American Dingo – Page 220 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 222 – Norris Peak (1-18-18)

Start – 9:18 AM, 43°F at the curve in Hwy 44W (Rimrock Hwy) E of the Buzzard’s Roost trailhead

The recent subzero weather in the Black Hills was over. Yesterday most of what little snow existed at lower elevations had melted. Today the temperature was supposed to soar to 60°F, a new record for this date. Lupe was overdue for an expedition, and had almost given up hope. January can be a mighty dull time of year. Today was an opportunity not to be squandered!

The Carolina Dog was frantic with excitement as soon as she realized SPHP was getting ready to take her out in the hills. She’d been ready for days on end! Any old adventure would do!

Norris Peak (4,982 ft.) was what SPHP had in mind. Loop had been there only once before, a very long time ago. SPHP couldn’t remember exactly when. Checking her ascent records, SPHP was surprised to see that Lupe had been to Norris Peak on her 2nd birthday, more than 5 years ago. Yes, it had been a while!

Although there are much shorter routes to Norris Peak, the plan was to make a day of it. Lupe would take the same general birthday route she had taken on the day she turned 2 years old. Part of it would be a loop including both Turkey Ridge and Prehistoric Ridge. Turkey Ridge would come first, if Lupe could find it again.

Lupe and SPHP left the G6 parked at the start of the first big bend in Rimrock Hwy E of the Buzzard’s Roost trailhead. Turkey Ridge was several miles NW from here, but Loop ought to be able to find it following a long ridge the whole way.

Even before setting out, Lupe’s enthusiasm dimmed considerably. This area wasn’t far from Rapid City, the largest population center in the Black Hills region. The American Dingo was hearing noises she didn’t like. People were banging and clanging away somewhere off in the distance. Perhaps she heard gunfire, too?

Whatever poor Loopster heard with those super sensitive Dingo ears, it was all far away and no genuine threat at all. SPHP encouraged her onward. Lupe came, but instead of roaming the forest and having fun, she nervously stuck close to SPHP for security. Lupe prefers adventures in remote places, far from the scary noises people always seem to make. This time of year, though, she would have to take what she could get.

Lupe and SPHP headed NW gaining elevation gradually following the first ridge N of Hwy 44. This area proved to be a maze of trails and old logging roads. Seemed like there was always something to follow along the ridge, if Lupe wanted to, although sometimes she ventured off into the forest. The terrain was easy, the forest unremarkable, and Lupe made steady progress.

Lupe started out heading NW on this unremarkable forested ridge. Most of the time she followed logging roads, gaining elevation gradually and making good progress. Photo looks NW.

This close to civilization, Lupe treasures were scattered in the forest. SPHP began collecting them for later recycling or proper disposal. For a while nothing changed, but after she’d gone 0.75 mile, Lupe came to a double set of power lines. From here, a small slice of western Rapid City was in view.

After going 0.75 mile, Lupe reached this double set of power lines. A slice of western Rapid City (down by the low ridge in the distance) was in view. Photo looks E.

N of the power lines, the ridge became steeper, narrower and better defined. Logging roads continued to appear. Following these roads NW, Looper reached a place where the ridge widened out again. A broad, gentle, grassy slope provided her with a sweeping view to the E.

Loop looks uncharacteristically precariously balanced atop a 1 foot high boulder. She was still worried about the noises she was hearing this close to civilization. The area known as “The Gap” in Rapid City is on the R along the low ridge seen in the distance. Photo looks ENE.

Following logging roads, Lupe reached this broad grassy area in the vicinity of **High Point 4582**. SW Rapid City is in view on the near side of the far ridge. The Gap is on the L. Photo looks E.

The broad grassy area was confined to the region a little N of High Point 4582 on the topo map. Wild Irishman Gulch was farther N, and Shanks Gulch SW, though neither was much in view. Loop turned W entering the forest again. No logging road went this way, but there was a good single track trail.

Back in the forest again, now following a single track trail. Photo looks W.

Staying on the high ground between Wild Irishman Gulch and Shanks Gulch, Loop continued W or NW gaining elevation most of the time. She lost a little heading W across the saddle at the N end of Shanks Gulch. More logging roads were present at the saddle. Lupe followed one of them W, regaining all her lost elevation and more.

A mile and a half from the broad, grassy area near High Point 4582, Lupe reached the high point of the whole long ridge she’d been following. She stood atop SW facing cliffs providing the best views she had come to so far. Thrall Mountain (5,091 ft.) was less than 1.5 miles away.

A good 3 miles from the G6, Lupe finally reaches the high point of the long ridge she’d been following. From the top of SW facing cliffs she has the best views of the day so far. **Thrall Mountain (5,091 ft.)** (Center, sporting a couple of boulder fields) is less than 1.5 miles away. Photo looks SW.

**Thrall Mountain** (L) with help from the telephoto lens. The Seth Bullock fire lookout tower on **Scruton Mountain (5,922 ft.)** is faintly visible on the R. **New Year’s Eve Peak (6,046 ft.)** is the high point in the distance at far L. Photo looks SW.

Lupe had been to **Peak 5800** (R) 11 days ago on **Expedition No. 221**. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

**Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.)** (R of Center) was in view, too. Photo looks SSW.

Lupe continued NW from the high point, staying near the cliffs until they faded away. The terrain along in here went up and down before starting to lose elevation consistently. At the very end of the miles long ridge the American Dingo had been following, Lupe came to Turkey Ridge, a narrow, level ledge of purplish, reddish rocks jutting 100 yards out to the NW before ending abruptly.

Lupe arrives at the start of **Turkey Ridge**, a narrow ledge of rock at the far NW end of the miles long ridge she had been following. **Norris Peak (4,982 ft.)**, her ultimate destination, is now seen in the distance on the R. Photo looks NW.

Lupe up on **Turkey Ridge**. Photo looks NW.

Lupe and SPHP got up on Turkey Ridge, going as far toward the NW end as easily possible. Years ago, Turkey Ridge had been more exposed, with clear views in every direction except back to the SE. Now, trees had grown up enough to hide a significant portion of the scenery. Lupe had unobstructed views to the SW, but Prehistoric Ridge to the NNE was only visible from one spot.

**Prehistoric Ridge** from **Turkey Ridge**. This fairly good look at it was only obtainable at one point along **Turkey Ridge**. Trees now generally interfered with the view in this direction. Photo looks NNE.

The name Turkey Ridge doesn’t appear on any map. It is a private name SPHP had given this rock formation years ago. Prehistoric Ridge is also a private name SPHP had assigned to the much larger, more dramatic ridge capped by limestone cliffs 0.5 mile to the NNE.

Lupe and SPHP took a short break on Turkey Ridge to appreciate what views the forest hadn’t swallowed up yet.

Lupe relaxes on **Turkey Ridge**. The end of the ridge is seen on the R, but Loop didn’t go that far due to a gap in the rocks. Photo looks NW.

Looking SE back along much of the length of **Turkey Ridge**. Lupe had come here from this direction.

Although she searched, Lupe didn’t see any of the wild turkeys today that **Turkey Ridge** had been named after.

A single track trail ran below the NE side of Turkey Ridge. When her break was over, Lupe went down to it. She followed the trail a little way, before deciding to explore the base of the Turkey Ridge rock formation.

Loop now at the base of **Turkey Ridge** on the NE side. Photo looks WSW.

**Turkey Ridge** isn’t all that high, rising only 10 to 15 feet above the surrounding terrain.

Norris Peak is only a mile away from Turkey Ridge. When Lupe finished sniffing along the base of the ridge, she headed NW down a forested slope. She reached a USFS road headed toward Prehistoric Ridge.

After leaving **Turkey Ridge**, Lupe proceeded NW down a steep forested slope until she reached this old USFS Road leading toward **Prehistoric Ridge**. Photo looks NE.

Sometimes in the forest, and sometimes on unmarked USFS roads, Lupe made her way N around the W end of Prehistoric Ridge.

Now W of **Prehistoric Ridge**. **Norris Peak** isn’t far from here. Part of the NE ridge leading to the summit is seen ahead on the L. Photo looks N.

Crossing the upper end of Wild Irishman Gulch near Prehistoric Ridge, Loop had lost close to 400 feet of elevation from the high point she’d been at earlier. Now she was having to regain all that and more to get to the summit of Norris Peak (4,982 ft.).

The climb became progressively steeper as the American Dingo began her ascent of Norris Peak’s E slope. Before long, Lupe reached the broad, gently inclined NE ridge leading to the summit. She was almost there!

After a fairly steep trek up the E slopes of **Norris Peak**, Lupe reaches the broad NE ridge leading to the summit. Photo looks SW.

A short, easy stroll now brought Lupe to a smallish rock at the very top of the mountain. Norris Peak’s summit area was large and nearly flat. The concrete foundations of an old fire lookout tower which had once been here were still in plain sight. Lupe discovered the rock foundation of a former cabin nearby, too.

Lupe reaches the top of **Norris Peak**. The rock she’s perched on is the highest natural point on the mountain. Photo looks SW.

The concrete foundations of an old fire lookout tower were still here. Photo looks E.

Lupe stands on the rock foundation of a cabin that used to be on **Norris Peak**, too. Photo looks NW.

The best views from Norris Peak were to the SW and NW. Lupe could see quite a number of hills and mountains she had been to at one time or another. To the NW, a housing subdivision occupied the territory at the base of Norris Peak. Despite her long trek here, the Carolina Dog still wasn’t far from civilization.

**Thrall Mountain** (Center) is lined up with more distant **Black Elk Peak** (Center). Photo looks SSW.

Zoomed in on **Thrall Mountain** (Center). Photo looks SSW.

On **Norris Peak**, Lupe wasn’t far from civilization at all. A housing subdivision in the Geary Boulevard area off Norris Peak Road is seen below. Photo looks NW.

**Hat Mountain (4,883 ft.)** is the rounded hill on the R. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

Lupe astride part of the old foundation for the former fire lookout tower. In the distance, the existing Seth Bullock lookout tower is faintly visible on **Scruton Mountain** (Center). **New Year’s Eve Peak** (L) is also in view. The Pactola reservoir dam is by Lupe’s ears. Photo looks SW.

After a good look around, Lupe relaxed for a while. She wasn’t hungry yet, refusing Taste of the Wild when SPHP set it out for her, and drank only a little water. Mostly she just wanted to lay there and look out across the hills. SPHP petted her, and reminded Lupe it had been her 2nd birthday the last time she was here. It hardly seemed possible so much time had gone by since then.

Then, while Lupe rested, SPHP wandered around taking more photos.

**Perrin Mountain (5,212 ft.)** is the rounded, forested peak at Center. Photo looks WSW.

**Storm Hill (5,192 ft.)** (L), **Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.)** (Center), and **Silver Mountain (5,405 ft.)** (R). Photo looks S with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

When Loop was ready to get going again, she first stopped by the E edge of the summit area for a look at her next objective. From Norris Peak, she could see the top of Prehistoric Ridge.

Before leaving **Norris Peak**, Loop took a look at **Prehistoric Ridge** (Center) from here. She was going there next on her way back to the G6. Photo looks SE.

The easiest way to get to Prehistoric Ridge was to travel down Norris Peak’s gently inclined broad NE ridge. Lupe followed a rocky dirt road.

Heading down Norris Peak’s NE ridge. Photo looks ESE.

The NE ridge soon bent around to the SE. Lupe stayed with it until she came to a big ravine draining S. She went partway down the ravine before turning SE to gain a saddle leading over to Prehistoric Ridge from the N. The climb up Prehistoric Ridge itself was steep, but short. Loop went out on a rock ledge at the N end for a look back at Norris Peak.

Lupe on a rock platform at the far N end of **Prehistoric Ridge**. **Norris Peak** is the big ridge in the distance. The summit is on the L straight up from Lupe. Photo looks NW.

The top of Prehistoric Ridge is nearly all forested, and slants noticeably down to the NE. The only views were to the SW from above the cliffs Lupe had seen from Turkey Ridge. Staying near the cliffs, Lupe and SPHP went all the way to the SE end of Prehistoric Ridge.

**Thrall Mountain (5,091 ft.)** (L) and more distant **Peak 5800** (R) from **Prehistoric Ridge**. Photo looks SW.

A final look back at **Norris Peak** from cliffs on the SW side of **Prehistoric Ridge**. Photo looks NW.

The line of cliffs extended all the way to the lower SE end of Prehistoric Ridge. Lupe had to backtrack NW along the NE side of the ridge looking for a way down. After going 500 feet or so, a ravine appeared providing a passable route down into a N branch of Wild Irishman Gulch.

The route down was all thickly forested, but upon reaching the main part of Wild Irishman Gulch, Lupe entered a big field. From the field, the American Dingo had a fine view of the SE end of Prehistoric Ridge.

Lupe in **Wild Irishman Gulch** with the SE end of **Prehistoric Ridge** in view. Photo looks NW.

Descending Prehistoric Ridge, Lupe had lost a lot of elevation that she now needed to regain to get back up on the big ridge she had originally followed to Turkey Ridge. She crossed Wild Irishman Gulch, headed back into the trees, and ascended a ravine. She passed just W of High Point 4705, as intended.

Somewhere beyond High Point 4705, SPHP stopped to get Lupe a drink of water. Her silver bowl! It wasn’t in the pack! Instantly, SPHP knew the silver bowl had been forgotten up on Norris Peak. That little silver bowl had been Lupe’s nearly her whole life. It was too late to go back and get it today, though.

Pressing onward, SPHP thought Lupe was right on track to head back to the G6 staying on the long ridge. However, as the light began to fade, somehow Looper wound up on cliffs S of High Point 4841. Hwy 44 W was visible below, as well as a big housing subdivision. The Carolina Dog was more than 0.5 mile too far S!

SPHP tried to avoid it, but Lupe wound up heading down Shanks Gulch. She reached Hwy 44 W almost 0.5 mile W of the G6. Come to think of it, this same exact thing had happened on Lupe’s 2nd birthday. Talk about nostalgia! Eh, it wasn’t that great. Lupe’s adventure ended with a long, dull walk in the ditch next to busy Hwy 44 W. (5:06 PM, 47°F)

The Norris Peak adventure wasn’t really entirely over, however, when Loop reached the G6 – not with the Silver Bowl Quest unfinished! With snow in the forecast, Lupe and SPHP returned to the area two days later. This time Lupe explored a much shorter route to Norris Peak starting from Norris Peak Road. She discovered a good trail winding up the SW slope.

At the top of the mountain, Lupe was happily reunited with her silver bowl again. Some hungry wild animal must have been glad SPHP had forgotten it, though. The Taste of the Wild that had been in it was all gone.

Lupe reunited with her silver bowl on **Norris Peak**. 1-20-18

Note: Lupe treasures gathered included 8 aluminum cans, 4 other cans, 3 plastic bottles, and 1 glass bottle.

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Striving for Squaretop Mountain, Wind River Range, WY – Part 2: New Benchmark – Victory & Defeat! (7-15-17)

Day 8 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Wind River Range, Wyoming & Select Peaks in Montana

Before the sun was up, Lupe wanted out of her “tiny house”. SPHP unzipped the door and let her go. The Carolina Dog must have slept well. She hadn’t been so perky last evening after her long trek to Porcupine Pass from Lower Green River Lake. SPHP dozed a bit longer. When SPHP finally emerged, Loop was busy watching 3 deer and a marmot.

Sweet! Having a great time watching wildlife, aye Looper?

Oh, yes! It turns out this Porcupine Pass is a terrific spot. Don’t make any sudden movements, and please be quiet so the deer don’t run away!

Sorry, but we’ve got to get going, Loop. Today’s the big day. Squaretop Mountain or bust! Before we head for New Benchmark, want to take a stroll up Porcupine Pass Peak for a better look at what we’re facing?

Sure! Let me know when you’re ready. I’m going to keep watching these deer till then.

Porcupine Pass Peak (10,890 ft.) is a barren hill on the SW side of Porcupine Pass. Lupe gained less than 200 feet of elevation on her way to the top. The stroll was an easy one, free of obstacles except for a steep snowbank just below the rim of the summit area. Fortunately, the snowbank wasn’t large. SPHP found a way around most of it. The snow presented no problem at all to the American Dingo, who powered her way right on up, chomping snow for moisture as she went.

The top of Porcupine Pass Peak proved to be a large, gently rounded area, carpeted with green alpine plants. Not a tree or bush anywhere. Medium-sized rocks laid thinly scattered across the field. In every direction, Lupe gazed upon magnificent mountains and huge valleys.

Looking down Porcupine Creek valley from Porcupine Pass Peak. Lupe had come up this valley yesterday on her way to Porcupine Pass where she’d spent the night. Photo looks N.

Lupe at the true summit of mighty Porcupine Pass Peak. Photo looks SW.

Looking SE across the Dodge Creek valley S of Porcupine Pass. **Peak 11,290** is on the R.

Looking down on Porcupine Pass from Porcupine Pass Peak. Lupe’s tiny house where she’d spent the night is in sight. **Peak 11,565** is on the L. Photo looks NE.

Beauty was everywhere, but the view to the E from Porcupine Pass Peak was disconcerting. Beyond Porcupine Pass, Lupe had her first good look at New Benchmark (11,850 ft.). The mountain was bigger, higher, and considerably more rugged than SPHP expected.

New Benchmark was the first of two major obstacles Lupe would face on her intended route to Squaretop Mountain (11,695 ft.). Once safely past it, she would reach more favorable terrain on the way to Peaks 11,820 and 11,590. The second obstacle she would come to was a steep drop down to a narrow saddle leading to Peak 11,415. If Loop could cross that saddle, the remaining 1.5 miles N to the summit of Squaretop should be relatively easy.

Easy? Too funny! Staring only at maps, SPHP had been optimistic Lupe wouldn’t face anything more serious than a long ridge walk to get to Squaretop Mountain from Porcupine Pass today. Now that the Carolina Dog was actually here, staring at the reality of New Benchmark, it was clear nothing about this was going to be easy.

Come on, Loopster! We’ve got a gargantuan day ahead of us. We’d best get on with it!

New Benchmark from Porcupine Pass Peak. Photo looks E.

Down at Porcupine Pass, SPHP disassembled Lupe’s tiny house. It was now perfectly clear she wasn’t likely to get all the way to Squaretop Mountain and back again in a single day. Everything had to come with.

Lupe and SPHP left Porcupine Pass. The Carolina Dog lost a bit of elevation heading ESE over to the base of a long, steep, scree and talus slope. This slope was the first big climb on the way up New Benchmark.

Lupe sniffs around at the base of the first steep rocky climb on the way up New Benchmark. Photo looks E

Lupe started climbing NE up the rough slope. Looper had no trouble maneuvering around, but SPHP was slow as always. Steady progress was being made, but it took a long time. While SPHP struggled up, Lupe enjoyed scanning the rocky terrain from increasingly lofty perches. Now and then, she encouraged SPHP to keep climbing.

Nearing the end of the steepest part of the first climb. Photo looks N.

Looking W back at Porcupine Pass (on the R straight up from Lupe’s head), and Porcupine Pass Peak (the low ridge in the foreground on the other side of upper Dodge Creek valley).

After a long way up, the terrain finally became less steep. The rocks were bigger here, which was sometimes a help and sometimes a hindrance. Lupe appeared to be coming to some kind of a top.

After a long climb, Lupe reached an area of larger rocks where the terrain wasn’t as steep. She appeared to be nearing some kind of a top. Photo looks E.

Loop reached a top alright, but it wasn’t the top of New Benchmark. She was only halfway there on a false summit. The false summit was a large area of rough ground full of big rocks and boulders. Overall it was fairly level. It wasn’t hard to move around here, which was encouraging. SPHP was finally able to pick up the pace.

Lupe on the false summit 0.5 mile W of New Benchmark after the first big climb. Photo looks W.

The highest parts of the false summit were toward the SSE, but Lupe went only partway there. A broad, relatively shallow saddle came into view leading NE to New Benchmark.

Halfway there! To New Benchmark (Center), that is. Squaretop Mountain wasn’t even in sight yet. Photo looks ENE from the false summit at the end of the first climb.

Much to her delight, the American Dingo got to romp across a big, gently sloping snowfield on her way down to the saddle. At the saddle, she saw two beautiful pale blue tarns surrounded by ice and snow in a cirque below her to the NW.

Lupe on the saddle between the false summit and New Benchmark. She was impressed with the beauty of the two pale blue tarns surrounded by snow and ice seen below. Photo looks NW.

Once across the saddle, Lupe angled E. The second big climb was about to begin. Loop would have to gain just as much elevation as on the first leg up, but the terrain wasn’t quite as steep here. It wasn’t nearly as rocky, either, which helped SPHP tremendously. Lupe followed lanes of vegetation staying above, and safely away from, huge SW-facing cliffs.

Looking E from the saddle area at the 2nd and final big climb on the way up New Benchmark. The summit is R of Center. Lupe followed lanes of vegetation staying well above and away from the cliffs seen on the R. Photo looks E.

Suddenly, things were going well! SPHP was able to climb much faster here. Heart, lung and leg power were the only limitations. SPHP could plod steadily upward instead of scrambling slowly among rocks. Lupe was going to make it to the top of New Benchmark! The question now was, what would she find on the other side? Could she continue on to Squaretop Mountain?

Lupe and SPHP approached the summit full of hope. Before long, the Carolina Dog was there, perched atop New Benchmark’s highest rocks! New Benchmark (11,850 ft.) was a glorious peak in its own right. The views of the Wind River Range were fantastic!

Lupe at 11,850 feet on top of New Benchmark. The views of the Wind River Range were spectacular! Photo looks SW.

Victory at New Benchmark! Lupe stands atop the summit. Photo looks N.

On another rock slightly below the summit that made a great Dingo perch. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

New Benchmark’s summit area was fairly large and flat. The highest rocks were along the NW edge. Lupe and SPHP searched around for a registry or a survey benchmark, but found neither.

Looking NW at New Benchmark’s true summit (Center). Less than half of the summit area is in view here. Lupe & SPHP searched, but didn’t find a registry or survey benchmark (new or old!) anywhere.

While the views were grand in all directions, some of the most spectacular peaks were off to the E and SE along the continental divide. Lupe could see Gannett Peak (13,804 ft.), the highest mountain in Wyoming.

Lupe along the SE edge of the summit area. A huge chasm was between her and the upper S ridge of **Peak 11,820** (L). However, she could see over both the chasm and the ridge for a good look at **Gannett Peak** (on far L), the highest mountain in Wyoming. Photo looks ESE.

**Gannett Peak** (L) with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks ESE.

Reaching the summit of New Benchmark was a peakbagging victory for Lupe. Her ultimate objective, however, was still Squaretop Mountain (11,695 ft.). She could see it from New Benchmark, about 3.5 miles to the NE as the crow flies. In fact, she was looking down on it.

Lupe could see Squaretop Mountain, her ultimate objective, from New Benchmark. The top of Squaretop is the flat barren ridge seen beyond the closest chasm. Photo looks NE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

The news wasn’t good, though. To get to Squaretop Mountain, Lupe needed to be able to get from New Benchmark over to easier terrain near Peak 11,820 to the E. Cliffs eliminated any possibility of going directly E or SE, but the topo map showed Lupe ought to be able to go down New Benchmark’s NNE slope and reach a saddle leading E. This route shouldn’t be any steeper than the route Lupe had taken up New Benchmark.

Lupe started down New Benchmark’s NNE slope, only to discover a huge, long snowbank wrapped around the N and NE side of the mountain. The snow curved steeply away out of sight. How far down the snow went, and how steep it became was impossible to tell. Unequipped, SPHP wasn’t willing to walk out on the snow far enough to tell. A slip might easily become a rocket slide hundreds of feet onto deadly rocks below.

Looking for a way over to the Peak 11,820 area, Lupe went partway down New Benchmark’s N slope. However, a huge snowbank wrapped around the N and NE sides of the mountain sloped steeply out of sight. Photo looks N.

The sky had been partly cloudy all morning. For the last several hours, it had been especially cloudy to the NE. It hadn’t look threatening, though, and Lupe had spent a full hour up on New Benchmark’s superb summit. Now, as Loop stood on rocks above the steep snowbank gazing E, dark clouds and rain were sweeping over the continental divide not too many miles beyond Squaretop Mountain.

As Lupe stood on rocks of New Benchmark’s N slope looking for a way to the easier terrain she could see to the E beyond the steep snowbank, dark clouds and rain swept over the continental divide. **Gannett Peak** (R) is on the horizon straight up from Lupe’s head. The flat top of **Squaretop Mountain** is along the L edge of this photo. Photo looks E.

Not looking too good, is it, SPHP?

No, not really, Loop. So frustrating! This route has been more challenging than I expected, but it should have worked. If this snowbank wasn’t here, I still believe we would have been able to scramble down this slope easily enough and continue E.

Would we have made it to Squaretop then?

Not sure, but we certainly could have gotten a lot closer. Once beyond New Benchmark, it looks like a cinch to get at least as far as Peak 11,590. Beyond that, who knows? Can’t tell from here. Maybe there isn’t a safe route across the saddle to Peak 11,415? That would have been the last real obstacle, though.

So now what? Are we beaten?

Looks like it, Loopster. We’re staring at defeat here as far as Squaretop Mountain is concerned. Weather’s looking kind of iffy, anyway. Even if we could continue on, it might not be the smartest thing to spend the rest of the day sauntering around on exposed mountaintops.

Well, don’t take it too hard, SPHP. We made it to New Benchmark, didn’t we? That was a peakbagging victory. New Benchmark is a splendid mountain, wouldn’t you say?

Oh, yes, indeed! New Benchmark is awesome! It’s a grand consolation prize as your peakbagging goes. Still, as far as our original intentions went, this day has been a small victory, and a major defeat. Had my heart set on Squaretop Mountain for you. Thought we would be there today. Really did.

Oh, whaa, whaa! Get over it, SPHP. Look at where we are, high in the glorious Wind River Range! Let’s have fun! We going back to Porcupine Pass now?

Yeah, I suppose we better. No sense arguing with reality in the mountains, especially mountains as big as the Winds. Onward, sweet puppy!

Now you’re talking! Maybe the deers and marmot will still be there? I hope so!

By the time Loop made it around to the W side of New Benchmark to start the first big descent, a storm could be seen approaching. The surprising thing was that it was coming from the W where the sky had been relatively clear, instead of from the E. The storm was quite some distance away, so it appeared the Carolina Dog still had time to carry on for a while.

Halfway down to the saddle leading to the false summit, suddenly the whole sky turned gray. Clouds were forming directly overhead. Light rain fell. More was certainly on the way. Continuing down the mountain, SPHP started looking for a place where Lupe could take shelter. Some tall rocks with a slight overhang was all that was on offer. Lupe reached this refuge moments before the downpour began in earnest.

It rained hard for half an hour, with pea-sized hail thrown into the mix toward the end just for fun. Lupe was fairly well protected by the little overhang. The Carolina Dog emerged from the experience only a bit damp. SPHP, however, was thoroughly drenched. Only SPHP’s head and shoulders had been spared.

Ha, ha! Look at you, SPHP! For once, you’re the drowned rat. Usually I’m the soggy doggie!

Heh, that was a bit more refreshing than it needed to be, alright. Come on, Looper, let’s move it! The storm isn’t over yet. Let’s get down to the saddle during this break.

Good idea. I remember some really big rocks down there. We can find a better place to hide!

Stray raindrops continued falling all the way down to the saddle. Lupe was right about the big rocks. The saddle featured a collection of huge boulders all jumbled together. Loop and SPHP found a much larger overhang, almost like a cave. Not a moment too soon, either. No sooner was the American Dingo safe inside than the next downpour began.

This time it didn’t rain quite as hard. A cold wind blew instead. Another shot of pea-sized hail fell. The cave wasn’t very big. It would have been considerably more comfortable, if the ceiling had been higher and dripped less. SPHP sat scrunched over on a small rock, watching water trickle down the wet ceiling, while Loop stared out of the cave. Hopefully it would all be over soon. This wouldn’t be such a great way to spend the night.

After 20 minutes, the rain tapered off. A small patch of blue sky appeared. Lupe watched the patch grow for 10 minutes before it seemed safe to venture out. Scattered raindrops carried on the breeze continued falling as Lupe and SPHP headed SW toward the false summit. By the time Lupe was there, the rain was over.

Lupe back on some of the big rocks in the area of the false summit. The rain was over now. Photo looks W.

As Lupe began the final big descent, the sky began to clear. The lucky American Dingo would enjoy sunshine the rest of the way back to Porcupine Pass. As usual, it took SPHP a long time going down the steep, rocky slopes. It didn’t matter, though. The air was fresh and clean, the sky blue, the mountains gorgeous.

Victory and defeat! This was living the life of Lupe. She had it better than Riley ever did!