Bighorn Mountains – Page 8 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Freeze Out Point & Riley Point, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (6-24-20)

Days 1 & 2 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!

Dave Covill‘s visit to the Black Hills at the end of May brought an abrupt end to over half a year of nearly unbroken adventure-free monotony. Lupe had already despaired of ever living a life of adventure again, but suddenly hopes, even great expectations, were revived. The Carolina Dog was enthused! She had gotten to go to Warren Peaks (6,650 ft.), Missouri Buttes (5,374 ft.), and Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) while Dave had been around.

SPHP always said summer begins June 1st, and June was now magically here! Without a doubt, adventures galore were heading the American Dingo’s way!

And then – nothing. The old routine returned. Lupe spent day after day laying on the carpet staring sadly out the window. Outside, the grass was green, had been for two months. Puffy white clouds plied brilliant blue skies, birds sang and flew by on warm, soft breezes. The mountains were waiting, but no Dingo appeared.

Almost half shot already, 2020 – the Year of Perfect Vision, had gotten off to a very strange start. Consequently, SPHP was way behind, still trying to “catch up”. Despite SPHP’s assurances that good things were coming, those promises were empty. Days turned to weeks.

Oh, there were morning walks in the park, and evening walks through the neighborhood. People, dogs, and the mail carrier strolled by every day. Now and then squirrels risked making an appearance. Mondays were the height of excitement – official Barking Day! The garbage and recycling trucks came, both making two passes in order to serve each side of the street. SPHP couldn’t get a thing done then. Not while the frantic Carolina Dog dashed inside and out, upstairs and down, all the while sounding a shrill ear-splitting alarm.

Barking Day was fun, but small potatoes. A few hours of rambunctious action followed by yet another week of boredom. The solstice came and went. The glorious summer of 2020 was sailing by, never to return, and Lupe was missing out.

6-23-20, 1:19 PM, 79ºF – Loop knew the signs! Oh, yeah! She’d happily followed SPHP back and forth between the house and the G6 umpteen times this morning, before finally giving up and just laying in the shade of the big tree in the front yard to watch. SPHP was slow even at this task, but now the wait was over. The G6 was pulling out of the driveway, the American Dingo riding high on a pile of gear, supplies, pillows and blankets. Seemed like it had been forever and a day, but at long last a shiny new Dingo Vacation was underway!

So where we headed, SPHP?

Oh, not too far Looper! The Bighorn Range of Wyoming.

I love the Bighorns!

Me, too, Loop. We’ll be there before dark. Tomorrow you’ll be climbing mountains again. Promise! Nothing too hard, though. Figure we better ease back into the peakbagging business after lounging about for so long.

Anything will be an improvement to the way things have been going, SPHP. Once acclimated, we can work our way up to bigger and better things.

Right-O, dear Dingo! In the meantime, it’s all good.

Even with an early afternoon start, there was time enough to take the scenic route. At Gillette, SPHP left I-90 to head NW on Hwy 14/16. This provided the Carolina Dog a chance to drop by Spotted Horse for the first time in years.

At the Spotted Horse bar, which constitutes about all there is at Spotted Horse.

Always fun to get out and stretch at Spotted Horse!

SPHP bought an ice cream treat, and would have shared it with Lupe, but she was only mildly interested. Most of it disappeared while SPHP read a plaque about Hunt’s 1811 Astorian Overland Expedition.

Getting to the Bighorns and exploring the American West used to be a good deal harder than it is these days.

By evening, Lupe really was in the Bighorns! It was still light out when SPHP parked the G6 near the turnaround loop at the end of USFS Road No. 168 (8:03 PM, 58ºF). The Carolina Dog got to explore some of the nearby dolomite formations, before calling it a day.

*Thought this day would never come! Tomorrow should be great!*

6-24-20, 6:45 AM, 55ºF, near the end of USFS Road No. 168 – The sun was up! Sort of a late start, since no one had slept all that well last night. Lupe had wanted out twice. The first time had been very dark, with the Milky Way blazing overhead. Naturally, the wily Dingo quickly sniffed out some chicken bones SPHP had forgotten on a log. A menacing growl warned she had not the slightest intention of giving up this glittering prize. Chomp, chomp, chomp! The bones vanished in a flash.

Apparently no harm done. Looper was in good spirits on this beautiful, bright Bighorns morning. The long awaited time for action had arrived. First up, Freeze Out Point (8,305 ft.)! The Carolina Dog sniffed her way over to the loop at the end of USFS Road No. 168, then started SE up a long open slope following somewhat rougher USFS Road No. 199.

Dolomite formations Lupe had explored yesterday evening. This side road soon peters out back among the rocks. Photo looks N.

About to set off for Freeze Out Point. USFS Road No. 199 is seen going up the slope on the R. Photo looks E.

Looking NNW back down at the loop at the end of USFS Road No. 168 from No. 199.

This ought to be a snap, Loop! Not even 1.5 miles to Freeze Out Point. Moderate to gentle slope the whole way. An easy peakbagging success! We’ll gawk at the views, take a few photos, and be on our way back.

Sounds great, SPHP!

And with that, Lupe dashed away. 3 deer had caught her attention, and she needed to investigate. The deer melted into the forest long before the American Dingo got anywhere close to them, but Loopster just kept running through the fields of wildflowers for the pure joy of running. Fun to watch her. Yes, this Dingo Vacation was off to a great start!

By the time Lupe returned, SPHP had reached the upper end of the first slope where No. 199 leveled out for a stretch alongside an old wooden fence. Freeze Out Point was now in sight. Surprisingly, it didn’t appear to be the complete cakewalk SPHP had anticipated. Looked like there might be some rock formations hidden back in the forest. Hopefully they wouldn’t be too vertical.

**Freeze Out Point** from a level stretch along USFS Road No. 199. Photo looks SE.

Didn’t take long to get up to the summit region, the E side of which was open ground. A stone fire ring sat out in the middle of this area, with a stack of small diameter firewood nearby. It had become increasingly clear on the way up that there definitely were higher rock formations concealed in the nearby forest. Lupe would have to check them out, but first it was time to enjoy the sweeping views from here.

Looking NW back down the road Lupe had just come up.

Gazing down on the territory to the ENE and high plains beyond the Bighorns.

*The views are best over this way!* **Black Mountain** (R) in the distance. Photo looks SE.

After an initial look around, Lupe and SPHP headed SW up into the trees. The Carolina Dog easily gained 20 to 25 feet of elevation before reaching the base of the closest rock formation. Ay-yi-yi! No way was she getting up that thing. A narrow wall of rock towered another 20 or 30 feet higher, its sides not only practically straight up and down, but with an overhang at the end.

*This last step higher is a doozy, SPHP!* Photo looks S.

Oh, for pity sake! Freeze Out Point was supposed to be a gimme, Looper. Don’t tell me we’re gonna get skunked!

Don’t give up so easy, SPHP! Maybe there’s another way, or an even higher point we can actually get to. Let’s look around.

Peering along the NW side of the wall of rock revealed a steep, narrow chute that looked passable, but not all that promising. Venturing around to the SE, far more encouraging terrain was seen.

*This ought to work, SPHP!* Photo looks S.

Lupe managed to scramble up to a high point where the rock wall jutted out to the E. A couple of other spots 100 to 200 feet off to the N looked equally high, maybe even a foot or two higher. The rock wall was lumpy, narrow and full of fissures. The other high points weren’t accessible. No matter! This was good enough for Dingo work. Loopster was claiming a peakbagging success!

**Black Mountain** (Center) from Freeze Out Point. Photo looks SSE.

On **Freeze Out Point**. Photo looks SE.

Looking back N along the rock wall at a couple of competing high points that might even have been a bit higher.

Altogether, Lupe spend nearly an hour at Freeze Out Point, although not all of it way up on the rock wall. Before leaving, she did go back to check out that NW chute to see if it might provide a reasonable route up to the other high points. SPHP scrambled up first, before the American Dingo made her attempt.

Two tremendous leaps were nearly successful, but each time Lupe fell back, scampering down to the safety of more level terrain well below the chute. On her third try she made it. Sadly, further exploration proved her efforts had been in vain. A narrow ledge above the chute did lead higher, but didn’t look worth chancing. Even if Loop managed to safely negotiate the ledge, it still didn’t look possible to get up to the top rocks.

Oh, well! Never mind, Loop! Not going to risk breaking our necks to gain an extra foot. Let the purists and rock climbers do this. We’re outta here!

*I guess we’re moving on, but **Freeze Out Point** was actually kind of fun!* Photo looks ESE.

At the base of the NW chute that didn’t pan out. Photo looks SSW.

The march back down USFS Road No. 199 was super easy. Despite being more complicated than originally anticipated, Freeze Out Point hadn’t taken all that long. The day was off to a good start!

Riley Point (8,536 ft.) was Lupe’s next peakbagging objective. Once back at the G6 (9:12 AM, 66ºF), the American Dingo hopped in, and SPHP drove roughly 4 miles back out along USFS Road No. 168, parking close to the low point of a big open saddle near junctions with USFS Roads No. 149 & 150.

Lupe had been here before. Two years ago, she had taken USFS Road No. 149 down the long valley to the NW before climbing up to the high point on the NW half of massive Dry Fork Ridge (8,480 ft.), which was Sheridan County, Wyoming’s most prominent peak. That had been an all day adventure, but not a difficult one.

Riley Point on the much closer SE half of Dry Fork Ridge was actually a bit higher, but evidently wasn’t as prominent. The topo map showed USFS Road No. 150 going right to it. Once again, SPHP figured Lupe was just in for an easy road hike. Nevertheless, visiting Riley Point was going to take considerably longer than Freeze Out Point had, since it was close to 5 miles away.

The day was warming up. The first thing Lupe did once she was out of the G6 was to run down an embankment to get a drink out of Camp Creek. She then laid in the shade of the G6 enjoying some Taste of the Wild, while SPHP devoured a piece of fried chicken.

Cooling off in **Camp Creek**. Photo looks SE.

6-24-20, 10:06 AM, 68ºF, leaving for Riley Point – Alrighty, Loopster! Let’s do this. Onward! Puppy, ho! Lupe left the shade of the G6, and headed for USFS Road No. 150. Nearly all of the 1,000+ feet of net elevation gain required to get up to Riley Point would come in the first 2 miles, with the steepest part right at the start. Passing a Riley Point sign, the Carolina Dog started the long trudge higher.

Setting off for Riley Point. USFS Road No. 168 curves off to the R, while No. 150 heads up onto the SE end of **Dry Fork Ridge**. Photo looks N.

After a steady climb, the road actually dipped briefly before continuing higher. The day was mostly sunny. Although it really wasn’t all that hot out, it felt plenty warm if you were wearing a fur coat, which Lupe was. Not used to the thin air, SPHP paused frequently to rest. Loop eagerly lapped up additional water offered during these breaks.

Glancing back down at the G6 near USFS Road No. 168 after some initial progress up No. 150. The Camp Creek valley is on the L. Photo looks S.

Halfway up the **SE end of Dry Fork Ridge** near a dip in the road. Photo looks N.

Fortunately, a few well-positioned clouds often provided welcome shade during the exposed trek up to the start of the trees. Once Lupe reached the forest, she enjoyed more reliable relief from the blazing sun.

Taking a break. **Twin Buttes (8,235 ft.)** are in the foreground on the R. Photo looks S.

On USFS Road No.150, quite happy to be in the shady forest.

No. 150 gained elevation more sporadically up here. At times, the road leveled out completely. Small glades and occasional larger meadows were scattered among the trees. Eventually, a short steepish rise ended at a “T” intersection.

At the “T” Intersection with USFS Road No. 201.01. Lupe had come up No. 150 from the L. The most direct route to Riley Point is the road beyond her. Photo looks WNW.

Hmm. The map showed this as a 4-way junction. A road should have continued straight ahead, but there didn’t seem to be one. This was somewhat important, because Lupe had another mission up here other than getting to Riley Point. Only 0.2 mile further N was HP8548, the high point at the SE end of Dry Fork Ridge. Since HP8548 was higher than Riley Point (8,536 ft.), seemed like Loop ought to visit it, too, while she was so close. The missing road was supposed to go almost right to it.

Studying the 60 foot wide swath of open ground immediately beyond the intersection, SPHP noticed what appeared to be a very faint remnant of a road slightly off to the W (L). Following it to a gap at the edge of the forest, Lupe discovered an abandoned road that did continue N.

Another 150 feet brought the American Dingo to a gate. SPHP opened it, letting her through. Just past the gate, a number of large trees had fallen across the road. Beyond them, the road continued higher.

Lupe kept going. 200 yards up a gentle slope, the forest ended. Entering a meadow, the faint road curved W. As the topo map indicated, slightly higher ground was nearby to the N. Leaving the road, Lupe explored a region of scraggly pines. She quickly came to a couple of large chunks of dolomite at the top of small rise.

The Carolina Dog hopped up on the highest rock. Inches away was a 30 or 40 foot precipice. No doubt about it, Lupe had made it to HP8548.

**HP8548** at the **SE end of Dry Fork Ridge**. Photo looks E.

An unseen cliff is just beyond Lupe, so there wasn’t any question whether she’d really reached **HP8548**. This was it, alright! Photo looks N.

The intention was to take a bit of a break here, but within minutes Lupe was being plagued by flies. So she left HP8548, now losing elevation as she headed W to rejoin the faint road. Lupe came across the road again just as it entered an old burn. This was quite a scenic spot. Ahead, large boulders were scattered across the broad ridge. Beyond them, vertical rock formations a good 20 or 30 feet high jutted up from the next rise.

Wandering W among the interesting rocks, Lupe soon reached USFS Road No. 150 again. Almost immediately, she came to a side road not shown on the map that went NE up toward the vertical rock formations. However, Loop didn’t explore it. Instead, the American Dingo continued NW on No. 150.

In the burnt area W of **HP8548**. At the time, SPHP had been under the impression that **HP8548** was the true summit of all of Dry Fork Ridge. Months later, while reviewing the **topo map**, SPHP realized that the true summit is actually up on one of rock formations seen here in the distance. The map shows a very small region over there in an 8560 foot contour. Didn’t really matter that Lupe never got over there. Not likely she could have made it to the top anyway. Photo looks NW.

Riley Point was still out of sight, a good 2.5 miles farther NW, but Lupe could follow USFS Road No. 150 all the way to it. The road went over a series of high spots separated by drops of up to 100 feet or even more. While most of Dry Fork Ridge was forested up here, the road usually passed through sunny meadows.

USFS Roads No. 150 and No. 201.01 divide up ahead. No. 201.01 heads off to the R, while No. 150 bears L on its way up to **HP8461**.

Approaching **HP8461** (L). Photo looks NW.

Since the road was never steep, progress was rapid. Breaks continued to be taken for water, to sit in the shade for a few minutes, or just to enjoy wildflowers and other sights. Riley Point itself eventually came into view, still a bit of a march away.

**Riley Point** (L end of the forested ridge on the R) comes into sight. Photo looks NW.

*Getting there! **Riley Point** is the little clump of trees just R of Center.* Photo looks NW.

A gain of nearly 200 feet was required from the last low point the road hit to get up to Riley Point. As Lupe closed in on her objective, the first high spot she reached had some wild-looking dead trees, but this still wasn’t quite the top.

Looking back as Lupe closes in on Riley Point. **Black Mountain (9,489 ft.)** (L) in the distance. Photo looks SSE.

Almost there! The wild dead trees are on the L. The actual high point is over by the trees on the R. Photo looks WNW.

By the wild-looking dead trees. Not the top, but close to it. Photo looks S.

The top of Riley Point (8,536 ft.) was just a little farther N. No tricky surprises here like at Freeze Out Point. Behind a small stand of trees and bushes along the SW edge of Dry Fork Ridge, Lupe found a minor dolomite outcropping partially covered with orange lichens. Clear ground to the NE provided easy access.

Lupe reaches **Riley Point**. Photo looks S.

The big view was to the SW overlooking the huge Dry Fork Creek canyon, which Lupe had once ventured down 2 years ago now.

With her last peakbagging mission of the day a success, Loop retreated 15 feet to the nearby stunted trees intent upon settling down in the shade of a low bush. Time for that longer break!

Happy Lupe hiding out from the hot sun at Riley Point.

Lupe and SPHP relaxed. There was water and plenty to eat. The only thing the Carolina Dog didn’t care for about Riley Point were the insects. She stayed busy snapping at flies and a bee that kept annoying her.

Everything seemed fine for a while, but suddenly Lupe went crazy! She appeared to be frantically licking the short needles of the bush she was hiding in. Upon closer inspection, SPHP saw that some kind of a bug had firmly attached itself to the end of her nose, and was busily stinging or biting her. Whether it was a black wasp, or merely a huge ant wasn’t clear. SPHP grabbed at it 3 times before succeeding in plucking it off.

Lupe was immediately and tremendously relieved. Full of gratitude, she took to licking SPHP to show her sincere deep appreciation.

A sunny, lazy hour drifted by. At one point, SPHP thought it might be fun to head farther NW to where Lupe could look over West Pass and see the NW half of Dry Fork Ridge where she’d been 2 years ago. However, a quick reconnaissance revealed that Loop would have to go another mile and lose more than 200 feet of elevation in order to get to where she could see past the forest well enough for a good view.

On open terrain just N of Riley Point. Photo looks NNW.

The **NW half of Dry Fork Ridge** is visible in the distance on the R. Photo looks NW.

The distance and elevation would all have to be retraced and regained on the way back. Eh, not worth it. Riley Point was good enough. Back to taking it easy! The inevitable moment arrived all too quickly.

Guess it’s about time to head back, Loop. Been a nice day, a fine start to this Dingo Vacation, wouldn’t you say?

If you don’t mind me saying so, SPHP, getting my nose stung wasn’t all that wonderful. Could have done without that! Haven’t seen a single squirrel, either. But otherwise, yes. Fun to be back in the Bighorns again.

The return trip along USFS Road No. 150 seemed to go by quickly. Lupe trudged along at SPHP’s heels instead of exploring like she usually did. Maybe she was tired, or still felt hot? Off to the W there were often views of the big ridges sporting long snowbanks along the spine of the Bighorn Range.

Before starting the 2 mile descent down off the SE end of Dry Fork Ridge, Lupe returned once again to High Point 8548. After a few moments of quiet contemplation in this remote spot, the Carolina Dog headed for the faint road leading to the hidden gate.

*Guess this is about it for today’s adventures to Freeze Out Point, and Riley Point on Dry Fork Ridge! Stay tuned, though. We’re just getting going! More Bighorn Mountain adventures are on the way!* Lupe back at **HP8538**.

Back at the G6 (5:30 PM, 70ºF), Lupe ran down to Camp Creek again for another cold drink. By now the sky was mostly cloudy, especially dark to the W. Driving out along USFS Road No. 168, intending to head for the Burgess picnic ground along the N Tongue River, SPHP stopped.

Off to the N, beyond a field of lavender lupines and the mostly unseen Dry Fork Creek valley, there stood Dry Fork Ridge. Only the S end of the NW half was visible, but Lupe could see the entire length of the SE half where she’d spent most of the day. Two adventures, two years apart on Dry Fork Ridge, but this was it. Although the American Dingo would see the big ridge again from miles away, she wasn’t likely to ever return. Other adventures were calling.

Goodbye to **Dry Fork Ridge**. Photo looks NNW.

At the Burgess picnic ground, SPHP heated up beef stew and creamed corn. Dingoes love beef stew, but are decidedly indifferent to creamed corn. Loop got another drink from the N Tongue River. The beef stew vanished, and the evening swept by. After sunset, SPHP drove to USFS Road No. 165, 4+ miles NE of the Garden of the Gods (9,163).

Lupe never heard the thunder, or the few raindrops that fell. After a long day in the fresh Bighorn mountain air, she was already in Dingo dreamland. (6-24-20, 9:13 PM)

**Riley Point**, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 6-24-20

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Dry Fork Ridge, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (6-12-18)

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Bighorn Peak, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-23-19)

Days 3 & 4 of Lupe’s 2nd 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming!

7-23-19, early morning N of Loaf Mountain –

Daylight in the swamps, Miss Snoozy Dingo!

Morning already? I was having such a beautiful dream!

Apparently. No waking me up at the crack of dawn today, I see.

Nothing wrong with getting a few winks in, SPHP! Are we still going to Bighorn Peak today?

Had my doubts during the night, Loopster, but it’s a fabulous morning! So, it’s now or never for Bighorn Peak! You in?

Of, course! Let’s do it!

That’s the spirit! Let’s have a bite to eat, first. We can leave the tiny house and sleeping bags right here. Loaf Mountain was hard enough. Not going to lug all this gear clear to the top of Bighorn Peak and back, too.

Outside the tiny house, it really was a fabulous morning – blue sky, and clear as a bell! Lupe stretched and sniffed in the sunlight while SPHP got ready. Before long, the American Dingo was on her way, setting off for the mightiest mountain she would climb in 2019!

Outside the tiny house. **Loaf Mountain** in the background. Photo looks SSE.

N of Loaf Mountain (11,722 ft.) a series of lower high points wound more than 1.5 miles NW. A connecting ridge extended all the way over to a big saddle at 10,740 feet at the base of Bighorn Peak (12,324 ft.). Plan A was to stay fairly high following this ridge, but it quickly became apparent that this route might be problematic. The high ground was all rocky and rough.

Staying high early on. **Bighorn Peak** (Center). **Darton Peak (12,275 ft.)** (R). **HP 11188** (Center) in the foreground. Photo looks NNW.

After crossing a long rocky stretch, Lupe made it to a level area with some greenery just S of HP 11188. When an attempt to go around the E side revealed only more big rocks ahead, SPHP had had enough. A big snowbank provided an opportunity to pack some more snow into the water bottles, but once that was done, the Carolina Dog headed W.

On easier terrain S of **HP 11188** (L). **Bighorn Peak** (Center). Photo looks NNW.

Just **E of HP 11188**. **Darton Peak** (far L) in the distance. Photo looks N.

**Bighorn Peak** (L) and **Darton Peak** (Center) from **E of HP 11188**. Photo looks NNW.

Plan B was to head NW down the broad, gentle East Tensleep Creek valley. This would involve losing hundreds of extra feet of elevation, and Lupe would still eventually have to go over or around the ridge she was abandoning, but at least she could tackle that challenge from a point much closer to Bighorn Peak.

Despite talus fields that extended quite a long way down into the East Tensleep Creek valley, Plan B worked out quite well. Once far enough W, Lupe escaped the rocks. Reaching East Tensleep Creek, she turned NW making rapid progress down the valley.

Approaching the **East Tensleep Creek valley** after abandoning the high ground near HP 11188. Lupe would eventually pass between the 2 big snow banks seen on the R. **Peak 11279** (R). Photo looks WNW.

**Loaf Mountain** (Center) from down in the **East Tensleep Creek valley**. Photo looks SE.

By **East Tensleep Creek** approaching another rocky stretch. **Bighorn Peak** (R). **Peak 11279** (L). Photo looks NW.

East Tensleep Creek began to curve W. Continuing her NW course, Lupe abandoned the stream. She aimed for a darker green area near some low cliffs. At about 10,480 feet, this region appeared destined to be the low point of the journey to Bighorn Peak.

The dark green area proved to be both bushy and boggy. Fortunately, a natural rock dam toward the lower W side provided an easy way around the bushes and across a tributary of East Tensleep Creek. Once over the stream, Lupe continued NW starting up a hillside leading to a minor ridge. Passing between two large snowbanks, she soon reached the top.

Approaching the bushy, boggy area, the low point of Lupe’s journey to Bighorn Peak. From here she went up between the 2 snowbanks in the distance to the ridge above them. Photo looks NW.

Looking back up the **East Tensleep Creek valley** from the same spot. **Loaf Mountain** (Center). Photo looks SE.

Up on the low ridge taking a break from the sun.

So far, so good, but now what? Looking around, it appeared maybe SPHP had been too hasty in abandoning the higher ground earlier on. More of the ridge Lupe would have traveled had she stuck with it could be seen from here, and much of it didn’t look that bad. Might actually have been a more direct route, and less troublesome than feared.

Too late now.

Another interesting view was off to the SW where both Meadowlark Lake and Peak 9300 were in sight. Lupe had been to Peak 9300 only a few weeks ago.

Looking back from the minor ridge. **Loaf Mountain** (R of Center) and the **East Tensleep Creek valley** (Center). The high ground toward the L that Lupe would have traveled, if SPHP hadn’t given up so easily, didn’t look that bad. Maybe staying high would have been a better, more direct route after all? Photo looks SE.

**Meadowlark Lake** (straight out from Lupe) is barely visible at the base of **Peak 9300** (L of Center). Photo looks SW.

Decision time. It appeared Lupe had 3 choices on which way to go from here. The first option was to follow a broad ramp NE returning to the high ground somewhere near HP 11125. Lupe could then turn NW and head down to the still unseen saddle at the base of Bighorn Peak.

Option No. 1 – Go way up the **easy ramp** (R) to the high ground (Center) somewhere near **HP 11125** before turning NW (L) and descending to the saddle leading to Bighorn Peak. Photo looks NE.

The second option was to simply continue NW until Loopster could get around the W end of the HP 11125 ridge. This was actually what SPHP had in mind in coming here, but in practice looked like a bigger detour than expected. Lupe would have to lose a bunch of elevation again.

Option No. 2 – Go all the way around the W (L) side of the nearby big ridge on the R. Looked like Lupe might have to go clear down to the trees on the L to avoid all the rocks. Photo looks NW.

In the end, Lupe took the third option. The American Dingo headed up to the closest gap in the ridge to the N and went through it.

Option No. 3 – *Tell ya what! We’re just going to head up over that little saddle at the far L and hope for the best!* Photo looks NNE.

The maneuver worked! Lupe got up to and over the little saddle without a hitch. On the far side, sure enough, there was Bighorn Peak and the big, broad 10,740 foot saddle leading to it! The Carolina Dog had to wait for SPHP to pick a way 200 feet down a fairly steep talus slope to get to the saddle, but success was inevitable.

*Looking good! Just have to get down to the saddle on the R, then climb **Bighorn Peak** (L)!* Photo looks N.

On the N side of the 10,740 foot saddle a prominent rocky knob stuck out from the rest of the terrain. Once SPHP was down out of the talus, Lupe headed for it. From the base of this knob, the summit of Bighorn Peak (12,324 ft.) was nearly 1,600 feet higher, uphill all the way.

Near the base of the rocky knob on the N side of the 10,740 foot saddle. Lupe stayed to the W (L) of it, although it later turned out that going farther E (R) would have been a better choice. Photo looks NE.

Staying W (L) of the prominent knob, Loopster started her ascent. The grassy slope was steep and got steeper. Before long the Carolina Dog was above all vegetation scrambling toward a rocky ridge. Slow going, but she eventually got there.

Scrambling higher already well above and beyond the prominent knob. Photo looks N.

Upon reaching the ridgeline, a wide shallow ramp was seen ahead. Much of this ramp, which sloped relentlessly higher to the NNW, was chock full ‘o rocks. However, on the far side there appeared to be a fair amount of greenery. Clearly, Lupe would have been much better off if she had come up well E of the prominent knob back down by the big saddle. That discovery had come too late. Oh, well!

Up on the ridgeline where a broad ramp lies ahead. Photo looks N.

No choice, but to continue up the rocky ramp. The ramp had a number of big snowbanks. Crossing snow was easier and faster than the endless rock hop. Whenever she could, Lupe took advantage of the snow. The biggest snowfield helped her get over to the far (N) side of the ramp where at least some vegetation helped make the trek less demanding.

Higher and higher! Besides the overall rockiness, no difficulties existed to prevent Lupe from attaining success. Nothing at all technical or the least bit scary along the entire route. Endurance and perseverance were all it took. The fearless American Dingo roamed ahead while SPHP brought up the rear.

Weather was the only concern. As the afternoon wore on, the morning’s clear skies were giving way to increasing cloudiness.

Taking advantage of one of the first snowbanks to avoid the rocks. Photo looks N.

Cooling off at the base of a big snowbank. Photo looks N.

A glance back at **Loaf Mountain** (L). Photo looks SSE.

Above a big snowfield, Lupe went over a minor lip along the ramp. The terrain wasn’t quite as steep up here. A SW subpeak of Bighorn Peak (12,324 ft.) was now in sight. The topo map showed this subpeak at only a little less than 12,200 feet. Encouraging! Looper was getting close! Bighorn Peak’s true summit was only 150 feet higher than that.

Approaching **Bighorn Peak’s SW subpeak (12,180 ft.)** (Center). Photo looks NW.

**Meadowlark Lake** and **Peak 9300** (L) were in sight again. Photo looks SW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

*Onward!* **Bighorn Peak’s SW subpeak** (L). **Main summit region** (R). Photo looks NNW.

The ascent ended with a steep scramble up large talus. The weather turned dicey. Two thunderstorms threatened. The first was very dark. No lightning, but Lupe became nervous as thunder rumbled not too far away. SPHP kept an eye out for big overhanging rocks beneath which shelter might be taken. Despite it all, the Carolina Dog kept scrambling higher, sometimes during brief rain showers.

Just like yesterday, all the worst of the weather seemed to stay just E of the spine of the Bighorn Range. The darkest, most ominous clouds hung around just NE of Bighorn Peak.

Approaching the summit region. Photo looks N.

Coming up the S slope, Lupe reached a vast summit region near its SW end. The whole top of the mountain was a jumble of rock. The true summit wasn’t visible at first, but was clearly somewhere farther N. Fortunately, by this time the darkest clouds were already moving off to the SE. The threat of a serious storm had diminished.

On **Bighorn Peak** near the SW end of the vast summit region. **Lost Twin Lakes Peak (12,015 ft.)** (R) not too far away. Photo looks WNW.

Looking back at **Bighorn Peak’s SW subpeak** (L). Photo looks SW.

At first glance, a flat rock to the NNE sitting at a slight angle looked like the true summit. Scrambling among boulders, Lupe headed for it.

The flat, dark, thin rock in the distance (R) looked like it might be the true summit. Photo looks NNE.

Even before Lupe got there, it became clear this odd rock wasn’t actually the true summit. The very top of Bighorn Peak was now visible only a few hundred feet farther NNE. SPHP was ecstatic! Loopster was going to make it!

Near the flat rock (R). **True summit of Bighorn Peak** (L) in sight! Photo looks NNE.

Approaching the true summit, a dramatic distant view of Cloud Peak (13,167 ft.) was off to the NNW. Circling around S side of the summit block, Lupe found an easy way to scramble up from the E.

**Cloud Peak** (Center) from Bighorn Peak. Photo looks NNW.

Closing in on the **true summit** (R of Center). Photo looks N.

While Lupe stood on the big light-colored boulder at the true summit, SPHP congratulated her on her grand success! Bighorn Peak was the highest mountain the Carolina Dog would climb in 2019, and yet another major peak she had been to along the lofty spine of the Bighorn Range. Lupe grinned at the praise.

*Made it! Here we are at the tippy top of mighty **Bighorn Peak**!* Photo looks NNW.

Several feet below the N side of the summit rock, an army green metal box with a red cross on the cover was tucked away in a sheltered spot. Naturally, it contained a registry. While Lupe looked on, SPHP added her name. Then it was time to enjoy the tremendous views available from the summit of Bighorn Peak.

At the **true summit**. Note the registry box (lower R). Photo looks SW.

There was a lot to see. The most attention grabbing view was of the two highest mountains Lupe had ever climbed in the Bighorns – Cloud Peak (13,167 ft.) and Bomber Mountain (12,840 ft.).

**Cloud Peak** (L) and **Bomber Mountain** (the short ridge just R of Center). Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.

**Cloud Peak** (L) and **Bomber Mountain** (short ridge at far R) again. Photo looks NNW with even more help from the telephoto lens.

A mere 1.5 miles away, Darton Peak (12,275 ft.) was also toward the N. At one point, SPHP had dreamed that Lupe might make it all the way to Darton Peak on this trip. Although it looked possible to get to Darton Peak from here, clearly there wasn’t enough time (or energy) to do it.

**Cloud Peak** (Center) and **Darton Peak** (R). Photo looks NNW.

**Darton Peak** (L) was only 1.5 miles away. A pity Lupe wasn’t going to get there, but it was a mountain too far. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.

To the W, Lupe could see a huge gash. Lake 10577 was somewhere down in that deep canyon, but couldn’t be seen from here. Lost Twin Lakes down in another deep canyon to the NW weren’t visible from Bighorn Peak, either.

**Lake 10577** was hidden somewhere down in the deep canyon visible beyond Lupe. Photo looks W.

Loaf Mountain (11,722 ft.) was off to the SE. Lupe would have to return to it this evening. Beyond Loaf were half a dozen lower peaks that Lupe had visited at one time or another, too, including both Hazelton Peak (10,264 ft.) and Hazelton Pyramid (10,534 ft.).

**Loaf Mountain** (L). **Hazelton Peak** (R) and **Hazelton Pyramid** (far R) in sunlight. Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.

To see Lame Deer Lake and a couple of the Firehole Lakes, Lupe had to venture E of the summit to where Bighorn Peak dropped away much more steeply.

**Lame Deer Lake** (Center) and a couple of the **Firehole Lakes** (R). Photo looks E.

Another look with help from the telephoto lens. **Lame Deer Lake** (L) and the **Firehole Lakes** (R). Photo looks E.

Yeowch! Where had the time gone? Lupe had been up on Bighorn Peak for more than an hour! Getting late, better skedaddle. Before departing, Lupe returned to the true summit. Such a magnificent spot! A shame to have to leave so soon, but that’s often the way it is, especially among the higher peaks.

**Cloud Peak** (Center) again from **Bighorn Peak**. Photo looks NNW.

Final moments at the **true summit of Bighorn Peak**. Photo looks NE.

Waiting for SPHP to give the signal to depart. Photo looks NE.

Oh, brother! 5:00 PM already, and there was the intrepid Dingo, still perched atop mighty Bighorn Peak. It had taken practically all day to get here. How was Lupe ever going to get to her tiny house way back at Loaf Mountain tonight? Didn’t seem possible.

Puppy, ho! Onward! Like she was shot out of a cannon, the American Dingo came bounding over the boulders. The race back to the tiny house was on! At least to the extent it could be a race among all this rock.

A little Dingo belly sledding during the descent. Photo looks SW.

It took forever to get off the Bighorn Peak summit region and down to friendlier terrain, but once accomplished the pace picked up. A couple of course corrections were in order. On the way back down to the big saddle at 10,740 feet, Lupe stayed quite a bit farther E, this time coming down well E of the rocky prominence.

The 10,740 foot saddle had a huge and delightful surprise for Lupe. The giant deers! Perhaps the same big herd she had seen yesterday S of Loaf Mountain? They were here in force! Lupe was a lot happier to see the giant deers than they were to see her. The herd immediately started heading down the long slope to the SW.

The giant deers were shocked and none too pleased to see a pesky American Dingo once again encroaching on their territory.

Lupe was in luck! SPHP had every intention of leading her down this same valley. Light was already starting to fade. It was too late for SPHP to scramble slowly over the same ridge to the S Lupe had snuck over much earlier in the day. The only hope seemed to be to go far enough W to get around it.

The giant deers warily kept their distance. Lupe had a grand time keeping tabs on them, as she followed them down the slope.

Down, down, down! The giant deers kept retreating. Eagerly, the Dingo kept advancing. Meanwhile, SPHP wondered if there actually was a practical way around the W end of the ridge?

The giant deers didn’t like being followed. All of a sudden, the whole herd bolted down the last open part of the long slope into a forested area, leaving a disappointed Carolina Dog in their dust.

At about 10,440 feet, Lupe finally came across a fairly decent animal trail that curved S. Perhaps the hoped for route around the W end of the ridge? It seemed so, and proved to be so. The trail ultimately curved SE leading back up to the same minor ridge Lupe had been to much earlier in the day – the ridge that overlooked the East Tensleep Creek valley.

Even twilight had faded by the time Lupe reached the boggy, bushy area near the small cliffs. The flashlight came out. In darkness, Lupe began the long trek up the East Tensleep Creek valley. Somewhere way up at the upper end, the tiny house was waiting.

The quiet night was a black one. The faint outline of Loaf Mountain was barely detectable. Super tired, SPHP could advance only short distances without stopping to rest, sometimes even laying flat on the ground for a few minutes to gather a bit of strength.

And the American Dingo? Although she had sometimes begged for rest stops during her ascent of Bighorn Peak, giant deers and darkness had completely energized the crazy Carolina Dog! Unseen, Lupe darted back and forth across the broad valley sniffing and exploring as she pleased. Only occasionally did she reappear in the weak glow of the flashlight to check on SPHP.

At last! At long, long last, an apparition – the tiny house! Middle of the night. Who knew what hour? Once inside, Lupe crunched away at Taste of the Wild, but SPHP only drank a little water. Exhaustion. Collapse! The incredible day that Lupe made it to the top of Bighorn Peak was over.

7-24-19, morning N of Loaf Mountain – Breezy, cloudy, unsettled. Stiffly, SPHP began to stir. A bleary-eyed Carolina Dog laid motionless on her sleeping bag, dead to the world. Situation? Eh, could be better. Out of everything. Not a thing to eat during the coming long march back except Taste of the Wild. Such superb planning! On the bright side, the pack was lighter.

So you coming, Looper, or do I have to roll you up inside the tiny house and carry you?

Hah, right! Like SPHP could have done that. Silence from the tiny house.

It’s time, Loop! We’ve got to get back up and over Loaf Mountain, if we’re ever going to get back to the car.

Car? The magic word! Lupe shot out of the tiny house ready for action! Barking furiously, she leapt and danced around SPHP! A certain Dingo had finally had her fill of the mountains.

The tiny house disassembled, it was farewell to the upper East Tensleep Creek valley. A mere 350 feet up the N slope! Seemed daunting. Talus, boulders, but a better route than last time. A final scramble from the W, and Lupe was back at the summit of Loaf Mountain (11,722 ft.).

Abandoning the **upper East Tensleep Creek valley**. **Bighorn Peak** (L). Photo looks N.

On **Loaf Mountain** again, after having been here for the first time only 2 days ago. Photo looks E.

No annoying insects today! A 25 mph W wind took care of that. Lupe found a bigger, better crack in the rocks to hide out in than the last time she was here while SPHP took in the sights – Bighorn and Darton peaks off to the NNW, and lots of lesser peaks and ridges Lupe had been to, some quite recently, off to the S and SE. It was all magnificent, but after 15 or 20 minutes in the wind, it was enough.

Puppy, ho! Onward! Instead of taking that rough SE ridge lower, Lupe headed down Loaf Mountain’s S slope. More greenery, but still mostly boulders and talus. The descent took SPHP a long time. Rain came from the W. Lupe would have gotten completely soaked, but it didn’t last. 30 minutes. Blue skies! Warmth! A beautiful day from then on.

Once down off Loaf Mountain, the rest was easy. Lupe was joyful! The American Dingo raced across the open ground roaming far and wide, her energy never fading. Her route was a retracement of 2 days ago – over the 2 ridges, across the huge saddle, back up to Marmot Pass, then on to Pass 10260. From there, it was downhill all the way.

7-24-19, 6:52 PM, Hwy 16 across from the Leigh Creek Dump Station – The G6 was baking hot and stuffy. Lupe didn’t care. She couldn’t wait to leap in and lay down on her pink blankie. At Powder River Pass, with the G6 aired out and cooled down, SPHP stopped briefly to rearrange things. Then it was homeward bound!

E of Buffalo, Lupe chomped happily away at cheeseburgers and fries. Health food from McDonald’s! So many delicious calories! In twilight miles S of I90, there stood North Pumpkin Butte(6,052 ft.), where Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacations to the Bighorn Mountains had started less than a month ago. Sadly, all over and done with now.

Eh, not quite. While SPHP relaxed enjoying the drive, a Dingo that ought to have been exhausted, but wasn’t, made the most of every moment. Her nose out the window sniffing the breeze, for 100 miles Lupe barked with great enthusiasm at cows and horses she sensed were out there long after it was too dark to see them.

On **Loaf Mountain** facing the wild W wind, Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming, 7-24-19

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