{"id":24775,"date":"2019-11-30T08:10:37","date_gmt":"2019-11-30T15:10:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=24775"},"modified":"2020-01-13T12:18:12","modified_gmt":"2020-01-13T19:18:12","slug":"peak-9300-high-park-lookout-bighorn-mountains-wyoming-6-30-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=24775","title":{"rendered":"Peak 9300 & High Park Lookout, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (6-30-19)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 1 of Day 5 of Lupe’s 1st 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming!<\/em><\/p>\n

3:30 AM<\/em> – Hey, Loop, wake up!\u00a0 Are you OK?\u00a0 What’s wrong?\u00a0 <\/em>Stretched out on her pink blanket, Lupe was breathing fast, as if she was having an exciting dream.\u00a0 Alarmingly, though, she’d been going on and on like that, and hadn’t been responding even when jostled or spoken to.\u00a0 Nothing roused her!\u00a0 Was she having altitude or lung problems, or maybe some kind of an attack?<\/p>\n

Motionless, still breathing shallow and fast, Lupe finally opened a dull eye.\u00a0 The zombie eye slowly shifted to stare at SPHP, but the Carolina Dog didn’t even raise her head.<\/p>\n

At last, SPHP offered Lupe a couple of Zuke’s treats that Dave Covill<\/span><\/a><\/strong> had sent her.\u00a0 That did the trick!\u00a0 Suddenly, Loopster came to.\u00a0 Lifting her head, she proceeded to gobble the Zukes up.\u00a0 She then polished off the rest of a can of Alpo she had started last night, inhaled some Taste of the Wild, and lapped up multiple bowls of water.\u00a0 Satisfied, the American Dingo zonked out again, returning to a deep, almost comatose sleep.<\/p>\n

Guess 4 days of peakbagging in a row can do that to ya!<\/p>\n

6:03 AM<\/em> – When Lupe had gone out to sniff the air a little after midnight, a jillion stars of the Milky Way had been blazing overhead.\u00a0 Not now.\u00a0 Clouds and rain!\u00a0 Maybe nothing much was going to happen today?\u00a0 Having taken a Benadryl during the night, SPHP was in sort of an anti-histamine haze, anyway.\u00a0 After breakfast and catching up the journal, SPHP conked out again.\u00a0 Lupe seemed content with snoozing, too.<\/p>\n

11:30 AM<\/em> – Conscious again.\u00a0 Patches of blue sky.\u00a0 The rain was over!\u00a0 Plenty of time left in the day for Lupe to go check out a couple of easy peaks.\u00a0 First up was Peak<\/span> 9300<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 1.5 miles SE of Meadowlark Lake, SPHP turned S off Hwy 16 onto USFS Road No. 429. \u00a0 0.33 mile up the hill was a turn W (R) onto USFS Road No. 433, which went nearly 2 miles clear to the top of the mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Peak 9300<\/strong> from near the start of USFS Road No. 433. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Except for a stretch of forest where the G6 scraped bottom a couple of times in a deeply rutted section, most of No. 433 was fine.\u00a0 However, at the base of the short switchbacks to the summit, the road deteriorated to practically a 4WD route.\u00a0 The first sharp turn was so bad that SPHP nearly decided to back down.<\/p>\n

That was the worst of it, though.\u00a0 The G6 persevered, the road improved, and up on top SPHP parked near a small tower next to a pale green shed.\u00a0 (11:56 AM, 61\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"
Getting closer. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Peakbagging the easy way! Parked practically at the summit. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peak 9300’s summit region was acres in size.\u00a0 No. 433 actually continued on a little beyond this point.\u00a0 Following the road a bit farther, Lupe came to another small tower at a slightly higher spot.<\/p>\n

\"\"
At the second tower. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the second tower, the road sloped gradually N down to a green gate which bore a sign reading “Meadowlark Ski Lodge Boundary”.\u00a0 No one was around, and nothing said Lupe couldn’t go take a quick look at the ski facilities and views, so she ducked under the fence to go check things out.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The Meadowlark Lake Lodge operates ski facilities on Peak 9300.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Straight ahead, a little beyond the gate, was a sign for the “Hole In The Wall” double diamond ski run.\u00a0 Peering down this gap in the limestone N edge of the mountain, Lupe could see part of Meadowlark Lake more than 800 feet below.<\/p>\n

\"\"
At the start of the Hole In The Wall ski run.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Peering down the Hole In The Wall. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Immediately off to the NW (L), a couple rows of log benches sat perched on a big limestone platform.\u00a0 Cliffs along the N edge provided terrific views of the high peaks of the Bighorn Mountains, plus a commanding view of Meadowlark Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Darton Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,275 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L of Center near the butterfly) & Bighorn Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,324 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) from the log benches. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Meadowlark Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Meadowlark Lake<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The views were wonderful, but it wasn’t clear yet if the American Dingo had been to the true summit of Peak 9300, or not.\u00a0 Exploring farther E, Lupe came to a chair lift on a little rise that might have been it.\u00a0 The true summit was either here, or back at the second small tower.<\/p>\n

\"\"
By the chair lift. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The chair lift looked quite new, or at least recently upgraded.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Possibly the true summit of Peak 9300<\/strong>, if not, the 2nd small tower had been it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The 2nd small tower from close to the chair lift. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Meadowlark Lake<\/strong> from the chair lift. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another ski run was a little E of the chair lift.\u00a0 This was a less demanding route than Hole In The Wall.\u00a0 A broad open area sloped SE toward USFS Road No. 433.\u00a0 Presumably the run then curved N back down to the ski lodge by Meadowlark Lake.\u00a0 From the top of this run High Park Lookout<\/span><\/a> (9,477 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in view.<\/p>\n

\"\"
High Park Lookout<\/strong> (Center) from the ski run E of the chair lift. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

High Park Lookout was where the Carolina Dog was going next.\u00a0 She had been there only yesterday, but on a rushed ascent trying to get to the top before sunset.\u00a0 No reason she couldn’t take the short trail to the summit again today when she could relax and mosey along exploring.<\/p>\n

Before leaving Peak<\/span> 9300<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, Loop returned to the limestone platform with the log benches for a last look at Meadowlark Lake.\u00a0 (12:26 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"
Must be beautiful in the winter, too, when everything is white and all the skiers are up here!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the way to High Park Lookout, SPHP parked briefly near the junction of USFS Roads No. 433 & 429, so Lupe could get out and see the old fire lookout tower from down here.<\/p>\n

\"\"
High Park Lookout<\/strong> from close to the junction of USFS Roads No. 433 & No. 429. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The fire lookout tower with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The High Park trailhead was up at the end of No. 429 at the base of the forest crowning the mountain.\u00a0 The parking area was tiny; 4 vehicles was about all it could accommodate.\u00a0 Fortunately, there was space for the G6.\u00a0 (1:47 PM, 61\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"
Plaque at the High Park Lookout trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Sign at the start of the trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail started out as a level path through a beautiful forest of tall pines.\u00a0 Soon, however, Lupe was gaining elevation in spurts of varying steepness interspersed with only short level stretches.\u00a0 The trail wound among boulders adorned with green moss and orange lichens.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Start of the High Park Lookout trail<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
By one of the first big boulders.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Moss grew on many boulders.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The terrain became rockier as Lupe went higher.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Among more boulders.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Among the pines.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The terrain gets rockier.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near the end, 64 concrete steps were quickly followed by 21 dirt steps held back by wooden supports.<\/p>\n

\"\"
64 concrete steps appeared.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Followed by 21 dirt steps held back by wooden edges.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Rocks formations by the dirt steps.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The dirt steps ended close to a platform of rock just S of the lookout tower.\u00a0 The stairway leading to the tower’s balcony was open.\u00a0 Looper went up for a look around.\u00a0 The balcony’s wooden planks were soft and badly weathered.\u00a0 Many of the nails holding them in place were loose or missing.\u00a0 Despite this questionable state of affairs, a cautious tour didn’t seem too risky.<\/p>\n

The views were great!\u00a0 The rugged spine of the Bighorn Range was off to the N.\u00a0 Most of Meadowlark Lake could be seen to the NW.\u00a0 8 to 10 miles E was a line of half a dozen peaks Lupe had climbed, all but one in just the past few days.<\/p>\n

\"\"
On the rocky platform S of the fire lookout tower. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Up on the balcony. The intersection of USFS Roads No. 429 (L) & No. 434 (Center) is on the L. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Meadowlark Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Looking E. USFS Road No. 429 is in sight along with intersections with No. 433 (L) & No. 434 (R). In the distance are Peak<\/span> 10493<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (Long ridge at L, but not at the edge), Peak<\/span> 10215<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (L of Center), Hesse Mountain<\/strong><\/span><\/a> (10,385 ft.)<\/strong><\/span> (Center), Peak<\/span> 10372<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (R), and Hazelton Pyramid<\/strong><\/span><\/a> (10,534 ft.)<\/strong><\/span> (far R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Loaf Mountain<\/span><\/a> (10,722 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Lupe hadn’t climbed this one yet, but it sure looked tempting!\u00a0 Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A couple of people appeared.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP left the lookout tower, moving down to the rocks to the N.<\/p>\n

\"\"
On the rocks N of the fire lookout tower. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Part of the spine of the Bighorn Range. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Peak 9300<\/strong> (L) and part of Meadowlark Lake<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Meadowlark Lake<\/strong> (L) and Cloud Peak<\/strong> (R edge). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Cloud Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,167 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) and Bomber Mountain<\/span><\/a> (12,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center). Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Peak 10215<\/strong> (L), Hesse Mountain<\/strong> (Center L), Peak 10372<\/strong> (Center R above Lupe’s tail) and Hazelton Pyramid<\/strong> (R above her shoulders). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And that was about it.\u00a0 Everything was so beautiful, but it was time to move on.\u00a0 Lupe had completed the peaks she had come to climb in the S Bighorn Mountains on this Dingo Vacation.\u00a0 Bidding High Park Lookout farewell, she returned to the G6.\u00a0 (2:29 PM, 61\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

The American Dingo wasn’t done yet, though!\u00a0\u00a0 Down at Hwy 16, SPHP turned W.\u00a0 Before long Lupe was in Tensleep Canyon on the way to her next adventure.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Tensleep Canyon<\/strong>, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 6-30-19<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

High Park Lookout & Sheep Mountain, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (8-5-14)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Meadowlark Ski Lodge<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

W<\/em>ant more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacations to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming Adventure Inde<\/strong>x<\/strong><\/a><\/span>,\u00a0Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Part 1 of Day 5 of Lupe’s 1st 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming! 3:30 AM – Hey, Loop, wake up!\u00a0 Are you OK?\u00a0 What’s wrong?\u00a0 Stretched out on her pink blanket, Lupe was breathing fast, as if she was having an exciting dream.\u00a0 Alarmingly, though, she’d been going on and on … Continue reading Peak 9300 & High Park Lookout, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (6-30-19)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24741,"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":[1175],"tags":[105,185,106,26,184,104,1195,1196,1194,275],"class_list":["post-24775","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2019-bighorn-mountains","tag-american-dingo","tag-bighorn-mountains","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-high-park-lookout","tag-lupe","tag-meadowlark-lake","tag-meadowlark-ski-lodge","tag-peak-9300","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_3757-scaled.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\/24775","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=24775"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24775\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25429,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24775\/revisions\/25429"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/24741"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24775"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24775"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24775"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}