{"id":10948,"date":"2017-11-05T08:10:24","date_gmt":"2017-11-05T15:10:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=10948"},"modified":"2019-03-25T21:59:18","modified_gmt":"2019-03-26T03:59:18","slug":"squaw-mountain-laramie-range-wyoming-6-12-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=10948","title":{"rendered":"Squaw Mountain, Laramie Range, Wyoming (6-12-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 5, Part 1, of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Laramie Range in Wyoming & Beyond!<\/em><\/p>\n

What a glorious day!\u00a0 Spirits were soaring as Lupe and SPHP left the Twin Peaks trailhead on Trail No. 618 (7:14 AM, 59\u00b0F)<\/em>.\u00a0 The lucky American Dingo was setting off on a 2-day trek to a couple of fabulous peaks she’d seen for the first time a year ago when she’d taken this same trail and climbed Twin Peaks<\/span><\/a> (9,280 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A lucky American Dingo about to set off on Twin Peaks Trail No. 618 for a couple of beautiful peaks in the Laramie Range.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Trail No. 618 started off as an old jeep trail that headed W up a rise.\u00a0 The E end of Lupe’s first peakbagging goal, Squaw Mountain<\/span><\/a> (9,313 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, was soon in sight ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Squaw Mountain<\/strong> (Center) came into view shortly after Lupe left the trailhead. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even though the summit of Squaw Mountain was less than 2 miles WNW of the trailhead, Lupe was going to have to travel a lot farther than that to get there.\u00a0 According to the topo map, the easiest way up was from the NW.\u00a0 The plan was to circle more than halfway around the mountain to approach it from those NW slopes.<\/p>\n

Loop wasn’t the least bit worried about how far it was to Squaw Mountain.\u00a0 She was just looking forward to a fun time exploring.\u00a0 On this long day in early June, the Carolina Dog would have plenty of time to get to the top of the mountain.<\/p>\n

The jeep trail passed over the small rise, then dipped down close to Roaring Fork Creek.\u00a0 Lupe couldn’t resist going in for a cool drink.<\/p>\n

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Looper cools her paws off in Roaring Fork Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although there were a few muddy areas along Trail No. 618, it never did cross Roaring Fork Creek.\u00a0 Instead, the trail went W up a deep, forested valley staying a little S of the creek.\u00a0 After a mile or so, the jeep trail turned SW heading up a steep slope.\u00a0 At the base of the slope, Trail No. 618 veered off to the R, becoming a single track going down a much smaller slope almost to the edge of Roaring Fork Creek again.<\/p>\n

Lupe stayed on Trail No. 618, continuing W up the valley.\u00a0 Now that the wider jeep trail had been left behind, it really did seem like Lupe was in a wilderness.<\/p>\n

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On Trail No. 618 after it left the much wider jeep trail behind. Now it really did seem like Lupe was in the wilderness!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe knew what to expect, though.\u00a0 She had been this far before.\u00a0 Lupe continued along No. 618, which stayed relatively close to Roaring Fork Creek.<\/p>\n

Before long, Lupe arrived at a fence with a sign saying “Please! Close the Gate”.\u00a0 A year ago, SPHP hadn’t seen a gate to close, just the fence, which ended right over the trail next to some rocks.\u00a0 Puzzled, Lupe and SPHP had climbed up onto the rocks to get around the end of the fence.<\/p>\n

Not a thing had changed, but this time SPHP had a hunch.\u00a0 Doh!\u00a0 Yes, the entire fence across the trail was a gate.\u00a0 It swung open without much effort.<\/p>\n

How about that, Loop?\u00a0 Learn something new every day!<\/em><\/p>\n

H<\/i>aving a year to think about it helped, aye?\u00a0 Glad you passed the intelligence test this time around, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Just call me Einstein and keep going, smart-alecky Dingo.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Lupe on the rocks at the site of SPHP’s intelligence test success.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eventually, Trail No. 618 moved farther away from Roaring Fork Creek and began to fade.\u00a0 A few cairns helped show the way.\u00a0 Sometimes sticks had been placed across what otherwise might have looked like the route.\u00a0 The surest way of being certain Lupe was still on the trail was to watch for blazes on the trees.\u00a0 Generally there were two blazes, a small upper one with a larger blaze below.<\/p>\n

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Trail No. 618 eventually began to fade. A few cairns like this one helped show the way.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Blazes on the trees, like the ones on the tree on the R, became the most reliable way of following seldom-used Trail No. 618.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

About a mile after it became single track, Trail No. 618 angled SW leaving Roaring Fork Creek behind.\u00a0 SPHP expected it to continue SW to a minor pass about 0.6 mile farther on.\u00a0 A year ago, Lupe had followed this same trail to that pass.<\/p>\n

However, after going SW for 0.25 mile, this time the trail turned SE and kept going that way.\u00a0 Something was wrong.\u00a0 SPHP kept expecting the trail to bend back around to the W, but it didn’t.\u00a0 Hmmm.\u00a0 SE was definitely the wrong way.<\/p>\n

SPHP had been watching for, and caught a glimpse of, a tall rock formation that SPHP remembered was immediately N of the minor pass.\u00a0 May as well head straight for it.\u00a0 Lupe left whatever trail she was on, going W through the forest.\u00a0 She soon came across another trail, which must have been No. 618, because it went the right way.<\/p>\n

Lupe made it to the minor pass.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe arrives at the minor pass. The tall rock formation just N of Trail No. 618 is in view. A year ago, Lupe had gone 0.5 mile S from here to climb Twin Peaks<\/span><\/a> (9,280 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. This time she needed to go N around the W end of Squaw Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A year ago, Lupe had gone S from here to climb Twin Peaks, the summit of which was only 0.5 mile away.\u00a0 After a successful ascent, Lupe had come back down to this pass, crossed over No. 618, and proceeded N around the E side of the tall rock formation.\u00a0 She’d gone quite a distance bushwhacking through forests and bogs, but had never made it to the W end of Squaw Mountain before she ran out of time and had to turn back.<\/p>\n

Last year’s march through the forests and bogs had been intriguing, but maybe there was an easier way?\u00a0 From up on Twin Peaks, Lupe and SPHP had seen large meadows in the valley W of this pass.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t remember how far N they went, but looking for the meadows seemed like a good idea.<\/p>\n

Lupe followed No. 618 going W over the minor pass.\u00a0 The topo map showed the trail continuing W, but Lupe needed to start turning N.\u00a0 Once she’d lost a little elevation, the Carolina Dog left No. 618 heading NW through the forest.\u00a0 From here on, she wouldn’t have any roads or trails to follow the rest of the way up Squaw Mountain.<\/p>\n

That suited Looper just fine.\u00a0 American Dingoes love exploring off trail!\u00a0 Lupe raced through the forest sniffing like a Dingo possessed.\u00a0 She soon sniffed her way far enough NW to arrive at one of the big meadows she had seen a year ago from the top of Twin Peaks.<\/p>\n

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Lupe arrives at one of the big meadows she had seen a year ago from the summit of Twin Peaks. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The big meadow meant easy traveling, much easier than going through the forest.\u00a0 SPHP had hoped the meadow would extend a long way N, but was disappointed to see it didn’t go much farther that way.\u00a0 A short stroll brought Loop to the NE corner of the meadow.<\/p>\n

Squaw Mountain wasn’t even in sight, but there was no other choice.\u00a0 Without the slightest hesitation, Lupe plunged headlong back into the forest.\u00a0 She traveled N or NNE through rolling terrain slowly gaining elevation along the way.<\/p>\n

For close to a mile, there was no sign of Squaw Mountain.\u00a0 Looper had never been here before, and it seemed like she had been wandering the forest for a long time.\u00a0 Presently, though, she saw a creek to the E at the base of an embankment.\u00a0 She scrambled down, leapt over the little creek, and found herself on the W side of another meadow of bright green grass.<\/p>\n

To the ENE was another tall rock formation.\u00a0 That had to be the W end of Squaw Mountain!\u00a0 Lupe had just crossed Roaring Fork Creek, which was much smaller up here.\u00a0 Hah!\u00a0 Progress!<\/p>\n

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After a mile long trek through the forest, Lupe crossed Roaring Fork Creek<\/strong> and arrived at this meadow of bright green grass. The rock formation seen ahead is the W end of Squaw Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The meadow of bright green grass was only a few hundred feet wide, but extended NNE for a long way.\u00a0 Perfect!\u00a0 Just the direction Lupe needed to go from here.<\/p>\n

Actually, it wasn’t so perfect.\u00a0 The bright green meadow quickly proved to be mostly bog.\u00a0 The ground was soft, wet and mucky.\u00a0 Standing water was here, there and everywhere.\u00a0 Not good!<\/p>\n

SPHP led Lupe across the bog the shortest and driest way possible.\u00a0 Back into the forest!\u00a0 The forest on the E side of the bog was dense, but without much deadfall, so it wasn’t too bad to go through.\u00a0 Lupe had a blast!\u00a0 She thought this place was great.\u00a0 She explored this way and that.\u00a0 Whenever she felt like it, she wandered over into the bog for a drink.<\/p>\n

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Sniffing around in the dense forest somewhere between the W end of Squaw Mountain<\/strong> and the bog E of Roaring Fork Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks N, but the view was the essentially the same in all directions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A very busy Carolina Dog passes by again. Loopster loved this place!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The dense forest was nearly level near the bog, but Lupe eventually got far enough N to where she needed to start angling NE.\u00a0 Once she left the bog behind, the terrain started rising and became rougher.\u00a0 Lupe continued on until she was NW of Squaw Mountain.<\/p>\n

This was supposed to be the easiest side of the mountain to go up.\u00a0 Lupe turned SE to begin her ascent, but soon faced a jumble of large boulders on a still densely forested and now much steeper slope.\u00a0 Deadfall timber was more abundant here, too, creating more obstacles.\u00a0 How tough was this going to get?\u00a0 For a while, progress was slow.<\/p>\n

After gaining a couple hundred feet, Lupe found the terrain wasn’t as steep as before.\u00a0 Fewer large boulders were in the way.\u00a0 The forest wasn’t as dense, either.\u00a0 SPHP found it much easier to maneuver around.<\/p>\n

The topo map showed there was no rush to reach Squaw Mountain’s main E\/W ridgeline.\u00a0 Reaching the top of it too far W meant Lupe would have to go over a couple of potentially rough high points.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog would likely have an easier time angling gradually up the N side of the mountain traveling ESE.\u00a0 If she could reach the ridgeline about halfway to the E, that should be perfect.\u00a0 From there, it shouldn’t be too hard to get to the summit at the far E end.<\/p>\n

Lupe went E for a little while climbing more slowly, and unexpectedly arrived at the edge of the living forest.\u00a0 Ahead the entire forest had burned.\u00a0 The vast majority of the dead trees were still standing.\u00a0 The burnt forest wasn’t pretty, but it was certainly easier to see the terrain.\u00a0 Loop didn’t care for the dead forest nearly as much as the living one, but it made the trek easier for SPHP.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Coming up from the NW, Lupe discovered that most of the forest on the N slopes of Squaw Mountain<\/strong> had burned. The American Dingo didn’t like the burnt forest as much as the living one, but it was easier for SPHP to traverse and see what was ahead. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe arrived at what seemed to be the ridgeline a little E of a tall rock formation.\u00a0 There were a few live trees here.\u00a0 The forest hadn’t burned at all on a nearby slope to the SE which rose steeply toward an unseen high point still far above where Lupe was.<\/p>\n

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Lupe near the base of the tall rock formation. This point seemed to be somewhere up on the main E\/W ridge, but still too far W. A forested slope to the SE rose steeply to much higher terrain. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A patch of ground E of the tall rock formation was level and not rocky.\u00a0 Lupe was going to have to camp somewhere tonight.\u00a0 Maybe this wasn’t such a bad place?\u00a0 After pondering for a couple minutes, SPHP decided against leaving the tent and sleeping bags here.\u00a0 It might be hard to find this place again, and it was still quite early in the day.<\/p>\n

Lupe pushed on, continuing E or ESE through the burned forest.\u00a0 She did not climb through the living forest leading to the much higher point to the SE.\u00a0 Instead she stayed to the N until she was past it, trying to avoid gaining too much elevation too soon.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo was still steadily gaining some elevation, though.\u00a0 After a while, Looper was clearly getting quite high on the mountain.\u00a0 Shortly before reaching the main summit ridge, Lupe found something that delighted her – snow!<\/p>\n

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Nearing Squaw Mountain’s<\/strong> summit ridge, Lupe was delighted to find these snow banks on the N side of more large rock formations.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe did a little slipping, sliding and sledding on the soft, deliciously cold snowbanks.\u00a0 No doubt it was refreshing.\u00a0 Loop was clearly pleased with the experience and somewhat re-energized.<\/p>\n

Squaw Mountain’s main E\/W ridge wasn’t far off now.\u00a0 Beyond the snowbanks, Lupe turned SE climbing more aggressively.\u00a0 Reaching the ridge was easy, and she was soon there.<\/p>\n

Lupe had reached the main ridge at a great point.\u00a0 She was well past the high point she had skirted to the N.\u00a0 It’s rocky summit was now in view a little off to the W.\u00a0 Lupe had saved some unnecessary elevation gain by going around it.\u00a0 Squaw Mountain’s true summit was still unseen somewhere off to the E, but the path to it looked open and easy.<\/p>\n

The main ridge was level and several hundred feet wide here.\u00a0 Toward the N, the trees had burned.\u00a0 However, the S half of the ridge was all living forest.\u00a0 This was a good place to take a break.\u00a0 Lupe found a spot in the shade to lay down.\u00a0 She had her usual fare of Taste of the Wild and water.\u00a0 SPHP dropped the tent and sleeping bags.\u00a0 This place would be easy enough to find again.\u00a0 Maybe Lupe should camp here?<\/p>\n

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Loop takes a break in the shade up on Squaw Mountain’s<\/strong> main E\/W ridge. Photo looks E in the direction of the still unseen summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When her break was over, Lupe traveled E along the broad ridge staying near, but not in, the living forest.\u00a0 She soon came to a N\/S running line of boulders.\u00a0 Up ahead a much larger rock formation was in sight.\u00a0 Was that the summit?\u00a0 Lupe pressed on toward it.<\/p>\n

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Heading E along the main ridge, Lupe reaches a line of boulders. Beyond it, a much larger rock formation was in sight. Was that the summit? Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Carolina Dog climbed a broad, thinly forested slope between the big rock formation and a smaller one to the S.\u00a0 The high point she had seen from the line of boulders wasn’t the summit, but part of a ridge of solid rock that went even higher.\u00a0 Lupe got up on the smaller rock formation for a better look.<\/p>\n

A path led toward a wall of rock roughly 40 feet high.\u00a0 The wall appeared to extend NW\/SE across the entire main ridge.\u00a0 The high point on the wall might well be Squaw Mountain’s summit, but was there even a way up onto it?\u00a0 Who knew?<\/p>\n

No one yet, but Lupe was about to find out!\u00a0 She took the path leading to the wall of rock.<\/p>\n

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After coming up the slope on the L, Lupe got on this smaller rock formation for a better look at the 40 foot high rock wall ahead. A path led toward it. Lupe took the path to go see if she could find a way up. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The path ended at the base of the rock wall. \u00a0There was certainly no way up that Loop or SPHP could manage from here.\u00a0 Lupe headed SE along the wall, looking for some sort of a break providing a route to the top.\u00a0 She came to a place where a big knob of rock sat up on top of the wall.\u00a0 It looked like there was a place right next to it where Lupe could scramble up with a little help from SPHP.<\/p>\n

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After following the rock wall SE, Lupe arrived here. If SPHP would give her a boost, it looked like she could get up on top of the wall right next to the large knob of rock seen on the R. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe climbed as high as she possibly could.\u00a0 SPHP then gave her a boost up the last few feet.\u00a0 She’d made it!\u00a0 Lupe was up on the rock wall.\u00a0 SPHP scrambled up after her.\u00a0 A quick look around revealed a couple of surprises.<\/p>\n

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Lupe stands near the big knob on top of the rock wall. A couple of surprises were immediately evident up here. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First of all, SPHP had expected Lupe might be able to simply walk NW back along the top of the rock wall to the highest rocks to claim a peakbagging success.\u00a0 She could go that way, alright, but Squaw Mountain’s summit wasn’t over there.\u00a0 Lupe could now see the summit, but it was some distance away off to the ENE.\u00a0 She still had farther to go.<\/p>\n

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You mean we still have to go way over there? …. Afraid so, Looper, looks like that’s the true summit of Squaw Mountain<\/strong>. Come on, it’s not that far. You’ll be there in a jiffy!<\/em> Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The second surprise was that if Loop had only gone a little farther SE along the base of this rock wall, there was an opening where she could have easily gotten past it without having to climb up on top.\u00a0 Oh, well!\u00a0 At least that was news she could use on the way back.<\/p>\n

There didn’t seem to be any reason to dilly dally around on the rock wall.\u00a0 It was easy to get down off the NE side of it.\u00a0 Once down, Lupe trotted through the forest heading ENE toward the summit.\u00a0 She discovered a couple of fun things to do along the way.<\/p>\n

Lupe dug furiously at the base of a tree for several minutes.\u00a0 She didn’t turn up anything, but the American Dingo left the freshly undermined tree looking quite cheerful.\u00a0 Apparently, digging like that had been a good time.\u00a0 Loop also found a few more small patches of snow.\u00a0 They were melting fast, even in the shade.\u00a0 Lupe availed herself of these opportunities to cool off again.<\/p>\n

It really wasn’t that far from the rock wall to the true summit, only a few hundred yards.\u00a0 A short, easy scramble up white rocks brought Lupe to the summit of Squaw Mountain<\/span><\/a> <\/b>(9,313 ft.)<\/b>.\u00a0 At the very top, a white rock about 3 feet high leaned at a steep angle.\u00a0 Loop bounded up in a single leap.\u00a0 Sweet success!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Lupe on the highest rock on Squaw Mountain<\/strong>. Another peakbagging success! Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trek up Squaw Mountain had been really fun!\u00a0 The views at the top were rewarding, too.\u00a0 A few trees existed around the summit area, but not enough to block the views.\u00a0 By moving around a bit, it was possible to get a clear view in any desired direction.<\/p>\n

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Climbing Squaw Mountain<\/strong> had been fun! Lots of off-trail exploration and a few challenging spots, but nothing too difficult. Great views from the top, too! Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking back along Squaw Mountain’s<\/strong> main ridge. The rock wall Lupe had climbed over from the other side is in view above her head. The big knob she had gotten up next to is seen on the L. Other lower high points along the main ridge are seen farther off to the R. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Another look at Squaw Mountain’s<\/strong> main E\/W ridge. Photo looks WSW with a bit of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A small wooden structure a couple feet NW of the summit rock had collapsed long ago by the looks of it.\u00a0 There was some smooth wire around, too.\u00a0 However, the one man-made thing SPHP hoped to find up here was nowhere to be seen.\u00a0 A search for the Squaw Mountain survey benchmark yielded nothing.\u00a0 Where was it?\u00a0 The entire summit area was only 15′ x 10′.\u00a0 It should have been easy to find.<\/p>\n

Nope, nada.\u00a0 SPHP eventually gave up the search.<\/p>\n

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The small collapsed wooden structure a couple feet NW of the summit rock is seen on the R. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A short distance E of the true summit, Lupe stands on a rock shaped like an elongated chair. SPHP promptly dubbed it “the Dingo Throne<\/strong>“. The views from the Dingo Throne were fantastic! Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Still on the Dingo Throne, this time looking NW at Buffalo Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,387 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Buffalo Peak<\/strong> was Lupe’s next peakbagging goal after Squaw Mountain<\/strong>. Looks like fun, doesn’t it? Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Buffalo Peak<\/strong> (Center) is 1.5 miles NNW of Squaw Mountain<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After spending a little time gazing at the tremendous views, Lupe was ready for another break.\u00a0 Even up here, the day was getting kind of hot for wearing a fur coat.\u00a0 Loopster took shelter in the shade of a couple of small trees SE of the summit rock.\u00a0 SPHP gave her water and Taste of the Wild again.\u00a0 She would have preferred steak and ice cream, but at the top of a remote mountain in the Laramie Range, even an American Dingo has to take what she can get.<\/p>\n

After dining, Lupe looked ready to doze off.\u00a0 However, some pesky flies arrived and wouldn’t leave her alone.\u00a0 She spent her time snapping instead of napping.\u00a0 Meanwhile, SPHP went back to looking around.<\/p>\n

A large bird swooped by.\u00a0 No doubt some loyal reader of this blog will once again suggest the bird was both a vulture and an evil omen.\u00a0 Fortunately, with all the snapping at flies going on, and SPHP apparently still conscious, the evil omen did not yet feel confident enough about the situation to drop in for a meal.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe takes it easy in her fly-snapping spot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A large bird swooped by. Fortunately for Lupe and SPHP, even if it was a vulture, it was premature in it’s thinking. Photo looks up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A year ago, Lupe had also climbed Warbonnet Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,414 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the highest point seen L of Center. That had been a great adventure, too! Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Warbonnet Peak<\/strong> is the Converse County, Wyoming high point. Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A rare moment arrived.\u00a0 SPHP had an idea!\u00a0 Peering down among cracks between the rocks under the collapsed wooden structure, there it was!\u00a0 The Squaw Mountain survey benchmark.\u00a0 Hah!\u00a0 SPHP had to wait until the angle of the sun illuminated it better before taking a photo.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Squaw Mountain<\/strong> survey benchmark is hidden down in cracks between rocks beneath the collapsed wooden structure next to the summit rock. Photo looks down.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had been up at the summit of Squaw Mountain for half an hour now.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the weather to the SW seemed to be deteriorating.\u00a0 It looked like rain showers might move in from that direction.\u00a0 Maybe it was time to think about moving on?<\/p>\n

Loop was fine with that.\u00a0 Snapping at flies had grown old.\u00a0 Before leaving, though, she returned briefly to both her Dingo Throne and the true summit for a last look around.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe back on her Dingo Throne for a final look around. Buffalo Peak<\/strong> is seen on the L. She would be headed there next! Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking N from the Dingo Throne.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Final moments on the summit rock. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP started down first.\u00a0 Lupe waited for the signal to follow.<\/p>\n

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Waiting for the signal to come down. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Still waiting at the same spot. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the summit, the rock wall Lupe had climbed up earlier had looked equally high.\u00a0 A quick check of the topo map revealed that the highest part of the wall was also enclosed by the 9,280 foot contour.\u00a0 So the rock wall was conceivably just as high or higher.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t really believe the rock wall was higher, but she may as well tag this “W summit” on her way back, too.<\/p>\n

Even including time spent frolicking in the snow again, it only took Looper 10 or 12 minutes to get back to the rock wall.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Ahh, so nice and cool!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Dingo ecstasy!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Coming from the E, it wasn’t hard to get up on the highest rocks of the rock wall.\u00a0 In the short time it had taken to get here, though, clouds had spread across a large portion of the sky.\u00a0 A cool breeze blew out of the SW.\u00a0 Lupe better not stay up here long.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the highest rocks of the rock wall. It had only taken 10 or 12 minutes to get here from the summit, but clouds had already spread over a large part of the sky. Warbonnet Peak<\/strong> is the high point at Center. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking NE from the rock wall back toward the true summit. The sky was still mostly blue in this direction.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a good look around from the top of the rock wall, Lupe circled down around to the SE, passing through the break in the wall she had discovered earlier.\u00a0 With the weather clearly deteriorating, she made a beeline W back to the place where SPHP had left the tent and sleeping bags on Squaw Mountain’s main ridge.<\/p>\n

Too bad the weather was threatening.\u00a0 It would have been fun for Lupe to spend the night up here and get some sunset photos.\u00a0 However, considering the situation, it seemed better to get down off the mountain.\u00a0 SPHP grabbed all the gear.\u00a0 Lupe left the main E\/W ridge going NW down Squaw Mountain’s N slope.<\/p>\n

Looper lost elevation faster than she’d gained it coming up.\u00a0 She was somewhere N of where she’d been before, but she was still angling W, too.\u00a0 It seemed to take a long time to get through the burned forest.\u00a0 The sky became so threatening, it became prudent to look for a place to take shelter.\u00a0 Widely scattered big raindrops started falling.\u00a0 Lupe finally found a place to hide under a small overhanging rock formation.<\/p>\n

The rain shower didn’t amount to anything.\u00a0 It was over only a couple of minutes after Lupe took cover.\u00a0 Figures.\u00a0 When nothing further happened for another 10 minutes, the Carolina Dog went on.\u00a0 Down, down, down, trying to go WNW now.\u00a0 Lupe was aiming for relatively level ground SW of Buffalo Peak and the Meadow Creek valley.<\/p>\n

Lupe finally reached the living, unburned forest.\u00a0 She liked this better, but now it wasn’t possible to see much at all.\u00a0 SPHP was surprised when Lupe came across a logging trail or some kind of road not long after reaching the living forest.\u00a0 First she followed it SW, the direction where she ought to run into the bright green bog and Roaring Fork Creek again.\u00a0 Before long, though, the road simply dead-ended.<\/p>\n

Oh, well.\u00a0 Other than to get re-oriented, there wasn’t much reason to return to the bog anyway.\u00a0 May as well turn around and see where this road came from.\u00a0 At first, it took Lupe NE, but soon began curving N, then NW, and finally clear around to the W.\u00a0 N was fine.\u00a0 NW was fine.\u00a0 W into unexplored territory was not.\u00a0 Lupe didn’t need to go any farther that way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the logging road somewhere NW of Squaw Mountain. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even so, the road was a nice luxury.\u00a0 After all the bushwhacking, SPHP was reluctant to leave it.\u00a0 Maybe it would curve back N again?\u00a0 It did, but only for a short stretch, then it curved W again.\u00a0 Gah!\u00a0 Who knew where it went?\u00a0 SPHP was about to abandon the road to head N when it briefly curved SW.\u00a0 Ahead beyond a huge gnarled tree with 3 trunks was a sunlit meadow.\u00a0 A squirrel chattered.\u00a0 Lupe streaked over to bark at it.<\/p>\n

An omen!\u00a0 A good one, too!\u00a0 To heck with buzzards and vultures!\u00a0 Lupe needed a place to camp tonight, and a beautiful green meadow next to a giant squirrel tree would be perfect!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe arrives at the beautiful green meadow. She needed a place to camp tonight. This secluded meadow fully equipped with a giant squirrel tree nearby was perfect! Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rain shower had passed on by.\u00a0 Clouds remained in the sky, but the meadow was sunny and bright.\u00a0 The sun was still high, looking like it would be up for another 5 or 6 hours.\u00a0 Twilight would linger for another hour after that.\u00a0 Buffalo Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,387 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> couldn’t be much more than a mile away to the NE.<\/p>\n

Why wait until tomorrow?\u00a0 Lupe had time.\u00a0 The tent and sleeping bags could be left here.\u00a0 In case it rained again, SPHP hung them up in the ancient squirrel tree.\u00a0 Less surface area would be exposed to the sky that way.<\/p>\n

Lupe wanted to linger at the old tree and watch squirrels.\u00a0 For a few minutes, SPHP indulged her.\u00a0 Then it was time for the next big thing.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP left the grand old squirrel tree heading N for Buffalo Peak.<\/p>\n

(End of Part 1 of Day 5)\"\"<\/em>Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Part 2:<\/strong><\/span> Buffalo Peak & Twin Peaks in the Laramie Mountains of Wyoming (6-12-17 & 6-13-17)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Twin Peaks, Laramie Mountains, Wyoming (6-1-16)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s 2017 Laramie Range, Wyoming & Beyond Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 5, Part 1, of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Laramie Range in Wyoming & Beyond! What a glorious day!\u00a0 Spirits were soaring as Lupe and SPHP left the Twin Peaks trailhead on Trail No. 618 (7:14 AM, 59\u00b0F).\u00a0 The lucky American Dingo was setting off on a 2-day trek to a couple of … Continue reading Squaw Mountain, Laramie Range, Wyoming (6-12-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10927,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[834],"tags":[105,106,26,655,104,844,275],"class_list":["post-10948","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2017-laramie-range-wyoming-beyond","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-laramie-mountains","tag-lupe","tag-squaw-mountain","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/IMG_4985.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10948","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10948"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10948\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21156,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10948\/revisions\/21156"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10927"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10948"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10948"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10948"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}