Day 7 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming & Beyond!
7:07 AM, 42°F, along USFS Road No. 11 a bit N of a cattle guard between the NW & SE summits of Duncum Mountain – Last evening’s NE breeze and dense fog had been a temporary phenomenon. The SW wind which had prevailed for days was back, reasserting itself with a vengeance. No mere breeze now, wispy remnants of fog sailed over Duncum Mountain(9,831 ft.) at a tremendous pace, driven by a 30 mph gale.
Leaving the G6, even for a few minutes, was simply unpleasant. The cold wind was annoyingly strong. The morning sky a drab, depressing gray. 5 miles to the SW, the summit of Medicine Mountain(9,962 ft.) was lost in clouds.
The plan for the day had been to head N. The intrepid Carolina Dog was supposed to climb Sheep Mountain(9,813 ft.), then continue on to the Bighorn County High Point(9,257 ft.) just across the Montana border. Although there were roads to get close to these places, the G6 wouldn’t be able to manage them. Lupe had a long day ahead of her traveling many miles along an exposed 9,000 foot ridge.
Yeah, right. In this weather? The plan for the day was ludicrous. The American Dingo wouldn’t put up with it for 10 minutes, and rightly so. In complete agreement, SPHP fired up the G6 and drove S on USFS Road No. 11. This was it. Lupe was on her way out of the Bighorns. Upon reaching Hwy 14A, SPHP turned R heading W for Lovell.
6,000 feet lower at Lovell, this was an overcast, but otherwise pleasant June morning. SPHP fueled the G6, and aired up a tire with a slow leak. Time for Plan B! Lupe headed S on Hwy 310. While conditions way up in the Bighorns weren’t much fun, this might well be the perfect day for Renner Butte(5,445 ft.)!
Lupe had visited Wyoming’s Washakie County High Point in 2016. It was way up at 9,600 feet elevation in the southern Bighorns very close to Hwy 16. Yet Renner Butte, a mere foothill SW of the main Bighorn Range is Washakie County’s most prominent peak. Peakbagging hero Edward Earl had been to Renner Butte in 2009. A copy of his trip report with excellent directions to the general area was going to help Lupe get to the top of Renner Butte, too.
Renner Butte is something like 75 miles SE of Lovell. Paved highways all the way to Hyattville, though. Lupe kept a keen nose and sharp eye out for cows and horses along the way, but even livestock was scarce in this classic western sagebrush desert.
Paved Hwy 31 ended just S of Hyattville, becoming gravel County Road No. 849. Lupe was now only 7 or 8 miles from Renner Butte. Time to start paying attention to Edward Earl’s directions!
Earl mentioned two forks in CR No. 49 [sic] just S of Hyattville. Staying L at the first one brought Lupe to the critical junction. Here, Renner Butte was to the R on Hyattville Road.
Renner Butte is this way! Lupe at the fork in CR-49 [sic] 0.7 mile S of Hyattville mentioned in Edward Earl’s trip report. Stay to the R where Loop is to get to Renner Butte. Photo looks SE.Signs at the fork 0.7 mile S of Hyattville. Stay to the R on Hyattville Road here.
Hyattville Road went SSE. After a few miles Cedar Mountain (5,711 ft.) was in sight off to the E. Cedar Mountain is higher than Renner Butte, but in Bighorn County, not Washakie County. Renner Butte was the next mountain farther SSE. Soon Lupe could see Renner Butte, too.
Half a dozen miles from the end of the pavement was a battered sign for the Renner Wildlife Habitat Management Area. Below the sign an arrow pointed L. A sharp NE turn off Hyattville Road onto County Road No. 54 was just ahead.
The sharp NE turn to Renner Butte is seen just ahead on the L. Photo looks SSE along Hyattville Road.
SPHP was driving too fast, and missed the turn. The Washakie County line was less than 0.1 mile farther, confirming the location. SPHP turned the G6 around and went back to CR 54.
At the turn onto County Road No. 54 (R) into the Renner Wildlife Habitat Management Area. This turn is barely N of the Bighorn County/Washakie County line. Cedar Mountain is in view on the R. Photo looks N along Hyattville Road (L).Looking E from the junction of Hyattville Road & CR 54 into the Renner Wildlife Habitat Management Area. Below is the irrigated green field where Edward Earl had driven past some cows. Renner Butte is on the R.
County Road No. 54 curved through the N end of an irrigated field where Edward Earl had encountered some cattle. Lupe was disappointed that no cows were in sight today. On the far side of the field, the road turned E at the county line, then NE starting up into Ziesman Canyon.
A mile from Hyattville Road, SPHP drove past a barbed wire gate across a side road S of CR 54. The G6 got parked a little farther on, beyond a cattle guard Edward Earl had mentioned, at the same grassy spot along the N side of CR 54 where Edward had parked. Loopster bounded out ready for some Renner Butte action! (11:21 AM, 73°F)
The first order of business was a short hike SW back along CR 54 to the side road with the barbed wire gate.
Lupe on CR 54 as it enters Ziesman Canyon. The G6 is seen parked where Edward Earl parked. Loop is next to the turn S (R) onto the side road leading to Renner Butte. Photo looks NE.At the start of the side road. This is Point 4567 on the topo map. Photo looks SW.
After going through the gate, Lupe followed the side road up onto a low sagebrush covered ridge. She soon came to an intersection where she stayed to the L.
The road followed ridges and hills SE at first, but curved back toward the NE before too long. Though there were a few dips, Looper was gaining elevation most of the time. The American Dingo came to a high point from which she could see N into surprisingly colorful Ziesman Canyon.
Looking NNE over Ziesman Canyon toward Cedar Mountain (Center).
Renner Butte appeared as a series of cedar covered hills to the SE.
Renner Butte from the NW. Photo looks SE.
Except when SPHP led her to nearby viewpoints, Lupe never left the road as it wound through grasslands dotted with sagebrush. The grass hid lots of cactus, and rattlesnakes were a potential deadly threat.
The day was getting sunnier. Though the temperature was only in the low 70’s, it felt hot trudging uphill. Lupe and SPHP stopped several times for water.
Another look at Ziesman Canyon (L) and Cedar Mountain (Center). Photo looks N.Lupe stayed on the road nearly all the time. The tall grass hid lots of spiny cactus.
The road ultimately headed E for the N end of Renner Butte.
Approaching Renner Butte. Photo looks E.
When Lupe reached the cedars, she discovered they weren’t tall enough to shade the road. Another discovery was that the cedars apparently suck up nearly all available water. The ground between them was often quite bare. Far less sagebrush, grass, or even cactus grew up here among the cedars than down below. SPHP still discouraged Lupe from leaving the road. The whole region looked like prime rattler country.
Among the cedars. Photo looks SE.
From the N end of the ridgeline, Lupe still had to travel nearly a mile SE to get to the summit of Renner Butte(5,445 ft.). The ridge hike featured beautiful red and white rock formations.
The trek SE along Renner Butte’s ridgeline was quite scenic. Photo looks SE.Nipple Knob wasn’t far from the road. Photo looks W.The SW side of Renner Butte has several large ravines like this one with dramatically eroded white rocks. Photo looks S.
Along the highest part of the ridge, the road stayed near the NE edge of Renner Butte. Although the topo map showed the road going right over the 5,445 foot summit, all the highest ground was clearly SW of the road. Lupe had seen at least 3 separate high points about the same elevation, each separated by several hundred feet. The topo map appeared to be in error. Every one of these high points was well SW of the road.
Fearing snakes for Lupe’s sake, SPHP didn’t like having to leave the road, but the high ground was only a few hundred feet away. As Lupe headed for the southernmost high point, SPHP scouted ahead staying on bare ground away from the cedars as much as possible.
Lupe on her way to the southernmost high point SW of the road. Photo looks SW.
The southernmost high point looked like it might be the true summit of Renner Butte. Lupe discovered a large, crudely built cairn here. SPHP figured this had to be the large cairn Edward Earl had mentioned.
Lupe reaches the large crudely built cairn at the southernmost high point. This might well be Renner Butte’s true summit. Photo looks NNE.View to the SSE. The large cairn is at lower L.A closer look with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SSE.Looking SW. The large cairn (lower R) almost appears to be a natural formation from this angle.The Bighorn Range from near the large cairn. Photo looks ENE.
Clearly, there wasn’t any higher ground on Renner Butte(5,445 ft.) E or S of where the large cairn sat. However, the two other high points Lupe had noticed from the road were visible back to the NW. Situated near the SW edge of the ridge, they both still appeared to be very nearly the same elevation.
From close to the large cairn at the southernmost high point, two more high points (L & Center) could be seen off to the NW. Both had to be considered in contention for true summit of Renner Butte. Photo looks NNW.
Of course, Lupe had to visit these other potential true summits as well. She set off heading N along the SW edge of Renner Butte.
The terrain soon brought Looper so close to the road again, that she crossed it to have a look at the views to the N and E while she was still up here. Stock Pond 4831 and a seasonal lake SE of Renner Reservoir could be seen in a wide valley below.
From E of the road, a seasonal lake SE of unseen Renner Reservoir is in view. Part of the E flank of Cedar Mountain is visible on the L. Photo looks N.Stock Pond 4831 is on the R. Photo looks ESE.
As Lupe returned to the SW side of the road, expectations rose. At one of the next two high points, the Carolina Dog ought to find the 5 stone cairn Edward Earl had personally constructed!
Despite a seemingly thorough search, the central high point disappointed. No sign of a cairn at all.
Loopster at the central high point. The southernmost HP where the large cairn was is on the L. Photo looks SSE.Cactus wasn’t as prevalent on top of Renner Butte as lower down, but it still had to be watched for to help keep Lupe out of trouble.Cactus flower.
SPHP was now nearly certain Looper would find Edward Earl’s 5 stone cairn at the northernmost high point! However, when she got there, no cairn was in sight. Lupe did find a couple of different groups of 5 white stones. Perhaps one of them was Edward’s cairn? If so, the cairn had toppled over sometime during the past 9+ years.
Remnant of Edward Earl’s 5 stone cairn at the northernmost high point?Or maybe this was once it?
So disappointing! With hope fading, Lupe and SPHP continued NW until it became clear there was no more high ground to explore. Lupe saw more rocks, but never did find Edward’s cairn.
More rocks, but no cairn. Photo looks SE.Loop reaches the end of the high ground. Photo looks NW.
Either SPHP hadn’t permitted Lupe to search sufficiently, or Edward’s handiwork was no more. Kind of sad. However, it had still been fun to follow his directions to seldom visited Renner Butte. Somewhere along the way, at one of the 3 high points Lupe had checked out, she had surely made it to the top of Washakie County, Wyoming’s most prominent peak.
Lupe and SPHP returned to the road. The sky, which had been fairly sunny earlier, was now clouding up. A 10 mph NW breeze helped make the downhill return trek back to the G6 pleasant. Trotting happily amid panoramas of arid western scenery, Lupe found many delicate, beautiful living things not yet withered by the coming scorching heat of mid-summer days. (2:19 PM, 73°F)
A surprising variety of stunning flowers grew alongside the road.Oh, there’s nothing quite like being out West, is there?A delicate, intricate, splash of yellow.An unexpected profusion of bright pink blossoms.A wildflower high-rise.So this is it from the road to Renner Butte! It was a perfect day to visit Washakie County, Wyoming’s most prominent peak. Sure beat being battered by cold winds high up in the Bighorn Mountains! Hope you return for more Lupe adventures soon! 6-15-18
Day 6 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming & Beyond!
1:50 AM at a dispersed camping site near USFS Road No. 11, 1.5 miles N of Highway 14A in the northern Bighorns – The wind hadn’t died down at sunset as expected, yet it was warm in the G6. Too warm. Hot and thirsty, Lupe lay panting hard on her pile of pillows and blankets. She eagerly lapped up the water SPHP gave her. The Carolina Dog coughed as some of it went down the wrong pipe. SPHP opened the door, and a cool breeze flooded in. Relief!
The next time SPHP woke up, it was light out, but still early. Lupe left the G6 to sniff the air. Yesterday hadn’t been all that difficult, but SPHP still felt worn down. Too much sun and wind.
More snoozing. Even Loop seemed content to gaze out the window or doze. She chased a tennis ball a few times, but that was it. Most of a breezy, leisurely morning passed by before action sounded good again.
Happily, nothing too strenuous was on the agenda. Two of the biggest, most scenic waterfalls in the Bighorn Range weren’t far from here. Lupe could go see both of them! Maybe she would even have time enough to climb Duncum Mountain(9,831 ft.) late in the day? USFS Road No. 11 passes over a saddle near the summit. Despite Duncum’s 871 feet of prominence, an ascent wouldn’t involve much more than an easy stroll.
SPHP drove 1.5 miles N on USFS Road No. 11 to an intersection with USFS Road No. 14. Another 6 or 7 miles NW on No. 14 got Lupe to the big Bucking Mule Falls trailhead parking lot at the end of the road. No one was around when Lupe hopped out of the G6. (10:43 AM, 68°F)
Lupe arrives at the Bucking Mule Falls trailhead in the northern Bighorn Mountains.Part of a map of the general vicinity posted at the trailhead.
The trail to the Bucking Mule Falls overlook is about 2 miles long. Lupe soon found it along the W side of the parking lot.
Loopster about to head for Bucking Mule Falls.Sign at the start of the trail.
As Lupe and SPHP set out, the trail entered a lodgepole pine forest.
The trail to Bucking Mule Falls passes through a lodgepole pine forest.
The trail went gradually downhill most of the time. The forest was open enough to see quite a way through it, but Lupe had no distant views.
On a level stretch. Most of the time Lupe was gradually losing elevation.
After a mile or so, switchbacks went down a steeper slope. Lupe soon arrived at Big Tepee Creek. The creek was 1.2 trail miles from the start. Lupe cooled her paws off and got a drink.
1.2 miles into the trek, Loop cools her paws off in Big Tepee Creek.
Crossing Big Tepee Creek was cake! A good wooden bridge went over it.
A fine bridge like this one would have come in mighty handy at some other places we’ve been to, wouldn’t it, SPHP?
After crossing Big Tepee Creek, the trail regained some elevation. So far the trail had been easy to follow, but Lupe now came to a fork.
When Lupe arrived at this fork in the trail, it wasn’t initially clear which way to go.
SPHP initially had no clue which way to go, but then noticed the answer carved in a log by the path to the L.
L was the way to Bucking Mule Falls at the first fork in the trail.
Farther on, Lupe came to a sunny clearing. This was the first genuine break in the forest. A sign leaned against the base of a post it had once been attached to.
At a bright, sunny clearing, Lupe reaches a 2nd fork in the trail. This time there was a sign saying which way to go.
Apparently the trail to the Bucking Mule Falls overlook parted ways at this clearing with Bucking Mule National Recreation Trail No. 53.
The trail to the falls gets nearly all the traffic. Trail No. 53 was so faint, SPHP wouldn’t even have noticed it if not for the sign. Lupe took the well worn path leading to Bucking Mule Falls.
Bucking Mule Falls overlook wasn’t much farther. The first indication that the American Dingo had arrived came as she approached a flat area containing a partially collapsed log fence. A side path went up a little rise to the L (NW).
Bucking Mule Falls overlook is this way! We’re almost there! Photo looks NW.
On the other side of the rise, a narrow strip of ground led directly to a rocky knob jutting out into a huge canyon. The top of the knob was as spacious as a large room in a house, and surrounded by tremendous cliffs on 3 sides. This area was completely undeveloped without any safety railings.
Approaching the knob of rock that serves as the Bucking Mule Falls overlook (R). Only about half of the knob is in view here. Photo looks W.
Lupe ventured out onto the knob. Directly ahead was a grand view of Devil Canyon.
Devil Canyon from the Bucking Mule Falls overlook. Photo looks NW.
Off to the R, and far below, was what the Carolina Dog had come to see – Bucking Mule Falls!
A first look at Bucking Mule Falls. Photo looks NNE.
Nearly 0.2 mile to the NNE, even the top of Bucking Mule Falls was more than 400 feet lower than Lupe’s current position at the overlook. To get a clear view of the entire waterfall, the Carolina Dog had to get mighty close to the huge cliffs along the edge.
Lupe had to venture very close to the tremendous cliffs along the edge of the overlook to get a clear view of Bucking Mule Falls. Photo looks NNE.
The day was sunny and warm. After a good look at Bucking Mule Falls, Looper felt like relaxing in the shade of a nearby pine tree. Probably a better idea than spending too much time on the brink of the precipice.
While Lupe panted in the shade, SPHP admired Bucking Mule Falls.
General overview. Photo looks NNE.Bucking Mule Falls with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NNE.180 feet high, Bucking Mule Falls may be the tallest waterfall Bighorn Mountain range.Top of Bucking Mule Falls with lots of help from the telephoto lens.Lower portion of the falls.The base of the falls is 600 feet lower than the overlook.
Bucking Mule Falls may be the tallest waterfall in the entire Bighorn Mountain range, but it isn’t all that accessible. The rocky knob overlook provided a stunning view, but from nearly 0.2 mile away. There wasn’t an easy way to get down close to the waterfall other than going over the edge of the precipice.
American Dingoes are dead set against flinging themselves over the edge of any precipices. SPHP felt pretty much the same way. However, back by the dilapidated log fence it had looked like the trail continued farther E. Maybe there were more viewpoints?
It seemed worth checking out. Lupe and SPHP returned to the the log fence. Proceeding E through a forest, the trail soon shrank to a narrow single track. To the N, the terrain sloped sharply down to unseen cliffs. Perhaps there were places along the cliffs from which the falls could have been seen, but it looked dangerous to go anywhere near them.
The narrow single track trail led to a meadow where it became a two track dirt road. By the time Lupe was 0.25 mile from the rocky knob overlook, it was becoming clear that wherever this road went, Loop wasn’t going to come to any better views of Bucking Mule Falls.
That settled that. Returning to the rocky knob overlook, Loop and SPHP enjoyed Bucking Mule Falls a while longer.
Loopster back for a final look at Bucking Mule Falls. Photo looks NNE.Devil Canyon again from the rocky knob. SPHP wondered if that most distant ridge (Center) might be Big Pryor Mountain(8,786 ft.) in Montana? Photo looks NW.
On the way back to the trailhead, Lupe cooled off in Big Tepee Creek again. The return was otherwise uneventful. (1:57 PM, 70°F)
Enjoying a refreshing dip in Big Tepee Creek on the way back to the trailhead.
The day was still sunny and bright. The uphill climb back to the parking lot had made it seem warmer out than it really was. Porcupine Falls was next on Lupe’s agenda. The Carolina Dog had been there once before. While Porcupine Falls isn’t nearly as tall as Bucking Mule Falls, a huge pool of water at the base of the falls is easily accessible.
SPHP put on a bathing suit, having come up with the ludicrous notion that a dip in the pool below Porcupine Falls might be a fun, refreshing way to cool off. Prepared for ill-advised action, Lupe and SPHP left the Bucking Mule Falls trailhead. SPHP drove less than 3 miles back along USFS Road No. 14 to a R (W) turn onto USFS Road No. 146. A sign pointed to Porcupine Falls Trail No. 135.
At the turn off USFS Road No. 14 onto No. 146, which leads to the Porcupine Falls trailhead. Medicine Mountain(9,962 ft.) is in sight. Photo looks S.
No. 146 went 0.5 mile W before ending at the Porcupine Falls trailhead. Lupe was pleased to see that she wasn’t going to have to carry anything. (2:30 PM, 69°F)
Lupe was pleased to see that she wasn’t going to have to carry anything on the way to Porcupine Falls. (As if she ever does!)
Trail No. 135 to Porcupine Falls was short, but steep. Switchbacking down a forested slope, the trail began a descent into Devil Canyon. The switchbacks eventually led to a long flight of stairs.
A burden-free Dingo heads down Trail No. 135.On the descent into Devil Canyon. Photo looks NW.
Trail No. 135 is less than 0.5 mile long. Near the end of the descent, part of the pool of water at the base of Porcupine Falls came into view. Soon Lupe could see part of the waterfall, too.
Part of the pool of water at the base of Porcupine Falls comes into view. Photo looks S.There’s Porcupine Falls dead ahead! Photo looks SSE.
SPHP was struck by the beauty and accessibility of Porcupine Falls! Bucking Mule Falls was certainly impressive and much taller, but had been so far away that it’s full splendor wasn’t as easy to appreciate.
Porcupine Creek plunges from a gap between vertical rock walls into Devil Canyon.
Upon reaching the canyon floor, Loop got as close to Porcupine Falls as she could. She scrambled onto a boulder near the edge of the pool below the falls. The swirling gray-green pool looked deep. The Carolina Dog did not venture in.
Here it is – magnificent Porcupine Falls!The northern Bighorn Mountains feature 3 notable waterfalls that Lupe has been to: Shell Falls, Bucking Mule Falls, and Porcupine Falls. Only at Porcupine Falls is the base of the waterfall so easily approached.Lupe had been to Porcupine Falls once before with Lanis way back in 2012 on her very first Dingo Vacation ever. That seemed like a long time ago now.
No one had been at the Bucking Mule Falls overlook, or on the trail to it. However, 4 people were at Porcupine Falls when Lupe arrived. Groups of people kept coming and going. Lupe and SPHP were never alone.
Everyone wanted to get on the rocks closest to the falls. Loopster left her boulder to give them all a turn. She headed over to the downstream side of the pool where Porcupine Creek flows out of it.
Along the downstream edge of the pool below Porcupine Falls. Photo looks SE.Wow! What a gorgeous place!Porcupine Creek flows NW down Devil Canyon.By Porcupine Creek immediately downstream of the pool below the falls.Looking back up Trail No. 135. Photo looks N.
The day wasn’t as sunny as it had been earlier. The sky was clouding up. The moment of truth was upon SPHP. Take a plunge into the pool below the falls, or not? No one else was dipping so much as a toe into the water. The idea no longer seemed quite as appealing as it had a little while ago, but SPHP stripped down to the bathing suit, and waded into the shallow downstream end of the pool.
The American Dingo followed, but SPHP told her to stay put. The water was cold and getting deeper fast. There wasn’t going to be any getting used to this. Now or never! While Lupe watched from the shallows, SPHP plunged in.
Still the first half of June. Snow melt. The pool was absolutely frigid! The shock took SPHP’s breath away. Fully “refreshed” in a nanosecond, SPHP splashed about only long enough to get turned around, find firm footing, and make an escape. A few seconds elapsed at most.
SPHP toweled off, then sat shivering on a rock praying for the sun to reappear. Occasionally it did, but it never stuck around long. The day already seemed to be cooling off. While SPHP tried to warm up and dry off, Lupe sniffed around further investigating the whole area near and below Porcupine Falls.
At least I didn’t have to plunge in to rescue SPHP! What possesses humans to do such things?Upper half of Porcupine Falls with help from the telephoto lens.Lower half.Gorgeous, but SPHP won’t be swimming here again unless it’s August.Looking downstream.Exploring a bit farther down Porcupine Creek.Porcupine Creek.
People kept coming. They all seemed to be quite sane. None ventured into the water. A couple of young women had brought along a 5 month old puppy named Cedar. Cedar wanted to play. Loop preferred to relax and listen to the roar of the falls.
Cedar leaves disappointed that Lupe didn’t want to play.
Thankfully, the sun finally did come out for a while. SPHP warmed up. Porcupine Falls was sure a beautiful spot! Lupe and SPHP hung around for more than an hour.
The sun finally did reappear, warming SPHP up and illuminating the canyon walls.Exploring a side channel of the creek below Porcupine Falls.
The moment arrived when the steep trudge back up Trail No. 135 to the trailhead had to be faced. It was late afternoon when Lupe got back to the G6. (4:40 PM, 69°F) However, days are long in June. Loopster still had plenty of time to visit Duncum Mountain(9,831 ft.).
SPHP drove back to USFS Road No. 11. Taking No. 11 N (L), the road wound steeply up the S end of Duncum Mountain. 3 miles from the intersection, SPHP parked the G6 just N of a cattle guard. (5:55 PM, 63°F)
Duncum Mountain has two summits situated a mile apart. USFS Road No. 11 goes over an enormous saddle between them. The G6 was parked on this saddle roughly halfway between the two high points. According to the topo map, the NW summit is the higher of the two, but only by 1 foot. Since the two high points are so close to the same elevation, Lupe planned on visiting both.
The top of Duncum Mountain is a vast treeless region. Both summits were more or less in view from the G6. The SE summit, crowned by large, irregular dolomite formations looked far more intriguing than the featureless NW one. Lupe headed for it first.
Loop explores a depression in the dolomite on the way to Duncum Mountain’s SE high point. Photo looks SE.Loop among the irregular dolomite formations. Photo looks SE.
Due to the absence of trees, the views were tremendous in all directions.
Medicine Mountain(9,962 ft.) (L). USFS Road No. 14 leading to both Bucking Mule & Porcupine falls is seen below on the L. Photo looks SW.
A few miles off to the NE, a large cloud bank nestled over lower terrain. SPHP thought nothing of it. The air was calm. For days, whenever there had been wind, it had been out of the W or SW.
The SE summit of Duncum Mountain was an easy 0.5 mile march from the G6. Surprisingly, before the Carolina Dog could get there, a breeze sprang up out of the NE. The cloud bank was coming closer! Soon wisps of fog were streaming over Duncum Mountain.
Fog starts to roll in from the NE (L). Bald Mountain(10,042 ft.) (Center), which Lupe had been to only yesterday, is still in sight. Photo looks S.A glance back over the huge saddle area toward Duncum Mountain‘s NW (true) summit. USFS Road No. 11 is visible high on the mountain toward the R. Photo looks NW.
Lupe discovered a small cairn on some high ground, as she drew near the SE summit. SPHP looked around for a survey benchmark shown on the topo map, but found nothing. 200 feet off to the E, a couple of posts were visible near the highest dolomite formations. The American Dingo headed that way.
Close to the posts, a metal rod stuck up 10″ from a concrete base. Again, a search of the area revealed no survey benchmark of the usual type.
A nearby 30 foot high column of dolomite proved to be the clear location of Duncum Mountain’s SE summit. Good thing the true summit was the NW one! No way on earth was Lupe ever going to be able to get up onto that 30 foot high vertical column!
Lupe near Duncum Mountain’s SE summit, which appeared to be the top of the 30 foot high vertical column of dolomite seen beyond her. One of the two posts in this area is on the R. The 10″ metal rod is L of Lupe. Photo looks NE.
Since the SE summit’s highest point was beyond reach, Loopster did the next best thing. With a boost from SPHP, she scrambled atop the second highest point, a larger rock formation just W of the vertical column.
Loop atop the second highest point of the SE summit area. The angle is deceptive. She’s actually 10 feet lower than the top of the vertical column seen on the R. Photo looks NE.Another view. The actual SE summit at least looks higher from this angle. Photo looks E.
Thinking the fog would blow by shortly, SPHP let Loop sniff around the interesting rock formations for a while. The fog only grew denser. All distant views disappeared entirely.
Lupe explored these interesting rock formations of Duncum Mountain’s SE summit until SPHP gave up on the fog lifting anytime soon.
Still believing the fog was likely to dissipate, SPHP gave up on waiting it out at the SE summit. Looper might as well head to the NW high point, which was the true summit, anyway.
The American Dingo returned to USFS Road No. 11. She followed the road N gaining elevation, but eventually left it heading NW. The search was on for Duncum Mountain’s true summit! The fog had not lifted, however. Loop traveled up a long slope strewn with mostly small rocks, minimal vegetation, and numerous depressions in the dolomite.
Somewhere up ahead, a marmot squeaked. Lupe disappeared into the fog. She could be heard barking. SPHP arrived to find Loop circling a large stone looking for a way at the unseen marmot hiding beneath it. However, the marmot had chosen its fortress wisely. The ground was so rocky, the Carolina Dog could make no progress against it.
Helpless to do anything more than bark, Lupe tries to convince a marmot to come out from the safety of it’s rock fortress by carrying on like a complete nut case. The marmot was not the least bit enticed.
Enough of that! SPHP called Lupe away.
The search for Duncum Mountain’s true summit continued. The terrain finally began to level out. Ordinarily it ought to have been a simple matter to go straight to the high point. The top of Duncum Mountain was a huge, nearly flat plain with nothing to obstruct the view.
Nothing, but fog, that is. It was worse than ever. Big rocks that must have been somewhere along the W edge of the vast summit area faded in and out of sight like ghostly apparitions. SPHP consulted the topo map. The true summit was supposed to be out in the middle, not too close to the W edge.
Hoping for a cairn, or possibly a large rock, Lupe and SPHP wandered a gray world looking for the highest ground. Despite the fog, it didn’t take long to discover a small cairn. As far as it was possible to tell, Lupe had made it! This was the true summit of Duncum Mountain(9,831 ft.).
Lupe reaches the true summit of Duncum Mountain. Photo looks E.
A cluster of tiny blue wildflowers grew next to the cairn. Dimly seen through the fog, an unusually large depression 65 feet to the E was the NW summit’s only nearby notable feature. Loopster had come to many depressions in the dolomite, but perhaps this one was large enough to serve as a landmark?
Loop along the edge of the big depression 65 feet E of the true summit. Photo looks S.
Visibility was only 100 feet. The fog hadn’t lifted as SPHP expected. In fact, it was still getting denser. With no reason to linger, Loop and SPHP left Duncum Mountain’s true summit heading SE for USFS Road No. 11 and the G6.
After a 10 or 15 minute hike, Lupe came across the summit cairn again. What? Impossible! But there it was. SPHP had gone in a complete circle. How silly! Time to quit daydreaming and pay attention. Loop set off for the G6 a second time.
To SPHP’s horror, 15 minutes later Lupe again sauntered up to the little summit cairn. Having once found it, she couldn’t escape it. Thick fog streamed by. Visibility was now reduced to only a few 10’s of feet. This was ridiculous! The road wasn’t even 0.2 mile away by the shortest route, but SPHP hadn’t been able to find it.
For a third time, Lupe left the summit cairn heading SE. This time SPHP simply ignored all visual clues and walked so the NE breeze always came from the L. Suddenly, Lupe streaked away, disappearing instantly into the fog. What now? A few seconds later, SPHP heard faint barking. Loop was a long way off, but straight ahead.
The Carolina Dog knew exactly where she was. SPHP found her back at the marmot’s fortress. Keeping the NE breeze coming from the L had worked! SPHP called Loop away from the marmot. Cold, moist fog swept over Duncum Mountain, as Lupe and SPHP continued down the long slope. (7:56 PM, 44°F)
On Duncum Mountain, Bighorn Range, Wyoming 6-14-18
Day 5 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming & Beyond!
Oh, this was going to be a cinch! USFS Road No. 10 had been rough, but the G6 had made it. SPHP parked near the road’s highest point. (11:33 AM, 53°F) When Lupe hopped out, she was at 10,000 feet elevation. She could already see Cloud Peak(13,167 ft.), mightiest of the Bighorn Range, far to the SE.
Hunt Mountain(10,162 ft.), the American Dingo’s immediate peakbagging objective, was only 0.67 mile W of the road. From this direction, a traipse up a gradual, treeless slope to the summit was mere child’s play. Good thing, too. After yesterday’s long march to Dry Fork Ridge and back, SPHP was, well, call it “low energy” today.
Hunt Mountain as seen from USFS Road No. 10 about 3 or 4 miles S of Highway 14A on the way to Lupe’s departure point. Photo looks SW.Cloud Peak (Center) from close to where the G6 was parked along USFS Road No. 10. Photo looks SE with considerable assistance from the telephoto lens.
A 10 to 15 mph W breeze was blowing as Loopster set out for a small rock outcropping visible a short distance W of the road.
Hunt Mountain from the small rock outcropping. Photo looks W.
From the rocks, a broad drainage area at the base of a big snowdrift was seen sloping gently to the NE. In order to avoid any wet terrain, Lupe turned SW gaining elevation slowly. Following the high ground, a big arc could be made around to the NW when she got closer to the W edge of Hunt Mountain.
Lupe delighted in frolicking on a snowbank she found in a depression.
Lupe enjoys a refreshing moment on the snowbank she discovered in this depression. Cloud Peak (L) is on the horizon. Photo looks SSE.
The W face of Hunt Mountain drops off very sharply. As Lupe got close to the edge, she found fortification-like rock formations standing along the brink of a line of cliffs.
Fortification-like rock formations stood perched along the W edge of Hunt Mountain. Photo looks WNW.Near the W edge of Hunt Mountain. Photo looks SSW towards High Point 10,015.
The summit of Hunt Mountain was still a little farther NNW. Traveling toward it, Lupe could soon see a tall cairn ahead.
Traveling NNW along the W edge of Hunt Mountain a tall cairn (R) came into view. Photo looks NNW.Getting closer. Photo looks NW.
The tall cairn had a commanding view of a huge amount of territory W of the Bighorn Range. However, upon reaching it, Lupe could see that this first cairn was not at the top of Hunt Mountain. Another higher cairn was in sight farther N.
The tall cairn had a commanding view of a vast territory W of the Bighorn Range. Photo looks SW.From the first cairn, a second, higher cairn (R) could be seen. Photo looks N.
Approaching the second cairn, Lupe came upon a sinkhole. Apparently parts of Hunt Mountain were hollow!
Loop discovers a sinkhole S of the 2nd cairn. Photo looks N.
The second cairn proved to be the summit of Hunt Mountain(10,162 ft.). With nothing to obstruct the views in any direction, Lupe enjoyed magnificent scenery everywhere she looked.
At the summit. Photo looks SW.A wider view of the summit area looking WSW.Looking WNW with help from the telephoto lens.Looking N.Bald Mountain(10,042 ft.) is L of the cairn. Duncum Mountain(9,831 ft.) is on the horizon at Center. Photo looks NNW.Cloud Peak(13,167 ft.) (Center). Photo looks SE.Black Tooth Mountain(13,005 ft.) (L) and Cloud Peak (Center) with lots of help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SE.
The view to the NW was of particular interest. Lupe could see Bald Mountain(10,042 ft.) and more distant Medicine Mountain(9.962 ft.), both of which she had been to before. In fact, she intended to visit Bald Mountain again later on today.
At the summit of Hunt Mountain. Medicine Mountain (Center) is on the far horizon. Bald Mountain (R) streaked with long snowbanks is a bit closer. Photo looks NW.Bald Mountain with help from the telephoto lens. Lupe intended to make her 5th ascent of Bald Mountain later this afternoon. Photo looks NW.Medicine Mountain (R). The white sphere is part of an FAA installation. Medicine Mountain is the site of the Bighorn Medicine Wheel. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.
Although sparse vegetation gave Hunt Mountain an overall barren look, tiny wildflowers decorated the summit. Orange lichens grew on many of the whitish stones. A knob of stone nearly as high as the summit stood close by to the N. Just for fun, Lupe got up on top of it, too.
The overall rather barren appearance of Hunt Mountain was deceiving. Tiny wildflowers flourished among the rocks.Pink flowers were fairly uncommon. Blue and yellow ones were predominant.These yellow flowers grew on a knob of rock N of the summit that had a particularly nice display of orange lichens, too. Medicine Mountain (Center) & Bald Mountain (R) are on the horizon. Photo looks NW.Lupe by the yellow flowers on the N knob of rock. Medicine Mountain (L) and Bald Mountain (R) both in view. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.
In addition to the second tall cairn, Lupe found two survey markers on top of Hunt Mountain. Both were stamped “Hudson” and had arrows that pointed toward a pile of rocks between them.
Lupe stands near the first of the survey markers she came to, Hudson No. 2. Photo looks NW.Hudson No. 2.Hudson No. 1.
Hunt Mountain offered an awful lot of scenic bang for the amount of effort required to get here! However, it was rather breezy at the summit. After taking in the sights, Lupe and SPHP retreated down the slope E of the summit to escape the W wind.
Lupe went as far as a rim of rocks overlooking the big snowbank that had been visible from the first little rock outcropping she had come to after leaving the road. A big boulder on the rim provided some shade. Low on water, SPHP packed a couple of water bottles and a jug with snow, setting them out in the sun so the snow would melt.
Loop near the big boulder while waiting for the sun to melt snow packed into the water containers. Photo looks SW.
Lupe and SPHP rested by the big boulder, relaxing while waiting for the snow to melt. Weary from yesterday’s exertions, Looper put her head down and fell fast asleep. Soon SPHP was out of it, too.
When SPHP came to, Lupe was gone! A squeaking noise. Marmots! SPHP scanned the rocky rim of the ridge. There she was! The Carolina Dog had snuck off to go looking for marmots among the rocks. SPHP called her back. She returned marmotless, but evidently enthused and entertained by her futile hunt for them. This was, after all, “Hunt” Mountain.
SPHP packed more snow into the water containers. Better not fall asleep this time, no matter how tempting it was. SPHP started writing in the trip journal. Looper got bored, and passed out again. Time ebbed away.
Suddenly, a distant pop followed by a closer one. What the? Within a minute, another couple of pops. Same deal, except the second pop was much closer. Gunfire! Lupe was awake and concerned. Someone was using the boulder she was resting beside for target practice! Ordering Loop to stay down, SPHP stood up displaying a red shirt and waved.
At first, SPHP didn’t see anyone, but a pickup truck was now in view off to the E parked close to the G6. Oh, yeah. There he was! Off to the SW, someone carrying a rifle was heading for the W edge of Hunt Mountain, but well S of the summit.
Hmm. Maybe enough snow had melted? The gunfire made a convincing case. SPHP gathered the water bottles up. Lupe returned to the summit of Hunt Mountain for a final look around before heading back to the G6. On the way down, whoever it was with the rifle was seen far to the S on a rock platform along the W edge of the mountain. The rifle was now set up on a tripod.
No further incidents occurred. An easy downhill stroll, and Loop was back at the G6. (3:10 PM, 59°F) SPHP drove off, conceding the rifleman complete possession of Hunt Mountain. Too much hunting going on at Hunt Mountain for SPHP’s tastes. The American Dingo was done here, anyway. On to Bald Mountain (10,042 ft.)!
Once back down to Highway 14A, SPHP turned L (W). 9 or 10 miles later came another L turn into the Bald Mountain campground. SPHP parked the G6 at the S end of the campground road. (4:24 PM, 66°F)
Loop left the campground heading SE. Bald Mountain was dead ahead. This would be her 5th ascent! Like at Hunt Mountain, there was nothing to climbing Bald Mountain. Bald Mountain is just a big, rounded hill. This was going to be harder, though. The summit was 2 miles away, and the Carolina Dog would have to gain nearly 1,000 feet of elevation.
Loopster sets off on her 5th ascent of Bald Mountain (L). Photo looks SE.
A big stand of pines stood S of the most direct route up Bald Mountain. Lupe would like the woods, so SPHP headed for it. Loop crossed a small creek. The ground near the forest turned out to be wet, much boggier than SPHP had anticipated. Yellow wildflowers grew in profusion.
Crossing a small creek on the way to the forest.Yellow wildflowers were abundant in and near the boggy forest.
The Carolina Dog did have fun exploring the boggy woods. Lupe found a squirrel to bark at, a surefire source of Dingo happiness. SPHP enjoyed being out of the wind, but it didn’t last. The forest encompassed only a small area. Soon Looper was through it. The ascent of Bald Mountain began in earnest.
The climb was the same relentless uphill trudge as always, but seemed harder. Low energy SPHP was just plain tired from the start. Loopster didn’t like the W wind, which blew harder as she gained elevation. The treeless slope offered absolutely no refuge. By the time Lupe made it to top of the W end of the mountain, the wind was 20 to 25 mph.
There was a reason Lupe was on Bald Mountain for a 5th time. In addition to tagging the summit, SPHP wanted to fix the names. In this wind, the American Dingo wasn’t too keen on either idea. SPHP had success finding the names fairly quickly, but Lupe was not happy about having to wait around for 20 minutes while SPHP repaired them.
Loopster sits next to her name after SPHP repaired it. Hunt Mountain is in the distance directly behind her. The summit of Bald Mountain is on the L. Photo looks SE.
Loop was even more disgusted when SPHP made it clear that going on to the summit was a requirement. She soon resigned herself to the idea of this wind tunnel trek, however, and led the way. It wasn’t so bad. Why, this gale was going to blow her clear to the top!
Loop, resigned to having to go all the way to the summit, leaves SPHP behind. Photo looks SE.
A 30 mph gale swept over the summit of Bald Mountain(10,042 ft.). A birdhouse stood NW of a survey marker. Little blue, yellow, and white wildflowers blanketed the ground. Not a bush or a tree anywhere.
A great view of Hunt Mountain(10,162 ft.), where Lupe had just come from, was off to the SE. Medicine Mountain(9,962 ft.) was only 4 miles NW, while Duncum Mountain(9,831 ft.) was farther N. Unfortunately, lingering to contemplate the fine views wasn’t going to happen under these conditions. Lupe stood bravely in the breeze hoping SPHP would just hurry up.
Lupe reaches the top of Bald Mountain to claim her 5th successful ascent. Duncum Mountain (Center) is on the horizon. Photo looks N.Loop by the survey benchmark. The W end of Bald Mountain is beyond her with Medicine Mountain (Center) 4 miles away in the distance. Photo looks NW.The survey benchmark.Duncum Mountain (L of Center) again. Photo looks N.Looking SW.Hunt Mountain (L) and High Point 10,015 (straight up from the pipe). Photo looks SE.Hunt Mountain (Center). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.
Loopster was thrilled when SPHP indicated it was finally time to head down. The wind made her wild, and she really took the lead now. Lupe raced here and there roaming a vast plain despite the gale. She passed by her name again, then paused at the W end of Bald Mountain before the steepest part of the descent.
Looper takes the lead on the way down Bald Mountain. Medicine Mountain (Center) in the distance. Photo looks NW.Approaching the steepest part of the descent. Medicine Mountain (Center). The road to the Bald Mountain campground is near the R edge. Photo looks NW.
The feral, ferocious were-puppy attacked SPHP twice. Once down off Bald Mountain, she again prowled the boggy forest. By the end, even the were-puppy was tired and hungry. Immediately upon reaching the G6, she devoured 2/3 of a can of Alpo. (7:25 PM, 61°F)
N of Bald Mountain late in the day. Photo looks S.
A couple miles N of Highway 14A, SPHP found a dispersed camping spot off USFS Road No. 11 near the edge of the forest. The sun sank below the horizon. Hunt Mountain and Bald Mountain weren’t difficult peaks, but the fabulous scenery and fresh air had been enough for this day.
In any case, the sandman was coming. The wild one curled up, and heaved a bleary-eyed sigh. SPHP drew her blankie over her. Moments later, magically re-energized, the were-puppy bounded off to new adventures in the mountains of Dingo dreamland. Perhaps the restless breeze blew there tonight, too?
In the wild W wind atop Bald Mountain, Bighorn Range, Wyoming 6-13-18
Notes:
Hunt Mountain directions: In the northern Bighorns, go W from Burgess Junction on Hwy 14A approximately 14 miles to a L (S) turn onto USFS Road No. 10. Follow No. 10 about 5 miles to the highest part of the road. Hunt Mountain is 0.67 mile E.
Bald Mountain directions: Go approximately 24 miles W of Burgess Junction on Hwy 14A (10 miles beyond the turn to Hunt Mountain). Take a L (S) turn into the Bald Mountain campground. Bald Mountain is 2 miles SE.
