{"id":12340,"date":"2018-02-25T08:10:37","date_gmt":"2018-02-25T15:10:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=12340"},"modified":"2019-03-15T13:20:44","modified_gmt":"2019-03-15T19:20:44","slug":"striving-for-squaretop-mountain-wind-river-range-wy-part-3-the-dome-peak-salvage-operation-7-16-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=12340","title":{"rendered":"Striving for Squaretop Mountain, Wind River Range, WY – Part 3: The Dome Peak Salvage Operation (7-16-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 9 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Wind River Range, Wyoming & Select Peaks in Montana<\/em><\/p>\n

Lightning!\u00a0 Oh, boy.\u00a0 Nothing like getting drenched in the middle of the night.\u00a0 Unable to sleep, SPHP used a small flashlight to study maps.\u00a0 Meanwhile, the American Dingo, tired from yesterday’s fun and games on New Benchmark, and stuffed full of her entire food supply which she had devoured upon returning to Porcupine Pass, snoozed peacefully in the “tiny house” on her red sleeping bag.<\/p>\n

Thunder rumbled for a couple of hours, but thankfully only a little rain fell.\u00a0 At least that was a bit of luck.\u00a0 The maps didn’t have any good news, though.\u00a0 Lupe had made it to New Benchmark<\/span><\/a> (11,850 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> yesterday, only to have her route E to Squaretop Mountain<\/span><\/a> (11,695 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> blocked by a huge, steep snowbank.\u00a0 What had been seen of a possible alternate route E from N of Porcupine Pass, hadn’t looked promising from New Benchmark, either.<\/p>\n

The only other alternative was to go S from Porcupine Pass down the Dodge Creek valley far enough to pick up a trail heading E to the Lozier Lakes area.\u00a0 Loop could then try going N from Kenny or Marten Lakes.\u00a0 She would lose more than 1,000 feet of elevation from her current position at Porcupine Pass, though, all of which would have to be regained, plus a lot more.\u00a0 And it was a long, long way around.\u00a0 With supplies low already, circling clear around to the S wasn’t realistic.<\/p>\n

What that meant was failure.\u00a0 Lupe simply wasn’t going to make it to her prime objective.\u00a0 Sadly, Squaretop Mountain was out.\u00a0 No matter how SPHP looked at it, that was the depressing news the maps contained.\u00a0 May as well beat a retreat back down to Green River Lakes when dawn arrived.<\/p>\n

Leaving!\u00a0 Why are we leaving?\u00a0 Just because we can’t get all the way to Squaretop Mountain doesn’t mean we have to turn tail and flee, does it, SPHP?\u00a0 We have more time don’t we?\u00a0 It took us a whole day to get here!\u00a0 It’s a wonderful morning.\u00a0 We’re already at nearly 11,000 feet.\u00a0 What’s wrong with all these mountains around here?\u00a0 Can’t we climb one of them instead?<\/em><\/p>\n

All true, Looper.\u00a0 If you’re up for trying something else, I guess we could.\u00a0 Didn’t really bring any decent maps of anything other than the route I thought we could take to Squaretop, but some of the territory W of here looked pretty fun and not too difficult from New Benchmark yesterday.\u00a0 The maps do show a Dome Peak<\/span><\/a> (11,234 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> a few miles SSW of here.\u00a0 We could salvage something from this day, and try for Dome Peak if you like.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure!\u00a0 Why not?\u00a0 Dome Peak is fine with me.\u00a0 Let the salvage operations begin!\u00a0 I’m raring to go!<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP disassembled Lupe’s tiny house and packed everything up.\u00a0 The first step in the journey to Dome Peak was to head SW over Porcupine Pass Peak<\/span><\/a> (10,890 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, which Lupe had visited yesterday morning, too.\u00a0 It was a short, easy walk to the top, a nice change of pace after a couple of long, hard days.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop back up on Porcupine Pass Peak<\/strong> for the 2nd morning in a row. Porcupine Pass<\/strong> is below on the L. Photo looks E toward New Benchmark<\/strong>, which Lupe had climbed yesterday, and where she’d had to abort her journey to Squaretop Mountain due to steep snow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loop at the summit of Porcupine Pass Peak<\/strong> again. Dome Peak<\/strong>, her new peakbagging objective, is in the distance straight up from Looper. Photo looks SSW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A beautiful sunny trek across Porcupine Pass Peak brought Lupe to a rounded slope that descended gradually to another pass.\u00a0 This pass was unnamed on the maps, but might easily be considered Porcupine Pass SW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking down on the unnamed pass SW of Porcupine Pass Peak. On the way to Dome Peak, Lupe would climb up the other side of this pass. She discovered a trail going up the far slope, which SPHP should have paid more attention to, since it would have been useful later in the day. It was the correct route to the Jim Creek Trail. Peak 11,125<\/strong>, the first of 3 major high points Lupe would come to on her way to Dome Peak is seen on the L. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A trail went over the unnamed pass.\u00a0 A quick look at the map showed this would be a longer, but perhaps far less steep route down into the Porcupine Creek drainage than going N from Porcupine Pass when the time came to head back to Green River Lakes.\u00a0 SPHP liked this idea, and decided to stash the tiny house and sleeping bags behind a big rock in the pass.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe cools off on a big snowfield on the S side of the unnamed pass SW of Porcupine Pass Peak. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe continued SW on across the unnamed pass.\u00a0 She climbed up the slope on the far side, which was somewhat steeper than the slope from Porcupine Pass Peak had been, but it wasn’t a problem.\u00a0 SPHP was puzzled when more than halfway up the Carolina Dog discovered a trail winding up this slope.<\/p>\n

This trail was unexpected, and SPHP paid little attention to it, assuming it was only a side trail from the main one going over the unnamed pass.\u00a0 This incorrect assessment would have repercussions later in the day.\u00a0 At any rate, Lupe made it up the slope on the far side of the pass, where she had a great view back toward Porcupine Pass Peak<\/span> (10,890 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking back from the far (SW) side of the unnamed pass. Porcupine Pass Peak<\/strong> is the gentle green hill at Center. Peak 11,420<\/strong> is on the L. Part of New Benchmark<\/strong> is seen along the R edge. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe turned S and headed for Peak 11,125.\u00a0 This was great territory!\u00a0 Open and rolling in a rugged, but not difficult, sort of way.\u00a0 Big snowfields and grassy slopes, scattered rocks, and a myriad of clear trickling streams.\u00a0 Beneath blue skies and sunshine, Lupe ran and ran, streaking over great distances.\u00a0 SPHP strode easily along.\u00a0 Oh, yeah!\u00a0 This was fun!<\/p>\n

30 minutes later, Lupe arrived at the top of Peak 11,125.\u00a0 The summit was a relatively small area of big rocks and bigger views.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the top of Peak 11,125<\/strong>. The upper Boulder Creek drainage area is seen below. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe’s objective, Dome Peak<\/strong> (L), is the distant rounded high point on the horizon. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking across Dodge Creek canyon from Peak 11,125<\/strong>. In the foreground on the other side are Peak 11,695<\/strong> (far L) and Peak 11,290<\/strong> (L). Between them on the horizon is Gannett Peak<\/strong> (L), the highest mountain in Wyoming. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Gannett Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,804 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (far L) is on the horizon. Peak 11,290<\/strong> is in the foreground. Photo looks ESE from Peak<\/strong> 11,125<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on Peak 11,125<\/strong>. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The impressive view to the S with a lot of help from the telephoto lens. Peak 11,166<\/strong> is the high point L of Center. Dome Peak<\/strong> is the rounded high point on the R.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dome Peak was still close to 3 miles away, so Lupe didn’t linger long at Peak 11,125.\u00a0 To get down off the mountain, she circled back around to the NW until the terrain permitted her to turn SW.\u00a0 She crossed a snowy basin which was part of the uppermost NE portion of the Boulder Creek drainage area.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop cools down in the snowy basin SW of Peak 11,125<\/strong>. This basin is part of Boulder Creek’s uppermost NE drainage area. The next high point Lupe headed for is seen on the L. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The next high point on Lupe’s way was immediately S of the snowy basin.\u00a0 The lower slopes of this hill were also snow-covered.\u00a0 SPHP found the climb easiest staying on lanes of bare ground when possible.\u00a0 Meanwhile, the Carolina Dog wandered wherever she pleased.<\/p>\n

This hill wasn’t as high as Peak 11,125.\u00a0 The upper slopes were far less snowy than lower down.\u00a0 Scattered stands of stunted trees grew amid a great deal of rock.\u00a0 In fact, the whole hill was almost solid rock.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the top of the 2nd high point on her way to Dome Peak. This hill wasn’t quite 11,000 feet. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Same view with help from the telephoto lens. Palmer Canyon<\/strong> is across the way on the L. Peak 10,985<\/strong> is at Center, and Peak 11,166<\/strong> is on the R. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the second high point, Lupe could see the next hill ahead to the S.\u00a0 It was higher than this one, and must have been nearly the same elevation as Peak 11,125.\u00a0 A long, broad green slope with patches of snow to the E led toward a rocky summit.\u00a0 The slope was a steady climb, but getting to the top should be a piece of cake.<\/p>\n

Lupe lost elevation again going W down off the second high point.\u00a0 She soon turned S and headed straight for the third high point.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The long green slope leading up the third high point. Lupe headed for the highest rocks seen just R of Center. Photo looks S,<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop reached the top of the long green slope at a big rock outcropping at the NE end of a long summit ridge.\u00a0 Dome Peak was in view again.\u00a0 The American Dingo had been making good progress toward her objective.\u00a0 She was already halfway there!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the NE end of the 3rd high point’s long summit ridge. Dome Peak<\/strong> (R of Center) was in view again. Loop was already halfway there! Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cliffs prevented the Carolina Dog from going any farther straight S.\u00a0 It was clear the highest portions of the third high point’s long summit ridge were still off to the SW.\u00a0 Lupe went W, skirting a series of large rocks a bit below and to the N of them.<\/p>\n

Lupe had been doing great so far, but while she was working her way toward the true summit of the 3rd high point, SPHP suddenly realized there were problems ahead.<\/p>\n

The first problem was the weather.\u00a0 The sky had been almost completely clear all morning.\u00a0 Now pillars of cumulus clouds could be seen boiling up off to the W.\u00a0 They weren’t too big yet, but looked like trouble.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way to the highest part of the 3rd high point, SPHP suddenly realized there were problems ahead. The first problem was the weather. Pillars of cumulus clouds were boiling up in the W. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the way to the top of the 3rd high point. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The second problem was the realization that this 3rd high point still wasn’t part of the long ridge leading to Dome Peak.\u00a0 That ridge was now in view to the SW.\u00a0 Lupe would have to lose a couple hundred feet of elevation to get over to it.\u00a0 That wasn’t a problem, and the long ridge wasn’t more than a few hundred feet high itself, but its sides were steep.\u00a0 Steep with a continuous, big, long snowbank clinging to its upper slopes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe retreated a little down to the N from the 3rd high point. She would have to come down this way to get over to the ridge on the R leading to Dome Peak. That ridge wasn’t terribly high, but it was steep with a long continuous band of snow on its upper slopes. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe retreated a little down to the N from the 3rd high point.\u00a0 She had to go this way to get around to the W, and head over to the ridge leading to Dome Peak.\u00a0 SPHP stopped and stared at the long ridge for several minutes while Loop sat waiting patiently.<\/p>\n

That ridge isn’t that high Loop.\u00a0 It’s totally ridiculous, but I don’t see a way up it.\u00a0 Not with that steep band of snow all along the upper edge.<\/em><\/p>\n

We need to go over there?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, if you’re going to make it to Dome Peak, we need to get up on top.\u00a0 It’s a really long ridge.\u00a0 There’s part of it we don’t see from here farther S.\u00a0 Maybe there’s a way up somewhere along the way?<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, let’s go check it out!\u00a0 I’ll help you find a way up, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thanks, Lupe, but hold on!\u00a0 I’d say yes, but these clouds look like trouble.\u00a0 They’re building fast.\u00a0 Naturally, Dome Peak seems to be ground zero.\u00a0 I hope you’ve had a good time on this romp, but we better call it.<\/em><\/p>\n

What!\u00a0 No Dome Peak?<\/em><\/p>\n

Uh-uh.\u00a0 It’s been fun, but I’m afraid our Dome Peak salvage operation is doomed to failure, too.\u00a0 Thunderstorms will be on the way soon.\u00a0 Let’s get out of here, while the getting is good.<\/em><\/p>\n

Loop didn’t argue.\u00a0 She just sighed, turned, and started trotting N back down the long green slope back toward the 2nd high point.\u00a0 SPHP followed after her.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A look back at the 3rd high point and approaching weather shortly after giving up on Dome Peak and starting the retreat back N. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A look WNW down into the Boulder Creek canyon on the way down the long green slope.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Even though Lupe’s retreat had already begun, and her Dome Peak salvage operation had ended in failure, the scenery was still stunning. Gannett Peak<\/strong> (R) is on the horizon, along with many other huge peaks. Photo looks E on the way down the long green slope.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Heading back toward the 2nd high point, the low, almost solid rock hill at Center. Lupe wouldn’t climb it again. Instead, she went around the W (L) side. Peak 11,125<\/strong>, which was the first high point Lupe reached is in view on the R. Lupe didn’t climb it again either. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back at the long green slope to the 3rd high point (L). The long ridge Lupe never reached leading to Dome Peak is on the R. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The American Dingo didn’t climb the 2nd high point again.\u00a0 It was easier to just skip it and go around the W side.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe came to this narrow tarn going around the W side of the 2nd high point on her way back N. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop didn’t return to the top of Peak 11,125, either.\u00a0 She stayed NW of it.\u00a0 By the time she reached the snowfields N of Peak 11,125, it was clear the decision to abandon the effort to reach Dome Peak had been a good one.\u00a0 The sky had grown dark.\u00a0 Thunder rumbled to the S, back in the direction of Dome Peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the time Lupe reached the snowfields N of Peak 11,125 again, the sky had turned dark. Thunder rumbled to the S. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the way back down into the unnamed pass SW of Porcupine Pass Peak to retrieve the tiny house and sleeping bags, Lupe came across the odd side trail once more.\u00a0 Again, SPHP thought nothing of it.\u00a0 Down in the pass, the weather was so threatening SPHP quickly dug the green plastic rain poncho out of the pack and put it on, before grabbing everything else and hurrying on.<\/p>\n

Following the main trail NNW over the pass, Lupe and SPHP started the descent into the Porcupine Creek drainage area.\u00a0 The trail quickly steepened, then vanished!\u00a0 Light rain fell while Loop and SPHP searched for where the trail had disappeared to.\u00a0 Nothing!<\/p>\n

Lupe almost started down a large snowfield that went into a big gash in the mountainside.\u00a0 The gash had high, steep sides of bare, loose soil and rocks.\u00a0 The snowfield sloped ever more steeply down until it went out of sight.\u00a0 It was impossible to tell how far down the snow went or how steep it became.<\/p>\n

SPHP took another quick look at the map.\u00a0 The trail Lupe wanted went quite a distance W before turning NE down into the Porcupine Creek drainage.\u00a0 Hmm.\u00a0 SPHP led Lupe partway back up to the pass, but only far enough to get around the upper end of the big gash.\u00a0 Once W of the gash, the search for the trail resumed.<\/p>\n

Still no trail.\u00a0 The terrain quickly steepened.\u00a0 Lupe was descending fast.\u00a0 To the W was a large snowfield beneath a long rim of cliffs that curved NW.\u00a0 Rocks and boulders stuck up out of the snow in some places.\u00a0 If there was a trail here, it was almost certainly hidden beneath the snow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
W of the big gash, Lupe soon came to the edge of this snowfield beneath the line of cliffs seen curving away to the NW. If there was a trail here, it was buried beneath the snow. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe turned N descending a steep slope of bare ground along the E edge of the snowfield.\u00a0 After losing some elevation, she saw a wall of rock extending W out into the snowfield, creating a partial break in it.\u00a0 As Lupe and SPHP descended into a 2 foot gap between the wall of rock and the snowfield below, it started to rain harder.\u00a0 The rock wall had a bit of an overhang offering partial protection from the weather.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking WNW from the narrow gap between the wall of rock and the snowfield below it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe takes shelter from the rain beneath a small overhang.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Standing around waiting for the storm to end, SPHP had time for reflection.\u00a0 The light finally went on.\u00a0 That odd side trail Lupe had found twice, the one that went up the slope on the W side of the pass, wasn’t a side trail at all!\u00a0 It was the main trail Lupe had been looking for leading over to the Jim Creek trail!\u00a0 It stayed way up high, and didn’t come down here at all.\u00a0 The trail going N over the pass was just a dead end.\u00a0 A more careful look at the maps confirmed it.<\/p>\n

Lupe had already lost too much elevation to consider climbing all the way back up to the pass.\u00a0 The main trail went through some beautiful, easy high country that would have been fun to see, but going that way would add at least a couple of miles to the trek back to Green River Lakes.\u00a0 Besides, the storm was still back in that direction.\u00a0 The snowfield below the wall of rock wasn’t so steep that Lupe and SPHP couldn’t just descend it instead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
This snowfield below the wall of rock wasn’t so steep that Lupe and SPHP couldn’t simply walk right on down it. That became the new plan when SPHP finally realized there wasn’t actually any trail going down this way. Photo looks NW toward Peak 11,246<\/strong> (Center).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite all the thunder, it didn’t rain very hard or long.\u00a0 The American Dingo emerged from her hiding place ready to tackle the long snowfield.\u00a0 Down, down, down she went.\u00a0 Progress was fast on the snow, but lower down it finally ran out.\u00a0 Lupe then had to wait while SPHP slowly picked a way through boulder fields, occasionally assisted by lanes of vegetation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down the long snowfield. Peak 11,246<\/strong> is on the L. Porcupine Creek valley on the R. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lower down, there was far less snow. Lupe had to wait around while SPHP slowly picked a way down through boulder fields. Although thunder continued to rumble off to the S for another couple of hours, the sky cleared to the N, and it didn’t rain again. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It took a long time for SPHP to finally reach the valley floor.\u00a0 Another long march ensued in the forest looking for the Porcupine Trail.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog eventually found it.\u00a0 From then on, Lupe stuck to the trail, with only two exceptions.\u00a0 Just as she had inadvertently done 2 days ago on the way up, Loop twice bushwhacked through the forest to avoid 4 unnecessary fordings of raging Porcupine Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Flowers like these were common in the forests and fields of the miles long Porcupine Creek valley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking for the Porcupine Trail down in the Porcupine Creek valley. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sun had gone down behind the mountains.\u00a0 Light was fading by the time Lupe reached the final ford of Porcupine Creek near Green River Lakes.\u00a0 The roar of the water was tremendous.\u00a0 If anything, Porcupine Creek looked more dangerous than it had been 2 days ago.<\/p>\n

Weary from the long trek, SPHP dithered for 15 minutes.\u00a0 The courage to attempt the ford carrying both Lupe and the backpack could not be summoned.\u00a0 The deafening, powerful flow was too intimidating.\u00a0 A slip might end tragically, with dear Lupe swept away almost instantly to be pinned against debris clogging the stream immediately below the ford.\u00a0 SPHP would have little chance of saving her, if that happened.\u00a0 The thought was too terrible to bear.<\/p>\n

The creek had to be forded somewhere, though.\u00a0 There was no way to bushwhack around it this time.\u00a0 SPHP finally led Lupe downstream through a bog, looking for a safer place to cross.\u00a0 After a 10 minute march, Porcupine Creek spread out evenly so the water wasn’t so deep.\u00a0 The creek was wide, but had a fairly long straight stretch here with no obstacles nearby downstream.\u00a0 The water was still moving fast.\u00a0 It wasn’t whitewater, though, and was only knee deep.<\/p>\n

This was probably as good as it was going to get.\u00a0 SPHP stepped down into the stream.\u00a0 Lupe sat on the bank, lifting up her little freckled front paw to plead for help.\u00a0 SPHP picked her up and started across.<\/p>\n

The bottom of Porcupine Creek was full of medium-sized rounded rocks.\u00a0 The rocks were slimy and slippery.\u00a0 SPHP had a hard time finding good footing.\u00a0 It was a real struggle to maintain balance against the swift current.<\/p>\n

Two thirds of the way across, SPHP began to lose it.\u00a0 Fighting for control, Lupe got slung around wildly this way and that.\u00a0 For close to 10 seconds, the outcome remained uncertain.\u00a0 Then Lupe was flung unceremoniously aside as SPHP fell face first in Porcupine Creek.<\/p>\n

SPHP was totally drenched from head to toe, but recovered quickly.\u00a0 Thankfully, the backpack with the camera and all the rest of the gear had stayed above water.\u00a0 That was all fine.\u00a0 But where was Lupe?\u00a0 SPHP immediately turned to look downstream.\u00a0 She wasn’t there!<\/p>\n

Over here!<\/em><\/p>\n

There she was!\u00a0 The totally soaked Dingo was already standing safely on the far shore.\u00a0 After her unexpected plunge into Porcupine Creek, she’d made it in a flash the rest of the way across unharmed on her own.\u00a0 SPHP sloshed over to her, and stepped dripping up onto the bank.<\/p>\n

That was better than a Tilt-A-Whirl, SPHP, but you might have warned me about the grand finale!\u00a0 What do you call that exciting little maneuver?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sorry about that Loop.\u00a0 Glad you’re OK.\u00a0 I think that last bit of excitement is what’s known as our final ignominious defeat on this whole failure prone trek striving to get to Squaretop Mountain<\/em>.<\/p>\n

We aren’t coming to any more fords, are we?<\/em><\/p>\n

No, I saved the best for last.\u00a0 This was it, we’re done with fords.\u00a0 Think I’m all forded out.\u00a0 At least we’re across this damn creek in one piece.\u00a0 Come on, we still have miles to go, and the skeeters are bad.<\/em><\/p>\n

The flashlight had to come out on the Lakeside Trail.\u00a0 Stars shone above, but it was plenty dark in the forest.\u00a0 Once back at the G6 (10:24 PM)<\/em>, Lupe devoured a whole can of Alpo before turning in for the night.\u00a0 It was nearly midnight by the time SPHP was in dry clothes, and could join her in Dingo dreamland.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at Lower Green River Lake<\/strong> the next morning, with beautiful, iconic Squaretop Mountain<\/strong>, which she still hadn’t made it to the top of, in the distance on the R. Wind River Range, Wyoming.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Striving for Squaretop Mountain, Wind River Range, WY – Part 1: Green River Lakes to Porcupine Pass (7-13-17 & 7-14-17)<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Striving for Squaretop Mountain, Wind River Range, WY – Part 2: New Benchmark – Victory & Defeat! (7-15-17)<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Green River Lakes, Squaretop Mountain & The Highline Trail to Beaver Park, Wind River Range, WY (8-30-15)<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Squaretop Mountain, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: On the Highline Trail from Green River Lakes to Beaver Park (7-20-18)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Squaretop Mountain, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 2: Beaver Park to the Summit (7-21-18)<\/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>, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, or Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 9 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Wind River Range, Wyoming & Select Peaks in Montana Lightning!\u00a0 Oh, boy.\u00a0 Nothing like getting drenched in the middle of the night.\u00a0 Unable to sleep, SPHP used a small flashlight to study maps.\u00a0 Meanwhile, the American Dingo, tired from yesterday’s fun and games on New Benchmark, … Continue reading Striving for Squaretop Mountain, Wind River Range, WY – Part 3: The Dome Peak Salvage Operation (7-16-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12307,"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":[8,105,106,26,61,104,11,381,385,275],"class_list":["post-12340","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2017-wind-river-range-wyoming-select-peaks-in-montana","tag-omniten","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-dome-mountain","tag-lupe","tag-peakbagging","tag-squaretop-mountain","tag-wind-river-range","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/IMG_5644.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\/12340","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=12340"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12340\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20754,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12340\/revisions\/20754"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/12307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12340"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12340"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12340"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}