{"id":24890,"date":"2019-12-10T08:10:52","date_gmt":"2019-12-10T15:10:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=24890"},"modified":"2020-01-13T12:21:58","modified_gmt":"2020-01-13T19:21:58","slug":"antelope-butte-bighorn-mountains-wyoming-7-1-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=24890","title":{"rendered":"Antelope Butte, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-1-19)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 6 of Lupe’s 1st 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming!<\/em><\/p>\n

Predawn<\/em> – Uh-oh.\u00a0 Raindrops!\u00a0 USFS Road No. 10 had been plenty soft on the way up here yesterday evening.\u00a0 As the rain started in harder, SPHP had visions of a repeat of Lupe’s muddy misadventure at Big Pryor Mountain<\/strong><\/span><\/a> last year.\u00a0 This road and situation weren’t anywhere near as bad at that had been, but still no sense in simply sitting here while No. 10 turned into a quagmire, was there?<\/p>\n

The G6 sprang to life, and a slow slippery descent began.\u00a0 The night was utterly black, the headlights barely revealing only a short stretch of a rutted sea of mud ahead as the rain poured down.\u00a0 The mud clung to the tires, causing a serious loss of traction.\u00a0 Not quite as bad as driving on ice, but not that far from it, either.<\/p>\n

Slowly, slowly!\u00a0 What time was it anyway?\u00a0 A glance at the dash revealed only darkness where the radio, clock, and information panel ought to have been all lit up.\u00a0 Huh.<\/em>\u00a0 They’d been working yesterday.\u00a0 The G6 crept along, finally succeeding in covering the 2 miles back to the pavement at Hwy 14.\u00a0 By then the rain was over and done with.\u00a0 Just a shower.\u00a0 The sky was already clearing, the faint first light of dawn now perceptible.<\/p>\n

After parking at a snowmobile unloading area, SPHP turned on a light to take a look at the dash.\u00a0 Lupe’s water bowl was perched directly above the radio.\u00a0 The bowl was practically empty now, the dash clearly wet.\u00a0 Gah!<\/em>\u00a0 Should have remembered to remove the bowl before taking off down the rutty road.\u00a0 Dousing electronics with water is seldom a great idea.\u00a0 Too late now.<\/p>\n

Oh, well.\u00a0 Still mighty early.\u00a0 After letting the Carolina Dog out briefly to sniff the air, back to sleep!<\/p>\n

An hour or two later, SPHP woke to find Lupe awake panting on her pink blanket.\u00a0 The sun was up, and a lovely clear blue sky promised a great day.\u00a0 At the end of a short side road near Shell Canyon, the American Dingo got out to bark at a squirrel while SPHP replaced the fuse for the radio, clock and information panel.\u00a0 No luck.\u00a0 The spare fuse made no difference.\u00a0 Not too surprising, since the original fuse looked fine.\u00a0 Some circuit board must have shorted out.<\/p>\n

Simply fabulous!\u00a0 Zig when you should zag.\u00a0 Should have stayed put, and let it rain.\u00a0 The road out would have been better now, anyway.\u00a0 That was that, though!\u00a0 A minor setback.\u00a0 So what?\u00a0 The G6 still ran.<\/p>\n

Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em>\u00a0 Antelope Butte<\/span><\/a> (9,935 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was calling!\u00a0 It was only a few miles away.<\/p>\n

\"\"
By the sign for the turn off Hwy 14 to Antelope Butte. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Antelope Butte Mountain Recreation Area<\/strong><\/span><\/a> was only 0.33 mile off Hwy 14 on USFS Road No. 244.\u00a0 Next to a large parking lot, a huge green and gray plastic yurt sat near a ski lodge undergoing renovation.\u00a0 Only one person was around, a man driving a small bulldozer.\u00a0 SPHP caught his attention and asked if it would be OK to park the G6 here?<\/p>\n

Sure, no problem, provided SPHP parked off to one side.\u00a0 The parking lot was going to get smoothed out today.\u00a0 While SPHP got ready, Lupe leapt out to briefly inspect the premises, before continuing SE on USFS Road No. 244.\u00a0 (9:08 AM)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"
Antelope Butte info on the side of a trailer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The gray and green plastic yurt looked brand new.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Extensive renovations were underway at the Antelope Butte ski lodge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
A broader view showing some of the ski runs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Setting out for Antelope Butte!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No. 244 went up a valley past a dozen private cabins strung out over 0.5 mile.\u00a0 At one point Lupe forded a small tributary of Granite Creek.\u00a0 At the last cabin two men were busy re-shingling the roof.\u00a0 USFS Road No. 244 ended here, but ATV trail No. 421 continued on.<\/p>\n

A nice reddish dog came over to greet Lupe, and seemed inclined to come along to explore Antelope Butte, too.\u00a0 That would have been fine, but SPHP drew the attention of the roofers, who called the friendly dog back.<\/p>\n

\"\"
One of the first private cabins No. 244 went past.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
On USFS Road No. 244.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Wading across a little tributary of Granite Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
At the start of ATV trail No. 421 by the last cabin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had gained only minor elevation along USFS Road No. 244, but ATV trail No. 421 climbed more steeply.\u00a0 The trail wound through a mostly forested region, but Loop came to a few clearings, too.\u00a0 The brilliant sun was starting to feel hot.\u00a0 SPHP paused briefly to put on sunscreen.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Following ATV trail No. 421.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Naturally, applying sunscreen changed everything.\u00a0 The sky soon began to cloud up rapidly.\u00a0 After following No. 421 for 0.5 mile, Lupe arrived at an open gate at the edge of the forest.\u00a0 By now the sky was completely overcast.\u00a0 The air felt cool and damp.\u00a0 Beyond a big meadow, low clouds clung to a line of peaks several miles away.<\/p>\n

\"\"
At the open gate 0.5 mile from the start of ATV trail No. 421. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Low clouds clung to peaks several miles away. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the gate, a two track road (USFS Road No. 279 on the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>)<\/em> headed S in a big meadow.\u00a0 The road stayed fairly close to the forest as it climbed toward a pass.\u00a0 Although prospects for a successful ascent of Antelope Butte were suddenly looking questionable, Lupe followed the road higher.<\/p>\n

\"\"
By USFS Road No. 279 after going through the open gate. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe hadn’t gotten too far beyond the gate, when the roar of engines was heard coming up ATV trail No. 421.\u00a0 A family of 5 appeared on 2 ATV’s.\u00a0 They waved as they raced on by, before disappearing over the pass Lupe was heading for.<\/p>\n

Pass 9260<\/span><\/strong> was only 200 yards away.\u00a0 The American Dingo was soon there.\u00a0 What to do now was the question?\u00a0 A grassy open slope led fairly steeply up to the N end of Antelope Butte’s long N\/S summit ridge, but the ridgeline was hidden well up in the clouds.\u00a0 The true summit was still nearly a mile SSW, nearly 700 feet higher than this pass.<\/p>\n

Staring at the grassy slope, Lupe and SPHP watched as a featureless gray swept down enveloping even Pass 9260<\/span><\/strong> in fog.\u00a0 All it took was a single minute.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The rather indistinct view of Antelope Butte one minute after arriving at Pass 9260<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 No point in trying to summit now.\u00a0 Felt like rain.\u00a0 Stay or go?\u00a0 The forest wasn’t too far away, maybe Lupe could hide out there hoping for improvement?\u00a0 Nah, not a speck of blue sky anywhere.\u00a0 Hadn’t been for a while.\u00a0 Might as well call it before getting drenched for no reason.<\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog headed back.\u00a0 Disappointing, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.\u00a0 Thunder confirmed the decision within 2 minutes of leaving the pass.\u00a0 Better hurry!<\/p>\n

Lupe enjoyed the lively downhill pace!\u00a0 She raced through the forest along No. 421 sniffing and exploring.\u00a0 Scattered raindrops fell intermittently.\u00a0 Now and then more thunder.\u00a0 The family of 5 joined the retreat, racing by again on their ATV’s.\u00a0 Fortunately, any serious rain held off.\u00a0 Occasionally the sky even brightened.\u00a0 SPHP relaxed and slowed down.<\/p>\n

Wrong!\u00a0 Back on No. 244, a mere 5 minutes from the G6, suddenly it was on again.\u00a0 The sky darkened ominously.\u00a0 Incoming!<\/em><\/p>\n

Run, Loop, run!\u00a0 <\/em>Tremendously excited, Lupe ran alongside SPHP leaping and barking.\u00a0 What a fun game!\u00a0 SPHP was seldom so lively!<\/p>\n

No, Lupe.\u00a0 Keep going!\u00a0 Run to the G6!\u00a0 We’re almost there!<\/em>\u00a0 Lupe raced ahead, but kept coming back to urge SPHP along.\u00a0 She wasn’t about to abandon SPHP, and after all, her speed wasn’t the issue.<\/p>\n

The storm broke 2 minutes from the G6.\u00a0 An absolute cloudburst, with hail.\u00a0 Pea-sized, but it might get bigger.\u00a0 Thunder!\u00a0 Lightning!\u00a0 Streaking through the fearsome onslaught, Lupe finally made a beeline for the G6.\u00a0 Totally drenched, she leapt in as soon as SPHP arrived to open the door.\u00a0 (11:09 AM)<\/em><\/p>\n

10 minutes later, the first patch of blue sky reappeared.\u00a0 40 minutes later, the sky was 80% clear.\u00a0 The situation didn’t change for the next half hour.<\/p>\n

So, are we gluttons for punishment, Looper?<\/em><\/p>\n

I thought you always said we were fair weather friends when it came to the outdoors, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah.\u00a0 Looks like fair weather to me!\u00a0 No guarantees, though, especially on a day like today when it just keeps taunting us.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, if you’re game, what are we waiting for?\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Slow-Plodding Human Porter, ho!\u00a0 (12:28 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n

2.25 hours after leaving Pass 9260<\/span><\/strong> NE of Antelope Butte, the Carolina Dog was back!\u00a0 Looking SE along USFS Road No. 279, puffy white clouds were visible off in the distance toward Cloud Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,167)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 The only significant cloud anywhere nearby was a lone gray one only partially visible looming to the SW.\u00a0 Long tentacles from this enormous cloud were stretching NE ever farther over Antelope Butte.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Back at Pass 9260<\/strong>. Cloud Peak<\/strong> (L of Center) is visible on the horizon. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The situation was questionable.\u00a0 Another storm seemed likely.\u00a0 However, this time the grassy slope formerly hidden by fog was still completely visible.\u00a0 Lupe could see the ridgeline.\u00a0 Not knowing what to expect, the American Dingo turned SW and headed for the N end of the ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The grassy slope leading to the Antelope Butte summit ridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trudge up the long slope was steepish, but otherwise trivial.\u00a0 Lupe came across an abandoned road and followed it part of the way up.\u00a0 As she drew near the top of the ridge, lone boulders of dolomite decorated with orange lichens were scattered at intervals along the slope.\u00a0 Many more were clustered at the top, but even there, they were separated by open lanes of vegetation.<\/p>\n

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Approaching the N end of the summit ridge. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Among the boulders near the top. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During the entire ascent, it had seemed quite likely a storm was about to come sailing right over Antelope Butte at any moment.\u00a0 However, upon reaching the N end of the summit ridge, it appeared the American Dingo was in luck!\u00a0 Showers were visible to the SW, but apparently the storm was actually going to miss, passing S of the mountain instead.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Looking S along the summit ridge. Showers are visible to the SW (R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The true summit of Antelope Butte<\/span><\/a> (9,935 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was a little more than 100 feet higher than where Lupe was now, still 0.5 mile farther S.\u00a0 The many dolomite boulders strewn along the way made the easy stroll along the broad N\/S summit ridge an interesting trek.\u00a0 Lupe had lots of fun places to explore!<\/p>\n

A rocky escarpment of minor cliffs extended along the W edge of the ridge.\u00a0 Up on top were the dolomite boulders and formations, which grew more numerous and complex as Lupe proceeded S.\u00a0 She started coming to dense stands of stunted pines, which were best skirted.\u00a0 Any troublesome spots were easily avoided by straying toward the grassy slopes to the E.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Fun times exploring Antelope Butte<\/strong>! Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Oh, I’m glad we came back! Antelope Butte is such an interesting place!<\/em> Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The weather was great back to the N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
But still unsettled to the S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe approached the S end of the ridge, the weather was improving.\u00a0 Two big boulders perched up on a larger dolomite formation came into view.\u00a0 One of them had to be the true summit!<\/p>\n

\"\"
We’re getting close to the S end of the ridge now. The true summit can’t be much farther!<\/em> Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Approaching the two big boulders (Center) at the summit. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Loopster arrived at the base of the maze-like summit formation, exactly how she might scramble up the last 20 feet to the top wasn’t at all clear.\u00a0 Exploring the NW side revealed only an insurmountable wall of rock.\u00a0 Circling back around to the E got her halfway up, on the verge of success, but a deep narrow passage separated her from the highest rocks.<\/p>\n

This passage was too wide to leap over, and a large boulder wedged over it was too steep-sided to provide an easy bridge.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t like the looks of it.\u00a0 Maybe the wedged boulder could serve as a last resort, but if Lupe could find access to the passage, she would be better off climbing up from down there.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Almost there! The summit rock is on the R. The wedged boulder SPHP didn’t care to cross to get over the narrow passage is to the R of Loop. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Circling back to the N, a gap beneath another overhanging boulder was plenty large enough for Lupe to get through.\u00a0 She was now down at the N end of the short, narrow passage.\u00a0 SPHP had to crawl to squeeze under the boulder, but it really wasn’t difficult at all.\u00a0 Seconds later, Lupe was at the S end of the passage scrambling higher.\u00a0 Slowly, and less agilely, SPHP followed her up.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Down in the narrow passage. Lupe’s route to the summit was to the R from the near face of the boulder (Center) seen near the end of the passage. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This was it alright!\u00a0 At the end of the short scramble, SPHP arrived up top to find the plucky American Dingo already sitting perched on a big boulder – the obviously true summit of Antelope Butte<\/span><\/a> (9,935 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!<\/p>\n

\"\"
Loopster at the true summit of Antelope Butte<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The summit region was tiny, little more than just that one airy boulder.\u00a0 Hardly any room at all to maneuver up here.\u00a0 Lupe sat patiently atop the boulder for 5 minutes, basking in her peakbagging success, while SPHP took a few photos.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Looking N along the ridge Lupe had followed to get to the summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
View to the W toward Shell Canyon<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Antelope Butte’s lower S ridge<\/strong>, a broad, featureless, grassy region. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Cloud Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,167 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) and Black Tooth Mountain<\/span><\/a> (13,005 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L). Still looked stormy way over there! Photo looks SE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Orange and yellow lichens decorating the light gray dolomite summit boulder.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
On Antelope Butte<\/strong>, Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming, 7-1-19<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The views were glorious, but part of their magnificence was soon sacrificed in the interest of comfort.\u00a0 Time for a break!\u00a0 A grassy dolomite shelf about 20 feet lower a little NW of the true summit looked like a good spot to relax.\u00a0 Abandoning the summit boulder, Lupe beat SPHP back down to the narrow passage on the way there.<\/p>\n

\"\"
You coming, SPHP?<\/em> Loop back down in the narrow passage. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the dolomite shelf, Lupe relaxed for half an hour curled up on SPHP’s lap.\u00a0 Partly surrounded by walls of rock, Shell Canyon and other features to the S or W were the only views from here.\u00a0 That was OK.\u00a0 The sky was still cloudy to the SW, and the breeze was from that direction, so this was a good place to keep an eye on the unsettled weather.<\/p>\n

\"\"
On some of the rocks toward the NW end of the dolomite shelf. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The true summit (Center) from the dolomite shelf. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Persistence had paid off!\u00a0 SPHP was glad the Carolina Dog had made it to the top of Antelope Butte.\u00a0 Kind of a wacky summit with the little maze of interesting rock formations, but it had all been fun and pretty easy.<\/p>\n

On the way back, Lupe got to explore the length of the main N\/S ridge all over again.\u00a0 She ran hither and yon while SPHP strode along enjoying the sights.\u00a0 Marmots whistled now and then signaling Lupe’s approach.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Starting back along the main N\/S ridge. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Looking NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Shell Canyon<\/strong>. Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Checking in on Cloud Peak<\/strong> (Center) and Black Tooth Mountain<\/strong> (L) again. Photo looks SE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Bruce Mountain (10,300 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L), Dome Peak<\/span><\/a> (10,828 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R of Center) and the Sheridan County High Point<\/span><\/a> (11,020 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Along the W edge. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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This escarpment along the W edge is a great vantage point!<\/em> Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nearing the N end of the main ridge, SPHP suddenly realized Lupe wasn’t around.\u00a0 Pausing for a couple of minutes to look and listen, the Carolina Dog still didn’t appear.\u00a0 SPHP tapped a rock loudly several times with one of the trekking poles.\u00a0 Nothing.\u00a0 No Lupe.\u00a0 Other than the light SW breeze, silence.\u00a0 Not even a marmot whistle.<\/p>\n

Odd.\u00a0 Not like Loopster at all to simply disappear for more than a minute or two.\u00a0 SPHP began yelling for her.<\/p>\n

Lupe!\u00a0 Lupe!\u00a0 Looooooooop!<\/em><\/p>\n

Several more minutes went by, still nothing.\u00a0 No telling where she might have run off to!\u00a0 Still yelling and starting to worry, SPHP scanned S back along the ridge, and E along the grassy slopes.\u00a0 She’d been somewhere back that way last time SPHP had seen her, hadn’t she?<\/p>\n

Suddenly Lupe came racing back from the N.\u00a0 She had a huge grin on her face, but was panting hard like she’d been running for a long time.\u00a0 How far had she gone, and why?<\/p>\n

You made me nervous, Loop!\u00a0 Don’t roam so far off.\u00a0 This is big country!\u00a0 It would be terrible if you got lost!<\/em><\/p>\n

Her chest still heaving, Lupe said nothing.\u00a0 She greedily lapped up a bowl of water, then stood looking happily at SPHP.\u00a0 Maybe she’d gotten so busy exploring that she’d completely lost track of SPHP, and mistakenly run off in the wrong direction?\u00a0 Possible.\u00a0 Didn’t matter now.\u00a0 Loop was back, and that was such a relief!\u00a0 Good thing SPHP had yelled for her, and that those big soft Dingo ears were so keen.<\/p>\n

From the N end of the ridge, Lupe did not return to the USFS Roads or the ATV trail she had been on before.\u00a0 Instead she turned NW following an easy open ridgeline lower.\u00a0 This ought to be a shortcut back to the Antelope Butte ski runs, which would get her back down to the yurt and ski lodge.<\/p>\n

\"\"
About to start down the grassy NW ridge, a shortcut back to the Antelope Butte ski lodge hidden in the valley beyond Lupe. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Shell Canyon<\/strong> from Antelope Butte’s NW ridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And that’s what happened.\u00a0 Upon reaching the end of the open ground, Lupe plunged into the forest.\u00a0 Should have stayed higher and gone NW longer before turning N.\u00a0 The ski lodge was farther than SPHP realized.\u00a0 The American Dingo enjoyed a longer romp in the forest looking for squirrels than expected.\u00a0 In the end, though, she did come across one of the big ski runs.<\/p>\n

Soon Lupe was down at the base of the mountain.\u00a0 Fortunately, there was a bridge over Granite Creek, so SPHP didn’t have to ford it.\u00a0 Lupe preferred fording the stream just for fun.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Lupe’s Antelope Butte adventure ended with a ford of Granite Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching the G6 (5:06 PM)<\/em>, SPHP drove to N Burgess Junction.\u00a0 To celebrate Lupe’s success at Antelope Butte, SPHP ordered a big juicy hamburger.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog inhaled her share with evident relish.<\/p>\n

After eating, SPHP drove N on USFS Road No. 15.\u00a0 Lupe went past the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness which she had visited years ago.\u00a0 Loop had returned again last year when she had gone all the way to the Garden of the Gods.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t stop, though, until reaching the start of USFS Road No. 165.<\/p>\n

Such a beautiful evening!\u00a0 The end of a fun and ultimately successful day!\u00a0 Nearby, two tiny birds landed on a couple of big white rocks.\u00a0 Sunlight streamed over them as they twittered happily together.\u00a0 Beyond them a line of white clouds billowed in the blue sky.\u00a0 Without warning they zoomed away, a couple of specks soon lost in the heavens.<\/p>\n

The sun was low.\u00a0 For a few minutes Lupe stood atop those same white rocks.\u00a0 She couldn’t fly away, though.\u00a0 Instead she got down and sat in the meadow, amid the tender green grasses and purple flowers swaying in the soft breeze.<\/p>\n

\"\"
You don’t really expect me to take flight and zoom off into the sky now, do you, SPHP?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Lupe among the lupines.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Turning toward the sun, Lupe closed her eyes, sitting motionless.\u00a0 What was she thinking?\u00a0 Was she enjoying the lavender scented breeze?\u00a0 Or, in her mind’s eye, was she still perched atop that glorious airy boulder at the summit of Antelope Butte?<\/p>\n

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Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming, 7-1-19<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

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

Beyond the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness to the Garden of the Gods & the Crack of Doom (6-11-18)<\/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><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 6 of Lupe’s 1st 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming! Predawn – Uh-oh.\u00a0 Raindrops!\u00a0 USFS Road No. 10 had been plenty soft on the way up here yesterday evening.\u00a0 As the rain started in harder, SPHP had visions of a repeat of Lupe’s muddy misadventure at Big Pryor Mountain last year.\u00a0 … Continue reading Antelope Butte, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-1-19)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24868,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","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":[105,1002,185,106,26,104,11,275],"class_list":["post-24890","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2019-bighorn-mountains","tag-american-dingo","tag-antelope-butte","tag-bighorn-mountains","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-peakbagging","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/IMG_3855-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\/24890","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=24890"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24890\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25431,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24890\/revisions\/25431"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/24868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24890"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24890"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24890"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}