Days 7 – 9 of Lupe’s Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!
6-22-22, ~ 9:30 AM, at the end of side Road No. 10399 off Greys River Road 2 or 3 miles N of the intersection with McDougal Gap Road –
Wha’dya think, Loop? Is this perfect, or what?
Looks terrific to me, too, SPHP, but do as you please. I’m not moving a muscle today!
That wasn’t entirely true, but almost. After SPHP parked the RAV4 at the turnaround loop at the end of Road No. 10399, the American Dingo did hop out for an initial inspection. A lovely dispersed camping site with a stone fire ring shaded by big conifers was right along the Greys River.
By the RAV4, nearby ridges could be seen from a small clearing to the E. On this cloudless day, sunshine poured in, rapidly warming the Greys River valley. A gorgeous day! Starting to feel like it really was summer. The warmth was wonderful.
The Carolina Dog wasn’t as enthused about the heat as SPHP was. Tired after her exploits on Mount McDougal (10,780 ft.) yesterday, Loopster clearly planned to spend virtually the entire day snoozing on her pink blanket. Before long, though, she was panting hard, unable to sleep.
I’m roasting! Can you do something about this heat, SPHP?
Moving the RAV4 slightly to get it back into the shade, and encouraging Loop to wade in the Greys River provided only temporary relief. The sun kept moving, putting the RAV4 right back into direct sunlight. Using blankets and dirty clothes, SPHP finally converted the RAV4 into a tent.
Much better! Conditions in the RAV4 were apparently quite tolerable. Loop sawed wood the rest of the morning, and all afternoon. A lazy summer day. She’d earned it!
Once the sun went down behind the mountains, Lupe was ready for an evening stroll. It was only 1/8 mile back to Greys River Road. Walking N, suddenly three cats, a big one and two small ones, crossed the road near Moffat Creek before slinking back into the forest. Bobcats? Lynx? They were too far ahead to tell.
Beyond Moffat Creek, Lupe also saw many deer as she roamed through a larger dispersed camping area near the Greys River. Cats and deer were about it for excitement at the end of this peaceful day.
6-23-22, Snake River at the Pritchard Boat Ramp along Hwy 26/89 – Soup for breakfast! SPHP had just finished eating when 2 USFS vehicles drove up and stopped. 3 employees stepped out, 2 young men and a woman. SPHP approached them.
Any of you happen to know how to get to the Dog Creek trailhead?
Sure do, you’re almost there! Take a L onto the highway like you’re going to Alpine. At the first bend where the road curves L, take the gravel road on the R just past a deer crossing sign. Might be 0.5 mile from here.
6-23-22, 63ºF, 10:39 AM, Dog Creek trailhead – Those USFS employees knew what they were talking about. After turning onto the gravel road past the deer crossing sign, it was only 0.75 mile to the trailhead. Shortly after turning W, the road went by the S end of Pritchard Pond, actually more of a swamp, before dead-ending in a sunny clearing.
A black car was already here, the only other vehicle at the trailhead. Not a soul around. As soon as the pack was ready, SPHP led the way, hitting Trail No. 069 going W up the Dog Creek valley.
Staying N of Dog Creek, the trail began as an easy trek, gaining elevation quite gradually. However, Lupe wasn’t showing any enthusiasm for this adventure. Maybe she was still tired, and wanted another day’s rest in the RAV4? Maybe she was hot? Normally a leader, the American Dingo insisted upon hanging back. Playing her stalking game, Lupe followed SPHP at a distance, only moving once SPHP was completely out of sight.
Even so, progress was rapid. Glimpses of Wolf Mountain (9,483 ft.) were seen early on. Butterflies flitted among big yellow wildflowers and other lush vegetation. The soothing sound of Dog Creek, a gray-green stream rushing down the valley, was always present.
A mile from the trailhead, the trail forked at an unmarked intersection. Easily the most heavily used branch, Dog Creek Trail No. 069 continued WNW up the Dog Creek valley. Turning S, the less traveled route quickly led straight into Dog Creek.
Calling Lupe to make sure she wouldn’t go the wrong way, SPHP forded the stream. Loopster soon appeared, and forded Dog Creek, too.
According to the topo map, this trail was supposed to head SW more than 0.5 mile up Beaver Dam Canyon before turning SSW for another 0.5 mile while climbing to Pass 6900. From the pass, the trail would then descend 0.2 mile to a junction with Trails No. 064 & No. 067 in the Cabin Creek drainage.
Started out sort of like that. From Dog Creek, the trail went S a little way up a forested slope, then leveled out as it curved W, entering a small clearing. Crossing this clearing quickly led to a tributary of Dog Creek.
While the map showed this tributary, it didn’t show the trail crossing it. Going back, a fainter trail was noticed splitting off to the L, matching up with what the map indicated.
As expected, the faint trail went SW. Climbing a mostly forested slope, Lupe gained several hundred feet of elevation before the trail leveled out at the edge of a huge meadow in Beaver Dam Canyon.
Continuing SW midst lush vegetation, the trail rapidly faded away. A check of the map showed this trail on the SE side of the valley, but Lupe was toward the NW. Much of the meadow was actually swamp. Despite appearances, getting over to the other side wasn’t going to be easy.
Following dry ground along the base of the hills bordering the canyon, SPHP soon came to a thicket of willows. Beaver Dam Canyon turned W here. Lupe still need to get to the other side.
Turning SSW, SPHP forced a way through the willows, fording a small stream in the process. Lupe followed. Beyond this creek, the ground was soft, but not swampy. Skirting a mud flat, SPHP managed to reach the S side of Beaver Dam Canyon, and promptly discovered a trail.
Everything seemed to be back on track! However, following the trail W, it soon vanished again. The map showed the trail turning SW up a side drainage only a little farther on. As soon as this drainage appeared, SPHP led Lupe SSW up a slope thick with vegetation.
The slope got steeper and steeper. No sign of any trail. Dense bushes gave way to a forest full of deadfall. After gaining several hundred feet, it looked like the terrain was about to level out. It did, but the situation was not what SPHP expected.
Ahead was more steep terrain, especially toward the E. To the W, a deep valley. Everywhere visibility was extremely limited due to thick forest clogged with deadfall.
Joining SPHP up at the flat spot, Lupe plunked herself down, taking a break while SPHP checked the map. Exactly where the Carolina Dog was wasn’t entirely clear, but it appeared she was probably on the wrong side of this drainage, too. Loop was E, whereas the trail, if there really was one, ought to be W.
Wandering SSE, the terrain remained relatively level for a little way, but luck was running out. Unenthusiastic about how this whole adventure was panning out, Loopster took another rest break. No more flat terrain ahead, it was all steep, the deadfall worse than ever. Checking the map again, SPHP remained uncertain what course to take.
Had to do something! Pass 6900, or at least some portion of the big ridge it was part of, couldn’t be any more than 0.33 mile S and a few hundred feet higher. Either had to head S to that ridge, or maybe go W to find the elusive trail that was supposed to lead to it.
Tried both. The afternoon became a hideous ordeal. Deadfall stacked 2, 3, even 4 high. Slopes so steep that SPHP was left clinging to trees, rocks, bushes, whatever was available. Eventually, a meadow could be seen on a hillside W of the drainage. Several counter-productive attempts were made to go W, but way too much hard won elevation had to be lost and regained to get over there. SPHP finally gave up on that notion.
The Carolina Dog’s stalking game only made matters worse. Lupe didn’t want to move. She only followed reluctantly, at a distance. Trying to stay out of sight, she succeeded. SPHP often didn’t know where she was, a constant worry. Loop might easily get lost, or injured, in this mess.
For years, SPHP had carried a whistle in the pack, but never used it. Today that changed. Helpfully, Lupe seemed to realize that the whistle meant business. She often appeared shortly after several blasts, but sometimes she didn’t. Then SPHP had to go back looking for her, often finding her sitting silently, alone in the forest, the way forward blocked by stacks of deadfall she couldn’t get past on her own.
Miserable hours dragged by. Progress was virtually non-existent. SPHP finally managed to climb high enough to reach a clearing. The forest was thinning out! Had to retreat one more time looking for Lupe to help her over the deadfall, but the situation improved after that. Ahead the slopes weren’t as steep. Soon the terrain was nearly flat. The top of the ridge couldn’t be much farther!
6-23-22, 4:41 PM – The afternoon had been brutal, but Lupe was finally up on the Pass 6900 ridge S of Beaver Dam Canyon. SPHP was virtually certain she was somewhere E of the pass. Exhausted by the ordeal, a break was taken under some big pines next to a huge field of the yellow wildflowers. Looking SW across the Cabin Creek drainage, part of Wolf Mountain’s long SSE ridge was in sight.
Ready to move on again, SPHP panicked, unable to find the topo map even after a thorough search of all pockets. Intent upon heading back hoping to find it, the map turned up, dropped only 10 feet away among the flowers.
Thank heaven! Onward! Puppy, ho!
Heading WNW along the Pass 6900 ridge, Lupe kept playing her stalking game. Much less of a worry up here. The ridge was broad, a mix of open forest and meadows full of the big yellow flowers. Visibility was great, and movement easy.
At first some elevation was lost, but it was all soon regained and more. After topping out again, a long field of yellow flowers sloped down to a definite pass, beyond which was steeper terrain. When Loop reached the pass, wha’dya know? A trail!
6-23-22, 5:30 PM, Trail No. 067, Pass 7020 – Lupe sat beneath a big pine tree near the S edge of the pass. There was quite a nice level spot with little vegetation here. Perfect for pitching the tiny house!
So, this is the fabled Pass 6900 we’ve gone through so much trouble to get to, SPHP?
Think so, Looper, although I’m surprised we had to go this far W to find it.
Can we camp here, then? It’s a great spot, SPHP, and I really don’t want to go any farther.
Wish we could, Loop. I’m tired, too, but we’re nowhere near where I’d hoped we’d be by now. We still have several hours of daylight, and really ought to keep going.
Not the answer the American Dingo wanted, but following the trail SE off the ridge, her spirits were at least partly revived by the fact that it was going downhill.
SPHP kept expecting the trail to curve SW at any moment, but it didn’t. Instead, it continued trending SE. The intersection with Trails No. 064 & No. 067 should have appeared after 0.2 mile, but nowhere to be seen. Continuing lower, a tiny stream appeared on the R (SW) side of the trail. After going 0.4 mile, losing 250 to 300 feet of elevation, the trail turned S and crossed this creek.
No signs, no trail junction. SE all this way. Didn’t make sense. Certainly not what the map showed, unless …
This is it, Loop. We’re turning around.
You don’t mean we have to go right back up this same trail, do you, SPHP?
Exactomundo, Looper.
You’re certifiable, SPHP! Why?
Suspect we just came from Pass 7020, Loop, not Pass 6900.
And how did we manage that? We missed Pass 6900 completely, SPHP? I thought that was where we spent the entire day trying to get to. You never even mentioned any Pass 7020!
We were, but I think we crossed Pass 6900 without realizing it after our rest break up on the ridge. Remember that first dip? Maybe the trail we were looking for that used to cross it no longer exists?
Small wonder we didn’t find it then, SPHP!
Back up at the pass, SPHP wearily put up the tiny house. Loopster was thrilled! She entered before SPHP even got the rain cover on, or spread her sleeping bag out for her.
SPHP finished preparations for the coming night, then joined Lupe in the tiny house. After a bit to eat, SPHP checked the peakbagger app on the iPhone. No map shown, but Wolf Mountain (9,483 ft.) was 1.8 miles W. The paper map then told the tale. So, it was true! The tiny house was at Pass 7020. The trail outside was already Trail No. 067.
Knowing that was helpful, and at least somewhat encouraging, yet it had been a disastrous day. Extremely wearing, with little result. As the crow flies, Lupe wasn’t any more than 3 miles from the Dog Creek trailhead, even though the first mile had been a cake walk. The tiny house should already have been at HP8844 on Wolf Mountain’s NE ridge, the Carolina Dog already celebrating a successful ascent.
Wolf Mountain wasn’t even Lupe’s main objective on this trip. Another day like today, and she’d have to turn back before ever getting there. It was still light out when Lupe and SPHP both collapsed, too tired to care.
6-24-22, 8:28 AM, Pass 7020 – A night’s sleep had helped. SPHP’s spirits were revived. Peeking outside the tiny house, 2 giant deers were grazing nearby. They fled on seeing movement.
Look on the bright side, at least we know what to do now, Looper! All we have to do is follow Trail No. 067 up to HP8844. Even as the trail goes, it’s no more than 3 miles to Wolf Mountain’s summit.
Loop wasn’t buying it. The recalcitrant Carolina Dog clearly preferred life right here at Pass 7020 to another enormous effort. She remained in the tiny house as long as possible.
Recalcitrant or not, as soon as SPHP got strapped back into the pack, the American Dingo was on her way. However, Loop had no intentions of cooperating any more than she had to. Once again, she lagged behind, playing the stalking game.
This time, instead of taking Trail No. 067 SE, SPHP headed NW. Once across the pass, the trail dropped steadily into the upper reaches of Beaver Dam Canyon. As expected, Lupe soon reached a small stream. Beyond it, though, the trail continued NW, still losing elevation.
Sheesh! Are you kidding me? I can’t believe this!
What’s wrong, SPHP?
According to the map, the trail is supposed to turn SW here, following this stream out the upper end of Beaver Dam Canyon, but it doesn’t!
Maybe it will, if we go a little farther, SPHP.
Sticking with the trail, SPHP followed it beyond the stream. The trail soon turned N, leveling out before climbing 50 feet through another meadow of yellow flowers to the top of a small forested hill.
When the trail started a relatively steep descent after crossing the hill, SPHP was done.
Sensible suggestion, Looper, but it’s not panning out. I have no idea where this trail is going. Seems like either back to Dog Creek, or some other part of Beaver Dam Canyon. In any case, this isn’t the way to Wolf Mountain.
Back to Pass 7020 then, SPHP?
Afraid so, Loop.
6-24-22, 9:44 AM – SPHP wasn’t nearly as cheery as earlier on as Lupe left Pass 7020 for the second time this morning, now off-trail following open lanes WSW up a fairly steep slope. More than an hour wasted with hundreds of feet of unnecessary elevation loss and regain lugging this dang heavy pack! The day was off to a lousy start.
The terrain briefly flattened out after an initial climb, then steepened again. After passing through a forested region, a very steep meadow was ahead. Near the top, this meadow wasn’t as steep, and ultimately led to a flat, forested ridge.
A rest break was taken on this ridge while enjoying a panoramic view to the E. Much of the territory Lupe had already traveled through was in sight. The Snake River was visible to the NE, and Peak 7633 to the SE. It didn’t look much higher than where Lupe was now.
Realizing that Loop must be on Peak 7755‘s NNE ridge, an attempt was made to head W directly to the 7580 saddle leading to Wolf Mountain. However, the terrain soon dropped sharply. Nearly 100 feet of elevation were lost before coming to a rocky clearing where HP8844 was in sight.
A climb SW through a heavily forested region on steep slopes was now necessary to reach the 7580 saddle. This route threatened to become yet another fiasco similar to yesterday’s disaster. Fortunately, the obstacles weren’t as severe, and less distance was involved. Lupe made it to the saddle. Both Wolf Mountain and HP8844 were in view.
Heading NW on relatively flat ground straight for Wolf Mountain’s NE ridge, the terrain began steepening. Passing through another forested stretch, Lupe reached a meadow at the base of the NE ridge’s E slope. A very steep climb ensued. After a rest break at around 8,100 feet, Trail No. 067 was rediscovered only 10 feet higher.
Finding the trail again was a huge boon. Heading NW, it climbed at an easier pace through meadows and enormous stands of young aspens. The trail turned W as it gradually swept around to the N side of the ridge. Lupe was thrilled to find some snow here.
Trail No. 067 didn’t go all the way up Wolf Mountain. In fact, it didn’t even get up to HP8844, passing 50 feet below it. Abandoning the trail, Lupe climbed up to HP8844. The top of this big ridge featured a small stand of trees to the W, but was otherwise open and somewhat rocky.
6-24-22, 2:24 PM, HP8844 – Only mid-afternoon, but Lupe and SPHP were both weary. Despite the rocks, SPHP found a decent spot to pitch Lupe’s tiny house. The views were already tremendous from right here. Far to the N, the Teton Range. SW, Wolf Mountain (9,483 ft.) loomed nearby.
6-24-22, 4:55 PM, HP8844 – The tiny house had gone as far as it was going to today, but the Carolina Dog hadn’t. A late lunch and a nap had done both Lupe and SPHP a world of good. Might have been the extra rest, or maybe it was the snow and cooler air up here? Whatever the reason, the stalking game was over. Lupe led the way. Less than 700 feet to the top of Wolf Mountain (9,483 ft.)!
A forty foot dip, and it was all up the rest of the way. Following a long snowbank, Wolf Mountain’s NE slope was nearly obstacle free. No rocks, soft, damp soil, and scant vegetation other than scattered sagebrush. Moderately steep, and steepest near the top, but nothing unusual.
Lupe reached Wolf Mountain’s summit ridge near its lower N end. A long, skinny snowbank extended S along the upper E face protected by an escarpment of crumbling rock. This snowbank was nearly unbroken as Loopster followed it higher.
6-24-22, 5:59 PM, 60ºF, Wolf Mountain (9,483 ft.) – The open summit ridge was an easy stroll. A 10-15 mph breeze was blowing out of the W when Lupe arrived at the true summit, marked by a 4 foot tall wooden stake protruding from amid low bushes. Several feet away, a collection of loose rocks, possibly the remains of a cairn, was the highest point.
Congratulations, Loopster, on your successful ascent of Wolf Mountain! Can’t believe it took us 2 days to get here, but here we are!
Thank you, SPHP! It’s been, umm, interesting, hasn’t it? All worth it now, though! Look at these views!
Wolf Mountain wasn’t the highest peak around, but the views really were splendid. HP9301 was 0.7 mile S along Wolf Mountain’s long SSE ridge. Much farther S were a couple of peaks SPHP could identify with some confidence. Stewart Mountain (10,103 ft.) in the Salt River Range was the most distant, with Bradley Mountain (9,292 ft.) in the Wyoming Range somewhat closer. A year ago, Lupe had been on Bradley.
Far to the NE, Gros Peak (11,180 ft.) was in sight, highest point of the Gros Ventre Range visible from here. Much closer, part of the Snake River was in view, too. Loopster could even see her tiny house, a little orange speck way down at HP8844 on Wolf Mountain’s NE ridge.
Snow-capped Red Peak (9,771 ft.) and Peak 9708 were 3 or 4 miles SW. The summits of Deadhorse Peak (9,767 ft.) and Peak 9736 were visible beyond and between them.
And far to the N, beyond the Snake River valley, stood the Teton Range with mighty Grand Teton (13,770 ft.) soaring skyward!
No registry, no survey benchmark to look for. Wolf Mountain’s summit region wasn’t huge, but there was plenty of room to move around. The E edge was cliffy. To the W, scraggly trees and bushes, some of them dead, were scattered along a slope which was steep, but not as vertical.
After shaking the American Dingo’s paw, and a good look at the fabulous views, SPHP sat down on the dirt, facing W into the breeze toward the scene most relevant to Lupe’s immediate future. Loop promptly curled up on SPHP’s lap. A hard-earned chocolate coconut bar was shared, then SPHP munched an apple while pondering what it all meant.
It’s too far! We’ll never get there and back in a day, especially the way things have been going. No way around it, I’m going to have to lug your tiny house and all that dang gear again tomorrow, aren’t I?
We’ll never get where, SPHP?
See that peak toward the R, Loop? That’s Observation Peak (9,960 ft.), our main objective on this little backpacking jaunt.
Nice, but what’s so special about it, SPHP?
Just one stat. Observation has 2,240 feet of prominence, 18th in Wyoming.
Doesn’t look so daunting from here, SPHP.
Don’t think it’s supposed to be all that daunting, Loop. It’s just so far from any roads that I can’t do it in a day. Hence, your tiny house.
Been 2 days already, SPHP.
Heh. Yeah, I thought we’d make it to Wolf in just one. So much for that! Not entirely my fault, though. These old maps led me to believe there were actual trails all this way. Maybe there are, but not how we went.
The W breeze died away. A gorgeous evening! Lupe and SPHP lingered, enjoying Wolf Mountain, which had been so unexpectedly difficult to get to. For a long time, Loop was content on SPHP’s lap while SPHP studied what lay ahead.
6-24-22, 7:10 PM, Wolf Mountain – 70 minutes had flown. Better get with it! Another big Dingo Vacation adventure in the morning. For the last time, Lupe sat next to the wooden stake at the top of Wolf Mountain.
SPHP started down first. For a few moments, an American Dingo stood proudly alone on Wolf Mountain.
SPHP called, and Lupe came running. Then it was down, down the mountain, a beautiful, easy descent.
6-24-22, 7:52 PM – Evening sunlight was still streaming over HP8844 when the Carolina Dog got back to her tiny house.
Wolf Mountain had been quite the adventure! With more action bright and (hopefully not too) early tomorrow, dinner and a long snooze were in order. Before the sun sank below the mountains, Lupe was in Dingo dreamland, with SPHP on the way.
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