10-28-21 – Lupe could hardly believe her big soft Dingo ears! Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Dusty were coming from Colorado. Not only would they be here tonight, but Lupe had a brand new cousin that was coming with them, too!
When Cousin Laddie gets here, Loop, you’re going to have to be extra nice to him. Laddie’s had a tough life and might be scared. He’s a nice dog, a little Sheltie not even as big as you. So, no growling or rough-housing! Got that?
Why? What happened to Cousin Laddie, SPHP?
Oh, I don’t know the whole story, but Laddie’s been at the shelter. He got adopted, but a few months ago Laddie was grabbed by the neck and torn into by another dog in the same family that adopted him, and was just about done in. To survive, Laddie needed thousands of dollars worth of surgery. The fur on his chest is still growing back. Laddie’s also missing almost all his front teeth, which were rotten and had to be pulled back when he first got to the shelter.
No teeth? My poor cousin! His bark must be worse than his bite!
Probably right about that, Loop, but he still has his back teeth.
How come you’ve never mentioned Cousin Laddie before, SPHP?
Because he’s a brand new cousin. He just joined the family when Aunt Andrea and Uncle Joe agreed to adopt him, since he couldn’t stay with the same family any longer after being attacked. In fact, Laddie is his new name. He used to be called Danny Boy.
It was all true! Later that evening Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousins Dusty and Laddie did arrive. Loopster raced around barking for joy, wild with delight! Extremely curious about Cousin Laddie, she sniffed and sniffed. SPHP hadn’t said anything about sniffing. Lupe sniffed so much that Laddie maybe did get a little scared, but nothing bad happened.
The amazing thing about Cousin Laddie was that he was almost the same color as Lupe. Laddie’s fur was a lot longer, though, except on his chest where it had been cut. Laddie did have one front tooth, an upper canine on the L side. That lone tooth gave Laddie sort of a crooked smile. SPHP later said that Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea should have named him Snaggle Fang.
10-29-21, Centennial Trail No. 89, Alkali Creek trailhead – Everyone was excited! Cousin Laddie was about to get his first introduction to the Black Hills. Cousin Dusty was 15 now, so the hike had to be a relatively easy one. The stretch of Centennial Trail No. 89 N of the Alkali Creek trailhead to a ridge overlooking the old 7th cavalry post at Fort Meade was one of Uncle Joe’s favorites, and would do nicely. He always called it the Ponderosa hike.
The whole pack at the start of Uncle Joe’s “Ponderosa Hike” along Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks NE.Off to a good start, looking back toward the Alkali Creek trailhead. Photo looks SSW.
The first part of the trail was an easy stroll through the grasslands. Soon Bear Butte(4,422 ft.) was coming into view. At the top of a rise, the trail diverged by a gate in a barbed wire fence. Centennial Trail No. 89 went L here, heading W for a forested ridge.
At the gate where Centennial Trail No. 89 turns W (L) to go up onto the forested ridge. Bear Butte (R) in the distance. Photo looks NNE.Bear Butte. Photo looks NNE with help from the telephoto lens.About to head up the ridge. Photo looks W.
Upon entering the forest at the base of the ridge, Centennial Trail No. 89 continued W, working steadily higher on a winding course. At nearly the end of October, autumn leaves still clinging to the scrub oaks were well past their scenic best, but did add splashes of color. Cousin Dusty, a veteran of many prior adventures in the Black Hills, was doing great! She often took turns leading the way with Lupe.
Still unaccustomed to the Black Hills and his new life, Cousin Laddie was happiest sticking close to Uncle Joe.
Loop and Dusty, together again in the Black Hills!Loopster in the lead.Getting close to the top of the ridge. Photo looks ESE.
Centennial Trail No. 89 reached the top of the ridge at its far S end. Here the trail leveled out. Peak4027, true summit of the entire mile long ridge, was only a little farther N. The trail went practically right to it, but never did go quite all the way to the top, sweeping around the hillside E of the summit instead.
Naturally, being this close, Lupe had to tag the high point! The Carolina Dog left Centennial Trail No. 89, venturing up to the summit. Everyone else followed as a matter of course.
It took only a couple of minutes to reach the top, a big, flat, grassy field ringed by Ponderosa pines in most directions. Lupe, SPHP, Cousin Dusty, and Uncle Joe had all been here before, but this was Cousin Laddie’s first Black Hills peakbagging success. Peak 4027 was super easy, but Laddie seemed happy enough with it.
The whole pack up on Peak 4027. Photo looks NNW.Lupe and Uncle Joe.
A short break was taken up on Peak 4027. Although trees blocked the views in most directions, Bear Butte and the prairies E of the Black Hills were on display. SPHP had brought apples and chocolate coconut bars. Uncle Joe shared Kirkland bars. All of the dogs enjoyed some chocolate coconut bar, and Cousin Dusty even wanted the apple cores. Water was available, too.
Cousin Dusty looking good at 15 on Peak 4027.Dusty asking Uncle Joe if it’s alright to have some chocolate coconut bar?In the sunshine back on good ole Peak 4027.Bear Butte (Center) from Peak 4027. Photo looks NNE.
When all the goodies were gone, it was time to continue on. From Peak 4027, Centennial Trail No. 89 ran another 0.75 mile all the way to the far N end of the ridge. Most of this route was forested, but there was a big clearing approaching HP3983, and a little past HP3983 was a viewpoint off to the L (W) overlooking I-90.
Laddie N of Peak 4027 hitting Centennial Trail No. 89 again.Uncle Joe and the pack in the meadow approaching HP3983. Photo looks N.At the viewpoint N of HP3893 overlooking I-90 (R). Photo looks SSW.
At the N end of the ridge was another viewpoint overlooking the town of Sturgis. Oyster Mountain(4,040 ft.), Sly Hill(3,920 ft.), and Peak 3950 were all in sight, too.
At the N end of the ridge. Oyster Mountain (Center), Sly Hill (R) and Peak 39050 (far R). Photo looks NW.
From the Sturgis viewpoint, the trail began descending NE. Halfway down the mountain it curved back into a valley to the S, then turned NE again upon reaching the valley floor. Scrub oaks were the most scenic feature of this trek, especially lower down where, protected from the wind, they still had quite a few leaves.
Heading down the N end of the ridge.Cousin Dusty amid the scrub oaks as she enters the valley.
The valley of the scrub oaks eventually led clear down to Old Stone Road. Centennial Trail No. 89 crossed the road, entering a larger, flatter drainage which continued NE out toward the prairie. The trail soon curved E, but everyone abandoned it to take a shortcut up a grassy slope onto the ridge to the N.
Near the start of the wider drainage after crossing Old Stone Road. Photo looks NE.Approaching the prairie. Centennial Trail No. 89 curves E (R) beyond the magnificent tree, but everyone left the trail here to go N (L) up onto the ridge. Photo looks NE.Joe, Laddie and Dusty getting close to the top. Photo looks NW.
Overlooking both Fort Meade and Bear Butte(4,422 ft.), the top of this ridge was the traditional end of the “Ponderosa Hike”.
Fort Meade (L) and Bear Butte (R) from the end of Uncle Joe’s traditional “Ponderosa Hike”. Photo looks NNE.
Hardly a cloud in the sky, and incredibly warm for practically the end of October! A little farther W along the ridge, everyone hid out from the sun in the shade of a few large pine trees enjoying a second rest break. More bars, more apples, more water!
Relaxing in the shade at the end of the Ponderosa hike. Photo looks SW.New cousin Laddie taking it easy on his first ever Black Hills expedition.
When the time came to start back, there was some discussion of possibly exploring farther W first. In the end, though, the whole pack headed right back down the grassy ridge’s S slope.
Ready to start back to the trailhead. Photo looks WSW.Final moments on the grassy ridge. Photo looks S.
Rejoining Centennial Trail No. 89 down in the wide drainage, the pack followed it SW only a short distance. Before reaching Old Stone Road, it was decided not to return via the ridge leading to Peak 4027. Instead, a different trail was taken that went S down on the rolling prairie.
Briefly back on Centennial Trail No. 89 again S of the grassy ridge. Photo looks SW.Lupe and Cousin Dusty out on the prairie. Photo looks SSW.Still more than a mile from the Alkali Creek trailhead. Photo looks SSW.
Near the end, Centennial Trail No. 89 was eventually rejoined at the gate where it turned W going up to the forested ridge and Peak 4027. Getting just plain hot out! The sun was a beast with the temperature soaring into the mid 70’s ºF. In their fur coats, Lupe, Dusty and Laddie were all panting, tongues hanging out on the final stretch.
Arrival back at the Alkali Creek trailhead was promptly celebrated with a much anticipated cold drink out of Alkali Creek. Lupe and Laddie both eagerly waded in and drank their fill, but Dusty wasn’t satisfied with just getting her paws and insides wet. Instead, she plunked herself right down in the stream and stayed there.
Relief from the heat at Alkali Creek.Cousin Dusty cooling off in Alkali Creek.
No one was going anywhere, and Black Hills Expedition No. 281 wasn’t finished, until Cousin Dusty was ready to declare it over and done with. Taking her sweet time about it, Dusty finally got sufficiently cooled down to come dripping out of Alkali Creek.
A little under 4 hours round trip on a summery October afternoon, the Ponderosa hike had been a great choice! Easy enough for Dusty, and a gentle introduction to Black Hills peakbagging for Laddie, the day had been a success.
Day 4 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!
8:19 AM, 46ºF, paved pullout on the E side of Hwy 14 at the start of USFS Road No. 277 – Sort of iffy, but the sky seemed to be clearing after last night’s showers. Loopster was anxious to go, and could always bail if the weather deteriorated. Bruce Mountain(10,340 ft.) wouldn’t be nearly so hard to get back from as Elk Peak(11,050 ft.) had been, if it did.
About to set off for Bruce Mountain (Center). USFS Road No. 277 in the foreground. Photo looks ESE.
The American Dingo took USFS Road No. 277 across a field down into a drainage, then up the other side to a low hill forested near the top. The road curved SE, then went past a big gravel yard on the L. Beyond the gravel Lupe passed several dispersed camping sites on both sides of the road. Most were occupied.
By the gravel yard. Photo looks ESE.USFS Road No. 277 in the region of dispersed camping sites. Photo looks SE.
Could have driven the RAV4 this far! The road was in perfect shape. However, it soon began to deteriorate. Enormous murky mud puddles, probably shallow, but of indeterminate depth, covered the whole road from side to side. On paw they were easily avoided. Maybe it was a good thing the RAV4 was back at the highway after all.
A little more than a mile past the gravel yard, Lupe came to a junction with USFS Road No. 278, a more primitive route. She had scarcely set out along it when a clearing appeared on the L (E). An open green slope led up to a minor ridgeline.
Why don’t we go up there, SPHP? Maybe we’ll see something?
Made sense. The ridge paralleled the road not far from it, and would be more fun.
Fine with me, Looper. Hang on a moment, though. It’s gotten so sunny, I ought to apply some sunscreen.
At the junction with USFS Road No. 278 (L). Photo looks SSE.Leaving No. 278 to head up onto the ridge (L). Photo looks ESE.
The crest of the ridge overlooked the valley of the West Fork of the South Tongue River. Bruce Mountain was on the far side, but there wasn’t any need to cross over to it here. Instead, Lupe followed the ridge SE slowly gaining elevation. The ridge soon leveled off, melting away as it merged into a large flat meadow.
USFS Road No. 278 was straight ahead, winding through the meadow.
Up on the minor ridge with a view of Bruce Mountain and the valley of the West Fork of the South Tongue River. Photo looks E.SE end of the ridge where it starts merging into the meadow. Bruce Mountain (L). Photo looks SE.NW end of Bruce Mountain beyond the West Fork of the South Tongue River. Photo looks NE.Antelope Butte(9,935 ft.) from the same region. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.
Returning to No. 278, the American Dingo followed it SE for a good mile, a super easy trek all out in the flat meadow. Once past the upper end of the valley of the West Fork of the South Tongue River, Lupe abandoned the road, turning E toward a saddle visible up on Bruce Mountain.
Approaching USFS Road No. 278 again. The plan was to head for the saddle (Center) seen in the distance. Photo looks ESE.Getting close to where Lupe abandoned USFS Road No. 278 (R) to head up to the saddle (L). Photo looks ESE.
After passing through a short stretch of forest, the saddle was directly ahead, a long open slope leading up to it. As Lupe roamed higher, what little blue sky there was began vanishing. Behind the Carolina Dog, dark clouds were gathering toward the W. Not ominous yet, but something to keep an eye on. Certainly starting to look like SPHP wasn’t going to get much mileage out of that sunscreen so recently applied.
Heading for the saddle (Center). Photo looks E.A glance back at the approaching clouds. Photo looks W.
The long slope went on and on. Lupe stayed toward the S (R), near the base of a ridge that was getting rockier and rockier. Many of these rocks were peculiar long, rounded slabs. Scarcely any trees were nearby, but Loop began encountering large patches of low bushes.
In a patch of shrubbery. Photo looks NNW.On one of the long slabs. Photo looks NE.
The saddle was still some distance away when it began to appear that Lupe ought to be able to get onto the rocky ridge she was next to. Going up for a look around seemed like a good idea. Turning S, a short trek higher brought the American Dingo to the ridgeline. A big knob of rock was directly to the W. Gazing off to the S and SE, SPHP was instantly both astonished and confused.
On the rocky ridge looking W toward the stony knob.
Quite the view, isn’t it, SPHP? Always great to be in the Bighorns!
I’ll say.
Hey, aren’t those highest mountains off to the SE Dome Peak(10,828 ft.) and the Sheridan County High Point(11,020 ft.)? I think they are. Almost certain of it!
You’re right, Loop. That’s them alright.
Is something wrong, SPHP? You don’t seem very enthusiastic.
Oh, it’s all gorgeous, of course! It’s just that I was expecting to see the top of Bruce Mountain beyond this ridge, or at least the terrain leading up to it. Instead, the whole mountain drops away. Where the heck are we?
What? Well, that’s just fabulous, SPHP! We’ve hardly started up, and we’re lost already? Tell ya what, Einstein. You’re the one with all the fancy maps, why don’t you take a look and figure it out? Better be quick about it, too! Fog is rolling in!
Upper Willet Creek drainage. Photo looks S from the rocky ridge.Dome Peak (L) and the Sheridan County High Point (R of Center). Photo looks SE.
Lupe found a soft spot to lie down. She gobbled a bowl of Taste of the Wild, then dozed while waiting for SPHP to come to some resolution. Chilled as the sky darkened, SPHP layered up, then chomped an apple while studying the topo map, trying to make sense of it versus reality.
Awaiting SPHP’s verdict. Photo looks ENE.
To the N, across the broad slope Lupe had just come up were a couple of huge rock formations. The more distant one was easily 200 feet higher than this ridge where Loopster was now. Obviously, Bruce Mountain’s summit had to be somewhere in that direction, since everything to the S was much lower. SPHP had been so disoriented, though, that it took a few minutes to accept this truth.
Ready, Looper? It’s Onward! Puppy, ho! time.
Did you figure out where we are, SPHP?
Yup. We’re at the far S end of Bruce Mountain. Sort of self-evident, isn’t it? I was so incredulous at these views, because I had it in my head that we were coming up N of the summit. Instead, we’re actually well S of it.
Lovely, I’m sure, to have such a keen innate sense of direction! So, at least you know which way we need to go now?
I do. Head for that closest humongous rock formation.
Lupe started her search for Bruce Mountain’s summit heading for the rock formation on the R. Photo looks N.
Heading for the closest big rock formation to the NE essentially meant completing the trek up to the saddle Lupe had originally aimed for. The Carolina Dog lost a good 80 feet of elevation as she left the rocky ridge before starting to climb again. Expecting there wouldn’t be any problem going around the E side of this formation prior to angling toward the higher, more distant ridge, SPHP was once again surprised when that didn’t turn out to be the case.
This first formation was bigger than it looked, extending much farther E than anticipated. A continuous wall of rock ran over and well beyond the saddle’s crest.
Starting back down to the green slope leading to the saddle on the R, intending to go around the far side of the rock formation on the L. Photo looks NE.Near the first huge rock formation. Photo looks N.Approaching the saddle, with a continuous wall of rock (L) blocking the way N. Photo looks ENE.Tiny wildflowers of the alpine slope.Arriving at the top of the saddle only to find that the wall of rock extends down the other side of the mountain. Photo looks ENE.
Well, shoot, Loop! I can’t believe this!
Why did we come up here in the first place, SPHP? We could have headed straight for the highest rock formation, if we’d stayed W of this one. There was an open route the whole way. Shorter, too! We both saw it!
I know, but that way looked a lot steeper. Never dreamed we’d run into this situation. Guess we’ll have to go back down to the W, if we can’t find a way past this wall of rock. Hate to lose all the elevation we just gained, though. Before we do that, let’s have a look around. Maybe there actually is a way through?
Luck of the Dingo! There was! Lupe had barely started searching, when she spied two green ramps leading to the top of the wall. Quite steep, but certainly doable. A short climb, and the Carolina Dog was up on top.
The green ramps leading to the top of the first huge rock formation. Photo looks W.
In the time it took SPHP to stagger up behind Loop, fog swept over the region and a light rain set in. Ahead to the N was an unexpected sight, made all the more mysterious by the cold, damp, gray gloom. A higher, more formidable wall of rock appeared to run clear across the entire mountain, blocking all hope of further progress beyond it.
Was that the same highest, most distant formation that had been visible from back down at the first rocky ridge? Sure seemed a lot closer than it should have been.
We have to get past that, too, SPHP?
Afraid so, Loop.
But how?
Search me! Doesn’t look at all possible, does it? Going to take a miracle this time.
Above the green ramps of the first rock formation, contemplating the forbidding next wall of rock ahead. Photo looks N.
Spirits dampened in more ways than one, Lupe advanced toward the ghostly obstacle ahead. There were actually two separate walls of rock. Passing the smaller one, Loop entered a narrow channel heading ENE between it and the larger wall to the N. The high point of this gap was close by. Going to it, Lupe saw a hidden snowbank, beyond which the terrain dropped steeply.
No help that way!
At the top of the channel between the rock formations. Photo looks ENE.
It was starting to rain harder. SPHP yanked the ancient, blue plastic rain poncho from the pack and put it on. Return of the Cookie Monster!
Guess we’re stuck, SPHP. By the way, you look ridiculous!
I don’t believe it! How can this mountain be so complicated, Loop? Doesn’t look bad at all on the topo map! Thought we were going to have an easy romp up here, maybe scramble up a few rocks at the very top to get to the true summit. Never occurred to me that we’d face anything like all these huge, long, vertical rock walls going clear across the top of the mountain to cut us off.
Well, doesn’t look like we’re getting past this one. The weather is rotten, anyway. Maybe we should head back to the RAV4 and try again tomorrow from another direction? The mountain will still be here. Want to do that, SPHP? … SPHP? … Oh, no! Forget it! I’m not doing that! It’s practically straight up!
It wasn’t really straight up, though. The rock wall SPHP was staring at, the big one to the N that Lupe needed to get to the top of, had some lean to it, not a lot, but some. Looked like there were quite a few possible pawholds, too. Furthermore, although the rock wall was 30 feet high, there seemed to be some incongruity about 20 feet up, like there was space to maneuver up there.
Now, now, Loop! You know I’m no rock climber, but I think even I can manage to scramble up the first 20 feet to that cleft or whatever it is up there, provided I’m careful about it. I’m 100% certain you can, too. All you need is a boost to get you started!
No! Stay away from me! You’re off your rocker, SPHP!
At the base of the scramble higher. Photo looks NW.
SPHP grabbed Loopster, lifting her as high up the wall as possible. The Carolina Dog fought back, pushing away from the rock.
No! No! Let me go, SPHP! I don’t want to. Let’s find an easier mountain! Put me down! Please!
C’mon, Loop! Stop fighting it! You’ll be fine! Not that hard. Climb! You’ll be up there in a flash! I’ll be coming, too, right behind you.
The struggle lasted only seconds. Suddenly Looper got the message, clawing her way up to the cleft. Slowly, carefully, SPHP followed.
Made it!
The last 10 feet turned out to be cake. Easy climb. Loop reached the top close to a big boulder at the absolute high point. A cairn sat right on top, calmly waiting to greet Lupe.
The cairn waited in vain. No need to go to it. Could have, but off to the NW, beyond several smaller rock formations scattered over a green plain, was another big rock formation, an even higher one than where Lupe was now. This wasn’t the summit of Bruce Mountain.
Near the absolute top of this wall of rock, with an even higher one (R) ahead. Photo looks NW.Contemplating the plain leading to the next summit candidate (L). Photo looks NNW.
For pity sake!
We need to go over there, don’t we, SPHP?
Yeah.
At least it didn’t look hard to get over close to the latest, greatest, true summit candidate. Lupe headed down to the plain and trotted that way.
Partway there, the rain started in harder yet. Poor Lupe was getting soaked. Despite the Cookie Monster outfit, SPHP was, too. An overhang at the closest rock formation beckoned. Time to take shelter.
As far as Loop got before having to take shelter. Photo looks NW.
It rained off and on. Intermittent fog streamed by. Water dripped from the little overhang, which was barely adequate to provide protection. Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap inside the Cookie Monster rain poncho, peering out now and then during lulls in the storm. Occasionally, Antelope Butte(9,935 ft.) was in sight. Under Lupe’s weight, SPHP’s lower paws slowly went numb.
Waiting for the storm to pass. Photo looks SW.
Seemed like a day it could rain forever. For variety, it eventually began to rain in sheets. This was followed by hail until the ground began to turn white. Nothing serious, just tiny ice particles.
40 long minutes ticked away before the sky brightened. Antelope Butte reappeared as the fog swept away. The Carolina Dog decided that maybe the storm was all over and done with. No more sitting around! Looper got up.
Looking S back at the high point Lupe had come from.Antelope Butte (Center) reappears. Photo looks SW.
C’mon, SPHP! Let’s do this!
Following the American Dingo over open ground on pins and needles as blood flow restored to SPHP’s lower paws, the journey NW toward Bruce Mountain’s next summit candidate resumed.
Instead of heading directly to the imposing S face of the rock formation, Loop aimed E of it, completely avoiding not only another daunting or impossible scramble, but any rough terrain at all. Gaining elevation, Lupe soon got far enough N to view the formation from the E, where its appearance was much different.
Beyond a snowbank, an easy green ramp of open ground rose between two parallel walls of rock to a crest between them. Most encouragingly, the walls didn’t look all that high from this angle.
Ho-ho, Looper! This is more like it! If the summit is up there, we’re in business!
E of the next Bruce Mountain summit candidate (Center) with a lovely green ramp providing access almost all the way to the top. Photo looks W.
The weather was still questionable as Lupe headed W for the ramp. Now and then the clouds still spit a little light rain, or released a fine mist. The thoroughly dampened Dingo must not have been feeling too frigid, though. Passing the snowbank, she made a point of rolling on it, evidently enjoying the experience.
Then it was on up the ramp, confident of a Bruce Mountain(10,340 ft.) peakbagging success!
Looking back from the base of the snowbank. Photo looks ESE.Heading up the ramp. Photo looks W.Near the top of the ramp, looking back the way Loop came up. Photo looks E.
Upon reaching the crest of the green ramp, it was readily apparent that Lupe would have no trouble getting to the top of the rock wall to the N. Unfortunately, the S wall was clearly higher and far more problematic.
A promising mini green ramp led to the top of the W end of the S wall. Easy as pie, Lupe sauntered up for a look around.
About to take the mini green ramp up onto the S wall. Photo looks WSW.
Oh, good grief! How on earth are we going to get over there, Loop?
As my personal representative, I’m looking at you, SPHP. Have at it!
Looking E, the top of the S wall was surprisingly narrow, lumpy, and full of fissures. Significant vertical drops on both sides made scrambling, or more likely, crawling clear over to the apparent high point, which was quite some distance away, dicier than anything either Lupe or SPHP was willing to undertake. Climbing directly up to it from down below didn’t look possible, either.
Looking E along the S wall toward the high point (Center).
Hmm … well, let me see, Loop. Let’s start with what’s possible without risking our necks.
SPHP headed E along the wall to the closest higher rocks, tagging their tops, which couldn’t have been more than a few feet lower than the more distant high point, with a front paw. Peering over these rocks – nope, not going any farther!
Nicely done, SPHP! I’m claiming a peakbagging success! Close enough for Dingo work, even though that actually is Bruce Mountain’s true summit over there!
Yeah, seems to be, Loop. We can see an awful lot of territory up here, and nothing else looks even close to being this high.
I know I’m right, SPHP! I see a cairn, and a registry tube, too!
You do?
SPHP looked again. Lupe was right.
True summit cairn and registry tube with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks E.
Well, I’ll be, Loop. Yet another reminder that the world is full of clever people bolder and more capable than me. Still, it sure would be nice to get your name on the registry in that tube. This is a pretty cool summit! Let’s go down and take a closer look from below. After all, somebody made it up there!
Glancing over at the N wall before heading down the mini ramp. Photo looks N.
Directly below the true summit, with Loopster looking on, SPHP took off the Cookie Monster outfit, then gave it a go, attempting to scramble up a couple of cracks. Got real close, too, before stalling only 3-5 feet below the registry tube. SPHP clung to the cold rock, paws going numb, boots scraping away trying to find traction. One more paw hold would do it!
Looking up the cracks. The registry tube is just out of sight. Photo looks ESE.
You’re almost there, SPHP! Can you make it?
Maybe, if I give it all I’ve got. Wish I was stronger! I can see the tube just above me! A few more feet and I can grab it.
SPHP hung up there several minutes. Not to be. Too intimidating. Retreat! Oh, to be a genuine rock climber!
As SPHP’s paws warmed up, further inspection revealed another route via a tiny ledge leading to a scramble to the top a bit E of the true summit.
Second attempt. SPHP got onto the ledge, actually the narrow top of an almost vertical rock. This time Lupe tried to follow. Suddenly leaping onto the ledge, she found it too narrow to keep her balance. To avoid an uncontrolled fall, she bounded lower. Fortunately, there was something to bound to. No harm done.
Second attempt: L on top of the lowest big rock R of Center then straight up at Center. First route visible at R.
Another failure. SPHP again got close to the top, but the highest rocks were insurmountable.
That’s it, Looper! Done! Not happening. Let the purists whine!
Shall we check out the N wall, SPHP?
Sure!
Lupe needed a boost to get started, but the rest was easy. A couple of big rocks sat up at the high point. Loop went right up next to them and might easily have gotten on top, but they were pretty airy. Since they weren’t the summit, SPHP wouldn’t let her do it. No point.
Next to the 2 highest boulders of the N wall. Photo looks E.
In any case, the views were wonderful! The Bruce Mountain highlands extended another 1.5 miles NW, a beautiful, broad rolling plain dotted with boulders, and edged with stony fortifications. Should have come up that way! Nothing to it!
View from the W end of the N wall. Photo looks WNW.The rolling highlands of Bruce Mountain. Photo looks NW.
Exploring the highlands looked like fun! Why not go back that way? Lupe concurred. First, though, she went back up the mini green ramp to revisit the highest point she’d reached on Bruce Mountain, up on the W end of the S wall. From here she could see not only the true summit with it’s cairn and white registry tube again, but the region she’d crossed during the stormy part of her adventures on the way here.
On the W end of the S wall. Photo looks WSW.Looking back at Bruce Mountain’s true summit (Center), SPHP’s blue rain poncho (Center) still stashed below it. Photo looks E.The territory Lupe crossed on the way here. The wall of rock she unwillingly scrambled up (R), and the smaller one where she took shelter from the rain storm (Center) are both in view. Photo looks SE.Final moments up on the S wall. Photo looks SSW.
Time to move on! SPHP grabbed the pack and ancient blue rain poncho from where they were still stashed below the true summit. As Lupe left Bruce Mountain’s summit region, another rain shower struck. SPHP quickly donned the brilliant blue Cookie Monster costume again. Meanwhile, the not-so-fortunate Carolina Dog endured another soaking.
Happily, the shower didn’t last long. Soon the sun was peeping through the clouds. Among yellow buttercups, Lupe headed down a gentle slope toward the enormous saddle connecting to the NW end of the highlands.
Suddenly, SPHP managed to trip and fall, even though there wasn’t a thing to trip on.
Heading off to explore the NW highlands. Photo looks NW.Buttercups.
Nice going, Grace! Are you alright?
Perfectly fine, Looper. Thanks for asking. Not sure how I did that.
You’re a companion of many … well, at least one or two … talents, SPHP!
Thanks for the vote of confidence … I think.
SPHP may have been fine, but the blue rain poncho SPHP still wore wasn’t. The brittle old plastic, which had already borne numerous scars, was now virtually ripped in half.
Dang, Loop! Look at what I’ve done to my rain poncho! It’s in tatters!
Horrors! I can’t believe it, SPHP! It’s the final blow! The ignoble end of your infamous Cookie Monster costume!
It was true! The old blue plastic rain poncho that for countless years had made SPHP resemble the Cookie Monster every time it rained was now completely unusable. The bitter end had arrived. Nothing but garbage. Still in shock, SPHP removed the cracked remains flapping in the breeze before they ripped further and fell off all on their own.
End of an era. Nothing to be done about it. Onward! Puppy, ho!
Clouds threatened, but it never did rain or mist again. The rest of the long trek to Bruce Mountain’s NW highlands over the open plain was easy and enjoyable. Lupe arrived at the highest ground to find a cairn perched near the mountain’s edge overlooking and surrounded by many interesting and beautiful rock formations. This region was so scenic, that Looper took a break here. SPHP shared not one, but two, chocolate coconut bars with her.
Chocolate coconut bars successfully dispatched, the Carolina Dog set about exploring the area. Far to the SE, Bruce Mountain’s true summit was still in sight.
By the little cairn perched along the edge of the NW highlands.Exploring Bruce Mountain’s scenic NW highlands. Photo looks NW.Bruce Mountain’s true summit (R of Center) in the distance now. Photo looks SE.True summit (R) with help from the telephoto lens.Along the edge. Photo looks W.
The rest of the return was a downhill march. On open ground, Lupe continued exploring Bruce Mountain, descending its long NW ridge. Near the lower end, the ridge became forested. At a final big clearing, Loop was lucky enough to see 2 giant deers.
About to head down the NW ridge. Photo looks NW.One of the giant deers.
The clearing was the start of a steeper, but still very manageable descent through a beautiful forest. At the bottom, Lupe reached the West Fork of the South Tongue River, which had to be forded. Fortunately, it was still just a stream here, not really a river yet.
Wandering SW down through the forest.By the West Fork of the South Tongue River prior to fording it. Photo looks SE.
Heading W up an easy slope, then a short distance through level forest, the American Dingo popped out onto USFS Road No. 277 again SE of the big mud puddles covering the entire road, which were now bigger than ever after all the rain. To avoid them, Loop paralleled the road heading NW through the forest until she got close to the gravel yard.
No more obstacles! Only a road hike back to the RAV4 remained. Later on in the evening, Lupe did get to see 3 moose, which was very exciting, but her big Bruce Mountain adventure was over. (End 5:01 PM, 52ºF)
Bruce Mountain, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 6-25-21
