{"id":17360,"date":"2018-12-02T08:10:17","date_gmt":"2018-12-02T15:10:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=17360"},"modified":"2019-02-18T17:28:47","modified_gmt":"2019-02-19T00:28:47","slug":"beyond-the-elysian-fields-of-puppy-happiness-to-the-garden-of-the-gods-the-crack-of-doom-6-11-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=17360","title":{"rendered":"Beyond the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness to the Garden of the Gods & the Crack of Doom! (6-11-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 3 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming & Beyond!<\/em><\/p>\n

The night’s dense fog vanished during the wee hours, and the stars had been out.\u00a0 A chilly morning now, but sunlight filtering through the pines held hope that it would be warming up.\u00a0 Lupe sniffed her way along the bank of the North Tongue River at the Burgess Picnic Ground.\u00a0 The river was running high, full from bank to bank.<\/p>\n

Oh, it was going to be a truly epic day!\u00a0 As soon as breakfast was done, SPHP had promised Loop was going to return to the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness<\/strong><\/span><\/a>!\u00a0 She had been there once before, nearly 5 years ago.\u00a0 Visions of bright, sunny meadows fragrant with the scent of a million blossoms, warm breezes, puffy white clouds, and a cool, clear running stream filled Lupe’s head.\u00a0 From a rocky hilltop, she had seen enormous green fields full of beautiful black cows.<\/p>\n

Paradise!\u00a0 If only SPHP would hurry up!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the North Tongue River<\/strong> at the Burgess Picnic Ground.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At last SPHP was ready!\u00a0 After a quick drive W to a R turn onto USFS Road No. 15, the road curved E going up a slope.\u00a0 At the top of the slope was a big pullout on the R.\u00a0 SPHP parked the G6.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog hopped out.\u00a0 From a big rock she could see the Elysian Fields off to the W, not even 0.25 mile away.\u00a0 Oh, joy!\u00a0 (9:39 AM, 44\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Oh, there they are! The Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness<\/strong> are just beyond USFS Road No. 15 down by that black car. Come along, if you like! It’s not far.<\/em> Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe wasted no time.\u00a0 Down the slope, across the road, and she was back in the fabled Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe returns to the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness for the first time since July, 2013. Next stop is the forested hilltop on the L. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was thrilled, of course!\u00a0 She raced through the green fields, full of joyous energy, stopping to sniff and explore wherever interesting scents beckoned.\u00a0 She eventually returned to SPHP, who was walking across the fields, with a few questions.<\/p>\n

What happened here, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Hmm?\u00a0 What do you mean Loop?<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, it’s all beautiful, but not like I remember it.\u00a0 The sky is clouding up!\u00a0 Where are the puffy white clouds floating in the blue?\u00a0 The W wind is 15 mph and kinda cold.\u00a0 Where are the warm, gentle breezes?\u00a0 The flowers are still here, but there aren’t nearly as many, and they aren’t blooming in such grand profusion.\u00a0 Why aren’t the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness as glorious as they used to be?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I see!\u00a0 Easily explained, Looper.\u00a0 It’s June now, not July like when you were here before.\u00a0 Another month, and the Elysian Fields will return to their former glory.\u00a0 You can count on it!\u00a0 We’re just a bit early.\u00a0 Summer comes late and doesn’t last long up here in the mountains.\u00a0 Paradise isn’t fully in season just yet.<\/em><\/p>\n

Paradise has seasons?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, indeed!\u00a0 And summer, when it’s all at it’s height of splendor, is the shortest season of all.\u00a0 There’s a reason why most of your Dingo Vacations occur in July and August, you know.<\/em><\/p>\n

Does that mean winter comes to the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, yes.\u00a0 Longer, colder, crueler, and with more snow and ice than you’ve ever experienced!<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, who knew?\u00a0 They never put that in the brochures, do they?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, come on!\u00a0 You’ve never even seen a brochure about this place.\u00a0 They don’t exist.\u00a0 Silly Dingo!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe was right.\u00a0 It was kind of cool, cloudy and windy.\u00a0 Be that as it may, it wasn’t a bad day to be out in the mountains.\u00a0 The Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness were still a great place to be, even if not at their height of glory.\u00a0 After crossing the first big field, Lupe carried on, following a trail W along the N bank of the North Tongue River.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo soon forgot any complaints.\u00a0 She kept dashing off to explore this and that.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop by the North Tongue River. Buildings at the PK Cow Camp (R) are in the distance. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe (Center) exploring below rock formations near the river. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A trail ran along the river below small bluffs. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back downstream from one of the bluffs Lupe explored. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A small tributary of the North Tongue River flows down from the PK Cow Camp.\u00a0 Approaching this stream, SPHP glanced up toward one of the last bluffs to see Lupe frozen at attention.\u00a0 She was staring at the field beyond the creek.\u00a0 Something over there was staring back, too!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe and this bull moose were staring each other down. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The bull moose with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A bull moose!\u00a0 Loop and the moose stared each other down.\u00a0 Neither flinched.\u00a0 American Dingoes are great starers!\u00a0 Finally, the moose had had enough.\u00a0 He turned slowly around, then trotted up into the trees S of the PK Cow Camp.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Hah! I’m still here and the moose is gone! He was right over in that field behind me.<\/em> Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, shucks.\u00a0 The plan had been to cross the creek, then head across the field where the moose was to get to the hill beyond it.\u00a0 The moose had disappeared into the same forest Lupe needed to go through.<\/p>\n

A bull moose had to be given a wide berth.\u00a0 Instead of crossing the creek, Lupe and SPHP followed it NW up to the PK Cow Camp.\u00a0 Lupe crossed the creek at the road to the buildings.\u00a0 No one seemed to be around.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog trotted on past a couple of cabins to a fence that went SW.<\/p>\n

Lupe entered the forest following the fence up to a saddle N of the hill she intended to climb.\u00a0 The moose was nowhere in sight.\u00a0 The rocky hill Loop was going to climb was somewhere close by to the SE.\u00a0 Traveling through dense forest, Lupe went looking for it.\u00a0 She soon came to the first big rocks.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the dense forest on the way to the rocky hilltop.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe finds the first big rocks. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Traveling along the base of the rocks, the Carolina Dog found a spot where it was relatively easy to scramble to the top.\u00a0 Yes!\u00a0 This was the same hill she had climbed before back in 2013.\u00a0 The top of the formation was much larger than SPHP remembered.\u00a0 It was nearly all solid rock, so there were only a few trees.<\/p>\n

Loopster went over to the edge where she could look down upon those enormous green fields full of beautiful black cows again.\u00a0 The green fields were still there, but apparently cows were like flowers.\u00a0 They weren’t in season yet, either.\u00a0 Lupe saw none.\u00a0 Zero.\u00a0 Zippo.\u00a0 An annoying 20 mph W wind added insult to injury.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loopster reaches the rocky hilltop S of the PK Cow Camp. Black Mountain<\/span><\/a> (9,489 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) is on the horizon. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The moose was awesome, but I would rather have seen all those black cows again!<\/em> Photo looks S over the North Tongue River<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe not enjoying the W wind. Garden of the Gods<\/strong> (L) is 3 miles away across the fields. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This was as far as Lupe had gone in July, 2013.\u00a0 On that magical day these rocks had been a wonderful place to relax and watch the grazing herds down by the North Tongue River.\u00a0 Not now.\u00a0 Lupe despised the cold wind.\u00a0 She had no reason to stay, anyway, without a single cow to gaze down upon.\u00a0 SPHP concurred.<\/p>\n

So this is it, SPHP?\u00a0 We’re going back?\u00a0 Disappointing compared to our first trip here, but I sure won’t mind escaping this blasted breeze!<\/em><\/p>\n

We’re going, but not back, Looper.\u00a0 See those high hills to the W far across the open range?\u00a0 That’s where we’re headed.<\/em><\/p>\n

Way over there?!\u00a0 Across that wind-swept plain?\u00a0 Why on earth would we do that?<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s where the Garden of the Gods is.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sounds lovely, but what is it?\u00a0 Won’t the Gods kick us out, anyway?<\/em><\/p>\n

Don’t really know.\u00a0 I’d never heard of it before, either.\u00a0 It’s not shown on any of the maps we’ve ever had, but then one day I noticed it marked on the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> on Peakbagger.com.\u00a0 Garden of the Gods sounds wonderful doesn’t it?\u00a0 Full of life and incredible beauty!\u00a0 We’re going to go find out what’s really there!\u00a0 As far as the Gods go, if they tell us to leave, we will.<\/em><\/p>\n

Intriguing, but are you sure the garden isn’t out of season?\u00a0 Perhaps we’re too early?<\/em><\/p>\n

Probably true, Looper.\u00a0 If nothing else, though, we’ll find out what the Gods have planted this year.\u00a0 It’s not too early in the season for that.\u00a0 The garden ought to have at least sprouted by now.\u00a0 Are you in?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I suppose.\u00a0 Aren’t I always?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, you are!\u00a0 Well, nearly always.\u00a0 That’s part of what makes Carolina Dogs such excellent explorers and adventurers, I guess. <\/em><\/p>\n

Seems I’ve got a reputation to uphold.\u00a0 If we must, we must.\u00a0 Come on!\u00a0 Let’s go!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP left the windy, rocky hill.\u00a0 Loop headed back through the dense forest to the fence she had followed before and went under it.\u00a0 A bit of open ground led to another forested area a short distance to the NW.\u00a0 Apparently a second rocky high point was hidden among the trees here, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop near the next section of forest to the NW. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There was no reason to climb this next hill.\u00a0 Lupe did want to travel through the woods as much as possible, though, to avoid the wind, which made a lot of sense.\u00a0 The forest didn’t extend very far, however.\u00a0 Loop was soon faced with a windy trek across the grasslands.\u00a0 At least the American Dingo was encouraged by the sight of more woodlands ahead.\u00a0 She went straight for the closest grove.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Striking out for the closest clump of pines on the L. After getting there, Loop would travel along the L (S) edge of the bigger forest seen on the R on her way over the hill. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first grove of pines Lupe came to was muddy.\u00a0 Lupe sniffed around excitedly.\u00a0 The mud was full of hoof prints and animal tracks!\u00a0 This was a popular spot, but Loop didn’t find any animals around at the moment.\u00a0 After a brief exploration, she head on toward a larger forest nearby.<\/p>\n

Lupe wanted to explore the larger forest, too, but upon arriving at the edge, it was discovered that the land sloped down rather sharply where the forest was.\u00a0 Not wanting to lose elevation, SPHP insisted on staying out on the windy open grassland, but promised Loop she could explore this forest on the way back.<\/p>\n

Climbing a big hill, Lupe passed by a fenced-in area.\u00a0 A sign said “Aspen Clearcut to Facilitate Regrowth 1991”.\u00a0 That was 27 years ago!\u00a0 Except for one rather pathetic, spindly stand of aspens, the ground inside the fence was covered with sagebrush.<\/p>\n

Humans get such strange ideas, SPHP!\u00a0 Like cutting every single tree down makes them grow better.<\/em><\/p>\n

No doubt it seemed to make sense at the time, Loop.\u00a0 Not everything turns out to be a brilliant success.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, I certainly hope the Gods have a greener thumb than whoever did this!<\/em><\/p>\n

Passing through an opening in another fence nearby, Lupe continued up the hill.\u00a0 Huge coils of barbed wire and mesh fencing sat unused next to the opening.\u00a0 When the terrain leveled out to some degree, Loop traveled along open high ground S of the forest.<\/p>\n

Nearing the W end of the forest, Lupe and SPHP went a little way down into it.\u00a0 Time for a respite from the wind!\u00a0 The remaining distance to the Garden of the Gods appeared to all be open ground.\u00a0 Wrapped in a jacket to warm up a bit, Lupe enjoyed peering deeper into the forest.\u00a0 However, it was soon time to press on.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Continuing on past the last forest. The Garden of the Gods<\/strong> is still nearly 2 miles away at Center. Lupe ended up following the high ground to the R. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Less than 2 miles to the Garden of the Gods<\/span><\/a> (9,163 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!\u00a0 Looper climbed steadily, if not steeply, straight into the teeth of the wind.\u00a0 The sky to the S and SW was all cloudy, and had a somewhat threatening appearance.\u00a0 It wasn’t at all certain how far Lupe was going to get before the weather might force a retreat.\u00a0 Patches of blue sky kept appearing just N of the Garden of the Gods, encouraging her to keep going.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The sky to the SW was always cloudy and often looked somewhat threatening. Driven by the W wind, the weather kept coming out of this direction. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A huge bare ridge was just to the N, but Loop did not get up onto it.\u00a0 She traversed the slope S of the ridge heading W.\u00a0 She finally got past the last of a surprising number of barbed wire fences.\u00a0 At one point she passed a tan water trough.\u00a0 A trench held long, exposed lengths of black plastic pipe.\u00a0 The incessant wind held a steady 20 mph.\u00a0 Rain looked possible.\u00a0 Fog sailed by mountains not far to the S.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading for High Point 8867<\/strong>, the bare rounded hill at Center. Garden of the Gods<\/strong> is on the L. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It did not rain.\u00a0 Blue sky kept reappearing over the Garden of the Gods.\u00a0 Lupe made steady progress.\u00a0 She reached the top of High Point 8867<\/strong>, a bare hill only 0.5 mile ENE of the Garden of the Gods.\u00a0 A shallow open saddle led to the final uphill stretch.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking back from High Point 8867<\/strong>. The Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness<\/strong> are way back down near the road beyond the closest bit of forest on the R. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looper basks in sunshine on High Point 8867<\/strong> while fog drifts past mountains not far to the S. Highway 14A is in view in the valley below. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The last uphill stretch to the Garden of the Gods<\/strong>. Lupe followed the fence on the R most of the way. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While crossing the saddle, the sun disappeared.\u00a0 Clouds surged up from the S.\u00a0 Lupe got pelted by snow pellets, but the shower didn’t last long.\u00a0 Weak sunlight returned.\u00a0 Loop made her way up to rock formations that had been visible from miles away.<\/p>\n

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Lupe reaches the first rock formations at the Garden of the Gods<\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This was it!\u00a0 Lupe had reached the Garden of the Gods<\/span><\/a> (9,163 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> region shown on the map.\u00a0 Time to do some exploring.\u00a0 The rock formations in the area were the first thing Lupe noticed.\u00a0 They were quite striking and made a favorable first impression.<\/p>\n

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These weird rock formations made a favorable first impression. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A gap in the rocks led to an amphitheater surrounded on 3 sides by 30 to 50 foot high cliffs.\u00a0 The cliffs were not continuous.\u00a0 Several gaps existed between individual vertical rock walls.\u00a0 The amphitheater was sort of a natural 3-sided Stonehenge, but on a huge scale.<\/p>\n

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Lupe at the entrance to the Garden of the Gods<\/strong> amphitheater. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Scene along the E side of the Garden of the Gods<\/strong> amphitheater. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The amphitheater was at the exact spot marked on the map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> as being the Garden of the Gods.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP took a quick look.\u00a0 Disappointingly, the vegetation didn’t look like anything terribly different or amazing.<\/p>\n

Well, Lupe could make a closer examination in a bit.\u00a0 First SPHP wanted to reach the highest ground in the general area, which wasn’t far away.<\/p>\n

Just E of the amphitheater, Lupe climbed a short, steep, narrow, forested passage going N.\u00a0 She managed to get up on top of some of the rocks for a look around.\u00a0 She had a great view to the S from here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking S from the lower tier of rocks near the Garden of the Gods<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe hadn’t made it to the highest terrain yet.\u00a0 It turned out there were two tiers of rocks forming relatively level plateaus.\u00a0 Loop had only made it up onto the lower tier.<\/p>\n

The upper tier was only 12 feet higher at most, but the rock wall was nearly vertical.\u00a0 Lupe searched the terrain SW & W of the upper tier looking for a way up.\u00a0 She discovered a hidden circle of stones, an old campfire ring.<\/p>\n

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At the hidden campfire ring. An easy ramp to the upper tier is at R. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On this side, the upper tier was only 3 or 4 feet higher.\u00a0 A ramp a few feet from the campfire ring led directly to the top.\u00a0 Lupe had reached High Point 9163<\/strong>, which SPHP later designated as Garden of the Gods<\/span><\/a> (9,163 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/span> on Peakbagger.com.\u00a0 It’s not the same exact spot marked on the map as being the Garden of the Gods, but it’s close.<\/p>\n

The upper tier was a spacious circular area 150 feet in diameter.\u00a0 It was strewn with small stones, and ringed by trees.<\/p>\n

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Loopster on the upper tier at High Point 9163<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trees blocked the views in most directions, but there was a great view from the S edge.\u00a0 Lupe could see Cloud Peak<\/span> <\/a>(13,167 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> many miles away.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
View to the S from High Point 9163<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Tooth Mountain<\/span> <\/a>(13,005 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is slightly L of Center. Cloud Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,167 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is slightly R of Center. Photo looks SSE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A couple of short breaks had been taken on the way here, but Lupe and SPHP were both ready for a longer one.\u00a0 Huddled together against the wind, Lupe and SPHP sat in weak sunlight and intermittent light snow showers at the S edge.\u00a0 The snow melted on contact, never amounting to much.<\/p>\n

Nearly an hour passed.\u00a0 While it seemed almost certain this upper tier was the top of High Point 9163, the ground to the W was hidden by the trees.\u00a0 In case there actually was some higher spot, Lupe and SPHP left the upper tier to go take a look.<\/p>\n

Exploring SW first, Lupe didn’t have to go far to reach the N edge of the Garden of the Gods amphitheater.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking down on the Garden of the Gods<\/strong> amphitheater from the N edge of the bluffs. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Going W and NW brought Loop to the edge of a 20 foot high platform of stone.\u00a0 Although she could see higher territory off to the W, clearly none of the ground in the immediate vicinity was as high as the upper tier.\u00a0 No doubt about it now.\u00a0 The upper tier was the top of High Point 9163<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the W end of the stone platform N of the Garden of the Gods. While higher ground is in sight off to the W, none of the territory in the immediate vicinity was any higher than the upper tier. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now that that was settled, it was time for a more thorough exploration of the Garden of the Gods amphitheater.\u00a0 Lupe went back to the campfire ring.\u00a0 After climbing around on some nearby rocks, she went back down the narrow passage.\u00a0 Safely off High Point 9163, s<\/strong>he headed for the gap in the rock formations SPHP by now considered the official entrance to the Garden of the Gods.\u00a0 Looper trotted through the gap.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Up on some of the rocks NE of the Garden of the Gods amphitheater before heading down. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Garden of the Gods!\u00a0 Not a soul here.\u00a0 No God appeared to prevent the American Dingo from wandering at will.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe begins her explorations of the Garden of the Gods<\/strong> amphitheater. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Out toward middle of the amphitheater. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
So this is it! The Garden of the Gods<\/strong>! Not quite what I expected. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe by a gap at the SE end of the Garden of the Gods<\/strong>. The North Tongue River and Highway 14A are seen far below. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So what do you think, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Of the Garden of the Gods?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes.<\/em><\/p>\n

Appears to me that the Gods aren’t that much into horticulture.\u00a0 The rocks are interesting, and the views aren’t bad, but this “garden” doesn’t look much different than lots of other places we’ve been to.\u00a0 What do you think, Looper?<\/em><\/p>\n

I think the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness are way better than this.\u00a0 I also think this never ending wind is cold and annoying.\u00a0 Can we find some place to hide?\u00a0 Maybe have something to eat?<\/em><\/p>\n

A big wall of rock was close by and made a decent windbreak.\u00a0 SPHP wrapped a jacket around Loop to help her warm up.\u00a0 She gobbled up a bowl of Taste of the Wild in nothing flat, had a water chaser, then shot SPHP a glance that clearly said she couldn’t believe SPHP had made her come so far through the despicable wind for so little.\u00a0 The Gods didn’t know diddle about gardening.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Taking a break out of the wind. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
All this way for this?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oh, maybe we’re being too harsh on the Gods, Looper?\u00a0 I bet if we look around, we’ll see plenty of beautiful plants starting to flourish.\u00a0 It’s just early in the season, like we were talking about before.\u00a0 Even if we don’t, there’s another possibility.<\/em><\/p>\n

What’s that?<\/em><\/p>\n

We are right where the map says Garden of the Gods<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, but it’s possible it refers to a larger area, or even a different spot nearby.\u00a0 E of here the map shows many springs on the slope S of High Point 8867<\/strong>.\u00a0 We saw that slope from above and went right by it.\u00a0 It’s quite possible that the Garden of the Gods is actually over there.<\/em><\/p>\n

That might make sense, SPHP.\u00a0 A slope that continually trickles water over a wide area would easily support a beautiful garden.\u00a0 That slope was all totally exposed to the wind, though, wasn’t it?\u00a0 This is bad enough!\u00a0 Maybe we could just finish sniffing around here, and call it good?<\/em><\/p>\n

As you like, Loop.\u00a0 Ready?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

On closer inspection, the Gods had indeed planted some beautiful things, many not yet at their height of glory.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Little green plants grew in garland-like lines along cracks in the rock walls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Beautiful spruce trees looking Christmas tree perfect provided shade, shelter and contrast near the dramatic rock formations.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Healthy looking plants with big leaves hinted at flowers that might bloom later.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Some specimens were already farther along the growth curve than others.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Early lupines were beginning to bloom.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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By late June, lupines can turn huge slopes purple in the Bighorn range.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Delicate smaller flowers contributed a variety of bright colors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
There were tiny flowers the color of the sky.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
There were strange plants that looked sort of like flowers, but it was hard to say if they actually were or not.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Gods had planted ground cover, too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oh, the Garden of the Gods is<\/strong> beautiful, SPHP!\u00a0 And it’s going to get even better as the days go by just like the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness!\u00a0 Maybe we should go see what the big slope with all the springs has to show us after all?<\/em><\/p>\n

Depends.\u00a0 Like you said, that slope is totally exposed to the wind.\u00a0 Since you’ve been such a good sport, and we’ve seen at least some of the Garden of the Gods here at the amphitheater, would you like to do something else?<\/em><\/p>\n

Like what?<\/em><\/p>\n

Less than 0.5 mile W of here is High Point 9191<\/strong>, and about a mile away is a 9,200 foot contour enclosing another high point.\u00a0 Want to go see if we can peakbag those?<\/em><\/p>\n

Umm, aren’t they even farther from the G6?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, but I think it’s nearly all forested.\u00a0 We wouldn’t be in the wind.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, in that case …<\/em><\/p>\n

Of course, you’d probably have to expend an awful lot of energy barking at squirrels.<\/em><\/p>\n

Squirrels!\u00a0 You sure know how to beat around the bush, don’t you, SPHP?\u00a0 Why didn’t you say there would be squirrels to begin with?<\/em><\/p>\n

And with that, the Carolina Dog was off like a shot.\u00a0 She raced W across the Garden of the Gods amphitheater.\u00a0 Before SPHP could get there, she had already found a huge squirrel tree right at the edge of the forest.\u00a0 Loop and the squirrel were both raising a ruckus.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Let the good times roll! The Garden of the Gods had a huge squirrel tree, too!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So it was off through the forest, SPHP looking for High Points 9191 and 9200, and Lupe keeping a lookout for squirrels.\u00a0 Lupe wound up scouting out rocks along the W edge of the Garden of the Gods amphitheater, but the forest was so thick there wasn’t much to see.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Great idea, SPHP! This is more like it. No wind and a high probability of squirrels!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The American Dingo wandered W or SW.\u00a0 She seemed to be gaining net elevation, but it couldn’t have been much.\u00a0 The forest had no landmarks other than occasional meadows and hidden glens.\u00a0 Lupe reached a small, flat clearing where 4 spruce trees stood surrounded by low junipers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches a somewhat distinctive small clearing with 4 spruce trees surrounded by juniper bushes at the center. Photo looks E?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was hard to tell how far Lupe had gone.\u00a0 The terrain was practically level now.\u00a0 80 feet W of the distinctive clearing, Looper came to a group of white stones scattered at what appeared to be a slightly higher spot.\u00a0 Quite possibly this was the highest point in the whole region.\u00a0 Was Lupe at High Point 9200<\/strong>?\u00a0 SPHP didn’t think she had gone far enough.\u00a0 Might be High Point 9191<\/strong>, though.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches what might have been High Point 9191<\/strong>, but this was mere speculation on SPHP’s part. Photo looks NE?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe continued W another 80 feet losing a bit of elevation.\u00a0 Here she came to another meadow of moderate size.\u00a0 The ground farther W was clearly lower, so Loop turned S.\u00a0 She went 200 feet, and appeared to be nearing the S edge of the mountain, when she suddenly found herself on the brink of an opening in the ground.<\/p>\n

A narrow crack!\u00a0 So narrow that Lupe could have easily jumped across it, but the crack looked deep and dangerous.\u00a0 If by chance she fell in, she might be seriously injured or killed.\u00a0 Even if she survived, there might not be any way to get her out of there, either.\u00a0 SPHP begged Lupe to be careful, but she stood nonchalantly at the brink.<\/p>\n

What’s wrong, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Loopster!\u00a0 Don’t you see that deep crack?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, what about it?<\/em><\/p>\n

Be careful!\u00a0 It’s a sign that the whole mountain is going to fall apart some day.\u00a0 It’s dangerous right now, if you fall into it.\u00a0 Stay away from it.\u00a0 Don’t stand there!\u00a0 You’re on the brink of the CRACK OF DOOM<\/strong>!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the brink of the Crack of Doom<\/strong>! Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon inspection, the Crack of Doom looked about 40 feet deep.\u00a0 Getting out of it might have been possible, if uninjured, but wouldn’t have been easy.\u00a0 Fortunately, an escape wasn’t necessary.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog had sense enough not to fall in.\u00a0 She thought SPHP was simply being overly melodramatic.<\/p>\n

Maybe all the way to the Crack of Doom was far enough?\u00a0 SPHP could see it was going to be impossible to know for certain in this forest if Lupe ever reached High Points 9191 or 9200, anyway.<\/p>\n

The long trek back began.\u00a0 Lupe went by the probable High Point 9191<\/strong> site, and the clearing with the 4 spruces.\u00a0 She had a fabulous time in the forest on the way back to the Garden of the Gods.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Fun times in the trackless forest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe returned to the Garden of the Gods<\/span><\/a> (9,163 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> upper tier, and once again sat by the S rim.\u00a0 A chipmunk, bold as brass, came scrambling close by along the rocks and taunted her repeatedly.\u00a0 It was a dangerous game of Hide and Seek that the chipmunk won, but kept the Carolina Dog thoroughly entertained.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Garden of the Gods turned out to be pretty fun after all! Didn’t it, SPHP?<\/em> Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The weather had improved.\u00a0 Plenty of clouds still around, but sunshine, too.\u00a0 Rain and snow showers were no more.\u00a0 The wind was dying down.\u00a0 With a beautiful evening ahead of her, Lupe left the Garden of the Gods.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Leaving Garden of the Gods. High Point 8867<\/strong> is the closest bare hill straight up from Lupe’s head. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So much fun!\u00a0 Lupe returned to High Point 8867<\/strong>.\u00a0 She never did go down to see the slope S of it with the springs that might actually be part of the Garden of the Gods, but she did enjoy a long, gentle, downhill romp on the big ridge to the E.\u00a0 SPHP did not forget the promise made earlier to let her explore the forest W of the PK Cow Camp.\u00a0 Lupe had a blast!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On High Point 8867<\/strong> again. It was still a bit windy here. Garden of the Gods<\/strong> is on the R. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What a day!\u00a0 And what a lovely evening!\u00a0 Looper was past the PK Cow Camp and approaching the North Tongue River again.\u00a0 Only a pleasant stroll along it, then back through the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness left to go.\u00a0 The day’s adventures were about concluded.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Evening along the North Tongue River<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wrong!\u00a0 With an American Dingo, it’s never over until it’s actually over.\u00a0 Suddenly Lupe raced ahead!\u00a0 She turned sharply, and disappeared into the willows near the river.\u00a0 A moment later, SPHP heard a tremendous splash!<\/p>\n

What on earth?!\u00a0 Had the crazy Dingo hurled herself into the frigid, rushing stream?\u00a0 And even going like a rocket, how could she have made such a giant splash?\u00a0 SPHP was instantly concerned.\u00a0 The current was powerful, and the river banks lined with thick willows that would make escape difficult.<\/p>\n

Moments later it all became clear.\u00a0 Loopster came racing back, tongue hanging out with a huge grin on her face.\u00a0 She hadn’t flung herself into the icy North Tongue River at all.\u00a0 That had been someone else.\u00a0 Someone much bigger.\u00a0 Someone now safely on the other side of the river.<\/p>\n

Shame on you, Loop!\u00a0 How long have you been plotting this?<\/em><\/p>\n

Plotting what?<\/em>\u00a0 Said little Miss Innocent.<\/p>\n

You know what I mean.\u00a0 Moose hunting!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mr. Moose safely on the S bank. He was fine, but his pride may have been hurt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Humiliated by a pipsqueak Dingo right in front of his girlfriend.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe never answered.\u00a0 She trotted briskly ahead sniffing her way along the river, curly tail waving proudly behind her.\u00a0 So in the end, the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness lived up to their glorious reputation after all.\u00a0 Lupe was happy, happy, oh, so happy crossing them on the way back to the G6.\u00a0 (6:42 PM, 52\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back from the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness<\/strong> (L), the Garden of the Gods<\/strong> (R) & the Crack of Doom<\/strong> (out of sight), Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 6-11-18<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

The Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness & A Night on Bald Mountain, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-10-13)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of 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<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 3 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming & Beyond! The night’s dense fog vanished during the wee hours, and the stars had been out.\u00a0 A chilly morning now, but sunlight filtering through the pines held hope that it would be warming up.\u00a0 Lupe sniffed her way along the bank … Continue reading Beyond the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness to the Garden of the Gods & the Crack of Doom! (6-11-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17353,"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":[1003],"tags":[105,185,106,1012,26,1011,104,275],"class_list":["post-17360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2018-bighorn-mountains-wyoming-beyond","tag-american-dingo","tag-bighorn-mountains","tag-carolina-dog","tag-crack-of-doom","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-garden-of-the-gods","tag-lupe","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/IMG_9419.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\/17360","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=17360"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17360\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19715,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17360\/revisions\/19715"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/17353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}