Days 1 & 2 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains & Wind River Range in Wyoming!
7-13-18, morning – No doubt about it. Something was in the works – something big! All the signs were there. SPHP scurried endlessly about. As hours ticked by, Lupe gave up on following SPHP around. Apparently whatever was going on wasn’t happening imminently.
SPHP had a present for Lupe! A bag on the front step said a marmot was inside, a dandy gift certain to be well received by an American Dingo. However, SPHP said there wasn’t actually a marmot in it. Disappointing, to say the least. A new tiny house was inside. Lupe’s old one had lacked a rain cover all these years, and was showing signs of wear and tear.
Lupe with her gift from SPHP.
7-13-18, 3:00 PM – Finally! It was on now! Lupe was in the G6 on her pile of pillows and blankets. SPHP turned onto I-90. The Carolina Dog was bound for Wyoming! A bright, shiny, brand new Dingo Vacation was underway!
7-13-18, 6:30 PM – Less than a month after her last Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains had ended abruptly due to rainy weather, Lupe was back! This time she was in the southern Bighorns at Powder River Pass (9,677 ft.). During a short break from the G6, Loop ventured up to a small rock outcropping S of the pass.
The views were gorgeous! Lupe was inspired to go mountain climbing right this very minute! However, she would have to wait. Getting into position to start for Bomber Mountain(12,840 ft.) tomorrow was all that was on the agenda this evening.
SPHP drove W on Hwy 16. 2 miles past Meadowlark Lake was a R (W) turn onto USFS Road No. 27 at Deer Haven Lodge. No. 27 promptly turned N. 1.5 miles from Hwy 16, Lupe reached a junction where USFS Road No. 24 curved away to the L (W). A sign indicated it was 15 miles to Battle Park. Another sign said No. 24 was NOT an all-weather road.
After Lupe’s escape from Big Pryor Mountain at the end of her last Dingo Vacation, the sign gave SPHP pause. Even so, the die was cast. Looper was at least going to try to get to the Bucking Mule Trailhead at Battle Park. Fortunately, other approaches to Bomber Mountain existed, if this one didn’t pan out.
No. 24 to Battle Park wasn’t so bad, nowhere near as worrisome as the road to Big Pryor Mountain had been. Plenty of potholes and stones, but there were always ways around them. SPHP drove slowly. Lupe rode with her head out the window having a blast looking for squirrels and deer.
After 14 miles in 45 minutes, Lupe reached the Middle Fork of Paint Rock Creek. A small trailhead was on the R 0.25 mile farther on. This was the Middle Fork trailhead from which Trail No. 066 provides access to Lily Lake. A sign said registration was required to enter the wilderness. The station was 0.25 mile away at Battle Park.
SPHP parked the G6. Lupe and SPHP walked to Battle Park. 0.25 mile was more like 0.75 mile. When Lupe finally did reach Battle Park, SPHP was amazed. Expecting solitude, the place was packed with pickup trucks, trailers, people, horses and dogs!
Battle Park wasn’t exactly deserted when Lupe arrived. Photo looks NW.
Posted information at the entrance to Battle Park made no mention of any registration station. SPHP finally asked a group of people sitting around a bonfire about it. Oh, the registration station was still farther up the road at the opposite end of Battle Park.
SPHP registered. Lupe visited the Bucking Mule trailhead at the end of the road. Upon returning to the G6, she found a squirrel right away at the Middle Fork trailhead, and watched it until dark.
Although it was only 59°F out, the G6 was warm. Lupe lapped up lots of water, but spent hours panting atop her blankets. The Carolina Dog was tremendously excited, and too wound up to sleep.
It’s all so exciting! I wonder what’s going to happen tomorrow?
7-14-18, early – Despite having spent half the night awake, Lupe was up before the sun. She picked up right where she had left off yesterday evening. The forest rang with shrill, happy barking as the American Dingo rediscovered the same poor, bleary-eyed squirrel. Meanwhile, SPHP was getting ready.
At the Middle Fork trailhead 0.75 mile (NOT0.25 mile!) from Battle Park.
7-14-18, 7:04 AM – The squirrel was going to have a fine day, after all. SPHP had granted it relief. Lupe and the G6 were now at the Bucking Mule trailhead just past Battle Park at the end of USFS Road No. 24. All was ready. The backpack was annoyingly heavy as backpacks are wont to be. This was it! Lupe and SPHP set off into the forest on Trail No. 164.
While Bomber Mountain was Lupe’s ultimate peakbagging objective, the goal today was simply to get to Gunboat Lake near Florence Pass. Lupe had been to Gunboat Lake once before. A nice grassy ridge overlooking the lake had looked like a great place to set up base camp. So that was the plan. SPHP hoped it wasn’t overly ambitious. The weight of the dang backpack was the leading cause of doubt. It was 5 miles on Trail No. 164 just to get to the Solitude Trail (No. 038), and maybe another 6 miles on the Solitude Trail to get to Gunboat Lake.
Looper wasn’t thinking about any of that as she trotted N through the forest. Why, planning things out and carting all that gear around was what she had SPHP for! Her job was just to sniff, run, play and explore. The American Dingo had no intention of neglecting her duties. She gave them her undivided attention.
Trail No. 164 lost a bit of elevation in the first 0.25 mile to a ford at Battle Creek. The water was low. Crossing the creek was a trivial matter.
At Battle Creek 0.25 mile N of Bucking Mule trailhead. Photo looks NE.
Easy is good! Always nice when a potential obstacle turns out not to be one. Beyond the creek Lupe started gaining elevation. No. 164 wound NE through forest, occasionally passing near small glades. About a mile from the trailhead, Lupe reached the S end of Long Park, a vast meadow extending more than 1.5 miles N. Elk Mountain(11,321 ft.) was in sight off to the NE.
Lupe reaches the S end of Long Park. Elk Mountain is on the R. Photo looks NNE.
Trail No. 164 went N through Long Park staying close to the W side near the forest. After only 0.25 mile, Lupe reached the top of a minor rise. The trail ahead curved W down into a drainage. The topo map showed No. 164 would lose 150 feet of elevation before crossing Long Park Creek, ultimately regaining all the loss on the way back E to Long Park.
Maybe there was a bridge where No. 164 crossed the creek, but the creek was divided into two streams up here in Long Park. If both were fordable, Lupe could save the detour W and avoid unnecessary elevation loss. Loop left the trail continuing straight N. Both branches of Long Park Creek proved to be simple rock hops.
Fording Long Park Creek. Photo looks ENE.
N of the streams, Lupe picked up Trail No. 164 again. She came to no further obstacles traveling N through Long Park. SPHP tried to keep an eye out for Trail No. 120 going SE to Lily Lake, but saw no sign of it.
Long Park from the N. Photo looks S.Getting close to the N end of Long Park. Cloud Peak(13,167 ft.) (L) has come into view. Elk Mountain is on the R. Photo looks NE.
As Lupe got closer to the N end of Long Park, No. 164 made a jog to the W before turning N again. Lupe had been gaining elevation slowly. The pace picked up when the trail entered the forest. Several people on horseback were coming the opposite direction as the Carolina Dog reached High Point 9810.
Adventures on horseback near High Point 9810! Photo looks W.
Reaching High Point 9810 was significant. Lupe had gained 680 feet of elevation since fording Battle Creek. This was the highest point along Trail No. 164. Lupe had a look around. The terrain was pretty flat, but she found a rock that looked like it might be the summit.
At the top of High Point 9810, highest point along Trail No. 164. Photo looks N.
In the middle of a flat area, the highest rock at High Point 9810 didn’t have the best view. The best view was from a boulder near the N edge.
Looking NNE from High Point 9810‘s best viewpoint.
High Point 9810 was 3 miles from the trailhead. Still 2 miles to go to reach the junction with the Solitude Trail. Loop and SPHP pressed on.
The Carolina Dog was now about to lose all of the elevation she had gained. During a steady descent through the forest, Trail No. 164 wound generally NE. Occasionally there were clearings off in one direction or another. Looper came to a muddy stream where she took the liberty of helping herself to a drink and cooling off.
Cooling off in a muddy stream. What could be more fun? Photo looks E.
The map showed one interesting highlight more than halfway from High Point 9810 to the junction with the Solitude Trail. That was Grace Lake. Trail No. 164 would go right by it.
Grace Lake was pretty! Lily pads grew near the W shore. Forested rocky slopes came down to the E shore. If SPHP wanted a respite from the heavy backpack, Lupe was perfectly content to lay in the shade with a view of the tranquil lake.
Oh, SPHP! Isn’t Grace Lake pretty! Photo looks NE.Grace Lake. Photo looks E.Taking a break in the shade by Grace Lake.Elk Mountain(11,321 ft.) from Grace Lake. Photo looks SE.
With a long way to go, the rest break at Grace Lake wasn’t nearly as long as SPHP would have liked. Lupe had to move on. Crossing the outlet stream, Loop was surprised to meet Jefe and Bailey Cleland.
Jefe and Bailey were from Sturgis, South Dakota, so they were from the Black Hills, too! They were on their way back from a 4 day excursion up to Middle Cloud Peak Lake where Bailey had caught a golden trout.
Jefe was 8 years old, part Labrador, Golden Retriever, and Rottweiler. The story of how Jefe and Bailey came to be together was both sad and heart-warming. Bailey had acquired Jefe after a friend had asked him to take care of Jefe for a month as a favor. The friend never returned for Jefe. Bailey hadn’t had the heart to take him to the pound.
That was many years ago. The day Jefe had been abandoned with Bailey turned out to be his luckiest day ever! Here they were, living the dream together enjoying the Bighorn Mountains wilderness. They were as happy as Lupe and SPHP!
Lupe with Bailey and Jefe at the Grace Lake outlet stream.
After a nice chat with Bailey and Jefe, Lupe and SPHP wished them well and carried on. N of Grace Lake, Trail No. 164 headed NE to a minor pass before dropping down into Paint Rock Creek canyon. A mile from Grace Lake, Lupe reached Solitude Trail (No. 038).
Loop was now 5 miles from the Bucking Mule trailhead where she had started out. The Carolina Dog still wasn’t any higher than she had been there, having lost all the elevation she’d gained on the way to High Point 9810. There was nothing much to see here. Without hesitation, Lupe headed E up Paint Rock Creek canyon.
The Solitude Trail immediately began to climb. The pace wasn’t difficult, though the backpack made it seem that way to SPHP. The trail stayed up in the forest along the S side of the valley, and never got close to Paint Rock Creek. The trail soon leveled out, and at one point reached a big clearing from which the creek could be seen. That didn’t last long. Lupe was soon right back in the forest.
After more than 0.5 mile on the Solitude Trail, Lupe reaches a big clearing. Paint Rock Creek is barely visible on the L. Photo looks NE.
A mile on the Solitude Trail brought Lupe to a clearing at the top of a small rise. Filling Paint Rock Creek canyon, beautiful Lake Solitude was dead ahead!
After heading E for a mile on the Solitude Trail, beautiful Lake Solitude came into view. Photo looks E.
Nearly a mile long, Lake Solitude was the largest lake Lupe would come to on this trip. Upon leaving the clearing W of the lake, the Solitude Trail returned to the forest. The lake was seldom visible again until Lupe was more than halfway along the S side. At the start of a large rock slide, a creek plunged down a steep slope S of the trail.
Lupe climbed up on some of the rocks for a better look.
More than halfway along Lake Solitude, a creek came plunging down to cross the trail from the S. This was at the start of a huge rock slide where Lake Solitude was coming into view again. Photo looks NE.Lupe up on the rocks by the creek. Photo looks SE.
Quite an impressive waterfall was in sight higher up.
By scrambling only a little way up the rocks next to the trail, Lupe got to see this cool waterfall. Photo looks S.
Immediately beyond the creek, the views of Lake Solitude really opened up. The rock slide had wiped out all the trees long ago. Crossing the rock slide was no trouble. The Solitude Trail was a well constructed path. No rock hopping or trackless boulder fields to transit at all.
So easy, and the views are fantastic! Photo looks NE.Approaching the E end of Lake Solitude. Photo looks NE.
Near the E end of the lake, the Solitude Trail went right along the shore barely above lake level. Once Lupe got past the rock slide and huge rock formations, she was ready for another break at a grassy point next to the lake. Sticking around to enjoy Lake Solitude for a while seemed like a great idea to SPHP, too.
Near the E end of Lake Solitude the trail was right down by the shore. Photo looks NE.Once beyond all the big rocks, Lupe took a break at this grassy point. Photo looks WNW.Relaxing by Lake Solitude.
20 pleasant minutes shot by. Better get going.
E of Lake Solitude it wasn’t entirely clear where the trail went. Lupe kept toward the R (S) of a large flat region. Several campsites were tucked back against the pines. None were occupied. From the campsites, Loop followed a fairly decent trail E. It quickly led to a ford of a rushing stream.
E of Lake Solitude, Lupe comes to a ford of a rushing creek. This stream was far larger than any of the others she had come to.
Lupe had reached Paint Rock Creek. The water was fast and deep enough to make SPHP leery. The Carolina Dog explored upstream until she came to a place where big rocks made it easier to cross.
Fording Paint Rock Creek.
Once across Paint Rock Creek, Lupe returned to the trail. After a steep climb, the Carolina Dog arrived at a junction with a better trail. This had to be the Solitude Trail, didn’t it? Somewhere E of the lake, Loop must have gotten off the main track.
The better trail went either gradually downhill to the NE or more steeply uphill to the SW. A brief foray going downhill revealed a footbridge over another big stream by a waterfall.
Looking down toward the Solitude Trail footbridge over the stream from Middle Cloud Peak Lake. Photo looks NE.
Lupe was going the wrong way. The stream the footbridge went over had to be the major tributary of Paint Rock Creek which comes down from Middle Cloud Peak Lake. If Looper continued down to it, the trail would take her back to Lake Solitude. At least there was no question now which way she needed to go. Lupe and SPHP turned around and headed back up.
The longest, steepest climb of the day now began. The Solitude Trail turned E going up the N side of Paint Rock Creek canyon. Lupe was soon way above Paint Rock Creek. SPHP’s heavy pack meant the American Dingo had plenty of chances to relax and enjoy the scenery.
On the way up Paint Rock Creek canyon. Photo looks SE.Looking back toward Lake Solitude. Photo looks WNW.View to the SE.Whad’ya think, SPHP? Do these flowers make me look fat? …. Not in the least, Loopster. You’re gorgeous!Indian PaintbrushLoopster living the dream along the Solitude Trail.
As long as the trail remained steep, the views of Lake Solitude back to the W became ever more spectacular. Eventually, though, the trail wasn’t as steep. As it began to level out, Paint Rock Creek was catching up. First, the stream came into view not terribly far below the Solitude Trail. A little farther on, Lupe came to another ford.
No doubt there was somewhat less flow way up here. The water was also spread out much more. The stream wasn’t nearly as deep or fast. Lupe had no problem at all crossing Paint Rock Creek this time around.
That’s quite a view, isn’t it? Looking back at Lake Solitude. Photo looks W.As the Solitude Trail began to level out, Paint Rock Creek could be seen S of the trail. Photo looks ESE.Loop reaches a 2nd ford of Paint Rock Creek. The water was spread out and shallower here making this crossing a much simpler task.
Now on the S side of Paint Rock Creek, Lupe continued E on the Solitude Trail. The American Dingo was gaining elevation again, heading for an area she had been to before. Nearly 2 years ago she had climbed Cloud Peak, the highest mountain in the Bighorn Range. Another 0.5 mile would bring Lupe to views of Cloud Peak and Paint Rock Creek Falls.
That 0.5 mile took longer than it should have. Fatigue was setting in. SPHP was pausing frequently. Lupe was still making progress, though. She reached a high point along the trail. Good news! Both Cloud Peak(13,167 ft.) and Bomber Mountain(12,840 ft.) were in view. Getting there!
Reaching this high spot brought good news. Both Cloud Peak (L) and Bomber Mountain (Center) were now in view off in the distance. Photo looks ENE.Paint Rock Creek and Cloud Peak (R). Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.
A little farther on, Paint Rock Creek Falls came into view. Lupe could see the grassy ridge slightly above and to the W of the falls where her old tiny house (tent) had been set up as a base camp.
Paint Rock Creek Falls is in sight across the valley beyond Lupe. Her old base camp prior to climbing Cloud Peak in 2016 had been on the slightly higher grassy bench L of the falls. Photo looks N.Paint Rock Creek Falls with lots of help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NNE.
It was fun to see the area again! The pass leading to Mistymoon Lake wasn’t much farther. The 2 mile long climb from Lake Solitude would be over when the Carolina Dog got to the pass. In the meantime, the view of Lupe’s old base camp for her successful ascent of Cloud Peak served as inspiration.
Onward! Puppy, ho!
Puppy, ho? I’m waiting on you, SPHP! Lupe rests by the Solitude Trail on the way to the pass to Mistymoon Lake. The big ridge ahead is the SW end of Bomber Mountain. Photo looks E.Looking back toward Paint Rock Creek canyon (Center) before leaving the area. Photo looks W.
Nearing the pass to Mistymoon Lake, Lupe found a snowbank to frolic on. The delightful experience seemed to give her a burst of new energy. Even so, SPHP wasn’t tempted to duplicate her chilly romp. Simply getting over the pass would be good enough. Almost there!
Lupe absorbs new energy from a snowbank near the pass to Mistymoon Lake. She had been hot earlier in the day. This romp in the snow took care of that. Photo looks SSE.
Suddenly, Lupe was there. The top of the pass! Ahead was an easy 0.5 mile long downhill section that would get the Carolina Dog all the way to Mistymoon Lake. Pausing to look back, Cloud Peak loomed off to the NE. Much of the route Lupe had taken to the summit was in view.
Would Looper find a similar route up Bomber Mountain tomorrow? Who knew? Hopefully. From Gunboat Lake 2 years ago, it had at least looked feasible. Either way, the American Dingo was going to find out. Lupe and SPHP headed for Mistymoon Lake.
Cloud Peak from the Solitude Trail pass N of Mistymoon Lake. Photo looks NE.The Solitude Trail heads S from the pass N of Mistymoon Lake. The lake is just beyond the hill on the L. Photo looks SW.
Lupe really was re-energized! She loves this kind of open country, and roamed well ahead of SPHP. The day had been sunny and warm. Now that evening was coming on the sky had clouded up, and it was comfortably cool. Going downhill, even SPHP picked up the pace. Soon Lupe was on a slope overlooking Mistymoon Lake.
Lupe reaches Mistymoon Lake. The Solitude Trail would take her around the W (R) side of the lake, then all the way back to the E (L) on the far shore. Photo looks S.
The Solitude Trail passes along the W and S sides of Mistymoon Lake. Near the SW shore Lupe reached a junction with the Mistymoon Trail (No. 063) coming up from the West Tensleep trailhead. Lupe could see part of Lake Marion to the S.
Looking SE across Mistymoon Lake. The Solitude Trail heads up the draw (R of Center) on the opposite shore on the way to the Fortress Lakes. The big ridge in the distance leads to Mather Peaks(12,400 ft.).Lupe relaxes near the junction of the Mistymoon and Solitude trails. Part of Lake Marion is in view. Photo looks S.Cloud Peak (R in the distance) from Mistymoon Lake. Photo looks NE.
Lupe stuck with the Solitude Trail as it headed E along the S shore of Mistymoon Lake. After a rock hop over the outlet stream, Loop gained 200 feet of elevation on the way up a draw leading to the Fortress Lakes. This was the last significant elevation rise of the day.
S shore of Mistymoon Lake after crossing the outlet stream. From here the Solitude Trail heads for the gap on the R which leads to the Fortress Lakes. Photo looks ENE.Looking back at Mistymoon Lake as Lupe departs for the Fortress Lakes. Elk Mountain is on the L. Photo looks WNW.
The Fortress Lakes were a welcome sight. Lupe was within 0.5 mile of Gunboat Lake!
Approaching the Fortress Lakes near the end of the day. Photo looks E.On the Solitude Trail by the largest Fortress Lake. Elk Mountain (L) in the distance. Photo looks W.
At last, Lupe was resting on the grassy ridge N of Gunboat Lake! SPHP wearily assembled her new Marmot tiny house. The old tiny house was shaped better. This one was longer than it needed to be, but not wide enough. It would have to do. At least it had a rain cover. Might need it, too! The sky was overcast, though not threatening at the moment.
Made it! Loop rests on the grassy ridge N of Gunboat Lake. Base camp was about to be established here. Photo looks SSW.Base camp! Lupe by her brand new Marmot tiny house. One of the smaller Fortress Lakes is in sight. Bomber Mountain in the distance on the L. Photo looks NE.
The tiny house was up! Base camp was established! Lupe had a great view of Gunboat Lake, one of the smaller Fortress Lakes, and the huge ridges leading to the possibly unseen summit of Bomber Mountain. The Solitude Trail could be seen heading NE for Florence Pass. Tomorrow Lupe would be making that trek!
This was a great spot! It had been a long day, though. More than an hour before sunset, Lupe and SPHP crawled into the overly cozy Marmot tiny house to hit the hay. No sunset to miss, anyway. A while back the sun had already sunk into a gloomy, murky haze.
It’s nice enough, I suppose. A real marmot would have been better, though! Base camp, Gunboat Lake, Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming 7-14-18
Part 2 of Day 6 plus Days 7 through 9 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming & Beyond!
Greybull, WY, 6-15-18, mid-afternoon – Renner Butte had saved the day! Lupe had scored a peakbagging success. Happily, there was still time to get into position for Big Pryor Mountain(8,786 ft.) tomorrow, too, even though it was a 2 hour drive away in southern Montana. Lupe and SPHP stopped by the A&W to celebrate Renner Butte with a cheeseburger.
The sky was clouding up. NW of Greybull an approaching storm forced SPHP to pull off the highway to shelter the G6 under a cottonwood tree. A cloudburst ensued with wild wind, small hail, and driving rain. Even in the G6, the hail and thunder made Lupe cringe. Nothing major, though. 10 minutes and it was all over.
At a fuel stop in Lovell came faintly disturbing news. The L rear tire on the G6 needed several psi of air again after having been aired up earlier this morning. Big Pryor Mountain was out in the middle of nowhere. SPHP over-inflated the tire. That ought to do it!
SPHP was being clever, oh, so clever! The tires on the G6 were all near the end of their useful life. New tires were going to happen, but not until after this Dingo Vacation. In the meantime, SPHP was squeezing a little extra mileage out of them. The L rear tire had been leaking slowly for the past couple of months. Until now it had only required a shot of air once a week. Evidently the leak was now worse. A bit worrisome. but the tire really only needed to hold out one more day. After that, Big Pryor Mountain would be over and done with. Nothing else on Lupe’s remaining agenda was so remote.
With the American Dingo’s eager assistance, half a dozen ice cream bars purchased in Lovell were ancient history by the time SPHP turned R (E) off Hwy 310 at Warren 5 miles into Montana. Not much at Warren, mostly industrial stuff and a wide gravel road.
Must have rained hard here, too. The gravel road was soft and wet. Trucks sprayed mud at the G6. SPHP looked for a turn N. The gravel road wound NE giving encouragement several times, but after 5 miles SPHP gave up. The turn couldn’t possibly be this far from the highway.
It wasn’t. Less than 0.25 mile from Hwy 310, there it was. In a low area was an obvious turn N on Rail Bed Road. Doh!
Rail Bed Road was narrower, rockier, and firmer than the wide gravel road had been. No traffic at all. The road was fine for 10 miles, all the way to a junction with Pryor Road. Somewhere along the way, Rail Bed Road had become Pryor Gap Road.
10 miles N of Warren, MT at the junction of Pryor Gap Road (Rail Bed Road) and Pryor Road. Photo looks NE.Yes, let’s give both roads virtually the same name. That will be helpful! 5 miles farther on, there’s a Pryor Mountain Road, too, to eliminate any confusion. Photo looks SE.
3 miles N of the junction, Lupe entered the Crow Indian Reservation. Pryor Gap Road deteriorated. Stones and potholes!
Apparently the reservation was open range. Cattle were everywhere! Lupe was overjoyed! By the time she reached Pryor Mountain Road, the Carolina Dog was foaming at the mouth. Hundreds of cows had paused their grazing to look up and see what the shrill commotion was about. Only those right along the road had bothered to trot a little farther off into the grasslands to save their hearing.
Gasping for breath, Lupe looked enormously pleased with herself. The only disappointing part was that SPHP wouldn’t let her out of the G6 to pursue a couple of juicy steaks right this very minute! She would have been outnumbered 1,000 to 1, but that didn’t enter into her calculations in the slightest.
Into the trap, 6-15-18, evening – Dennis Poulin had written a trip report on his journey to Big Pryor Mountain back in July, 2011 which included good driving directions. Upon reaching Pryor Mountain Road 15 miles N of Warren, SPHP was fairly certain where Lupe was now. Dennis had come in from the W instead of the S, but this intersection had to be the 16.6 mile point in his access route description. A R (E) turn here would put Lupe on the same track.
SPHP hesitated. Dennis had mentioned that the road got rougher upon entering the Crow Indian Reservation, which it certainly had. How rough was it going to get? Pryor Mountain Road went through another 5.5 miles of reservation E of here before entering the Custer National Forest. Was the road any better there? Dennis hadn’t said. From this junction, it was still nearly 14 miles to where Dennis had parked before making his ascent.
If Pryor Mountain Road wasn’t any worse than Pryor Gap Road had just been, the G6 could make it. Still, this was mighty remote territory. Lupe hadn’t see another vehicle since Warren. That leaky tire was a concern. On the bright side, it hadn’t rained much here. The road was basically dry – just a little damp. The intersection was actually in good shape. On the dark side, a ground fog had settled in since reaching the reservation. What was going to happen?
Looking E along Pryor Mountain Road roughly 15 miles N of Warren. The G6 is pointed N on Pryor Gap Road and needs to turn R (E) here to get to Big Pryor Mountain.
Lupe had come all this way. She was here now, and it was probably now or never. May as well try it. Could always turn around if the road got too bad, right? SPHP made the turn.
Pryor Mountain Road started off fine. Before long, though, it was deteriorating. The road wasn’t rocky, but full of ruts. A high clearance vehicle wouldn’t have had much trouble, but the G6 was forced to straddle the ruts to avoid getting high centered.
Slowly, carefully! The ruts became so deep that turning around was out of the question. The G6 would just get hung up. There were no breaks. Backing up was impossible. Rear visibility was too poor. Only by going forward, could SPHP keep the tires up on the narrow ridges between the deeply churned ruts.
Wow! This would be an absolute quagmire if it rained hard. Probably wouldn’t. Significant rainfall is rare in sagebrush country, although this was the time of year for it. The ground fog lifted, revealing lots of other clouds around. Not good. Not good at all.
The drive was nerve-wracking. To help calm SPHP, Loop about busted a gut barking at the endless herds of cattle. After what seemed like an eternity, but was actually only a couple of miles, the nice ranch Dennis had mentioned appeared on the R. Farther on was a message from the Crow Indian Tribe encouraging SPHP to stay on the road.
SPHP was rapidly coming to the conclusion that the Crow Indians don’t have much of a problem with trespassers who don’t have high clearance, 4WD vehicles.
Made it! When Lupe arrived at the Custer National Forest, it was SPHP’s turn to be overjoyed. USFS Road No. 23085 was in great shape, just as good as anything back home in the Black Hills. What a relief!
Wow! Just look at that gorgeous USFS Road No. 23085 on the L! Oh, yeah, there’s part of Big Pryor Mountain and an American Dingo in the picture, too. Photo looks SE.
0.5 mile farther, SPHP stopped at a map kiosk Dennis had mentioned. It didn’t have any maps, except for one that was posted. The kiosk came shortly before a L turn for the Sage Creek Campground.
Big Pryor Mountain from USFS Road No. 23085 at the turn into the Sage Creek campground. Photo looks SE.
Skipping the campground, SPHP drove farther up USFS Road No. 23085. The road climbed steadily while heading SE along Big Pryor Mountain’s N slope. SPHP wanted to get high enough to see what the weather was like. Finally there was a spot where there was a view. Lots of clouds in all directions, but off to the NW, the direction the prevailing winds come from, there was blue sky.
Whew! Excellent! It was going to be OK. No need to flee. In less than 24 hours, Lupe would have climbed Big Pryor Mountain and be out of here. SPHP drove back to a big open gravel site and parked for the night.
Blue sky at the end of the day in the only direction SPHP thought mattered. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.
Trapped like rats, 6-16-18, 1:38 AM – Rain! SPHP was instantly awake. Not a deluge, but it was raining hard and steady. Make a run for it before Pryor Mountain Road turned into a hopeless quagmire? How long had this been going on? SPHP opened the door of the G6. Lupe darted out into the night. The ground was soaked. Puddles all over the place.
Too late? Pryor Mountain Road had been marginal enough on the way in when it was dry and there was light. The fleeting thought of trying to drive back out in the night during a rainstorm when the ruts were already wet, slick, and turning to deep mud was absurd. That would be nuts, impossible! The G6 would slide into a rut and be hopelessly stuck. Yeah, it was too late. Stuck here now. Better to just wait it out and trust in sagebrush country. Probably just a shower that will be over soon.
It was hard to hold that thought. Lupe came back soaked, but had no trouble dozing peacefully. SPHP didn’t pass out again until 2 hours later. The rain was still coming down.
6-16-18, 6:50 AM – Light out. Not raining, but the sky is totally overcast. Fog hides the upper slopes of Big Pryor Mountain. The sooner the sun returns to burn these clouds away, the better! While the road dries out, Lupe can take on Big Pryor Mountain. Until then, it’s back to sleep!
6-16-18, Noon – Ugh! It rained all morning. Still raining. A patch of blue off to the W an hour ago soon vanished. Not a soul around. Looks like it could rain for a month.
We’re trapped like rats, aren’t we, SPHP?
6-16-18, 1:05 PM – Stopped raining 20 minutes ago. A very muddy white truck just drove by. A hole has developed in the clouds overhead. For the last 10 minutes, it’s been almost sunny! Blue sky has reappeared in the W, but can’t seem to make it over here.
6-16-18, 1:12 PM – Two more vehicles just went past, caked in mud to their roofs.
Suddenly, conditions were improving rapidly! Blue skies and sunshine! Of course, so much rain had fallen, escape was impossible. No use even thinking about it, yet. Besides, Lupe still needed to climb Big Pryor Mountain! With a turn of the key, the G6 sprang to life. SPHP drove SE up USFS Road No. 23085 looking for Tie Flat Road.
Big Pryor Mountain, 6-16-18, 2:10 PM – Tie Flat Road was easy to find. A sign for it was on the R (S) side of No. 23085 at a big curve where the road started to level out high on an open ridge. SPHP parked the G6 just past Tie Flat Road along No. 23085. Loop charged out ready for action! Big Pryor Mountain, a huge, long ridge with steep forested slopes loomed to the SW. Snowbanks could be seen near the upper lip of the mountain.
At the junction of USFS Road No. 23085 & Tie Flat Road. Photo looks SW.Ahh, this is more like it! At least I’m all rested up and ready to take on Big Pryor Mountain! Loop at the start of Tie Flat Road. Photo looks SSE.
Lupe hadn’t gone even 0.1 mile along Tie Flat Road when off to the R an overgrown road led through a field of wildflowers and sagebrush toward the forest at the base of Big Pryor Mountain. Two small signs were visible a little way up this road. Lupe and SPHP went to check them out.
One of the signs merely said “No Motor Vehicles” allowed, but the other said Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31. The topo map showed an ice cave near the top of Big Pryor Mountain. Dennis Poulin had mentioned a nice trail to an ice cave just below the summit, too. Most promising!
After barely 0.1 mile on Tie Flat Road, Lupe took a R onto this grassy side road. This is the start of Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31. Photo looks SSW.We’re in luck! This must be the way! Photo looks SSW.
The wildflowers were gorgeous, but the road soon entered a park-like open forest with a carpet of greenery. Lupe gained elevation gradually. The rate of climb steepened shortly before she reached a small clearing.
In the open forest. Photo looks SSW.
A sign next to the road Lupe had taken up said “Motorized Route Ends”. Two roads to the R left the clearing heading NW. The upper one had a marker designating it as 2002.1A. The lower one was 2002.A. Another unmarked road left the clearing going SE. Along it, Lupe could see a wooden sign 100 to 120 feet away.
Upon investigation, this sign also said Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31. A faint trail left the road here heading SW along the R edge of a ravine. This trail immediately disappeared among bushes.
Looking NW back toward the small clearing which the first road had entered from the R (NE). The sign for Crater Ice Cave No. 31 is seen on the L.Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 disappears into bushes starting up Big Pryor Mountain from this 2nd sign. Photo looks WSW.
200 feet (distance not elevation) got Lupe through the bushes. Beyond the bushes, Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 was a good single track. The trail now worked its way up the NE slope of Big Pryor Mountain(8,786 ft.) in a series of long switchbacks.
Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 became a good single track. Lupe easily followed its long switchbacks up Big Pryor Mountain’s forested NE slope.
For a long way, only the forest could be seen. Looper encountered only minor deadfall timber across the lower portions of the trail, and none at all higher up. She had a great time exploring ahead of SPHP.
Lupe had a great time exploring both on and off the trail.
Total elevation gain from where the G6 was parked up to the top of Big Pryor Mountain was a little over 1,700 feet. Loopster gained the great majority of it on the switchbacks. As she got close to the upper edge of the mountain, the forest thinned out. Lupe began to have views of East Pryor Mountain(8,776 ft.) off to the NE, and could sometimes see the G6 far below.
Twice Lupe and SPHP heard voices below. They didn’t sound far off, but no one ever appeared. The trail became fainter again as it finally left the trees. By then it hardly mattered. Lupe didn’t have much farther to go to reach the top of the mountain.
Nearing the upper edge of Big Pryor Mountain’s NE slope Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 becomes fainter as it leaves the forest. Photo looks SE.
Just below the top, Lupe crossed two large snowbanks. This was the area where the ice cave was supposed to be. Loop never actually saw the cave. Perhaps it was hidden beneath the snow? Seemed likely.
Loop crosses a large snowbank that may have been hiding and blocking the entrance to the ice cave. Photo looks WSW.
SPHP had lost whatever remained of Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 by the time Lupe crested the upper edge of Big Pryor Mountain(8,786 ft.). Ahead a vast rolling plain extended far to the S and NW. A cairn with a pole sat 500 feet off to the WSW at the true summit. The American Dingo headed straight for it.
Loop at the true summit of Big Pryor Mountain. The high ground in the distance on the R is the location of the Shriver Benchmark. Photo looks NW.
A road next to the summit cairn sported yet another sign for Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 as it headed off to the N. So much for SPHP’s tracking abilities!
Loop by a 3rd sign for Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31.
Looper checked out the huge summit cairn before taking a sniff around looking for a survey benchmark. The Ice Cave benchmark was easily found 10 feet E of the cairn.
At the huge summit cairn. The apparently higher ground seen on the L is an illusion magnified by the use of the telephoto lens. Photo looks NNW.Shriver Benchmark (Center) appears higher. but is actually 6 feet lower according to the topo map. Perspective is again distorted by the telephoto lens. Photo looks NW.The Ice Cave survey benchmark is only 10 feet E of the cairn. Photo looks W.Ice Cave survey benchmark.
A 10 mph SW breeze blew as Lupe and SPHP enjoyed a short break. The giant open plain provided sweeping views in all directions.
Looking ENE toward East Pryor Mountain, another vast ridge only 10 feet lower than Big Pryor Mountain.Looking SE toward the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming.
Lupe journeyed a little S from the cairn for a better view of Big Pryor Mountain’s long S ridge.
Big Pryor Mountain‘s long SSE ridge. Photo looks S.
With such a huge mountaintop to explore, Lupe didn’t want to spend all her time just hanging around the summit cairn. Big Pryor Mountain has a 2nd high point only 6 feet lower at the Shriver Benchmark(8,780 ft.) more than a mile to the NW. Wandering over that way looked like fun.
Yeah, we’re going over there next!Shriver Benchmark area from the Big Pryor Mountain summit cairn. Photo looks NW.
A jeep trail headed NW toward the Shriver Benchmark area. Lupe stuck with it part of the way, but this was super easy terrain. For the most part she traveled S of the road exploring this and that.
Loop by a big puddle on the way to Shriver Benchmark (R). Photo looks WNW.
Approaching the Shriver Benchmark area, it dawned on SPHP that Lupe might have a very hard time finding the actual benchmark. There was a tremendous amount of open ground to explore all at nearly the exact same elevation.
As Lupe got closer, she could see a couple of small rock outcroppings near each other at what appeared to be the highest point. The first thing to try was to check out those rocks.
Loop astride one of two small rock outcroppings which seemed to be at the high point of the Shriver Benchmark area. Photo looks W.
Lupe hopped up on one of the two rocks. She instantly spotted a survey benchmark right next to her on a slightly lower rock!
And you thought I’d never find it! Looky there, SPHP! Lupe finds a survey benchmark right next to the first rock she jumped up on. The true summit of Big Pryor Mountain is over at the high ground seen in the distance on the R. Photo looks SE.
OK, so that was ridiculously easy, but the survey benchmark Lupe had found wasn’t the actual Shriver Benchmark, but Shriver No. 2.
Lupe had found Shriver Benchmark No. 2.
An arrow on Shriver Benchmark No. 2 pointed WSW toward another group of rocks. Even though these rocks were clearly lower, when Lupe got over to them she quickly found the actual Shriver Benchmark.
Lupe at the actual Shriver Benchmark. It’s right in front of her, but not easily seen in this photo. Photo looks N.At the same spot. Shriver Benchmark is now easily seen in front of Lupe.Finding the actual Shriver Benchmark seen here was much easier than expected.
Lupe had accomplished what she’d set out to do. However, she could see more rocks off to the NW. Maybe Shriver Benchmark No. 1 was over there? Since it was such a nice day now and she had nothing but time, she might as well go take a look.
Sure enough, Shriver Benchmark No. 1 was at the second group of rocks she came to.
Shriver Benchmark No. 1 is visible in Lupe’s shadow. Photo looks W.Same spot, but looking NW.Shriver Benchmark No. 1.
Shriver Benchmark No. 1 was as far as Lupe was going. She took a break while SPHP admired the views.
Taking it easy by Shriver Benchmark No. 1. Photo looks N.View to the SW from Shriver Benchmark No. 1.
Having been to all 3 Shriver Benchmarks now, it still seemed like the first couple of rocks over at Shriver Benchmark No. 2 were the actual high point. On the way back, Lupe returned to stand on the second of those two rocks, in case it was a bit higher than the first one she’d tried.
Back at Shriver Benchmark No. 2, but on the other rock. The true summit of Big Pryor Mountain (Center) is in the distance beyond Lupe. Photo looks SE.
The late afternoon trek back to the true summit of Big Pryor Mountain was relaxing and gorgeous. By the time Lupe got to the cairn, clouds were gathering off to the NW.
Back at the cairn after a lovely excursion to Shriver Benchmark. Photo looks NW.
The clouds would take a while to get here, but Lupe didn’t linger much longer up on Big Pryor Mountain. Mainly because she was eager to get back to the forest to search for squirrels.
About to head down. Photo looks WNW.
The long switchbacks on Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 made the descent pleasant and easy. Lupe had a blast! All too soon, she was trotting out into the field of wildflowers and sagebrush near Tie Flat Road.
Back on Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 during the descent.A typical view of Looper leading the way.Well, we’re back below the little clearing again now. Our Big Pryor Mountain adventure won’t be over when we get to the G6, though! Wonder if SPHP has thought of a way out of our predicament?Wildflowers and sagebrush nearing Tie Flat Road.Big Pryor Mountain and the Shriver Benchmark were fun! Now for the great escape!
6-16-18, 7:04 PM, 59°F back at USFS Road No. 23085 – Big Pryor Mountain had been a wonderful respite from the increasingly critical issue of how to get out of here. When Loopster reached the G6 again, the L rear tire pressure was down to 28 psi. Fine and dandy for the moment, only 2 psi below the recommended 30. Yet it was nothing to be complacent about. The pressure was down 12 psi from the 40 SPHP had overinflated it to only yesterday.
The brilliant plan SPHP had formulated by now was mighty thin gruel. Expecting to see a complete quagmire, Lupe was going to head back to the edge of the Crow Indian Reservation to see what condition the road out was in, then SPHP would drive over to the Sage Creek Campground to see if anyone there had any ideas.
So Loopster leapt into the G6 to enjoy a comfy ride atop her pillows and blankets. SPHP began driving back down USFS Road No. 23085. A few miles later, suddenly the dash flashed a warning. 0 psi! Oh, joy! That dang L rear tire must have finally completely blown out.
If only! The news was worse than that. When SPHP got out, the leaky L rear tire looked the same, but the L front tire was totally shot. Superb! Two bad tires now. One completely useless, and another destined to be within another day or two, if Lupe couldn’t get back to civilization. Loop lounged about near the side of the road while SPHP unloaded enough stuff out of the trunk to dig out the G6’s rinky-dink spare donut tire and required tools to swap it for the flat.
20 minutes later the job was done. The pathetic, but necessary donut was on. The flat was in the back seat. The G6 had even less clearance now than before. SPHP finally engaged a brain cell. It was idiotic to put the donut on the front! The G6 was front wheel drive. It would be far better to have a wider, taller tire up front. A regular tire would provide way more clearance and traction than the skinny little donut of doom, and would be far easier to keep up on the ridges between the ruts in the terrible road to freedom.
Alright. One more time. SPHP took the donut off and returned the flat to the L front position. SPHP then removed all the lug nuts from the R rear wheel intending to put the donut back there prior to moving the R rear tire to the L front. The lug nuts were almost impossible to loosen, but by jumping up and down on a little crow bar, SPHP got it done. Hah! Take that, uncooperative beast!
Nah. Even with all the lug nuts off, the R rear wheel was frozen in place. Probably hadn’t been off since the tire was brand new. No matter what SPHP did, the wheel wouldn’t break loose. Simply grand!
Well, even the leaky L rear tire was a better choice for up front than the dang donut of doom. The R rear lug nuts went back on. Another battle ensued with the L rear lug nuts, but they also yielded to the crow bar. Same result. That wheel wasn’t budging either. No alternative. The donut had to go back up front. Sheesh!
The sun had set by the time it was all done. Onward! The G6 charged down USFS Road No. 23085. Light was fading as the American Dingo reached the Crow Indian Reservation. Ahead were endless huge mud puddles. The G6 negotiated the first one. No way! This was madness. SPHP chickened out and backed up before it was too late. Yeah, better go check out Sage Creek campground, and see if someone there had any suggestions.
The campground was only a mile away. Summertime! But Lupe arrived at dusk to find Sage Creek Campground totally deserted.
The Great Escape, 6-17-18, 6:35 AM – The world was gray. A light mist was falling. No one else had shown up overnight. L rear tire at 25 psi. Still good for now. If the weather had been better, maybe Lupe would have gone on to East Pryor Mountain, but other trip reports SPHP had seen had indicated that taking the G6 on that road wouldn’t have been a good idea. In any case, East Pryor Mountain was a long march farther yet from civilization.
During breakfast, SPHP pondered the options. There weren’t that many. Probably time to admit defeat. Progressive Insurance had been taking SPHP’s money for years. Lupe had roadside assistance! Maybe it was time to give Flo a call and see what she could do? A flatbed tow truck that could keep the G6 up out of the mud of the Crow Indian Reservation would be ideal.
6-17-18, 7:10 AM – Flo, Flo! See how you are? Flo wasn’t answering. How could she? SPHP had no cell phone service. Looked like Loopster was in for a ride. If the Carolina Dog could get high enough, Flo would pick up. In no particular rush, SPHP got things ready to go.
6-17-18, 8:28 AM – L rear tire at 24 psi. Steady rain. Situation not getting any better. Loop and SPHP left Sage Creek Campground. Back up USFS Road No. 23085! SPHP stopped at several high points, but Lupe made it all the way to the highest spot on No. 23085 beyond Tie Flat Road. Nada! No phone service anywhere. L rear tire at 21 psi. More rain.
One more possibility. From up on Big Pryor Mountain yesterday, Lupe had seen another road heading down into the canyon S of the big saddle over to East Pryor Mountain. That road had to connect to No. 23085 only a bit farther ahead. Maybe it was another way out? Even if it was, this alternate route had to be many miles back to a highway. The chances that it would be passable for the G6 the entire way weren’t good at all.
May as well check it out while the L rear tire still had some pressure. Couldn’t hurt.
Crooked Creek Road is actually a continuation of No. 23085. It was a sharp R turn at the junction with USFS Road No. 2849 leading to East Pryor Mountain. No. 23085 was narrower here, but in encouragingly good shape as Lupe and SPHP started down. Lupe had gone only a mile or so, when suddenly there was an amazing sight. Off to the R (W) were 4 big white pickup trucks and a trailer! Several large tents were set up among the trees. A big group of people were out in the rain, apparently packing up to leave.
Lupe and SPHP met Chris, a land surveyor and scout master of Boy Scout Troop No. 27 out of Billings, Montana. Chris and some others had come up Crooked Creek Road from Cowley, Wyoming to spend the weekend, but the rain was chasing them out. Chris described the road up as dicey in spots even in his huge truck. He’d had to charge through several points fast to avoid the possibility of sliding off the “edge”.
Fabulous! Crooked Creek Road was officially eliminated as an escape route for the measly G6.
Incredibly, Chris had found cell phone service from a high point 100 yards back up Crooked Creek Road. However, if Lupe and SPHP would like a ride to Bridger, Montana, the entirety of Boy Scout Troop No. 42 would soon be departing back out through the Crow Indian Reservation on Pryor Mountain Road.
A moment’s hesitation allowed sufficient time for a thorough review of all options. SPHP accepted.
15 minutes later, it was on! The G6 got abandoned back at the Sage Creek Campground. Lupe, SPHP, a duffel bag and the backpack all made it into Chris’s truck. The G6’s flat tire was tossed in back. A caravan of 4 white trucks, one pulling a large trailer, left Sage Creek Campground and headed for Pryor Mountain Road.
The American Dingo was going mudding!
Huge sprays of water and mud went up as the trucks charged ahead from one deeply rutted muddy trench to the next. Chris couldn’t begin to keep the giant tires of his truck out of the ruts. The truck lurched from side to side, but the caravan kept moving. It would have been a month before the G6 could have gotten through under its own power.
At Bridger, Boy Scout Troop No. 27 stopped at a Conoco station. SPHP thanked Chris for the ride. Soon Lupe and SPHP were hobos sitting alone at a red picnic table outside the gas station – the flat tire, duffel bag, and backpack as sole possessions. The Conoco station had a tire store connected to it. Sunday, though. The tire store was closed.
Well, time for that little chat with Flo! SPHP called Progressive. Flo didn’t answer, but Brenda did. Brenda was wonderfully cooperative. She took down all the information and wrote up a service ticket. The G6 was 27 miles from pavement. Progressive would pay for 15 miles of off highway towing. The rest was on SPHP. Got that? Yes, understandable. Was the G6 unlocked with the keys in it? Uh, no. Oh, well, just call back then when it was.
SPHP explained that wasn’t possible. No way to get back there, and no way to call even if Lupe did. No problem, though. The tow truck coming from Billings would go right through Bridger. The driver could stop at the Conoco station and pick Lupe and SPHP up.
Uh-uh. That was prohibited under the terms of the service contract between Progressive and the towing company. No stops allowed anywhere except at the disabled vehicle. Brenda put the service ticket on hold. Call back when the G6 was unlocked with the keys in it. Meanwhile, have a great day!
The girls at the register in the Conoco station had an idea. Carbon Towing was right here in Bridger. They’d probably give Lupe and SPHP a ride out to the Sage Creek Campground, then call Progressive for SPHP when they got back to town. That might work! SPHP took a business card with a 24/7 emergency call number.
Steven answered on a Sunday afternoon. Don’t bother with all that! Steven knew where Sage Creek Campground was. Carbon Towing could do the job! They had a flatbed tow truck and could retrieve the G6 now. Progressive would still cover it. $350. No sales tax in Montana, either. How about it?
Sounded good. The price was a bargain considering what had to be done. SPHP would call Steven back in a few minutes after checking with Brenda at Progressive first. If Flo was chipping in, it was a go!
Brenda didn’t answer. This time it was Pat. SPHP explained the whole glorious situation all over again. Pat said no problem if SPHP wanted to use Carbon Towing. Progressive would reimburse all covered charges. She explained what information would be needed to submit a claim. SPHP called Steven. Get that flatbed tow truck, and come on over to the Conoco station!
Oh, Loopster! Seems like maybe we’re getting somewhere.
15 minutes later, a Carbon Towing truck showed up. It wasn’t a flatbed, just a regular wrecker. The driver wasn’t Steven, but his brother-in-law Ben.
Ben was fine; the regular wrecker wasn’t. SPHP described the situation. The G6 couldn’t be drug for more than 5.5 miles through those deep ruts in Pryor Mountain Road. The rear bumper would be a road grader! No telling what damage that might do! A flatbed tow truck was needed to keep the G6 up out of the mud, and avoid totaling it. For pity sake!
Calmly, Ben explained. Yes, Carbon Towing has a flatbed tow truck. It is only 2WD. It will get stuck on Pryor Mountain Road, so Carbon Towing wasn’t taking it out there. The regular wrecker was 4WD and could do the job. Ben had brought a dolly assembly, sort of a miniature trailer that the G6’s back tires would rest on. The dolly would raise the tires 6 inches. Should work with minimal damage, if any, to the G6.
6 inches? Was Ben crazy? 2 or 3 feet would be more like it. SPHP again expressed reservations. Need a flatbed truck. Looking to rescue the G6, not tear it to pieces.
Ben replied. Carbon Towing does not have a 4WD flatbed tow truck. If SPHP wanted to search around for a company that does, good luck. The regular wrecker combined with the dolly would get the job done.
SPHP had another go. Ben didn’t realize what it was like out there. Dolly or no dolly, the regular wrecker wasn’t going to be adequate.
Slowly, calmly, deliberately, in a voice devoid of emotion, Ben launched into a speech. It was a fine speech, one he had delivered many times.
I am here as your Carbon Towing professional. It is my job to use my best judgement as an experienced towing professional to retrieve your disabled vehicle while ensuring absolute minimal damage possible under any and all circumstances that may arise.
It went on like that a little longer. When Ben was done, SPHP made him repeat it.
Ben stood waiting for a response. Decision time. Check into a motel in Bridger for the night and ponder some more, or see what fate had in store for the G6 in Carbon Towing’s hands?
It wasn’t going to get any better, was it? Alright. Lupe leapt up into the cab of the Carbon Towing wrecker like it was second nature. Going mudding again!
Ben had another quick service call to make. A lady had locked her keys into her vehicle at the Maverick Station. Ben had the door open and the vehicle unlocked in practically no time. The 27 mile drive back out to the Sage Creek Campground began. In 4WD the wrecker slid around in the ruts on Pryor Mountain Road, but made it through.
Half an hour after reaching Sage Creek Campground, Ben had chains on the wrecker, and the G6 sitting up on the dolly. SPHP remained filled with doubt, but the situation did look better than expected. Back into the cab of the wrecker! Lupe was going mudding on Pryor Mountain Road for the 3rd time today.
Lupe, Ben from Carbon Towing, and the G6 at Sage Creek Campground.
Lupe sat on SPHP’s lap looking out the windows as mud splashed and the wrecker jerked from side to side. At 10 miles per hour, Ben and SPHP chatted. Ben drove with his eye on the rear view mirror the whole time.
Lupe was only a little way into the Crow Indian Reservation when Ben said we’ve lost a strap, stopped, and got out into the mud. All four tires of the G6 were strapped to the dolly. The ruts in the road were so deep, the mud was still up to the tires, putting torque on them to spin them, which loosened the straps. Ben returned a few minutes later saying 2 straps had come off, but they were back on now.
Stop and go! The straps came off repeatedly. Time after time, Ben marched back through the mud to put them back on. Lupe was only a mile back into the Crow Indian reservation when Ben, still staring at the rear view mirror, suddenly exclaimed:
Son of a monkey!
Ben stepped out of the wrecker and was gone. After little while, SPHP could see Ben in the rear view mirror. He had come around to the passenger side of the wrecker. Ben was hunched down in the mud like he was doing deep knee bends, pushing and pulling with all his might. Ben went from one side of the G6 to the other, always pushing and pulling down in the mud. He must have been gone half an hour while Lupe and SPHP remained in the cab. Finally, he returned.
The ruts were so deep, the ridges were pushing on the dolly bar, forcing it to act as a road grader. Force on the tires of the G6 spun the wheels. The whole dolly assembly had been coming apart. Ben had had to let the G6 down into the mud, rebuild the dolly assembly, then get the G6 back up onto it. How on earth he had been able to do all that was beyond SPHP’s imagination, but Lupe was underway again.
Straps kept coming loose. Ben kept stopping to march back through the mud to reattach them. Lupe was a little more than halfway through the Crow Indian Reservation, when the dolly fell apart a second time. Once again, Ben vanished. More pushing and pulling in a sea of mud.
Ben was gone even longer this time. Finally Ben reappeared by Lupe’s window. SPHP needed to come out and take a look. Loop leapt into the mud, too. Back at the G6, Ben explained. He had done his absolute best, but the ruts were so deep the ridges wouldn’t let him pass the dolly’s bars beneath the G6. He could not reassemble the dolly.
Ben said that the ruts didn’t look quite as bad up ahead. With SPHP’s permission, he could drag the G6 another 200 yards, and try again. Yes, the G6’s rear bumper would now be a road grader. Couldn’t be helped. Ben pointed out that the ground was soft, and not too rocky. Damage should be minimal. What did SPHP want to do?
Heh. What a great choice! Abandon the G6 sunk to the axles in the middle of Pryor Mountain Road where the July sun would eventually bake it in as a permanent feature, or drag it as a road grader however far it took to get to where the dolly could be reassembled?
The situation wasn’t entirely unexpected. SPHP seemed to recall certain fears expressed back in Bridger. It was sort of a miracle things had gone this well this far. On the other hand, Ben had certainly gone over and above any reasonable call of duty, spending the entire afternoon in a sea of muck. He had even assured SPHP that Carbon Towing would hold to their $350 quoted charge. No doubt if Ben ever had to do this again, he would add a zero or quit life as a towing professional entirely. Get a nice office job somewhere.
No need to think about it. Only one answer. Onward!
One by one, Ben heaved the heavy metal mud-caked pieces of the dolly up onto the wrecker. Lupe, SPHP and Ben all scrambled back into the cab. Movement was all that mattered. 200 or 300 yards farther, Ben submitted to another session in the muck. The dolly got reassembled. The G6 back up on it. Underway again!
Straps kept falling off. The dolly fell apart a third time. 4.5 hours after leaving Bridger, Ben was in cell phone range. Steven and Ben’s wife both called. What on earth was going on? Ben assured them he had it all under control. Another hour or two and he’d be back in Bridger.
So it went. At last, the intersection of Pryor Mountain Road and Pryor Gap Road, where SPHP had made such a crazy fateful decision 2 days ago, appeared ahead. Ben turned S. After going a mile, he stopped. The G6 could make it the rest of the way on its own from here. Glory be! Was it true?
Ben disassembled the dolly. The G6 was back on Pryor Gap Road. Ben aired the 19 psi leaky rear L tire up to 33 psi. A credit card and Ben was able to process payment on the spot. Ben still had work to do, but Lupe and SPHP were free to go.
The rear bumper was deformed, but the G6 still functioned. It limped into Bridger at 35 to 40 mph on the donut tire. A car wash received a large delivery of Pryor Mountain Road mud. Cars zoomed past as the G6 crept toward Billings at the same pitiful speed, but Lupe got there. Her escape from Big Pryor Mountain was now but a memory.
6-18-18 – Lupe seemed to enjoy wandering past ritzy cafes and art shops in downtown Billings! The G6 was getting 4 new tires, a tie rod, and an alignment. The technician later expressed wonder at the amount of mud and debris packed into what appeared to be brand new front brakes and rotors. He had cleaned it all out.
If the sky hadn’t darkened and the rain begun to pour down, Lupe might have continued her 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains & Beyond. As it was, the day was spent cruising E on I-90 on the best tires the G6 had had in years. A little before 8:00 PM, Lupe was back home in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Several weeks later, a check arrived from Progressive Insurance. That Flo was quite a gal! She had reimbursed the entire $350 towing charge, not just some reduced “covered” amount.
No doubt all’s well that ends well. Big Pryor Mountain(8,786 ft.) had been an incredible experience. SPHP was glad Lupe had been there. Even so, chances are the American Dingo won’t ever visit the summit of East Pryor Mountain.
Lupe, Ben & the G6 at the end of Lupe’s escape from Big Pryor Mountain, Montana 6-17-18
