{"id":19188,"date":"2019-02-20T08:10:55","date_gmt":"2019-02-20T15:10:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=19188"},"modified":"2019-02-28T09:13:13","modified_gmt":"2019-02-28T16:13:13","slug":"squaretop-mountain-wind-river-range-wyoming-part-1-on-the-highline-trail-from-green-river-lakes-to-beaver-park-7-20-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=19188","title":{"rendered":"Squaretop Mountain, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: On the Highline Trail from Green River Lakes to Beaver Park (7-20-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 8 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains & Wind River Range of Wyoming!<\/em><\/p>\n

Before SPHP even got the pack ready to go, Lupe went down to the shore of Lower Green River Lake.\u00a0 Having spent yesterday resting in the G6 while traveling to get here, the Carolina Dog was in fine form and great spirits.\u00a0 Thankfully, her sore L front paw was no longer bothering her.<\/p>\n

Scarcely a ripple marred the still, smooth surface of the big lake.\u00a0 Beyond it, flanked by other massive peaks stood the majestic sentinel of the NW entrance to Wyoming’s rugged Wind River Range – mighty Squaretop Mountain<\/span><\/a> (11,695 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Squaretop Mountain<\/strong> (R of Center) from Lower Green River Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had been here before.\u00a0 In 2015, she had taken the Highline Trail on a reconnaissance mission to see if she might be able to climb Squaretop someday.\u00a0 SPHP had an old book, Wind River Trails by Finis Mitchell, in which Mitchell described a route to the summit from Beaver Park.<\/p>\n

Loop’s 2015 reconnaissance had only been a day hike.\u00a0 She did make it to Beaver Park, but what she had seen wasn’t promising at all – glimpses of giant vertical rock walls soaring more than 2,000 feet above and beyond a densely-forested ridge, the top of which was itself 1,200 feet higher than Beaver Park.<\/p>\n

That hadn’t been the end of it, though.\u00a0 Lupe returned to Green River Lakes in 2017 and took an alternate route up to Porcupine Pass.\u00a0 SPHP thought maybe she could get to the top of Squaretop Mountain from there, but Loop only made it as far as New Benchmark<\/span><\/a> (11,850 ft.) <\/span><\/strong>where a huge, steep snowbank blocked further advance.<\/p>\n

In Wind River Trails, Finis Mitchell insisted the route up Squaretop from Beaver Park was “not difficult”.\u00a0 Finis claimed to have taken 4 year olds up the mountain.\u00a0 So now, 3 years after her initial reconnaissance, Lupe was back to see if she could find Mitchell’s route!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Still looks impossible, but what are we waiting for? I’m already 7!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7-20-18, 8:28 AM, 59\u00b0F – <\/em>After reading Finis Mitchell’s route description one last time, SPHP left the book in the G6.\u00a0 All systems go!\u00a0 It was on!\u00a0 Lupe headed for the footbridge over the Green River close to where it left Lower Green River Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
There’s the bridge over the Green River<\/strong>! It’s just downstream of Lower Green River Lake.<\/em> Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A year ago, there had been signs warning that a bridge over Clear Creek near the far end of the lake had been wiped out by flooding.\u00a0 Luckily, no such signs were seen today.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
This bridge provides access to the Highline Trail (No. 094)!<\/em> Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing the bridge, Lupe picked up the Highline Trail (No. 94), which would take her all the way to Beaver Park.\u00a0 For the first couple of miles, the trail ran along the lower slopes of a mountainside paralleling Lower Green River Lake.\u00a0 Views of the lake, Squaretop Mountain, and all the neighboring peaks were absolutely grand.<\/p>\n

(Note: The Highline Trail runs the length of the Wind River Range.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting for Squaretop Mountain<\/strong> (Center) on the Highline Trail<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Halfway along Lower Green River Lake<\/strong>. White Rock<\/span><\/a> (11,284 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) and Squaretop Mountain<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had a blast exploring the mountain slopes near the trail.\u00a0 Almost before she knew it, she was getting close to the S end of Lower Green River Lake.\u00a0 She passed a junction with the Clear Creek Trail (No. 184).\u00a0 Shortly thereafter, after going through a stand of tall bushes, Loopster arrived at the new bridge over Clear Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
S end of Lower Green River Lake<\/strong>. Squaretop Mountain<\/strong> (L). The Bottle<\/span><\/a> (11,480 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is the rectangular pinnacle at Center. Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loopster about to cross the new bridge over Clear Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite no Dingo level pawrails, Lupe had no problem crossing the Clear Creek bridge.\u00a0 The Highline Trail was now on low, flat terrain.\u00a0 Soon the Green River was in view again, tranquilly meandering down from Upper Green River Lake.\u00a0 Another bridge over the Green River was ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The next bridge over the Green River<\/strong> between Upper & Lower Green River Lakes comes into view. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This next bridge provided access to the Porcupine Trail (No. 137), which Loop had taken to Porcupine Pass last year, or to the Lakeside Trail (No. 144), an alternate route along the W shore of Lower Green River Lake going back to the trailhead.\u00a0 Lupe did not need to cross it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looper skipped this second bridge over the Green River<\/strong>, staying on the Highline Trail. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the bridge, the Highline Trail left the Green River, veering E off into the forest.\u00a0 Lupe followed it over a minor ridge.\u00a0 A mere 0.33 mile from the bridge, Upper Green River Lake came into view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Upper Green River Lake<\/strong> is much smaller than the lower lake, only 7 feet higher, and equally exquisite. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3 miles from the trailhead now, taking a break somewhere along the shore of the incredibly beautiful upper lake sounded like a great idea.\u00a0 The Highline Trail was about to cross a marshy area here, so Lupe left it to follow a short spur trail S along the lake’s NW shore.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Squaretop Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center) from Upper Green River Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Squaretop Mountain<\/strong> (L) and The Bottle<\/strong> (R) from Upper Green River Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The views were stunning, but something else soon became the focus of Lupe’s attention.\u00a0 A flotilla of 15 ducklings came paddling along close to the shore led by their mama.\u00a0 A charming sight, they seemed to be thoroughly enjoying a mid-summer float trip on Upper Green River Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mama duck, admiral of a 15 duckling fleet, came paddling by.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
These lucky ducklings had a mama with a keen eye for choice real estate. She could hardly have chosen a more beautiful home for her brood.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Common Goldeneye or perhaps Barrow’s Goldeneye?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a>After entertaining Lupe for a while, the duck display paddled onward.\u00a0 The American Dingo moved on, too.\u00a0 She returned to the Highline Trail, which now proceeded S above the E shore of Upper Green River Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading S past Upper Green River Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once past Upper Green River Lake, the trail continued S up the Green River valley.\u00a0 Sometimes the river was in view, and occasionally the Highline Trail even went right by it.\u00a0 Other times, the river was farther away.\u00a0 Most of the time Lupe was in the forest, but clearings provided lovely views of Squaretop Mountain, and allowed the American Dingo to gauge her progress.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe cools off in one of many small streams that cross the Highline Trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Squaretop Mountain<\/strong> from the Green River Valley<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Same view with help from the telephoto lens. The Bottle<\/strong> is on the R.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking W across the valley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail sometimes went up or down, but net elevation gain was almost negligible.\u00a0 The day was gorgeous, and the trail began to get busy.\u00a0 SPHP occasionally stopped to chat briefly with passers-by.\u00a0 Lupe stayed busy checking trees for squirrels.\u00a0 The view of Squaretop began to change as the Carolina Dog got closer.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting closer, but still 4 miles to Beaver Park!<\/em> Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Green River is so beautiful! It’s got that pale, glacial look to it.<\/em> Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A bend in the Green River<\/strong>. The Bottle<\/strong> is on the L. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Approaching Squaretop, the Highline Trail started bending toward the SE.\u00a0 It stayed in the forest and began to gain elevation.\u00a0 The Green River was now well below the level of the trail.\u00a0 Finally the river began to get closer again, and came into view down a steep embankment.\u00a0 Lupe left the trail and went down to the river.<\/p>\n

This was a favorite spot!\u00a0 Lupe had stopped here in 2015, too.\u00a0 The Green River was much higher today.\u00a0 The river poured down a series of rapids past a large rock midstream and disappeared into the forest below.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop at her favorite spot along the Green River<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
These rapids are down a steep embankment next to the Highline Trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Green River<\/strong> disappears into the forest after flowing around the big rock on the R.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The weather was perfect!\u00a0 Early afternoon and Beaver Park wasn’t that much farther.\u00a0 2 or 3 miles maybe?\u00a0 No more than that.\u00a0 A break, a nice long one, at this gorgeous spot sounded wonderful!<\/p>\n

Lupe rested in the shade of a spruce tree, listening to the mesmerizing roar of the water while snapping at flies and ants.\u00a0 SPHP dangled a foot in the frigid river until bones ached with cold.\u00a0 Then the other foot took a turn at suffering, while the first one basked in warm sunshine.\u00a0 Rinse and repeat, literally, over and over again.<\/p>\n

SPHP counted how many times short sticks swirled around in an eddy before the current caught them and they sailed downstream.\u00a0 Lupe dozed.\u00a0 The Green River swept relentlessly, hypnotically, by.\"\"<\/a>The river wasn’t the only thing sweeping by.\u00a0 Time flowed relentlessly along as well.\u00a0 An hour and 40 minutes vanished, before SPHP finally shook off a lethargy induced by the idyllic setting.\u00a0 Puppy, ho!\u00a0 Onward!<\/em>\u00a0 But the time spent along the bank of the Green River had sure been splendid.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe returns to the Highline Trail. Granite Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,892 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> dead ahead! Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At intervals, Lupe had come to various small streams which crossed the trail.\u00a0 None had been even close to large enough to cause any problems.\u00a0 All had merely been places where Loop could get a refreshing drink and cool her paws off.\u00a0 However, as she was getting close to due E of Granite Peak, she came to two much larger streams in rapid succession.<\/p>\n

The first was Elbow Creek.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t remember crossing any major streams in this area back in 2015, but the Green River was running much higher now than back then, so perhaps these tributaries were also commensurately larger?\u00a0 Looper was reluctant to ford the scary stream, but after SPHP started across, she ultimately made a successful soaking dash for the opposite bank.<\/p>\n

The glow of this success was immediately extinguished upon reaching Pixley Creek minutes later.\u00a0 Pixley Creek was 20 feet across!\u00a0 Even at its deepest the stream was only knee deep on SPHP, but the water was fast and powerful.\u00a0 After hesitating, SPHP waded in.\u00a0 The force of the water was strong enough to make it doubtful Lupe could be carried across without falling, as had happened while attempting to cross Porcupine Creek last year.<\/p>\n

SPHP managed to ford Pixley Creek, but Lupe hadn’t dared to follow this time.\u00a0 Full of separation anxiety, she ran back and forth along the N bank searching for a way, but it was all too deep and frightening.\u00a0 She finally sat in the tall grass peering across the stream at SPHP pleading for help.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Desperate not to be left behind, Lupe pleads with SPHP for help crossing swift-flowing Pixley Creek<\/strong>. Only a fraction of the stream’s width is shown here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP was convinced Lupe would be fine if she swam across herself, but no amount of coaxing could induce her to enter the stream.\u00a0 Pixley Creek was frigid, over her head, and simply too terrifying.\u00a0 In all fairness, if the situation had been reversed, no way would SPHP have done it either.<\/p>\n

Downstream of the Highline Trail, a single log bleached white by the sun was stretched out across the entire width of Pixley Creek.\u00a0 The log wasn’t terribly wide, especially near the S bank.\u00a0 The danger was that if Lupe fell off it, the stream would instantly wash her into a logjam of sticks, branches and other logs immediately downstream.<\/p>\n

When nothing else worked, SPHP reluctantly pointed the white log out.\u00a0 Lupe caught on instantly!\u00a0 While SPHP looked on with trepidation, the Carolina Dog raced across without the slightest problem.\u00a0 Worked great, but SPHP still didn’t like it.\u00a0 The what if was too terrible to think about.<\/p>\n

At any rate, Lupe was safely across Pixley Creek.\u00a0 The trail continued S up the Green River valley.\u00a0 Sometimes it wound fairly high up into the forest.\u00a0 Sometimes it went right along the Green River.\u00a0 SPHP made one mistake leading Lupe down a short side spur that ended at the river.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Continuing up the Green River valley<\/strong> S of Pixley Creek. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
SPHP made a mistake going down to the river here. The Highline Trail actually stayed up in the forest. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Highline Trail was in the forest up on a mountainside when Lupe went around a sharp bend and saw a bridge over the Green River.\u00a0 The bridge was a welcome sight.\u00a0 Beaver Park was close at paw!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The footbridge over the Green River<\/strong> near Beaver Park. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crossing the Green River<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This is how river crossings are meant to be!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking up the Green River<\/strong> from the bridge near Beaver Park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking downstream.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once across this last big bridge, Lupe was actually on an island.\u00a0 A short distance farther on the trail brought her to a little bridge across a small side channel of the Green River.\u00a0 Beyond this little bridge Lupe entered Beaver Park again for the first time since 2015.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Crossing the little bridge over the side channel. The open meadows of Beaver Park<\/strong> are already partially in view beyond the trees. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Beaver Park<\/strong>. Parts of Squaretop Mountain<\/strong> are visible beyond the near ridge. Granite Lake is hidden up on the ridge. Granite Peak<\/strong> is on the R. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was 5:30 PM when Lupe reached Beaver Park.\u00a0 The Highline Trail had been busy all afternoon.\u00a0 Yet no one was at Beaver Park.\u00a0 A single tent was set up near a small grove of big pines near the S end, but nobody was there at the moment.<\/p>\n

W of Beaver Park was the same 1200 foot high forested ridge Lupe had seen in 2015.\u00a0 Towering portions of Squaretop Mountain loomed above and beyond it.\u00a0 The original plan for the day had been to camp up on that 1200 foot high ridge by Granite Lake, which couldn’t be seen from here.\u00a0 Camping up at the lake would save hours and all that elevation gain tomorrow when Lupe hoped to climb Squaretop Mountain.<\/p>\n

However, it had been a long march from Lower Green River Lake carrying the pack, something on the order of 11 or 12 miles.\u00a0 SPHP was tired.\u00a0 Lupe was ready to call it a day, too.\u00a0 Would have been better to get here earlier.\u00a0 Too much time had been allowed to slip away while relaxing by the Green River rapids.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t know of any trail up the ridge.\u00a0 A bushwhack might easily consume hours.<\/p>\n

It turned out that much of Beaver Park was lumpy, boggy ground.\u00a0 The lone tent already set up at the cluster of pines occupied about the only really dry, level place.\u00a0 A reasonably acceptable spot was found about 80 feet N.\u00a0 SPHP set up Lupe’s new Marmot tiny house.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe by her new Marmot tiny house in Beaver Park<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sun was barely down behind the mountains when Lupe and SPHP crawled into the tiny house to hit the hay.\u00a0 Smart to get as much rest as possible, but making Beaver Park base camp instead of Granite Lake was a major mistake.<\/p>\n

It wouldn’t be the last.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In a contemplative mood the evening before what was likely to be Lupe’s final chance to climb Squaretop Mountain 7-20-18<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Squaretop Mountain, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 2: Beaver Park to the Summit (7-21-18)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

Striving for Squaretop Mountain, Wind River Range, WY – Part 3: The Dome Peak Salvage Operation (7-16-17)<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains & Wind River Range in Wyoming Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 8 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains & Wind River Range of Wyoming! Before SPHP even got the pack ready to go, Lupe went down to the shore of Lower Green River Lake.\u00a0 Having spent yesterday resting in the G6 while traveling to get here, the Carolina Dog was in fine … Continue reading Squaretop Mountain, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: On the Highline Trail from Green River Lakes to Beaver Park (7-20-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19181,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1033],"tags":[105,388,106,26,393,382,389,104,381,385,275],"class_list":["post-19188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2018-bighorn-mountains-wind-river-range-wyoming","tag-american-dingo","tag-beaver-park","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-finis-mitchell","tag-green-river-lakes","tag-highline-trail","tag-lupe","tag-squaretop-mountain","tag-wind-river-range","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_9991.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19188","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=19188"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19188\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20182,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19188\/revisions\/20182"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}