Lupe – Page 122 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 260 – Moonshine Gulch, Peak 6205 & Minnesota Ridge (12-8-20)

8:49 AM, 38ºF, Rochford Road 1 mile E of Rochford – 0.25 mile W of Silver Creek Road, a wide valley appeared on the R. Plenty of room! SPHP pulled over and parked the G6. Lupe hopped out and began sniffing around, while SPHP checked the topo map. Yup, this had to be it – Moonshine Gulch!

At the mouth of **Moonshine Gulch**, about a mile E of Rochford. Photo looks WNW.

Loop’s mission today was to explore Moonshine Gulch far enough to reach Peak 6205, which shouldn’t be too hard, since Peak 6205 was only a mile away. The American Dingo set off going WNW up the gulch on a wide dirt and dry grass road. Pathetically easy at first, but that didn’t last. Soon the road narrowed and headed into a thicket of deadfall.

Still near the start of **Moonshine Gulch** on the … uh … road. Photo looks W.

The deadfall was bad for a little way, but the Carolina Dog got beyond it. The road was now all grassy and easy going again, lined on both sides by white-barked aspens. Rather pretty, and already feeling quite secluded. Clearly, no vehicle had been this way in a long time. Moonshine Gulch promptly curved N, leading straight into another big tangle of deadfall.

Among the aspens and pines. Photo looks WNW.

Back into the deadfall. Photo looks SSW.

After scrambling over, under, or around this next batch, Lupe continued N up the valley. Moonshine Gulch narrowed, becoming more V-shaped. A tiny frozen stream appeared. Loop discovered free flowing water only a little farther upstream.

All signs of a road vanished as the region down by the stream became choked with vegetation. Lupe traveled along a bench of somewhat higher ground up on the W slope. The way things were going, Moonshine Gulch might soon become virtually impassable.

The bench eventually ended, but by then a narrow strip of thick grass had appeared E of the stream. Lupe crossed over to it. Continuing up Moonshine Gulch, what was left of the road reappeared, making the trek easier again. The W side of the valley began to broaden out. The road went over that way, then started fading in and out – at times helpful, at others, essentially non-existent.

A small frozen pond appeared. Loopster went down to have a look.

On the exceedingly faint road as **Moonshine Gulch** widens out again.

Some barbed wire was near the frozen pond, but that wasn’t anything good for Dingoes. The march N resumed. The upper end of Moonshine Gulch was supposed to curve sharply W, and it began to look like that was going to happen.

Lupe didn’t really have to go that far N, though, to get to Peak 6205. Since she was coming to more and more deadfall again, maybe it was about time to climb out of Moonshine Gulch? Working NW up the deadfall-laden slope to the W, Lupe got high enough to see a somewhat flatter region where a thick forest of young pines grew beneath a canopy of much older trees.

Hmm. Still some deadfall up here, too, but there didn’t seem to be any reason to go back down into Moonshine Gulch. Climbing slowly, Loop continued NW through the young pines. She soon found that the worst of the deadfall could be avoided without much trouble.

Before long, a small rock formation appeared ahead.

*Not sure this is any better, SPHP? Want to try it?* At the edge of the young pines after climbing out of Moonshine Gulch. Photo looks NW.

On the highest rock of the little rock formation. **HP5880** (Center) in the background. Photo looks NW.

Upon reaching the rock outcropping, Lupe made a surprising discovery. A road went right past it. This was a decent road, too, not all faint and grassy like the one down in Moonshine Gulch. Once again, SPHP checked the old topo map.

So what road is this, SPHP? Looks like a lot easier way to get here than Moonshine Gulch was!

I’ll grant you that, Looper, but I have no idea what road this is. The topo doesn’t show any roads at all in this region. Some USFS Road, no doubt. Tons of ’em in the Black Hills. Might be shown on another map, but I think I know where we are.

OK, I’ll bite! Where are we?

Hey! No biting! I think that hill beyond you is HP5880, and the hill right across the road is our destination, Peak 6205. Doesn’t look high enough, though. Must be more to it than we can see from here.

So, cross the road and head on up the slope?

Might as well, Loopster! Go for it!

The mysterious USFS Road not shown on the topo map. Photo looks S.

**E slope of Peak 6205**. Photo looks WSW.

Lupe climbed and climbed. Really was a lot more to this slope than had been visible down by the mysterious USFS road. Good thing, because the top hadn’t looked any higher than HP5880 from below. Wouldn’t have been any point in climbing the wrong mountain.

Plenty of deadfall to avoid, but nothing out of the ordinary these days. The higher Lupe got, the more the glimpses of views between the trees confirmed that this really was Peak 6205. She was clearly way above HP5880 by the time the slope began to level out. Coming up from the NE, the Carolina Dog arrived near the S end of Peak 6205’s summit region.

An old board was nailed to a tree, and nearly a dozen rusty cans were strewn about. Remnants of a blue stove with a metal grill sat next to an ancient stone fire ring covered with deadfall. Several large tree trunks had collapsed next to this fire ring. 10 feet N of the ring was a little bench with stone supports and a log seat. Didn’t look like anyone had been here in a long, long time.

Sort of a mess, isn’t it, SPHP?

Someone must have camped out up here once upon a time, Loop.

Nice spot with room enough for a tiny house, although not much in the way of views. Too many trees!

Probably no views at all when all these dead ones were still standing. Wonder who would have come to a lonely peak like this?

Adventurers of old, SPHP! We’re not the only ones, you know!

Heh. No, I guess not. Well, what do you say we clean this place up a bit? Get it a little more ready for adventurers of the future?

No big rush on that from the look of things, SPHP, but fine with me.

Really not that much to do. SPHP dragged all the deadfall off the fire ring and away from the area around it, pitching it all onto the downed tree trunks nearby. At least it was now out of the way. Then all the rusty cans got gathered up and stuffed into a sack. Once home, they could all go to recycling or the garbage. SPHP took the metal grill for the blue stove, too, but didn’t have room for the stove itself.

Just going to leave this blue stove on the fire ring, Loopster, even though it’s no good anymore. Kind of my exterior decorator touch.

Exterior decorator? Don’t quit the day job, SPHP!

Oh, I won’t! This is it! Climbing no name mountains with a nutty Dingo.

Some humans have all the luck, SPHP!

Looper by the remodeled fire ring. Photo looks N.

*Does look a little better, SPHP!* Lupe on the little bench. Photo looks SSE.

Well, it was time for a break, and then a tour! The usual Taste of the Wild, water, an apple, and a couple of small shared chocolate coconut bars. Lupe then went to see the only clear view from the S end of Peak 6205. From a patch of pine needles and grass, Lupe could look out over Moonshine Gulch toward the rumpled hills to the SE.

The true summit of Peak 6205 was NW of the fire ring. Beyond another heaping helping of wretched deadfall was a 40 foot long narrow, stony ridge. The highest rocks were at the NW end.

**Peak 6205’s summit ridge**. Photo looks NW.

Not much in the way of views here, either. The best were toward the W. White Tail Peak (6,962 ft.) and Nipple Butte (6,800 ft.) were the most easily distinguished peaks on the horizon.

At the **true summit of Peak 6205**. Photo looks SSW.

**White Tail Peak** (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks W.

**Nipple Butte** (Center) is the sharpest little blip on the horizon. Photo looks SW.

And that was about it. Nearly an hour after arriving, Lupe returned briefly to the fire ring toward the S end of the summit region before starting back down the mountain the same way she’d come up.

At the more hospitable S end again. Photo looks SSE.

*Pretty snazzy, SPHP! At least compared to how we found it. Think how happy those future adventurers will be!*

Starting down the E slope. Photo looks SW.

12:05 PM – Loopster had barely gotten started down the E slope, when SPHP had a change of heart. The American Dingo had made it to Peak 6205 alright, but now what? Just go back? Seemed sort of early for that.

Hey, Loop! Want to try for Minnesota Ridge (6,240 ft.)?

How far is it?

3+ miles as the crow flies. Somewhat longer in practice.

It’ll be dark then before we get back won’t it, SPHP?

No doubt. Don’t think we’ll have much of a problem, though. Mighty nice out for December. Supposed to be a record high for this date, in fact!

Lupe was fine with it. Carolina Dogs love exploring, especially at dusk. Instead of continuing down the E slope, SPHP went back to the NW end of Peak 6205’s summit ridge. Following the ridgeline NW, Lupe began working her way down the mountain that way. She soon saw White Tail Peak again, and even caught a glimpse of Custer Peak (6,804 ft.).

A glimpse of **Custer Peak** from the NW ridge. Photo looks N.

**Custer Peak** (Center). Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.

A little farther down the ridge, Peak 6205’s N slope opened up a bit. This whole region was full of deadfall. A large grove of aspens was visible W of HP5880 at the bottom of the slope. Leaving the ridgeline, Lupe picked her way down, eventually managing to reach the aspens.

Two grassy lanes through the aspens appeared to be remnants of old roads. One went ESE, passing S of HP5880, apparently destined to link up with the mysterious USFS Road Lupe had run across E of Peak 6205. However, Loop took the other lane, which went ENE.

Near the aspens **W of HP5880** (R). From here, Lupe took the lane at far L. Photo looks E.

A short trek on the grassy lane led to a better road beyond the aspens. Lupe followed this new mystery road as it curved N. After 0.25 mile, she came to a “T” intersection. A brown wand identified the road Loop had just taken as USFS Road No. 513.1B, no doubt a spur off No. 513.1, which she had apparently just reached.

On the better road beyond the aspens. **HP5880** (L) up in the pines. Photo looks ESE.

Glancing back at **Peak 6205**. Photo looks S.

Wand near the junction of USFS Roads No. 513.1B & No. 513.1. Photo looks SSW.

No. 513.1 was a better road yet. SPHP figured it was probably the same one Lupe had come to E of Peak 6205. In that case, it ought to connect by swinging around the N and E sides of HP5880. To test this theory, Lupe turned R at the junction, heading ENE.

Sure enough, No. 513.1 began to curve E, then SE. Most of this territory was flat, but when No. 513.1 started losing elevation, Looper left the road to climb nearby HP5900, the next hill 0.5 mile NNE of HP5880. HP5900 wasn’t much of a climb at all coming from the W, but the Carolina Dog did get a halfway decent look back at Peak 6205 from it.

**Peak 6205** (L) from **HP5900**. Photo looks SSW.

On the way over here, Lupe had passed USFS Road No. 513.1C, another spur off No. 513.1 which went N, the general direction she needed to go. Since No. 513.1C wasn’t too far back and would be a lot easier than a trek through the forest, Loop returned to it.

At the start of USFS Road No. 513.1C where it leaves No. 513.1. Photo looks N.

No. 513.1C was clearly marked as a dead end, but Lupe followed it for nearly 0.5 mile. A long, gradual descent led to a slow rise. Near the end, No. 513.1C split, with one branch curving off to the E. Lupe left the road near this intersection, continuing to wander N through the forest.

Passing over a broad, gentle saddle, the American Dingo reached the start of a forested slope lower. The terrain steepened and forced her to turn NE, staying SE of a deepening ravine. After losing a fair amount of elevation in the trackless forest, Lupe came to a spot where she could easily cross over to the N side of the ravine. Here she came to an animal trail going NE down the slope.

Near the bottom of the valley Lupe was entering, the animal trail crossed another mysterious old road. The trail then turned NNE passing through a short section of forest. Having lost a good 200 feet of elevation, Looper finally emerged on the W side of a broad, grassy valley.

Moonshine Gulch, Peak 6205, and all of today’s explorations since then had all been territory Lupe had never been to before, but she had been here years ago. Loopster had made it to the Silver Creek valley. Greens Gulch, the way to Minnesota Ridge (6,240 ft.), split off to the NE only 0.33 mile farther upstream.

*We’ve been here before! This is the **Silver Creek valley**.* Photo looks N.

Silver Creek was a small stream, small enough to leap over. Lupe did so on her way to USFS Road No. 203.1F on the E side of the valley. Upon reaching the road, Loop followed it N, then NE into Greens Gulch. 0.33 mile trek up Greens Gulch brought the Carolina Dog to an intersection she recognized from Black Hills expeditions long ago.

By **Silver Creek** after leaping over it. Photo looks NW.

In **Greens Gulch**, approaching a familiar intersection. Photo looks NE.

SPHP remembered at least one wand, maybe two, marking the roads at this junction, but none were to be seen now. Checking the maps, it was clear Lupe needed to keep going E up Greens Gulch on USFS Road No. 203.1D, the only road she’d never taken before from this intersection. No. 203.1D would get her up to a saddle SE of Minnesota Ridge.

Starting up No. 203.1D, Lupe came to a brilliantly lit field of dry grass. At the far end, the road entered the forest and climbed more steeply. After gaining more than 200 feet of elevation, Looper still hadn’t come to the saddle yet, but she’d reached another smaller field and the terrain was beginning to level out. The road continued SE from here, but Lupe left No. 203.1D taking a shortcut straight E.

5 minutes led to a 15 foot high embankment. Climbing it, Lupe reached the SW rim of Minnesota Ridge. Turning NW, she quickly came upon a minor rock outcropping.

In the brilliantly lit field along USFS Road No. 203.1D. Photo looks ESE.

At the upper field, still on No. 203.1D. Photo looks NW.

First minor rock outcropping along the **SW edge of Minnesota Ridge**. Photo looks NE.

Minnesota Ridge encompasses a large, elevated region of pine forest. Nearly all of it is gently sloping, except along the SW edge where the rim of a long escarpment features rock formations ranging from only a few feet to as much as 30 feet high.

Although Lupe had explored portions of Minnesota Ridge on a number of different occasions, the only other time she had come looking for the summit she had discovered a series of slightly higher rocks as she’d headed NW along the edge of the escarpment. This time it wouldn’t be necessary to visit all those false “summits”, since the true summit was now known to be nearly 0.5 mile from here.

Gunfire! Hunters to the NE! Still unseen, they couldn’t be too far away. Instantly transformed into a Chicken Dingo, Looper slunk quietly NW, sticking to SPHP like glue. More shots were heard at intervals of several minutes before the incident ended. By then, Lupe had come to a more open region along the escarpment. Peak 6205 was visible 3 miles SSW.

*Successfully eluded death and destruction! There’s **Peak 6205** (Center)*. Photo looks SSW.

The last time Lupe had been here, the area close to the true summit had been a deadfall jungle. The Carolina Dog reached a couple of rocks that looked familiar near the SE end of this region, getting up on both for a look around. The deadfall was still here, and matters were now further complicated by dense young pines springing up amidst it all.

*Pretty sure I’ve been on this rock before.*

The true summit wasn’t much farther, only a few hundred feet of little pines and deadfall left to weave through. When Lupe reached another line of rocks, she knew she was about there.

The true summit was off to the NE, 30 or 40 feet from the escarpment in a part of the forest that was still happily largely deadfall-free. Loop and SPHP tromped about this slightly elevated flat region, but as before, nothing stood out as the clear high point. Face it – the true summit of Minnesota Ridge was a roomy, but not terribly interesting place.

Weren’t there bigger rock formations where we saw huge birds flying around here last time, SPHP?

Yes! There were, Loop. Turkey vultures, if I remember right. That’s a little lower ground, but not too far from here, just a bit farther NW.

Well, that was a lot more scenic, SPHP! Why don’t we go over there?

Good idea! We can hang out for a little while, and see if the big birds are still circling by.

NW of the true summit where the largest rock formations of the entire escarpment are. Photo looks NW.

The big rock formations were easily found. No turkey vultures this time, though. The sun was already quite close to the horizon. A short break was all Lupe had time for. Taste of the Wild, the last apple and chocolate coconut bars all disappeared.

Trees had grown up enough to pretty much hide whatever limited views had been here years ago. Looper did what she could, though. Exploring the rim of the escarpment, she gazed out toward the setting sun, or peered into the forest below.

*Sort of makes you wonder what ever happened to them?*

The sun was down well before Lupe got back to USFS Road No. 203.1D near the SE end of Minnesota Ridge. As dusk deepened, she followed the road W. Stars twinkled above by the time she’d retraced her journey on No. 203.1F through Greens Gulch back down to the Silver Creek valley.

SPHP had a bright idea. Instead of following No. 203.1F S down Silver Creek, why not go W? The topo map showed a road going all the way to USFS Road No. 17, the highway N of Rochford. No. 17 was only a little over a mile away. Although a longer route back to the G6 overall, the rest of the march would be easy.

So from Greens Gulch, Lupe took a dirt road that went NW. It curved W, as the map showed, crossed a muddy low spot containing the remnant of Silver Creek, then proceeded W on a long abandoned route.

It all went as planned until lights appeared ahead. Avoiding private property, Lupe took a single track trail up a grassy draw that went S or SW. After gaining a fair amount of elevation, she topped out. In the weak beam of the little flashlight, no further route W could be seen. However, the single lane track continued S, or maybe SE. Hard to tell what to do in the dark, but sticking with the trail seemed the best option.

Exactly where Lupe went on this black December night is now a matter of conjecture. Somehow she wound up following a road, probably USFS Road No. 217.1A, back down into the Silver Creek valley. She eventually reached a private road leading to Silver Creek Road (No. 204), passing a number of homes decorated with cheery Christmas lights along the way.

A half moon was up by the time the American Dingo reached Rochford Road. Not far now. Only 0.25 mile W to the G6 still silently waiting at the start of Moonshine Gulch. (7:14 PM, 51ºF)

Sunset from USFS Road No. 203.1D near Minnesota Ridge, Black Hills of South Dakota, 12-8-20

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 203 – Gimlet Creek to Minnesota Ridge (5-6-17)

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 78 – The Experimental Forest & Minnesota Ridge (3-9-14)

Want more Lupe adventures? Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions Adventure Index, Master Adventure Index, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures!

Little Bald Mountain & Bear Rocks, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (8-6-20)

Days 1 & 2 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming & Montana!

8-5-20, late afternoon, I-90 in eastern Wyoming –

So we’re not going to Canada or Alaska at all this year, SPHP?

Afraid not, Loop. We would have if Covid-19 had petered out this summer, but it hasn’t. Everything is in an uproar about it. Technically, we could still go, but all the new rules and regulations make it not worth it. Canada doesn’t want us to do any more than just drive through, which is pointless, and Alaska would force us to quarantine for 2 weeks upon arrival. Maybe next year? Let’s hope.

Well, that’s disappointing! What’s the plan now then?

We’re off to Montana for a while, but the Bighorns are as far as we’ll get this evening.

Montana is beautiful, SPHP! We used to spend time there before we started just driving through it on the way to Canada, remember?

Oh, yeah! Montana is awesome! Jobe’s even going to be there! Guess we’ll save some money, too, ’cause it’s not that far.

Although Lupe kept a keen eye out, she didn’t see many cows to bark at along I-90. However, the situation improved dramatically when SPHP abandoned it at Gillette to take the longer scenic route to the N Bighorns through Spotted Horse on Hwy 14/16. Not only were there cows and horses, but deer, sheep and even wild turkeys, too.

Pandemonium reigned in the G6, a sure sign that this Dingo Vacation was off to a fabulous start!

**Missouri Buttes (5,374 ft.)** (L) and **Devils Tower (5,112 ft.)** (R) from I-90 E of Moorcroft. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.

The traditional stop at **Spotted Horse**. Photo looks E.

Crossing the **Powder River** W of Spotted Horse. Photo looks N.

*Look at all those beautiful moo cows! This is gonna be a great Dingo Vacation!*

8-5-20, 10:14 PM, 52ºF, 4 miles ENE of the Garden of the Gods, Bighorn Mountains – The sun had already been on the horizon by the time the drive up into the Bighorns started, but at least Looper had made it up here. In darkness, she enjoyed a short romp along USFS Road No. 165. The were-puppy put in an appearance, attacking SPHP. Perhaps that was due to the huge, orange moon glowing above the E horizon?

8-6-20, 2:07 AM – Excited to be in the Bighorns again, the Carolina Dog lay resting and watching on the ground outside the G6. Much higher now, the moon had lost all it’s color and seemed to have shrunk. Even so, it was still so bright that the stars weren’t. A warm evening. SPHP let Loop be for a while before calling her in, not wanting ruin the wee hour magic, but afraid of falling asleep while she was still alone out there.

8-6-20, 6:30 AM – The next thing SPHP knew, bright-eyed and alert, Lupe was in sunshine! Sun up, but barely. Underway almost immediately, SPHP drove W from Burgess Junction on Hwy 14A. Even though Loop wasn’t seeing any cows, she was all excited, barking and singing the Dingo song, certain those cows were out there somewhere.

The cattle never did put in an appearance, but sheep did! A shepherd on horseback was driving a huge flock across Hwy 14A onto the lower W slopes of Little Bald Mountain (9,907 ft.), assisted by 4 large pure white Great Pyrenees. Sheep were every bit as good as cows! As the last of the flock got across the highway and SPHP drove slowly past the stragglers, Loopster gave ’em what for, attracting the attention of 2 of the Pyrenees, who rushed over to defend their flock.

The woofing, pursuing Pyrenees were even more fun! From the safety of the G6, the American Dingo responded to the white monsters with a savage, curly tail waving, leaping up and down, foaming-at-the-mouth barking barrage. Utterly exhausting, but exhilarating! SPHP didn’t dare stop until Lupe was at the huge pullout N of Bald Mountain (10,042 ft.). By then, the Pyrenees had long since given up the pursuit.

*That was a blast! Can we do it again, SPHP?* Loop N of **Bald Mountain**, the big one, not the little one. Photo looks S.

Well, now what? The plan had been to climb Little Bald Mountain, but obviously trying it while a huge flock of sheep guarded by a shepherd and 4 Great Pyrenees were on the premises might not work out for the best. Pondering the point, SPHP decided Bear Rocks (9,403 ft.) was the answer, even though it meant driving past Little Bald Mountain again.

Heading back E, a surprise! Sheep were once more streaming across Hwy 14A, now in the process of abandoning Little Bald Mountain for the exact same pastures they had just left W of the road. Intensely excited, Lupe was all for driving right through the middle of the flock, but SPHP stopped and waited instead. No sense in going all the way to Bear Rocks, if Little Bald Mountain was about to open up again.

Sheep stream across Hwy 14A W of **Little Bald Mountain** (L). Photo looks SE.

8-6-20, 7:41 AM, USFS Road No. 15 near the junction with Hwy 14A – The sheep had moved on, but at least Loopster could take consolation in the fact that she now had a clear shot at Little Bald Mountain (9,907 ft.). Nothing to it, really. Roughly 650 feet of elevation gain on a grassy slope less than a mile long. Lupe was free to sniff and roam as she pleased while SPHP trudged along bringing up the rear.

About to head up **Little Bald Mountain’s NW slope**. Photo looks SE.

*This really would have been a fun romp, if all those sheep were still here!*

Halfway up was a minor rocky lip, just above the steepest part of the climb. Didn’t amount to anything. Once past it, the slope began leveling out. At the top of Little Bald Mountain (9,907 ft.), Lupe discovered a wooden post. The ground 20 or 30 feet SSW of this post seemed to be slightly higher, but a huge region didn’t differ much in elevation.

Little Bald Mountain was about as featureless as a mountain could get, except for the views. Lupe could see quite a few other peaks she had been to at one time or another. None appeared rugged, but all had that wide open spaces feel typical of much of the Bighorn Range.

Getting close to the top. Photo looks SE.

By the summit post. **Peak 9953** (L) straight up from Loop. Photo looks E.

*This seems to be about the **true summit**!* **Hunt Mountain (10,162 ft.)** (L). Photo looks SE.

Strolling about the summit region, Lupe had a look at Peak 9953 to the E and Hunt Mountain (10,162 ft.) off to the SE. The sagebrush plains W of the Bighorns could be seen to the SW, although the view was rather hazy. Bald Mountain (10,042 ft.), which Loop had been to multiple times, was only a few miles NW.

**Bald Mountain** (Center) from Little Bald Mountain. Photo looks NW.

Most of the peaks Lupe had been to were off to the N or NNW. Not too far away were Rooster Hill (9,400 ft.) and Burnt Mountain (9,492 ft.). More distant were Duncum Mountain (9,831 ft.) and Sheep Mountain (9,813 ft.). The Big Horn County High Point (9,257 ft.) in Montana was even visible on the far horizon.

**Duncum Mountain** (far L), **Sheep Mountain** (L), and the **Big Horn County High Point** (Center) all in the distance. **Rooster Hill** (L) and **Burnt Mountain** (R) in the foreground. Photo looks NNW.

**Little Bighorn River drainage**. Photo looks N.

SPHP congratulated Lupe on climbing Little Bighorn Mountain, shaking her paw. The were-puppy decided to attack, since she’d seen and done about everything there was to see and do up here, and SPHP being the only target readily available. Once she got that out of her system, Loop and SPHP sat together near the wooden post in a light breeze enjoying a peaceful Bighorn Mountains moment.

Relaxing near the post. **Bald Mountain** (L). Photo looks NW.

Half an hour after arriving, Lupe started back down the mountain. By now SPHP had decided that she might as well visit Bear Rocks, too.

On the way back to the G6. Hwy 14A (L) and USFS Road No. 15 (R). Photo looks NW.

8-6-20, 9:47 AM, 68ºF, SW of Owen Creek campground – SPHP parked the G6 in a big field just off USFS Road No. 236.01. The topo map showed No. 236.01 turning to 4WD 0.33 mile back at the bridge over Owen Creek, but the road had actually been fine. In fact, the G6 could easily have gone farther, but this was good enough. Bear Rocks (9,403 ft.) was only 2 miles NW of here as the crow flies, although the route Lupe was going to take would probably add another mile or more to that.

Loop’s starting point for Bear Rocks. Photo looks S.

The sky was a bit iffy as Looper started SW along No. 236.01. The road was flat all the way to the trees, both Lookout Mountain (10,147 ft.) and Dome Peak (10,828 ft.) in view off to the SE. Upon reaching the forest, No. 236.01 gradually gained elevation all the way to a junction with USFS Road No. 220.

Heading for the trees on **USFS Road No. 236.01**. Photo looks SW.

At the junction with **No. 220** (R). Photo looks SW.

Taking No. 220, Lupe followed it NW up a much steeper slope. The G6 would never have made it up this rocky, rutty affair. Light rain showers drifted by, missing to the E. A cool breeze felt good on the 0.5 mile trek up to HP9198, where the road finally flattened out. After a short break to take in the views, Lupe continued W over the far side of the hill.

Heading up **No. 220** to **HP9198** (R). Photo looks NW.

**No. 220** (L) from **HP9198**. **Lookout Mountain** (L) and **Dome Peak** (R) in the distance. Photo looks SE.

Heading down the **W side of HP9198**. **HP9650** (Center). Photo looks WSW.

Lupe crossed the saddle W of HP9198 and kept going. Leaving No. 220, which angled off to the L (SW), the Carolina Dog started up toward some dolomite formations SPHP assumed were on the way to Bear Rocks.

On the way up to dolomite formations W of **HP9198**. Photo looks WSW.

Something didn’t seem right, though. The hill Lupe was now climbing had been visible from HP9198, and the top was all rounded and grassy. Sort of strange for a place named Bear Rocks. Off to the N was a lower hill with a line of dolomite cliffs near the top that looked a lot more like what SPHP expected to see.

The more promising line of cliffs off to the N.

A check of the map confirmed that Lupe needed to go N past those cliffs. The slope she was currently climbing went to HP9650, not Bear Rocks. Retreating most of the way back down to the saddle, Loopster picked up a primitive road heading NW. Unmarked by anything other than a “No Motor Vehicles” wand, this was USFS Road No. 201216.

Near the start of abandoned **USFS Road No. 201216**. Photo looks NW.

**HP9198** (L) from **No. 201216**. Photo looks SE.

0.25 mile on No. 201216 brought Lupe to a junction with No. 201311, yet another abandoned unmarked road that veered off to the NE (R). Loop followed No. 201311 up sagebrush-covered slopes to the E end of the cliffs. By the time she got that far, the road had become a braided series of single track trails heading N.

At the **junction with No. 201311**, which leads to the E (R) side of the cliffs ahead. Photo looks N.

The most efficient course of action would have been to simply continue N past these cliffs, but Lupe and SPHP hung around for a closer look at some of the interesting formations.

*Quickest way to the Bear Rocks summit is to proceed directly up the hill on the R, but let’s have a look around here first!* Photo looks N.

Exploring the below the cliffs. Photo looks SW.

*Dolomite formations like these are actually quite common in the Bighorns.* Photo looks SW.

An American Dingo prepares to give a speech in a magnificent dolomite amphitheater. *Four score and seven mountains ago* …

Seeing the spiffy dolomite cliffs from below inspired a desire to see the views from above. SPHP also noticed that the topo map showed HP9399 somewhere up there not too far from the E edge. That was only 4 feet lower than the true summit of Bear Rocks, still 0.67 mile to the NNW. Maybe Loopster ought to visit this S summit, too?

Continuing N through an opening between gigantic fallen boulders, the Carolina Dog soon discovered a decent route up. A quick climb, and Lupe was in the forest on top. To get a look around from some of the clifftops she had just skirted, Loop explored SE until she came to a good viewpoint.

About to head N between the fallen boulders. Photo looks N.

Below an interesting formation. Photo looks SW.

*Hey, here’s a way up, SPHP!* Photo looks SW.

A little clearing Lupe arrived at on top. Photo looks NW.

At the viewpoint. **HP9198** is the first hill beyond Lupe. Photo looks SE.

The views were impressive, and the deeply-fissured dolomite provided a variety of nice Dingo display platforms. Nothing wrong with Little Bald Mountain, but the local terrain here was way more interesting!

Along the SE rim. **HP9650** (R). Photo looks SSW.

Same spot, but with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SSW.

**Black Mountain (9,489 ft.)** (Center) in the distance. Photo looks NE.

Once satisfied with her explorations along the upper rim, Lupe turned to the task of trying to find HP9399. Heading NNW, she scouted the region near the edge. A little beyond where she first came up, a small ridge of dolomite seemed a likely candidate.

**Lookout Mountain (10,147 ft.)** (Center) from the HP9399 candidate. Photo looks SE.

This small rise with a view was not HP9399. Going a few hundred feet farther, Lupe came to an 8 or 10 foot high ridge of crumbling rock. 50 feet long with minor high points at each end, as far as SPHP could tell, this ridge was almost certainly HP9399. Buried in trees, no views were available here.

*This seems to be it! **HP9399**!* Photo looks NW.

The **HP9399 ridge** from the SE end. Photo looks NW.

Having visited HP9399, it was time to seek out the true summit of Bear Rocks. Still somewhat disoriented from paying insufficient attention to the topo map, SPHP wandered W. Branches snapped as Lupe sniffed along nearby. This old forest was a region of lumpy topography, but Loop was definitely losing elevation.

Mistakenly wandering the forest **W of HP9399**.

Checking the map again, SPHP finally realized W was the wrong way. Lupe ought to be heading NE, staying up on the high ground as much as possible. Course correction was made. A longer march than expected brought Loop to the edge of the forest again. Ahead was a gentle slope leading up to a flat hilltop that had been visible way back when she had still been below the E cliffs.

Upon reaching the top, Lupe found herself on a plain of disintegrating dolomite laced with shallow trench-like depressions. Conifers dotted this region, interfering with views to the NW where the true summit of Bear Rocks ought to be, but from certain points a higher rock formation could be glimpsed a good 0.33 mile away.

Up on the dolomite plain. Photo looks NNW.

The trenches were aligned NW/SE, parallel to the way Lupe needed to go. Heading NW, she traveled a broad ridge strewn with small bits of dolomite that crunched underpaw like broken bones of the mountain. Vertical cracks and fissures ran along the edges.

By one of the shallow trenches. Photo looks NW.

Following the flat, crunchy dolomite ridge. Photo looks WNW.

The ridge began to narrow, the trenches becoming deeper and harder to avoid. Loop tried going down into one trench that quickly turned into a deep crack that led to a dead end. Doubling back, she climbed out and resumed her trek NW, but soon came to drop-offs everywhere. No choice, but to scramble 20 feet down into another trench and hope that it would take her somewhere.

At the bottom of this second trench, Lupe reached an opening where she could continue down to the W. This brought her to a forested region SW of what remained of the failing upper ridge. Turning NW again, the Carolina Dog climbed through forest before breaking out into a sunny meadow. Atop the short slope ahead sat a 10 or 20 foot high wall of rock.

Reaching a dead end as the upper part of the dolomite ridge disintegrates. Loop had to scramble down into one of the cracks here to continue. Photo looks NW.

Approaching the **Bear Rocks summit**. Photo looks NW.

The true summit of Bear Rocks (9,403 ft.) was up on that wall of rock! Debris along the center of the wall sloped clear up to the top providing access. Once up there, Lupe found she had reached a roomy triangular region. The two highest points were at opposite ends of the wall of rock she had just come up. A superimposed raised platform of dolomite at the E end was clearly the true summit.

First things first! Without hesitation, the American Dingo went over and scrambled up.

At the **true summit of Bear Rocks**. Photo looks ENE.

Another view of the **true summit** platform. **Dome Peak** (far R). Photo looks SE.

*Bear Rocks is pretty cool, even without any bears!*

8-6-20, 1:07 PM, Bear Rocks – After visiting the true summit, Lupe and SPHP moved over to the SW high point at the opposite end of the wall of rock. Not quite as high here, but a comfier spot to take a short break, and the views were virtually the same. Lookout Mountain (10,147 ft.), Dome Peak (10,828 ft.) and the Sheridan County HP (11,020 ft.) could all be made out to the SE.

*We’re heading over to the **SW high point** (Center) now.* Photo looks SW.

The **true summit** (R) from close to the SW high point. Photo looks NE.

At the **SW high point** looking SE the way Lupe came to get here. **HP9399** is somewhere back buried in the trees on the R. **Lookout Mountain** (L) in the distance.

On the **SW high point**. Photo looks S.

The Bear Rocks summit region extended a good 250 feet NW from the two high points where Lupe had come up. Naturally, the Carolina Dog took the time to sniff over that way for another perspective.

Checking out the NW part of the summit region. Photo looks NW.

Near the NW end. **Dry Fork Ridge (8,480 ft.)** (L) and **Riley Point (8,536 ft.)** (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks N.

At the **NW end**. The **true summit** is hidden behind the trees. **SW high point** (R). Photo looks SE.

Cliffs over along the edge of the **Big Willow Creek canyon**. Photo looks WNW with help from the telephoto lens.

25 minutes after arriving, Lupe was back at the true summit. Although still early afternoon, it was already time to bid Bear Rocks (9,403 ft.) farewell. Today was supposed to be part travel day, so getting back to the G6 was now a priority. After a final look around from her “Dingo Rocks” platform, Loopster was on her way.

Back at the **true summit**. Photo looks ENE.

On the way back, the American Dingo made great time. Retracing the same basic route, she skipped HP9399 and SPHP’s earlier misguided wanderings. Approaching the E end of the first cliffs she had come to, Loopster did take time to check out a weird wood-framed black plastic shelter hidden next to a big dolomite formation.

*Nothing in it at the moment! Maybe a Dingo outlaw hideout?* Photo looks SE.

Lupe went over HP9198 again, but didn’t take USFS Road No. 220 all the way back down to No. 236.01. Instead, she left No. 220, cutting straight E through fields and forest, eventually emerging from the trees a mere 0.125 mile from the G6.

Nearly all the clouds had drifted off to the E. Kind of hot out. SPHP drove back down to Owen Creek, and let Loop out for a few minutes. She waded in belly deep, lapping up the cold, clear water with gusto. Then it was back in the G6 for a beautiful drive down Shell Canyon to the baking sagebrush plains W of the Bighorns.

By evening, Lupe was at Dead Indian Pass along spectacular Chief Joseph Scenic Hwy No. 296 in NW Wyoming.

At **Dead Indian Pass**. Photo looks SSW.

**Windy Mountain (10,262 ft.)** (L) from **Dead Indian Pass**. Photo looks NW.

8-6-02, 7:35 PM, Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River – 2 miles NW of the Crazy Creek campground, SPHP pulled the G6 into a small parking area N of Hwy 212. This was a favorite spot dating back to Lupe’s very first Dingo Vacation in 2012. The joint was getting popular. Four vehicles!

A trap had been set, but not sprung – not an FJ among them. Oh, well. It had been a long shot, anyway. Tomorrow Lupe would be seeing her buddy Jobe again! Something to look forward to for sure. As the sun sank behind the towering spire of Pilot Peak (11,699 ft.) and knife-edge humpback of Index Peak (11,240 ft.), for the first time in years, the Carolina Dog paid a visit to the little waterfall around the next bend of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River.

Once this was home away from home. Lanis had been here. Fun times! Felt good to be back.