{"id":11279,"date":"2017-11-29T08:10:22","date_gmt":"2017-11-29T15:10:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=11279"},"modified":"2019-03-25T22:20:40","modified_gmt":"2019-03-26T04:20:40","slug":"pine-mountain-the-sweetwater-county-wyoming-high-point-6-15-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=11279","title":{"rendered":"Pine Mountain, the Sweetwater County, Wyoming High Point (6-15-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 8 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Laramie Range & Beyond!<\/i><\/p>\n

Colorado!\u00a0 For pity sake!\u00a0 Edward Earl’s trip report<\/span><\/strong><\/a> had warned that the sign for the turnoff to Pine Mountain was difficult to see from the highway.\u00a0 Supposedly, SPHP had been watching carefully for it.\u00a0 Not carefully enough, apparently!\u00a0 SPHP turned the G6 around.\u00a0 Lupe headed N back into Wyoming.<\/p>\n

After leaving Prior Flat and the Shirley Mountains this morning, most of the day had been spent traveling.\u00a0 The afternoon drive S from Rock Springs on Hwy 430 had been gorgeous.\u00a0 High, remote ridges and hills stretched to the horizon, separated by dusty oceans of undulating sagebrush prairies.\u00a0 Classic Wyoming!<\/p>\n

On the way S, Lupe had finally seen a mountain SPHP figured might well be Pine Mountain<\/span><\/a> (9,550 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Even with this advance warning that Lupe must have been getting close, the turnoff had been missed.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
30 or 40 miles S of Rock Springs on Hwy 430, this mountain came into view to the SSW. Maybe it was Pine Mountain<\/strong>? Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting closer. SPHP never really figured out if this was actually Pine Mountain<\/strong>, or another one close by. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This road leading into a scenic valley W of Hwy 430 looked intriguing, but Lupe didn’t get to explore it. It turned out this road wasn’t far from the Colorado border. Lupe had already missed the turn to Pine Mountain<\/strong> by the time she reached this point. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The turnoff to Pine Mountain was supposed to be about 5 miles N of the Colorado border.\u00a0 Of course, Edward Earl<\/strong><\/span><\/a> had been here way back in July, 2002.\u00a0 Maybe the sign at the turn he referred to in his trip report was damaged, no longer existed, or had fallen over?\u00a0 SPHP drove slowly N staring down each dirt road leading W from Hwy 430.<\/p>\n

Maybe SPHP was just driving super slow, but it seemed like Lupe had gone well over 5 miles from the Colorado border.\u00a0 Still nothing.\u00a0 SPHP was considering turning around again for another pass at it going S, when at the top of a rise, there it was!\u00a0 A BLM sign in perfectly good condition said “Pine Mountain 12”.\u00a0 How had SPHP missed that?\u00a0 Didn’t matter, Lupe was on her way!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The BLM sign at the turnoff was small, but in perfectly good condition. The turn is at the top of a rise on the W side of Hwy 430 between mile markers 49 & 50. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It remained to be seen how far Lupe would get, however.\u00a0 Edward Earl mentioned several sharply eroded ruts across the road within the first couple of miles.\u00a0 Maybe the G6 wouldn’t be able to get past them?\u00a0 That would be bad news.\u00a0 A hot, dry 10 mile one-way march just to get to Pine Mountain wasn’t going to happen.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, the sharply eroded ruts no longer seemed to exist.\u00a0 Most encouraging!\u00a0 The road was supposed to be good the rest of the way.\u00a0 The next landmark Mr. Earl said to watch for was a fork in the road 4 miles from the highway.\u00a0 A BLM sign on the L would say 8 miles to Pine Mountain.<\/p>\n

At 3 miles, and again at 4 miles, Lupe came to unsigned 4-way intersections at minor crossroads.\u00a0 Hmm.\u00a0 Edward Earl hadn’t mentioned these.\u00a0 SPHP drove straight at each one.\u00a0 5 miles from the highway, Lupe did come to a fork in the road.\u00a0 A BLM sign near the L fork said “Red Creek Basin, County Road #71, Titsworth Gap”.\u00a0 No mention of Pine Mountain, or any clue as to where the road to the R went.<\/p>\n

Pine Mountain was nowhere in sight.\u00a0 The sign looked fairly new, but even if it had been replaced since Edward Earl was here, why didn’t it mention Pine Mountain?\u00a0 None of the places listed meant anything to SPHP.\u00a0 Still, the road to the L was going the right general direction.\u00a0 It was probably the way.\u00a0 Maybe best, though, to go a little farther on the road to the R, just to make certain another fork wasn’t coming up soon?<\/p>\n

A 0.5 mile jaunt down the R fork revealed nothing other than that the road deteriorated rather quickly.\u00a0 No other turns to the L could be seen for at least another 0.5 mile.\u00a0 That settled it.\u00a0 Lupe returned to the “Y” and took the road to the L.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A stuffed monkey hangs for no obvious reason from the new BLM sign at the “Y” about 5 miles from Hwy 430. Pine Mountain is nowhere in sight, but the road to the L, seen here winding off to the SW, is the right way to go!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Six miles later, SPHP parked the G6 at the base of Pine Mountain’s long NE ridge in a saddle just S of High Point 8510, a small butte mentioned by Mr. Earl.\u00a0 It was getting late in the afternoon (5:17 PM)<\/em>, and the 9,550 ft. summit was still more than 4 miles away.<\/p>\n

After being cooped up in the G6 most of the day, Lupe was ready for action!\u00a0 A road goes all the way to the top of Pine Mountain, so getting to the summit would be a cinch.\u00a0 The sun stays up late in June, so even on paw and foot Lupe and SPHP would have plenty of time.\u00a0 Maybe Loop would even get to enjoy a nice sunset up there?<\/p>\n

The trek had barely started, when SPHP nearly stepped on a baby pronghorn antelope hiding on the ground.\u00a0 It was very much alive.\u00a0 Lupe was already off racing around the fields, so she hadn’t seen it.\u00a0 Best that she didn’t.\u00a0 SPHP hurried over to the road leading up the mountain.\u00a0 Lupe never did see the baby pronghorn.\u00a0 No doubt she would have loved to, but it wouldn’t have been a good thing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe never did see this baby pronghorn antelope hiding on the ground.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The G6 is parked in the saddle S of High Point 8510<\/strong> (L), the small butte mentioned by Edward Earl. The road on the R goes all the way to the top of Pine Mountain<\/strong>. It was fairly steep in places, and had one rough section at the end of a big switchback, but overall it was quite good. Even the G6 might have made it to the top. Where’s the fun in that, though? Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite its woodsy name, only the N side of Pine Mountain turned out to be forested.\u00a0 Most of the mountain was bare or sported only scattered trees.\u00a0 The road to the top never entered the forest.\u00a0 Consequently, Lupe had big sweeping views all the way up the mountain.\u00a0 They only got better as she gained elevation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Only the N slopes of Pine Mountain<\/strong> were forested. Lupe never entered the forest. She enjoyed huge panoramic views all the way up the mountain. The road to Hwy 430 is seen below. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first 1.5 miles were by far the steepest.\u00a0 Near the end of it, the road made a single giant switchback followed by a short rocky section.\u00a0 After that the slope of the mountain decreased steadily.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking up the steepest part of the climb. Not bad at all, really! Beyond the high point seen above, the slope of the mountain decreased steadily. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Yellow wildflowers like these dotted the slopes of Pine Mountain<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Still early in the climb. The tan tank in the distance may be the water tank Edward Earl<\/strong> referred to in his trip report. The main road to the top of Pine Mountain<\/strong> used to go by it, but has been rerouted. The mountain in the distance is Diamond Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,640 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> in Colorado. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
View to the NE in early evening light.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Four J Basin<\/strong> from Pine Mountain’s NE ridge. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once past the steep part, the road headed SW up a wide, grassy, but otherwise barren slope.\u00a0 The view from the road would remain boringly the same for more than 2 miles.\u00a0 Far to the R was the edge of the forest.\u00a0 Far to the L was the SE edge of the mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Yes, that’s right! The view along the road was like this for more than 2 miles. Boring! That’s why I went L over to follow the edge of the mountain. Great views over there!<\/em> Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After trudging nearly half of this dull distance on the road, even SPHP began to realize this trek would be a lot more fun over by the edge where Lupe could see the big views to the SE.<\/p>\n

The edge of the mountain provided splendid views the entire way.\u00a0 The only disadvantage was that the higher Lupe went, the windier and colder the edge became.\u00a0 Loop didn’t care for the wind, but it wasn’t unbearable.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The wind makes Lupe squint, but she had a fantastic view of Middle Mountain (9,559 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) and Diamond Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,640 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center in the distance) to the SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loopster along the SE edge of Pine Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The highest part of Pine Mountain forms a huge crescent pointing SW.\u00a0 The terrain features mostly small rocks, small plants, and is otherwise barren and flat.\u00a0 The topo map shows two high points near the S edge.\u00a0 At the far SE end, the former site of an old radio tower is shown as having an elevation of 9,546 ft.\u00a0 Nearly half a mile to the WNW is the official summit with an elevation of 9,550 ft.<\/p>\n

Lupe arrived at the SE high point first.\u00a0 A small concrete platform only 3′ x 3′ was all that seemed to remain of the radio tower.\u00a0 The platform was located next to the start of a long fence which swept around to the W from here near the S edge of the mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the SE end of Pine Mountain<\/strong>, Lupe reached this concrete platform, apparently all that remains of an old radio tower installation. As near as SPHP could tell, this was High Point 9,546<\/strong> on the topo map. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near the old radio tower site looking SSE. The mountains in the distance are all in Colorado. Lupe is less than 2 miles from the border here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The snow-capped peaks barely visible on the far horizon on the L are likely part of the Uinta Range<\/strong> in Utah. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A two track dirt road ran along the N side of the fence close to the edge of the mountain.\u00a0 Since she still hadn’t made it to Pine Mountain’s official summit, Lupe followed this road W, continuing on it as it curved gradually to the WNW, then NW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Following the road N of the fence, Lupe came to several piles of old fence posts along the way. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Edward Earl had mentioned that each of the two spot elevations on the topo map appeared higher when viewed from the other.\u00a0 In Mr. Earl’s opinion, HP 9546 near the old radio tower site was likely the true summit, not HP 9550 which was the true summit according to the map.<\/p>\n

Like Mr. Earl, Lupe visited both of these points.\u00a0 In the end, SPHP had no firm opinion where the true summit actually was, only that Lupe must have reached it somewhere along the way.\u00a0 No matter where Lupe was along the rim of the mountain, the terrain in the distance always looked definitely somewhat higher!<\/p>\n

Perhaps the American Dingo knew exactly when she reached the true summit, but she maintained silence on the point.\u00a0 Dingoes don’t fret about such things.\u00a0 As far as Lupe was concerned, she’d done her peakbagging job and reached the top of Pine Mountain<\/span><\/a> (9,550 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Near the SW end of the mountain, not too far from the official 9,550 ft. summit on the topo map, Lupe came to a green gate in the fence.\u00a0 She went through the gate, and started a little down the slope before stopping near the edge of the steepest part.\u00a0 A fairly strong wind still blew out of the SW, making things rather chilly on the totally exposed edge.<\/p>\n

As far as the Carolina Dog could see, unspoiled open territory stretched past grand valleys and hills to distant mountains, some snow-capped, on the far horizon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe enjoying tremendous views along the SW edge of Pine Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Barely visible snow-capped peaks are on the horizon. Perhaps part of the Uinta Range<\/strong> in NE Utah? Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The same snowy peaks with lots of help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The forested hill in the foreground is Kleins Hill (9,048 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> in Colorado. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nearly an hour remained before sunset.\u00a0 Other than the wind, which seemed to be gradually weakening as the sun sank, there wasn’t a reason in the world why Lupe shouldn’t stay to enjoy the show.\u00a0 Seldom has she had such a tremendous vantage point near the end of a day, plus a great route back to the G6 that would be easy to follow even after dark.<\/p>\n

Lupe had water and Taste of the Wild, then curled up in the breeze to see how the evening would turn out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop waits for sunset from her great vantage point on Pine Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For a while, the already splendid scene didn’t change much.\u00a0 The sun was still too far above the horizon.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP sat huddled together against the breeze, gazing off toward Colorado and Utah, enjoying the solitude.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
For a while, the views didn’t change much. The sun was still too far above the horizon. Enough clouds were around, though, to encourage the notion that the sunset might be a good one. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Slowly, the sun’s rays slanted more sharply.\u00a0 A golden glow crept over the land.\u00a0 Contrasts deepened between light and shadow, highlighting features of the terrain.\u00a0 In the distance, outlines stood out, sky now easily differentiated from mountains and ridges.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Slowly a golden glow spread over the land highlighting features of the terrain. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe bathed in the golden glow, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The light intensified rapidly in the final brief moments before sunset.\u00a0 Lupe was transformed to a brilliantly illuminated Dingo goddess!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe stands brilliantly illuminated during the final brief moments before sunset. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Dingo goddess.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The golden glow faded.\u00a0 Shadow spread over the earth.\u00a0 Sunlight retreated to the realm of sky and clouds.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sunlight retreated to the realm of clouds and sky. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The show wasn’t over yet, though.\u00a0 Not until the sun disappeared completely did the evening sky rise to its colorful peak of glory.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Not until the sun disappeared completely did the evening sky rise to its most colorful peak of glory. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>And then it was over.\u00a0 Colors collapsed.\u00a0 The sky turned gray, the earth black.\u00a0 Lupe had remained to the end.\u00a0 Now the former Dingo goddess started the long trek back, traveling in deepening shadow the barren, breezy surface of this lofty dark underworld.<\/p>\n

The sky grew black.\u00a0 So black, the ancient dim light of stars and galaxies blazed above, a shining echo from the edge of infinity of what once was eons ago.\u00a0 Miles to the E, a single small grouping of bright electric lights.\u00a0 On the far N horizon, a faint glow that must have been Rock Springs.\u00a0 Elsewhere, the pitch black unbroken reign of night.<\/p>\n

On the move, heading down, the beautiful, quiet evening slipped by.\u00a0 The dying breeze brought the only news, subtle hints from the wild, to a still curious, quivering nose on Pine Mountain.\u00a0 (10:52 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on Pine Mountain, 6-15-17<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/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><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 8 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Laramie Range & Beyond! Colorado!\u00a0 For pity sake!\u00a0 Edward Earl’s trip report had warned that the sign for the turnoff to Pine Mountain was difficult to see from the highway.\u00a0 Supposedly, SPHP had been watching carefully for it.\u00a0 Not carefully enough, apparently!\u00a0 SPHP turned the G6 … Continue reading Pine Mountain, the Sweetwater County, Wyoming High Point (6-15-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11268,"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":[105,106,26,104,850,851,275],"class_list":["post-11279","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-lupe","tag-pine-mountain","tag-sweetwater-county","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_5135.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\/11279","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=11279"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11279\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21162,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11279\/revisions\/21162"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11268"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11279"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11279"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11279"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}