Days 1 & 2 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacation to Colorado & New Mexico!
6-7-23, 4:16 PM, Horseshoe Creek Road, SW of Glendo – Pulling over to the side of the road, SPHP parked the RAV4 near the edge of a small ridge and leapt out.
C’mon, Loopster! Let’s have a look!
Lupe started to follow, but stopped almost as soon as she hit the ground.
Umm, there’s cactus, SPHP!
Only a little, Loop. Just stay right behind me. We aren’t going far at all.
From the edge of the ridge, Horseshoe Creek Road snaked away across a wide, rolling green valley toward rocky ridges and mountains only a few miles away. The closest ones weren’t all that high, but off in the distance beneath an unsettled sky loomed a much more prominent peak.
Laramie Peak! Seems like forever since we’ve been there! Are we going to climb it again, SPHP?
That would be fun, Loop, but no. However, we are going to try a peak not too far from it tomorrow that’s been on your list of possibilities for many years. We’ll stop again for another look when we get close it.
SPHP had been acting weird lately. Lupe hadn’t realized until this very morning what was going on. Tremendously excited, the Carolina Dog had then followed SPHP in and out of the house countless times as the RAV4 got loaded with gear and supplies, before finally giving up and simply laying down in the shade on the lawn’s thick grass to watch and wait for the inevitable invitation.
That invitation came at 11:09 AM, 79ºF. Beneath clear blue skies, Lupe leapt into the RAV4, and took up her usual position on her pink blanket. Moments later, as SPHP backed out of the driveway, the American Dingo grinned broadly. She could hardly believe it! The long-awaited Summer of 2023 was finally here! Dingo Vacation days of glory ahead!
It began with a scenic drive through the Black Hills, Lupe barking with enormous enthusiasm at cows and horses. By early afternoon, she was in the great state of Wyoming, where skies suddenly looked stormy. S of Mule Creek Junction, SPHP drove through a cloudburst. Fortunately, no hail. Near Lance Creek, skies were blue again, but more rain showers had appeared as the RAV4 sped S.
Another small cloudburst along Horseshoe Creek Road had drifted off to the E. Returning to the RAV4, and resuming the drive SW up the green valley, SPHP reached a junction that looked familiar. Sure enough, after turning S on USFS Road No. 633, SPHP was soon recognizing places Lupe had been to long ago.
No. 633 ultimately climbed higher, and became quite a bit rougher, than SPHP remembered. Once the road topped out, SPHP subsequently failed to notice the turn into the Boy Scout camp at Harris Park where Lupe had once set out for Black Mountain (7,960 ft.). Eh, no matter. Shortly after passing the region where the turn had to have been, SPHP parked the RAV4 again.
Thar she blows, Looper! Our first destination, Albany Peak (7,720 ft.)!
Sweet, but looks mighty rocky on top, SPHP!
Yeah, I know. Pretty typical for the Laramie Mountains, though. The topo map actually shows two summits of roughly equal elevation. That’s our ace in the hole! If we can get to the top of either one, we’re calling it close enough for Dingo work and claiming a peakbagging success.
Taking a R on County Road No. 71 at the next junction, it continued S past Albany Peak down to Cottonwood Park, a very broad, scenic valley just a few miles SE of Laramie Peak. A couple of roaming pronghorns vanished over a ridge before SPHP could get a photo. When a L turn onto Fletcher Park Road appeared, SPHP took it.
6-7-23, 5:30 PM, USFS Road No. 643 at Elk Park – Lightning flashed now and then, and the distant rumble of thunder was often heard from dark clouds to the S. This region wasn’t at all the dense forest SPHP expected, due to a fire long ago. White tree skeletons decorated a hilly landscape dotted with rounded rock formations. Scattered live trees remained in tall, spindly stands.
Raining to the S, but doesn’t look too threatening here, Loop. Air’s nice and cool now. Want to scout around a bit, just for fun?
I’d love to, SPHP, but how about dinner first?
An entirely reasonable request. SPHP had been munching on honey roasted peanuts and wasn’t that hungry, but Lupe was famished.
Once the Carolina Dog had her fill, the evening’s leisurely explorations began. Following USFS Road No. 643 N for roughly 0.4 mile, Lupe sniffed gorgeous wildflowers along the way before reaching a minor pass. From a small, deadfall-laden rise on the W side of the pass, she had a terrific view of Laramie Peak.
Double-pronged Albany Peak was already in sight, 3 or 4 miles NNE. Beyond the pass, SPHP was surprised to see the road continuing a long way toward it.
Hmm, that’s odd.
What’s odd, SPHP?
The map shows No. 643 turning NW not too far from here, then heading down to Cottonwood Creek. Doesn’t show this road winding toward Albany Peak at all, Loop.
Nothing wrong with that, is there, SPHP? Looks like an way to get there.
Yup. I’d been thinking we’d take USFS Road No. 650, which lies 0.5 mile farther E, but I like the looks of this. Maybe we’ll just go this way?
Wandering back S off-road, Lupe came to an enormous boulder cracked in two. SPHP joined her in climbing up onto it. While relaxing up there, suddenly the wild dogs began singing. Her ears straight up, listening, Lupe’s eyes grew big. For 2 minutes the coyotes sang. They were many, not too far away from the sound of it, although none were in sight.
Getting dark. The coyotes’ wild chorus ended as suddenly as it began. To the W, black silhouettes of the spindly trees stood against a pale sky.
Guess we should amble on back to the RAV4, Looper.
6-8-23, sunrise, USFS Road No. 643 at Elk Park – The tiger attacked, biting SPHP’s hand. Blood spurted out. Another moment, and it would all be over, but somehow SPHP got free. Incredibly, the tiger transformed into a big dog, and began attacking other people. Lupe appeared, heroically standing over SPHP, her fur shining in the morning sun now peeping over the horizon.
About time you woke up! Mind letting me out, SPHP?
Huh? Morning already? Yeah, I’ll let you out. In fact, I’ll join you, Loop. Need to clear my mind. I’ve been dreaming like a nut case.
6-8-23, 6:36 AM, USFS Road No. 643 at Elk Park – Lupe stood impatiently next to the RAV4. The sky had clouded up a bit, but the pack was ready.
Onward! Puppy, ho!
Music to my ears, SPHP!
Heading N on USFS Road No. 643 again, by the time Lupe made it to the minor pass, she was in brilliant sunshine. An absolutely gorgeous day!
Continuing N over the pass, No. 643 began a steady descent. Lupe soon came to a cattle guard where there were signs about a hunting walk-in area, plus a great view of Black Mountain (7,960 ft.) 5.5 miles N.
A bit beyond this first cattle guard, the road curved NE, leaving the route No. 643 was supposed to take. It steepened somewhat on the way down to a valley full of young aspens where Lupe drank from a small stream. Beyond this valley, the road climbed again to a junction with another road coming in from the SE.
Continuing N, then NE, from this intersection, Lupe had opportunities to get more drinks from big mud puddles left over from yesterday’s rains. Most were a muddy brown, but a few were clear. Made no difference to the American Dingo. Lupe tromped through every puddle, getting a few licks from each one. Gradually gaining elevation, she was about a mile past the first creek when the road topped out at a second cattle guard.
Sunny and bright, the day was warming up fast. Thus far, Lupe had been out in the open exposed to direct sun, but a pine forest was now in sight ahead. Shade was starting to sound good as she trotted toward it.
Upon reaching the forest, the pines provided welcome relief from the sun. When a rock formation appeared slightly off-road in a clearing on the L, Lupe scrambled up onto it for another look at Albany Peak, which was noticeably closer now. Then it was back to the road, which wound gently down to a second junction with another unmarked road.
Going L at this intersection, Lupe quickly came to a shallow valley S of a very rocky ridge. From the W, a tiny stream flowed through a big puddle on the road. A clump of lovely purple wild irises grew just upstream.
It wasn’t much farther to a third unmarked junction. Staying L again, Lupe headed up to a third minor pass. Towering rock formations were now visible off to the R (NE).
Alrighty! Starting to get somewhere now, Loopster!
Good news, SPHP! So, where are we?
Believe we’re on USFS Road No. 650 crossing Albany Peak’s SW ridge.
Follow the ridge from here, SPHP?
Nope. Way too rocky. Much easier to stick with this road going N for nearly another mile before turning E somewhere to start our climb.
Which summit are we going for first, SPHP?
The N one, I guess, although Peakbagger.com shows the S summit as the true one.
Either one counts as a success, SPHP?
Yes! Good enough for Dingo work, Looper! Unless we see much more of a difference than I expect.
Continuing N past the 3rd minor pass, the road gradually lost elevation. Once beyond the first big rock formations on the R, it leveled out for a stretch, then resumed a slow climb. Lupe was out in the open again W of Albany Peak. Several enormous steep-sided rock ridges were visible way up near the top.
Yikes! Still looks a little dicey up there, SPHP!
Yeah, I know it. Was kind of afraid of that.
Nothing to do about it, but keep going. When an even more primitive spur road appeared that went E right up the slope, Lupe took it. Closer now, the views above weren’t any more encouraging than they had been from a distance. The spur road soon curved N, and leveled out. When it turned NW and started downhill, that was it.
Leave the road here, SPHP?
Yup! This first hillside doesn’t look bad at all. With a little luck, we can simply walk right on up to the top of the N summit.
Abandoning the road, Lupe pushed through a band of young aspens in a ravine, crossing a tiny stream in the process. A slope partially strewn with rocks and deadfall was ahead. Aiming L of a towering knob of rock partway up, the American Dingo started her ascent.
Pretty easy at first, but the slope steepened considerably as Lupe drew near the towering knob. Before Lupe even got to it, SPHP was doing a big bad wolf impression, huffing and puffing.
Hold on, Looper! Let’s take a little break!
What? Already, SPHP?
Yes. Been a long time since your last Dingo Vacation. I’m out of shape!
No worries! You’ve got all summer now to get back into shape, SPHP.
Yeesh. Hope it doesn’t take that long!
After a break spent mostly gasping for air while admiring the already lovely views, SPHP was ready to carry on. The towering knob turned out to be just the lower end of a long wall of rock. Happy in its shade, Lupe climbed along the NW side of the wall, which steadily shrank in height as she got higher.
Wasn’t that far, but SPHP was ready for another breather once Lupe got past the upper end of the wall, which simply melted into the rest of the terrain. Another higher, and much more formidable wall of rock was now in sight.
So the upper end of this next wall is the N summit of Albany Peak, SPHP?
Uh-huh. Sure doesn’t look like we’ll be able to get to the top from this side, though.
Might as well see how high we can go, SPHP. Maybe there’s a way?
Fat chance from the looks of it, but we’ll see what we can do. Should have brought your Dingo wings.
Climbing toward the N summit, Lupe was soon scrambling amid a jungle of young aspens springing up from a field of huge talus slabs below the highest part of the rock wall. The Carolina Dog got quite high, but was eventually stymied at the base of a near vertical chute.
Face it, our goose is cooked here, Loop. If we were decent rock climbers we could do it.
How much higher to the top, SPHP?
Can’t tell for sure, Loopster. About 50 feet, I think.
Well shucks, SPHP! So close, and yet so far! Too bad you’re an indecent rock climber, or I’d send you as my personal representative.
Hah! Not happening. Not going to break my fool neck attempting this. Let’s see if we can work our way around to the other side.
Descending NE along the base of the wall of rock, Lupe reached a point where SPHP was able to boost her up onto the ridgeline, then scramble up after her. The narrow spine of the wall continued a long way NE as it sank toward the Wyoming prairies. Albany Peak’s S summit was now in view, too. Another massive, vertical wall of rock, the S summit towered beyond a lower central wall.
Wow! The S summit is impressive, isn’t it, SPHP?
I’ll say, Looper. So much so, that it’s depressive. We’ll never get to the top!
Due to a 6 foot drop, SPHP had to scramble down off the SE side of the ridgeline first, then help lower Lupe. Traipsing S through a region of boulders, bushes, and young aspens, the Carolina Dog managed to get around to a clear view of the N summit from the SE.
Sheesh! N summit’s not happening from this side, either, Loopster. Let’s take another break.
Some cool, gnarly rock formations, aren’t they, SPHP? A rock climber’s dream! But yes, let’s take a break. Bring any water? It’s hot in the sun! I’m missing those mud puddles.
After a short water break, Lupe ventured up to the base of the N summit wall, but probably didn’t get any closer to the top than she had from the other side. Seeing no reasonable route up, SPHP abandoned all hope of a successful N summit ascent.
Hmm, well, I suppose we might as well take a closer look at the S summit, Loop, even though it appears completely impossible for us.
Follow me, SPHP! We’ll check it out!
Leaping over rocks and deadfall, the American Dingo headed for the central ridge.
Even getting over the central ridge didn’t look feasible. A gap toward the S end looked like the best way around it. After passing through the gap, the S summit still appeared every bit as daunting as it had before.
Despite appearances, Lupe continued S. Eventually turning E, she climbed through another region of young aspens, deadfall, and boulders.
As the Carolina Dog kept going, the terrain kept steepening. Climbing above most of the trees and deadfall, suddenly there was hope! A long, steep slope of bedrock led skyward.
We can do this, SPHP!
My gosh! It is possible? Looks like we can go all the way to the top, Loop!
The bedrock got plenty steep. Paw holds weren’t great in spots. The rock was just too smooth. Nevertheless, Lupe had no difficulties at all. Never even got that scary for SPHP. Within a few minutes, SPHP was joining the American Dingo up on a nice level area next to a knob of rock that was easy to scramble onto.
6-8-23, 10:53 AM, 74ºF, Albany Peak (7,720 ft.), S summit region –
Unfortunately, there was more to Albany Peak than that knob. Opposite it, immediately N of the flat area Lupe had reached, a wall of rock rose another 40 or 50 feet that hadn’t been visible from below. Full of little overhangs, there was clearly no way Lupe could get up there.
Dingo feathers! We’re skunked, Looper! Tried both sides of both summits, and nothing’s worked.
Don’t worry about it, SPHP! Can’t win ’em all. We’ve done our best. We’ll get to the tops of plenty of mountains on this Dingo Vacation. At least we had hope for Albany Peak until nearly the very end. Besides, we can’t have been that far from the true summit, and the views are awesome right here!
True. Although the wall of rock comprising the S summit blocked views to the N, the Carolina Dog enjoyed sweeping views in other directions. Laramie Peak (10,272 ft.) 5.5 miles due W was the big standout, with Albany Peak’s long, gnarly SW ridge sloping away in runner-up position.
After an initial look around, Lupe went over to the knob searching for a spot to settle in. Roasting in the sun, she lapped up a bowl of water, then curled up in a cubby hole among the rocks where at least her head was shaded. By sitting with legs over this grotto, SPHP was able to provide the American Dingo almost complete shade.
Don’t suppose there’s any chance of getting a chocolate coconut bar since we didn’t make it to the top of Albany Peak, is there, SPHP?
None at all, Looper. As a matter of fact, I forgot to bring them. They’re still at home!
At home! That is tragic news, SPHP! How could on earth could you forget the chocolate coconut bars?
Heh. No excuse. Just plain and simple forgot them, but I did remember something else you’ll like. How about some beef jerky?
Beef jerky proved to be an exceptionally popular substitute for chocolate coconut bars. Lupe also gobbled down an entire bowl of Taste of the Wild before dozing off. Meanwhile SPHP drank a Sparkling Ice.
Birds were singing. At one point there was a strange cry like that of a crane or heron. SPHP didn’t see any, but did get a glimpse of two giant deers to the SE. Sunny and warm when Lupe first arrived, cumulus clouds were building, sometimes casting pleasantly cool shade. Time slipped away.
“Summit” hour is about up, Loopster! A few more pictures before we go?
Lupe was all for it. Before departing, she got up on the highest big rock she could easily reach next to the S summit wall, then returned to the top of the knob.
Satisfied, SPHP?
Yup. Let’s scoot! Onward! Puppy, ho!
Although Lupe got down the steep scramble quickly and easily enough, SPHP had to exercise considerable caution. Once down, the American Dingo took a shortcut heading W back to the spur off USFS Road No. 650. Part of this region was meadow, but most of it involved pushing through a combination of young aspens, deadfall, and talus of varying degrees of steepness. All went well. Once down to the road, Lupe retraced her original route.
By the time she made it back to where the wild irises were growing in the little stream, the sky had almost completely clouded over. Raindrops began falling as SPHP donned the red rain jacket. Lupe enjoyed trotting along the winding roads in a cool light rain. Noticing a wigwam W of USFS Road No. 643, she went to investigate. By then, the RAV4 wasn’t much farther.
6-8-23, 2:05 PM, USFS Road No. 643 at Elk Park –
Albany Peak was fun, SPHP! Great to be back in the Laramie Mountains! Still fairly early, what’s next on the agenda?
A bite to eat, then we’re hitting the road, Loop. We’re on our way to Colorado. Going to stay at Hotel Mika tonight!
We’re leaving the Laramie Range already, SPHP? That’s sad! And what’s this about Hotel Mika?
Yup, afraid we have to leave the Laramie Range, Looper. At least we got a taste of it again. Your Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea are expecting us tonight in Arvada. Hotel Mika is Hotel Dusty under new management now that both Cousin Dusty and Cousin Laddie are gone.
A cat is running Hotel Dusty now, SPHP?
Yup. Any objections, Loop? You’ll still get to stay in the luxurious Cowboy Room tonight!
The Cowboy Room? Well, what are we waiting for? Onward! SPHP, ho!
Driving SE on Fletcher Park Road on the way to I-25, SPHP kept an eye on Albany Peak in the rearview mirror until a cloudburst swept over it, hiding it from view. Despite never quite getting to the summit, Lupe was right. Her brief return to the Laramie Range had really been fun!
Links:
Prior Dingo Vacation Next Adventure
Lupe’s Scrollable Albany Peak GPS Track
Laramie Peak, Wyoming (8-9-15)
Black Mountain, Laramie Range, WY (6-8-17)
Jack Squirrel Peak, Laramie Range, WY (6-19-17)
Want more Lupe adventures? Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacations to Colorado, New Mexico, Canada & Alaska Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index. Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.
