12:32 PM, 39ºF, junction of USFS Road No. 710 & Hwy 385 – Lupe stood next to the RAV4 with a big smile on her face. The American Dingo was all fired up for the last big adventure of 2022, her traditional year end visit to New Year’s Eve Peak(6,046 ft.)!
Ready to set out for New Year’s Eve Peak on the last day of 2022. Photo looks SW.
What luck, SPHP! This year we actually get to go right on December 31st! That’s not always the case.
True enough, Looper! This will be your 10th visit to New Year’s Eve Peak, but only the 4th time right on New Year’s Eve. Flexibility is required, since the weather is unreliable this time of year. I’m like you, though, always hoping December 31st will work out.
Yes, let’s do it! Should have time enough for that. Onward! Puppy, ho!
Beneath an overcast sky, Lupe headed SW into the forest. The cool air and patches of old snow on the ground did make the day feel a little on the wintry side, but conditions really weren’t bad at all.
Heading into the forest. Photo looks SW.
A gentle slope soon became a steeper climb. Nothing too difficult. After gaining 400 feet of elevation, Lupe reached a clearing where a platform of rock provided the first real view of the day. Rolling grasslands of the Bald Hills were in sight only a mile or two NE. Far beyond them, the sky was lighter on the horizon. Apparently, the gray cloud hanging over the Black Hills didn’t extend way out onto the western South Dakota prairie.
The Bald Hills from partway up Peak 5800. Photo looks NE.
As Lupe continued higher, she came to a series of rock outcroppings in the forest that were kind of fun.
Coming to some rocks. Photo looks SW.Queen of the outcropping! Photo looks SSW.
Peak 5800’s long NW/SE oriented summit ridge wasn’t much farther. The forest ended as Lupe approached it. A little snow and deadfall on this last slope presented no difficulty.
Lupe reached the summit ridge a bit NW of the SE high point. This was not the true summit, which was located at the NW end. Lupe turned SE going past the high point down to some rocks providing excellent views. Tiny snowflakes filled the air, a gloom descending on Peak 5800 as snow showers swept in.
Storm Hill (far L), Boulder Hill (L), Silver Mountain (Center), and Calumet Ridge (R) in the distance. Sheridan Lake (R). Photo looks SE.Five Points (L) and False North Point (Center). Photo looks SW.
Gosh, I wasn’t expecting snow, Loopster. Maybe the situation is going to get more interesting than the forecast indicated?
Well, we better not dilly-dally then, SPHP. We don’t want to miss out on New Year’s Eve Peak!
Heading NW to Peak 5800’s true summit, Lupe paused briefly on the SE high point before continuing on. New Year’s Eve Peak was already in sight 2 miles NW. Although the sky was completely overcast, it didn’t look as stormy over there.
Loop on Peak 5800’s SE high point with the true summit (R) beyond her. Forested New Year’s EvePeak (L of Center) in the distance. Photo looks NW.
Strewn with rocks and scattered pines, Peak 5800’s broad summit ridge was a pleasant, easy trek. Soon the Carolina Dog was standing atop the 10 foot high rock formation at the true summit.
At Peak 5800’s true summit. Photo looks NW.
1:42 PM, 35ºF, Peak5800 – The view of New Year’s Eve Peak(6,046 ft.) was even better here. Lupe could see the Seth Bullock lookout tower on Scruton Mountain(5,922 ft.), too.
New Year’s Eve Peak (Center) from Peak 5800. Scruton Mountain (R). Photo looks NW.
Conditions don’t seem to be getting any worse, Loop. Think we can stay here a little while. How about a chocolate coconut bar?
Oh, SPHP! You know I’m never in such a rush that I’d be unwilling to hang around for a chocolate coconut bar!
Shortly after the chocolate coconut bar vanished, a snow shower swept over the mountain, reviving at least some sense of urgency about getting to New Year’s Eve Peak. After a brief stay on Peak 5800’s summit, Lupe was on her way again.
Peak 5800’s W face was by far the most rugged terrain the Carolina Dog would encounter today. Past experience had shown that by going SW, getting off the mountain wasn’t actually hard at all.
A scenic descent! Photo looks WNW.Toughest terrain of the day. Great fun! Photo looks NNW.Down safe and sound, looking SE back at Peak 5800.
Skies were clearing to the N. Patches of blue appeared! Continuing NW, beautiful, rolling territory was ahead. This region of rock outcroppings, scattered pines, and big views was one of the features that always made Lupe’s New Year’s Eve Peak tradition such an attractive proposition.
Without much snow to deal with this year, even SPHP made great progress as the American Dingo sniffed and explored her way toward Peak5917, which now hid most of New Year’s Eve Peak.
New Year’s Eve Peak (R) behind Peak 5917 (far R). Pistol Point (Center) beyond Lupe. Photo looks WNW.Among the rolling hills and grasslands. Peak 5917 (R). Photo looks WNW.Black Elk Peak (L), Five Points (Center), False North Point (R). Photo looks SW.
An unexpected transformation had taken place by the time Lupe was closing in on Peak 5917. With only an hour or two of daylight left in 2022, suddenly the Carolina Dog was in sunshine. To the N, skies were almost completely blue, although plenty of clouds remained elsewhere.
Approaching Peak 5917. Photo looks NW.
Keep your claws crossed, Looper! Maybe we’ll get to see a glorious sunset from New Year’s Eve Peak?
Oh, I hope so, SPHP! That would be a fabulous finish for 2022!
An hour earlier, and Lupe would have had time to climb Peak5917, too, but the position of the sun indicated that she’d better not delay in getting to New Year’s Eve Peak. Traversing the S slope, Loop went over a ridge then down to the saddle leading to Pistol Point.
Turning first W, then SW, 2 steep climbs on a snowy old road next to a fence got Lupe up to the Pistol Point region. Abandoning the road, she headed S looking for the pistol handle, which was super easy to find.
At Pistol Point. The big rock R of Lupe is the pistol handle. Photo looks ENE.
Pistol Point is the high point at the end of New Year’s Eve Peak’s S ridge where it curls to the E. With Peak5917 only 0.5 mile NE, and a great look at Peak5800 to the ESE, Lupe always stopped here to enjoy the sweeping views.
Peak 5917 (L), Peak 5800 (R) from Pistol Point. Photo looks E.
Pistol Point offered grand views to the S as well, but the scene to the SW was the important one at the moment. Quite a few clouds that way, but reasonable hope still remained for a marvelous winter sunset. With the sun already low, Lupe had to press on.
Near sunset at Pistol Point. Photo looks WSW.
Hard to believe a whole year had already slipped away since Lupe’s last journey along New Year’s Eve Peak’s familiar S ridge, but it was true. 2022 had been a spectacular year! Now it was about to fade into history forever. A brooding sadness came flooding over SPHP as the American Dingo finished her ascent.
4:02 PM, 29ºF, New Year’s Eve Peak(6,046 ft.) – The sun was still up, but not for much longer when Loopster leapt onto the 4 foot high rock formation that was the mountain’s true summit. A cairn was still on it, and a second cairn sat on some lower rocks a little farther S. The small pines surrounding the true summit were growing up, getting taller every year. Soon enough, there wouldn’t be a view.
At New Year’s Eve Peak’s true summit. Photo looks SSW.
The first time Lupe had ever come here, the trees had been tall and old. Hardly any views at all back then except from along the S edge. There hadn’t been any cairns, either. And then, a year or two later, Loop had arrived to find that loggers had come through, taking out quite a few of the old trees, which opened up at least some views to the S and SE.
That first time Lupe stood on these rocks had been the last day of 2012, exactly 10 years ago. Not only 2022 was dying, a whole decade was about to be lost to the annals of time with it. 10 years gone!
Amid SPHP’s morose thoughts, ever so gently requesting recognition, dear Lupe offered her sweet paw. Brightening, SPHP shook it.
Great job, Looper! So glad we’re together again on New Year’s Eve Peak!
In time for sunset, too, SPHP! And another chocolate coconut bar, I hope!
Oh, yes, I brought another one, Loop. Let’s go sit down and enjoy it.
Suddenly, from somewhere off to the N, gunshots rang out. Panicked, Lupe sprang off the summit.
Hide, SPHP! Enemies!
The gunshots were loud and kept coming, seldom pausing for more than a minute or two.
Blam, blam, blam!
Took a lot of convincing, but Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap on the upper W slope. Lupe and SPHP had always sat here together facing the snowy hills stretching away to the W, but this time Lupe was trembling as SPHP stroked her soft ears.
Nervous Lupe on the upper W slope. Photo looks N.The familiar snowy hills. Photo looks WSW.
Sitting there facing WSW, it was kind of cold. The chocolate coconut bar was frozen stiff as SPHP divided it up. Loopster enjoyed her share, but not the rest of the experience. That dang gunfire wouldn’t stop. More than anything else, the Carolina Dog wanted to flee.
The chocolate coconut bar was gone. SPHP chomped 2 small apples while the sun sank into a bank of clouds. Instead of a splendid show, 2022 was destined to die dull and drab. Too bad, but nothing to be done about it. SPHP tried to think of all of Lupe’s wonderful adventures in 2022, but it was impossible to celebrate the now fleeting year, brood over days gone by, or even ponder what 2023 might bring.
Blam, blam, blam!
200 rounds. For the first time ever, New Year’s Eve Peak wasn’t fun.
4:32 PM – Still light in the sky, but after sinking into the murk, the sun hadn’t been seen for a while. Clearly no point in staying in this war zone without even any hope of a colorful display. Exactly half an hour after arriving, a paranoid American Dingo stood once more on New Year’s Eve Peak’s summit.
Back at the true summit. Sheridan Lake (L), Black Elk Peak (R). Photo looks SSE.
SPHP smiled, and gave Lupe an apparently unreassuring pat.
10 years, Loopster! At least we made it back here again.
Yes, wonderful, truly amazing, SPHP! Now hurry up, take the shot, and let’s get out of here before this turns out to be not only 2022’s grand finale, but ours as well!
Lupe leapt down the instant the photo was taken, but did pause briefly a short distance from the summit on the rocks with the best views along the S edge. Beyond her, Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.) was a dark blue, Five Points(6,221 ft.) a deep green and gray. Far to the SSW, a pale orange strip of sky was visible above the distant hills.
Soon the light would fade. 2022 would sneak away in the night never to return. For a moment, Lupe stood there looking wistful.
The Carolina Dog said nothing, though, before continuing down the slope leading to the S ridge. By the time she got to Pistol Point, dusk was on the verge of turning into night. Silence reigned among the shadows. A little later on, going over Peak 5917’s S ridge, the flashlight came out. Stars twinkled above, and a half moon brightened what snow remained.
In darkness, snow crunched beneath SPHP’s boots as Lupe trotted down USFS Road No. 710. 2022’s final quiet, happy time together. Tomorrow dawn would arrive with whatever adventures New Year 2023 would bring. (End 5:54 PM, 30ºF)
New Year’s Eve Peak, Black Hills of South Dakota 12-31-22
Day 19 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!
6:53 AM, base camp at Dog Tooth Paradise – A few raindrops had fallen on the tiny house at first light, but the morning was cool and fair now. Some high clouds, but they weren’t at all threatening as Lupe stood in a light SW breeze on the bedrock of the 10,200+ ft. ridge.
Behind her, the upper half of War Bonnet Peak(10,369 ft.) and tiptop of Sundance Pinnacle(11,054 ft.) were in sunshine. Beyond Jackass Pass in the distance, Pingora Peak(11,884 ft.), mighty guardian of the Cirque of the Towers, was bathed in sunlight, too.
Wow! What a spectacular setting, and we haven’t even set out yet! We are in for one fabulous day sweet puppy!
I’ve been thinking, SPHP. Let’s climb Dog Tooth Peak(12,488 ft.) first. It’s closest, highest, and my top priority.
Don’t want to miss out on ol’ Dingo Fang, aye, Loopster? Consider this, though, Mitchell Peak(12,482 ft.) is a mere 6 feet lower, and will have the grandest view of the Cirque of the Towers. Ought to be able to see Lonesome Lake, too. Furthermore, if things go well, provided we start with Mitchell, Dog Tooth and Big Sandy Mountain(12,416 ft.) might both be possible. Since it’s in the middle, climbing Dog Tooth first means an either/or choice from there.
Still quite a few clouds around, SPHP. I’d rather not take a chance on the weather deteriorating and not make it to Dog Tooth Peak. Since Mitchell is your highest priority, we can do that next.
And it doesn’t bother you to forfeit any chance at Big Sandy, Loop?
SPHP, yesterday you said yourself that we probably couldn’t get to all 3 in a single day. So, let’s not bite off more than we can chew, and focus on what’s most important to us.
Alrighty, then! Sounds like a plan. Onward! Puppy, ho!
About to set out for Dog Tooth Peak (R) and Mitchell Peak (L). Photo looks NE.
Leaving the 10,200+ ft. ridge, Lupe headed NE down into the heart of Dog Tooth Paradise. After leaping over the tributary of North Creek flowing through the center of this incredibly beautiful valley, Loopster began her ascent of Dog Tooth Peak(12,488 ft.) from a little S of Dog Tooth Waterslide, which she’d visited yesterday evening.
Starting up Dog Tooth Peak. Photo looks NE.
Nearly 2,300 feet to the top, up every step of the way! Although steepish, the initial climb was very enjoyable, and really not hard at all. Looper traveled along exposed bedrock, winding her way higher through a thin, scattered forest that had sprung up wherever a bit of soil presented an opportunity. In some places, small streams ran through green meadows below big shelves of rock.
Exploring a meadow. Photo looks NNE.
By the time the Carolina Dog was 400 feet above Dog Tooth Paradise, she was above most of the trees. The views were already tremendous! To the S, Temple Peak(12,972 ft.), Scheistler Peak(12, 640 ft.), and much of Big Sandy Lake were in sight. Continuing to climb, Lupe roamed at will over huge slabs of bedrock. Watered by snow melt trickling down the rocks, a fair amount of low vegetation remained.
Above the forest. Mitchell Peak (Center). Photo looks N.Temple Peak (L), Schiestler Peak (Center), and Big Sandy Lake (R). Photo looks S.Continuing up the slabs. Mitchell Peak (Center). Photo looks N.Wandering a series of small ledges. Dog Tooth Peak (L of Center). Photo looks NE.
The rate of climb steepened. SPHP was forced to stop to gasp for air more and more often. Lupe relaxed or sniffed about as she saw fit. To the NW, Pylon Peak(12,378 ft.), Watch Tower(12,326 ft.), Sharks Nose(12,229 ft.), Overhanging Tower(12,164 ft.), and Wolfs Head(12,160 ft.) all came into sight strung out along the Cirque of the Towers beyond Jackass Pass.
War Bonnet Peak (L), Mitchell Peak (R). At Center in the gap from L to R: Pylon Peak, Watch Tower, Sharks Nose, Overhanging Tower, and Wolfs Head. Photo looks NW.
The slabs went on and on, but finally did come to an end. Lupe entered a region of rougher terrain. Fortunately, lanes of vegetation provided relatively easy routes higher. Although these lanes never completely disappeared, they became scarcer and scarcer.
Entering rougher terrain above the slabs. Dog Tooth Peak (Center). Photo looks ESE.
The rocks grew bigger. For a long way, Loopster leapt from boulder to boulder on steep fields of large talus. SPHP was terrible at this. Progress was dreadfully slow. Some scrambling was required, none of it too scary with a little caution.
Among the talus. Photo looks ESE.
Near the top, the rate of climb diminished. Suddenly there was much more greenery again. An easy stroll led to a football field size plain strewn with boulders, many of which laid conveniently flat.
Getting close to the top. Photo looks S.
SPHP was initially disappointed to see that the high point a little to the S that Lupe had been climbing toward wasn’t actually the true summit. A bouldery 60 foot high ridge NE of it was clearly higher. Almost a vertical wall, getting up there looked problematic, maybe impossible. Happily, an even higher ridge was a little farther N.
Although similar in appearance, this N ridge wasn’t quite as daunting.
Arriving at Dog Tooth Peak’s summit plain. S high point that Lupe had been climbing toward (L of Center). Photo looks S.The daunting NE ridge. Photo looks ENE.The N ridge. Photo looks NNE.
That’s it, SPHP! Dog Tooth Peak’s true summit! Look toward the L, I see a cairn up there.
Oh, yeah! You’re right, Looper! I see it too now. Hoo-girl, not sure if we can get up there or not. Looks dicey near the top.
Well, someone must have done it, SPHP, or there wouldn’t be a cairn.
Yeah, yeah, I know. That doesn’t mean we can. Before we break our necks trying, why don’t we have a look from those rocks over by the S edge. A lot easier to get to, and I bet there’s a splendid view.
Wandering over that way among the boulders, only a little super easy scramble was required to reach some nice flat perches along the S edge. Spread out before Lupe was a magnificent scene. Big Sandy Mountain(12,416 ft.), the mountain she wasn’t going to get to visit, was only a mile SSE. Wind River Peak(13,192 ft.), East Temple Peak(12,600 ft.), and Temple Peak(12.972 ft.) were all beautifully arrayed beyond it. Part of Deep Lake was in sight, too.
Big Sandy Mountain (L of Center) in the foreground. Wind River Peak (L), East Temple Peak (Center), Temple Peak (R). Photo looks SSE.
After a leisurely look at this fabulous scene, it was time to take on that N ridge! Lupe headed back that way.
Bound for the N ridge (L). NE ridge (R) Photo looks NNE.
A scramble on big talus went slowly, but successfully to a near vertical wall near the top. Almost there, but getting spicey! Lupe couldn’t go any higher.
Hang on, Loopster! I’ll give you a boost!
Carefully, carefully, SPHP lifted the Carolina Dog as high as possible.
Now, Loop! Go!
Clawing her way forward, Lupe made it. Suddenly she was above SPHP, smiling back. Not from the summit, but it couldn’t be much higher.
Come on up, SPHP! The mountain’s fine! Photo looks ESE.
SPHP joined Lupe. That successful boost had been key. One last dicey scramble move was all it took. Child’s play to any real rock climber!
11:39 AM, 56ºF, Dog Tooth Peak (12,488 ft.) – Splendor was all around as the American Dingo stood next to the summit cairn in a 15 mph SW breeze. She’d made it. Lupe was here! A dream come true!
At Dog Tooth Peak’s true summit. Wind River Peak (L), Big Sandy Mountain (L of Center), East Temple Peak (Center). Photo looks SSE.
Oh, and what a dream it was!
SPHP, look at where we are! Really, truly on Dog Tooth Peak!
Yes, we are! Can you believe it? Congratulations, Loopster!
SPHP shook Lupe’s paw. She started to grin.
On Dog Tooth Peak. East Temple Peak (far L), Temple Peak (L). Photo looks S.
It’s a 4th of July to remember, SPHP!
Indeed it is! And we haven’t even gotten to Mitchell Peak, yet.
Oh, we will, SPHP! Just you wait and see. First, though, we’re spending some time right here.
SPHP sat on the huge rock supporting the cairn. Consisting mostly of flat-lying boulders and a few patches of dirt, the summit region was plenty big to move around on easily enough, but comfy spots were in short supply. Lupe decided curling up on SPHP’s lap was her best bet.
Seems to be chocolate coconut bar time, Looper! What do you think?
Thought you’d never ask, SPHP! Bring it on!
So many awesome views from up here, it was hard to know even where to start, but Wind River Peak(13,192 ft.), monarch of the SE end of the Wind River Range, was certainly high on the list. It was the 4th highest mountain Lupe had ever climbed, nearly 5 years ago now.
Wind River Peak (R of Center), Big Sandy Mountain (R), East Temple Peak (far R). Photo looks SE.Wind River Peak (Center). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.
Naturally, that same glorious view of Big Sandy Mountain(12,416 ft.) with Wind River Peak, East Temple Peak(12,600 ft.), and Temple Peak(12,972 ft.) on display beyond it that Lupe had seen from down along the S edge was even better now.
Wind River Peak (L), Big Sandy Mountain (Center), East Temple Peak (R of Center), and Temple Peak (R). Photo looks SSE.
From way up here, Peak 11930 and Schiestler Peak(11,640 ft.) more to the SSW looked small in comparison. Nearly 3,000 feet lower than Dog Tooth, Big Sandy Lake was in sight, too. Bunion Mountain (11,905 ft.) and Laturio Mountain (11,342 ft.) were SW, along with that pipsqueak Sundance Pinnacle(11,054 ft.).
East Temple Peak (far L), Temple Peak (L), Peak 11930 (Center), Schiestler Peak (R), Big Sandy Lake (far R). Photo looks SSW.Laturio Mountain (far L), Sundance Pinnacle (lower L), Bunion Mountain (L), War Bonnet Peak (Center), Warrior Peaks (R of Center). Photo looks W.
Perhaps the grandest scene, and one of intense interest, was to the NW where War Bonnet Peak(12,369 ft.) and Warrior Peaks(12,406 ft.) on the L, together with Mitchell Peak(12,482 ft.) on the R, framed Pylon Peak(12,378 ft.), Watch Tower(12,326 ft.), and several other pinnacles of the Cirque of the Towers.
War Bonnet Peak (far L), Warrior Peaks (L), Pylon Peak (L of Center), Watch Tower (R of Center), Mitchell Peak (far R). Photo looks NW.
Looking NW between Mitchell Peak and Lizard Head Peak(12,842 ft.), a sea of partially snow-clad mountains extended beyond vision along the spine of the Wind River Range. Real giants were on the horizon, but too far away to identify.
Looking NW along the spine of the Wind River Range. Mitchell Peak (L).
Only 2 miles away, Lizard Head Peak, had a fearsome appearance.
Lizard Head Peak. Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.
Holy cow, Loopster! And to think that at one time I thought we might be able to climb Lizard Head. That ain’t gonna happen!
We could climb it with a helicopter, SPHP!
Across the gigantic canyon of the North Popo Agie River, both Bear Lake and another smaller lake were visible E of Lizard Head. An enormous ridge was beyond them, with many minor summits along it. Peak 12,539 was the highest point. Cathedral Peak(12,326 ft.) was somewhere way out toward the N end.
Lizard Head (L edge), Bear Lake (L), and Peak 12539 (R). Photo looks N.
The North Popo Agie River canyon extended E more than 6 miles to a big bend where it curved NE. Mount Chevo(11,423 ft.) was in sight beyond the bend.
Mount Chevo (R of Center) beyond the North Popo Agie River canyon. Photo looks E.
12:41 PM – Mitchell Peak was calling!Lupe’s wonderful, precious hour on Dog Tooth Peak was drawing to a close. The American Dingo stood next to the summit cairn for the last time with the fabulous panorama to the S beyond her.
On Dog Tooth Peak. Photo looks S.
Hate to go, but are you ready, Loop?
As ready as I’ll ever be, SPHP. I wish it wasn’t over, but I feel blessed to have ever been here. Thanks for agreeing to come here first.
Dingo Fang is a splendid summit, Looper. Glad we came!
Me too, but the adventure continues, SPHP!
Indeed it did! A very cautious initial descent succeeded in getting past the tricky, assistance-required spot. Returning to the football field size plain, the Carolina Dog turned NW toward Mitchell Peak(12,482 ft.).
Setting out for Mitchell Peak (far R). Bunion Peak (far L), War Bonnet Peak & Warrior Peaks (L), Cirque of the Towers (Center). Photo looks NW.
It was a slow go. Gradually losing elevation, Lupe leapt from boulder to boulder across an endless mountainside of big talus. Far ahead, a rock formation extending SW down from the ridge leading to Mitchell Peak appeared to present an insurmountable barrier.
See that gap toward the lower end of the long wall of rock, Looper? Head for it. Let’s try to get through there.
The cool SW wind had been strengthening all day. As the Carolina Dog finally reached the wall of rock, it roared 50 mph through the gap. A bit of scrambling was required to even get up to the gap, a task the gale made even more of a challenge.
Lupe made it, though. Soon she was standing in the wild wind on large, flat rocks N of the gap. Mitchell Peak was now directly ahead.
Mitchell Peak (Center) from near the gap. Lizard Head Peak (R). Photo looks NW.
A short descent on more big talus got Lupe down to much easier terrain. Only scattered rocks were here on a sloping plain of low vegetation. The wind wasn’t nearly as bad, either. Staying well below the giant saddle way up along the ridge to the NE, Loop continued NW toward the slope SW of Mitchell’s cliffy summit block.
Approaching Mitchell Peak. Lupe aimed for that highest blip (L) on the W ridge. Photo looks NW.
The climb got steep pretty fast, but lanes of vegetation made it fairly easy for quite a long way. Eventually, Lupe had to scramble up some big talus again, but not too far. It was clear that being any farther E toward Mitchell’s summit block would have been much worse.
Above the largest talus, the route wasn’t quite as steep. Life got easier. Loopster was thrilled when she came to a couple of snowfields melting away in the July sun, but they were too soft to cross without post-holing. Going around them was a bit of a pain. 150 feet above the uppermost snowbank, Lupe reached a broad plain 300 or 400 feet E of a big knob of rock along Mitchell Peak’s upper W ridge.
High on Mitchell Peak’s SW slope. Photo looks NE.On the upper W ridge. War Bonnet Peak (L), Pylon Peak (R). Photo looks WSW.
Covered with large, flat-lying rocks, and a fair amount of low vegetation, the plain sloped gradually down to the N toward sheer, unseen cliffs. To the E, it rose toward the summit.
Heading for the summit. Photo looks ENE.
The hard part was over! Sweeping around the N side of the summit block, Lupe went virtually unimpeded all the way to the top.
Practically there! Photo looks SSE.
4:38 PM, 55ºF, Mitchell Peak(12,482 ft.) – The wind was 25 mph, still out of the SW, when Lupe reached a summit region of massive boulders. A puny 3 rock cairn sat on the tremendous rock that supported the very highest one, which hung partly out into space toward the S.
What can be said? The amazing 360º panorama from Mitchell Peak was in many ways similar to the one from Dog Tooth Peak only a mile SE. Even so, if anything, the views were even more superb here. One view in particular had made an ascent of Mitchell Peak a goal for years.
Oh, my gosh, Loopster! Look at that! The entire Cirque of the Towers!
Wow, this must be the best vantage point possible, SPHP! We’re looking down on all of them!
Yup, just by a little bit, though. The only thing that might be better would to be right on top of one of those towers so close to the rest.
I’d choose Pingora Peak(11,884 ft.), SPHP, it’s so cool looking.
An excellent choice, Looper! Wolfs Head(12,160 ft.) appears so narrow and sharp it would slice us in two.
The famous Cirque of the Towers (L) from Mitchell Peak. Pingora Peak (Center). Photo looks NW.Warrior Peaks (L), Cirque of the Towers (Center), Pingora Peak (R). Photo looks WNW.Pylon Peak (L), Watch Tower (L of Center), Block Tower and Sharks Nose (Center), Overhanging Tower (R of Center), Pingora Peak (far R) with Wolfs Head (slightly L), Bollinger Peak and Mount Geikie (R) beyond. Photo looks WNW with help from the telephoto lens.
While the Cirque of the Towers was spell-binding, there was so much else to see, too! Lizard Head Peak(12,842 ft.) was only 1.5 miles N. Lupe could see little Skunk Knob(11,099 ft.) SE of it, where she had once been years ago. E of Lizard Head was Peak 12539‘s giant ridge.
Lizard Head Peak (R), Skunk Knob (lower L). Photo looks NNW.Lizard Head Peak (Center). Photo looks N.Peak 12539 (R of Center), Lizard Head Peak (far L). Photo looks NE.
Dog Tooth Peak (Center), Big Sandy Mountain (R) with Wind River Peak beyond. Photo looks SE.Dog Tooth Peak (L), Big Sandy Mountain and Wind River Peak (Center), East Temple Peak (R). Photo looks SE.
East Temple Peak(12,600 ft.), Temple Peak(12,972 ft.), Peak 11930, and Schiestler Peak(11,640 ft.) were naturally all a little farther away now, but the angle was such from Mitchell Peak that more lakes were visible. In addition to Big Sandy Lake, all of Deep Lake was in sight. Most of Temple Lake was, too, but it was a little hard to distinguish still almost entirely covered in snow and ice. Part of Clear Lake, and a few others could be seen as well.
Big Sandy Mountain & Wind River Peak (far L), East Temple Peak (L), Temple Peak (Center), Schiestler Peak (R) with Peak 11930 beyond. Big Sandy Lake (far R). Photo looks SSE.East Temple Peak (L), Temple Peak (Center), Schiestler Peak (R) with Peak 11930 beyond. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.East Temple Peak (L) with Deep Lake below it. Temple Peak (R) with frozen Temple Lake below it. Part of Clear Lake (foreground). Photo looks SSE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.
Despite Mitchell Peak’s summit region consisting of a ridge of large talus, it was actually fairly easy to move around, with plenty of space to do so. After Lupe got up on the true summit, SPHP shook her paw, showering her with profuse praise and congratulations. What an incredible couple of big mountains she’d climbed today! A second and final celebratory chocolate coconut bar of the day was shared.
Surprisingly, no sign of a registry. Hadn’t been one on Dog Tooth, either. No registry wasn’t what mattered here, though. After searching around, only a couple of feet W of the little cairn, SPHP saw the white outline of a rectangle on the upper surface of the massive flat rock supporting the true summit boulder.
Oh, no! It’s gone, Loop! It must have been attached right there.
What’s gone, SPHP?
The plaque commemorating Finis Mitchell!
The Finis Mitchell that Mitchell Peak is named after, SPHP?
Precisely, Looper! Finis and his wife ran a fishing camp for many years near Mud Lake back down at Big Sandy Opening. He’d been all over the Wind River Range during his life, and wrote Wind River Trails, a guide book that seems quaint these days. At the end of the book is a photo of the plaque commemorating Finis’ 11 ascents of Mitchell Peak. I really wanted to get a photo of you standing next to that plaque, but we’re too late! It’s not here anymore!
The missing plaque was the only real disappointment of this epic, joyful day. For more than an hour, Lupe and SPHP sat together, or wandered, gazing at the magnificent Wind River Range scenes in all directions.
Wind River Range from Mitchell Peak. Photo looks NW.Same view with help from the telephoto lens. Skunk Knob (Center) near bottom. Texas Pass (far R). Photo looks NW.
5:47 PM, Mitchell Peak(12,482 ft.) – 4th of July! One to remember! SPHP didn’t realize it until much later upon seeing that photo of the Finis Mitchell plaque in Wind River Trails again, but this was sort of a coincidence, too. Finis Mitchell’s first ascent of Mitchell Peak had been on the 4th of July back in 1923.
99 years later to the day, Lupe also stood alone on Mitchell Peak for the first time in a stiff SW breeze next to the little cairn only a foot or two from where both Finis Mitchell and his plaque had once been.
99 years later on Mitchell Peak. Photo looks SW.
The inevitable sad moment of departure had arrived, as it always does. While Lupe lingered at the summit, SPHP started down first.
Final moments on the summit. Photo looks S.
SPHP called. Lupe came running, bounding down the boulders.
One more thing we need to do before we completely leave the mountain, Loopster.
Oh, and what’s that, SPHP?
We should have a look at Lonesome Lake. Couldn’t see it from the summit, and I’d like to see it again.
From up here? That would be awesome, SPHP!
Then follow me, Loop.
After heading NW through the talus, SPHP led Lupe down to the cliffs along Mitchell Peak’s N edge. Sure enough, Lonesome Lake was there, nestled at the base of Pingora Peak(11,884 ft.), partly in its shadow.
Cirque of the Towers (L), Pingora Peak (Center), Lonesome Lake (R). Photo looks NW.
Lonesome Lake is as beautiful as ever, SPHP!
Remember when we were down there, Looper? We’d already been to the Cirque of the Towers, discovered that really cool waterfall, then came down to Lonesome Lake on our way to Skunk Knob(11,099 ft.).
I remember it was a sunny day, SPHP. Sunlight was sparkling on the waves with Mitchell Peak soaring skyward past the lake. Seems like a long, long time ago now.
That’s right, Loop! And it has been a while. That was back in 2015.
The SW wind blew constantly during nearly the entire descent. Staying even a little farther W on the steep part below Mitchell Peak’s upper W ridge, Lupe was able to avoid nearly all the big talus she’d run into on the way up. Once down to the much easier terrain SW of the big saddle on the ridge between Mitchell and Dog Tooth, the Carolina Dog ran free, displaying great energy as she led the way, roaming and sniffing at will, while marmots whistled warnings of her approach.
Incredibly beautiful, the long descent was interesting and somewhat more complicated than SPHP expected. Lupe traveled S down slabs of bedrock past snowbanks, ledges, and a multitude of small streams.
The American Dingo was in the forest, almost all the way down to Dog Tooth Paradise when the wind finally quit. Not much farther now.
Near sunset, base camp at Dog Tooth Paradise – SPHP was tired, but Lupe was still animated, sniffing around a while before finally entering the tiny house.
I’d love to, but afraid not, Loop. We’re completely out of food. I didn’t bring enough.
That wasn’t entirely true. A couple handfuls of peanuts remained. Not for long, though! Peanuts for dinner. Even Lupe ate them, and when the last one was gone, still running on empty, on the magnificent day she’d been to 2 splendid Wind River Range peaks, it was time for goodnight.
On Mitchell Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming 7-4-22
