Carolina Dog – Page 90 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 287 – Peak 5500, Peak 5460, the Meade County High Point & Peak 5420 (12-23-21)

7:42 AM, 32ºF, Erickson Road (USFS Road No. 180) at the saddle E of Peak 5500 – A gray day. Cool, with a bit of snow on the ground as Lupe leapt out of the RAV4, but not bad at all for December, and supposed to warm up nicely as morning wore on. Colder by Christmas, and bitter cold – subzero stuff – expected at year’s end. This was almost certainly Lupe’s last chance to get out in the hills in 2021.

Which way, SPHP?

Peak 5500 first, Loopster! Head for that ridge behind you.

Going around a pile of debris left by loggers, Lupe trotted NNW toward the lower end of the ridge before turning W for a direct assault on a steepish, but easily climbable, slope. A few big chunks of limestone were scattered among the trees, with a more intact formation near the top.

Heading for the lower NE end of the ridge. Photo looks NNW.

By a chunk of limestone on the way up. Photo looks W.

Getting close to the ridgeline. Photo looks WSW.

Upon reaching the ridgeline, it appeared that a bulldozer had been up here. A swath of destruction ran SW right up the ridge.

On the recently traumatized ridgeline. Photo looks SW.

The bulldozer had gone only so far. By the time Lupe got to the S end of the mountain, she was beyond its path of destruction. From a small ledge, she had a nice view of Peak 5460 beyond the Elk Creek valley.

Looking over the **Elk Creek valley**. **Peak 5460** (L of Center) is the big ridge seen beyond Lupe. Photo looks SE.

Peak 5460 would be Lupe’s next objective, but she had to finish climbing Peak 5500 first. From here, the ridge Loop was on turned NW. As the Carolina Dog followed it higher, she journeyed along the edge of the steepest part of Peak 5500, a line of limestone cliffs along the upper SW face. Some of the rock formations were pretty cool.

Along the edge of the cliffs. Photo looks W.

At one of the more dramatic spots. Photo looks SSE.

After a minor dip, the ridge broadened out, becoming a forested slope leading higher again.

At the base of the slope. Photo looks NW.

The terrain soon leveled out. Lupe came to a small clearing.

Is this the top of the mountain already, SPHP?

Not sure, Loop. We’ve got to be getting close, though. The topo map shows a big region up here enclosed within a 5,500 foot contour. Carry on. Maybe we’ll come to an obvious high point?

As the American Dingo continued NW, the ground still seemed to rise slightly. A larger clearing littered with deadfall was beyond the first one. After working her way through it, Looper quickly arrived at what appeared to be the top of Peak 5500. However, the whole region was so flat that no readily identifiable true summit existed. A large dead tree stood at about the highest point.

At the dead tree that seemed to be about the true summit. Photo looks WNW.

The dead tree was close to the SW edge of the mountain, but little could be seen from here due to the forest. Lupe kept going. The W end of the summit region wasn’t much father, and she did find a viewpoint there. Both Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) and Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) were in sight.

At the **W end of Peak 5500**. **Terry Peak** (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks WNW.

**Custer Peak** (Center). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

Think we’ve seen Peak 5500’s highlights, Loopster. Wha’dya say we go on to Peak 5460?

Fine with me, SPHP! This was an easy one!

Lupe paused briefly again at Peak 5500’s summit before heading back down the mountain. When she got to the last viewpoint at the S end, SPHP took a closer look at Peak 5460. The Meade County High Point (5,460 ft.) was also visible beyond it.

Back at **Peak 5500’s true summit**. Photo looks SE.

**Meade County High Point** (L) with **Peak 5460** (Center). Photo looks SE.

Lupe then headed back down the ridge where the bulldozer had been.

Descending bulldozer ridge. Photo looks NE.

Upon reaching the RAV4 again, Lupe was surprised when SPHP went right on by. Following a logging route that paralleled Erickson Road, SPHP led her S down to the junction with County Road No. 534. Loop then proceeded SE near No. 534 down to the junction with Old Ridge Road (USFS Road No. 151).

Elk Creek valley from near the junction of Old Ridge Road (R) and USFS Road No. 531. **Peak 5460** (L). Photo looks SE.

The Carolina Dog could go either way from here to get to Peak 5460. Old Ridge Road would get her the closest, and was the easiest route, but Lupe had been that way once before years ago. She’d never explored No. 534 any farther E, and this was an opportunity to do so.

Sticking with No. 534, Lupe soon came to a cattle guard at the entrance to private property. Abandoning the road, she remained on USFS land following a barbed wire fence. Near a barn, No. 534 re-emerged from the private property heading NE. Crossing the road, Lupe continued ENE along the fence to a corner post at the end of a field.

Start of the private property. Lupe stayed to the L, outside the fence. Photo looks ENE.

Briefly on USFS Road No. 534 again while crossing it near the barn. Photo looks E.

At the end of the field. Photo looks WSW.

Now past the E end of the private property, Lupe turned SE. However, in order to get to Peak 5460, she would have to cross Elk Creek. The stream was frozen over where she reached it, but there were holes in the ice, which appeared to be dangerously thin.

Just downstream, Elk Creek entered a canyon. Exploring that direction, Lupe soon came to a spot where the ice was thicker. SPHP went across first. When that worked out, Loop followed.

After crossing Elk Creek, Lupe found herself facing an embankment in a dense forest. A level corridor that might have been the remains of an abandoned road ran parallel to the stream. Although the embankment was no more than 20 feet high, it was steep enough to discourage SPHP from attempting to climb it.

Exploring the shady corridor SE, Loop went only 200 or 300 feet before reaching an opening where Elk Creek could be seen flowing farther on down the canyon. Fortunately, the embankment wasn’t as high or steep here. Loop and SPHP both scrambled up.

Next to **Elk Creek** before leaving it. Photo looks downstream (SE).

Lupe was now N of Peak 5460 on a broad ramp. This ramp ran below a much higher, steep-sided ridge to the SE. Since a direct assault on the ridge appeared difficult, Loopster explored the ramp, sniffing her way through a mixed forest of aspen and Black Hills spruce.

Above the embankment, on the broad forested ramp. Photo looks SW.

Steadily gaining elevation as she went SW, Lupe came to a barbed wire fence. Staying SE of it, she continued higher. Deadfall became an issue whenever Loop ventured too close to the ridge, but it wasn’t that bad.

Amid some deadfall. It slowed progress, but wasn’t terrible. Photo looks SSW.

The ramp narrowed and gradually steepened. Near the SW end of the mountain, a scramble SE up to the top of the ridge looked increasingly feasible. Going for it, Loopster quickly reached a forested plateau.

Up on **Peak 5460’s summit plateau**. Photo looks ESE.

A large region was quite flat. Nothing to see except trees. Wandering E searching for Peak 5460’s true summit, Lupe never came to an obvious high point. The marginally highest ground seemed to be in the forest, a little way back from the S edge of the plateau. The only view was from a rock formation slightly below the S edge that overlooked Virkula Gulch.

Along **Peak 5460’s S edge** near, but not at, the region that appeared to be the true summit. Photo looks SE.

Partial view of **Virkula Gulch** from **Peak 5460**. Photo looks SW.

About time for a break, or more to the point, a chocolate coconut bar break. As usual, the American Dingo eagerly inhaled her share.

The view overlooking Virkula Gulch is pleasant enough, SPHP, but Peak 5460 really isn’t all that scintillating, is it? Peak 5500 was better.

Well, we knew that ahead of time, didn’t we, Loop? But Elk Creek and the trek up the ramp were pretty interesting weren’t they? Felt pretty remote!

We knew it would be like this ahead of time, SPHP? How so? I didn’t.

Should have! You’ve been here once before, Looper, a long time ago back on Expedition No. 119. We came up from the SW that time, a different route, which might be why you don’t remember it. You were on your way to the Meade County High Point (5,460 ft.), which is just E of here. That was back before I’d ever even heard of Lists of John, and didn’t realize this mountain qualified as a 300+ foot prominence peak. Never even logged the ascent into Peakbagger.com for you.

Really? How much prominence does this mountain have, SPHP?

According to Lists of John, 360 feet, although that’s based on counting the Meade County High Point as part of this same mountain, and this region as the true summit. The Meade County High Point has a 5460 foot contour as well. Who knows which summit is actually highest? Can’t see a thing from either one except trees.

In that case, maybe this is the true Meade County High Point, SPHP!

Well, could be, except for one thing.

And what’s that, SPHP?

We’re in Lawrence County here, Loop. We’ll cross the Meade County line just E of HP5401.

HP5401?

Yup. It’s on the way. Some spiffy views from there, Loop! In fact, HP5401 might be the highlight of the entire day!

If there’s a squirrel there, it will be!

Continuing E, then SE, the mountain began dropping. Coming to an old road, Lupe followed it down to a flat area where there was a gray metal water tank. Beyond the water tank, the road resumed its descent. A knob of limestone was in sight not very far ahead, but was soon lost from view, hidden by the forest again.

Upon reaching the saddle leading to HP5401, the Carolina Dog left the road, which kept going downhill. A short stroll through the forest, and the terrain began sloping sharply higher. Didn’t take long for Lupe to reach the first limestone formations near the top.

Getting close to the top of **HP5401**. Photo looks ESE.

HP5401 did indeed furnish the grandest views thus far today. Practically the entire length of Virkula Gulch was in sight. Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) was visible 8.5 miles WSW. Even so, due to a 15 mph breeze out of the SW, the American Dingo wasn’t all that thrilled to be here.

On **HP5401**. **Virkula Gulch** below and **Custer Peak** (R of Center) on the horizon. Photo looks WSW.

**Custer Peak** (R of Center). Photo looks WSW with help from the telephoto lens.

Overlooking the **E end of Virkula Gulch**. **Flagstaff Mountain (5,421 ft.)** (far L). Photo looks SE.

With not a squirrel in sight, and eager to get out of the wind, Loopster was on her way again. Heading down HP5041‘s steep E slope, she soon reached and crossed the saddle leading to the Meade County High Point. Starting her ascent, the forest was fairly open and sunny as she passed minor rock outcroppings, but as Looper got higher, she entered a region of dog-hair pines.

No wind here! Protected by the dog-hair pines that were no obstacle to her, Lupe was happy. However, SPHP had to force a way through. Not too bad, though, and before long the forest opened up a bit again. As the terrain began leveling out, Loop turned N. Searching for a small cairn near a big tree, she quickly found it.

More than 6 years and 10 months after her only previous visit, Lupe was once again at the Meade County High Point (5,460 ft.).

At the **Meade County High Point**. Big tree and small cairn (L). Photo looks SSW.

The cairn looked even smaller than SPHP remembered, but appeared completely undisturbed. The wind roared in the treetops, but it was scarcely even breezy at ground level.

You were right! Nothing to see here, is there, SPHP?

Nope. HP5401 is about it for views, although now that you mention it, I do seem to recall that last time around we descended an open slope at the SE end of this summit plateau. Think we did see the E end of Virkula Gulch from there.

Might be another 7 years before we get back here again, SPHP! Don’t you think we ought to commemorate this occasion, views or no views?

Most certainly! Congratulations, Loop, on your second visit to the seldom seen Meade County High Point! May I shake your paw?

Why, of course you can, SPHP! And as soon as you’re done with that, you can check that pack of yours for another chocolate coconut bar.

By the cairn and big tree. Photo looks SSE.

A second chocolate coconut bar met its devourers. The first one at Peak 5460 had been followed up with Taste of the Wild for Lupe and an apple for SPHP, which was repeated here, too. Once that was over and done with, there didn’t seem to be much point in staying any longer.

One more Lists of John peak not too far away, Loopster. Want to?

Of course!

Well, then. Onward! Puppy, ho!

Final moments at the **Meade County High Point**. Photo looks N.

Leaving the Meade County High Point, Lupe went N, then NE, exploring a broad, poorly-defined ridge. SPHP soon decided to leave it, turning E down a steep slope. The grade finally diminished after hundreds of feet of elevation loss. Continuing down a big drainage, Vanocker Canyon Road eventually came into sight.

Heading down the drainage. Photo looks E.

Approaching Vanocker Canyon Road. Photo looks ESE.

Just before reaching Vanocker Canyon Road, the drainage emptied into Meadow Creek. Lupe would have to cross it before scrambling up to the highway. Peak 5420, her next objective, was now in sight only 0.5 mile S.

Down by **Meadow Creek**. **Peak 5420** (Center). Photo looks SSE.

Meadow Creek was tiny, only a foot or two wide. Lupe easily leapt over it. Ducking under a fence, she reached Vanocker Canyon Road, a paved highway. A sunny road hike S began, but not for long. After only 0.125 mile, SPHP left the highway, turning SE. The Carolina Dog wasn’t too keen on this idea, following reluctantly due to the sound of gunfire.

At first, Lupe was in bright sunshine as she entered a valley. Getting late in the day now, though. Soon she was in Peak 5420’s shadow, wandering increasingly snowy terrain amid aspens and a tangle of undergrowth. The gunfire was getting louder, coming from somewhere up ahead. Target practice. Every few minutes another volley. Lupe persevered.

Starting for Peak 5420 after leaving Vanocker Canyon Road. Photo looks SE.

About to enter the aspen thicket. **Peak 5420** (R). Photo looks S.

SPHP’s progress slowed considerably while trying to push through the thicket as the snowy slope steepened. The worst part involved only a couple hundred feet of elevation gain. After that, the aspen thicket gave way to an open pine forest. Hardly any snow up top. Soon the summit region could be seen ahead.

Approaching the summit. Photo looks SSW.

3:59 PM – Last mountain of the day! The sun was low, and the wind still swaying the pines as Lupe reached the top of Peak 5420. Kind of breezy even at ground level, but at least target practice had ended a little bit ago. The summit region was big, with 3 lobes radiating out from a very gently rounded central high point where they all met.

Although the central high point was fairly open, there was nothing to see up here. Once again, forest blocked the views in all directions.

**W lobe** of the **Peak 5420 summit region**. Photo looks W.

Got any more chocolate coconut bars, SPHP?

Sorry, Looper. All gone. Have a little Taste of the Wild left, want that?

She did. Curling up on SPHP’s lap, facing SW toward the near horizontal sunlight filtering through the trees, Loop munched away until the last of the Taste of the Wild was gone, too. Nothing to do now, except listen to the wind roaring in the pines. SPHP threw a sweater over her.

20 minutes, and that was enough. Lupe left Peak 5420 heading SE, losing only minor elevation before reaching a dip. Turning S here, Loop took an old jeep trail most of the way down to USFS Road No. 135.2M, which she reached near its junction with Vanocker Canyon Road.

Departing along **Peak 5420’s SE lobe**. Photo looks SSE.

At the start of USFS Road No. 135.2M. Photo looks NNE.

Turning N on Vanocker Canyon Road, Loopster had to follow it for more than 0.75 mile to get past private property taking up most of the E end of Virkula Gulch. It was an easy trek, downhill nearly all the way. Once N of the private property, she left the highway, turning W to cross Meadow Creek again.

A path on open ground between the private property to the S and Meade County High Point to the N made the journey W up Virkula Gulch even easier than expected. Back to the E was a good look at Peak 5420, where Lupe had just been.

**Peak 5420** from **Virkula Gulch**. Photo looks E.

Continuing W up **Virkula Gulch**. Photo looks SE.

More than 0.5 mile from where she’d left Vanocker Canyon Road, Lupe finally reached the W end of the private property. Taking USFS Road No. 151.2K now, she continued W past Peak 5460 as dusk came on. By the time she reached Old Ridge Road, it was almost completely dark.

Shortly after turning N on Old Ridge Road, SPHP’s flashlight had to come out. Still nearly 2 miles to where the RAV4 was parked along Erickson Road. When Lupe got there, the American Dingo’s final adventure of 2021 would be over. (End 6:30 PM)

On **HP5401**, Black Hills of South Dakota, 12-23-21

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 119 – Meade County High Point & Custer Peak (2-13-15)

Want more Lupe adventures? Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions Adventure Index, Master Adventure Index, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures!

Hoback Peak, Wyoming Range, Wyoming (7-7-21)

Days 15 & 16 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!

7-6-21, 1:16 PM – 6 miles S of Hwy 189/191 on Upper Hoback River Road, a side road with a 30710 sign angled off to the R (W). This must be it!

At the turn onto USFS Road No. 30710. Photo looks W.

It was. 2.5 miles later, after passing a horse camp, SPHP parked the RAV4 at the Kilgore Creek trailhead. This was a rest day. All the action was going to happen tomorrow. After spending much of the morning at various parks in Pinedale, Lupe could laze about right here all afternoon and evening.

A log had fallen across Kilgore Creek creating a foot high waterfall. No one else around. The Carolina Dog ate her fill, snapped at flies, dozed, and occasionally cooled her paws off and got a drink from the creek. A bit warmer than she would have liked, but overall a very pleasant time. SPHP worked on the trip journal.

7-7-21, 7:40 AM, 52ºF, Kilgore Creek trailhead – Daylight in the swamps! In fact, the sun had been up for a while now. A well-rested American Dingo trotted past the road closed sign, and headed SW on Kilgore Creek trail No. 136. A ford was around the first bend. Lupe waded across.

She was now officially on her way to Hoback Peak (10,862 ft.)!

Morning at the **Kilgore Creek trailhead**.

About to hit Kilgore Creek trail No. 136.

A long sunny meadow was ahead.

Following Kilgore Creek trail No. 136 through the long meadow. Photo looks SW.

Upon reaching the far end of the meadow, Lupe passed through a stretch of forest. The trail curved R and entered a clearing. A second ford was in sight. Loop again splashed through the stream, while SPHP managed to log hop it this time.

At the end of the meadow, about to enter the forest. Photo looks SW.

By **Kilgore Creek** after passing through the forest. Photo looks NE.

Fording **Kilgore Creek** a second time. Photo looks SSW.

Beyond the second ford, Lupe could see some of the mountains farther up the valley. The trail soon led to an abandoned stretch of USFS Road No. 30710. Climbing steadily at an easy pace, the old roadbed rose well above the level of Kilgore Creek, which could still be heard, but not seen.

Beyond the second ford with a glimpse of the mountains ahead.

Gradually gaining elevation following the old roadbed.

The road leveled out well before ending at a meadow. After crossing the meadow, Kilgore Creek trail No. 136 re-entered the forest. Suddenly Lupe was in an area that felt much wilder. The trail climbed in fits and starts, sometimes quite steeply, but there were also both up and down segments at minor ravine crossings, and even some flat stretches.

Loopster began to encounter some deadfall. Fortunately, there wasn’t all that much of it.

Entering the meadow where the old roadbed ended. Photo looks SW.

Crossing a small ravine. Photo looks NW.

Traversing a steep hillside. Photo looks WSW.

Roughly 3 miles from the trailhead, Lupe reached a ravine different from all the others. A tributary of Kilgore Creek flowed through a wide mucky channel of reddish-brown dirt. The whole ravine appeared to have been recently flooded. Lupe sauntered across completely oblivious to how muddy her paws got. SPHP used tree trunks half sunk in the mire to get past the worst of it.

Not far beyond this muddy ravine, the valley broadened out. Kilgore Creek was almost at the trail’s level again, and could be seen in some spots among the bushes covering much of the valley floor. Directly ahead, the mountains were much closer than before.

SPHP was starting to wonder. Somewhere along in here, Loopster was supposed to leave the trail after passing a waterfall. Kilgore Creek was rushing down drops of several feet in places, yet it wasn’t clear if any of these rapids constituted the waterfall in question, or not. The topo map showed a junction with High Line trail No. 136, which headed N, but the American Dingo hadn’t come to it. No signage, either.

Only a little farther on, there was a steep open slope on the R. Looked like it might be the last relatively easy place to climb out of this valley and go N. Perhaps Lupe ought to do that? Seemed like a good idea.

The valley opens up. Lupe headed for the steep open slope on the R. Photo looks W.

As it turned out, the trail was destined for the same slope SPHP had an eye on. Instead of continuing up the valley, the trail switchbacked up it. Lupe was getting close to the top, when the trail entered the forest along the W end of the slope. A short steep climb, and she reached a narrow ridgeline of red dirt.

A roar of water came from a deep ravine W of the ridgeline. On the far side, well above the ravine and where Lupe was now, a tall waterfall plunged down a very steep slope.

Think we’ve found that waterfall you’ve been looking for, SPHP!

I’d venture to say so, too, Loop! No doubt about it now!

At the lower end of the red dirt ridge with the waterfall in sight. Photo looks NW.

The trail, which must actually have been High Line trail No. 136 by now, even though SPHP hadn’t seen any junction, turned N following the red dirt ridge higher along the edge of the deep ravine. Turned out there were two waterfalls, not just one!

Climbing along the edge of the ravine. Photo looks NNW.

The main waterfall. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

Twice as nice! Two waterfalls for the price of one! Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.

The red dirt ridge soon broadened and leveled out. Directly ahead was a lush green meadow. On its way to a pass E of a huge ridge, High Line trail No. 136 continued N right through the middle of it.

Time for a break! Lupe shared a chocolate coconut bar with SPHP, then relaxed in the shade while watching a deer graze. Meanwhile, SPHP checked the map again.

Entering the lush meadow beyond the waterfalls. Photo looks N.

Looks like this meadow must be where we’re supposed to leave the trail, Loopster.

We’re going to climb that big ridge, SPHP?

Yeah. Not all the way to the highest point, but we’ve got to find a way to get up into the drainage that feeds the waterfalls.

Halfway across the meadow, Lupe left High Line trail No. 136 angling NW toward the steep slope below the massive ridge. Off-trail, the meadow was a thick jungle of bluebells, Indian paintbrush, and other gorgeous wildflowers, but surprisingly uneven and rocky underpaw.

The terrain was steepening when the Carolina Dog made an unexpected discovery. A use trail! If Lupe had stayed on High Line trail No. 136 a bit farther, she would have run into it. As it was, she’d taken a shortcut. Angling gradually up to the SSW, the use trail appeared destined for the lowest part of the ridge a little N of the waterfalls.

The use trail made life, oh, so easy! Gaining elevation as she traversed the slope below the ridge, Lupe enjoyed a gorgeous view to the S.

In the meadow, approaching the ridge. Photo looks SW.

*Nothing to it!* Following the use trail. Photo looks SSW.

Upon reaching the top of the steep slope, the use trail entered the forest. Lupe had made it to the region above the waterfalls. Surprisingly, the use trail did not end here, but turned NW up an open lane.

Entering the region above the waterfalls. Photo looks NW.

This lane wasn’t nearly as steep as the slope Loopster had just come up. Beyond it, the trail angled more WNW, as the terrain flattened further. After crossing a tiny stream, the trail became so faint that it was hard to follow. Lupe wandered through a patchwork of clearings and forest, eventually arriving at the edge of a big clearing with a view of Hoback Peak’s NE face.

Approaching **Hoback Peak**. Photo looks WSW.

Turning WSW, Lupe aimed for an open corridor where she could ford the stream in the valley to the S. Crossing minor tributaries along the way, she avoided marshy areas where the bluebells grew thickest.

Where Loop reached it, even the main stream wasn’t very big. On the far bank was an amazing sight – one of the most profuse and dazzling displays of Indian paintbrush the American Dingo had ever seen.

Crossing the main stream. Photo looks W.

After fording the stream, a broad open corridor was visible next to a long line of trees on the slope ahead. SPHP knew that most climbers go up Hoback Peak’s NE ridge, which was still considerably farther W, but Lupe could climb that slope! Even the terrain above the line of trees looked perfectly feasible.

The wide corridor (L of Center). Photo looks SW.

Lupe climbed and climbed. Reaching the upper end of the line of trees, she turned W roaming a beautiful land. Fewer trees up here, though, and the day was sunny and warm. Too warm for a fur coat!

Loop started hanging back, resting in the shade until SPHP reached the next little stand of trees, or threatened to disappear from view entirely. Then she came running to catch up before seeking another shady spot.

In the beautiful territory above the long line of trees. Photo looks WSW.

Eventually that trick no longer worked. Hardly any trees around at all. Sticking much closer to SPHP again, Lupe trudged higher.

Loopster was heading SW up another long slope when she discovered a game trail that angled up toward the L (ESE). Pausing frequently to gasp for air, SPHP was in favor of any route that wasn’t quite so ambitious. A game trail was fine.

Past most of the trees, heading up an increasingly steep slope. Photo looks SW.

The game trail worked out beautifully. Only one spot where it got rather dicey. The dirt was packed so hard that SPHP’s poles couldn’t penetrate, and boots might lose traction. A 30 foot slide would lead to the brink of a minor cliff, a ride SPHP wasn’t anxious to experience.

Happily, the dicey spot was only 10 to 15 feet long. All went well. Lupe continued up the mountain, eventually leaving the trail to head straight on up the remaining 200 feet to the top of – what?

The view was a bit of a shock.

Good grief! We’re not in Kansas anymore, Loop!

Kansas! Hoback Peak is in Wyoming! I should hope we’re not in Kansas, SPHP! Have you lost your marbles?

No, I just meant that we aren’t where I thought we were.

And where was that, SPHP?

Somehow I’d gotten it in mind that we’d drifted far enough W that we were close to Hoback Peak’s NE ridge. This isn’t it.

Are you sure, SPHP? How do you know?

Yup, 100% certain. That’s got to be Hoback Peak over there!

Instead of being SW, as expected, Hoback Peak (10,862 ft.) was visible off to the WNW!

**Hoback Peak** (Center) from where Lupe reached the SE ridge. Photo looks WNW.

No harm done. Although Hoback Peak was still more than 0.5 mile away, what could be seen from here looked perfectly doable. Lupe turned WNW along the ridgeline.

The ridge was easy to follow. After going over a minor high point, Loop was far enough along to see that there were no major obstacles between here and Hoback’s SE subpeak other than stands of stunted conifers.

Turned out that the conifers weren’t any trouble, even though the ridge narrowed considerably as the Carolina Dog approached. Enough room remained along the brink of minor cliffs to the N (R) to squeeze past the trees without having to struggle through them.

Making progress along the SE ridge. **Hoback’s SE subpeak** (L of Center). **True summit** (R of Center). Photo looks WNW.

Looking back along the **SE ridge**. Photo looks SE.

Lupe was soon heading up Hoback Peak’s SE subpeak. SPHP considered going through a gap between it and a hill to the N to avoid unnecessary elevation gain. However, as Loop got closer, the gap looked so rocky that it seemed better to avoid it.

Heading up **Hoback Peak’s SE subpeak** (L). The gap on the R seemed enticing at this point. Photo looks W.

*Eh! Forget the gap. Too rocky!* **Hoback Peak SE summit** (L). **True summit** (Center). Photo looks WNW.

The SE summit proved to be a nice, barren, flat spot with room enough to move around. The American Dingo now had a grand view of Hoback Peak’s true summit beyond a saddle. Yet SPHP was initially dismayed. It looked like Lupe had cliffed out!

Closer scrutiny revealed that she shouldn’t have any trouble. Cake!

**Hoback Peak’s true summit** from the **SE subpeak**. Photo looks NW.

A rest was taken on the SE subpeak before heading down to the saddle leading to the true summit. Staying toward the NE (R) to avoid a cliff, Lupe passed through an interesting region of large sheets of flat, thin rocks. Once down to the grassy saddle, all that remained was a final weary, but joyful, trek higher.

Approaching the **true summit** (R). Photo looks WSW.

7-7-21, 2:29 PM, 70ºF, Hoback Peak – Hazy, but not too bad. Lupe stood by a survey benchmark at Hoback Peak’s true summit. Nearby was a small, disorganized pile of rocks. A former cairn? No registry, but 360º views! Colorful, rumpled peaks not too far N, the highest of which must have been Claus Peak (10,612 ft.), caught the eye.

At **Hoback Peak’s true summit**. Survey benchmark in front of Lupe. **Claus Peak** (R of Center) in the background. Photo looks N.

Ready to relax and enjoy her traditional summit hour, Loopster laid down. The air was humming. Flocks of butterflies chased each other in dizzying circles. Bees and flies buzzed by constantly. The tufts of grass that looked so comfortable were swarming with hundreds of ladybugs.

The American Dingo found dozing impossible. Annoyed, she snapped at flies and bees, and devoured ladybugs. Mountains were in all directions, except toward the SE where distant plains were visible. Nothing nearby was any higher than Hoback Peak (10,862 ft.).

Relaxing on **Hoback Peak**. The long line of lower peaks is **Grayback Ridge**. Photo looks WNW.

Not that there weren’t higher peaks in sight. Lots of them, actually, but they were all far away. The Wind River range was off to the E. To the NE, SPHP could pick out Doubletop Peak (11,720 ft.) in the Gros Ventre Range where Lupe had been only 3 days ago. Grand Teton (13,770 ft.) was faintly visible to the N. Countless others that SPHP didn’t recognize from here, too, all around.

**Grand Teton** (L) faintly on the horizon. **Claus Peak** (R of Center) much closer. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.

The best views, though, were of all the fabulous territory nearby.

Looking down **Hoback Peak’s NE ridge**. Photo looks ENE.

Peering down **Hoback’s short NW ridge**. Photo looks NW.

**Hoback’s SE subpeak** (L of Center). **Crazy Mountain (10,545 ft.)** (R). Photo looks SE.

Like the whirling, buzzing cloud of insects, time flew by. Lupe and SPHP shared the last of the chocolate coconut bars. Taste of the Wild for Loop, and Mott’s applesauce for SPHP. Suddenly, sadly, summit hour was over.

Reluctantly, inevitably. Onward! Puppy, ho!

On the way back, Lupe varied her route down the mountain. Rather than go over the SE subpeak again, she turned NE from the saddle that led to it.

Leaving the **summit** (L). Photo looks WNW.

In the saddle leading to the SE subpeak (off the R edge). Photo looks ESE.

Gazing up at **Hoback’s SE subpeak** (Center). Photo looks SE.

For a long way, it was easy, a grassy slope that went relentlessly lower.

Heading down from the saddle. Photo looks NE.

SPHP probably should have tried to steer Lupe toward the NE ridge. She’d already lost a tremendous amount of elevation when a boulder field came into sight ahead. If SPHP had had enough sense to go 100 feet down a steep reddish-brown dirt gully toward the L (NW), which was still possible, Loopster would have enjoyed the easiest descent ever. Instead, SPHP led her ENE directly into the boulders.

Should have headed for **Hoback’s NE ridge** (beyond Lupe). Photo looks N.

The boulder field looked short. It was not. It extended much farther than initial appearances. A huge waste of time! Lupe was essentially cliffed out now, the much easier grassy terrain the reddish-brown dirt gully would have led to constantly in sight 100 – 200 feet lower.

Although a terribly inefficient route, progress was still possible. Slowly descending as she continued ENE, Lupe enjoyed fabulous views as she sniffed among the rocks, SPHP trailing behind.

A way down to the soft green meadows below finally appeared. Happily, it all worked out in the end.

Finally below the boulder fields. Photo looks N.

A beautiful evening amid spectacular surroundings! The Carolina Dog had no problem finding the trail that led back down to the lush meadow near the waterfalls. Reaching High Line trail No. 136 again, the success of the rest of the return was now assured.

7-7-21, 7:35 PM, 75°F, Kilgore Creek trailhead – What a day! Weary and famished, Lupe was eager to leap back into the RAV4 and curl up on her pink blanket. The sun was already down behind the mountains as she devoured an enormous evening meal.

Satisfied, Looper finally put her head down and closed her eyes. Then, while listening to the soothing music of the little waterfall on Kilgore Creek, paws still twitching, she was off again on new adventures in Dingo dreamland, perhaps roaming free once more among the lively, lofty peaks of the magnificent Wyoming Range.

On **Hoback Peak**, Wyoming Range, Wyoming 7-7-21

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