{"id":25375,"date":"2020-01-14T08:10:38","date_gmt":"2020-01-14T15:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=25375"},"modified":"2020-06-19T12:28:00","modified_gmt":"2020-06-19T18:28:00","slug":"bighorn-peak-bighorn-mountains-wyoming-7-23-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=25375","title":{"rendered":"Bighorn Peak, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-23-19)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days 3 & 4 of Lupe’s 2nd 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming!<\/em><\/p>\n

7-23-19<\/strong>, early morning N of Loaf Mountain<\/em> –<\/p>\n

Daylight in the swamps, Miss Snoozy Dingo!<\/em><\/p>\n

Morning already?\u00a0 I was having such a beautiful dream!<\/em><\/p>\n

Apparently.\u00a0 No waking me up at the crack of dawn today, I see.<\/em><\/p>\n

Nothing wrong with getting a few winks in, SPHP!\u00a0 Are we still going to Bighorn Peak today?<\/em><\/p>\n

Had my doubts during the night, Loopster, but it’s a fabulous morning!\u00a0 So, it’s now or never for Bighorn Peak!\u00a0 You in?<\/em><\/p>\n

Of, course!\u00a0 Let’s do it!<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s the spirit!\u00a0 Let’s have a bite to eat, first.\u00a0 We can leave the tiny house and sleeping bags right here.\u00a0 Loaf Mountain was hard enough.\u00a0 Not going to lug all this gear clear to the top of Bighorn Peak and back, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

Outside the tiny house, it really was a fabulous morning – blue sky, and clear as a bell!\u00a0 Lupe stretched and sniffed in the sunlight while SPHP got ready.\u00a0 Before long, the American Dingo was on her way, setting off for the mightiest mountain she would climb in 2019!<\/p>\n

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Outside the tiny house. Loaf Mountain<\/strong> in the background. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Morning view to the WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

N of Loaf Mountain<\/span><\/a> (11,722 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> a series of lower high points wound more than 1.5 miles NW.\u00a0 A connecting ridge extended all the way over to a big saddle at 10,740 feet at the base of Bighorn Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,324 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Plan A was to stay fairly high following this ridge, but it quickly became apparent that this route might be problematic.\u00a0 The high ground was all rocky and rough.<\/p>\n

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Staying high early on. Bighorn Peak<\/strong> (Center). Darton Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,275 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). HP 11188<\/span><\/strong> (Center) in the foreground. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing a long rocky stretch, Lupe made it to a level area with some greenery just S of HP 11188<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 When an attempt to go around the E side revealed only more big rocks ahead, SPHP had had enough.\u00a0 A big snowbank provided an opportunity to pack some more snow into the water bottles, but once that was done, the Carolina Dog headed W.<\/p>\n

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On easier terrain S of HP 11188<\/span><\/strong> (L). Bighorn Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Just E of HP 11188<\/span><\/strong>. Darton Peak<\/strong> (far L) in the distance. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Bighorn Peak<\/strong> (L) and Darton Peak<\/strong> (Center) from E of HP 11188<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Plan B was to head NW down the broad, gentle East Tensleep Creek valley.\u00a0 This would involve losing hundreds of extra feet of elevation, and Lupe would still eventually have to go over or around the ridge she was abandoning, but at least she could tackle that challenge from a point much closer to Bighorn Peak.<\/p>\n

Despite talus fields that extended quite a long way down into the East Tensleep Creek valley, Plan B worked out quite well.\u00a0 Once far enough W, Lupe escaped the rocks.\u00a0 Reaching East Tensleep Creek, she turned NW making rapid progress down the valley.<\/p>\n

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Approaching the East Tensleep Creek valley<\/strong> after abandoning the high ground near HP 11188. Lupe would eventually pass between the 2 big snow banks seen on the R. Peak 11279<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Loaf Mountain<\/strong> (Center) from down in the East Tensleep Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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By East Tensleep Creek<\/strong> approaching another rocky stretch. Bighorn Peak<\/strong> (R). Peak 11279<\/span><\/strong> (L). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

East Tensleep Creek began to curve W.\u00a0 Continuing her NW course, Lupe abandoned the stream.\u00a0 She aimed for a darker green area near some low cliffs.\u00a0 At about 10,480 feet, this region appeared destined to be the low point of the journey to Bighorn Peak.<\/p>\n

The dark green area proved to be both bushy and boggy.\u00a0 Fortunately, a natural rock dam toward the lower W side provided an easy way around the bushes and across a tributary of East Tensleep Creek.\u00a0 Once over the stream, Lupe continued NW starting up a hillside leading to a minor ridge.\u00a0 Passing between two large snowbanks, she soon reached the top.<\/p>\n

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Approaching the bushy, boggy area, the low point of Lupe’s journey to Bighorn Peak. From here she went up between the 2 snowbanks in the distance to the ridge above them. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking back up the East Tensleep Creek valley<\/strong> from the same spot. Loaf Mountain<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Up on the low ridge taking a break from the sun.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So far, so good, but now what?\u00a0 Looking around, it appeared maybe SPHP had been too hasty in abandoning the higher ground earlier on.\u00a0 More of the ridge Lupe would have traveled had she stuck with it could be seen from here, and much of it didn’t look that bad.\u00a0 Might actually have been a more direct route, and less troublesome than feared.<\/p>\n

Too late now.<\/p>\n

Another interesting view was off to the SW where both Meadowlark Lake and Peak<\/span> 9300<\/span><\/a><\/strong> were in sight.\u00a0 Lupe had been to Peak 9300 only a few weeks ago.<\/p>\n

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Looking back from the minor ridge. Loaf Mountain<\/strong> (R of Center) and the East Tensleep Creek valley<\/strong> (Center). The high ground toward the L that Lupe would have traveled, if SPHP hadn’t given up so easily, didn’t look that bad. Maybe staying high would have been a better, more direct route after all? Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Meadowlark Lake<\/strong> (straight out from Lupe) is barely visible at the base of Peak 9300<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Decision time.\u00a0 It appeared Lupe had 3 choices on which way to go from here.\u00a0 The first option was to follow a broad ramp NE returning to the high ground somewhere near HP 11125<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Lupe could then turn NW and head down to the still unseen saddle at the base of Bighorn Peak.<\/p>\n

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Option No. 1 – Go way up the easy ramp<\/strong> (R) to the high ground (Center) somewhere near HP 11125<\/span><\/strong> before turning NW (L) and descending to the saddle leading to Bighorn Peak. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The second option was to simply continue NW until Loopster could get around the W end of the HP 11125<\/span><\/strong> ridge.\u00a0 This was actually what SPHP had in mind in coming here, but in practice looked like a bigger detour than expected.\u00a0 Lupe would have to lose a bunch of elevation again.<\/p>\n

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Option No. 2 – Go all the way around the W (L) side of the nearby big ridge on the R. Looked like Lupe might have to go clear down to the trees on the L to avoid all the rocks. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the end, Lupe took the third option.\u00a0 The American Dingo headed up to the closest gap in the ridge to the N and went through it.<\/p>\n

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Option No. 3 – Tell ya what! We’re just going to head up over that little saddle at the far L and hope for the best!<\/em> Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The maneuver worked!\u00a0 Lupe got up to and over the little saddle without a hitch.\u00a0 On the far side, sure enough, there was Bighorn Peak and the big, broad 10,740 foot saddle leading to it!\u00a0 The Carolina Dog had to wait for SPHP to pick a way 200 feet down a fairly steep talus slope to get to the saddle, but success was inevitable.<\/p>\n

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Looking good! Just have to get down to the saddle on the R, then climb Bighorn Peak<\/strong> (L)!<\/em> Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the N side of the 10,740 foot saddle a prominent rocky knob stuck out from the rest of the terrain.\u00a0 Once SPHP was down out of the talus, Lupe headed for it.\u00a0 From the base of this knob, the summit of Bighorn Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,324 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was nearly 1,600 feet higher, uphill all the way.<\/p>\n

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Near the base of the rocky knob on the N side of the 10,740 foot saddle. Lupe stayed to the W (L) of it, although it later turned out that going farther E (R) would have been a better choice. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Staying W (L) of the prominent knob, Loopster started her ascent.\u00a0 The grassy slope was steep and got steeper.\u00a0 Before long the Carolina Dog was above all vegetation scrambling toward a rocky ridge.\u00a0 Slow going, but she eventually got there.<\/p>\n

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Scrambling higher already well above and beyond the prominent knob. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching the ridgeline, a wide shallow ramp was seen ahead.\u00a0 Much of this ramp, which sloped relentlessly higher to the NNW, was chock full ‘o rocks.\u00a0 However, on the far side there appeared to be a fair amount of greenery.\u00a0 Clearly, Lupe would have been much better off if she had come up well E of the prominent knob back down by the big saddle.\u00a0 That discovery had come too late.\u00a0 Oh, well!<\/p>\n

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Up on the ridgeline where a broad ramp lies ahead. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No choice, but to continue up the rocky ramp.\u00a0 The ramp had a number of big snowbanks.\u00a0 Crossing snow was easier and faster than the endless rock hop.\u00a0 Whenever she could, Lupe took advantage of the snow.\u00a0 The biggest snowfield helped her get over to the far (N) side of the ramp where at least some vegetation helped make the trek less demanding.<\/p>\n

Higher and higher!\u00a0 Besides the overall rockiness, no difficulties existed to prevent Lupe from attaining success.\u00a0 Nothing at all technical or the least bit scary along the entire route.\u00a0 Endurance and perseverance were all it took.\u00a0 The fearless American Dingo roamed ahead while SPHP brought up the rear.<\/p>\n

Weather was the only concern.\u00a0 As the afternoon wore on, the morning’s clear skies were giving way to increasing cloudiness.<\/p>\n

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Taking advantage of one of the first snowbanks to avoid the rocks. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On easier terrain. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Cooling off at the base of a big snowbank. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A glance back at Loaf Mountain<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Above a big snowfield, Lupe went over a minor lip along the ramp.\u00a0 The terrain wasn’t quite as steep up here.\u00a0 A SW subpeak of Bighorn Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,324 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was now in sight.\u00a0 The topo map showed this subpeak at only a little less than 12,200 feet.\u00a0 Encouraging!\u00a0 Looper was getting close!\u00a0 Bighorn Peak’s true summit was only 150 feet higher than that.<\/p>\n

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Approaching Bighorn Peak’s SW subpeak (12,180 ft.)<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Meadowlark Lake<\/strong> and Peak<\/span> 9300<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (L) were in sight again. Photo looks SW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Onward!<\/em> Bighorn Peak’s SW subpeak<\/strong> (L). Main summit region<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ascent ended with a steep scramble up large talus.\u00a0 The weather turned dicey.\u00a0 Two thunderstorms threatened.\u00a0 The first was very dark.\u00a0 No lightning, but Lupe became nervous as thunder rumbled not too far away.\u00a0 SPHP kept an eye out for big overhanging rocks beneath which shelter might be taken.\u00a0 Despite it all, the Carolina Dog kept scrambling higher, sometimes during brief rain showers.<\/p>\n

Just like yesterday, all the worst of the weather seemed to stay just E of the spine of the Bighorn Range.\u00a0 The darkest, most ominous clouds hung around just NE of Bighorn Peak.<\/p>\n

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Approaching the summit region. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Coming up the S slope, Lupe reached a vast summit region near its SW end.\u00a0 The whole top of the mountain was a jumble of rock.\u00a0 The true summit wasn’t visible at first, but was clearly somewhere farther N.\u00a0 Fortunately, by this time the darkest clouds were already moving off to the SE.\u00a0 The threat of a serious storm had diminished.<\/p>\n

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On Bighorn Peak<\/strong> near the SW end of the vast summit region. Lost Twin Lakes Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,015 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) not too far away. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking back at Bighorn Peak’s SW subpeak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At first glance, a flat rock to the NNE sitting at a slight angle looked like the true summit.\u00a0 Scrambling among boulders, Lupe headed for it.<\/p>\n

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The flat, dark, thin rock in the distance (R) looked like it might be the true summit. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even before Lupe got there, it became clear this odd rock wasn’t actually the true summit.\u00a0 The very top of Bighorn Peak was now visible only a few hundred feet farther NNE.\u00a0 SPHP was ecstatic!\u00a0 Loopster was going to make it!<\/p>\n

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Near the flat rock (R). True summit of Bighorn Peak<\/strong> (L) in sight! Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Approaching the true summit, a dramatic distant view of Cloud Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,167 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was off to the NNW.\u00a0 Circling around S side of the summit block, Lupe found an easy way to scramble up from the E.<\/p>\n

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Cloud Peak<\/strong> (Center) from Bighorn Peak. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Closing in on the true summit<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While Lupe stood on the big light-colored boulder at the true summit, SPHP congratulated her on her grand success!\u00a0 Bighorn Peak was the highest mountain the Carolina Dog would climb in 2019, and yet another major peak she had been to along the lofty spine of the Bighorn Range.\u00a0 Lupe grinned at the praise.<\/p>\n

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Made it! Here we are at the tippy top of mighty Bighorn Peak<\/strong>!<\/em> Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Several feet below the N side of the summit rock, an army green metal box with a red cross on the cover was tucked away in a sheltered spot.\u00a0 Naturally, it contained a registry.\u00a0 While Lupe looked on, SPHP added her name.\u00a0 Then it was time to enjoy the tremendous views available from the summit of Bighorn Peak.<\/p>\n

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At the true summit<\/strong>. Note the registry box (lower R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The registry box.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking W from the true summit<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There was a lot to see.\u00a0 The most attention grabbing view was of the two highest mountains Lupe had ever climbed in the Bighorns – Cloud Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,167 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Bomber Mountain<\/span><\/a> (12,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Cloud Peak<\/strong> (L) and Bomber Mountain<\/strong> (the short ridge just R of Center). Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Cloud Peak<\/strong> (L) and Bomber Mountain<\/strong> (short ridge at far R) again. Photo looks NNW with even more help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A mere 1.5 miles away, Darton Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,275 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was also toward the N.\u00a0 At one point, SPHP had dreamed that Lupe might make it all the way to Darton Peak on this trip.\u00a0 Although it looked possible to get to Darton Peak from here, clearly there wasn’t enough time (or energy) to do it.<\/p>\n

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Cloud Peak<\/strong> (Center) and Darton Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Darton Peak<\/strong> (L) was only 1.5 miles away. A pity Lupe wasn’t going to get there, but it was a mountain too far. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To the W, Lupe could see a huge gash.\u00a0 Lake 10577<\/span><\/strong> was somewhere down in that deep canyon, but couldn’t be seen from here.\u00a0 Lost Twin Lakes down in another deep canyon to the NW weren’t visible from Bighorn Peak, either.<\/p>\n

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Lake 10577<\/span><\/strong> was hidden somewhere down in the deep canyon visible beyond Lupe. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loaf Mountain<\/span><\/a> (11,722 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was off to the SE.\u00a0 Lupe would have to return to it this evening.\u00a0 Beyond Loaf were half a dozen lower peaks that Lupe had visited at one time or another, too, including both Hazelton Peak<\/span><\/a> (10,264 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Hazelton Pyramid<\/span><\/a> (10,534 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Loaf Mountain<\/strong> (L). Hazelton Peak<\/strong> (R) and Hazelton Pyramid<\/strong> (far R) in sunlight. Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To see Lame Deer Lake and a couple of the Firehole Lakes, Lupe had to venture E of the summit to where Bighorn Peak dropped away much more steeply.<\/p>\n

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Lame Deer Lake<\/strong> (Center) and a couple of the Firehole Lakes<\/strong> (R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Another look with help from the telephoto lens. Lame Deer Lake<\/strong> (L) and the Firehole Lakes<\/strong> (R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yeowch!\u00a0 Where had the time gone?\u00a0 Lupe had been up on Bighorn Peak for more than an hour!\u00a0 Getting late, better skedaddle.\u00a0 Before departing, Lupe returned to the true summit.\u00a0 Such a magnificent spot!\u00a0 A shame to have to leave so soon, but that’s often the way it is, especially among the higher peaks.<\/p>\n

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Cloud Peak<\/strong> (Center) again from Bighorn Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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At the true summit. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Final moments at the true summit of Bighorn Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Waiting for SPHP to give the signal to depart. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oh, brother!\u00a0 5:00 PM already, and there was the intrepid Dingo, still perched atop mighty Bighorn Peak.\u00a0 It had taken practically all day to get here.\u00a0 How was Lupe ever going to get to her tiny house way back at Loaf Mountain tonight?\u00a0 Didn’t seem possible.<\/p>\n

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7-23-19, 5:00 PM.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Puppy, ho!\u00a0 Onward!<\/em>\u00a0 Like she was shot out of a cannon, the American Dingo came bounding over the boulders.\u00a0 The race back to the tiny house was on!\u00a0 At least to the extent it could be a race among all this rock.<\/p>\n

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A little Dingo belly sledding during the descent. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It took forever to get off the Bighorn Peak summit region and down to friendlier terrain, but once accomplished the pace picked up.\u00a0 A couple of course corrections were in order.\u00a0 On the way back down to the big saddle at 10,740 feet, Lupe stayed quite a bit farther E, this time coming down well E of the rocky prominence.<\/p>\n

The 10,740 foot saddle had a huge and delightful surprise for Lupe.\u00a0 The giant deers!\u00a0 Perhaps the same big herd she had seen yesterday S of Loaf Mountain?\u00a0 They were here in force!\u00a0 Lupe was a lot happier to see the giant deers than they were to see her.\u00a0 The herd immediately started heading down the long slope to the SW.<\/p>\n

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The giant deers were shocked and none too pleased to see a pesky American Dingo once again encroaching on their territory.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was in luck!\u00a0 SPHP had every intention of leading her down this same valley.\u00a0 Light was already starting to fade.\u00a0 It was too late for SPHP to scramble slowly over the same ridge to the S Lupe had snuck over much earlier in the day.\u00a0 The only hope seemed to be to go far enough W to get around it.<\/p>\n

The giant deers warily kept their distance.\u00a0 Lupe had a grand time keeping tabs on them, as she followed them down the slope.<\/p>\n

Down, down, down!\u00a0 The giant deers kept retreating.\u00a0 Eagerly, the Dingo kept advancing.\u00a0 Meanwhile, SPHP wondered if there actually was a practical way around the W end of the ridge?<\/p>\n

The giant deers didn’t like being followed.\u00a0 All of a sudden, the whole herd bolted down the last open part of the long slope into a forested area, leaving a disappointed Carolina Dog in their dust.<\/p>\n

At about 10,440 feet, Lupe finally came across a fairly decent animal trail that curved S.\u00a0 Perhaps the hoped for route around the W end of the ridge?\u00a0 It seemed so, and proved to be so.\u00a0 The trail ultimately curved SE leading back up to the same minor ridge Lupe had been to much earlier in the day – the ridge that overlooked the East Tensleep Creek valley.<\/p>\n

Even twilight had faded by the time Lupe reached the boggy, bushy area near the small cliffs.\u00a0 The flashlight came out.\u00a0 In darkness, Lupe began the long trek up the East Tensleep Creek valley.\u00a0 Somewhere way up at the upper end, the tiny house was waiting.<\/p>\n

The quiet night was a black one.\u00a0 The faint outline of Loaf Mountain was barely detectable.\u00a0 Super tired, SPHP could advance only short distances without stopping to rest, sometimes even laying flat on the ground for a few minutes to gather a bit of strength.<\/p>\n

And the American Dingo?\u00a0 Although she had sometimes begged for rest stops during her ascent of Bighorn Peak, giant deers and darkness had completely energized the crazy Carolina Dog!\u00a0 Unseen, Lupe darted back and forth across the broad valley sniffing and exploring as she pleased.\u00a0 Only occasionally did she reappear in the weak glow of the flashlight to check on SPHP.<\/p>\n

At last!\u00a0 At long, long last, an apparition – the tiny house!\u00a0 Middle of the night.\u00a0 Who knew what hour?\u00a0 Once inside, Lupe crunched away at Taste of the Wild, but SPHP only drank a little water.\u00a0 Exhaustion.\u00a0 Collapse!\u00a0 The incredible day that Lupe made it to the top of Bighorn Peak was over.<\/p>\n

7-24-19<\/strong>, morning N of Loaf Mountain<\/em> – Breezy, cloudy, unsettled.\u00a0 Stiffly, SPHP began to stir.\u00a0 A bleary-eyed Carolina Dog laid motionless on her sleeping bag, dead to the world.\u00a0 Situation?\u00a0 Eh, could be better.\u00a0 Out of everything.\u00a0 Not a thing to eat during the coming long march back except Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 Such superb planning!\u00a0 On the bright side, the pack was lighter.<\/p>\n

So you coming, Looper, or do I have to roll you up inside the tiny house and carry you?<\/em><\/p>\n

Hah, right!\u00a0 Like SPHP could have done that.\u00a0 Silence from the tiny house.<\/p>\n

It’s time, Loop!\u00a0 We’ve got to get back up and over Loaf Mountain, if we’re ever going to get back to the car.<\/em><\/p>\n

Car?<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 The magic word!\u00a0 Lupe shot out of the tiny house ready for action!\u00a0 Barking furiously, she leapt and danced around SPHP!\u00a0 A certain Dingo had finally had her fill of the mountains.<\/p>\n

The tiny house disassembled, it was farewell to the upper East Tensleep Creek valley.\u00a0 A mere 350 feet up the N slope!\u00a0 Seemed daunting.\u00a0 Talus, boulders, but a better route than last time.\u00a0 A final scramble from the W, and Lupe was back at the summit of Loaf Mountain<\/span><\/a> (11,722 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Abandoning the upper East Tensleep Creek valley<\/strong>. Bighorn Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On Loaf Mountain<\/strong> again, after having been here for the first time only 2 days ago. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No annoying insects today!\u00a0 A 25 mph W wind took care of that.\u00a0 Lupe found a bigger, better crack in the rocks to hide out in than the last time she was here while SPHP took in the sights – Bighorn and Darton peaks off to the NNW, and lots of lesser peaks and ridges Lupe had been to, some quite recently, off to the S and SE.\u00a0 It was all magnificent, but after 15 or 20 minutes in the wind, it was enough.<\/p>\n

Puppy, ho!\u00a0 Onward!<\/em>\u00a0 Instead of taking that rough SE ridge lower, Lupe headed down Loaf Mountain’s S slope.\u00a0 More greenery, but still mostly boulders and talus.\u00a0 The descent took SPHP a long time.\u00a0 Rain came from the W.\u00a0 Lupe would have gotten completely soaked, but it didn’t last.\u00a0 30 minutes.\u00a0 Blue skies!\u00a0 Warmth!\u00a0 A beautiful day from then on.<\/p>\n

Once down off Loaf Mountain, the rest was easy.\u00a0 Lupe was joyful!\u00a0 The American Dingo raced across the open ground roaming far and wide, her energy never fading.\u00a0 Her route was a retracement of 2 days ago – over the 2 ridges, across the huge saddle, back up to Marmot Pass, then on to Pass 10260<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 From there, it was downhill all the way.<\/p>\n

7-24-19<\/strong>, 6:52 PM, Hwy 16 across from the Leigh Creek Dump Station<\/em> – The G6 was baking hot and stuffy.\u00a0 Lupe didn’t care.\u00a0 She couldn’t wait to leap in and lay down on her pink blankie.\u00a0 At Powder River Pass, with the G6 aired out and cooled down, SPHP stopped briefly to rearrange things.\u00a0 Then it was homeward bound!<\/p>\n

E of Buffalo, Lupe chomped happily away at cheeseburgers and fries.\u00a0 Health food from McDonald’s!\u00a0 So many delicious calories!\u00a0 In twilight miles S of I90, there stood North Pumpkin Butte<\/span><\/a>(6,052 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, where Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacations to the Bighorn Mountains had started less than a month ago.\u00a0 Sadly, all over and done with now.<\/p>\n

Eh, not quite.\u00a0 While SPHP relaxed enjoying the drive, a Dingo that ought to have been exhausted, but wasn’t, made the most of every moment.\u00a0\u00a0 Her nose out the window sniffing the breeze, for 100 miles Lupe barked with great enthusiasm at cows and horses she sensed were out there long after it was too dark to see them.<\/p>\n

\"\"
On Loaf Mountain<\/strong> facing the wild W wind, Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming, 7-24-19<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Next Dingo Vacation<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This Dingo Vacation<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Dingo Vacation<\/span><\/a><\/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<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Days 3 & 4 of Lupe’s 2nd 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming! 7-23-19, early morning N of Loaf Mountain – Daylight in the swamps, Miss Snoozy Dingo! Morning already?\u00a0 I was having such a beautiful dream! Apparently.\u00a0 No waking me up at the crack of dawn today, I see. Nothing wrong … Continue reading Bighorn Peak, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-23-19)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25352,"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":[105,185,1209,106,26,1208,104,11,275],"class_list":["post-25375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2019-bighorn-mountains","tag-american-dingo","tag-bighorn-mountains","tag-bighorn-peak","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_4082-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\/25375","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=25375"}],"version-history":[{"count":41,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25375\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28170,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25375\/revisions\/28170"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/25352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=25375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=25375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=25375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}