{"id":18261,"date":"2019-01-11T08:10:47","date_gmt":"2019-01-11T15:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=18261"},"modified":"2019-02-18T20:09:38","modified_gmt":"2019-02-19T03:09:38","slug":"escape-from-big-pryor-mountain-montana-6-16-18-6-17-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=18261","title":{"rendered":"Escape from Big Pryor Mountain, Montana (6-16-18 & 6-17-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 2 of Day 6 plus Days 7 through 9 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming & Beyond!<\/em><\/p>\n

Greybull, WY, 6-15-18, mid-afternoon<\/em> – Renner Butte<\/strong><\/span><\/a> had saved the day!\u00a0 Lupe had scored a peakbagging success.\u00a0 Happily, there was still time to get into position for Big Pryor Mountain<\/span><\/a> (8,786 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> tomorrow, too, even though it was a 2 hour drive away in southern Montana.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP stopped by the A&W to celebrate Renner Butte with a cheeseburger.<\/p>\n

The sky was clouding up.\u00a0 NW of Greybull an approaching storm forced SPHP to pull off the highway to shelter the G6 under a cottonwood tree.\u00a0 A cloudburst ensued with wild wind, small hail, and driving rain.\u00a0 Even in the G6, the hail and thunder made Lupe cringe.\u00a0 Nothing major, though.\u00a0 10 minutes and it was all over.<\/p>\n

At a fuel stop in Lovell came faintly disturbing news.\u00a0 The L rear tire on the G6 needed several psi of air again after having been aired up earlier this morning.\u00a0 Big Pryor Mountain was out in the middle of nowhere.\u00a0 SPHP over-inflated the tire.\u00a0 That ought to do it!<\/p>\n

SPHP was being clever, oh, so clever!\u00a0 The tires on the G6 were all near the end of their useful life.\u00a0 New tires were going to happen, but not until after this Dingo Vacation.\u00a0 In the meantime, SPHP was squeezing a little extra mileage out of them.\u00a0 The L rear tire had been leaking slowly for the past couple of months.\u00a0 Until now it had only required a shot of air once a week.\u00a0 Evidently the leak was now worse.\u00a0 A bit worrisome. but the tire really only needed to hold out one more day.\u00a0 After that, Big Pryor Mountain would be over and done with.\u00a0 Nothing else on Lupe’s remaining agenda was so remote.<\/p>\n

With the American Dingo’s eager assistance, half a dozen ice cream bars purchased in Lovell were ancient history by the time SPHP turned R (E) off Hwy 310 at Warren 5 miles into Montana.\u00a0 Not much at Warren, mostly industrial stuff and a wide gravel road.<\/p>\n

Must have rained hard here, too.\u00a0 The gravel road was soft and wet.\u00a0 Trucks sprayed mud at the G6.\u00a0 SPHP looked for a turn N.\u00a0 The gravel road wound NE giving encouragement several times, but after 5 miles SPHP gave up.\u00a0 The turn couldn’t possibly be this far from the highway.<\/p>\n

It wasn’t.\u00a0 Less than 0.25 mile from Hwy 310, there it was.\u00a0 In a low area was an obvious turn N on Rail Bed Road.\u00a0 Doh!<\/p>\n

Rail Bed Road was narrower, rockier, and firmer than the wide gravel road had been.\u00a0 No traffic at all.\u00a0 The road was fine for 10 miles, all the way to a junction with Pryor Road.\u00a0 Somewhere along the way, Rail Bed Road had become Pryor Gap Road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
10 miles N of Warren, MT at the junction of Pryor Gap Road (Rail Bed Road) and Pryor Road. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Yes, let’s give both roads virtually the same name. That will be helpful! 5 miles farther on, there’s a Pryor Mountain Road, too, to eliminate any confusion. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3 miles N of the junction, Lupe entered the Crow Indian Reservation.\u00a0 Pryor Gap Road deteriorated.\u00a0 Stones and potholes!<\/p>\n

Apparently the reservation was open range.\u00a0 Cattle were everywhere!\u00a0 Lupe was overjoyed!\u00a0 By the time she reached Pryor Mountain Road, the Carolina Dog was foaming at the mouth.\u00a0 Hundreds of cows had paused their grazing to look up and see what the shrill commotion was about.\u00a0 Only those right along the road had bothered to trot a little farther off into the grasslands to save their hearing.<\/p>\n

Gasping for breath, Lupe looked enormously pleased with herself.\u00a0 The only disappointing part was that SPHP wouldn’t let her out of the G6 to pursue a couple of juicy steaks right this very minute!\u00a0 She would have been outnumbered 1,000 to 1, but that didn’t enter into her calculations in the slightest.<\/p>\n

Into the trap, 6-15-18, evening<\/em> – Dennis Poulin<\/strong><\/span><\/a> had written a trip report<\/strong><\/span><\/a> on his journey to Big Pryor Mountain back in July, 2011 which included good driving directions.\u00a0 Upon reaching Pryor Mountain Road 15 miles N of Warren, SPHP was fairly certain where Lupe was now.\u00a0 Dennis had come in from the W instead of the S, but this intersection had to be the 16.6 mile point in his access route description.\u00a0 A R (E) turn here would put Lupe on the same track.<\/p>\n

SPHP hesitated.\u00a0 Dennis had mentioned that the road got rougher upon entering the Crow Indian Reservation, which it certainly had.\u00a0 How rough was it going to get?\u00a0 Pryor Mountain Road went through another 5.5 miles of reservation E of here before entering the Custer National Forest.\u00a0 Was the road any better there?\u00a0 Dennis hadn’t said.\u00a0 From this junction, it was still nearly 14 miles to where Dennis had parked before making his ascent.<\/p>\n

If Pryor Mountain Road wasn’t any worse than Pryor Gap Road had just been, the G6 could make it.\u00a0 Still, this was mighty remote territory.\u00a0 Lupe hadn’t see another vehicle since Warren.\u00a0 That leaky tire was a concern. \u00a0 On the bright side, it hadn’t rained much here.\u00a0 The road was basically dry – just a little damp.\u00a0 The intersection was actually in good shape.\u00a0 On the dark side, a ground fog had settled in since reaching the reservation.\u00a0 What was going to happen?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking E along Pryor Mountain Road roughly 15 miles N of Warren. The G6 is pointed N on Pryor Gap Road and needs to turn R (E) here to get to Big Pryor Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had come all this way.\u00a0 She was here now, and it was probably now or never.\u00a0 May as well try it.\u00a0 Could always turn around if the road got too bad, right?\u00a0 SPHP made the turn.<\/p>\n

Pryor Mountain Road started off fine.\u00a0 Before long, though, it was deteriorating.\u00a0 The road wasn’t rocky, but full of ruts.\u00a0 A high clearance vehicle wouldn’t have had much trouble, but the G6 was forced to straddle the ruts to avoid getting high centered.<\/p>\n

Slowly, carefully!\u00a0 The ruts became so deep that turning around was out of the question.\u00a0 The G6 would just get hung up.\u00a0 There were no breaks.\u00a0 Backing up was impossible.\u00a0 Rear visibility was too poor.\u00a0 Only by going forward, could SPHP keep the tires up on the narrow ridges between the deeply churned ruts.<\/p>\n

Wow!\u00a0 This would be an absolute quagmire if it rained hard.\u00a0 Probably wouldn’t.\u00a0 Significant rainfall is rare in sagebrush country, although this was the time of year for it.\u00a0 The ground fog lifted, revealing lots of other clouds around.\u00a0 Not good.\u00a0 Not good at all.<\/p>\n

The drive was nerve-wracking.\u00a0 To help calm SPHP, Loop about busted a gut barking at the endless herds of cattle.\u00a0 After what seemed like an eternity, but was actually only a couple of miles, the nice ranch Dennis had mentioned appeared on the R.\u00a0 Farther on was a message from the Crow Indian Tribe encouraging SPHP to stay on the road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
SPHP was rapidly coming to the conclusion that the Crow Indians don’t have much of a problem with trespassers who don’t have high clearance, 4WD vehicles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Made it!\u00a0 When Lupe arrived at the Custer National Forest, it was SPHP’s turn to be overjoyed.\u00a0 USFS Road No. 23085 was in great shape, just as good as anything back home in the Black Hills.\u00a0 What a relief!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Wow! Just look at that gorgeous USFS Road No. 23085 on the L! Oh, yeah, there’s part of Big Pryor Mountain<\/strong> and an American Dingo in the picture, too. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

0.5 mile farther, SPHP stopped at a map kiosk Dennis had mentioned.\u00a0 It didn’t have any maps, except for one that was posted.\u00a0 The kiosk came shortly before a L turn for the Sage Creek Campground.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Big Pryor Mountain from USFS Road No. 23085 at the turn into the Sage Creek campground. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Skipping the campground, SPHP drove farther up USFS Road No. 23085.\u00a0 The road climbed steadily while heading SE along Big Pryor Mountain’s N slope.\u00a0 SPHP wanted to get high enough to see what the weather was like.\u00a0 Finally there was a spot where there was a view.\u00a0 Lots of clouds in all directions, but off to the NW, the direction the prevailing winds come from, there was blue sky.<\/p>\n

Whew!\u00a0 Excellent!\u00a0 It was going to be OK.\u00a0 No need to flee.\u00a0 In less than 24 hours, Lupe would have climbed Big Pryor Mountain and be out of here.\u00a0 SPHP drove back to a big open gravel site and parked for the night.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Blue sky at the end of the day in the only direction SPHP thought mattered. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Trapped like rats, 6-16-18, 1:38 AM – <\/em>Rain!\u00a0 SPHP was instantly awake.\u00a0 Not a deluge, but it was raining hard and steady.\u00a0 Make a run for it before Pryor Mountain Road turned into a hopeless quagmire?\u00a0 How long had this been going on?\u00a0 SPHP opened the door of the G6.\u00a0 Lupe darted out into the night.\u00a0 The ground was soaked.\u00a0 Puddles all over the place.<\/p>\n

Too late?\u00a0 Pryor Mountain Road had been marginal enough on the way in when it was dry and there was light.\u00a0 The fleeting thought of trying to drive back out in the night during a rainstorm when the ruts were already wet, slick, and turning to deep mud was absurd.\u00a0 That would be nuts, impossible!\u00a0 The G6 would slide into a rut and be hopelessly stuck.\u00a0 Yeah, it was too late.\u00a0 Stuck here now.\u00a0 Better to just wait it out and trust in sagebrush country.\u00a0 Probably just a shower that will be over soon.<\/p>\n

It was hard to hold that thought.\u00a0 Lupe came back soaked, but had no trouble dozing peacefully.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t pass out again until 2 hours later.\u00a0 The rain was still coming down.<\/p>\n

6-16-18, 6:50 AM<\/em> – Light out.\u00a0 Not raining, but the sky is totally overcast.\u00a0 Fog hides the upper slopes of Big Pryor Mountain.\u00a0 The sooner the sun returns to burn these clouds away, the better!\u00a0 While the road dries out, Lupe can take on Big Pryor Mountain.\u00a0 Until then, it’s back to sleep!<\/p>\n

6-16-18, Noon<\/em> – Ugh!\u00a0 It rained all morning.\u00a0 Still raining.\u00a0 A patch of blue off to the W an hour ago soon vanished.\u00a0 Not a soul around.\u00a0 Looks like it could rain for a month.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
We’re trapped like rats, aren’t we, SPHP?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6-16-18, 1:05 PM<\/em> – Stopped raining 20 minutes ago.\u00a0 A very muddy white truck just drove by.\u00a0 A hole has developed in the clouds overhead.\u00a0 For the last 10 minutes, it’s been almost sunny!\u00a0 Blue sky has reappeared in the W, but can’t seem to make it over here.<\/p>\n

6-16-18, 1:12 PM<\/em> – Two more vehicles just went past, caked in mud to their roofs.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, conditions were improving rapidly!\u00a0 Blue skies and sunshine!\u00a0 Of course, so much rain had fallen, escape was impossible.\u00a0 No use even thinking about it, yet.\u00a0 Besides, Lupe still needed to climb Big Pryor Mountain!\u00a0 With a turn of the key, the G6 sprang to life.\u00a0 SPHP drove SE up USFS Road No. 23085 looking for Tie Flat Road.<\/p>\n

Big Pryor Mountain, 6-16-18, 2:10 PM<\/em> – Tie Flat Road was easy to find.\u00a0 A sign for it was on the R (S) side of No. 23085 at a big curve where the road started to level out high on an open ridge.\u00a0 SPHP parked the G6 just past Tie Flat Road along No. 23085.\u00a0 Loop charged out ready for action!\u00a0 Big Pryor Mountain, a huge, long ridge with steep forested slopes loomed to the SW.\u00a0 Snowbanks could be seen near the upper lip of the mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the junction of USFS Road No. 23085 & Tie Flat Road. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Ahh, this is more like it! At least I’m all rested up and ready to take on Big Pryor Mountain!<\/em> Loop at the start of Tie Flat Road. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe hadn’t gone even 0.1 mile along Tie Flat Road when off to the R an overgrown road led through a field of wildflowers and sagebrush toward the forest at the base of Big Pryor Mountain.\u00a0 Two small signs were visible a little way up this road.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP went to check them out.<\/p>\n

One of the signs merely said “No Motor Vehicles” allowed, but the other said Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31.\u00a0 The topo map<\/span><\/strong><\/a> showed an ice cave near the top of Big Pryor Mountain.\u00a0 Dennis Poulin had mentioned a nice trail to an ice cave just below the summit, too.\u00a0 Most promising!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After barely 0.1 mile on Tie Flat Road, Lupe took a R onto this grassy side road. This is the start of Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
We’re in luck! This must be the way!<\/em> Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The wildflowers were gorgeous, but the road soon entered a park-like open forest with a carpet of greenery.\u00a0 Lupe gained elevation gradually.\u00a0 The rate of climb steepened shortly before she reached a small clearing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the open forest. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A sign next to the road Lupe had taken up said “Motorized Route Ends”.\u00a0 Two roads to the R left the clearing heading NW.\u00a0 The upper one had a marker designating it as 2002.1A.\u00a0 The lower one was 2002.A.\u00a0 Another unmarked road left the clearing going SE.\u00a0 Along it, Lupe could see a wooden sign 100 to 120 feet away.<\/p>\n

Upon investigation, this sign also said Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31.\u00a0 A faint trail left the road here heading SW along the R edge of a ravine.\u00a0 This trail immediately disappeared among bushes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking NW back toward the small clearing which the first road had entered from the R (NE). The sign for Crater Ice Cave No. 31 is seen on the L.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 disappears into bushes starting up Big Pryor Mountain from this 2nd sign. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

200 feet (distance not elevation) got Lupe through the bushes.\u00a0 Beyond the bushes, Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 was a good single track.\u00a0 The trail now worked its way up the NE slope of Big Pryor Mountain<\/span><\/a> (8,786 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> in a series of long switchbacks.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 became a good single track. Lupe easily followed its long switchbacks up Big Pryor Mountain’s forested NE slope.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For a long way, only the forest could be seen.\u00a0 Looper encountered only minor deadfall timber across the lower portions of the trail, and none at all higher up.\u00a0 She had a great time exploring ahead of SPHP.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe had a great time exploring both on and off the trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Total elevation gain from where the G6 was parked up to the top of Big Pryor Mountain was a little over 1,700 feet.\u00a0 Loopster gained the great majority of it on the switchbacks.\u00a0 As she got close to the upper edge of the mountain, the forest thinned out.\u00a0 Lupe began to have views of East Pryor Mountain<\/span><\/a> (8,776 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> off to the NE, and could sometimes see the G6 far below.<\/p>\n

Twice Lupe and SPHP heard voices below.\u00a0 They didn’t sound far off, but no one ever appeared.\u00a0 The trail became fainter again as it finally left the trees.\u00a0 By then it hardly mattered.\u00a0 Lupe didn’t have much farther to go to reach the top of the mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Nearing the upper edge of Big Pryor Mountain’s NE slope Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 becomes fainter as it leaves the forest. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just below the top, Lupe crossed two large snowbanks.\u00a0 This was the area where the ice cave was supposed to be.\u00a0 Loop never actually saw the cave.\u00a0 Perhaps it was hidden beneath the snow?\u00a0 Seemed likely.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop crosses a large snowbank that may have been hiding and blocking the entrance to the ice cave. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP had lost whatever remained of Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 by the time Lupe crested the upper edge of Big Pryor Mountain<\/span><\/a> (8,786 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Ahead a vast rolling plain extended far to the S and NW.\u00a0 A cairn with a pole sat 500 feet off to the WSW at the true summit.\u00a0 The American Dingo headed straight for it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop at the true summit of Big Pryor Mountain<\/strong>. The high ground in the distance on the R is the location of the Shriver Benchmark<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A road next to the summit cairn sported yet another sign for Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 as it headed off to the N.\u00a0 So much for SPHP’s tracking abilities!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop by a 3rd sign for Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looper checked out the huge summit cairn before taking a sniff around looking for a survey benchmark.\u00a0 The Ice Cave benchmark was easily found 10 feet E of the cairn.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the huge summit cairn. The apparently higher ground seen on the L is an illusion magnified by the use of the telephoto lens. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Shriver Benchmark (Center) appears higher. but is actually 6 feet lower according to the topo map. Perspective is again distorted by the telephoto lens. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Ice Cave survey benchmark is only 10 feet E of the cairn. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Ice Cave survey benchmark.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A 10 mph SW breeze blew as Lupe and SPHP enjoyed a short break.\u00a0 The giant open plain provided sweeping views in all directions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking ENE toward East Pryor Mountain<\/strong>, another vast ridge only 10 feet lower than Big Pryor Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking SE toward the Bighorn Mountains<\/strong> in Wyoming.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe journeyed a little S from the cairn for a better view of Big Pryor Mountain’s long S ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Big Pryor Mountain<\/strong>‘s long SSE ridge. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With such a huge mountaintop to explore, Lupe didn’t want to spend all her time just hanging around the summit cairn.\u00a0 Big Pryor Mountain has a 2nd high point only 6 feet lower at the Shriver Benchmark<\/span><\/a> (8,780 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> more than a mile to the NW.\u00a0 Wandering over that way looked like fun.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Yeah, we’re going over there next!<\/em> Shriver Benchmark<\/strong> area from the Big Pryor Mountain summit cairn. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A jeep trail headed NW toward the Shriver Benchmark area.\u00a0 Lupe stuck with it part of the way, but this was super easy terrain.\u00a0 For the most part she traveled S of the road exploring this and that.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop by a big puddle on the way to Shriver Benchmark (R). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Approaching the Shriver Benchmark area, it dawned on SPHP that Lupe might have a very hard time finding the actual benchmark.\u00a0 There was a tremendous amount of open ground to explore all at nearly the exact same elevation.<\/p>\n

As Lupe got closer, she could see a couple of small rock outcroppings near each other at what appeared to be the highest point.\u00a0 The first thing to try was to check out those rocks.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop astride one of two small rock outcroppings which seemed to be at the high point of the Shriver Benchmark area. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe hopped up on one of the two rocks.\u00a0 She instantly spotted a survey benchmark right next to her on a slightly lower rock!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
And you thought I’d never find it! Looky there, SPHP!<\/em> Lupe finds a survey benchmark right next to the first rock she jumped up on. The true summit of Big Pryor Mountain is over at the high ground seen in the distance on the R. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

OK, so that was ridiculously easy, but the survey benchmark Lupe had found wasn’t the actual Shriver Benchmark, but Shriver No. 2.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe had found Shriver Benchmark No. 2.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An arrow on Shriver Benchmark No. 2 pointed WSW toward another group of rocks.\u00a0 Even though these rocks were clearly lower, when Lupe got over to them she quickly found the actual Shriver Benchmark.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the actual Shriver Benchmark. It’s right in front of her, but not easily seen in this photo. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the same spot. Shriver Benchmark<\/strong> is now easily seen in front of Lupe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Finding the actual Shriver Benchmark<\/strong> seen here was much easier than expected.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had accomplished what she’d set out to do.\u00a0 However, she could see more rocks off to the NW.\u00a0 Maybe Shriver Benchmark No. 1 was over there?\u00a0 Since it was such a nice day now and she had nothing but time, she might as well go take a look.<\/p>\n

Sure enough, Shriver Benchmark No. 1 was at the second group of rocks she came to.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Shriver Benchmark No. 1 is visible in Lupe’s shadow. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Same spot, but looking NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Shriver Benchmark No. 1.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shriver Benchmark No. 1 was as far as Lupe was going.\u00a0 She took a break while SPHP admired the views.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Taking it easy by Shriver Benchmark No. 1. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
View to the SW from Shriver Benchmark No. 1.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Having been to all 3 Shriver Benchmarks now, it still seemed like the first couple of rocks over at Shriver Benchmark No. 2 were the actual high point.\u00a0 On the way back, Lupe returned to stand on the second of those two rocks, in case it was a bit higher than the first one she’d tried.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back at Shriver Benchmark No. 2, but on the other rock. The true summit of Big Pryor Mountain (Center) is in the distance beyond Lupe. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The late afternoon trek back to the true summit of Big Pryor Mountain was relaxing and gorgeous.\u00a0 By the time Lupe got to the cairn, clouds were gathering off to the NW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back at the cairn after a lovely excursion to Shriver Benchmark. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The clouds would take a while to get here, but Lupe didn’t linger much longer up on Big Pryor Mountain.\u00a0 Mainly because she was eager to get back to the forest to search for squirrels.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to head down. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The long switchbacks on Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 made the descent pleasant and easy.\u00a0 Lupe had a blast!\u00a0 All too soon, she was trotting out into the field of wildflowers and sagebrush near Tie Flat Road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back on Crater Ice Cave Trail No. 31 during the descent.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A typical view of Looper leading the way.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Well, we’re back below the little clearing again now. Our Big Pryor Mountain adventure won’t be over when we get to the G6, though! Wonder if SPHP has thought of a way out of our predicament?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Wildflowers and sagebrush nearing Tie Flat Road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Big Pryor Mountain and the Shriver Benchmark were fun! Now for the great escape!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6-16-18, 7:04 PM, 59\u00b0F back at USFS Road No. 23085<\/em> – Big Pryor Mountain had been a wonderful respite from the increasingly critical issue of how to get out of here.\u00a0 When Loopster reached the G6 again, the L rear tire pressure was down to 28 psi.\u00a0 Fine and dandy for the moment, only 2 psi below the recommended 30.\u00a0 Yet it was nothing to be complacent about.\u00a0 The pressure was down 12 psi from the 40 SPHP had overinflated it to only yesterday.<\/p>\n

The brilliant plan SPHP had formulated by now was mighty thin gruel.\u00a0 Expecting to see a complete quagmire, Lupe was going to head back to the edge of the Crow Indian Reservation to see what condition the road out was in, then SPHP would drive over to the Sage Creek Campground to see if anyone there had any ideas.<\/p>\n

So Loopster leapt into the G6 to enjoy a comfy ride atop her pillows and blankets.\u00a0 SPHP began driving back down USFS Road No. 23085.\u00a0 A few miles later, suddenly the dash flashed a warning.\u00a0 0 psi!\u00a0 Oh, joy!\u00a0 That dang L rear tire must have finally completely blown out.<\/p>\n

If only!\u00a0 The news was worse than that.\u00a0 When SPHP got out, the leaky L rear tire looked the same, but the L front tire was totally shot.\u00a0 Superb!\u00a0 Two bad tires now.\u00a0 One completely useless, and another destined to be within another day or two, if Lupe couldn’t get back to civilization.\u00a0 Loop lounged about near the side of the road while SPHP unloaded enough stuff out of the trunk to dig out the G6’s rinky-dink spare donut tire and required tools to swap it for the flat.<\/p>\n

20 minutes later the job was done.\u00a0 The pathetic, but necessary donut was on.\u00a0 The flat was in the back seat.\u00a0 The G6 had even less clearance now than before.\u00a0 SPHP finally engaged a brain cell.\u00a0 It was idiotic to put the donut on the front!\u00a0 The G6 was front wheel drive.\u00a0 It would be far better to have a wider, taller tire up front.\u00a0 A regular tire would provide way more clearance and traction than the skinny little donut of doom, and would be far easier to keep up on the ridges between the ruts in the terrible road to freedom.<\/p>\n

Alright.\u00a0 One more time.\u00a0 SPHP took the donut off and returned the flat to the L front position.\u00a0 SPHP then removed all the lug nuts from the R rear wheel intending to put the donut back there prior to moving the R rear tire to the L front.\u00a0 The lug nuts were almost impossible to loosen, but by jumping up and down on a little crow bar, SPHP got it done.\u00a0 Hah!\u00a0 Take that, uncooperative beast!<\/p>\n

Nah.\u00a0 Even with all the lug nuts off, the R rear wheel was frozen in place.\u00a0 Probably hadn’t been off since the tire was brand new.\u00a0 No matter what SPHP did, the wheel wouldn’t break loose.\u00a0 Simply grand!<\/p>\n

Well, even the leaky L rear tire was a better choice for up front than the dang donut of doom.\u00a0 The R rear lug nuts went back on.\u00a0 Another battle ensued with the L rear lug nuts, but they also yielded to the crow bar.\u00a0 Same result.\u00a0 That wheel wasn’t budging either.\u00a0 No alternative.\u00a0 The donut had to go back up front.\u00a0 Sheesh!<\/p>\n

The sun had set by the time it was all done.\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 The G6 charged down USFS Road No. 23085.\u00a0 Light was fading as the American Dingo reached the Crow Indian Reservation.\u00a0 Ahead were endless huge mud puddles.\u00a0 The G6 negotiated the first one.\u00a0 No way!\u00a0 This was madness.\u00a0 SPHP chickened out and backed up before it was too late.\u00a0 Yeah, better go check out Sage Creek campground, and see if someone there had any suggestions.<\/p>\n

The campground was only a mile away.\u00a0 Summertime!\u00a0 But Lupe arrived at dusk to find Sage Creek Campground totally deserted.<\/p>\n

The Great Escape, 6-17-18, 6:35 AM – <\/em>The world was gray.\u00a0 A light mist was falling.\u00a0 No one else had shown up overnight.\u00a0 L rear tire at 25 psi.\u00a0 Still good for now.\u00a0 If the weather had been better, maybe Lupe would have gone on to East Pryor Mountain, but other trip reports SPHP had seen had indicated that taking the G6 on that road wouldn’t have been a good idea.\u00a0 In any case, East Pryor Mountain was a long march farther yet from civilization.<\/p>\n

During breakfast, SPHP pondered the options.\u00a0 There weren’t that many.\u00a0 Probably time to admit defeat.\u00a0 Progressive Insurance had been taking SPHP’s money for years.\u00a0 Lupe had roadside assistance!\u00a0 Maybe it was time to give Flo a call and see what she could do?\u00a0 A flatbed tow truck that could keep the G6 up out of the mud of the Crow Indian Reservation would be ideal.<\/p>\n

6-17-18, 7:10 AM<\/em> – Flo, Flo!\u00a0 See how you are?\u00a0 Flo wasn’t answering.\u00a0 How could she?\u00a0 SPHP had no cell phone service.\u00a0 Looked like Loopster was in for a ride.\u00a0 If the Carolina Dog could get high enough, Flo would pick up.\u00a0 In no particular rush, SPHP got things ready to go.<\/p>\n

6-17-18, 8:28 AM<\/em> – L rear tire at 24 psi.\u00a0 Steady rain.\u00a0 Situation not getting any better.\u00a0 Loop and SPHP left Sage Creek Campground.\u00a0 Back up USFS Road No. 23085!\u00a0 SPHP stopped at several high points, but Lupe made it all the way to the highest spot on No. 23085 beyond Tie Flat Road.\u00a0 Nada!\u00a0 No phone service anywhere.\u00a0 L rear tire at 21 psi.\u00a0 More rain.<\/p>\n

One more possibility.\u00a0 From up on Big Pryor Mountain yesterday, Lupe had seen another road heading down into the canyon S of the big saddle over to East Pryor Mountain.\u00a0 That road had to connect to No. 23085 only a bit farther ahead.\u00a0 Maybe it was another way out?\u00a0 Even if it was, this alternate route had to be many miles back to a highway.\u00a0 The chances that it would be passable for the G6 the entire way weren’t good at all.<\/p>\n

May as well check it out while the L rear tire still had some pressure.\u00a0 Couldn’t hurt.<\/p>\n

Crooked Creek Road is actually a continuation of No. 23085.\u00a0 It was a sharp R turn at the junction with USFS Road No. 2849 leading to East Pryor Mountain.\u00a0 No. 23085 was narrower here, but in encouragingly good shape as Lupe and SPHP started down.\u00a0 Lupe had gone only a mile or so, when suddenly there was an amazing sight.\u00a0 Off to the R (W) were 4 big white pickup trucks and a trailer!\u00a0 Several large tents were set up among the trees.\u00a0 A big group of people were out in the rain, apparently packing up to leave.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP met Chris, a land surveyor and scout master of Boy Scout Troop No. 27 out of Billings, Montana.\u00a0 Chris and some others had come up Crooked Creek Road from Cowley, Wyoming to spend the weekend, but the rain was chasing them out.\u00a0 Chris described the road up as dicey in spots even in his huge truck.\u00a0 He’d had to charge through several points fast to avoid the possibility of sliding off the “edge”.<\/p>\n

Fabulous!\u00a0 Crooked Creek Road was officially eliminated as an escape route for the measly G6.<\/p>\n

Incredibly, Chris had found cell phone service from a high point 100 yards back up Crooked Creek Road.\u00a0 However, if Lupe and SPHP would like a ride to Bridger, Montana, the entirety of Boy Scout Troop No. 42 would soon be departing back out through the Crow Indian Reservation on Pryor Mountain Road.<\/p>\n

A moment’s hesitation allowed sufficient time for a thorough review of all options.\u00a0 SPHP accepted.<\/p>\n

15 minutes later, it was on!\u00a0 The G6 got abandoned back at the Sage Creek Campground.\u00a0 Lupe, SPHP, a duffel bag and the backpack all made it into Chris’s truck.\u00a0 The G6’s flat tire was tossed in back.\u00a0 A caravan of 4 white trucks, one pulling a large trailer, left Sage Creek Campground and headed for Pryor Mountain Road.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo was going mudding!<\/p>\n

Huge sprays of water and mud went up as the trucks charged ahead from one deeply rutted muddy trench to the next.\u00a0 Chris couldn’t begin to keep the giant tires of his truck out of the ruts.\u00a0 The truck lurched from side to side, but the caravan kept moving.\u00a0 It would have been a month before the G6 could have gotten through under its own power.<\/p>\n

At Bridger, Boy Scout Troop No. 27 stopped at a Conoco station.\u00a0 SPHP thanked Chris for the ride.\u00a0 Soon Lupe and SPHP were hobos sitting alone at a red picnic table outside the gas station – the flat tire, duffel bag, and backpack as sole possessions.\u00a0 The Conoco station had a tire store connected to it.\u00a0 Sunday, though.\u00a0 The tire store was closed.<\/p>\n

Well, time for that little chat with Flo!\u00a0 SPHP called Progressive.\u00a0 Flo didn’t answer, but Brenda did.\u00a0 Brenda was wonderfully cooperative.\u00a0 She took down all the information and wrote up a service ticket.\u00a0 The G6 was 27 miles from pavement.\u00a0 Progressive would pay for 15 miles of off highway towing.\u00a0 The rest was on SPHP.\u00a0 Got that?\u00a0 Yes, understandable.\u00a0 Was the G6 unlocked with the keys in it?\u00a0 Uh, no.\u00a0 Oh, well, just call back then when it was.<\/p>\n

SPHP explained that wasn’t possible.\u00a0 No way to get back there, and no way to call even if Lupe did.\u00a0 No problem, though.\u00a0 The tow truck coming from Billings would go right through Bridger.\u00a0 The driver could stop at the Conoco station and pick Lupe and SPHP up.<\/p>\n

Uh-uh.\u00a0 That was prohibited under the terms of the service contract between Progressive and the towing company.\u00a0 No stops allowed anywhere except at the disabled vehicle.\u00a0 Brenda put the service ticket on hold.\u00a0 Call back when the G6 was unlocked with the keys in it.\u00a0 Meanwhile, have a great day!<\/p>\n

The girls at the register in the Conoco station had an idea.\u00a0 Carbon Towing was right here in Bridger.\u00a0 They’d probably give Lupe and SPHP a ride out to the Sage Creek Campground, then call Progressive for SPHP when they got back to town.\u00a0 That might work!\u00a0 SPHP took a business card with a 24\/7 emergency call number.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Steven answered on a Sunday afternoon.\u00a0 Don’t bother with all that!\u00a0 Steven knew where Sage Creek Campground was.\u00a0 Carbon Towing could do the job!\u00a0 They had a flatbed tow truck and could retrieve the G6 now.\u00a0 Progressive would still cover it.\u00a0 $350.\u00a0 No sales tax in Montana, either.\u00a0 How about it?<\/p>\n

Sounded good.\u00a0 The price was a bargain considering what had to be done.\u00a0 SPHP would call Steven back in a few minutes after checking with Brenda at Progressive first.\u00a0 If Flo was chipping in, it was a go!<\/p>\n

Brenda didn’t answer.\u00a0 This time it was Pat.\u00a0 SPHP explained the whole glorious situation all over again.\u00a0 Pat said no problem if SPHP wanted to use Carbon Towing.\u00a0 Progressive would reimburse all covered charges.\u00a0 She explained what information would be needed to submit a claim.\u00a0 SPHP called Steven.\u00a0 Get that flatbed tow truck, and come on over to the Conoco station!<\/p>\n

Oh, Loopster!\u00a0 Seems like maybe we’re getting somewhere.<\/em><\/p>\n

15 minutes later, a Carbon Towing truck showed up.\u00a0 It wasn’t a flatbed, just a regular wrecker.\u00a0 The driver wasn’t Steven, but his brother-in-law Ben.<\/p>\n

Ben was fine; the regular wrecker wasn’t.\u00a0 SPHP described the situation.\u00a0 The G6 couldn’t be drug for more than 5.5 miles through those deep ruts in Pryor Mountain Road.\u00a0 The rear bumper would be a road grader!\u00a0 No telling what damage that might do!\u00a0 A flatbed tow truck was needed to keep the G6 up out of the mud, and avoid totaling it.\u00a0 For pity sake!<\/p>\n

Calmly, Ben explained.\u00a0 Yes, Carbon Towing has a flatbed tow truck.\u00a0 It is only 2WD.\u00a0 It will get stuck on Pryor Mountain Road, so Carbon Towing wasn’t taking it out there.\u00a0 The regular wrecker was 4WD and could do the job.\u00a0 Ben had brought a dolly assembly, sort of a miniature trailer that the G6’s back tires would rest on.\u00a0 The dolly would raise the tires 6 inches.\u00a0 Should work with minimal damage, if any, to the G6.<\/p>\n

6 inches?\u00a0 Was Ben crazy?\u00a0 2 or 3 feet would be more like it.\u00a0 SPHP again expressed reservations.\u00a0 Need a flatbed truck.\u00a0 Looking to rescue the G6, not tear it to pieces.<\/p>\n

Ben replied.\u00a0 Carbon Towing does not have a 4WD flatbed tow truck.\u00a0 If SPHP wanted to search around for a company that does, good luck.\u00a0 The regular wrecker combined with the dolly would get the job done.<\/p>\n

SPHP had another go.\u00a0 Ben didn’t realize what it was like out there.\u00a0 Dolly or no dolly, the regular wrecker wasn’t going to be adequate.<\/p>\n

Slowly, calmly, deliberately, in a voice devoid of emotion, Ben launched into a speech.\u00a0 It was a fine speech, one he had delivered many times.<\/p>\n

I am here as your Carbon Towing professional.\u00a0 It is my job to use my best judgement as an experienced towing professional to retrieve your disabled vehicle while ensuring absolute minimal damage possible under any and all circumstances that may arise.<\/em><\/p>\n

It went on like that a little longer.\u00a0 When Ben was done, SPHP made him repeat it.<\/p>\n

Ben stood waiting for a response.\u00a0 Decision time.\u00a0 Check into a motel in Bridger for the night and ponder some more, or see what fate had in store for the G6 in Carbon Towing’s hands?<\/p>\n

It wasn’t going to get any better, was it?\u00a0 Alright.\u00a0 Lupe leapt up into the cab of the Carbon Towing wrecker like it was second nature.\u00a0 Going mudding again!<\/p>\n

Ben had another quick service call to make.\u00a0 A lady had locked her keys into her vehicle at the Maverick Station.\u00a0 Ben had the door open and the vehicle unlocked in practically no time.\u00a0 The 27 mile drive back out to the Sage Creek Campground began.\u00a0 In 4WD the wrecker slid around in the ruts on Pryor Mountain Road, but made it through.<\/p>\n

Half an hour after reaching Sage Creek Campground, Ben had chains on the wrecker, and the G6 sitting up on the dolly.\u00a0 SPHP remained filled with doubt, but the situation did look better than expected.\u00a0 Back into the cab of the wrecker!\u00a0 Lupe was going mudding on Pryor Mountain Road for the 3rd time today.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe, Ben from Carbon Towing, and the G6 at Sage Creek Campground.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe sat on SPHP’s lap looking out the windows as mud splashed and the wrecker jerked from side to side.\u00a0 At 10 miles per hour, Ben and SPHP chatted.\u00a0 Ben drove with his eye on the rear view mirror the whole time.<\/p>\n

Lupe was only a little way into the Crow Indian Reservation when Ben said we’ve lost a strap<\/em>, stopped, and got out into the mud.\u00a0 All four tires of the G6 were strapped to the dolly.\u00a0 The ruts in the road were so deep, the mud was still up to the tires, putting torque on them to spin them, which loosened the straps.\u00a0 Ben returned a few minutes later saying 2 straps had come off, but they were back on now.<\/p>\n

Stop and go!\u00a0 The straps came off repeatedly.\u00a0 Time after time, Ben marched back through the mud to put them back on.\u00a0 Lupe was only a mile back into the Crow Indian reservation when Ben, still staring at the rear view mirror, suddenly exclaimed:<\/p>\n

Son of a monkey!<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben stepped out of the wrecker and was gone.\u00a0 After little while, SPHP could see Ben in the rear view mirror.\u00a0 He had come around to the passenger side of the wrecker.\u00a0 Ben was hunched down in the mud like he was doing deep knee bends, pushing and pulling with all his might.\u00a0 Ben went from one side of the G6 to the other, always pushing and pulling down in the mud.\u00a0 He must have been gone half an hour while Lupe and SPHP remained in the cab.\u00a0 Finally, he returned.<\/p>\n

The ruts were so deep, the ridges were pushing on the dolly bar, forcing it to act as a road grader.\u00a0 Force on the tires of the G6 spun the wheels.\u00a0 The whole dolly assembly had been coming apart.\u00a0 Ben had had to let the G6 down into the mud, rebuild the dolly assembly, then get the G6 back up onto it.\u00a0 How on earth he had been able to do all that was beyond SPHP’s imagination, but Lupe was underway again.<\/p>\n

Straps kept coming loose.\u00a0 Ben kept stopping to march back through the mud to reattach them.\u00a0 Lupe was a little more than halfway through the Crow Indian Reservation, when the dolly fell apart a second time.\u00a0 Once again, Ben vanished.\u00a0 More pushing and pulling in a sea of mud.<\/p>\n

Ben was gone even longer this time.\u00a0 Finally Ben reappeared by Lupe’s window.\u00a0 SPHP needed to come out and take a look.\u00a0 Loop leapt into the mud, too.\u00a0 Back at the G6, Ben explained.\u00a0 He had done his absolute best, but the ruts were so deep the ridges wouldn’t let him pass the dolly’s bars beneath the G6.\u00a0 He could not reassemble the dolly.<\/p>\n

Ben said that the ruts didn’t look quite as bad up ahead.\u00a0 With SPHP’s permission, he could drag the G6 another 200 yards, and try again.\u00a0 Yes, the G6’s rear bumper would now be a road grader.\u00a0 Couldn’t be helped.\u00a0 Ben pointed out that the ground was soft, and not too rocky.\u00a0 Damage should be minimal.\u00a0 What did SPHP want to do?<\/p>\n

Heh.\u00a0 What a great choice!\u00a0 Abandon the G6 sunk to the axles in the middle of Pryor Mountain Road where the July sun would eventually bake it in as a permanent feature, or drag it as a road grader however far it took to get to where the dolly could be reassembled?<\/p>\n

The situation wasn’t entirely unexpected.\u00a0 SPHP seemed to recall certain fears expressed back in Bridger.\u00a0 It was sort of a miracle things had gone this well this far.\u00a0 On the other hand, Ben had certainly gone over and above any reasonable call of duty, spending the entire afternoon in a sea of muck.\u00a0 He had even assured SPHP that Carbon Towing would hold to their $350 quoted charge.\u00a0 No doubt if Ben ever had to do this again, he would add a zero or quit life as a towing professional entirely.\u00a0 Get a nice office job somewhere.<\/p>\n

No need to think about it.\u00a0 Only one answer.\u00a0 Onward!<\/p>\n

One by one, Ben heaved the heavy metal mud-caked pieces of the dolly up onto the wrecker.\u00a0 Lupe, SPHP and Ben all scrambled back into the cab.\u00a0 Movement was all that mattered.\u00a0 200 or 300 yards farther, Ben submitted to another session in the muck.\u00a0 The dolly got reassembled.\u00a0 The G6 back up on it.\u00a0 Underway again!<\/p>\n

Straps kept falling off.\u00a0 The dolly fell apart a third time.\u00a0 4.5 hours after leaving Bridger, Ben was in cell phone range.\u00a0 Steven and Ben’s wife both called.\u00a0 What on earth was going on?\u00a0 Ben assured them he had it all under control.\u00a0 Another hour or two and he’d be back in Bridger.<\/p>\n

So it went.\u00a0 At last, the intersection of Pryor Mountain Road and Pryor Gap Road, where SPHP had made such a crazy fateful decision 2 days ago, appeared ahead.\u00a0 Ben turned S.\u00a0 After going a mile, he stopped.\u00a0 The G6 could make it the rest of the way on its own from here.\u00a0 Glory be!\u00a0 Was it true?<\/p>\n

Ben disassembled the dolly.\u00a0 The G6 was back on Pryor Gap Road.\u00a0 Ben aired the 19 psi leaky rear L tire up to 33 psi.\u00a0 A credit card and Ben was able to process payment on the spot.\u00a0 Ben still had work to do, but Lupe and SPHP were free to go.<\/p>\n

The rear bumper was deformed, but the G6 still functioned.\u00a0 It limped into Bridger at 35 to 40 mph on the donut tire.\u00a0 A car wash received a large delivery of Pryor Mountain Road mud.\u00a0 Cars zoomed past as the G6 crept toward Billings at the same pitiful speed, but Lupe got there.\u00a0 Her escape from Big Pryor Mountain was now but a memory.<\/p>\n

6-18-18 –<\/em> Lupe seemed to enjoy wandering past ritzy cafes and art shops in downtown Billings!\u00a0 The G6 was getting 4 new tires, a tie rod, and an alignment.\u00a0 The technician later expressed wonder at the amount of mud and debris packed into what appeared to be brand new front brakes and rotors.\u00a0 He had cleaned it all out.<\/p>\n

If the sky hadn’t darkened and the rain begun to pour down, Lupe might have continued her 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains & Beyond.\u00a0 As it was, the day was spent cruising E on I-90 on the best tires the G6 had had in years.\u00a0 A little before 8:00 PM, Lupe was back home in the Black Hills of South Dakota.<\/p>\n

Several weeks later, a check arrived from Progressive Insurance.\u00a0 That Flo was quite a gal!\u00a0 She had reimbursed the entire $350 towing charge, not just some reduced “covered” amount.<\/p>\n

No doubt all’s well that ends well.\u00a0 B<\/span>ig Pryor Mountain<\/span><\/a> (8,786 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> had been an incredible experience.\u00a0 SPHP was glad Lupe had been there.\u00a0 Even so, chances are the American Dingo won’t ever visit the summit of East Pryor Mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe, Ben & the G6 at the end of Lupe’s escape from Big Pryor Mountain, Montana 6-17-18<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Carbon Towing on Facebook<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Progressive Insurance<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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

Prior Dingo Vacation<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This Dingo Vacation<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Next Dingo Vacation<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/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":"

Part 2 of Day 6 plus Days 7 through 9 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming & Beyond! Greybull, WY, 6-15-18, mid-afternoon – Renner Butte had saved the day!\u00a0 Lupe had scored a peakbagging success.\u00a0 Happily, there was still time to get into position for Big Pryor Mountain (8,786 ft.) … Continue reading Escape from Big Pryor Mountain, Montana (6-16-18 & 6-17-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18253,"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":[105,1029,1030,106,26,104,417,11],"class_list":["post-18261","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2018-bighorn-mountains-wyoming-beyond","tag-american-dingo","tag-big-pryor-mountain","tag-carbon-towing","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-montana","tag-peakbagging"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_9712.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\/18261","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=18261"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18261\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19737,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18261\/revisions\/19737"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/18253"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}