Day 8 of Lupe’s 1st 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming!
Squirrels, deer, elk and even a moose! Nothing like a frenzied barking spree to start a day off right! The dawn patrol drive along USFS Road No. 16 to the start of No. 222 was one Dingo delight after another. The Carolina Dog’s response had been overwhelmingly enthusiastic!
At the start of USFS Road No. 222. Photo looks SSE.
100 yards on No. 222, and the road curved E (L) revealing a stream ford. The G6 was done. No matter. Black Mountain(9,489 ft.) was less than a mile due E.
We’ll take it on paw from here! Only 2 miles to Black Mountain at most, even as the trail goes! Photo looks E.
6:15 AM, 45ºF, USFS Road No. 222 – The stream, a minor tributary of the Little Tongue River, was an easy rock hop. On the other side, a broad, straight, level trail went S (R). The road went NE (L). No signs. Which way? SPHP checked the topo map.
Stick with the road, Loopster!
Lupe passed by a couple of occupied dispersed camping sites as No. 222 started uphill. Before long, the road leveled out and curved E. The sky had been mostly cloudy on the drive over here. Now fog in the treetops lent an air of mystery.
A mere 7 minutes after rock-hopping the first stream, Lupe came to the Little Tongue River. It wasn’t any bigger, just another rock hop.
We’ve barely started, and here we are at the Little Tongue River already! Photo looks E.
After crossing the Little Tongue River, USFS Road No. 222 curved SE (R) proceeding up the river valley, although not close to the stream. Even if there hadn’t been the 2 fords, the road was too rough in spots for the G6. High clearance vehicles wouldn’t have had any problem, though.
The fog thickened as Lupe steadily gained elevation. Not good, but she kept going. About 0.67 mile from the Little Tongue River ford, the road ended at a circle around a single large pine. The American Dingo had reached the start of Trail No. 011.
At the turnaround circle at the end of USFS Road No. 222. Photo looks NW.Even though it’s foggy, let’s keep going! Maybe we’ll climb out of it? Loop at the start of Trail No. 011. Photo looks E.
Trail No. 011 was easy to follow. Wide and well-beaten, the trail went E. As Looper trotted along it, the sky brightened. The fog soon dissipated. Good news, but at least so far, the forest still hid any views.
Before too long, No. 011 began a series of long switchbacks higher. The rate of climb increased. Higher up, the switchbacks shortened as they brought Lupe farther N.
On Trail No. 011.
Loop must have been within 150 to 200 feet of the top when the terrain finally leveled out. A level stretch on a shoulder of the mountain SE of the summit led to a much rockier region and the first views of the day. The best was of Cloud Peak(13,167 ft.) far to the SSE.
At one of the first good viewpoints. Cloud Peak (L). Photo looks SSE.Black Tooth Mountain(13,005 ft.) (Center) and Cloud Peak (just R of Center). Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.
Approaching the summit region, Lupe came to a wall of rock. Staying S of this wall, the trail went NW to an outhouse. A sharp bend E near the outhouse led to a rough ramp constructed of flat rocks. At the upper end of the ramp, the trail bent sharply back to the NW again, but this time on the NE side of the wall of rock.
Approaching the wall of rock as Lupe reaches Black Mountain’s summit region. Photo looks NW.Near the outhouse. Photo looks NW.Heading up the rough ramp. Photo looks E.On the NE side of the wall of rock. Photo looks N.
The last section of Trail No. 011 was quite short, but the most fun of all! Heading generally NW, the trail skirted along the NE side of the wall of rock. Lupe could see a huge amount of territory! Off to the E, foothills of the Bighorn Range overlooked an ocean of clouds hiding the prairies of NE Wyoming.
Getting close to the top. Photo looks NW.
At the very end, a little switchback led up onto the summit block. The old Black Mountain fire lookout was just ahead! A huge boulder right next to it appeared to be the true summit of Black Mountain(9,489 ft.). Lupe leapt up onto it to claim her peakbagging success!
On the summit block approaching the fire lookout. Photo looks NW.Perched atop Black Mountain. Photo looks NW.At the true summit.The Dingo guru of Black Mountain lost in meditation. Photo looks NE.
The Black Mountain fire lookout appeared to have been abandoned for many years. The entrance to the balcony surrounding it was chained off. Slipping under the chain, Lupe took a look around. The balcony boards were weathered, but firm, except at the far corner where several boards were broken.
To the N and W, a huge expanse of the Bighorn National Forest was in sight, but Loop saw no other sharp peaks. Twin Buttes(8,235 ft.) looked small and insignificant from here.
Looking N.View to the W. Lots of forest, but no sharp peaks.Twin Buttes (R). Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.
The ocean of clouds washing up against the foothills to the E made it seem as if the Bighorn Range guarded the edge of a continent. Nothing could be seen of the prairies below the billowing white sea. A much higher layer of clouds wasn’t as thick or continuous.
On the summit rock with a view of the foothills. Photo looks E.Looking back down the trail from the summit. Photo looks SE.Gazing across the ocean of clouds. Photo looks E with help from the telephoto lens.
For a while, Lupe and SPHP sat together by the chain at the entrance to the fire lookout balcony. The sun shone weakly through the thin layer of high clouds. A chilly 5-10 mph NW breeze sprang up. 6 miles to the S, Lookout Mountain(10,147 ft.), where Lupe had been only yesterday, appeared slightly higher, but not very dramatic – just a big ridge.
SPHP still wondered if the 2 higher peaks beyond it had been correctly identified as Dome Peak(10,828 ft.) and the Sheridan County High Point(11,020 ft.)?
The most impressive attractions, of course, were Cloud Peak(13,167 ft.) and Black Tooth Mountain(13,005 ft.), which appeared close together much farther SSE.
Lookout Mountain (Foreground) with possibly the Sheridan County High Point (L) and Dome Peak (R) beyond it. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.Black Tooth Mountain (R) and Cloud Peak (far R). Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.
Exploring the summit region, Lupe discovered a survey marker on rock formations outside of a cable serving as a handrail along Trail 011. The marker was stamped “Black Mtn. No. 2”. An arrow pointed toward the true summit and fire lookout. However, only a small metal bar stuck up out of the summit boulder. If another survey marker was still around, it must have been hidden under the fire lookout.
Loop standing close to where she discovered the Black Mtn. No. 2 survey marker. Photo looks SE.Black Mtn. No. 2.
A happy hour raced by. Despite the early morning fog, the luck of the Dingo had held long enough for Lupe to get to see the world from Black Mountain. Not even 9:00 AM yet! Still plenty of time to visit another peak or two, if she got going. Black Mountain had been fun, and with such a good trail all the way to the top, pretty easy, too. However, it was time to hit the trail again.
Looking down Trail No. 011 from Black Mountain’s summit boulder. Photo looks E.
The descent was super easy. Lupe did a little more sight-seeing while still up in rocky region. Down in the forest, she sniffed and explored. Near the end, she plopped down in the Little Tongue River to cool off.
Checking out the views on the way down. Photo looks SSE.
And that turned out to be it for this Dingo Vacation. Lupe’s luck ran out. Despite plans to visit Freeze Out Point(8,305 ft.) next, it didn’t happen. Minutes after reaching the G6 (9:49 AM) fog came sweeping up from the E. Sea level was rising. No point in staying. It seemed likely to last.
The clouds were 3,000 feet thick. A strange day for July! Down below the murk, it was so cool that SPHP let the heater add a little warmth to the G6. The high plains of Wyoming were the lushest SPHP had ever seen them this time of year. Hills were yellow with blossoms.
Loop had a grand time barking ferociously at cows and horses along I-90, but arrived home looking dejected. The excitement was over. Her fun in the Bighorn Mountains had been cut short. What a grand time it had all been!
The American Dingo needn’t have worried. Lupe’s 2019 adventures in the Bighorn Mountains weren’t over yet! Before July was out, she would return. The best was yet to come!
Oh, I hope you return to join me on my next Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains! We have a couple of splendid mighty peaks to climb! Relaxing in the Little Tongue River on the way back from Black Mountain, 7-3-19
Day 1 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Laramie Range, Wyoming & Beyond
Nine months gone. Practically an eternity! Late in the evening, Lupe laid sad-faced and bored on the even sadder-looking old couch clawed up by 4 cats who no longer lived here. Did she ever even think anymore about those glorious days of her last and greatest 2016 Dingo Vacation when she’d gone all the way to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska?
If so, you couldn’t tell it. Of course, maybe she was thinking of those times, and how long ago and far away it all seemed was what was making her sad. Loopster heaved a sigh, staring vacantly over the edge of the couch. She looked like she had lost her last friend.
Forlorn Lupe.
She hadn’t, of course. She’d been on lots of Black Hills expeditions full of adventures with SPHP over the last nine months. Fun times, but not the same as hitting the open road for days on end spent exploring exciting, beautiful, distant lands.
While Loop moped on the couch, SPHP was not idle. A warm, fragrant breeze stirred the air. Late spring by the calendar. Early summer by SPHP’s reckoning.
Better enjoy lounging around like that while you still can!
Lupe’s eyes shifted to watch SPHP busily checking equipment and supplies. Her expression didn’t change.
You’ll see, soon enough!
Promises, promises. Nothing fun happened. Dullsville.
The next morning SPHP was up early. Shower, breakfast, and then back and forth packing all this stuff into the G6. Lupe began to realize something really was up. A glimmer of hope in her eyes grew rapidly to increasing anticipation.
Mountain climbing season, Loopster! It’s here! You ready?
Was she ever! Only a few hours later, Lupe was in Wyoming, whizzing along in the G6 headed for her first adventure of her first Dingo Vacation of 2017. Had the mood ever changed from last night! Looper was ready to let the good times roll!
Lupe returns to the great state of Wyoming at the start of her first Dingo Vacation of 2017. Oh yeah, this is gonna be good!
Lupe was headed for the Laramie Mountains in SE Wyoming. Only 8 days into June, it was still weeks early to head up into some of the higher Wyoming ranges for mountain climbing, since there would still be too much snow on the peaks. However, with the exception of Laramie Peak(10,272 ft.), the highest mountains of the Laramie Range top out only a little over 9,000 ft. There might still be some snow around in early June, but not enough to be a problem.
By early afternoon, Lupe reached Douglas, Wyoming. SPHP drove S from there on Hwy 94. The highway eventually turned to gravel and became County Road No. 5. A mile N of Esterbrook, SPHP had planned to let Lupe tag Prairie Dog Hill(6,400 ft.) as her first peak “climbed” in the Laramie Range this year. It wasn’t even really a climb at all, since County Road No. 5 goes almost right over the high point. Pathetically easy.
However, when Lupe arrived at Prairie Dog Hill, a cattle drive was in progress right on the road. Lupe was almost out of her mind with delight! She bounded from window to window of the G6 in a foaming-at-the-mouth barking frenzy. She was eager to get out and help drive some cattle herself! Not such a good idea. The cowboys might have an issue with that. SPHP drove on, turning E at Esterbrook on USFS Road No. 633.
No. 633 wound N & E for several miles. Shortly after passing Esterbrook Campground, the road began to lose elevation and turned S. Lupe’s first real peakbagging objective, Black Mountain(7,960 ft.), came into view.
Black Mountain (L) comes into view from USFS Road No. 633. Laramie Peak, the highest mountain of the Laramie Range is seen in the distance on the R. Photo looks SSW.Black Mountain (Center) was Lupe’s first real peakbagging goal of her 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Laramie Range & Beyond. Photo looks SSW.
Black Mountain was still 9 or 10 miles SSW from where it first came into view. On the way there, Lupe stopped by Horseshoe Creek, which flowed right along USFS Road No. 633 for a couple of miles.
Lupe stops by scenic Horseshoe Creek on the way to Black Mountain. She would later spend the night at the pullout off USFS Road No. 633 seen beyond her.
Looking for USFS Road No. 667, SPHP turned off No. 633 at Camp Laramie Peak, a Boy Scout camp at Harris Park. Lupe and SPHP made inquiry at the main office on how to find No. 667 to Black Mountain.
Lupe stopped at Camp Laramie Peak to inquire about how to find USFS Road No. 667 to Black Mountain. She was a good deal more enthusiastic about how this day was going than the boy outside the Boy Scout camp’s main office.
Camp Laramie Peak was just opening up for the summer season. Councilors were already here, but the first Boy Scouts were just beginning to arrive. Fortunately, an official was available who told SPHP that USFS Road No. 667 (unmarked) to Laramie Peak went right through the camp. He pointed out a road that went S down a little hill.
The road would quickly deteriorate to a high-clearance proposition – it wasn’t going to be G6 friendly at all. This was known in advance from the topo map where No. 667 was marked 4WD. The intention all along had been to ditch the G6 somewhere, and follow the road on paw and foot. Fortunately, SPHP was free to park the G6 at Camp Laramie Peak at a small parking area near the main office.
It turned out that USFS Road No. 667 (a 4WD road) to Black Mountain goes right through Camp Laramie Peak. The officials at the camp said SPHP was free to park the G6 at a small lot not far from the main office, so Lupe’s trek up Black Mountain started right here.
At 3:08 PM (79°F), Lupe and SPHP set off. There had been one caveat mentioned at the office about taking USFS Road No. 667. The road went through Boy Scout property for the first half mile or so. Leaving the road was not permitted. No trespassing on Boy Scout land! Seemed like an odd demand from an organization dedicated in part to promoting the outdoors, but another official reiterated this rule as Lupe and SPHP ambled along the road through the camp.
Whatever, no problem. SPHP adhered rigidly to this restriction. The American Dingo, having spent most of the day cooped up in the G6, was somewhat less diligent. Lupe had a fun time roaming and exploring the forest not too far from the road.
After dipping down through camp, No. 667 crossed a small stream and then began to wind W climbing steadily. Bluebells were growing in profusion in the forests and fields. It was a pretty day, a bit warm, and Lupe was off to a good start. She was beyond forbidden Boy Scout territory in a jiffy. A mile from camp, she arrived at a minor saddle near large rock formations.
Loopster among the bluebells.
About a mile from Camp Laramie Peak, Lupe reached these large rock formations at a minor saddle. Photo looks NNE.
Still hidden from view more than a mile N of the minor saddle was Peak7320, another mountain SPHP hoped Lupe would get a chance to climb. First things first, though! The road turned due S from the saddle and climbed more steeply than before. Lupe followed it, continuing toward Black Mountain.
No. 667 soon turned SW and leveled out for a little way. Peak 7320 now came into view back to the N. The mountain was capped by a huge knob of solid rock. Lupe might not be able to get to the top, even if there was time enough later on for an attempt.
Peak7320 from USFS Road No. 667 on the way to Black Mountain. Photo looks N.
Off to the SW, the summit of Black Mountain had come into view, too. It was a little hard to recognize at first, but got easier to discern as Lupe continued along the road. A fire lookout tower was perched way up on the highest rocks.
The summit of Black Mountain (far L) came into view here, but it was still so far off, it was hard to recognize at first. Photo looks SW.Getting closer! The fire lookout tower on the summit (Center) is now discernable. Photo looks SW.The fire lookout tower at the summit (R of Center) with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SW.
No. 667 soon began to climb again fairly steeply. Before long, it made one big jog to the NW before turning sharply S. Once it made the turn, the road started leveling out. Lupe was still gaining elevation, but at an easy pace. The Carolina Dog now enjoyed a pleasant journey S to the summit along the big N ridge.
The views were increasingly beautiful! Albany Peak(7720 ft.) could be seen to the SSE. A little farther on, Laramie Peak(10,272 ft.) came into view to the SW.
Albany Peak is seen straight up from Lupe on the L. Photo looks SE.Laramie Peak, the highest mountain of the entire Laramie Range, comes into view. Photo looks SW.Lupe traveling the big N ridge. The summit is in view, still a little way off. Photo looks S.
Lupe continued S along No. 667 until it curled around a big rock formation, and suddenly ended at the base of the massive stone knob the fire lookout station was perched on. A steep metal stairway was the only way up.
Lupe arrives at the end of USFS Road No. 667. She did not like the steep stairway leading to the fire lookout station. Photo looks ESE.
The American Dingo didn’t like the look of those stairs! She stayed at the bottom, while SPHP climbed the first longest section. SPHP had to plead with her to follow. She finally did come up, but not until SPHP was about ready to go down and get her.
A metal platform turned 90°, and led in a few feet to a 2nd shorter flight of stairs. SPHP climbed this 2nd set, only to turn around and see Lupe running back down the 1st flight all the way to the bottom again. SPHP returned to the top of the 1st flight to resume pleading and coaxing. Looper finally relented. This time she made it all the way to the fire lookout station to claim her peakbagging success!
Despite the long, scary metal stairway, Lupe makes it to the fire lookout station on Black Mountain(7,960 ft.) to claim her peakbagging success! Photo looks S.
The day had been warm and the air calm all the way up the mountain. Even down at the base of the metal stairway, there hadn’t been much of a breeze. However, up at the fire lookout tower, it was considerably cooler. An annoyingly strong gusty wind was blowing out of the SSE. The last bit of elevation gain had made a surprising difference!
It was so windy, Loopster wanted to take shelter in the lookout tower. She was most disappointed that it was padlocked shut, and no one was around to let her in. The views were splendid in every direction. Somewhat reluctantly, the Carolina Dog cooperated with taking photos. She preferred to spend her time on the N side of the tower out of the wind.
Lupe and SPHP made several forays around the tower to check out the views, returning frequently to the N side for breaks from the wind.
Of course, the most impressive view from Black Mountain was toward Laramie Peak(10,272 ft.), the highest mountain in the entire Laramie Range. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.Looper checks out the view of Laramie Peak. Photo looks SSW.The view to the N.Another look to the N.Albany Peak(7,720 ft.) (L) from Black Mountain. County Road No. 71 down in the Cottonwood Creek valley is seen in the foreground. Photo looks SSE.Another look at Albany Peak a little later on with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SE.Haystack Peaks are seen in the foreground on the R. Beyond them in the distance is Bear Head Mountain (8,359 ft.). Photo looks SSW.Another look SSW, this time with more help from the telephoto lens. Haystack Peaks are in the foreground. Bear Head Mountain in the distance.Laramie Peak (R) dominates Haystack Peaks (L foreground) and Bear Head Mountain (L distant). Photo looks SW.The view to the NW. USFS Road No. 667 is seen below.
Lupe spent a good 30 minutes up at the summit of Black Mountain(7,960 ft.). Before leaving, the Carolina Dog and SPHP took a longer break out of the wind on the N side of the lookout tower. Lupe had water and Taste of the Wild. Then it was time for one last look at Laramie Peak from the top, and a final stroll around the lookout tower.
A last look at Laramie Peak from the Black Mountain fire lookout tower. Photo looks SW.After half an hour up at the windy fire lookout tower on Black Mountain, Lupe waits on the sheltered N side of it for the signal from SPHP that it’s OK to start down and get out of the wind once and for all. Photo looks S.
In her eagerness to get out of the wind, Lupe showed no fear of the long metal stairway leading down to USFS Road No. 667. She raced to the bottom in nothing flat. It was still a little breezy back down at the road, but nothing compared to the gusty wind up at the tower.
SW of the lookout tower were some great viewpoints where Laramie Peak was on display. Lupe took a little time to sniff around and explore this area.
Laramie Peak from SW of the lookout tower. Photo looks SW.Looking NE back up at the fire lookout tower.
When Lupe was satisfied with her explorations of the summit area, she headed back N along USFS Road No. 667. She would retrace her route up following the road all the way back to Camp Laramie Peak.
Bluebells on the way back.
Although SPHP had hoped Lupe would have time to take a crack at Peak 7320 on the way down, the sun was starting to get low. Since it looked like there wouldn’t be sufficient daylight to summit and get back to the road before dark, Lupe never made the attempt.
Peak 7320 (Center) seen a little before sunset on the way down Black Mountain. Unfortunately, Lupe wouldn’t have enough daylight to climb it and find her way back to the road before dark. Photo looks N.
It was 9:11 PM (52 °F) when Lupe reached Camp Laramie Peak again. In fading light, she was treated to a ride S in the G6 down the Cottonwood Creek valley on County Road No. 71. SPHP wanted to check out potential access routes to Albany Peak. Maybe Lupe could climb it tomorrow?
There proved to be numerous homes on private property along County Road No. 71. “No Trespassing” signs were posted all over the place. SPHP found one possible access point, but it wasn’t clear if this route went across private property or not. From Black Mountain, Lupe had seen a very large rock formation at the top of Albany Peak. Maybe she couldn’t even get to the top of the mountain, even if there was access?
Reluctantly, SPHP decided Lupe should skip Albany Peak, at least on this trip. SPHP drove N again, as Lupe barked enthusiastically at antelope grazing in the fields at dusk. It was dark by the time Lupe stopped at a pullout along USFS Road No. 633 near Horseshoe Creek for the night.
Sunset in the Laramie Range of Wyoming.
Only 24 hours ago, Lupe had been bored and despondent on the tattered old couch back home. Yet today she’d had a blast traveling to Wyoming and climbing Black Mountain. The lucky American Dingo’s summer of 2017 adventures had only just begun!
