{"id":17978,"date":"2018-12-30T08:10:10","date_gmt":"2018-12-30T15:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=17978"},"modified":"2019-02-18T17:35:03","modified_gmt":"2019-02-19T00:35:03","slug":"bucking-mule-falls-porcupine-falls-duncum-mountain-bighorn-range-wyoming-6-14-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=17978","title":{"rendered":"Bucking Mule Falls, Porcupine Falls & Duncum Mountain, Bighorn Range, Wyoming (6-14-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 6 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming & Beyond!<\/em><\/p>\n

1:50 AM at a dispersed camping site near USFS Road No. 11, 1.5 miles N of Highway 14A in the northern Bighorns<\/em> – The wind hadn’t died down at sunset as expected, yet it was warm in the G6.\u00a0 Too warm.\u00a0 Hot and thirsty, Lupe lay panting hard on her pile of pillows and blankets.\u00a0 She eagerly lapped up the water SPHP gave her.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog coughed as some of it went down the wrong pipe.\u00a0 SPHP opened the door, and a cool breeze flooded in.\u00a0 Relief!<\/p>\n

The next time SPHP woke up, it was light out, but still early.\u00a0 Lupe left the G6 to sniff the air.\u00a0 Yesterday hadn’t been all that difficult, but SPHP still felt worn down.\u00a0 Too much sun and wind.<\/p>\n

More snoozing.\u00a0 Even Loop seemed content to gaze out the window or doze.\u00a0 She chased a tennis ball a few times, but that was it.\u00a0 Most of a breezy, leisurely morning passed by before action sounded good again.<\/p>\n

Happily, nothing too strenuous was on the agenda.\u00a0 Two of the biggest, most scenic waterfalls in the Bighorn Range weren’t far from here.\u00a0 Lupe could go see both of them!\u00a0 Maybe she would even have time enough to climb Duncum Mountain<\/span><\/a> (9,831 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> late in the day?\u00a0 USFS Road No. 11 passes over a saddle near the summit.\u00a0 Despite Duncum’s 871 feet of prominence, an ascent wouldn’t involve much more than an easy stroll.<\/p>\n

SPHP drove 1.5 miles N on USFS Road No. 11 to an intersection with USFS Road No. 14.\u00a0 Another 6 or 7 miles NW on No. 14 got Lupe to the big Bucking Mule Falls trailhead parking lot at the end of the road.\u00a0 No one was around when Lupe hopped out of the G6.\u00a0 (10:43 AM, 68\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe arrives at the Bucking Mule Falls trailhead in the northern Bighorn Mountains.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Part of a map of the general vicinity posted at the trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail to the Bucking Mule Falls overlook is about 2 miles long.\u00a0 Lupe soon found it along the W side of the parking lot.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loopster about to head for Bucking Mule Falls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sign at the start of the trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe and SPHP set out, the trail entered a lodgepole pine forest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The trail to Bucking Mule Falls passes through a lodgepole pine forest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail went gradually downhill most of the time.\u00a0 The forest was open enough to see quite a way through it, but Lupe had no distant views.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On a level stretch. Most of the time Lupe was gradually losing elevation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a mile or so, switchbacks went down a steeper slope.\u00a0 Lupe soon arrived at Big Tepee Creek.\u00a0 The creek was 1.2 trail miles from the start.\u00a0 Lupe cooled her paws off and got a drink.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
1.2 miles into the trek, Loop cools her paws off in Big Tepee Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Crossing Big Tepee Creek was cake!\u00a0 A good wooden bridge went over it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A fine bridge like this one would have come in mighty handy at some other places we’ve been to, wouldn’t it, SPHP?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing Big Tepee Creek, the trail regained some elevation.\u00a0 So far the trail had been easy to follow, but Lupe now came to a fork.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
When Lupe arrived at this fork in the trail, it wasn’t initially clear which way to go.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP initially had no clue which way to go, but then noticed the answer carved in a log by the path to the L.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
L was the way to Bucking Mule Falls at the first fork in the trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Farther on, Lupe came to a sunny clearing.\u00a0 This was the first genuine break in the forest.\u00a0 A sign leaned against the base of a post it had once been attached to.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At a bright, sunny clearing, Lupe reaches a 2nd fork in the trail. This time there was a sign saying which way to go.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Apparently the trail to the Bucking Mule Falls overlook parted ways at this clearing with Bucking Mule National Recreation Trail No. 53.<\/p>\n

The trail to the falls gets nearly all the traffic.\u00a0 Trail No. 53 was so faint, SPHP wouldn’t even have noticed it if not for the sign.\u00a0 Lupe took the well worn path leading to Bucking Mule Falls.<\/p>\n

Bucking Mule Falls overlook wasn’t much farther.\u00a0 The first indication that the American Dingo had arrived came as she approached a flat area containing a partially collapsed log fence.\u00a0 A side path went up a little rise to the L (NW).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bucking Mule Falls overlook is this way! We’re almost there!<\/em> Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the other side of the rise, a narrow strip of ground led directly to a rocky knob jutting out into a huge canyon.\u00a0 The top of the knob was as spacious as a large room in a house, and surrounded by tremendous cliffs on 3 sides.\u00a0 This area was completely undeveloped without any safety railings.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the knob of rock that serves as the Bucking Mule Falls overlook (R). Only about half of the knob is in view here. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe ventured out onto the knob.\u00a0 Directly ahead was a grand view of Devil Canyon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Devil Canyon<\/strong> from the Bucking Mule Falls overlook. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Off to the R, and far below, was what the Carolina Dog had come to see – Bucking Mule Falls!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A first look at Bucking Mule Falls<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nearly 0.2 mile to the NNE, even the top of Bucking Mule Falls was more than 400 feet lower than Lupe’s current position at the overlook.\u00a0 To get a clear view of the entire waterfall, the Carolina Dog had to get mighty close to the huge cliffs along the edge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe had to venture very close to the tremendous cliffs along the edge of the overlook to get a clear view of Bucking Mule Falls<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The day was sunny and warm.\u00a0 After a good look at Bucking Mule Falls, Looper felt like relaxing in the shade of a nearby pine tree.\u00a0 Probably a better idea than spending too much time on the brink of the precipice.<\/p>\n

While Lupe panted in the shade, SPHP admired Bucking Mule Falls.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
General overview. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bucking Mule Falls<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
180 feet high, Bucking Mule Falls<\/strong> may be the tallest waterfall Bighorn Mountain range.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Top of Bucking Mule Falls<\/strong> with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lower portion of the falls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The base of the falls is 600 feet lower than the overlook.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bucking Mule Falls may be the tallest waterfall in the entire Bighorn Mountain range, but it isn’t all that accessible.\u00a0 The rocky knob overlook provided a stunning view, but from nearly 0.2 mile away.\u00a0 There wasn’t an easy way to get down close to the waterfall other than going over the edge of the precipice.<\/p>\n

American Dingoes are dead set against flinging themselves over the edge of any precipices.\u00a0 SPHP felt pretty much the same way.\u00a0 However, back by the dilapidated log fence it had looked like the trail continued farther E.\u00a0 Maybe there were more viewpoints?<\/p>\n

It seemed worth checking out.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP returned to the the log fence.\u00a0 Proceeding E through a forest, the trail soon shrank to a narrow single track.\u00a0 To the N, the terrain sloped sharply down to unseen cliffs.\u00a0 Perhaps there were places along the cliffs from which the falls could have been seen, but it looked dangerous to go anywhere near them.<\/p>\n

The narrow single track trail led to a meadow where it became a two track dirt road.\u00a0 By the time Lupe was 0.25 mile from the rocky knob overlook, it was becoming clear that wherever this road went, Loop wasn’t going to come to any better views of Bucking Mule Falls.<\/p>\n

That settled that.\u00a0 Returning to the rocky knob overlook, Loop and SPHP enjoyed Bucking Mule Falls a while longer.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loopster back for a final look at Bucking Mule Falls<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Devil Canyon<\/strong> again from the rocky knob. SPHP wondered if that most distant ridge (Center) might be Big Pryor Mountain<\/span><\/a> (8,786 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> in Montana? Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the way back to the trailhead, Lupe cooled off in Big Tepee Creek again.\u00a0 The return was otherwise uneventful.\u00a0 (1:57 PM, 70\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Enjoying a refreshing dip in Big Tepee Creek<\/strong> on the way back to the trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The day was still sunny and bright.\u00a0 The uphill climb back to the parking lot had made it seem warmer out than it really was.\u00a0 Porcupine Falls was next on Lupe’s agenda.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog had been there once before.\u00a0 While Porcupine Falls isn’t nearly as tall as Bucking Mule Falls, a huge pool of water at the base of the falls is easily accessible.<\/p>\n

SPHP put on a bathing suit, having come up with the ludicrous notion that a dip in the pool below Porcupine Falls might be a fun, refreshing way to cool off.\u00a0 Prepared for ill-advised action, Lupe and SPHP left the Bucking Mule Falls trailhead.\u00a0 SPHP drove less than 3 miles back along USFS Road No. 14 to a R (W) turn onto USFS Road No. 146.\u00a0 A sign pointed to Porcupine Falls Trail No. 135.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the turn off USFS Road No. 14 onto No. 146, which leads to the Porcupine Falls trailhead. Medicine Mountain<\/span><\/a> (9,962 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is in sight. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No. 146 went 0.5 mile W before ending at the Porcupine Falls trailhead.\u00a0 Lupe was pleased to see that she wasn’t going to have to carry anything.\u00a0 (2:30 PM, 69\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe was pleased to see that she wasn’t going to have to carry anything on the way to Porcupine Falls. (As if she ever does!)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Trail No. 135 to Porcupine Falls was short, but steep.\u00a0 Switchbacking down a forested slope, the trail began a descent into Devil Canyon.\u00a0 The switchbacks eventually led to a long flight of stairs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A burden-free Dingo heads down Trail No. 135.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the descent into Devil Canyon. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Trail No. 135 is less than 0.5 mile long.\u00a0 Near the end of the descent, part of the pool of water at the base of Porcupine Falls came into view.\u00a0 Soon Lupe could see part of the waterfall, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Part of the pool of water at the base of Porcupine Falls comes into view. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
There’s Porcupine Falls<\/strong> dead ahead!<\/em> Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP was struck by the beauty and accessibility of Porcupine Falls!\u00a0 Bucking Mule Falls was certainly impressive and much taller, but had been so far away that it’s full splendor wasn’t as easy to appreciate.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Porcupine Creek<\/strong> plunges from a gap between vertical rock walls into Devil Canyon<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching the canyon floor, Loop got as close to Porcupine Falls as she could.\u00a0 She scrambled onto a boulder near the edge of the pool below the falls.\u00a0 The swirling gray-green pool looked deep.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog did not venture in.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Here it is – magnificent Porcupine Falls<\/strong>!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The northern Bighorn Mountains feature 3 notable waterfalls that Lupe has been to: Shell Falls, Bucking Mule Falls, and Porcupine Falls. Only at Porcupine Falls is the base of the waterfall so easily approached.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe had been to Porcupine Falls<\/strong><\/span><\/a> once before with Lanis way back in 2012 on her very first Dingo Vacation ever. That seemed like a long time ago now.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No one had been at the Bucking Mule Falls overlook, or on the trail to it.\u00a0 However, 4 people were at Porcupine Falls when Lupe arrived.\u00a0 Groups of people kept coming and going.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were never alone.<\/p>\n

Everyone wanted to get on the rocks closest to the falls.\u00a0 Loopster left her boulder to give them all a turn.\u00a0 She headed over to the downstream side of the pool where Porcupine Creek flows out of it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Along the downstream edge of the pool below Porcupine Falls. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Wow! What a gorgeous place!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Porcupine Creek<\/strong> flows NW down Devil Canyon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By Porcupine Creek<\/strong> immediately downstream of the pool below the falls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back up Trail No. 135. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The day wasn’t as sunny as it had been earlier.\u00a0 The sky was clouding up.\u00a0 The moment of truth was upon SPHP.\u00a0 Take a plunge into the pool below the falls, or not?\u00a0 No one else was dipping so much as a toe into the water.\u00a0 The idea no longer seemed quite as appealing as it had a little while ago, but SPHP stripped down to the bathing suit, and waded into the shallow downstream end of the pool.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo followed, but SPHP told her to stay put.\u00a0 The water was cold and getting deeper fast.\u00a0 There wasn’t going to be any getting used to this.\u00a0 Now or never!\u00a0 While Lupe watched from the shallows, SPHP plunged in.<\/p>\n

Still the first half of June.\u00a0 Snow melt.\u00a0 The pool was absolutely frigid!\u00a0 The shock took SPHP’s breath away.\u00a0 Fully “refreshed” in a nanosecond, SPHP splashed about only long enough to get turned around, find firm footing, and make an escape.\u00a0 A few seconds elapsed at most.<\/p>\n

SPHP toweled off, then sat shivering on a rock praying for the sun to reappear.\u00a0 Occasionally it did, but it never stuck around long.\u00a0 The day already seemed to be cooling off.\u00a0 While SPHP tried to warm up and dry off, Lupe sniffed around further investigating the whole area near and below Porcupine Falls.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At least I didn’t have to plunge in to rescue SPHP! What possesses humans to do such things?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Upper half of Porcupine Falls<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lower half.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Gorgeous, but SPHP won’t be swimming here again unless it’s August.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking downstream.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Exploring a bit farther down Porcupine Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Porcupine Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

People kept coming.\u00a0 They all seemed to be quite sane.\u00a0 None ventured into the water.\u00a0 A couple of young women had brought along a 5 month old puppy named Cedar.\u00a0 Cedar wanted to play.\u00a0 Loop preferred to relax and listen to the roar of the falls.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cedar leaves disappointed that Lupe didn’t want to play.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thankfully, the sun finally did come out for a while.\u00a0 SPHP warmed up.\u00a0 Porcupine Falls was sure a beautiful spot!\u00a0\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP hung around for more than an hour.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The sun finally did reappear, warming SPHP up and illuminating the canyon walls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Exploring a side channel of the creek below Porcupine Falls<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The moment arrived when the steep trudge back up Trail No. 135 to the trailhead had to be faced.\u00a0 It was late afternoon when Lupe got back to the G6.\u00a0 (4:40 PM, 69\u00b0F)<\/em>\u00a0 However, days are long in June.\u00a0 Loopster still had plenty of time to visit Duncum Mountain<\/span><\/a> (9,831 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

SPHP drove back to USFS Road No. 11.\u00a0 Taking No. 11 N (L), the road wound steeply up the S end of Duncum Mountain.\u00a0 3 miles from the intersection, SPHP parked the G6 just N of a cattle guard.\u00a0 (5:55 PM, 63\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

Duncum Mountain has two summits situated a mile apart.\u00a0 USFS Road No. 11 goes over an enormous saddle between them.\u00a0 The G6 was parked on this saddle roughly halfway between the two high points.\u00a0 According to the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, the NW summit is the higher of the two, but only by 1 foot.\u00a0 Since the two high points are so close to the same elevation, Lupe planned on visiting both.<\/p>\n

The top of Duncum Mountain is a vast treeless region.\u00a0 Both summits were more or less in view from the G6.\u00a0 The SE summit, crowned by large, irregular dolomite formations looked far more intriguing than the featureless NW one.\u00a0 Lupe headed for it first.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop explores a depression in the dolomite on the way to Duncum Mountain’s SE high point. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loop among the irregular dolomite formations. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Due to the absence of trees, the views were tremendous in all directions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Medicine Mountain<\/span><\/a> (9,962 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L). USFS Road No. 14 leading to both Bucking Mule & Porcupine falls is seen below on the L. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A few miles off to the NE, a large cloud bank nestled over lower terrain.\u00a0 SPHP thought nothing of it.\u00a0 The air was calm.\u00a0 For days, whenever there had been wind, it had been out of the W or SW.<\/p>\n

The SE summit of Duncum Mountain was an easy 0.5 mile march from the G6.\u00a0 Surprisingly, before the Carolina Dog could get there, a breeze sprang up out of the NE.\u00a0 The cloud bank was coming closer!\u00a0 Soon wisps of fog were streaming over Duncum Mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Fog starts to roll in from the NE (L). Bald Mountain<\/span><\/a> (10,042 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center), which Lupe had been to only yesterday, is still in sight. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A glance back over the huge saddle area toward Duncum Mountain<\/strong>‘s NW (true) summit. USFS Road No. 11 is visible high on the mountain toward the R. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe discovered a small cairn on some high ground, as she drew near the SE summit.\u00a0 SPHP looked around for a survey benchmark shown on the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, but found nothing.\u00a0 200 feet off to the E, a couple of posts were visible near the highest dolomite formations.\u00a0 The American Dingo headed that way.<\/p>\n

Close to the posts, a metal rod stuck up 10″ from a concrete base.\u00a0 Again, a search of the area revealed no survey benchmark of the usual type.<\/p>\n

A nearby 30 foot high column of dolomite proved to be the clear location of Duncum Mountain’s SE summit.\u00a0 Good thing the true summit was the NW one!\u00a0 No way on earth was Lupe ever going to be able to get up onto that 30 foot high vertical column!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe near Duncum Mountain’s SE summit, which appeared to be the top of the 30 foot high vertical column of dolomite seen beyond her. One of the two posts in this area is on the R. The 10″ metal rod is L of Lupe. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since the SE summit’s highest point was beyond reach, Loopster did the next best thing.\u00a0 With a boost from SPHP, she scrambled atop the second highest point, a larger rock formation just W of the vertical column.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop atop the second highest point of the SE summit area. The angle is deceptive. She’s actually 10 feet lower than the top of the vertical column seen on the R. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another view. The actual SE summit at least looks higher from this angle. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thinking the fog would blow by shortly, SPHP let Loop sniff around the interesting rock formations for a while.\u00a0 The fog only grew denser.\u00a0 All distant views disappeared entirely.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe explored these interesting rock formations of Duncum Mountain’s SE summit until SPHP gave up on the fog lifting anytime soon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Still believing the fog was likely to dissipate, SPHP gave up on waiting it out at the SE summit.\u00a0 Looper might as well head to the NW high point, which was the true summit, anyway.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo returned to USFS Road No. 11.\u00a0 She followed the road N gaining elevation, but eventually left it heading NW.\u00a0 The search was on for Duncum Mountain’s true summit!\u00a0 The fog had not lifted, however.\u00a0 Loop traveled up a long slope strewn with mostly small rocks, minimal vegetation, and numerous depressions in the dolomite.<\/p>\n

Somewhere up ahead, a marmot squeaked.\u00a0 Lupe disappeared into the fog.\u00a0 She could be heard barking.\u00a0 SPHP arrived to find Loop circling a large stone looking for a way at the unseen marmot hiding beneath it.\u00a0 However, the marmot had chosen its fortress wisely.\u00a0 The ground was so rocky, the Carolina Dog could make no progress against it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Helpless to do anything more than bark, Lupe tries to convince a marmot to come out from the safety of it’s rock fortress by carrying on like a complete nut case. The marmot was not the least bit enticed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Enough of that!\u00a0 SPHP called Lupe away.<\/p>\n

The search for Duncum Mountain’s true summit continued.\u00a0 The terrain finally began to level out.\u00a0 Ordinarily it ought to have been a simple matter to go straight to the high point.\u00a0 The top of Duncum Mountain was a huge, nearly flat plain with nothing to obstruct the view.<\/p>\n

Nothing, but fog, that is.\u00a0 It was worse than ever.\u00a0 Big rocks that must have been somewhere along the W edge of the vast summit area faded in and out of sight like ghostly apparitions.\u00a0 SPHP consulted the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 The true summit was supposed to be out in the middle, not too close to the W edge.<\/p>\n

Hoping for a cairn, or possibly a large rock, Lupe and SPHP wandered a gray world looking for the highest ground.\u00a0 Despite the fog, it didn’t take long to discover a small cairn.\u00a0 As far as it was possible to tell, Lupe had made it!\u00a0 This was the true summit of Duncum Mountain<\/span><\/a> (9,831 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the true summit of Duncum Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A cluster of tiny blue wildflowers grew next to the cairn.\u00a0 Dimly seen through the fog, an unusually large depression 65 feet to the E was the NW summit’s only nearby notable feature.\u00a0 Loopster had come to many depressions in the dolomite, but perhaps this one was large enough to serve as a landmark?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop along the edge of the big depression 65 feet E of the true summit. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Visibility was only 100 feet.\u00a0 The fog hadn’t lifted as SPHP expected.\u00a0 In fact, it was still getting denser.\u00a0 With no reason to linger, Loop and SPHP left Duncum Mountain’s true summit heading SE for USFS Road No. 11 and the G6.<\/p>\n

After a 10 or 15 minute hike, Lupe came across the summit cairn again.\u00a0 What?\u00a0 Impossible!\u00a0 But there it was.\u00a0 SPHP had gone in a complete circle.\u00a0 How silly!\u00a0 Time to quit daydreaming and pay attention.\u00a0 Loop set off for the G6 a second time.<\/p>\n

To SPHP’s horror, 15 minutes later Lupe again sauntered up to the little summit cairn.\u00a0 Having once found it, she couldn’t escape it.\u00a0 Thick fog streamed by.\u00a0 Visibility was now reduced to only a few 10’s of feet.\u00a0 This was ridiculous!\u00a0 The road wasn’t even 0.2 mile away by the shortest route, but SPHP hadn’t been able to find it.<\/p>\n

For a third time, Lupe left the summit cairn heading SE.\u00a0 This time SPHP simply ignored all visual clues and walked so the NE breeze always came from the L.\u00a0 Suddenly, Lupe streaked away, disappearing instantly into the fog.\u00a0 What now?\u00a0 A few seconds later, SPHP heard faint barking.\u00a0 Loop was a long way off, but straight ahead.<\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog knew exactly where she was.\u00a0 SPHP found her back at the marmot’s fortress.\u00a0 Keeping the NE breeze coming from the L had worked!\u00a0 SPHP called Loop away from the marmot.\u00a0 Cold, moist fog swept over Duncum Mountain, as Lupe and SPHP continued down the long slope.\u00a0 (7:56 PM, 44\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Duncum Mountain<\/strong>, Bighorn Range, Wyoming 6-14-18<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Shell Falls, Porcupine Falls & Bald Mountain in the Bighorn Range, WY (8-9-12)<\/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 6 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming & Beyond! 1:50 AM at a dispersed camping site near USFS Road No. 11, 1.5 miles N of Highway 14A in the northern Bighorns – The wind hadn’t died down at sunset as expected, yet it was warm in the G6.\u00a0 Too … Continue reading Bucking Mule Falls, Porcupine Falls & Duncum Mountain, Bighorn Range, Wyoming (6-14-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17935,"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":[105,1023,106,26,1024,104,11,433,275],"class_list":["post-17978","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2018-bighorn-mountains-wyoming-beyond","tag-american-dingo","tag-bucking-mule-falls","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-duncum-mountain","tag-lupe","tag-peakbagging","tag-porcupine-falls","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_9562.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\/17978","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=17978"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17978\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19718,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17978\/revisions\/19718"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/17935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17978"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17978"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17978"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}