{"id":11883,"date":"2018-01-08T08:10:41","date_gmt":"2018-01-08T15:10:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=11883"},"modified":"2019-03-25T22:59:35","modified_gmt":"2019-03-26T04:59:35","slug":"wind-river-peak-wyoming-part-1-worthen-meadow-to-tayo-park-7-8-17-7-9-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=11883","title":{"rendered":"Wind River Peak, Wyoming – Part 1: Worthen Meadow to Tayo Park (7-8-17 & 7-9-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days 1 & 2 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Wind River Range, Wyoming & Select Peaks in Montana<\/em><\/p>\n

Wow!\u00a0 Was that it?\u00a0 SPHP suspected it was.\u00a0 Although the G6 said it was 97\u00b0F outside, Lupe was riding in air-conditioned comfort.\u00a0 She was still E of Shoshoni on Hwy 20\/26 in central Wyoming.\u00a0 Far to the SW, the SE end of the fabulous Wind River range had come into view.<\/p>\n

The sight of a towering white peak looming above all the others was faintly unsettling even from here.\u00a0 Shimmering through the desert heat, Wind River Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,192 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and the surrounding high mountains had far more snow on them than SPHP had expected.\u00a0 So much snow up there more than a week into July?\u00a0 Maybe Lupe didn’t stand a chance.<\/p>\n

The day had started off well enough.\u00a0 Right away the American Dingo knew something was up.\u00a0 For hours she’d followed SPHP’s every footstep, yipping and prancing anxiously.\u00a0 Finally, just as she was losing hope, everything was ready.\u00a0 Into the G6!\u00a0 Suddenly Lupe was setting off on her 2nd Dingo Vacation of the summer of 2017 (11:09 AM)!<\/p>\n

Only 20 days ago, after the fiasco at Jack Squirrel Peak<\/span><\/a> (8,942 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> in the Laramie Mountains at the end of her previous Dingo Vacation, SPHP had promised to take Lupe to even higher mountains where she would find plenty of squirrels.\u00a0 Loop hadn’t dared to hope SPHP would keep that promise so soon.\u00a0 Once she reached Wyoming, though, she knew good things were in store.\u00a0 Happy days ahead!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way to Wyoming’s glorious Wind River Range<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Oh, yeah! I’m pumped! Bring on Wind River Peak<\/strong>!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By 6:00 PM, Lupe reached Lander at the foot of the Wind River Range.\u00a0 At the S end of 3rd Street, Lupe found Lander’s sweet city park by the Middle Popo Agie River.\u00a0 Saturday night, but even so, SPHP was astonished at how busy it was!\u00a0 The place was packed with people, kids and dogs.\u00a0 A DJ was playing music.\u00a0 Free camping is allowed!\u00a0 Tents and RV’s were all over the place.\u00a0 The park felt like a festival was in progress.<\/p>\n

Yeah, this was going to be fun!\u00a0 Lupe would spend the night here, too.\u00a0 Nearby, a bridge arched over the Middle Popo Agie River.\u00a0 On the other side was another, less-developed park.\u00a0 It would be quieter over there.\u00a0 Loop and SPHP went over the bridge, then took a walk along a mowed path to the bank of the river.\u00a0 It was still hot out.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog promptly got in the Middle Popo Agie to cool off and get a drink.<\/p>\n

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Lupe promptly hopped into the Middle Popo Agie<\/strong> River<\/strong> to cool off and enjoy a fresh snow-melt drink.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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At the beautiful Middle Popo Agie River<\/strong> in Lander, WY.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The town of Lander, WY has a great city park at the S end of 3rd Street. Green lawns, big shade trees, a couple of little streams, and free camping to boot! No wonder it’s so popular! Loop was going to spend the night here, too!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had never been to Lander before, so an evening tour of the town was in order.\u00a0 Looper was particularly interested in a couple of statues that caught her imagination.<\/p>\n

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Lupe loves watching pronghorn antelope race across the high Wyoming prairies and deserts. Naturally, she thought this pronghorn statue in Lander was cool, too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Being an Indian warrior on horseback looked like it would be a pretty adventurous life! This one was conveniently close to McDonald’s, too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After seeing some of Lander’s sights, SPHP ran in to Safeway to buy some fried chicken for dinner.\u00a0 Then it was back to the city park for the rest of the evening.\u00a0 SPHP set up Lupe’s “tiny house” for her.\u00a0 Loop feasted on chicken, then spent the rest of the evening exploring and playing.\u00a0 When the sun went down, the music stopped and the party was over.\u00a0 Lupe was still excited.\u00a0 It took a while for SPHP to persuade her to hit the hay.<\/p>\n

The next morning, the American Dingo rose bright and early.\u00a0 Time for action!\u00a0 Today Lupe would start for fabulous Wind River Peak!<\/p>\n

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Lupe next to her “tiny house” in Lander City Park the next morning. Today she would start for fabulous Wind River Peak!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the S end of 5th Street, SPHP drove out of Lander on Hwy 131.\u00a0 Lupe was soon approaching Sinks Canyon.\u00a0 She had time to get out and take a look around Sinks Canyon State Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 SPHP parked the G6 at a pullout near “The Rise”.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way up Sinks Canyon<\/strong> on Hwy 131, Lupe first came to “The Rise<\/strong>“, where the Middle Popo Agie River<\/strong> resurfaces after disappearing into a limestone cavern known as “The Sinks<\/strong>” 0.25 mile upstream.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"\"<\/a>
Looper on the viewing platform at “The Rise<\/strong>“. She could see big trout swimming in the pool below.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking at “The Rise<\/strong>“, a large pool where the Middle Popo Agie River<\/strong> resurfaces from underground caverns. Water could be seen pouring into the pool from several points along the canyon wall. Photo looks downstream (NE).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If Lupe had been a bear, “The Rise” would have been quite a fascinating place!\u00a0 The Middle Popo Agie River resurfaces from underground caverns here.\u00a0 Lupe could see water pouring into a large pool from various points along the side of the canyon.\u00a0 The pool was full of big trout which couldn’t swim any farther upstream.<\/p>\n

American Dingoes don’t fish much, though, so Lupe and SPHP went on to see “The Sinks”.<\/p>\n

The Sinks was only 0.25 mile upstream.\u00a0 Here the Middle Popo Agie River disappears into a limestone cavern.\u00a0 Ordinarily the entire river goes underground.\u00a0 This morning the Middle Popo Agie was such a torrent that it entirely flooded the cavern.\u00a0 Plentiful overflow continued down a surface channel.<\/p>\n

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The Sinks. The entire Middle Popo Agie River<\/strong> normally completely disappears into this limestone cavern. However, the Middle Popo Agie was a torrent this morning. The cavern was full and plenty of water continued downstream in a surface overflow channel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe cools her paws in the overflow channel. During normal water levels this spot is high and dry. Not today!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River<\/strong> was a torrent this morning. Here it is shortly before taking the plunge down into The Sinks<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After visiting The Sinks & The Rise, Lupe and SPHP continued up Sinks Canyon on Hwy 131.\u00a0 The highway eventually became Louis Lake Road, which wound very high up onto the upper SE side of the canyon.\u00a0 The view looking back down the canyon was impressive.<\/p>\n

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Looking back down Sinks Canyon<\/strong>. Hwy 131 can be seen below. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a tremendous elevation gain, Louis Lake Road finally started to level out shortly before passing by Frye Lake.\u00a0 A mile past Frye Lake was a R turn on USFS Road No. 302 to Worthen Meadow Reservoir.\u00a0 Most of No. 302 was fine, but parts of it were very rough for the G6.\u00a0 Nevertheless, the G6 made it through, and Lupe arrived at Worthen Meadow Reservoir.<\/p>\n

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Lupe at Worthen Meadow Reservoir<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, this was it!\u00a0 Lupe would start for Wind River Peak from here.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog snapped at flies while SPHP got everything ready.\u00a0 The trek should take three days and two nights.\u00a0 Loop and SPHP shared some of the remaining fried chicken by the lake, then went in search of the TH on the W side of USFS Road No. 302.\u00a0 Soon Lupe was on Stough Creek Lakes Trail No. 702 (10:45 AM, 71\u00b0F)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

This first part of the trail was wide and very well worn.\u00a0 Lupe traveled through an evergreen forest gradually gaining elevation.\u00a0 After 0.67 mile, she reached her first objective, Roaring Fork Lake.<\/p>\n

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After only 0.67 mile on the Stough Creek Lakes trail, Lupe reaches her first objective, Roaring Fork Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There were people and a few dogs at Roaring Fork Lake.\u00a0 Most were hanging out at some big rocks along the N shore.\u00a0 Lupe went out on the rocks, too.\u00a0 The small lake was pretty.\u00a0 Lupe could see high cliffs and peaks with snow in the distance beyond the lake.<\/p>\n

Nearby, Roaring Fork Creek flowed N out of the lake.\u00a0 The creek was deeper and much broader than SPHP expected, though the current looked gentle.\u00a0 Where did the trail cross the creek?\u00a0 SPHP had expected a bridge, but none was in sight.\u00a0 Maybe it was a little downstream from here?<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP followed what seemed to be a trail N through the forest near the E side of the stream.\u00a0 The trail went a short distance, then vanished.\u00a0 No trail and no sign of a bridge anywhere.\u00a0 This couldn’t be right!\u00a0 Lupe returned to Roaring Fork Lake.\u00a0 SPHP talked to a few people.\u00a0 None knew where the trail went, or where there was a bridge.\u00a0 Roaring Fork Lake was as far as they intended to go.<\/p>\n

When all else fails, consult the map!\u00a0 The map showed the trail crossing Roaring Fork Creek right at the N end of the lake.\u00a0 Hmm.\u00a0 Lupe returned to the stream where it exited Roaring Fork Lake.\u00a0 On the far shore, the trail was in plain sight.\u00a0 No bridge!\u00a0 That wasn’t good news at all.\u00a0 The current didn’t look strong, but Lupe had never forded anything like this before.<\/p>\n

SPHP waded into the stream.\u00a0 Lupe followed.\u00a0 Soon she was swimming.\u00a0 A large rock protruded out of the water about 2\/3 of the way across.\u00a0 The water was mid-thigh deep by the time SPHP reached the downstream side of the rock.\u00a0 Even though the current was gentle, Loop was having a hard time swimming against it.\u00a0 She was in danger of being swept downstream.<\/p>\n

SPHP grabbed Lupe and plucked her out of Roaring Fork Creek, placing her on the big rock.\u00a0 SPHP continued on across, leaving the Carolina Dog stranded.<\/p>\n

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Stuck on the rock in Roaring Fork Creek<\/strong> where the stream leaves Roaring Fork Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop was safe on the rock, but she wasn’t sure what to do next.\u00a0 SPHP encouraged her to jump back into the river and swim.\u00a0 She hesitated.\u00a0 Carolina Dogs aren’t water dogs.\u00a0 Roaring Fork Creek was way over her head.<\/p>\n

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Lupe hesitates on the rock, uncertain if she wants to leap back into the river like SPHP was encouraging her to do, or not. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Lupe made up her mind, she gave it her all.\u00a0 With a mighty leap she launched herself into Roaring Fork Creek.\u00a0 She sank below the surface, then popped up a moment later.\u00a0 She’d leapt so far she only had to swim a few feet before she could touch bottom and scramble to shore.\u00a0 Good girl!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe shook herself off.\u00a0 SPHP continued on the trail.\u00a0 Soon Loop was leading the way.\u00a0 The creek had been refreshing.<\/p>\n

It had also been worrisome.\u00a0 Lupe would have to cross other streams on the way to Wind River Peak.\u00a0 Weren’t there going to be any bridges?\u00a0 Eventually Loop would have to cross the Middle Popo Agie River.\u00a0 She had seen what a torrent the Popo Agie was back at The Sinks.\u00a0 How on earth could she get across that without a bridge?\u00a0 The obvious answer was – she couldn’t.<\/p>\n

The trail led SW through the forest gaining elevation more rapidly than before.\u00a0 0.75 mile from Roaring Fork Lake, the trail leveled out as it emerged from the forest at the edge of a vast marsh.\u00a0 A wooden walkway went all the way across the marsh.\u00a0 That was reassuring.\u00a0 Lupe trotted across.<\/p>\n

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Crossing the marsh 0.75 mile beyond Roaring Fork Lake. The trail on the far side of the marsh would lead Loop toward the saddle seen on the L. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the marsh, Trail No. 702 went W up a valley, gaining elevation at an increasing pace.\u00a0 Higher up, Lupe came to a long series of big switchbacks.\u00a0 It was warm out now, and just plain hot going uphill.\u00a0 Loop and SPHP stopped periodically for water and to catch breath.\u00a0 Never for long, though.\u00a0 Mosquitoes and flies were a constant bother.\u00a0 SPHP slathered on Deet, but it was only partially effective.<\/p>\n

The trail became rockier.\u00a0 For the first time, Lupe started getting views back down the valley.\u00a0 She could see Frye Lake and Fossil Hill<\/span><\/a> (9,089 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> beyond it.<\/p>\n

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Lupe by Stough Creek Lakes Trail No. 702. Frye Lake<\/strong> is in the distance on the L. Fossil Hill<\/strong> is beyond the lake. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The long uphill grind seemed like it would never end.\u00a0 After Lupe had gone 2 miles from the marsh and gained 1,000 feet of elevation, it finally did.\u00a0 The American Dingo reached a saddle N of High Point 10,965.\u00a0 For the first time since the marsh, Lupe was out of the forest.\u00a0 The saddle was open meadow.\u00a0 Lupe could see!<\/p>\n

What the Carolina Dog saw was a massive mountain dominating other high peaks nearby.\u00a0 Still 8 miles away as the crow flies, Wind River Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,192 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was unmistakable.<\/p>\n

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At the saddle N of High Point 10,965<\/strong>, Lupe came to a meadow where she could see again. What she saw was Wind River Peak<\/strong>, still 8 miles away. Photo looks W with considerable help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The mountain still looked far away.\u00a0 SPHP was already tired.\u00a0 It began to dawn on SPHP that Lupe’s journey to Wind River Peak and back was likely to take more than 3 days and 2 nights.\u00a0 Better go easy on the supplies, which were none too ample to begin with.<\/p>\n

Still the view wasn’t entirely discouraging.\u00a0 Although there was a lot of snow on the mountain, there were bare patches, too.\u00a0 The terrain didn’t look bad either.\u00a0 If Lupe could get to Wind River Peak, it looked like she stood a good chance of reaching the summit.<\/p>\n

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The view of Wind River Peak<\/strong> wasn’t entirely discouraging. Yes, there was a lot of snow on the mountain, but there were bare patches, too. The terrain didn’t look bad, either. If Lupe could get to the mountain, SPHP believed she could get to the top. Photo looks W with maximum assistance from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe continued on.\u00a0 Trail No. 702 started turning SW and headed back into the forest.\u00a0 Lupe still got occasional glimpses of Wind River Peak, but none so good as she’d had back at the saddle.\u00a0 She was now losing elevation.\u00a0 Slowly at first, but eventually more rapidly as she reached some switchbacks.\u00a0 The trail turned N and went around a hillside before dropping sharply.<\/p>\n

More than a mile from the saddle, Lupe came to flatter terrain.\u00a0 The ground was damp many places, and the trail muddy.\u00a0 Orange colored ponds were scattered in the forest, and the mosquitoes were terrible.\u00a0 The trail turned SW again and Lupe regained a little elevation.\u00a0 The trail was increasingly muddy.\u00a0 In some places it was just a stream.\u00a0 SPHP kept expecting Lupe to come to an intersection, but none appeared.<\/p>\n

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Lupe cools off on the “trail”.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP started to believe Lupe had somehow missed a turn onto Trail No. 704.\u00a0 However, rushing water could be heard not too far ahead.\u00a0 May as well check that out before turning back.\u00a0 Lupe soon reached a rushing stream that poured out of a small lake nearby.<\/p>\n

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Stough Creek pours out of a small lake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The stream was Stough Creek, though that wasn’t apparent at first.\u00a0 A couple hundred feet downstream, Lupe did come to a trail intersection.\u00a0 Good thing she hadn’t turned back!\u00a0 A sign didn’t give any trail numbers, but the trail to the L led straight to a bridge over Stough Creek.\u00a0 The sign said that trail went 3 miles to Stough Creek Lakes, so it had to be Trail No. 702 continuing onward.<\/p>\n

The trail to the R was signed as leading in 2 miles to the Middle Fork Trail.\u00a0 That had to be Stough Creek Basin Trail No. 704, the way Lupe needed to go.<\/p>\n

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Only a couple hundred feet after coming upon Stough Creek<\/strong>, Lupe reaches the intersection of Stough Creek Lakes Trail No. 702 (L) with Stough Creek Basin Trail No. 704 (R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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From this intersection, Lupe needed to take Stough Creek Basin Trail No. 704 (seen beyond her) 2 miles to the Middle Fork Trail. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe headed W on Stough Creek Basin Trail No. 704.\u00a0 She was soon losing elevation steadily.\u00a0 The trail was never far from Stough Creek, which could always be heard in the forest.\u00a0 At one point the trail was right next to the creek.\u00a0 The stream looked even bigger here, reinforced by some major tributary.<\/p>\n

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Lupe at Stough Creek<\/strong> near the upper end of Stough Creek Basin Trail No. 704. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Only 0.25 mile from the trail intersection, the Stough Creek Basin Trail reached the bottom of a valley where Stough Creek flowed N.\u00a0 The trail vanished straight into the stream!\u00a0 No bridge!<\/p>\n

Good grief!\u00a0 Another ford, and a far more worrisome one.\u00a0 The trail could be seen emerging from the stream on the far bank.\u00a0 However, the water was high and moving swiftly, completely filling the channel.\u00a0 It was hard to tell how deep it was.\u00a0 Stough Creek was already much larger than it had been farther upstream.\u00a0 It wasn’t as wide as Roaring Fork Creek had been, but looked much more dangerous.\u00a0 60 or 70 feet downstream of the ford, Stough Creek roared over whitewater rapids.<\/p>\n

The more SPHP stared at the ford, the more unnerving it appeared.\u00a0 Yes, it looked possible, but the current was clearly strong.\u00a0 One slip might bring disaster.\u00a0 Lupe would have to be carried over.\u00a0 If SPHP fell and dropped her, Loop would have only 5 or 10 seconds to escape before the current would sweep her into the whitewater to be battered mercilessly against the rocks.<\/p>\n

SPHP thought of Edward Earl<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, drowned in the Jago River.\u00a0 Absolutely not!\u00a0 Lupe wasn’t going to attempt this ford with the water so high.\u00a0 Either there was a better place to cross, or Wind River Peak wasn’t happening.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP looked around.\u00a0 Immediately upstream, the valley widened out.\u00a0 Stough Creek went around several sharp bends.\u00a0 The water was still moving at a good clip, but the surface looked calmer, less threatening.\u00a0 Maybe one of those bends would be a better spot to try?\u00a0 Worth investigating.<\/p>\n

Low bushes grew thickly on both sides of the creek.\u00a0 The ground they were on was all wet and marshy.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP forced a way through to the edge of the stream.\u00a0 No deeper than Roaring Fork Creek here.\u00a0 The water moved fast, but wasn’t turbulent.\u00a0 No rapids nearby.\u00a0 If there was a slip, Lupe would have lots more time to escape the river.<\/p>\n

Definitely a better situation.\u00a0 Not great, but should be OK.\u00a0 Maybe Lupe could even swim across?\u00a0 SPHP put her leash on so she wouldn’t get separated.\u00a0 SPHP waded into Stough Creek.\u00a0 Thigh deep again, but no more.\u00a0 Harder to move and maintain balance, though.\u00a0 The current was faster here than back at Roaring Fork Creek.<\/p>\n

Lupe came swimming after SPHP.\u00a0 She was instantly swept downstream, but the leash held her.\u00a0 It wasn’t that far across, but the leash was choking her and making it hard for Loop to hold her head above water.\u00a0 SPHP was nearly across, but Loopster was struggling and needed help.\u00a0 SPHP stopped, pulled her in with the leash, and picked the cold, drenched Dingo up.\u00a0 A couple more steps, and Lupe leapt to safety.<\/p>\n

SPHP waded out.\u00a0 Lupe was fine and shaking herself off.\u00a0 The crossing hadn’t been too bad.\u00a0 The whole ordeal had taken only 30 seconds.\u00a0 Still it was good to be across.\u00a0 The experience was a little too intense for comfort.\u00a0 SPHP vowed Lupe would find a better way across Stough Creek on the way back from Wind River Peak.<\/p>\n

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Lupe safely across Stough Creek<\/strong>. She crossed at this bend. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Stough Creek ford<\/strong>. It was a straight shot 60 or 70 feet downstream from here to roaring whitewater rapids. Lupe has already crossed safely a little farther upstream. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just beyond the ford was another trail intersection.\u00a0 A look at the map showed that the trail to the R (No. 703) would follow Stough Creek downstream for miles to Three Forks Park.\u00a0 Lupe needed to stick with Stough Creek Basin Trail (No. 704), which went straight.<\/p>\n

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Another trail intersection was just beyond the Stough Creek ford. Lupe stayed to the L, continuing straight on Stough Creek Basin Trail (No. 704) seen beyond her.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The terrain was fairly flat for 0.25 mile as Lupe followed No. 704 W from the intersection.\u00a0 The trail then turned NW and started a steady decent.\u00a0 The forest here was full of snowdrifts 2-4 feet high.\u00a0 The trail vanished beneath them.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP continued down the valley trying to guess where the trail had gone.<\/p>\n

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Lost among the snowdrifts trying to find the trail again.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After 15 minutes of wandering through the forest, Lupe had lost enough elevation so she was below most of the snow.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog found the trail again E of where SPHP had been looking.\u00a0 Back on track!<\/p>\n

No. 704 continued losing elevation.\u00a0 It was an easy stroll for SPHP, and Lupe was having a great time!\u00a0 SPHP had promised to take her to higher mountains where there were squirrels, and there were squirrels aplenty in this forest.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog sprinted from tree to tree.\u00a0 The whole valley echoed with shrill Dingo barking.\u00a0 A glorious fun time, for sure!<\/p>\n

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Back on track again! A pattern seemed to be developing. The smaller the creek, the more likely the trail would have a bridge over it. Lupe needn’t have gotten her paws wet at this roaring cataract. However, none of the serious creek or river crossings seemed to have bridges.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shortly after finding the trail again, Lupe came to a small opening in the forest.\u00a0 From a big rock, she saw Wind River Peak once more for the first time in a while.<\/p>\n

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Shortly after finding the trail again, Lupe came to this opening where she could see Wind River Peak<\/strong> for the first time in a while. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Wind River Peak<\/strong> from a boulder close to Stough Creek Basin Trail No. 704 with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Stough Creek Basin Trail No. 704 finally ended at another junction near the Middle Popo Agie River.\u00a0 Lupe had lost 1,000 feet of elevation since leaving the saddle where she’d first seen Wind River Peak.\u00a0 Now she would start regaining elevation going up the Middle Popo Agie River valley on Middle Fork Trail No. 700 to Tayo Park.\u00a0 Before heading for Tayo Park, she went to take a look at the Middle Popo Agie River.<\/p>\n

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Loopster reaches Middle Fork Trail No. 700. From here, she would be going up the Middle Popo Agie River<\/strong> valley to Tayo Park<\/strong> (L).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking down the Middle Popo Agie River valley<\/strong> from near the junction of Trails No. 704 & No. 700. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A look down the Middle Popo Agie River<\/strong> shortly after starting up Trail No. 700 to Tayo Park<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sign at the trail junction said it was only 1.5 miles to Tayo Park.\u00a0 The moment of truth was coming.\u00a0 Lupe would have to cross the Middle Popo Agie River to reach Tayo Park.\u00a0 There had better be a bridge!\u00a0 The river was simply too large and swift to consider fording.<\/p>\n

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Loop on her way up the Middle Popo Agie River valley<\/strong>. She would have to cross the river to get to Tayo Park<\/strong>. SPHP hoped there would be a bridge, or she wouldn’t be able to get across.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Following Trail No. 700 to Tayo Park<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After more than a mile on Trail No. 700, Lupe came to yet another trail intersection.\u00a0 She took a right on Trail No. 707.\u00a0 If No. 707 had a bridge across the Middle Popo Agie River, the American Dingo would arrive at Tayo Park in less than 0.33 mile.<\/p>\n

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After more than a mile following Trail No. 700 up the Middle Popo Agie River valley<\/strong>, Lupe reaches a R turn onto Trail No. 707, which would soon bring her to Tayo Park<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once she was on Trail No. 707, Loopster didn’t have far to go to reach the point where the trail crossed the Middle Popo Agie.\u00a0 She was soon there.\u00a0 Lupe had come miles and miles from Worthen Meadow.\u00a0 The view was most disheartening.<\/p>\n

Trail No. 707 disappeared into a shallow lake that filled the river valley.\u00a0 It was a good 80 feet through the water just to reach ripples that showed where the channel of the Middle Popo Agie River was.\u00a0 No bridge.\u00a0 No way forward.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Trail No. 707 to Tayo Park<\/strong> disappears into a shallow lake well before reaching the Middle Popo Agie River<\/strong>. The river was at flood stage and way out of its banks. No bridge. No way across. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All this way, and no bridge!\u00a0 The river was at flood stage, way out of its banks.\u00a0 SPHP stared across the shallow lake toward the ford.\u00a0 Wade 80 or 100 feet out there, just to reach the river channel?\u00a0 No!\u00a0 No telling how deep or fast the water was over there.\u00a0 It may look fairly calm, but a tremendous volume of water was flowing by.\u00a0 Lupe had seen that all the way up here.\u00a0 The current would be plenty strong.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP scouted along the dry land a little farther upstream.\u00a0 The American Dingo had a lovely view of a mountain beyond the valley, but the situation wasn’t really any different.\u00a0 Despair set in.\u00a0 Clearly it would be foolish to attempt this ford.\u00a0 Had Lupe met with defeat?\u00a0 Yeah, this was the picture of defeat alright.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The view farther up the Middle Popo Agie River valley<\/strong>. Lupe saw a lovely mountain, but the situation down in the flooded river valley was still the same. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Maybe the view of this mountain was as close as Lupe was going to get to Wind River Peak<\/strong>? Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Farther upstream, a steady roar came from across the river valley.\u00a0 Lupe could see Tayo Creek rushing down a hillside to join forces with the Middle Popo Agie River.\u00a0 That started SPHP thinking.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe near the end of the day in the Middle Popo Agie River valley<\/strong>. She wasn’t far from Tayo Park<\/strong>, but without a way to get there.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was evening.\u00a0 It had been a long, long day.\u00a0 The mosquitoes were awful.\u00a0 On a hillside near the river, there was a nice spot to pitch Lupe’s “tiny house” beneath some trees.\u00a0 SPHP assembled it as rapidly as possible and threw everything inside.\u00a0 Loop came in, too.\u00a0 Peace, at last from those infernal bugs!<\/p>\n

Loop had hardly eaten anything all day.\u00a0 SPHP split the last of the fried chicken with her.\u00a0 She got half a can of Alpo, and a large helping of Taste of the Wild, too.\u00a0 Meanwhile, SPHP studied the Bridger-Teton national forest map.\u00a0 It showed few details.\u00a0 The original plan had called for Loop to either be at Tayo Lake or Deep Creek Lakes this evening.\u00a0 Not going to happen.\u00a0 Both were still a long way away.\u00a0 To get to either, Lupe needed to get across the river to Tayo Park.<\/p>\n

Slowly, though, an idea was growing.<\/p>\n

I’m exhausted.\u00a0 C’mon Loop, let’s get some sleep.\u00a0 We’re staying here tonight.\u00a0 No sense in doing anything rash.\u00a0 At least, we’ve got a plan.\u00a0 It’s a long, long shot, but might work.\u00a0 We’ll see how feasible it is in the morning.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A plan? What do you mean by “we’ve got a plan<\/strong>“? You’ve seen the river SPHP! Now, I’m worried! Sheesh, what next? Can’t we just go back and bark at squirrels again?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Wind River Peak, Wyoming – Part 2: Divide & Conquer, Tayo Park to Tayo Lake (7-10-17)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s 2017 Wind River Range in Wyoming & Select Peaks in Montana 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":"

Days 1 & 2 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Wind River Range, Wyoming & Select Peaks in Montana Wow!\u00a0 Was that it?\u00a0 SPHP suspected it was.\u00a0 Although the G6 said it was 97\u00b0F outside, Lupe was riding in air-conditioned comfort.\u00a0 She was still E of Shoshoni on Hwy 20\/26 in central Wyoming.\u00a0 Far … Continue reading Wind River Peak, Wyoming – Part 1: Worthen Meadow to Tayo Park (7-8-17 & 7-9-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11855,"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":[833],"tags":[105,106,26,104,875,876,874,873,275],"class_list":["post-11883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2017-wind-river-range-wyoming-select-peaks-in-montana","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-tayo-park","tag-the-rise-the-sinks","tag-wind-river-peak","tag-worthen-meadow","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/IMG_5418.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\/11883","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=11883"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11883\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21169,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11883\/revisions\/21169"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}