Dingo Vacations – Page 183 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Mountain, Moffat County Highpoint, Colorado (8-15-15)

Dawn on Day 7 of Lupe’s great Summer of 2015 Dingo Vacation found Lupe at Battle Pass in southern Wyoming. The American Dingo was up and ready to go. Another great day of Dingo adventures was about to begin. Lupe and SPHP headed W on Hwy 70. Lupe’s peakbagging goal for the day was going to take her out of Wyoming and into Colorado to climb Black Mountain (10,840 ft.), the Moffat County High Point.

Lupe up at dawn at Battle Pass, WY in the Sierra Madre range.

The drive down Hwy 70 from Battle Pass went through gorgeous, unspoiled mountain scenery. Lupe rode with her head out of the window in the wind. She had a look of pure joy on her face. Highway 70 left Wyoming and entered Colorado. Lupe passed the Slater U.S. Post Office on the N side of the road. If there was a town of Slater somewhere around here, Lupe and SPHP didn’t see it. Lupe turned S on South Slater Creek Road, a gravel road that crossed the Little Snake River.

South Slater Creek Road headed S for a mile, and then followed Slater Creek through a narrow gap in a high ridge. Immediately beyond the gap was an intersection. Lupe and SPHP took the fork to the left across the creek. SPHP was expecting this to be County Road No. 82, but a sign said Moffat County 1. The road headed S along the E side of the Slater Creek valley for miles, eventually turning more SE and gaining quite a bit of elevation. The grand unspoiled vistas brought to mind the days of the Old West.

Looking W down at the Slater Creek Valley and beyond.

Eventually SPHP saw a sign for County Road No. 82. Lupe was on the right road, but not for long. A few miles later, the road forked at the Brush Mountain Ranch. A sign said No. 82 continued E. The other choice was an unmarked road that went S. SPHP didn’t have any detailed maps of the area, and assumed continuing on No. 82 was the right thing to do. Lupe headed E. Soon a very nice looking mountain came into view off to the N. SPHP didn’t know it at the time, but this was Brush Mountain (9,869 ft.).

Lupe near Brush Mountain in Colorado. Photo looks N.

SPHP was looking for USFS Road No. 110, but County Road No. 82 went on and on. The scenery was all beautiful and remote. There began to be some signs though, that Lupe was on the wrong road for getting to Black Mountain. USFS Road No. 110 never appeared. Suddenly No. 82 magically became No. 80. After No. 80 went S for some miles, there was a sign pointing to Bears Ears (10,577 ft.). It pointed W instead of SE. Signs mentioned California Park, which SPHP had never heard of before.

In California Park SE of **Saddle Mountain (10,057 ft.)**. Photo looks NW.

SPHP became convinced it just couldn’t be this far to USFS Road No. 110. Finally at the top of a small ridge, there was a trailhead of some sort with a map posted. After studying the map, SPHP realized that the correct road was the one that turned S way back at the Brush Mountain Ranch. Gah! It was 22 miles of gravel just to get back there. Lupe didn’t mind. Neither did SPHP either, not really. Sometimes unplanned adventures just happen. This was one of them.

Quite some time later, Lupe and SPHP reached Brush Mountain Ranch again. This time Lupe took the road headed S. Soon there was a sign with the unhelpful message “1W”. The road crossed Slater Creek. SPHP stopped and let Lupe out of the G6 to go get a drink. Instead she raced off down into the trees. SPHP hadn’t noticed the huge black cow resting in the shade chewing its cud. Lupe ran right up to it and barked furiously in its face.

The cow was pretty comfy where it was. Never before in its entire life had the cow seen such a shrill, noisy, annoying thing as the Carolina Dog that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. There was only one good thing about it. The frantic doggie was tiny by comparison. The cow declined to get up. It wasn’t going anywhere. SPHP called Lupe. She came racing back up the hill. Her enthusiastic expression showed what worlds of fun it was threatening the monstrous cow. She couldn’t believe SPHP had let her out of the G6 to do that. Lupe never did get a drink out of the creek.

SPHP drove on. In practically no time, there was a sign for USFS Road No. 110. At last! No. 110 wound around in the forest. Locals kept blocking the road. Some people had cut down a huge dead tree. They were cutting it up and loading the pieces onto a big trailer. They had to move their trailer so Lupe and SPHP could get by. A guy in a pickup and a guy in a sheepherder’s rig going in opposite directions were stopped on the road while they chatted. Lupe and SPHP came through to bust up the conversation. One of them thanked SPHP a moment later. The conversation had gone on way too long.

Looking W somewhere along the way to Black Mountain. — Looking W somewhere along the drive to Black Mountain. SPHP believes these may be **Mount Oliphant (10,670 ft.)** (L), **Buck Point (10,550 ft.)** (Center), and **Mount Welba** **(10,569 ft.)** (R).

It was lunch time by the time Lupe and SPHP reached the Black Mountain trailhead along USFS Road No. 110. Lupe and SPHP had lunch in the shade of some small trees. Finally, at 12:54 PM (69°F), Lupe and SPHP started for Black Mountain on Trail No. 1185.

For a short distance, the trail was faint and hard to follow as it climbed steeply through an area of tall grass. Beyond the tall grass the trail was in much better shape. It was easy to follow and headed NW along the SW slope of a big forested ridge. The trail undulated up and down. There was a net elevation gain, but not all that much. The forest provided welcome shade. Now and then there were glimpses of distant territory to the SW.

Eventually Trail No. 1185 reached a saddle between the forested ridge and Black Mountain. Beyond the saddle, the trail started climbing much more steeply.

Four horseback riders appeared. They were heading down. Lupe and SPHP got off the trail to let them pass. They stopped. The first rider said Lupe would get up on the mountain just in time for the lightning to be snapping and popping real good. On this encouraging note, the riders continued on. As the last horse went by, Lupe couldn’t contain herself any longer and barked. SPHP grabbed her nose and held her mouth shut to keep her from spooking the horses.

After the horses went by, it wouldn’t have taken too long to finish the steep part of the climb to get up on Black Mountain. However, someone far down the mountain started firing a gun as if a war was breaking out. The sound carried very well way up the mountain. Lupe kept wanting to stop and hide. SPHP finally persuaded her to finish the steep climb.

Once up on top, a sign by the trail said Black Mountain, East Summit, 10,801 ft. SPHP stopped and sat on a big log. Lupe was happy resting and hiding out nearby.

Lupe happily rests on Black Mountain while she waits for the sound of gunfire far below to stop. — Lupe rests happily on Black Mountain while she hides from the sound of gunfire.

Black Mountain is a plateau. The entire mountaintop is pretty flat with sharp drops all around the edges. The mountain has two large parts separated by a comparatively narrow ridge of level ground. The W part of the mountain is somewhat smaller than the E part. Lupe had arrived on the mountain near the far SE corner of the larger E part. The E portion of Black Mountain extends more than 0.5 mile NW/SE, and at most 0.25 mile SW/NE. Trail No. 1185 runs along the length of the SW rim.

The war ended and no more gunfire was heard. Since the E end of the mountain is just an increasingly narrow flat ridge, it was a short easy walk from where Lupe came up over to the N side of the mountain. Lupe and SPHP went to see what was over there. There was quite a nice view.

Lupe at the NE rim of Black Mountain very near the E end of the plateau. Photo looks N. — Lupe at the N rim very near the E end of the Black Mountain plateau. Photo looks N. The high mountain on the L is likely Buck Point.

After seeing the view to the N, it was time for Lupe to find the true summit of Black Mountain. The highest point and true summit was shown on SPHP’s topo map as being less than 0.25 mile to the W. It was supposed to be a very short distance N of the trail. Lupe and SPHP headed W on the trail to find it.

Unsurprisingly, there really wasn’t any identifiable exact summit. Being a plateau, the top of Black Mountain was so level it was hard to say any particular point was the absolute highest. None of the territory N of the trail looked noticeably higher than the trail itself. In fact, not too far N of the trail, the ground clearly began to lose elevation. SPHP chose a spot with a few flowers a bit N of the trail for Lupe’s official summit of Black Mountain photo.

Lupe’s official summit of Black Mountain photo. This place looked about as high as anywhere else on the mountain. Close enough for Dingo work!

After Lupe’s summit photo, Lupe and SPHP went back to the trail to continue NW along the SW rim of Black Mountain. Soon Lupe wanted to stop again. Now there were faint rumblings of thunder. SPHP agreed to stop at a point where there was a good view from the SW rim. It was possible to see a long way to the S, but the view was marred by smoke haze. There had been some haze back in Wyoming, but the smoke was definitely thicker here in Colorado.

A look back from the SW rim of Black Mountain towards the SE. A road is visible going up the first distant ridge just to the right of the tall tree at the center of this photo. The G6 is parked back over there. — A look back from the edge of Black Mountain towards the SE. A road is visible going up the first distant ridge just to the right of the tall tree at the center of this photo. The trailhead where the G6 is parked is at the highest point seen on that road from here.

It was kind of hot – at least in the 70’s °F. Lupe and SPHP sat near the edge of Black Mountain. Soon both fell asleep. Suddenly SPHP awoke to the sound of puppy feet dashing away. Lupe had heard a squirrel. The usual commotion ensued. When it was over, Lupe was completely revived. Lupe and SPHP continued NW on the trail. By now there were sprinkles of rain, but nothing serious. The rain soon quit.

The clouds passed on by. It was sunny again when Lupe reached the NW end of the E portion of Black Mountain. Lupe was close to the narrow flat area that connects the E part of Black Mountain with the W part. Lupe and SPHP crossed over to the N side of the mountain to check out the view over there.

Looking N from the NW end of the E portion of Black Mountain. SPHP believes the mountain at center is Mount Oliphant and the one on the right is Buck Point. Mount Welba may be on the left.

A communications site was shown on the topo map. Sure enough, a little tower was in clear view a bit farther W.

Lupe reached the communications site on Black Mountain. Photo looks NE.

From the tower at the communications site, Lupe and SPHP headed SW. At a cliff, Lupe could see a long forested ridge extending S from the W portion of Black Mountain. There was a big gulf of open space between the cliff where Lupe was and that far S ridge.

The high ridge that extends S from the W portion of Black Mountain. Lupe did not explore any farther in that direction. — This high ridge that extends S from the W portion of Black Mountain. Lupe did not explore any farther in that direction.

Lupe could have gone on to explore the W portion of Black Mountain, but SPHP was satisfied she had gone far enough. It was getting to be time to turn around. On the way back, Lupe and SPHP explored the NE rim of the E part of Black Mountain. The ground was definitely lower and not as level here as along the SW rim, but it was still pretty easy going through the forest. With no trail, SPHP thought about how few people or American Dingoes must ever venture to this part of Black Mountain.

It was beautiful and peaceful. There were little meadows filled with flowers, although most were now past their prime. There were many places with good views to the N. Lupe and SPHP had a very fun time exploring.

These flowers toward the NE rim of Black Mountain were still looking pretty bright and beautiful.

Lupe near the NE rim of Black Mountain. She is getting close to the SE end of the mountain again here.

Shortly before Lupe reached the trail again near the far SE end of the mountain, SPHP realized a big dark cloud was approaching from the W. Lupe and SPHP headed down as soon as Lupe reached the trail.

The dark cloud started sprinkling rain. Lupe kept wanting to stop due to thunder. SPHP made her press on. Lupe had lost considerable elevation, and was already at the end of the steep part of the trail, when the storm hit. It rained harder and the wind blew. Lupe and SPHP took shelter beneath a clump of trees right next to the trail. The trees provided pretty good protection. Lupe didn’t get very wet. The worst was over in 10-15 minutes.

Lupe was still reluctant to go on. She could still hear the thunder. Then she saw a deer in the forest. In an instant, the thunder was forgotten. An hour before sunset, Lupe was back at the G6. Her adventures on Black Mountain were done.

Happy days. Lupe in a meadow of flowers near the NE rim of Black Mountain where Dingoes are seldom seen.

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Saratoga Hot Springs, Red Mountain & Bridger Peak, Wyoming (8-14-15)

The morning of Day 6 of Lupe’s great Summer of 2015 Dingo Vacation found Lupe and SPHP at the dispersed camping site at the intersection of USFS Roads No. 100 & 215 in the Medicine Bow Mountains of Wyoming. Lupe had climbed Kennaday Peak (10,810 ft.) the day before, and despite getting back rather late, she was full of energy. She sniff excitedly around in the forest nearby and was successful in finding a squirrel to bark at. The squirrel returned insults from the safety of a big pine tree.

While all this excitement was going on, SPHP sat in the G6 catching up the trip journal. Suddenly, a yellowish hummingbird was flitting around the G6 – kind of a bright, cheerful, living drone. The hummingbird was a good omen. Soon it was time to go. Lupe and SPHP paid a quick visit to the South Brush Creek Campground to get water, and then headed W on Hwy 130 to the town of Saratoga.

The first thing on the agenda in Saratoga was to check out the Saratoga Hot Springs. In addition to two hot pools, there is a regular cool swimming pool, too. SPHP was disappointed to learn that the swimming pool ($4.00 admission) wouldn’t open until noon, which was still hours away. However, the hot springs were open 24/7 and free, which was an amazing and unbeatable deal. SPHP looked forward to getting clean again!

Lupe arrives to check out the Saratoga Hot Springs on 8-14-15. Of course she couldn't go in, but she did get to wade in the nearby North Platte river. — Lupe arrives to check out the Saratoga Hot Springs on 8-14-15. Of course she couldn’t go in, but she did get to wade in the nearby North Platte river.

Unfortunately, the lovely cool swimming pool at the Saratoga Hot Springs was closed until noon.

The biggest, and by far the largest, of two hot pools at the Saratoga Hot Springs.

One rather unusual feature of Saratoga Hot Springs, is that it is situated right next to a small side channel of the North Platte River. More hot water bubbles up into the side channel from underground. SPHP was able to leave the hot spring, walk over to the hot bubbling water at the side channel, and wade a considerable distance upstream.

SPHP waded up this side channel of the North Platte river. There were little fish and crayfish in it.

There were little fish and quite a number of crayfish in the side channel. SPHP surprised a fawn grazing along the banks. If SPHP had waded downstream instead of upstream, it would easily have been possible to wade right on down all the way to the North Platte River itself.

SPHP returned to Lupe in the G6 from the Saratoga Hot Springs refreshed and clean. Lupe agreed that SPHP sniffed a lot better. SPHP had learned from a local oil refinery worker, and sometimes Medicine Bow Mountains hunting guide, where there was a city park. Lupe and SPHP went to the park for a picnic. Lupe wasn’t too hungry yet. She mostly rested on the nice green grass in the shade of some trees. It was a peaceful time, since the trees didn’t seem to harbor any squirrels.

After the picnic, Lupe and SPHP headed S on Hwy 130 to Encampment, WY. Along the way, SPHP took a picture of Kennaday Peak (10,810 ft.), which Lupe had climbed the evening before to enjoy the sunset.

Kennaday Peak from Hwy 130 a few miles S of Saratoga, WY. Kennaday Peak is 15 miles due E of Saratoga.

From Encampment, Hwy 70 went W up to Battle Pass in the Sierra Madre mountain range. There was a big parking area for the 3,100 mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail near the highway. Only one other vehicle was parked there, a pickup truck with a big horse trailer. No one was around.

Lupe had two peakbagging goals in the area. One was Red Mountain (10,508 ft.), located no more than 1.5 miles to the S, and which involved less than 600 feet of elevation gain from the trailhead. The other was Bridger Peak (11,004 ft.), which was about 5 miles away to the NW, and a more significant climb. Lupe was going to visit Red Mountain first.

A broken sign was propped up at the S end of the parking lot where a small road led up into the forest. It said “Dead End Road, Private Property 100 Feet Ahead, Horse & Foot Traffic Only On Posted Trail.” Not terribly welcoming, but Lupe and SPHP started going S following this road. It was 12:55 PM, and 70°F.

Right away Lupe reached the private property. The dirt road serving as the Continental Divide Trail continued through it. As Lupe progressed, various dirt side roads headed off in different directions into the forest. These were either chained off, had “No Trespassing” signs, or both. Occasionally there were big rock cairns with posts sticking out of them showing the correct way to go.

Less than 0.5 mile NW of Doane Peak, the private property ended close to a “T” intersection with another dirt road. Lupe went to the right heading SW over a small ridge and then down to a meadow. Red Mountain could be seen ahead across the meadow.

Lupe reaches the meadow NE of Red Mountain - the forested ridge seen through the trees. Photo looks SW. — Lupe reaches the meadow NE of Red Mountain – the forested ridge seen through the trees. Photo looks SW.

Lupe left the road and Continental Divide Trail. She headed across the meadow straight up into the trees directly toward Red Mountain. There wasn’t too much deadfall timber to contend with, and the summit of Red Mountain was only a few hundred feet higher than the meadow. The way wasn’t too steep, either. Lupe enjoyed a pretty nice romp in the shady forest. SPHP followed her on up the mountain.

At the top of Red Mountain, Lupe came to a cairn about 3′ high made, appropriately enough, of red rocks. The cairn was about 30′ W of what looked like the actual highest natural point on the mountain. SPHP wasn’t really expecting much in the way of views from Red Mountain. The forested ridge might very well not offer views of anything at all other than the forest. Red Mountain surprised, though. There were some very nice open views to the S.

Lupe reaches the summit cairn on Red Mountain.

The natural high point is seen here, although the cairn 30' to the W is built up a bit taller now. — The natural high point is seen here, although the cairn 30′ to the W is built up a bit taller now. Lupe takes a break with her 1st peakbagging goal of the day already accomplished.

From the summit cairn, it looked like there was some pretty high ground still off to the W on Red Mountain. Since it was possible there might even be a higher point over there, Lupe and SPHP headed W, going far enough to be satisfied Lupe had already reached the true summit. Along the way, Lupe discovered a clearing with a good view of Bridger Peak off to the NW – her next peakbagging goal for the day.

Bridger Peak to the NW from Red Mountain.

The meadow with the view of Bridger Peak was less than 100′ from the summit cairn. Lupe and SPHP returned to the summit. SPHP took one last look at the great view to the S, while Lupe tried to hide from the sun.

"Kinda bright here SPHP, can we go now?" — “Kinda bright here SPHP, can we go now?”

On the way back down Red Mountain, Lupe stayed more to the E along the ridgeline than the way she’d come up. Before she lost much elevation, there were some openings in the forest with pretty good distant views all the way E to Medicine Bow Peak.

Lupe and SPHP were back at the G6 again at 3:10 PM. It was still 70°F. There was actually quite a nice clear view of Bridger Peak from Highway 70 close to the Continental Divide Trail trailhead where the G6 was parked. Lupe and SPHP walked down to the highway for a couple of shots of Bridger Peak.

Bridger Peak from Battle Pass along Hwy 70.

Lupe at Battle Pass with Bridger Peak to the NW.

The maps showed that there was a Battle Site and Battle Cemetery at two separate places up on Battle Pass. The Battle Cemetery road was shown a half mile farther N and closer to Bridger Peak, so SPHP decided to move the G6 over there. Lupe and SPHP had hardly left the Continental Divide Trail trailhead parking lot when there was a right turn off Highway 70 where the Battle Site was supposed to be. Why not find out something about the battle the place was named after?

SPHP pulled off the highway. A very short paved road led to another big empty parking lot. There were views from Battle Pass and signs about wildlife, but nothing about the battle that Battle Pass must be named after. Lupe and SPHP didn’t even get out of the G6. SPHP drove back to Highway 70 and continued N. Just before the highway turned W, there was a gravel road heading E into the forest towards where the map said Battle Cemetery was supposed to be.

A short drive on the gravel road led to a big parking area with dirt roads radiating out from it. This parking area was full of dust. There were lots of vehicles parked at various points near the surrounding forest. Campers could be seen back in the trees. People were around. From the dirt road to the NW, several ATV’s roared into view. The drivers skidded into the parking area purposely stirring up an impressive choking cloud of dust. Oh, yay, people!

SPHP parked the G6 in the dust cloud. The road to the NW the ATV’s had come from was probably the road to Bridger Peak. Lupe and SPHP left the G6 for Bridger Peak at 3:29 PM. (Still 70°F!) Lupe headed for the dirt road to the NW. SPHP was surprised and happy to see a little signpost for the Continental Divide Trail practically right next to the road. Lupe and SPHP could follow a single track trail leading N into the forest instead of the dusty road.

The Continental Divide Trail climbed steeply to gain 150 – 200′ of elevation and then leveled out. It went up and down some, but was pretty easy going. The trail didn’t look like it got much use, but was in good enough condition so it wasn’t hard to follow, except in a couple of short sections. After about a mile, the trail reached a dirt road. There was no sign of the trail anywhere on the other side of the road. Apparently the road was the Continental Divide Trail from here on, because Lupe never saw a sign for it again the rest of the way to Bridger Peak. It’s quite likely this was the same NW road the ATV’s had arrived from back at the parking lot.

Lupe and SPHP followed the road all the way up to Bridger Peak. There was almost no traffic. Just a few vehicles and ATV’s came by. This was another road trek through the forest sort of like the one Lupe and SPHP had made the prior day up to Kennaday Peak. The road up to Bridger Peak did feature more openings in the forest, and more opportunities to see some views along the way.

The sky had been mostly sunny, with puffy clouds when Lupe left the big dusty parking lot. As time went by, the weather started deteriorating. Scattered thunderstorms appeared here and there not too far away. They weren’t big, but still worrisome. Eventually, a threatening cloud appeared over Bridger Peak and kept growing. It started sprinkling rain on and off. When the thunder started, Lupe really didn’t want to go on. She wanted to stop and hide.

SPHP allowed the concerned Carolina Dog periodic short stops, even though the need to hurry was growing. Thunder sounded closer and closer as the summit came into view. It was looking rather stormy by the time Lupe reached the top of Bridger Peak, but the storm hadn’t really hit yet. SPHP started taking a few pictures fast. Lupe wasn’t going to be willing to stay up on the summit very long. After about 10 minutes, suddenly there was a crack and thunder boomed very loud nearby. A gusty wind and cold rain hit Bridger Peak almost immediately.

The views from 11,004' Bridger Peak. — The views from 11,004′ Bridger Peak. The closest ridge in the center is 10,508′ Red Mountain, which Lupe had climbed just before coming here.

SPHP hadn’t seen the lightning, but Lupe left no doubt about what she wanted to do. SPHP was in full agreement. The American Dingo and SPHP both fled, scrambling downhill fast. Naturally, within 5 minutes the worst of the storm was over. The rain became just a sprinkle, the wind died down, and the thunder pealed from farther away. None of these storms were really very big. The Dingo was not reassured. Thunder rumbled a little ways off several times every minute. Although the thunder gradually diminished, Lupe begged SPHP again and again to stop and hide.

A last look back at the summit of Bridger Peak.

Looking E not far from the summit of Bridger Peak.

Lupe and SPHP did stop many times. Lupe liked hiding in the forest. Even though it was now all downhill, progress back down Bridger Peak was as slow or slower than coming up. By the time Lupe got back to where the Continental Divide Trail separated from the road, the sun had set and light was fading fast. Lupe was doing much better, though. The thunder had quit as the storms all moved off to the E. The sky was clearing again. Lupe actually had a lot of fun racing around in the woods along the Continental Divide Trail on the way back.

It was almost dark when Lupe reached the G6 again at 8:43 PM (59°F). Stars were already coming out. Lupe and SPHP left the dusty parking lot, and drove back up to the Continental Divide Trail trailhead closer to Red Mountain. Not a soul was around, nor any other vehicle. Lupe and SPHP had sardines for dinner right on the parking lot. It was getting so dark SPHP could hardly see to eat them, but Lupe really loved the sardines.Links:

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