September 2017 – Page 3 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Fremont Lake & Photographer’s Point, Wind River Range WY (8-29-12)

August 28-30, 2012, Days 21-23 of Lupe’s 2012 Dingo Vacation to the West Coast.

As soon as Lanis woke up; Lupe, Lanis and SPHP would hit the road again. In the meantime, Lupe and SPHP took a little stroll. For SPHP, it had been a restless night trying to sleep sitting up in the Element. This car camping business was starting to get pretty old. Lupe, of course, was always fresh as a daisy, since she could stretch out and relax on her mountain of pillows and blankets in the back of the Element.

Last night’s car camping was SPHP’s own fault for being so stubborn. Lupe’s tiny house could have been set up back at the Farewell Bend State Recreation Area in Oregon. Instead, SPHP got persnickety about bureaucracy and regulations, and had Lanis keep driving. Lupe had made it as far as Boise, Idaho before stopping for the night.

Oh, well. It didn’t matter now, the night was over. On the bright side, SPHP had saved $18-22. When Lupe and SPHP got back to the Element, a bleary-eyed Lanis was at least conscious. He was soon pressed back into chauffer service driving SE on I-84. Lupe, Lanis and SPHP left I-84 at Mountain Home taking Hwy 20. Hwy 20 started out winding NE into the S end of a very dry looking mountain range.

The sky had been a little smoky in Boise, but along Hwy 20 the smoke was much thicker. The smoke got denser and denser until it was like being in a fog. Lanis started expecting to see the actual flames of a forest fire around any bend, but it didn’t happen. Way back in the early days of Lupe’s 2012 Dingo Vacation, back at the Beartooth Mountains in Wyoming, the sky had been smoky then, too, but never this bad. Apparently the fires in Idaho had been burning all this time.

Southern ID was hot, dry, barren and smoky. The skies weren't nearly so smoky, though, as Lupe started getting close to Craters of the Moon National Monument. — Southern ID was hot, dry, barren and smoky. The skies weren’t nearly so smoky, though, as Lupe started getting close to Craters of the Moon National Monument.

The skies were much clearer by the time Lupe reached Craters of the Moon National Monument. Lupe, Lanis and SPHP stopped briefly near the visitor center. Lanis went inside, and soon returned with the unsurprising news that Dingoes aren’t allowed on any of the trails. Well, that was that! Lupe made a few more stops at pullouts along Hwy 20 for photos, but she really didn’t get to do anything at Craters of the Moon.

Lava flow at Craters of the Moon National Monument.

Lupe continued on. Idaho remained hot and parched until Lupe reached Idaho Falls. E of Idaho Falls on Hwy 26, the scenery improved steadily. It was much greener here near the high mountains. By early evening, Lupe reached the fabulous Wind River Range near Pinedale, Wyoming. Lupe, Lanis and SPHP took Skyline Drive up to Elkhart Park for a look around.

From viewpoints along Skyline Drive, Lupe saw two big lakes, Half Moon Lake and Freemont Lake, formed by the retreat of large glaciers ages ago. Near Elkhart Park was a pullout along the road with a sweeping view of the central portion of the mighty Wind River Range. SPHP recognized Fremont Peak (13,745 ft.), one of many visible along the Continental Divide.

Half Moon Lake from Skyline Drive near Pinedale, WY 8-28-12

Lanis near Skyline Drive above Fremont Lake. Although the S end of the lake extends well out of the mountains, the N end of the lake is nestled in among them. This photo looks NNW.

Looking N at the Wind River Range in Wyoming from a viewpoint along Skyline Drive near Elkhart Park.

Freemont Peak along the Continental Divide from a viewpoint along Skyline Drive near Elkhart Park. Photo looks NE.

After going up to Elkhart Park and back down again, Lanis and SPHP pitched Lupe’s tiny house at the Fremont Lake campground. The campsite was some distance away from the lake. Lanis and SPHP feasted on sandwiches after a quick run in to Subway in Pinedale. Both Lanis and SPHP were feeling pretty tired, and looking forward to a night stretched out in Lupe’s tiny house.

Lupe wasn’t tired, though. She’d spent most of the last two days and nights cooped up in the Element. Lupe was bursting with energy! She was very happy to be out sniffing every tree and bush around. She was finally getting to do Dingo stuff again! With great enthusiasm, she raised a ruckus over each and every squirrel. Slowly the sun went down. Twilight faded. The squirrels went to bed. It still took a lot of persuading from SPHP to get Lupe into the tiny house and settled down for the night.

SPHP woke up. It was still early. Like dark out with the stars still shining early. SPHP had no idea what time it was, but felt better. Lupe was instantly awake, too. Lupe and SPHP stole out of her tiny house and into the night. Fifteen minutes later, Lupe and SPHP reached the dock down by the boat ramp. Fremont Lake sits at around 7,400 feet elevation. Overhead, the Milky Way was blazing in a cloudless night sky. The brightest stars reflected clearly in the still lake.

To the E, SPHP saw Sagittarius, Venus and just a hint of light. Dawn was coming. The night sky was gorgeous, but it was probably best to get a little more sleep. Lupe and SPHP returned to rejoin Lanis in Lupe’s tiny house. Well, at least SPHP did. Lupe had other ideas. She wouldn’t go in the tent. SPHP tried to rest while listening for the tinkling sound of Lupe’s tag as she sniffed around outside.

It worked for a little while. Lupe was sniffing around out there pretty close to the tiny house. As it grew lighter though, the squirrels started waking up. Sniffing became growling. Pretty soon the growling was barking. Just occasionally at first, but the barking sprees lengthened. SPHP had to get up, or Lupe would succeed in getting evicted from the campground.

Lanis was pretty played out. After successive long days driving, he was just plain zonked. It was light out now. The sun came up and rose high in the sky. Lanis snoozed on. Lupe and SPHP made a couple more trips down to Fremont Lake. There was a little beach near the dock and boat ramp. Lupe went wading. SPHP watched minnows swimming near the shore.

It was almost lunch time when Lanis finally regained consciousness. Lupe, Lanis and SPHP drove down to the Lakeside Lodge, Resort & Marina at the very S end of Fremont Lake. The resort features a restaurant with both inside and outside dining available. Next to Fremont Lake, there was a large deck with tables shaded by big umbrellas. Beyond the lake was a gorgeous panoramic view of high peaks of the Wind River Range.

It was sort of busy. The clientele looked upscale. Lanis and SPHP were in rather disreputable condition. There was an open table, though, at the far edge of the deck separated a little bit from the rest of the guests. The wait staff was willing to serve mangy Lanis and SPHP. Lupe was even allowed to rest on the deck at SPHP’s feet. On Lupe’s entire 2012 Dingo Vacation, this was the only time Lupe, Lanis and SPHP actually got to eat at a restaurant. It was wonderful!

Lanis and SPHP both ordered big burgers. They were great! SPHP stealthily slipped some burger down to Lupe. Everyone was happy. The scenery was magnificent. It was a relaxing, beautiful time.

After the glorious lunch by Fremont Lake; Lupe, Lanis and SPHP went into Pinedale for a little while. SPHP hoped to find a good map of the mountains to look at. There was a USFS map posted outside a forest service office near the grocery store. SPHP studied it for a few minutes while Lanis was in the grocery store. Lupe was on a leash right there with SPHP.

Lupe and SPHP were both about ready to leave, when an overly helpful ranger came along. The ranger almost insisted that SPHP come inside for more information, and a cheerful lecture on a blizzard of federal rules certain to enhance any wilderness experience.

Rule No. 1, of course, was that Dingoes couldn’t come in the building. Why just the other day, some Grand Poo-Bah supervisor from the District of Bureaucracy had sent out an email on the importance of never allowing a Dingo to set paw in any forest service building.

Lanis was waiting at the Element by the time Lupe and SPHP extracted themselves from all the helpful assistance. At least SPHP had seen enough of the map to have a pretty good idea where to go. Since the day was off to a rather late start, the best day hike without a map to bring along with was probably to take the well-traveled Pole Creek trail up at Elkhart Park.

Lupe, Lanis and SPHP went back up to Elkhart Park. The trailhead was already at 9,350 feet elevation, so Lupe was going to get to see some pretty high country. The Pole Creek trail started off heading SE as it went up the Pole Creek drainage. The trail was wide and well-worn. It gained elevation steadily, but at a moderate pace.

The area was almost all forested. There were squirrels in the trees. Lupe got to run, and run, and run. She had a fantastic time. The trail eventually turned NE, and then gained elevation more slowly. Lupe began to encounter clearings in the forest and little ponds. Lupe, Lanis and SPHP made it as far as Photographer’s Point (10,400 ft.). There was a huge panoramic view to the N.

Lupe reaches Photographer's Point in the Wind River Range with muddy paws from wading in a pond. — Lupe reaches Photographer’s Point in the Wind River Range with muddy paws from wading in a pond.

Looking NW at the Wind River Range from Photographer's Point. Wow, there's a lot of rock out there! — Looking NW at the Wind River Range from Photographer’s Point. Wow, there’s a lot of rock out there!

Looking NE from Photographer's Point. Fremont Peak is on the R. The lake partially in view is probably Gorge Lake. — Looking NE from Photographer’s Point. Fremont Peak is on the R. The lake partially in view is probably Gorge Lake.

The inspiring view from Photographer’s Point just made SPHP want to go farther. There were lakes nearby that SPHP had seen earlier on the map posted outside the forest service office in Pinedale. Lupe is always game to do more, but Lanis was ready to call it a day. However, even though Lanis really did need to get back to Indiana very soon, he did agree to spend another day in the Wind Rivers.

So Lupe didn’t go any farther into the Wind River range than Photographer’s Point. With an earlier start the next day, she could, though! After spending some time admiring the sweeping views; Lupe, Lanis and SPHP returned along the Pole Creek trail.

The sun was getting low in a cloudless sky, by the time Lupe reached the Element again back at Elkhart Park . A little while later, Lanis and SPHP crawled into sleeping bags in Lupe’s tiny house near Fremont Lake. Lupe curled up for a snooze, too. Tomorrow was going to be an even bigger day spent in the spectacular Wind River range!

After midnight, there was a sound that Lupe, Lanis and SPHP had rarely heard on Lupe’s 2012 Dingo Vacation. Raindrops on Lupe’s tiny house! Not too many, but some. SPHP took a look outside. No stars in any direction. The whole black sky must have been overcast. Not good. The tent was old, and had always leaked. The raindrops came in little spurts. No big deal, if it stayed like this. Lupe, Lanis and SPHP tried to ignore it and go back to sleep.

For at least a couple of hours, the rain was sporadic and light. Gradually the intensity was increasing, though. Water started dripping inside Lupe’s tiny house. SPHP remained hopeful that the rain would hold off until dawn, when it would be possible to get a good look at the sky and assess the outlook. More rain came, harder too. As the tent started leaking more, Lanis and SPHP sat up talking about what to do. Stick it out and wait for dawn, or pack things up before everything got soaked?

Nature decided. Suddenly there was a volley of intense rain, with big drops. Lupe got hustled into the Element. Lanis and SPHP scrambled to take down her tiny house for the last time. Everything got pitched into the Element. Very suddenly, Lupe’s grand 2012 Dingo Vacation to the West Coast was over.

The rain became light and steady as Lupe left Pinedale and the Wind River range behind her. On the way to Farson, the first light of dawn appeared and began spreading along the E horizon. Before reaching Farson, Lanis drove out of the rain. Back to the NW, clouds still hung over the Wind River range. The rain showers were likely just local. Lupe could probably have gone back, and spent another day exploring the Winds.

The decision had already been made, though. On the 23rd day of her first ever Dingo Vacation, after more than 5,000 miles, 5 states, and 3 weeks of adventures, Lupe was going home.

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 99 – Peak 6820 & Crook’s Tower (10-8-14)

11:00 AM (60°F). Rather a late start for Lupe’s expedition, but she would still have fun. She was about to spend the rest of this glorious early fall day roaming the high country of the western Black Hills. The sky was a clear blue with a few wispy clouds. The air was calm, stirred only by an occasional light breeze. The American Dingo was raring to go!

The G6 was parked just S of the W end of Besant Park at the junction of USFS Road No. 206 (Besant Park Road) and No. 206.2D. As soon as SPHP let Lupe out of the G6, she streaked off across No. 206 racing N into a huge field that was part of Besant Park. Oh, no! She had T-bone steak on her mind! Two black cows fled at the sudden noisy appearance of the bold Carolina Dog. SPHP hadn’t noticed them, but Lupe sure had.

Lupe barked a couple of times just for good measure as she gave up the chase. From far away, a brown and white streak came racing back across the field to SPHP. The cows, also now very far away, mooed unhappily at having been disturbed. A couple minutes later, Lupe arrived back at SPHP out of breath and panting hard. She had a huge grin on her face. Yes, this was already a glorious day!

It was time to move on before Lupe really got into trouble. While she had been running around in Besant Park, SPHP saw something Lupe hadn’t noticed. Quite close by, off in a much smaller unfenced field to the SW, a huge black bull was grazing. SPHP hurried Lupe S on No. 206.2D. Let’s go find Peak 6820 and leave the cows alone!

Peak 6820 was Lupe’s primary peakbagging goal for the day. SPHP wasn’t entirely certain Lupe hadn’t been there once before. Back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 58 on 5-11-13, Lupe had climbed a high ridge somewhere not too far to the E. Maybe it was possible that ridge was part of Peak 6820? It would be fun to find out.

Lupe didn’t stay on No. 206.2D very long. After she had gone several hundred yards, SPHP noticed a trail heading E. Peak 6820 was only about a mile to the E, so Lupe and SPHP followed the trail. It climbed through the forest and arrived up on a high ridge. SPHP recognized the ridge as the same one Lupe had been to on Expedition No. 58. It wasn’t part of Peak 6820, though. About 0.75 mile away, SPHP could see a modestly higher forested hill to the E. That hill had to be Peak 6820!

Even though it wasn’t going to take Lupe any closer to Peak 6820, Lupe and SPHP explored the ridge Lupe was on around to the NNE. At first the ridge was fairly broad, open and grassy. The N end, though, was all in the forest. SPHP had been hoping for a view of Besant Park to the N, but any view was hidden by the trees. Lupe and SPHP returned S to where Lupe had come up.

Lupe could have gone down into the valley heading straight toward Peak 6820. However, it looked like she might not have to lose so much elevation, if she followed the ridge she was already on to the S. It looked like this ridge would eventually swing around to the E toward Peak 6820.

Lupe and SPHP headed S following the ridgeline. The ridge stayed about the same elevation, but gradually grew narrower. Lupe came to several rock outcroppings, but the rock formations ended as Lupe approached a shallow saddle. The saddle led over to the next ridge to the S. Down in the saddle, Lupe found a dirt road, possibly another part of No. 206.2D. She followed the road only a short distance before leaving it to angle SE up onto the next ridge.

The next ridge did go E. As Lupe followed this second ridge, she could sometimes see White Tail Peak (6,962 ft.) to the S. The second ridge started out as a broad, level mix of forest and meadows, but became narrower and rockier as Lupe went E. The level part of the ridge ended at a small limestone cliff. Lupe and SPHP had to double back to the W, and then turn SE to get past the cliff.

Lupe came to another saddle. Everything to the NE was down in a thickly forested valley in the direction of Peak 6820. To the SW, the land sloped down more gently into a sunnier, thinly forested area. Ahead, another ridge rose to the SE. Lupe and SPHP went up to the high point. Lupe could see Peak 6820, but she wasn’t much closer to it. Peak 6820 was still 0.5 mile away, but now to the NNE.

By now, it was clear that Lupe was going to have to lose some elevation to get to Peak 6820. Lupe and SPHP went NW back down to the saddle, turned NE and plunged down into the forest. There was quite a bit of deadfall timber, which slowed SPHP down considerably. It wasn’t too far to the bottom of the valley, however, and once down there, Lupe came to a faint road.

Lupe followed the road NNW, slowly regaining elevation. She soon arrived at an odd place. Hidden down here in a small glade, was a huge metal water tank. Nearby stood a an old tower with a rickety ladder leading up to a small warped platform at the top.

Lupe reaches the hidden water tank and tower down in the forest SW of Peak 6820. Photo looks N.

The water tank was nearly full to the top with a rusty brown water so murky SPHP could see only an inch or two into it. Perhaps the tower had featured a windmill at some point in time? A horizontal pipe stuck out over the water tank from near the base of the tower.

This photo shows the horizontal pipe hanging out over the water tank, and the sagging platform at the top of the tower. Photo looks NE.

Not too far to the NNE, Lupe came to another odd place. A square area about 25 feet long on each side was fenced off by a barbed wire fence. Inside the fence was a wooden framed structure only 6 inches high. The wooden framework was completely covered with sheets of metal nailed to it.

Lupe sniffs around near the possible mine shaft cover SW of Peak 6820.

SPHP didn’t like the looks of it. The only reason SPHP could think of for such an odd structure was that it served as a cover for a large, deep mine shaft. If so, it was there to protect people or animals from a potentially fatal fall. The cover looked like it had been here for years. Who knew how structurally sound it still was, or how deep the hole hidden beneath it?

One thing about SPHP’s theory didn’t make sense. There didn’t seem to be a tailings pile anywhere around. There should have been a pretty big one nearby, if this was really the site of an old mine shaft. Very strange! Whatever the explanation, SPHP didn’t think anything good could come from lingering around here. Lupe continued NNE toward Peak 6820. She soon found another old road, or maybe it was the same one that had led to the water tank and tower.

The old road went NNE up the side of Peak 6820. Parts of the road were clear, but much of it was choked with deadfall timber. Lupe and SPHP spent more time off the road than on it trying to get past all the deadfall. Shortly before reaching the top, the road veered E. It emerged up from the forest at a fairly large clearing on Peak 6820.

The first thing Lupe noticed was a mud puddle large enough to bathe in. She ran over to it, plunked herself down to cool off, and lapped up lots of very murky-looking water. She emerged refreshed and well supplied with both essential and non-essential minerals, evidently quite satisfied with the experience.

The summit area on Peak 6820 is large and flat. Much of it is open meadow, but the meadow is entirely fringed by forest. There was hardly even a glimpse of a view in any direction. Lupe and SPHP set off to explore the area. The highest ground seemed to be a little way E of where Lupe had come up.

Lupe on Peak 6820. This point toward the S central part of the summit area seemed to be as much the true summit as anywhere else.

After exploring to the S and E, Lupe and SPHP returned to the mud puddle on the way to explore the N and W parts of the mountaintop. Naturally, Lupe couldn’t resist taking another dip.

Double-dipper Lupe emerges from her Dingo-sized mud hole on Peak 6820 for a 2nd time.

Explorations to the N and W revealed only that the jeep trail Lupe had followed up the mountain continued over the top and on down the other side to the NNE. There were some cliffs lower down toward the NW, but they weren’t terribly tall and were buried so deeply in the trees that even the cliffs didn’t provide any views.

With the summit area now fully explored, Lupe and SPHP left Peak 6820 heading WNW. This time Lupe went down into the valley between Peak 6820 and the ridge to the W. The terrain forced SPHP to the WSW for a little while, but eventually Lupe and SPHP were able to turn WNW again. There was no trail and a considerable amount of deadfall timber to contend with, but this was a more direct route back to the G6.

The climb back up onto the ridge to the W was rather slow due to the deadfall, but once there, Lupe and SPHP made rapid progress again. Lupe followed the ridge N to the trail she had been on early in the day. She followed the trail W back to No. 206.2D, and then N to the G6 (2:46 PM, 66°F).

Approaching the G6, SPHP saw that there was now a big herd of black cows across USFS Road No. 206 in Besant Park. This time, Lupe didn’t get to run after them.

Lupe would have loved to have more fun with these cows in Besant Park, but party pooper SPHP wouldn't permit it. — Lupe would have loved to have more fun with these cows in Besant Park, but party pooper SPHP wouldn’t permit it.

There was still plenty of time left in the day for Lupe to do some more exploring. Crooks Tower (7,137 ft.) was only 3 miles away to the WSW as the crow flies. Lupe had been there before, but it would still be fun to see it again. It was still quite a long winding way to Crooks Tower from here, though. To save some time, Lupe and SPHP hopped in the G6 and drove around to a closer point.

SPHP parked the G6 again at 3:09 PM (61°F). Lupe was now only 0.33 mile W of Crooks Tower at the intersection of USFS Roads No. 189 and No. 189.4A. Lupe and SPHP headed E on No. 189.4A. Before long, Lupe had completed her 5th ascent of Crooks Tower!

Lupe relaxes on Crooks Tower. This was her 5th ascent.

The summit of Crooks Tower is a relatively small (large room-sized), level limestone platform. Although Crooks Tower is one of the very highest mountains in the Black Hills, there are plenty of ridges almost as high in the area. The ridges and forest block the views in most directions, but Harney Peak (7,242 ft.) can be seen far to the SE. There is a less dramatic distant view off to the N, too.

SPHP had never realized it before, but by standing at just the right spot and peering between tree branches, it was possible to get a look at Inyan Kara (6,360 ft.) off to the WNW in Wyoming.

Harney Peak (L) can be seen on the far horizon from Crooks Tower. Photo looks SE.

After enjoying the views from Crooks Tower, Lupe and SPHP returned to the G6. There were still at least a couple of hours of daylight left. SPHP pondered what Lupe should do next? The top alternatives were a visit to Clayton Pond, or exploring USFS Road No. 189.4B. Since Lupe was practically at No. 189.4B already, it won out.

Lupe and SPHP left the G6 where it was, and went right on by to USFS Road No. 189.4B. The only marker at the start of the road wasn’t entirely legible, but seemed to indicate this was No. 189.4C or 189.6C, but that didn’t agree with SPHP’s USFS map.

No. 189.4B led Lupe WNW down a shallow valley. The ridge to the N was sunny and thinly forested. The S side of the valley was shady and densely forested. Tall grass, taller than Lupe, lined both sides of the road. Lupe virtually disappeared on her little side excursions. She soon tired of having to leap up to see where she was, and stayed mostly on the road. The road gradually and steadily lost elevation.

After more than a mile, there was a fence with a gate. Ten minutes after going through the gate, Lupe reached an intersection. USFS Road No. 189.4C went S. No. 117.6B went N. Off to the NNW, a curve in No. 117 could be seen up ahead across a big open field in a larger, wider valley. Lupe and SPHP followed No. 117.6B all the way to No. 117.

USFS Road No. 117 as seen from No. 117.6B. This corner of No. 117 was as far as Lupe managed to get on her explorations WNW of Crooks Tower. Photo looks WNW.

By the time Lupe reached No. 117, she was 2 miles from the G6. The sun was getting low. It was time to turn back. SPHP checked the maps for an alternate route, hoping Lupe could make a loop. No, she really couldn’t. Other roads in the area were too long, and it was too late in the day to cut directly through the forest. Lupe and SPHP returned on No. 189.4B, this time going up the valley, instead of down.

On the way back, SPHP started thinking it might be fun to watch the sunset from Crooks Tower. Even though forest hid the views to the W at the very summit, there was a ridge almost as high just S of USFS Road No. 189.4C a short distance SSW of the true summit. Maybe Lupe could see the sunset from there?

Lupe arrived up on the ridge with a little time to spare. The W end of the ridge ended at a small limestone cliff. It wasn’t high enough to really get a good view to the W, but the view in that direction was better than it would have been at the true summit of Crooks Tower. SPHP sat down next to a tree to wait. A chipmunk darting around on the rocks nearby entertained Lupe.

Lupe watching the chipmunk (not pictured).

The chipmunk eventually ran off. Lupe rested on the ground near SPHP. The edges of her big, soft attentive ears glowed in the last rays of sunlight.

When the show was over, Lupe and SPHP continued on to the true summit of Crooks Tower. Lupe made her 2nd ascent of the day, and 6th all time. The full hunter’s moon was due to come up soon. Darkness fell and stars began to appear. Lupe and SPHP waited. As the pale moon rose, a lone coyote began to howl. Lupe was entranced.

For several minutes, the lone coyote howled, pausing now and then to listen. At last, very faintly from far to the W came a few answering howls. That was good. The coyote had a friend. So did SPHP. It was time to take her home. (7:06 PM, 41°F)

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