Lupe – Page 342 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Lupe’s 2013 Dingo Vacation was off to a great start! On her first day (7-10-13) she had been to the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness and spent the night on Bald Mountain in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming.

It had been quite a memorable evening for Lupe sleeping under the stars on Bald Mountain. “Sleeping” is used loosely here. At first there was some sleeping going on, but a few hours into the night, SPHP woke up suddenly to the sound of Lupe sprinting away to the W in the darkness. She was after something, but what it might have been SPHP had no clue. Before long she came back without being called.

Lupe just E of Bald Mountain, Bighorn Mountains, WY — Lupe just E of **Bald Mountain** **(10,042 ft.)**, Bighorn Mountains, WY on 7-10-11. The summit is kind of faded out on the left.

SPHP managed to get Lupe in her blankie and sleeping bag again, but from then on Lupe and SPHP slept fitfully. SPHP awoke many times to hear Lupe wandering off into the night sniffing around. Sometimes she was gone for 5 minutes or a bit more, but she always came back. Still, SPHP spent long stretches awake, peering and listening into the darkness for the tinkling sound of the tag on Lupe’s collar.

The Milky Way above was magnificent. Three shooting stars streaked across the night sky. A breeze started up and blew all night. Initially it seemed to be from the E, but as the night wore on, it blew harder and more from the S.

But I'm not sleepy!!!! — But I’m not sleepy!!!!

Sometimes Lupe came around to just sit next to SPHP out of her sleeping bag. She wanted to be petted while she stared into the blackness listening and watching. SPHP always did pet her. Often SPHP managed to persuade Lupe to get back into her sleeping bag and under her blankie again. That would last for a little while and then she would be off running and sniffing again. It was the first time Lupe and SPHP ever slept together without a tent under the stars in the wild. Lupe was just too stimulated and excited to sleep much.

Lupe and SPHP got up when the sun was just getting up. It was gorgeous out except for the strong S breeze. SPHP added Lupe’s name to the place of names. Then Lupe and SPHP went back to the summit of Bald Mountain again before heading down to the G6. Lupe had a great time racing around through the yellow, purple, and white flowers and what SPHP called “pom pom” plants waving in the breeze.By 8:30 AM SPHP had everything packed up. Lupe and SPHP headed W down spectacular Hwy 14A out of the Bighorns. Lupe barked frantically at cows and horses across western Wyoming. Lupe’s route went through Lovell, Powell and Cody, WY. She rode in air-conditioned comfort since it was hot outside – almost 90°F.

From Cody, SPHP took Hwy 120 N to the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, Hwy 296. When Lupe reached the Beartooth Hwy No. 212, SPHP made a beeline for Lupe and SPHP’s favorite camping site on the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River. Lupe and SPHP had discovered this prime spot on Lupe’s 2012 Dingo Vacation with Lanis.

View from the big pullout on the W side of the pass on the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway in NW Wyoming.

Lupe and SPHP were in luck! Arriving at 1 PM, the favorite camping site was open. SPHP had the tent set up within 30 minutes. As it later turned out, not a moment too soon. After setting up the tent, SPHP was ready to take Lupe for an afternoon outing. Nothing really long, just for a few hours. SPHP chose a nearby trail up Pilot Creek.

As Lupe and SPHP got out of the G6 at the Pilot Creek trailhead, some people in a big white pickup truck pulling a trailer loaded with ATV’s drove up. They asked if Lupe and SPHP were tenting across the road. SPHP said yes, and they said they were from Cody, WY. Lupe and SPHP were in their favorite spot to camp. (You know you are in a good spot when the locals think it is the best one, too!) They asked if it would bother Lupe and SPHP, if they camped nearby. Lupe and SPHP had no problem with that. It’s still a free country. They didn’t need Lupe and SPHP’s permission, although it was considerate of them to ask.

Lupe claims her favorite camping site on the Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone. — Lupe claims her favorite camping site on the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone.

Set up on the Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone, July 2013 — Set up on the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone, July 11, 2013

Lupe and SPHP started up the Pilot Creek trail. At first Pilot Creek was visible below, but the trail climbed steadily so fast Lupe was soon far above the creek. Before long there were views of the snow-capped Beartooth Mountains to the N. The trail went uphill so long SPHP decided they should have named it Pilot Peak trail, as the trail seemed destined to climb it. (That SPHP, what a whiner and exaggerator! No wonder Lupe has to call her blog The (MOSTLY) True Adventures of Lupe!)

Just about the time SPHP was considering giving up and turning around, the trail leveled out and started a more gentle up and down, so Lupe stuck with it. Lupe and SPHP were in a big valley up on the W side hundreds of feet above the creek. There was a big mountain a few miles away with a large snow bank on it, and the trail headed for that.

Lupe and SPHP had covered about 1/2 the distance to the big mountain and arrived at a small open hill on the left side of the trail. Except for one big dead old tree, it was open ground. Lupe and SPHP climbed the little hill to gain, for the first time, an unobstructed view of the mountain with the big snow bank. Pilot Creek was now closer than before, not as far below Lupe and SPHP as it had been. A side creek with good flow was cascading very steeply into Pilot Creek from the E. It originated from a high rocky ridge with some snow still present way up near the top.

Unfortunately SPHP had forgotten the camera. Lupe and SPHP had gone a few miles along Pilot Creek trail. The sky was clouding up like it was going to rain. With no camera and rain coming, it was time to turn around. The trip back to the trailhead was pleasant and very easy, since it was nearly all level or downhill. Lupe had a good time barking at chipmunks. SPHP enjoyed the view of the Beartooths, which were now directly ahead instead of behind. It was a great welcome back to the Beartooths. Lupe and SPHP met absolutely no one on the trail the entire time.

Back at the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River, there was no sign of the people from Cody. They must decided they weren’t going to be happy camped next to Lupe and SPHP. SPHP arranged all of the padding, blankets, and sleeping bags in the tent, then started making beef stew on the propane stove. Before the beef stew was even ready, it started raining lightly. Lupe and SPHP devoured the beef stew as soon as it was done. It was starting to rain harder.

Lupe on the Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone. Tent is set up just to the right of this photo. (Not pictured.) — Lupe on the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone. Tent is set up just to the right of this photo. (Not pictured.)

Since the tent leaks (everything does in SPHP’s experience!), SPHP took all of the gear out of the tent and rearranged it back in the G6. Rain meant a night in the G6. Lupe was very tired from running around half the previous night on Bald Mountain. SPHP was pretty weary too. Soon both were passed out. At least Lupe and SPHP had claimed their favorite spot on the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River for the duration of Lupe’s stay in the Beartooths!

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Cascade Falls isn’t really much of a waterfall. Instead, it is a short series of pools and rapids on Cascade Creek. The small upstream pools are very clear and clean with swiftly flowing waters. They are no more than 3 or 4 feet deep. Just downstream of the small pools, Cascade Creek pours over a large fan-shaped mineral deposit 5 or 6 feet high into a big deep (over your head!) blue-green swimming hole. There are more large pools farther downstream, but unlike the clear upstream pools, they tend to be mucky. Very few tourists ever visit this remote location, but Cascade Falls is often busy with locals cooling off on hot summer days.

On 7-9-15, Xochitl flew in from Chicago. Lupe and SPHP picked her up at the Rapid City regional airport. She was in town for just a few days to visit friends and family. Her plans included spending July 11th at her class reunion at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and celebrating her birthday on July 12th with family and friends at Cascade Falls.

On 7-10-15, Xochitl and SPHP went for a hike from Sylvan Lake up to Little Devil’s Tower (6,960 ft.). This should have been Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 136 for Lupe, but sadly Lupe didn’t get to go. She had to stay home due to injuries sustained on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 135 on 6-27-15. FrankenPuppy was a very dejected Dingo when SPHP told her she couldn’t come with. She had gotten all worked up when SPHP had started packing up the backpack. It really didn’t feel right at all to leave Lupe to mope on the floor, but it had to be done.

Cone-On the Luparian didn't get to go to Little Devil's Tower on 7-10-15. She had to stay home to continue healing up. — Cone-On the Luparian didn’t get to go to Little Devil’s Tower on 7-10-15. She had to stay home to continue healing up.

Xochitl at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park on 7-10-15. — Mysterious Ms. X at Sylvan Lake in **Custer State Park** on 7-10-15.

The trek to Little Devil’s Tower proved to be a bit more than Xochitl had been expecting (like twice as much) and the round trip on the trail took more like 4+ hours than the 2 hours she had allotted, but she made it. (SPHP’s fault for always being overly ambitious.) Xochitl went to her class reunion on the 11th.

Thistle along the trail to Little Devil's Tower — Thistle along the trail to Little Devil’s Tower

Xochitl near Cathedral Spires on the way to Little Devil's Tower. — Xochitl near **Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.)** on the way to Little Devil’s Tower.

Xochitl on Little Devil's Tower. Cathedral Spires in the background. — Xochitl on Little Devil’s Tower. Cathedral Spires in the background.

The 12th was Xochitl’s birthday and the last full day she was going to be in the Black Hills. Since Lupe was soon going to get her staples and stitches out anyway on the 14th (which was days later than required by the veterinarians), SPHP decided Lupe may as well come with. There wasn’t going to be any long trek where Lupe might re-injure herself, just some wading and swimming. Lupe was ecstatic to be going anywhere! Once in the G6, SPHP allowed Guille to take Lupe’s head cone off too, and it stayed off for the rest of the outing. Loopster couldn’t believe her good luck – she was finally free of that torture device!

SPHP was somewhat reluctant to classify Lupe’s trip to Cascade Falls as one of her official Black Hills, SD Expeditions. All her other expeditions have involved hikes through the mountains. However, it wasn’t Lupe’s fault she got injured on Expedition No. 135. SPHP decided to relent and consider this mere outing an official expedition. Time to cut the wounded Carolina Dog a little slack! So worthy of the title or not, Cascade Falls officially became Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 136 for Lupe.

Lupe arrived at Cascade Falls around 11:30 AM. It was a hot, sunny day in the low 90’s – way too hot for a typical hiking expedition, but perfect for a day at Cascade. Xochitl, Guille, Erik, Ana, Steve & SPHP were all there with Lupe, plus a ton of strangers enjoying the falls too. There was a picnic with elk burgers, cherries, chips, lemonade, etc. Lupe just stuck to her Taste of the Wild – even turning down perfectly good elk burgers for it!

Lupe in Cascade Creek. She liked walking (or running) along the shallow lip of the pool.

After the picnic, Erik & Ana weren’t into swimming or even wading and left long before the rest of the gang did. Lupe, SPHP and the rest of the gang made lots of treks back and forth from the picnic table down to the creek during the afternoon. Lupe had been to Cascade Falls before, but never to spend the day in the creek. She was having a good time, but sometimes seemed to be wondering what she was supposed to do or what was going to happen next.

Xochitl, Guille & Steve with Lupe at Cascade.

Many strangers were very kind to Lupe. Some asked about her wound. Others wanted to pet her. Lupe enjoyed wading in the creek. She really didn’t want to swim though. She doesn’t like water over her head. Those dingo paws want to be on terra firma. She seemed genuinely concerned about Xochitl, Steve & SPHP whenever they swam in the big deep blue-green pool. That dingo wasn’t about to leap in to rescue any of them, though, unless they showed more signs of distress. American Dingoes aren’t fools, you know!

Lupe claims an island. — Lupe claims an island above the big pool.

Lupe in Cascade Creek 7-12-15 — Lupe near her island.

Cascade Falls is just out of the Black Hills. Here Lupe is near the edge of the picnic ground. Cascade Creek is down in the trees. This photo looks WNW towards the surrounding countryside. It’s very unusual for it to be so green approaching mid-July!

For Lupe, it was a most puzzling expedition. SPHP had never just hung out in the water before. And having all these people around was very strange, too. On the other hand, she loved the attention from everyone and seemed to enjoy being cool and partly wet. She was determined not to get completely wet, though. It was funny to watch her immediately leap out of the deep water whenever she stepped into a pool where it got up to her chest.

I'm not so sure about this! — I’m not so sure about this!

Lupe asks Xochi if she is OK down there in the big pool. Is it really safe?

You got yourself in there - you can just get yourself out! — You got yourself in there – you can just get yourself out!

Cascade Falls - the big swimming hole. — Cascade Falls – the big swimming hole.

A little after 5:30 PM, it was time to leave Cascade Falls. Lupe was sleepy after all the activity and had a relaxing ride home in the G6. Back home, Xochitl became head chef for her own birthday dinner of curry chicken sweet potatoes. Steve, Erik & SPHP assisted to some degree. Although dinner turned out to be quite yummy, Lupe held out for cake and ice cream when it was all over.

Xochitl's birthday! — Happy birthday Xochi!

Xochitl says good-bye to Cone-On the Luparian the morning of 7-13-15 before flying back to Chicago.

Cascade Falls is easy to find. It is about 10 miles S of Hot Springs, SD on the W side of Hwy 71 (a mile N of the Cheyenne River) at the very S end of the Black Hills of South Dakota. On flat grassland overlooking the creek is a gravel parking lot, a few covered picnic tables, and a restroom. No water or other services are available. There are no fees or permits required. There is no lifeguard – just a delightful old-fashioned swim/wade at your own risk creek and swimming hole!

Cascade Creek originates just 2 or 3 miles upstream at a series of warm water springs (67°F). There is another picnic ground called Cascade Springs 2 miles closer to Hot Springs than Cascade Falls. That picnic ground is more shaded by trees and the creek flows through it, but there is no swimming hole there. Other attractions near Cascade Falls include the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, Evans Plunge and the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, SD, and Wind Cave National Park N of Hot Springs.

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Tag: Lupe

Camped on the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River (7-11-13)

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 136 – Cascade Falls (7-12-15)