Day 5 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!
Six miles up the spectacular Shoshone River canyon W of Cody, the RAV4 emerged from the last of 3 tunnels along Hwy 16/20/14. Immediately off to the L was the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center. SPHP drove another couple of miles to the first pullout along the big reservoir.
C’mon, Looper! Let’s have a look at Cedar Mountain(7,880 ft.)!
Happy to escape the RAV4 for a while, Lupe accompanied SPHP down to Buffalo Bill Reservoir’s shoreline, a rocky beach littered with driftwood bleached white by the sun. The beautiful lake consisted of two big arms, one extending miles W near the highway and another off to the S.
Along the E shore loomed a mighty triangular-shaped mountain, it’s rugged W face composed of a series of cliffs overlooking the lake.
Cedar Mountain from the N shore of Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Photo looks E.Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Sheep Mountain(7,892 ft.) (L). Photo looks WSW.
That’s Cedar Mountain, SPHP?
Sure is, Loop! Don’t worry, though. We won’t be going up that way!
As waves rolled in, the Carolina Dog enjoyed a sniff along the N shore before SPHP suggested checking out the visitor center. 10 minutes later, Lupe was hopping out of the RAV4 at a paved parking lot right across a narrow channel from Cedar Mountain. The visitor center was a short stroll away.
Setting out for the visitor center. Photo looks NE.The channel leading back to the main part of the lake from the dam. Lower slopes of Cedar Mountain (L). Photo looks WSW.Approaching the Buffalo Bill Dam visitor center. Photo looks NE.
The visitor center was not Dingo friendly, but Lupe was free to look around outside. A walkway over the dam, which was right next to the visitor center, provided a stunning view of the Shoshone River canyon.
Near Buffalo Bill Dam and the visitor center. Cedar Mountain (R). Photo looks E.Shoshone River canyon from the walkway over the dam. Photo looks NE.
It’s all very scenic, SPHP! Wonder what the views are like from way up on Cedar Mountain? Must be incredible!
Oh, I bet they are, Loopster! Let’s go find out!
Driving E back down the Shoshone River canyon into Cody, SPHP missed the sign for Spirit Mountain Road, mostly likely because there wasn’t one. The turn eventually proved to be about 2 miles W of Walmart, on the L (S) from that direction, just before Cedar Mountain Trail Rides. SPHP parked the RAV4 at a large trailhead 150 feet from the highway.
Cedar Mountain Trail Rides, on the L (S) side of Hwy 16/20/14 heading W out of Cody, is just past the L turn onto Spirit Mountain Road. Photo looks WNW.At the trailhead. Photo looks SW.
11:59 AM, 67ºF – Ready to go! The American Dingo left the trailhead on a dusty path which soon joined an even dustier trail used by the trail ride horses. Cedar Mountain’s lower slopes were sparsely dotted with cedars, alright, but Sagebrush Mountain might have been a better name. The horse trail quickly led to Spirit Mountain Road, which could be seen switchbacking ever higher up the NE slope.
Setting out for Cedar Mountain! Photo looks SW.Sign passed early on along Spirit Mountain Road.
The road hike wasn’t very exciting, but at least it was easy, just a steady climb winding up the mountain. The predominate sagebrush didn’t block the views, which inevitably improved as Lupe trudged higher. Cumulus clouds sailed overhead providing shade, but whenever the sun came out, so did the Carolina Dog’s tongue. Starting to get hot!
At a sharp turn where there were some rock formations, Lupe left the road for water promised by SPHP and a look around. Nearby, stretches of the Shoshone River could be seen. McCullough Peaks(6,547 ft.) were visible off to the NE beyond Cody. The most dramatic view was due N of Heart Mountain(8,123 ft.).
McCullough Mountains (Center) beyond Cody. Shoshone River (L). Photo looks NE.Heart Mountain (Center). Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.Spirit Mountain Road from near the first rock formation viewpoint. Photo looks W.
Continuing on, the day grew sunnier. Loopster plodded along behind SPHP, panting hard, clearly not too into this baking hot trek. Whenever SPHP paused for a look at the tremendous views or to gasp for air, the Carolina Dog sought the shade of the nearest cedar tree.
After many switchbacks, the road straightened and leveled out. Towers could be seen ahead up on Cedar Mountain’s E summit. It wasn’t much farther to a vacant parking area near a trail to Spirit Mountain Cave.
Towers on Cedar Mountain’s E summit (Center) appear ahead as Spirit Mountain Road finally begins to level out. Photo looks SW.Sign at the start of the Spirit Mountain Cave trail. Photo looks W.
A key had to be acquired in advance in order to visit Spirit Mountain Caverns. Since SPHP hadn’t bothered to get one, there was no point in taking this side trail. Looper continued along the road. Soon she came to another vacant parking area near a blue gate.
This blue gate was as far as the public was supposed to drive along Spirit Mountain Road. Beyond this gate were 2 miles of private property. It was SPHP’s understanding that continuing on paw was acceptable, as long as one stayed on the road. In any case, the gate was standing wide open when Lupe reached it.
At the blue gate.
The American Dingo pressed on, coming to a brown gate, also open, 15 minutes later. Beyond the brown gate the road resumed its climb. Lupe passed through a short stretch of much thicker cedar forest. Beyond the forest, she entered more open territory again. This region was grassier with far less sagebrush.
By now, Lupe was getting quite high on the mountain. A short break was taken beneath a big cedar tree near a sharp bend in the road. Water and a shared chocolate coconut bar. Clouds were again providing relief from the sun, but these clouds were darker, and so many had moved in that the weather suddenly seemed iffy.
By a nice clump of orange Indian paintbrush.At the brown gate.Beyond the first dense stretch of cedar forest.
However, the sky brightened again. Loopster kept going. The towers of Cedar Mountain’s E summit came back into view, still several hundred feet higher. Lupe passed a house on the R before reaching a green gate. It was open, too.
Towers ahead again! Getting closer to the E summit. Photo looks W.At the green gate.
Shortly after passing the green gate, Loopster started coming to the first of many towers scattered over the E summit region. The weather now seemed ominous. The sky had darkened again, and a strong breeze blew out of the NW. Rain, possibly hail, appeared imminent. Hurrying on, SPHP looked for shelter.
A gray concrete block building appeared on the L just prior to a fork in the road. Looked like it would do in a real emergency, but things weren’t that dire yet. Staying L at the fork, Lupe went a bit farther, ultimately seeking refuge in another patch of cedar forest as a gale suddenly swept over Cedar Mountain. Huge raindrops pelted Loopster as she reached the trees in the nick of time.
Approaching the first towers of the E summit region.
Or so it seemed. Not really, though. No sooner had the Carolina Dog reached the forest, which was a little way from the road, than the storm passed. The rain stopped. The wind died away. A squall, nothing more.
That’s it? Hah! I thought we were in for it, Loopster!
Maybe we ought to hang out here for a while yet, SPHP. Just to make sure we’re in the clear again.
I suppose that makes some sense. Sure, why not?
Another chocolate coconut bar would help to pass the time, SPHP! Got any more?
Oh, I see! Yes, but we only have one left. Don’t you want to save it for the summit?
No.
Silly me. Asking questions I already know the answer to.
The last chocolate coconut bar helped to pass all of about 10 seconds, and that only because SPHP took 9 to tear it into bite-sized pieces rather than one great wolf-it-down gulp. Re-energized, Lupe returned to the road.
A couple more towers passed shortly after the demise of the last chocolate coconut bar.
Although Cedar Mountain’s E summit region incorporated quite a large area, Lupe didn’t have much farther to go to get to the top. After passing W through another stretch of forest, the road climbed a small rise. Here, several more towers and sheds were scattered along a narrow ridge.
A small rock outcropping proved to be the high point. For the first time during her ascent, Lupe had a view to the W, quite a spectacular one overlooking the Shoshone River canyon and the N shore of Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Rattlesnake Mountain(9,116 ft.) was just across the canyon, and Trout Peak(12,244 ft.) was visible among others on the horizon.
Cedar Mountain’s true summit, still 0.75 mile off to the WSW, was now in sight, too.
Near the E summit’s high point. West (true) summit (L). Photo looks WSW.At the E summit’s high point. Photo looks W.
The best view was from the E summit’s far W end, only a short distance past the high point. The road went right to it.
True summit (L), Buffalo Bill Reservoir (Center) from the W end of the E summit. Photo looks W.Buffalo Bill Reservoir (L), Trout Peak on the horizon (R), Rattlesnake Mountain (far R). Photo looks WNW.
From this grand viewpoint, the road went S down a steep open slope, then turned WSW toward the W summit. Lupe lost 250 feet of elevation before the road bottomed out in yet another forest and began to climb again. At the very end, a shorter steep slope led to a collection of small antennas.
On the way to the W (true) summit.Approaching antennas at the end of the road. Photo looks W.
The true summit of Cedar Mountain(7,880 ft.) was a 12 foot diameter platform of rock just beyond the antennas. The views of Buffalo Bill Reservoir 2,500 feet below, and the mountainous territory beyond it were stupendous!
Buffalo Bill Reservoir from Cedar Mountain’s W (true) summit. Photo looks WSW.Looking SSW.Trout Peak (L) on the horizon. Rattlesnake Mountain (R). Photo looks NW.A glance back at the E summit (Center). Photo looks ENE.
A 20-25 mph NW wind was sweeping over the exposed platform when Lupe arrived. Clouds raced by, but except for occasional stronger gusts, the weather never really threatened again. Loop didn’t care for the wind at all, and spent nearly her entire summit hour either hunched down on the rock, or curled up on SPHP’s lap. Most of the time she was in shadow, but there were moments of sunshine, too.
Relaxing at the true summit. Photo looks W.W arm of Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Photo looks W.S arm. Photo looks SW.
High plains to the SE.Heart Mountain. Photo looks N with lots of help from the telephoto lens.
Cedar Mountain was an awesome vantage point, but the NW wind was relentless. Lupe was ready when it was time to go. The American Dingo had one more thing to do up here, though! She was all the way back at the fork in the road at the E summit, when SPHP had a surprise for her.
Final moments at the true summit. Photo looks WSW.
Loopster, want to see a buffalo?
A buffalo? Up here? Sure!
Taking the fork to the R (N) that Lupe hadn’t explored earlier on the way up, it was less than 0.2 mile to a tombstone near cliffs overlooking the Shoshone River canyon. Nearby, on a platform of rock at the brink of the precipice, a buffalo stood alone in a gale.
A white buffalo! You were right, SPHP!
Awe and a touch of trepidation soon turned to disappointment when the buffalo did nothing, and a cautious sniff test subsequently revealed it to be a mere statue, not the real thing. In fact, the poor buffalo was a little worse for the wear, missing its horns and in need of fresh paint. Still it was a pretty cool buffalo, and certainly enjoyed a magnificent view.
At the E summit fork in the road. The R fork heads for the buffalo. Photo looks NNW.
By the white buffalo of Cedar Mountain. Heart Mountain (R) in the distance. Photo looks NNW.
Next to the buffalo, at the base of the platform, was a green metal box. Opening it, SPHP found another box of orange plastic tucked into foam padding. This box contained an elegant leather bound registry. Due to the fierce wind, SPHP read only one or two entries before adding Lupe’s name, and putting it all away again.
The fancy registry in the orange-tinted plastic box.
So, who was Breck Moran, SPHP? Was he a friend of the buffalo?
Don’t really know much about Mr. Moran, Loop. Says here that he was a crusader for Wyoming’s development. The buffalo is actually in honor of Buffalo Bill, who founded the town of Cody among many other exploits during a long, adventurous life.
So, Buffalo Bill was a friend of the buffalo?
No, not really. He was a famous buffalo hunter who killed thousands of them to supply Kansas Pacific Railroad workers with meat in the late 1860’s. But he must have liked buffalo. His 1906 will said he wanted to be buried up here on Cedar Mountain with a statue of a buffalo. However, in 1917, Buffalo Bill died while on a trip to Colorado, and his wife had him buried on Lookout Mountain(7,374 ft.) in Golden instead.
So, Buffalo Bill liked buffalo, but killed thousands of them? That doesn’t make any sense, SPHP!
Humans can be funny that way, Loopster.
Funny peculiar, maybe, SPHP! Not funny haha, especially for the buffalo!
Think of Buffalo Bill and the buffalo like Dingoes and squirrels. You love squirrels, but if it weren’t for trees, you’d be known as Squirrel Loop!
Evidently the American Dingo wasn’t sure what to say to that. She made no response. Taking leave of the white buffalo on it’s windy platform with the spectacular view high on Cedar Mountain, perhaps it was food for thought as Lupe returned to the road and started the long, winding trek back down to the RAV4. (End 8:01 PM, 75ºF).
Buffalo Bill Reservoir from Cedar Mountain, Absaroka Range, Wyoming 6-26-21
Day 4 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!
8:19 AM, 46ºF, paved pullout on the E side of Hwy 14 at the start of USFS Road No. 277 – Sort of iffy, but the sky seemed to be clearing after last night’s showers. Loopster was anxious to go, and could always bail if the weather deteriorated. Bruce Mountain(10,340 ft.) wouldn’t be nearly so hard to get back from as Elk Peak(11,050 ft.) had been, if it did.
About to set off for Bruce Mountain (Center). USFS Road No. 277 in the foreground. Photo looks ESE.
The American Dingo took USFS Road No. 277 across a field down into a drainage, then up the other side to a low hill forested near the top. The road curved SE, then went past a big gravel yard on the L. Beyond the gravel Lupe passed several dispersed camping sites on both sides of the road. Most were occupied.
By the gravel yard. Photo looks ESE.USFS Road No. 277 in the region of dispersed camping sites. Photo looks SE.
Could have driven the RAV4 this far! The road was in perfect shape. However, it soon began to deteriorate. Enormous murky mud puddles, probably shallow, but of indeterminate depth, covered the whole road from side to side. On paw they were easily avoided. Maybe it was a good thing the RAV4 was back at the highway after all.
A little more than a mile past the gravel yard, Lupe came to a junction with USFS Road No. 278, a more primitive route. She had scarcely set out along it when a clearing appeared on the L (E). An open green slope led up to a minor ridgeline.
Why don’t we go up there, SPHP? Maybe we’ll see something?
Made sense. The ridge paralleled the road not far from it, and would be more fun.
Fine with me, Looper. Hang on a moment, though. It’s gotten so sunny, I ought to apply some sunscreen.
At the junction with USFS Road No. 278 (L). Photo looks SSE.Leaving No. 278 to head up onto the ridge (L). Photo looks ESE.
The crest of the ridge overlooked the valley of the West Fork of the South Tongue River. Bruce Mountain was on the far side, but there wasn’t any need to cross over to it here. Instead, Lupe followed the ridge SE slowly gaining elevation. The ridge soon leveled off, melting away as it merged into a large flat meadow.
USFS Road No. 278 was straight ahead, winding through the meadow.
Up on the minor ridge with a view of Bruce Mountain and the valley of the West Fork of the South Tongue River. Photo looks E.SE end of the ridge where it starts merging into the meadow. Bruce Mountain (L). Photo looks SE.NW end of Bruce Mountain beyond the West Fork of the South Tongue River. Photo looks NE.Antelope Butte(9,935 ft.) from the same region. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.
Returning to No. 278, the American Dingo followed it SE for a good mile, a super easy trek all out in the flat meadow. Once past the upper end of the valley of the West Fork of the South Tongue River, Lupe abandoned the road, turning E toward a saddle visible up on Bruce Mountain.
Approaching USFS Road No. 278 again. The plan was to head for the saddle (Center) seen in the distance. Photo looks ESE.Getting close to where Lupe abandoned USFS Road No. 278 (R) to head up to the saddle (L). Photo looks ESE.
After passing through a short stretch of forest, the saddle was directly ahead, a long open slope leading up to it. As Lupe roamed higher, what little blue sky there was began vanishing. Behind the Carolina Dog, dark clouds were gathering toward the W. Not ominous yet, but something to keep an eye on. Certainly starting to look like SPHP wasn’t going to get much mileage out of that sunscreen so recently applied.
Heading for the saddle (Center). Photo looks E.A glance back at the approaching clouds. Photo looks W.
The long slope went on and on. Lupe stayed toward the S (R), near the base of a ridge that was getting rockier and rockier. Many of these rocks were peculiar long, rounded slabs. Scarcely any trees were nearby, but Loop began encountering large patches of low bushes.
In a patch of shrubbery. Photo looks NNW.On one of the long slabs. Photo looks NE.
The saddle was still some distance away when it began to appear that Lupe ought to be able to get onto the rocky ridge she was next to. Going up for a look around seemed like a good idea. Turning S, a short trek higher brought the American Dingo to the ridgeline. A big knob of rock was directly to the W. Gazing off to the S and SE, SPHP was instantly both astonished and confused.
On the rocky ridge looking W toward the stony knob.
Quite the view, isn’t it, SPHP? Always great to be in the Bighorns!
I’ll say.
Hey, aren’t those highest mountains off to the SE Dome Peak(10,828 ft.) and the Sheridan County High Point(11,020 ft.)? I think they are. Almost certain of it!
You’re right, Loop. That’s them alright.
Is something wrong, SPHP? You don’t seem very enthusiastic.
Oh, it’s all gorgeous, of course! It’s just that I was expecting to see the top of Bruce Mountain beyond this ridge, or at least the terrain leading up to it. Instead, the whole mountain drops away. Where the heck are we?
What? Well, that’s just fabulous, SPHP! We’ve hardly started up, and we’re lost already? Tell ya what, Einstein. You’re the one with all the fancy maps, why don’t you take a look and figure it out? Better be quick about it, too! Fog is rolling in!
Upper Willet Creek drainage. Photo looks S from the rocky ridge.Dome Peak (L) and the Sheridan County High Point (R of Center). Photo looks SE.
Lupe found a soft spot to lie down. She gobbled a bowl of Taste of the Wild, then dozed while waiting for SPHP to come to some resolution. Chilled as the sky darkened, SPHP layered up, then chomped an apple while studying the topo map, trying to make sense of it versus reality.
Awaiting SPHP’s verdict. Photo looks ENE.
To the N, across the broad slope Lupe had just come up were a couple of huge rock formations. The more distant one was easily 200 feet higher than this ridge where Loopster was now. Obviously, Bruce Mountain’s summit had to be somewhere in that direction, since everything to the S was much lower. SPHP had been so disoriented, though, that it took a few minutes to accept this truth.
Ready, Looper? It’s Onward! Puppy, ho! time.
Did you figure out where we are, SPHP?
Yup. We’re at the far S end of Bruce Mountain. Sort of self-evident, isn’t it? I was so incredulous at these views, because I had it in my head that we were coming up N of the summit. Instead, we’re actually well S of it.
Lovely, I’m sure, to have such a keen innate sense of direction! So, at least you know which way we need to go now?
I do. Head for that closest humongous rock formation.
Lupe started her search for Bruce Mountain’s summit heading for the rock formation on the R. Photo looks N.
Heading for the closest big rock formation to the NE essentially meant completing the trek up to the saddle Lupe had originally aimed for. The Carolina Dog lost a good 80 feet of elevation as she left the rocky ridge before starting to climb again. Expecting there wouldn’t be any problem going around the E side of this formation prior to angling toward the higher, more distant ridge, SPHP was once again surprised when that didn’t turn out to be the case.
This first formation was bigger than it looked, extending much farther E than anticipated. A continuous wall of rock ran over and well beyond the saddle’s crest.
Starting back down to the green slope leading to the saddle on the R, intending to go around the far side of the rock formation on the L. Photo looks NE.Near the first huge rock formation. Photo looks N.Approaching the saddle, with a continuous wall of rock (L) blocking the way N. Photo looks ENE.Tiny wildflowers of the alpine slope.Arriving at the top of the saddle only to find that the wall of rock extends down the other side of the mountain. Photo looks ENE.
Well, shoot, Loop! I can’t believe this!
Why did we come up here in the first place, SPHP? We could have headed straight for the highest rock formation, if we’d stayed W of this one. There was an open route the whole way. Shorter, too! We both saw it!
I know, but that way looked a lot steeper. Never dreamed we’d run into this situation. Guess we’ll have to go back down to the W, if we can’t find a way past this wall of rock. Hate to lose all the elevation we just gained, though. Before we do that, let’s have a look around. Maybe there actually is a way through?
Luck of the Dingo! There was! Lupe had barely started searching, when she spied two green ramps leading to the top of the wall. Quite steep, but certainly doable. A short climb, and the Carolina Dog was up on top.
The green ramps leading to the top of the first huge rock formation. Photo looks W.
In the time it took SPHP to stagger up behind Loop, fog swept over the region and a light rain set in. Ahead to the N was an unexpected sight, made all the more mysterious by the cold, damp, gray gloom. A higher, more formidable wall of rock appeared to run clear across the entire mountain, blocking all hope of further progress beyond it.
Was that the same highest, most distant formation that had been visible from back down at the first rocky ridge? Sure seemed a lot closer than it should have been.
We have to get past that, too, SPHP?
Afraid so, Loop.
But how?
Search me! Doesn’t look at all possible, does it? Going to take a miracle this time.
Above the green ramps of the first rock formation, contemplating the forbidding next wall of rock ahead. Photo looks N.
Spirits dampened in more ways than one, Lupe advanced toward the ghostly obstacle ahead. There were actually two separate walls of rock. Passing the smaller one, Loop entered a narrow channel heading ENE between it and the larger wall to the N. The high point of this gap was close by. Going to it, Lupe saw a hidden snowbank, beyond which the terrain dropped steeply.
No help that way!
At the top of the channel between the rock formations. Photo looks ENE.
It was starting to rain harder. SPHP yanked the ancient, blue plastic rain poncho from the pack and put it on. Return of the Cookie Monster!
Guess we’re stuck, SPHP. By the way, you look ridiculous!
I don’t believe it! How can this mountain be so complicated, Loop? Doesn’t look bad at all on the topo map! Thought we were going to have an easy romp up here, maybe scramble up a few rocks at the very top to get to the true summit. Never occurred to me that we’d face anything like all these huge, long, vertical rock walls going clear across the top of the mountain to cut us off.
Well, doesn’t look like we’re getting past this one. The weather is rotten, anyway. Maybe we should head back to the RAV4 and try again tomorrow from another direction? The mountain will still be here. Want to do that, SPHP? … SPHP? … Oh, no! Forget it! I’m not doing that! It’s practically straight up!
It wasn’t really straight up, though. The rock wall SPHP was staring at, the big one to the N that Lupe needed to get to the top of, had some lean to it, not a lot, but some. Looked like there were quite a few possible pawholds, too. Furthermore, although the rock wall was 30 feet high, there seemed to be some incongruity about 20 feet up, like there was space to maneuver up there.
Now, now, Loop! You know I’m no rock climber, but I think even I can manage to scramble up the first 20 feet to that cleft or whatever it is up there, provided I’m careful about it. I’m 100% certain you can, too. All you need is a boost to get you started!
No! Stay away from me! You’re off your rocker, SPHP!
At the base of the scramble higher. Photo looks NW.
SPHP grabbed Loopster, lifting her as high up the wall as possible. The Carolina Dog fought back, pushing away from the rock.
No! No! Let me go, SPHP! I don’t want to. Let’s find an easier mountain! Put me down! Please!
C’mon, Loop! Stop fighting it! You’ll be fine! Not that hard. Climb! You’ll be up there in a flash! I’ll be coming, too, right behind you.
The struggle lasted only seconds. Suddenly Looper got the message, clawing her way up to the cleft. Slowly, carefully, SPHP followed.
Made it!
The last 10 feet turned out to be cake. Easy climb. Loop reached the top close to a big boulder at the absolute high point. A cairn sat right on top, calmly waiting to greet Lupe.
The cairn waited in vain. No need to go to it. Could have, but off to the NW, beyond several smaller rock formations scattered over a green plain, was another big rock formation, an even higher one than where Lupe was now. This wasn’t the summit of Bruce Mountain.
Near the absolute top of this wall of rock, with an even higher one (R) ahead. Photo looks NW.Contemplating the plain leading to the next summit candidate (L). Photo looks NNW.
For pity sake!
We need to go over there, don’t we, SPHP?
Yeah.
At least it didn’t look hard to get over close to the latest, greatest, true summit candidate. Lupe headed down to the plain and trotted that way.
Partway there, the rain started in harder yet. Poor Lupe was getting soaked. Despite the Cookie Monster outfit, SPHP was, too. An overhang at the closest rock formation beckoned. Time to take shelter.
As far as Loop got before having to take shelter. Photo looks NW.
It rained off and on. Intermittent fog streamed by. Water dripped from the little overhang, which was barely adequate to provide protection. Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap inside the Cookie Monster rain poncho, peering out now and then during lulls in the storm. Occasionally, Antelope Butte(9,935 ft.) was in sight. Under Lupe’s weight, SPHP’s lower paws slowly went numb.
Waiting for the storm to pass. Photo looks SW.
Seemed like a day it could rain forever. For variety, it eventually began to rain in sheets. This was followed by hail until the ground began to turn white. Nothing serious, just tiny ice particles.
40 long minutes ticked away before the sky brightened. Antelope Butte reappeared as the fog swept away. The Carolina Dog decided that maybe the storm was all over and done with. No more sitting around! Looper got up.
Looking S back at the high point Lupe had come from.Antelope Butte (Center) reappears. Photo looks SW.
C’mon, SPHP! Let’s do this!
Following the American Dingo over open ground on pins and needles as blood flow restored to SPHP’s lower paws, the journey NW toward Bruce Mountain’s next summit candidate resumed.
Instead of heading directly to the imposing S face of the rock formation, Loop aimed E of it, completely avoiding not only another daunting or impossible scramble, but any rough terrain at all. Gaining elevation, Lupe soon got far enough N to view the formation from the E, where its appearance was much different.
Beyond a snowbank, an easy green ramp of open ground rose between two parallel walls of rock to a crest between them. Most encouragingly, the walls didn’t look all that high from this angle.
Ho-ho, Looper! This is more like it! If the summit is up there, we’re in business!
E of the next Bruce Mountain summit candidate (Center) with a lovely green ramp providing access almost all the way to the top. Photo looks W.
The weather was still questionable as Lupe headed W for the ramp. Now and then the clouds still spit a little light rain, or released a fine mist. The thoroughly dampened Dingo must not have been feeling too frigid, though. Passing the snowbank, she made a point of rolling on it, evidently enjoying the experience.
Then it was on up the ramp, confident of a Bruce Mountain(10,340 ft.) peakbagging success!
Looking back from the base of the snowbank. Photo looks ESE.Heading up the ramp. Photo looks W.Near the top of the ramp, looking back the way Loop came up. Photo looks E.
Upon reaching the crest of the green ramp, it was readily apparent that Lupe would have no trouble getting to the top of the rock wall to the N. Unfortunately, the S wall was clearly higher and far more problematic.
A promising mini green ramp led to the top of the W end of the S wall. Easy as pie, Lupe sauntered up for a look around.
About to take the mini green ramp up onto the S wall. Photo looks WSW.
Oh, good grief! How on earth are we going to get over there, Loop?
As my personal representative, I’m looking at you, SPHP. Have at it!
Looking E, the top of the S wall was surprisingly narrow, lumpy, and full of fissures. Significant vertical drops on both sides made scrambling, or more likely, crawling clear over to the apparent high point, which was quite some distance away, dicier than anything either Lupe or SPHP was willing to undertake. Climbing directly up to it from down below didn’t look possible, either.
Looking E along the S wall toward the high point (Center).
Hmm … well, let me see, Loop. Let’s start with what’s possible without risking our necks.
SPHP headed E along the wall to the closest higher rocks, tagging their tops, which couldn’t have been more than a few feet lower than the more distant high point, with a front paw. Peering over these rocks – nope, not going any farther!
Nicely done, SPHP! I’m claiming a peakbagging success! Close enough for Dingo work, even though that actually is Bruce Mountain’s true summit over there!
Yeah, seems to be, Loop. We can see an awful lot of territory up here, and nothing else looks even close to being this high.
I know I’m right, SPHP! I see a cairn, and a registry tube, too!
You do?
SPHP looked again. Lupe was right.
True summit cairn and registry tube with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks E.
Well, I’ll be, Loop. Yet another reminder that the world is full of clever people bolder and more capable than me. Still, it sure would be nice to get your name on the registry in that tube. This is a pretty cool summit! Let’s go down and take a closer look from below. After all, somebody made it up there!
Glancing over at the N wall before heading down the mini ramp. Photo looks N.
Directly below the true summit, with Loopster looking on, SPHP took off the Cookie Monster outfit, then gave it a go, attempting to scramble up a couple of cracks. Got real close, too, before stalling only 3-5 feet below the registry tube. SPHP clung to the cold rock, paws going numb, boots scraping away trying to find traction. One more paw hold would do it!
Looking up the cracks. The registry tube is just out of sight. Photo looks ESE.
You’re almost there, SPHP! Can you make it?
Maybe, if I give it all I’ve got. Wish I was stronger! I can see the tube just above me! A few more feet and I can grab it.
SPHP hung up there several minutes. Not to be. Too intimidating. Retreat! Oh, to be a genuine rock climber!
As SPHP’s paws warmed up, further inspection revealed another route via a tiny ledge leading to a scramble to the top a bit E of the true summit.
Second attempt. SPHP got onto the ledge, actually the narrow top of an almost vertical rock. This time Lupe tried to follow. Suddenly leaping onto the ledge, she found it too narrow to keep her balance. To avoid an uncontrolled fall, she bounded lower. Fortunately, there was something to bound to. No harm done.
Second attempt: L on top of the lowest big rock R of Center then straight up at Center. First route visible at R.
Another failure. SPHP again got close to the top, but the highest rocks were insurmountable.
That’s it, Looper! Done! Not happening. Let the purists whine!
Shall we check out the N wall, SPHP?
Sure!
Lupe needed a boost to get started, but the rest was easy. A couple of big rocks sat up at the high point. Loop went right up next to them and might easily have gotten on top, but they were pretty airy. Since they weren’t the summit, SPHP wouldn’t let her do it. No point.
Next to the 2 highest boulders of the N wall. Photo looks E.
In any case, the views were wonderful! The Bruce Mountain highlands extended another 1.5 miles NW, a beautiful, broad rolling plain dotted with boulders, and edged with stony fortifications. Should have come up that way! Nothing to it!
View from the W end of the N wall. Photo looks WNW.The rolling highlands of Bruce Mountain. Photo looks NW.
Exploring the highlands looked like fun! Why not go back that way? Lupe concurred. First, though, she went back up the mini green ramp to revisit the highest point she’d reached on Bruce Mountain, up on the W end of the S wall. From here she could see not only the true summit with it’s cairn and white registry tube again, but the region she’d crossed during the stormy part of her adventures on the way here.
On the W end of the S wall. Photo looks WSW.Looking back at Bruce Mountain’s true summit (Center), SPHP’s blue rain poncho (Center) still stashed below it. Photo looks E.The territory Lupe crossed on the way here. The wall of rock she unwillingly scrambled up (R), and the smaller one where she took shelter from the rain storm (Center) are both in view. Photo looks SE.Final moments up on the S wall. Photo looks SSW.
Time to move on! SPHP grabbed the pack and ancient blue rain poncho from where they were still stashed below the true summit. As Lupe left Bruce Mountain’s summit region, another rain shower struck. SPHP quickly donned the brilliant blue Cookie Monster costume again. Meanwhile, the not-so-fortunate Carolina Dog endured another soaking.
Happily, the shower didn’t last long. Soon the sun was peeping through the clouds. Among yellow buttercups, Lupe headed down a gentle slope toward the enormous saddle connecting to the NW end of the highlands.
Suddenly, SPHP managed to trip and fall, even though there wasn’t a thing to trip on.
Heading off to explore the NW highlands. Photo looks NW.Buttercups.
Nice going, Grace! Are you alright?
Perfectly fine, Looper. Thanks for asking. Not sure how I did that.
You’re a companion of many … well, at least one or two … talents, SPHP!
Thanks for the vote of confidence … I think.
SPHP may have been fine, but the blue rain poncho SPHP still wore wasn’t. The brittle old plastic, which had already borne numerous scars, was now virtually ripped in half.
Dang, Loop! Look at what I’ve done to my rain poncho! It’s in tatters!
Horrors! I can’t believe it, SPHP! It’s the final blow! The ignoble end of your infamous Cookie Monster costume!
It was true! The old blue plastic rain poncho that for countless years had made SPHP resemble the Cookie Monster every time it rained was now completely unusable. The bitter end had arrived. Nothing but garbage. Still in shock, SPHP removed the cracked remains flapping in the breeze before they ripped further and fell off all on their own.
End of an era. Nothing to be done about it. Onward! Puppy, ho!
Clouds threatened, but it never did rain or mist again. The rest of the long trek to Bruce Mountain’s NW highlands over the open plain was easy and enjoyable. Lupe arrived at the highest ground to find a cairn perched near the mountain’s edge overlooking and surrounded by many interesting and beautiful rock formations. This region was so scenic, that Looper took a break here. SPHP shared not one, but two, chocolate coconut bars with her.
Chocolate coconut bars successfully dispatched, the Carolina Dog set about exploring the area. Far to the SE, Bruce Mountain’s true summit was still in sight.
By the little cairn perched along the edge of the NW highlands.Exploring Bruce Mountain’s scenic NW highlands. Photo looks NW.Bruce Mountain’s true summit (R of Center) in the distance now. Photo looks SE.True summit (R) with help from the telephoto lens.Along the edge. Photo looks W.
The rest of the return was a downhill march. On open ground, Lupe continued exploring Bruce Mountain, descending its long NW ridge. Near the lower end, the ridge became forested. At a final big clearing, Loop was lucky enough to see 2 giant deers.
About to head down the NW ridge. Photo looks NW.One of the giant deers.
The clearing was the start of a steeper, but still very manageable descent through a beautiful forest. At the bottom, Lupe reached the West Fork of the South Tongue River, which had to be forded. Fortunately, it was still just a stream here, not really a river yet.
Wandering SW down through the forest.By the West Fork of the South Tongue River prior to fording it. Photo looks SE.
Heading W up an easy slope, then a short distance through level forest, the American Dingo popped out onto USFS Road No. 277 again SE of the big mud puddles covering the entire road, which were now bigger than ever after all the rain. To avoid them, Loop paralleled the road heading NW through the forest until she got close to the gravel yard.
No more obstacles! Only a road hike back to the RAV4 remained. Later on in the evening, Lupe did get to see 3 moose, which was very exciting, but her big Bruce Mountain adventure was over. (End 5:01 PM, 52ºF)
Bruce Mountain, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 6-25-21
