10 PM, Christina Lake trailhead – The Atlantic Peak adventure was over. A guy was changing a flat tire on his pickup truck when Lupe got back to the trailhead. Not especially happy about it, he blamed the sharp gray rock they’d repaired the access road with recently, which he claimed were cheap tailings from an iron mine. He had relatives that had suffered 8 flats on this road in the past 2 months.

Fortunately, the G6’s tires were fine. No damage on the way in. Now all they had to do was survive the trip out. Still looking good upon reaching pavement on Hwy 28 at the SE end of the Winds. SPHP turned S.

Lots more to do in the Wind River Range on this Dingo Vacation, if the weather and sky would co-operate! Looper had a blast barking at cows along the Lander Cutoff. Wind out of the WSW, though. The mountains were barely visible when the G6 pulled into Pinedale. Discouraging.

9-17-20, 2:30 PM, 80ºF, New Fork Lake – Chilly this morning, but the day had warmed up nicely. Lupe had seen a moose and been entertained for hours by a squirrel in a big spruce tree at the dispersed camping site. Trip journal caught up, it was time for a last stroll down to the beach.

Dispersed camping site near New Fork Lake.

A hint of fall, aspens on the hillsides were suddenly yellow. Beautiful! Not a problem, but the smoke obscuring the mountains was. No change overnight, or during the day thus far. Apparently not much chance that the smoke was going to dissipate anytime soon, either.

Might as well face it. Further delay wasn’t going to help. Atlantic Peak was it, a one mountain Dingo Vacation! Terribly inefficient, but it had been great fun. No regrets!

The American Dingo headed for home. Normally a classic western scenic drive, but smoke was everywhere.

9-18-20, 6:53 AM, Wright, WY – Well, isn’t that special? The G6’s R rear tire was nearly flat. After airing it up at a gas station, SPHP asked the convenience store cashier where it might be possible to get it repaired? R & B Tire, a mile or two back along Hwy 387.

Stroke of luck! R & B Tire opened at 7:00 AM. No waiting. The tire was repaired and the G6 good to go in no time. $18.00. Say, by the way, had the mechanic found a nail in the tire, or what was the issue?

Nope, no nail. A small, sharp shard of gray rock.

Figured.

(End, 9-18-20, 11:10 AM, 66ºF, breezy, smoky)