{"id":25256,"date":"2020-01-10T08:10:31","date_gmt":"2020-01-10T15:10:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=25256"},"modified":"2020-01-14T11:04:19","modified_gmt":"2020-01-14T18:04:19","slug":"loaf-mountain-bighorn-mountains-wyoming-7-22-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=25256","title":{"rendered":"Loaf Mountain, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-22-19)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days 1 & 2 of Lupe’s 2nd 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming!<\/em><\/p>\n

7-21-19<\/strong>, 1:10 PM, 2 miles W of Powder River Pass on the N side of Hwy 16 at the start of a dirt road (old USFS Road No. 523413?) across from the Leigh Creek Dump Station –<\/em><\/p>\n

You aren’t armed?<\/em><\/p>\n

Nope.<\/em><\/p>\n

Shot a white wolf up there 3 years ago.<\/em><\/p>\n

Continuing to stuff the new backpack, SPHP displayed little interest in the old sheep rancher’s tale.\u00a0 He finally got in his battered pickup truck and drove off.<\/p>\n

Guess we’re about ready, Looper!<\/em><\/p>\n

Are we going to be tangling with wolves, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Hah!\u00a0 I’d be astonished if we so much as catch a glimpse of one.\u00a0 More afraid of ranchers with guns than wolves.\u00a0 Who knows if he ever shot a wolf or not?\u00a0 Might just be trying to scare us off, so a certain Dingo doesn’t decide to dine on his fresh mutton tonight.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I love mutton!<\/em><\/p>\n

You’re gonna have to behave.\u00a0 Remember the guns thing.<\/em><\/p>\n

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At the start of USFS Road No. 523413(?). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe hadn’t gone far at all along No. 523413 when a sheepherder’s wagon appeared among the trees ahead.\u00a0 Rousing themselves from their lethargy, a couple of big dogs barked, but several sheepherders called them back.\u00a0 SPHP waved.\u00a0 Staying a little E of the road, Loop was soon beyond their camp.<\/p>\n

The road faded away.\u00a0 A short trek N through the forest led to a long meadow, the first part of which was full of rocks.\u00a0 Staying on the open ground between a ridge to the W and more forest to the E, Lupe headed NNE.<\/p>\n

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By the rocky start of the long meadow. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Above the rocks, heading higher. Photo looks back to the SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Crossing several minor streams along the way, Lupe followed the long meadow to the base of a ridge to the N.\u00a0 HP 10405<\/span><\/strong> was somewhere up there.\u00a0 Angling NE, Lupe crossed a final small stream.\u00a0 On open ground above the upper end of the forest, the Carolina Dog turned E following animal trails.<\/p>\n

For 200 yards the animal trails gained hardly any elevation.\u00a0 However, once far enough E, the uphill trek resumed as Looper turned NNE again toward Pass 10260<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Heading for Pass 10260<\/span><\/strong> (L). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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At Pass 10260<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Pass 10260<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Getting to Pass 10260 was easy, but a surprise was in store.\u00a0 Low clouds hid virtually everything N of the pass!\u00a0 Loaf Mountain<\/span><\/a> (11,722 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Lupe’s objective 3 miles to the NNE, was nowhere in sight.<\/p>\n

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Loaf Mountain should have been in view from Pass 10260<\/span><\/strong>, but wasn’t. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Venturing N of the pass, Lupe explored E.\u00a0 The American Dingo had an easy time maintaining elevation while traversing a gentle slope of open meadows, bushes, and scattered pines.\u00a0 Visibility deteriorated over the course of 0.5 mile as the terrain curved N.\u00a0 In fog, Lupe came to a minor saddle at 10,340 feet.<\/p>\n

\"\"
At the 10,340 foot saddle. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the NW side of this saddle sat a rock formation 20 feet high.\u00a0 Passing E of it, Lupe started NE down a slope that was a mix of open ground and forest.\u00a0 The topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> showed a huge saddle 0.33 mile NE leading to the first of two ridges Lupe would have to cross to get to Loaf Mountain.<\/p>\n

The huge saddle Lupe was searching for was 280 feet lower at 10,060 ft.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog lost 200 to 250 feet, but the fog was thickening.\u00a0 What little could be seen as the clouds sometimes swirled to permit partial views was only a steepening forested slope leading ever farther down into a deep valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"
At a rock formation encountered during the search for the huge saddle. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We’re lost already, aren’t we, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, more or less.\u00a0 The big saddle we’re looking for ought to be a cinch to find, but this fog is making it impossible to keep our bearings.\u00a0 I think we’re too far E.<\/em><\/p>\n

So which way now?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I don’t know, Looper.\u00a0 Maybe none.\u00a0 Maybe we ought to return to that minor saddle close to the rock formation.\u00a0 We can hang out there waiting for conditions to improve.\u00a0 If we keep wandering, who knows where we’ll wind up?<\/em><\/p>\n

Going back to the saddle at 10,340 feet was a great idea!\u00a0 Upon arrival, a couple of marmots whistled from rocks on the ridge leading S.\u00a0 While SPHP pitched Lupe’s tiny house, she had a blast searching for them.\u00a0 The rest of the afternoon got spent at “Marmot Pass” dozing in the tiny house while waiting for the fog to dissipate.<\/p>\n

Once before it got too late, the sky did clear.\u00a0 However, this break lasted only a few minutes.\u00a0 Fog returned.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 10493<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, which Lupe had visited only a few weeks ago, was somewhere out of sight only 0.33 mile SSE, but there seemed to be no point in attempting to go there.<\/p>\n

\"\"
By the tiny house at Marmot Pass<\/strong>. HP 10405<\/span><\/strong> on the L. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Relaxing in the tiny house.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Toward sunset a change took place.\u00a0 The clouds were threatening to break up!\u00a0 Weak sunshine streamed over Marmot Pass.<\/p>\n

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Sunlight returns to Marmot Pass<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Suddenly Lupe became intensely excited!\u00a0 Before SPHP realized what was happening, she dashed out of the tiny house streaking away into fog still lingering to the SW.\u00a0 Listening carefully, SPHP understood.\u00a0 Sheep!\u00a0 Somewhere off to the W their faint bleatings were coming this way!<\/p>\n

SPHP called Lupe.\u00a0 At first, nothing, but within a few minutes she came racing back out of the fog, looking ever so happy!<\/p>\n

Muttons, SPHP!\u00a0 Muttons!\u00a0 They’re everywhere!\u00a0 Hundreds of them!<\/em><\/p>\n

You mean sheep, Loop.\u00a0 Mutton is the kind of meat they are made of.\u00a0 I know they’re tempting, but you can’t go after them.\u00a0 If the rancher or his sheepherders catch you messing with them, you will be one dead Dingo!<\/em><\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Lupe obeyed.\u00a0 For a long time as the bleatings grew stronger, the Carolina Dog stood staring into the fog, watching and waiting for the sheep to appear.\u00a0 Meanwhile the sun was sinking.\u00a0 Before it disappeared, Lupe and SPHP climbed the rock formation NW of the tiny house.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Waiting for the sheep. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
On the Marmot Pass rock formation. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Sunset, 7-21-19<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As twilight faded –\u00a0 more fog, no sheep.\u00a0 Disappointed, Lupe returned to the tiny house for the night.<\/p>\n

7-22-19, the wee hours at Marmot Pass –<\/em>\u00a0 Beneath a brilliant half moon, Lupe stood motionless facing SW.\u00a0 Stars glittered overhead.\u00a0 No doubt she heard them – the sheep were out there somewhere, but SPHP heard nothing.\u00a0 15 minutes was enough.\u00a0 SPHP called.\u00a0 Lupe wanted to remain beneath the stars.\u00a0 Oh, to be a wild Dingo on a night like tonight!<\/p>\n

7-22-19, sunrise at Marmot Pass<\/em> – A heavy dew clung to the tiny house.\u00a0 Lupe could see them now!\u00a0 The sheep were way over at Pass 10260<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Keenly interested, she watched as sheep kept pouring over the ridge.\u00a0 Meanwhile, SPHP packed everything up.<\/p>\n

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A fraction of the sheep herd on the N side of Pass 10260. Photo looks WSW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The news was all good!\u00a0 A beautiful clear morning!\u00a0 The huge saddle SPHP hadn’t been able to find yesterday afternoon was in plain sight.\u00a0 Getting to it looked so easy and obvious, that it seemed impossible SPHP hadn’t found it yesterday despite the fog.\u00a0 Beyond the saddle, the 2 ridges Lupe would have to cross to get to Loaf Mountain were both in view.\u00a0 So was Loaf Mountain<\/span><\/a> (11,722 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> itself!<\/p>\n

Several miles NW of Loaf Mountain stood Lupe’s ultimate destination – mighty Bighorn Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,324 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!\u00a0 The American Dingo wouldn’t get that far today.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Loaf Mountain<\/strong> (R) and Bighorn Peak<\/strong> (far L) from Marmot Pass<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Puppy, ho!\u00a0 Onward!<\/em>\u00a0 Lupe tore herself away from the fascinating sheep, and headed down the slope leading to the huge saddle.\u00a0 A fun, easy downhill sniff, and she was there.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Approaching the huge saddle. Loaf Mountain<\/strong> (L) and Peak 11267<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
At the huge saddle. Loaf Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Full of joy, Lupe raced across the huge saddle!\u00a0 In practically no time she was on the far side at the base of the first ridge she needed to cross.\u00a0 The ridge was rocky, but wasn’t all that high.\u00a0 Still, it was a bit of a scramble for pokey SPHP.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Looking back after crossing the huge saddle. Peak<\/span> 10493<\/span><\/a><\/strong> is the high point of the ridge beyond Lupe. Hesse Mountain<\/span><\/a> (10,385 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is in the distance on the L. Marmot Pass<\/strong> is just L of the high point on the R. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Starting up the first ridge. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well before SPHP reached the ridgeline, Lupe’s ears were tingling!\u00a0 The sheep were coming!\u00a0\u00a0 Advancing in a long thin line, hundreds of them were invading the huge saddle she had just crossed.\u00a0 Behind their front line, countless circular groups of reinforcements were scattered across the plain.<\/p>\n

Greatly excited, Lupe watched the sheep advance.\u00a0 Supremely confident that a single Dingo could break through their lines and route the entire sheep army, Loop was ready to charge full tilt right back down there and take ’em all on!\u00a0 The charge of the Dingo brigade would have been the best thing ever, and fun to watch, but SPHP couldn’t permit it.<\/p>\n

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A tiny portion of the advancing sheep army.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Puppy, ho!\u00a0 Onward!<\/em>\u00a0 From the top of the first ridge, Loaf Mountain was in sight again.\u00a0 Beyond a broad valley consisting of a mix of forest and meadow, the second ridge Lupe had to go over looked more formidable, but still eminently doable.<\/p>\n

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Loaf Mountain<\/strong> (Center) from the first ridge. Peak 11267<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Angling NE, Lupe explored the talus of the first ridge until the floor of the next valley rose to meet her.\u00a0 The valley was mostly meadow here, except for a band of trees on the far side.\u00a0 The trek across the meadow was fast and easy, but the forest was another matter.\u00a0 Bushes hiding a network of boggy streams clogged all the open areas between the trees.<\/p>\n

When the American Dingo finally broke through reaching drier ground, her ascent of the second ridge began.\u00a0 Above all the trees and bushes, open lanes of vegetation provided easy routes higher among the rocks.\u00a0 Higher up, rock was everywhere.\u00a0 Lupe explored NW while SPHP picked a way through.\u00a0 30 feet below the crest of the ridge, Lupe came to a large snowbank melting away in the hot sun.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Heading for the second ridge. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On a rock next to one of the streams hidden among the bushes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Approaching the snow bank near the crest of the second ridge. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On the snow bank. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The top of the second ridge was broad and partly grassy where Lupe reached it.\u00a0 From here, the ridge sloped sharply up to the NE.\u00a0 Following the ridgeline Lupe would eventually come to Peak 11267<\/span><\/strong>, but this route would have been a slow trek almost entirely on talus.<\/p>\n

Not worth it.\u00a0 Too much work!\u00a0 Crossing the ridge, Lupe again angled NE into the final valley between the second ridge and Loaf Mountain.\u00a0 The idea was to simply maintain elevation until the grassy valley floor rose up to meet her and provide an easy path higher.<\/p>\n

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Loaf Mountain<\/strong> (R) from the second ridge. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Looking back. HP 10405<\/span><\/strong> in the distance on the L. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Progress was slow.\u00a0 Practically the entire slope was talus.\u00a0 The rock hop went on and on.<\/p>\n

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On the talus slope. Loaf Mountain<\/strong> (L). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Without warning, the Carolina Dog suddenly shot ahead.<\/p>\n

Hurry, SPHP!\u00a0 Giant deers!\u00a0 A hundred or more!<\/em><\/p>\n

She was right!\u00a0 Far away out in the central green zone of the valley ahead, SPHP could make out a brownish spot.\u00a0 Elk!\u00a0 A huge herd of them.\u00a0 Lupe wasn’t yet anywhere close to the giant deers, but they must have spotted her bounding along the talus.\u00a0 The whole herd was on alert looking this way.\u00a0 Nervously, they began to trot farther up the valley.<\/p>\n

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Loaf Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center). The giant deers are the brownish spot just R of Center in the green zone. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The giant deers with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe gave up the chase.\u00a0 The giant deers were much too far away.\u00a0 She stood panting and watching them while SPHP caught up to her.\u00a0 When SPHP finally arrived, it was time for a break.\u00a0 Lupe rested among a patch of wildflowers while telling SPHP all about the giant deers.\u00a0 They were still out there, but a long way off.<\/p>\n

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Bluebells.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Tell ya what, SPHP! Running after the giant deers is no good. We’re gonna have to stalk them slowly and carefully. With luck, maybe we can feast on giant deers tonight!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Pink wildflowers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pressing on again, Lupe and the giant deers kept a keen eye on each other.\u00a0 Heading ENE along the talus, Loop could hear the giant deers snorting alerts.\u00a0 The herd became increasingly anxious as Lupe and SPHP drew closer.\u00a0 Unused to company, the herd suddenly reversed course and fled down the valley.<\/p>\n

They were a magnificent sight, but Lupe’s dreams of feasting on giant deer vanished along with them.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Heading for the saddle between Loaf Mountain<\/strong> (L) and Peak 11267<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The giant deers make a break for it racing down the valley. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The excitement created by the giant deers was over.\u00a0 Abandoning the talus in favor of the central green zone, the rest of the stroll up the valley to the saddle between Loaf Mountain and Peak 11267 was just a long, simple trek higher.<\/p>\n

Upon arrival, the saddle region proved to be quite rocky.\u00a0 At the saddle’s low point 3 big rocks jutted up close together amid a cluster of large stones.\u00a0 Just for fun, Lupe perched up on one of these slanty rocks.<\/p>\n

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In the saddle between Loaf Mountain<\/strong> and Peak 11267<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Loaf Mountain<\/strong> from the saddle. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe’s ascent of Loaf Mountain<\/span><\/a> (11,722 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> now began in earnest.\u00a0 Turning NW, she began working her way up a steep slope.\u00a0 Somewhere up there, nearly 700 higher, was the top of Loaf Mountain.<\/p>\n

The sun felt hot.\u00a0 Mosquitoes, flies and bees were a constant nuisance.\u00a0 Scrambling among huge boulders with cavernous holes between them, Lupe worked her way higher.\u00a0 She crossed patches of snow, and came to false summits.\u00a0 Occasional benches of greenery provided rest spots where the ever improving views could be admired, but these benches seldom led higher.\u00a0 Clouds building to the N and SE forced SPHP to keep an eye on the weather.<\/p>\n

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Reaching a snow bank. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Insects annoy while clouds build in the distance. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Resting below a false summit. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Heading higher. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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And higher. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The slow motion scramble went on and on.\u00a0 The backpack felt heavy.\u00a0 SPHP was running out of steam.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog had plenty of time to gaze about.\u00a0 Paradise Lake came into view.\u00a0 20 minutes later, it seemed Lupe had to be nearing the summit.<\/p>\n

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Paradise Lake<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Closing in on the summit. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More than 3 hours after leaving the cluster of rocks back down at the saddle, suddenly Lupe was there!\u00a0 She reached Loaf Mountain’s main E\/W ridge coming up between a giant boulder to the E, and a larger area of high ground to the W.\u00a0 Bighorn Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,324 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in sight 3 miles to the NW.<\/p>\n

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Bighorn Peak<\/strong> (Center) from Loaf Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Which way to the true summit?\u00a0 At first the huge boulder to the E seemed to be it, but as Lupe headed toward the high ground to the W, she reached a bouldery stretch of ridge that seemed equally high.\u00a0 Near the highest rocks, SPHP spotted a white tube.\u00a0 A red-covered registry within contained quite a few entries going back to 2006.\u00a0 The pages were damp, but SPHP added Lupe to the registry, too.<\/p>\n

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The registry tube at the summit. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP congratulated Lupe on her successful ascent of Loaf Mountain!\u00a0 She accepted the compliment gracefully, but seemed more interested in finding a decent spot to rest.\u00a0 The bouldery ridge provided little comfort.\u00a0 The American Dingo spent much of her time jammed tightly into a little crevasse among the rocks, emerging only occasionally to look around.<\/p>\n

Well, this is depressing, Loop!<\/em><\/p>\n

What is, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Some of these entries in the registry talk about getting up here in only 3 or 4 hours!\u00a0 Took us that long just from the saddle.\u00a0 We’ve been at this for what, 1.5 days now?<\/em><\/p>\n

So what’s new?\u00a0 You’ve always been slow as molasses in January, SPHP!\u00a0 Besides, we must have taken the scenic route, don’t you think?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, sounds like most of these people came up from somewhere to the E.\u00a0 The map shows some old abandoned USFS roads over that way.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, we made it, we’re here now, so what difference does it make?<\/em><\/p>\n

None, really, except that I’m feeling like it’s been a mighty long day.<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s because of all the rocks.\u00a0 Relax a bit.\u00a0 We’ll rest up tonight.<\/em><\/p>\n

All the annoying insects made relaxing difficult.\u00a0 The weather bore watching, too.\u00a0 Blue skies and sunshine prevailed to the W, but a series of dark clouds to the N streamed this way from just E of Bighorn Peak.\u00a0 Thunder could sometimes be heard.\u00a0 Every now and then, clouds and fog came boiling up from the SE and swept over Loaf Mountain, temporarily obscuring the views.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Looking down the long valley N of Loaf Mountain. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Among the summit boulders. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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View back to the SSW, the direction Lupe had come from.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loaf Mountain appeared to have 2 summits, not counting the boulder somewhat in contention 50 or 60 feet E of the registry tube.\u00a0 Looper was already at the E and apparently true summit.\u00a0 Another high part of the main E\/W ridge was hundreds of feet farther W.\u00a0 Getting there looked quite possible, but would have involved a scramble among boulders all the way.<\/p>\n

Visiting the W summit might have been fun, but SPHP no longer had the oomph.\u00a0 The W summit appeared to be a smidgen lower, so Lupe didn’t need to go over there, anyway.\u00a0 She could claim her peakbagging success, and enjoy the fabulous views from right here!<\/p>\n

A tremendous amount of territory was in sight, but the most fascinating view was of Bighorn Peak, Lupe’s next objective.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Loaf Mountain’s W summit<\/strong> (Center beyond Lupe) from the E (true) summit<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Bighorn Peak<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Bighorn Peak<\/strong> again. An even closer look.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loaf Mountain was a magnificent, lofty perch!\u00a0 However, 1.5 hours after Lupe’s arrival, the weather was deteriorating.\u00a0 Better move on.\u00a0 Before leaving the summit region, Loop visited the giant boulder to the E.<\/p>\n

\"\"
At the true summit<\/strong> with the giant boulder to the E (Center) beyond Lupe. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Same spot (true summit<\/strong>). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Final moments at the true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
By the giant boulder to the E. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The N slope was a slow, steep descent scrambling among huge boulders and talus.\u00a0 Lupe had lost 200 feet of elevation when lightning crackled directly over Loaf Mountain!\u00a0 Thunder exploded, echoing throughout the region.\u00a0 A terrified American Dingo abandoned SPHP, bolting another 100 feet lower to easier terrain at 10,400 feet as a light rain began to fall.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Bighorn Peak<\/strong> (L) and Darton Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,275 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center), as seen during the descent of Loaf Mountain’s N slope. Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eventually catching up, SPHP marched rapidly N to snow banks nestled on the S side of a couple of rocky hills.\u00a0 While scattered raindrops fell, Lupe ate snow, and SPHP packed empty water bottles.\u00a0 5 minutes of pea-sized hail ensued.<\/p>\n

Heading a little farther W, Lupe came to a soft spot in the upper reaches of a broad valley where SPHP could pitch the tiny house.\u00a0 Loaf Mountain had been a grand success, but the Carolina Dog and SPHP were weary.\u00a0 The sun wasn’t down yet, but both crawled inside the tiny house, where it was time for a bite to eat before collapsing for the night.<\/p>\n

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N of Loaf Mountain by the tiny house, Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming, 7-22-19<\/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 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/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<\/strong><\/a><\/span> 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":"

Days 1 & 2 of Lupe’s 2nd 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming! 7-21-19, 1:10 PM, 2 miles W of Powder River Pass on the N side of Hwy 16 at the start of a dirt road (old USFS Road No. 523413?) across from the Leigh Creek Dump Station – You aren’t … Continue reading Loaf Mountain, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-22-19)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25246,"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":[105,185,106,26,1208,104,11,275],"class_list":["post-25256","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-loaf-mountain","tag-lupe","tag-peakbagging","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4030-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\/25256","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=25256"}],"version-history":[{"count":58,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25256\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25498,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25256\/revisions\/25498"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/25246"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=25256"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=25256"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=25256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}