{"id":28781,"date":"2020-10-16T08:10:51","date_gmt":"2020-10-16T14:10:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=28781"},"modified":"2022-10-17T13:31:15","modified_gmt":"2022-10-17T19:31:15","slug":"dome-peak-bighorn-mountains-wyoming-6-27-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=28781","title":{"rendered":"Dome Peak, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (6-27-20)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 1 of Day 5 of Lupe’s 1st summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!<\/em><\/p>\n

Early.\u00a0 Too early.\u00a0 Yet every time SPHP pried open an eye, Lupe was busily and noisily licking her fur, staring intently out the window, or heaving great sighs and looking bored.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was ready for the new day!\u00a0 Bleary SPHP, not so much.<\/p>\n

Appears you slept hard and fast, aye, Looper?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, you’re awake, SPHP!\u00a0 Good!\u00a0 ‘Bout time!\u00a0 Yes, I slept well.\u00a0 Feel great, but it’s getting late.\u00a0 Can’t even see any stars now.<\/em><\/p>\n

No stars?\u00a0 Horrors!\u00a0 I had no idea it was that late already.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, it is!\u00a0 And you said we were going to go higher today, remember?\u00a0 Maybe we ought to get cracking?<\/em><\/p>\n

Did I say that?\u00a0 Maybe so, but I was sort of hoping to recuperate until that giant star that shows up every morning puts in an appearance.\u00a0 Not quite used to all these long days in the mountains yet.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, pooh!\u00a0 It’ll be here soon enough.\u00a0 Rouse yourself!<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP managed to delay the inevitable a while longer, but the American Dingo would not be denied.\u00a0 She was soon riding with her head out the window, barking happily at deer, and even a couple of bull moose, full of great expectations as sunlight filtered through the forests.\u00a0 Meanwhile, the G6 raised dust along USFS Road No. 26.<\/p>\n

June.\u00a0 Any chance the G6 could ford the E Fork of the S Tongue River?\u00a0 Probably not, but SPHP took the turn S onto USFS Road No. 226 to check it out, anyway.\u00a0 Parking a couple hundred feet S of the turn, Lupe and SPHP both leapt out and strolled down to the ford.<\/p>\n

The river’s surface was smooth, and the water was very clear.\u00a0 Paving stones could be seen on the bottom.\u00a0 Didn’t look all that deep, but the ford was wide, and it was hard to tell for sure.\u00a0 Due to the considerable width of the stream at the ford, the current didn’t appear to be as strong as it might have been.<\/p>\n

So what’s the verdict, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Better than I expected this time of year, Loop.\u00a0 We could wade it easily enough.\u00a0 Without high clearance, though, still not going to chance it in the G6.\u00a0 Looks a little too deep.\u00a0 Too bad!\u00a0 If we could have driven a couple of miles up toward Woodchuck Pass, that would have saved us some time.<\/em><\/p>\n

Am I going to have to swim?\u00a0 I’m not much for swimming, you know.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, you’d make it across without any problem!\u00a0 Don’t think you would have to swim at all.\u00a0 Anyway, the good news is, there’s another option if we can find it.\u00a0 Trail No. 418 to Rock Chuck Pass!\u00a0 Supposed to be a couple miles E of here.<\/em><\/p>\n

Wonderful!\u00a0 Umm … wait a minute.\u00a0 Is this another fictional trail like No. 018 was yesterday from that same map you borrowed off Lewis & Clark?<\/em><\/p>\n

Entirely possible!\u00a0 Let’s go see what we can find, though.\u00a0 Don’t ditch your water wings just yet.<\/em><\/p>\n

Back up on USFS Road No. 26 again, SPHP drove slowly E.\u00a0 Right about where Trail No. 418 was supposed to be, wonder of wonders – a sign.<\/p>\n

8:02 AM, 48\u00baF, Trail No. 418 trailhead off USFS Road No. 26 –<\/em> Half a dozen pickups, 5th wheel trailers, and RV’s were set up for dispersed camping at the trailhead.\u00a0 SPHP parked the G6 200 feet from the road near the start of the trail.\u00a0 Loopster wasn’t going to have to swim after all!\u00a0 After the usual preparations, she was on her way to Rock Chuck Pass.<\/p>\n

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Setting off for Rock Chuck Pass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gaining elevation at an easy to moderate pace, Trail No. 418 started out winding through a pine forest on a SE course.\u00a0 Nothing to see except the forest itself, which didn’t bother Lupe in the least, since she was having a fine time looking for squirrels.<\/p>\n

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Exploring Trail No. 418.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At first, the trail was easy to follow, but eventually No. 418 began to fade.\u00a0 By the time it finally disappeared completely, SPHP was starting to get concerned.\u00a0 According to the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, Rock Chuck Pass was only 1.25 miles from the trailhead, but finding it in the forest might be quite difficult.\u00a0 SPHP wasn’t sure how far Lupe had already gone.<\/p>\n

Not to worry!\u00a0 Continuing 100 feet in the same direction the trail was last headed, Lupe again picked up faint signs of it leading straight toward a meadow.\u00a0 That was the last the Carolina Dog saw of No. 418, but at least the meadow granted a little visibility.\u00a0 The L side extended up a slope to a higher region.\u00a0 Maybe that was Rock Chuck Pass?<\/p>\n

Nope.\u00a0 When Lupe got up there, it was clear this wasn’t a pass at all.\u00a0 The good news was that the meadow kept going SE, slowly gaining elevation and getting wider as it went.\u00a0 Finding Rock Chuck Pass was going to be a cinch!\u00a0 Roaming SE through the meadow, Lupe came to a cairn 7 feet N of a big boulder.\u00a0 Rock Chuck Pass was already in sight.\u00a0 The meadow ahead went all the way to it.<\/p>\n

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Rock Chuck Pass<\/strong> (Center) dead ahead! Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As it turned out, part of the meadow was boggy, but that portion wasn’t too big or too bad.\u00a0 Overall, a very easy route.\u00a0 The American Dingo was soon at Rock Chuck Pass.<\/p>\n

After Lupe’s Rooster Hill Wilderness experience a couple of days ago, SPHP was sort of dreading what was next.\u00a0 Trail No. 418, if it could be found, continued SE over Rock Chuck Pass, but the Carolina Dog wasn’t going that way.\u00a0 Instead it was time for Loop to head SSW up onto the big ridge SPHP hoped would get her to Dome Peak<\/span><\/a> (10,828 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Rock Chuck Pass was wide and all open meadow, so it was possible to see from here at least part of what Lupe was in for.\u00a0 The ridge she was about to climb was 300 feet high, with several large rock formations visible at or near the top.\u00a0 The lower 200 feet appeared to be heavily forested, but openings were visible among the trees higher up.\u00a0 The slope looked steep, but not too difficult.<\/p>\n

The plan was to work up toward the L (SE) aiming for some of those open areas.\u00a0 If all went well, Loop would come up between the biggest rock formations visible from Rock Chuck Pass.\u00a0 SPHP hoped the forest wasn’t a deadfall jungle, and that the top of the ridge wouldn’t prove to be a heavily forested region.<\/p>\n

Only one way to find out!\u00a0 Lupe headed for the trees.<\/p>\n

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At Rock Chuck Pass<\/strong> looking SW at the forested ridge Lupe was going to have to climb.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The upper slopes. The plan was to come up near the middle. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before she even reached the trees, the American Dingo came to another bog.\u00a0 Not a very big one, though.\u00a0 She was quickly through the wetland, and starting up the big ridge.<\/p>\n

It all went well.\u00a0 SPHP’s fears were unfounded.\u00a0 Instead of harboring a wretched tangle of deadfall, the forest wasn’t as dense as it had looked.\u00a0 Decent routes were all over the place.\u00a0 The ridge wasn’t even as steep as expected.\u00a0 Loop sniffed around anywhere she wanted to while SPHP trudged higher.\u00a0 Before long she was getting views from the open areas that had been visible on the upper slopes.<\/p>\n

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Lookout Mountain<\/span><\/a> (10,147 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L). Rock Chuck Pass<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Exactly as planned, Lupe reached the top coming up right in the middle of the region between the largest rock formations perched along the edge.\u00a0 More good news!\u00a0 Although the Carolina Dog still had 0.25 mile to go to get all the way up to the main ridgeline, it was already in sight.<\/p>\n

Instead of a dense, trackless forest, ahead was a gentler slope containing a mix of stands of stunted conifers, isolated boulders, scattered large rock formations, and fields full of yellow wildflowers.\u00a0 Although the main ridgeline was still another 150 feet higher, getting there was going to be cake.<\/p>\n

The nearest large rock formation off to the S (L) wasn’t too far away.\u00a0 Looked perfectly climbable, and would be a good spot to take a little break.\u00a0 Lupe headed for it, and was soon scrambling to the top.<\/p>\n

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Looking toward the main ridgeline from up on the first big rock formation Lupe came to. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The views from here were already great!\u00a0 Cloud Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,167 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in sight off to the SE.\u00a0 To the E, a huge swath of territory was visible all the way around to Lookout Mountain<\/span><\/a> (10,147 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, which was almost due N.\u00a0 The views would be even better from up on the main ridge!\u00a0 A short break, and Lupe was on her way again.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo had no trouble avoiding all the rock formations, boulders and stunted trees.\u00a0 Nothing but a romp through flowery fields the whole way.\u00a0 Lupe had a blast!\u00a0 The instant she reached the top, SPHP was elated, too!<\/p>\n

Thar she blows, Loopster!\u00a0 Dome Peak<\/span><\/a> (10,828 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!\u00a0 Hah!\u00a0 This is turning out way better than I anticipated.<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s it right over there, SPHP?\u00a0 We are doing well, aren’t we?\u00a0 Come on!\u00a0 Let’s get there!\u00a0 More or less in our peakbagging bag already!<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, not quite.\u00a0 You never know what might happen in the mountains, but Lupe was right.\u00a0 The situation did look promising.<\/p>\n

Only a bit over 1.5 miles off to the SW as the crow flies, Dome Peak was in sight beyond a deep valley.\u00a0 Taking a slightly longer course, the ridge Lupe was on swept around to it.\u00a0 Some up and down visible along the route, as well as some rock formations and trees that would have to be avoided, but it didn’t look all that hard.\u00a0 In fact, most of what could be seen from here looked pretty easy.<\/p>\n

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Dome Peak<\/strong> (L) from up on the big ridge leading over to it. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Farther S, a couple more mountains Lupe hoped to climb someday were in sight, too – the Sheridan County High Point<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (11,020 ft.) <\/span><\/strong>and Elk Peak<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (11,050<\/span> ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Both looked like fun.\u00a0 Maybe she would even get to climb them on this Dingo Vacation?<\/p>\n

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Sheridan County High Point<\/strong> (far L) & Dome Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Elk Peak<\/strong> (L) & the Sheridan County High Point<\/strong> (R). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That would certainly be nice, but Dome Peak was the order of the day.\u00a0 Looper struck out heading W along the broad ridge.\u00a0 The first part was super easy, just flat, grassy terrain with no real obstacles.\u00a0 Progress was rapid as Lupe enjoyed fabulous views in all directions.<\/p>\n

The pace slowed as Loop started coming to big rock formations E of HP10410<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Gaining less than 100 feet of elevation each time, she picked her way among boulders and stunted trees up to the top of a couple of these high points.<\/p>\n

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Looking back from the first high point Loop came to E of HP10410<\/span><\/strong>. She had initially come up from the L to reach the far end of the ridge (Center). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Dome Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks WSW from another high spot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Approaching HP10410<\/span><\/strong> (R). Dome Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Between and beyond these rock formations, there was still a lot of flat or gently sloping open ground, so Loop was still making pretty good time overall.\u00a0 However, that changed at HP10410<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Staying toward the S, Lupe climbed almost to the top, but found this region so packed with stunted evergreens among the many boulders, that it was almost impossible to force a way through.<\/p>\n

Some open terrain was visible farther down the S slope.\u00a0 Lupe ended up boulder hopping down to it.\u00a0 Not a terrible scramble by any means, but SPHP was as slow as always.\u00a0 Beyond HP10410<\/span><\/strong>, the big ridge narrowed somewhat.\u00a0 For a while Lupe was stuck heading SW well below the ridgeline since movement was still difficult up on top.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Cooling off along the S side of the ridge. Cloud Peak<\/strong> (L) in the distance. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Going around the S side of HP10410<\/span><\/strong>. Dome Peak<\/strong> (L). HP10480<\/span><\/strong> (ahead on the R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No longer being able to see the N side of the ridge Lupe was traveling was sort of a handicap.\u00a0 Maybe there was easier ground over that way?\u00a0 Loopster regained some of the elevation she had lost, but it still wasn’t enough to see what was to the N.<\/p>\n

HP10480<\/span><\/strong> wasn’t much farther ahead.\u00a0 SPHP initially thought Loop might be able to skip going over it by staying on the SE slopes where a couple of large snowfields were in view.\u00a0 This would be the most direct route to the saddle leading to Dome Peak.<\/p>\n

However, as the Carolina Dog got closer, it became evident that the SE slopes were rather steep, and just about the whole thing was a big field of talus.\u00a0 Those SE slopes might be the shortest route, but it would take SPHP a long time to traverse them.<\/p>\n

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Finally close to some of the more open terrain S of HP10410<\/span><\/strong>. HP10480<\/span><\/strong> (L of Center) is ahead. SPHP initially thought Lupe might cross the 2 large snow fields at far L. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Crossing a final stretch of open ground leading to HP10480<\/span><\/strong>, Lupe began a frontal assault from the NE.\u00a0 Not happening.\u00a0 Again, too many rocks choked with stunted conifers.\u00a0 However, this was not a wasted effort.\u00a0 The American Dingo got high enough to see that there actually was more open terrain off to the N.\u00a0 Retreating down to it, she began circling around the N side of HP10480<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Good choice.\u00a0 So much easier!\u00a0 In fact, Loop soon came to a faint trail that led her up and over HP10480<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Only one more large rock formation stood between her and the saddle leading to Dome Peak.\u00a0 The faint trail took her around the W side of it.<\/p>\n

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Going down the S side of HP10480<\/span><\/strong> after crossing it. One more rock formation ahead. Lupe went around the W (R) side of it. Dome Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had to go farther and lose more elevation than SPHP expected to get around this obstacle, but it wasn’t a big deal.\u00a0 From the saddle, a mostly grassy slope went SE almost all of the way up Dome Peak.<\/p>\n

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Getting close to the bottom of the saddle leading to Dome Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Climbing Dome Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So, what is that big thing up on Dome Peak, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

I’ve been wondering the same thing for a couple of years now, Looper.\u00a0 It’s been visible from miles away on some of the other peaks you’ve climbed, but I could never tell for sure if it was man-made or a massive rectangular rock formation.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, it’s definitely man-made, SPHP.\u00a0 What’s it for?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, I can see that now.\u00a0 It’s some kind of a big sign, a billboard.<\/em><\/p>\n

Funny place for an advertisement!\u00a0 What does it say?<\/em><\/p>\n

Can’t tell yet.\u00a0 Actually, it looks dilapidated.\u00a0 Maybe it doesn’t say anything anymore?<\/em><\/p>\n

The grassy slope leveled out at a roomy spot NE of the summit.\u00a0 An 80 foot high scramble remained to the top from here, most of it quite easy.\u00a0 Turned out the billboard wasn’t dilapidated at all.<\/p>\n

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Dome Peak<\/strong> from the grassy flat region NE of the summit. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The billboard wasn’t dilapidated after all. Actually, it was in great condition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I can read the billboard now, Loop!<\/em><\/p>\n

Great!\u00a0 So, what does it say?<\/em><\/p>\n

Seems to be a message for pilots.\u00a0 “If you can read this, you’re flying too low!”<\/em><\/p>\n

Human feathers!\u00a0 That can’t be right!<\/em><\/p>\n

Why not?<\/em><\/p>\n

Makes no sense, SPHP.\u00a0 Why put up a huge sign with a message like that?\u00a0 It only faces one direction.\u00a0 What about planes or helicopters coming from the SW?\u00a0 Don’t they care about them?\u00a0 Is it just hunky-dory, if they crash into Dome Peak?<\/em><\/p>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 OK, so you’ve got a point there, Loop.\u00a0 Maybe it says “Eat at Joe’s” or “Kilroy Was Here”.\u00a0 No wait, I’ve got it!\u00a0 It says “Tim Worth<\/strong><\/span><\/a> Was Here!”.\u00a0 He really was you know.\u00a0 Tim has been to tons of peaks in the Bighorns.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, please!\u00a0 Admit it, SPHP.\u00a0 You can’t read that sign.\u00a0 You’re just making it up.\u00a0 Tim Worth may have been here alright, but do you really expect me to believe he tossed that massive sign in his pack, and lugged it up here all by his lonesome?<\/em><\/p>\n

Busted.\u00a0 SPHP changed the subject.<\/p>\n

Well, let’s get up there, Loop.\u00a0 Maybe we’ll find a clue?<\/em><\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog scrambled to the top without any trouble at all, coming up right next to the billboard.<\/p>\n

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Come on, SPHP!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Up on Dome Peak<\/strong>. Twin Lakes<\/strong> (L). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dome Peak’s summit region was both interesting and unusual.\u00a0 Roughly an acre in size, the top of the mountain was covered mostly by talus, but not the typical jagged, broken, jumble.\u00a0 Instead, these massive rocks were worn or weathered until they were rounded.\u00a0 Many were laying flat, making it relatively easy to move around.\u00a0 A little vegetation grew between them, but not much.<\/p>\n

A fire lookout tower must have been up here at one time.\u00a0 Remains of an old foundation were surrounded on two sides by a boardwalk that led to a viewing platform toward the N end.\u00a0 Nearby, a metal windsock swung easily in a light, variable breeze.<\/p>\n

The true summit was a large light-colored boulder near the SE edge 70 feet from the billboard.\u00a0 Another boulder close to it was almost as high.\u00a0 100 feet W of the true summit was an electronic station of some sort in good condition.<\/p>\n

Only 12:30 PM.\u00a0 Feeling the effects of yesterday’s long march as well as today’s efforts, Lupe and SPHP wandered SW over to a boulder along the S edge and sat down.\u00a0 The views of Black Tooth Mountain<\/span><\/a> (13,005 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Cloud Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,167 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> with Elk Peak<\/strong><\/span><\/a> (11,050 ft.)<\/strong><\/span> in the foreground off to the SE, and the Sheridan County High Point<\/span><\/a> (11,020 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> closer at paw to the S were gorgeous.\u00a0 A perfect day!<\/p>\n

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Loop by what was left of the foundation of an old fire lookout tower. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Along the S edge. Cloud Peak<\/strong> beyond Elk Peak<\/strong> (L). Sheridan County High Point<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Zoomed in on Black Tooth Mountain<\/strong> (L) and Cloud Peak<\/strong> (R) beyond Elk Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

45 tranquil minutes sailed by while Loopster and SPHP simply sat there relaxing and contemplating the view while having a bite to eat.<\/p>\n

So, wha’dya think of that view, Loop?<\/em><\/p>\n

Certainly beautiful territory!\u00a0 Are you thinking what I’m thinking, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yep.\u00a0 The scenic route, for sure!\u00a0 And it would save us a lot of miles getting to Coney Lake, and coming up that way tomorrow.\u00a0 Of course, we’ll have to come back over Dome Peak again, but once we do that, maybe we can take a shortcut back to No. 226 by heading NW down the Woodchuck Creek drainage?<\/em><\/p>\n

We’ll get back awfully late, won’t we?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah.\u00a0 I should have brought the tiny house.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, you’re going to make me swim across the E Fork of the S Tongue River after all, aren’t you?\u00a0 And in the dark, too!<\/em><\/p>\n

Hah!\u00a0 Guess so.\u00a0 Good thing we checked that ford out this morning.\u00a0 You’ll make it.<\/em><\/p>\n

You’re certifiable, SPHP!\u00a0 But, if we can find a way to get 200 feet lower down to that grassy region, I’m all in.\u00a0 The rest looks easy.\u00a0 Maybe we ought to have a look around?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sounds good!\u00a0 Let’s scope out the possibilities while conducting your Dome Peak summit tour.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe checked out the electronic station first, sniffing about while she went around the S and W sides of it.\u00a0 It was nice enough, but held no great allure for an American Dingo.\u00a0 She then proceeded N along the W side of the summit region toward the metal windsock, noting a nice view of Antelope Butte<\/span><\/a> (9,935 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, which she had been to before, off to the W.<\/p>\n

There was something else, too.\u00a0 25 feet lower, another flat region existed just W of the summit.\u00a0 Near the metal windsock, there was a way to scramble down to it.<\/p>\n

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SW of the electronic station. Metal windsock (L). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Antelope Butte<\/strong> (L – the big grassy ridge). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Near the metal windsock. Viewing platform (R). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the observation deck near the N end of the summit region, Lupe had great views of Bruce Mountain<\/span><\/a> (10,320 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> beyond Woodchuck Pass, Lookout Mountain<\/span><\/a> (10,147 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> to the N, and the big ridge she had traveled on the way here.<\/p>\n

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Looper on the boardwalk next to the old fire lookout foundation. Metal windsock and observation deck in view. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Bruce Mountain<\/strong> (Center) is the grassy region several miles away. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lookout Mountain<\/strong> (Center) with Black Mountain<\/strong> peeking up behind it. The ridge Lupe had traveled to get here (from the R) is in the foreground. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Another look at the ridge Lupe took to get here. HP10410<\/span><\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe also checked out the view of the upper Woodchuck Creek drainage that she might have to journey down later on.\u00a0 Looked fine from here.\u00a0 She could even see part of USFS Road No. 226, which would get her back to the S bank of the ford at the E Fork of the S Tongue River.<\/p>\n

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Upper Woodchuck Creek drainage<\/strong> (Center). Bruce Mountain<\/strong> (L). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Her Dome Peak summit tour nearly complete, the Carolina Dog suddenly became convinced something, or multiple somethings, were living under the boardwalk and even the old lookout tower foundation.\u00a0 SPHP never saw or heard anything, but Lupe searched eagerly.\u00a0 She must have sniffed something.\u00a0 Marmots?<\/p>\n

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Dome Peak’s summit region<\/strong> from the viewing platform. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loopster wrapped up her Dome Peak<\/span><\/a> (10,828 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> tour posing atop the boulder that was the true summit.<\/p>\n

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At the true summit of Dome Peak<\/strong>! Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Tooth Mountain<\/strong>, Cloud Peak<\/strong> & Elk Peak<\/strong> (L). Sheridan County High Point<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A few more minutes of fun, fruitless marmot searching, and it was time to go.<\/p>\n

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Fun times on Dome Peak<\/strong>! Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1:40 PM<\/em> – Lupe and SPHP headed over to the metal windsock near the W side of Dome Peak’s summit region and started down.\u00a0 Upon reaching the flat area 25 feet below, Lupe crossed it heading SW toward a big rock formation along the S edge.\u00a0 Right along the E side of it was a steep slope that would work just fine.\u00a0 10 minutes later, Lupe was well below Dome Peak’s summit with a view back toward the S face.<\/p>\n

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S face of Dome Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2 miles to go!\u00a0 Nothing was going to stop the Carolina Dog now, except perhaps the famous, airy, shimmy-up, split-rock boulder high atop the Sheridan County High Point<\/span><\/a> (11,020 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

(6-27-20, 1:50 PM, End of Part 1)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Sheridan County High Point<\/strong> (L) from Dome Peak<\/strong>, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 6-27-20<\/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\u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

W<\/em>ant more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2020<\/span> Dingo Vacations to Wyoming, Utah & Montana Adventure Inde<\/strong>x<\/strong><\/a><\/span>,\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":"

Part 1 of Day 5 of Lupe’s 1st summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming! Early.\u00a0 Too early.\u00a0 Yet every time SPHP pried open an eye, Lupe was busily and noisily licking her fur, staring intently out the window, or heaving great sighs and looking bored.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was ready for the new day!\u00a0 … Continue reading Dome Peak, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (6-27-20)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28777,"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":[1293],"tags":[105,185,106,26,1302,104,1301,275],"class_list":["post-28781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-summer-of-2020","tag-american-dingo","tag-bighorn-mountains","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-dome-peak","tag-lupe","tag-rock-chuck-pass","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6795.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\/28781","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=28781"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28781\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41366,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28781\/revisions\/41366"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/28777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=28781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=28781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=28781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}