{"id":29268,"date":"2020-11-15T08:10:33","date_gmt":"2020-11-15T15:10:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=29268"},"modified":"2023-03-29T09:54:54","modified_gmt":"2023-03-29T15:54:54","slug":"francs-peak-absaroka-range-wyoming-7-15-20-part-2-hp12064-to-the-summit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=29268","title":{"rendered":"Francs Peak, Absaroka Range, Wyoming (7-15-20) – Part 2: HP12064 to the Summit!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 2 of Day 6 of Lupe’s 2nd summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming & Utah!<\/em><\/p>\n

7-15-20, 1:15 PM, 0.25 mile NNE of HP12064<\/span><\/strong><\/em> – Heading N, Looper angled toward the E side of the vast, featureless ridge before her.\u00a0 The gradual slope higher was a relief for SPHP after the relentless, steep march up the Meadow Creek valley.\u00a0 Making good time now, without getting totally worn out in the process, or at least not much more worn out than SPHP already was.<\/p>\n

So where are the roaming herds of grizzlies chasing butterflies, SPHP?\u00a0 They’re harder to spot up here than I would have thought.<\/em><\/p>\n

No clue, oh sarcastic Dingo of mine!\u00a0 And it’s moths, not butterflies they’re after.\u00a0 Maybe it isn’t moth season yet?<\/em><\/p>\n

And when would moth season be?\u00a0 I hardly think grizzlies would be too picky over whether they’re gobbling up moths or butterflies.<\/em><\/p>\n

Most of the trip reports I’ve seen are from August or early September.\u00a0 Plenty of grizzlies digging up moths here then.\u00a0 In any case, we ought to be fine.\u00a0 If we do come to any grizzlies, we’ll spot them a mile away.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the vast ridge N of HP12064<\/span><\/strong>. HP12260<\/span><\/strong> (R of Center), HP12436<\/span><\/strong> (R), and HP12437<\/span><\/strong> (far R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Didn’t take long to reach HP12260<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 A couple of minor rock formations were up here, but that was about it.\u00a0 The highest one was right along the E edge of the huge ridge, overlooking the Meadow Creek canyon.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog scrambled up for a look at the route she’d taken up here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At HP12260<\/span><\/strong>. Meadow Creek canyon<\/strong> (L). Chief Mountain (12,003 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center beyond Lupe’s head). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Far to the S, the Wind River range was now in sight.\u00a0 Loopster also had her best view yet of the many snow-capped peaks off to the W.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Crosby (12,449 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) and the distant Wind River range<\/strong> (Center) from HP12260<\/span><\/strong>. HP12064<\/span><\/strong> is the first ridge beyond Loop’s head. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Snow-capped peaks to the W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course, the most important view was the one of Loopster’s ultimate destination, Francs Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,153 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, still more than 2 miles off to the NNW.\u00a0 Much more of the vast ridge leading over to it could now be seen.\u00a0 The gentle slopes and hills of the rocky plain before her contained no visible obstacles.\u00a0 Not even a single grizzly bear, either.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Francs Peak<\/strong> (L of Center) from HP12260<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Abandoning HP12260<\/span><\/strong>, Lupe gradually lost elevation as she continued N on the enormous, rocky plain.\u00a0 Scattered groups of wildflowers added splashes of color to the otherwise drab terrain.\u00a0 Way over near the low point of the saddle leading to Francs Peak, blue and white specks could be seen next to each other.\u00a0 As Loop got closer, they proved to be tents.<\/p>\n

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Wildflowers along the way.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Two tents (R) were in the saddle leading to Francs Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Instead of heading straight for Francs Peak, the American Dingo went due N all the way to the edge of a gigantic deep canyon carved by the Francs Fork of the Greybull River.<\/p>\n

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Approaching the Francs Fork canyon. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Canyon of the Francs Fork of the Greybull River<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Another view of the same canyon. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Same spot, but now looking toward Francs Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a good look at the impressive canyon, Lupe turned W toward the tents.\u00a0 Upon arrival, no one appeared to be around, but when SPHP called out, someone laying in the blue tent answered.\u00a0 He said he was from Montana and his buddy was from Idaho.\u00a0 Yes, they’d come up the Meadow Creek trail, too, and had been hanging out up here for a couple of days now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the tents. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The man did not get up.\u00a0 Nor did he say what their plans were, or exactly what they had been doing, but he did confirm that they’d seen a couple of grizzlies.\u00a0 However, he was completely unconcerned.\u00a0 The grizzlies are well-behaved here!\u00a0 All graduates of an elite finishing school.\u00a0 No reason to worry.<\/p>\n

Well, there was certainly no reason to worry today.\u00a0 Lupe hadn’t seen hide nor hair of a grizzly so far.<\/p>\n

What are you saying, SPHP?\u00a0 That isn’t true!\u00a0 Don’t you remember that tuft of grizzly fur back down by the cabin?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh yeah, Loop!\u00a0 You’re right!\u00a0 That was hours ago.\u00a0 Kind of forgot about that.\u00a0 OK, so you did see hair of a grizzly, but you haven’t seen any hide.\u00a0 How’s that?\u00a0 Fair enough?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, much better.\u00a0 Please, try to keep your stories straight from now on.<\/em><\/p>\n

The guy in the blue tent seemed disinclined to be too chatty.\u00a0 After all, people often come to the mountains to get away from that sort of thing.\u00a0 Not wanting to ruin the fabulous job of social distancing he was doing, Lupe and SPHP pressed on.<\/p>\n

Not far from the tents, a long, skinny snowbank nestled at the bottom of the saddle leading to Francs Peak.\u00a0 A stream trickling NE through it was clearly part of the headwaters of the Francs Fork of the Greybull River.\u00a0 Lupe sank deep in the soft snow, but didn’t mind at all on a mid-July day.\u00a0 Refreshing!<\/p>\n

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Enjoying the skinny snowbank! Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A much larger snowbank was on the E side of the next hill on the way to Francs Peak.\u00a0 After her snowy frolic in the saddle, Lupe headed NW up to it.\u00a0 Below this huge snowbank the ground was soft with moisture.\u00a0 A carpet of light green moss prospered in runoff from the snowfield.<\/p>\n

The lower portion of the snowbank was very steep.\u00a0 Staying down in the mossy region, Lupe traveled N along its base.\u00a0 At the far end, she turned NW again, beginning a snow climb up a ravine SW of HP12290<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking ESE back at the saddle and tents (R) on the way up to the next big snowbank. The prominent knob on the L is HP12347<\/span><\/strong>. The hill on the R is HP12346<\/span><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Heading for the ravine (Center) SW of HP12290<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The mossy carpet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A lucky butterfly. So far it hadn’t attracted any ravenous grizzlies.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The snowfield extended much farther N than evident from below.\u00a0 Lupe climbed steadily as SPHP trudged along behind her.\u00a0 As she passed W of HP12290<\/span><\/strong>, Francs Peak was in sight again.\u00a0 Only a mile away now!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Francs Peak<\/strong> (L) comes back into view. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop eventually made it past the upper end of the snowfield.\u00a0 Adopting a WNW course, she headed for the next saddle 0.5 mile N of HP12471<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Francs Peak was now only 0.75 mile farther, but still 800 feet higher.\u00a0 Once the Carolina Dog crossed the saddle, she was going to face much steeper terrain the rest of the way, but it all still looked like a simple walk-up from here.<\/p>\n

Along the way, SPHP noted a couple of use trails toward the lower E side of the ridge ahead.\u00a0 These trails went steeply up to the ridgeline close to the cliffy edge of the canyon to the E, which was another branch of the Francs Fork canyon.<\/p>\n

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In the last big saddle S of Francs Peak<\/strong>. Lupe aimed for the R (E) end of the ridge ahead. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Naturally, Lupe and SPHP took advantage of these use trails, choosing the one farthest E.\u00a0 Other than the usual struggle against gravity, there was nothing tricky about it.\u00a0 Once up to the ridgeline, the route angled NW toward some big rock outcroppings, still a steady grind higher.<\/p>\n

Staying a little toward the R (E) when she got to the rocks, Lupe climbed a lower, less formidable part of the formation band.\u00a0 Once on top, a little dip led to a small flat region.\u00a0 Beyond it was a narrow opening between more rocks that SPHP promptly dubbed Orange Lichen Pass.\u00a0 Framed by these rugged rock formations, the already spectacular views were even more impressive.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the rock formations. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the dip. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Orange Lichen Pass<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking SSW after going through Orange Lichen Pass. Wind River range<\/strong> (L) on the far horizon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

500 feet and 0.5 mile yet to go!\u00a0 From Orange Lichen Pass, most of it was a steep climb on scree slopes coming up Francs Peak’s winding SE ridge.\u00a0 However, Loopster encountered no more large rock formations, and it wasn’t all endlessly up.\u00a0 The ridge had some lumpiness to it, a couple of hills and saddles providing welcome respites along the way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On a hill along the SE ridge. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Typical scree slope. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At last, the true summit came into view.\u00a0 One more little hill and a minor saddle ahead, and Lupe would be on her way up to the summit ridge.\u00a0 Wouldn’t be long then!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on the use trail. True summit<\/strong> (Center) in sight! Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Just about there! Last saddle and final ascent ahead. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wow!\u00a0 It had been a long trek from the Wood River valley all the way up Meadow Creek canyon, then miles more along the vast barren ridges to get here, but Lupe had made it up onto the S end of the summit ridge.\u00a0 A mere speck of a cairn, which hardly did Francs Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,153 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> justice, was perched ahead at the true summit.<\/p>\n

Though very tired, Lupe and SPHP marched on.\u00a0 A SW wind swept over the ridge at 15-25 mph, but these last few minutes, surrounded on all sides by the glories of the Absaroka Range with success assured, were full of joy.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the true summit of Francs Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4:56 PM, 55\u00baF, 15-25 mph SW wind<\/em> – Lupe sat by the paltry cairn at the true summit of Francs Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,153 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, magnificence all around her.\u00a0 The American Dingo didn’t care for the cool wind.\u00a0 SPHP was layering up in agreement.\u00a0 Nearby, one of the loose rocks bore a survey benchmark that said “FRANCS PK2 1954”.<\/p>\n

Getting to Francs Peak seemed like a stupendous accomplishment, in fact, so stupendous that after an initial look around, resting felt like the best possible course of action.\u00a0 Loop had a hard time getting comfortable on the rocks, but finally found a spot to her liking.\u00a0 Facing into the wind, SPHP sat next to her, petting her soft fur.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Francs Peak true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
An American Dingo by the cairn. Survey benchmark visible on a rock just to the L. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Francs Peak survey benchmark.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So we didn’t get to see even a single grizzly, did we, SPHP?\u00a0 Not exactly thick as flies, despite those trip reports you rely on, are they?\u00a0 Heck, we haven’t even seen a moth!\u00a0 Just that one butterfly.<\/em><\/p>\n

No, not today.\u00a0 But don’t give up!\u00a0 We still have to go all the way back, you know.\u00a0 Were you actually looking forward to seeing a bear?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, the prospect of seeing packs of grizzlies did have a certain charm to it.\u00a0 Can’t do that just anywhere.\u00a0 Would have been exciting!\u00a0 A real highlight of our Francs Peak tour!\u00a0 Don’t you agree?<\/em><\/p>\n

Packs of grizzlies?\u00a0 Guess I’m sort of dull by nature.\u00a0 Not sure I need that much excitement.\u00a0 I’m plenty happy seeing all these splendid peaks!\u00a0 And just think, tod<\/em>ay Carolina Dogs rule Francs Peak instead of grizzlies.\u00a0 How do you like them apples?<\/em><\/p>\n

Loopster did like the ring of that notion.\u00a0 It was true, too!\u00a0 Today, in fact at this very moment, an American Dingo ruled Francs Peak!<\/p>\n

For half an hour, Lupe and SPHP stayed there, facing SW into the wind while contemplating a panorama of inspiring peaks.\u00a0 Lupe had never been in the Absarokas before.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t know the names of any of these fabulous mountains, but far, far away, ever so faint on the WSW horizon, was a readily recognizable mountain in another range.\u00a0 Grand Teton<\/span><\/a> (13,770 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Wyoming’s most famous peak!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Francs Peak’s SW ridge<\/strong> (L foreground), Pyramid Peak (11,750 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L beyond it). Mount Burwell (12,313 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R of Center) at the upper end of the long valley on the R. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Grand Teton<\/strong> (R). Photo looks WSW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There was a lot more to see!\u00a0 Batteries somewhat recharged by the rest break, Lupe and SPHP wandered the summit region, repeatedly pacing back and forth along the ridgeline while taking in the sights.<\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog had a commanding view of Francs Peak’s NE ridge, the shorter route up for those who had 4WD, high clearance vehicles.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Francs Peak’s NE ridge<\/strong>. HP12509<\/span><\/strong> (L). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Another look from a slightly different angle. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the end of the short W ridge, Loopster could see row upon row of amazing peaks beyond the Greybull River valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Exploring Francs Peak’s short W ridge<\/strong>. Summit (R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near the end of the W ridge<\/strong> overlooking the Greybull River valley<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Distant peaks to the W with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Back at the summit. Mount Crosby<\/span><\/a> (12,449 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) with snow patches. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To the N, the scene was a little less dramatic, rumpled valleys and lower peaks nearby, but higher stuff toward the horizon.\u00a0 SPHP wondered if Trout Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,244 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in view, and spotted a mountain that might have been it, but probably wasn’t.\u00a0 The Beartooth Range in Montana was faintly seen on the very edge of vision.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Jack Creek drainage<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Trout Peak<\/strong> (Center)? Eh, maybe, but probably not. Just a guess. Photo looks NNW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Due E, beyond the enormous Francs Fork of the Greybull River canyon, barren looking Jojo Mountain (12,561 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in sight.\u00a0 The Wyoming plains could be seen off in the distance.<\/p>\n

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Jojo Mountain<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Far to the SSE, a prominent peak stood out from all others in that general direction.\u00a0 SPHP thought a topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> would make it easy to figure out what peak that was later on, but was never able to positively determine the true identity of “Mystery Mountain”.<\/p>\n

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Mystery Mountain<\/strong> (R of Center) on the horizon. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Another look. Mystery Mountain<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Compared to the territory Lupe had seen N of Francs Peak, the valleys to the S were greener, and the mountains had more snow.\u00a0 On the distant horizon, the mighty Wind River range could be made out.\u00a0 Some of the jagged glacier-clad giants along the spine of the range sprang into focus with the help of the camera’s telephoto lens.<\/p>\n

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View to the S. Wind River range<\/strong> faintly on the horizon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Wind River range<\/strong>. Photo looks S with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6:21 PM, Francs Peak<\/em> – An hour and 25 minutes gone by.\u00a0 Getting late.\u00a0 The sad moment when the inevitable had to happen was here.\u00a0 An hour and 25 minutes after arriving, Lupe once again stood in the wind at the summit of Francs Peak.\u00a0 SPHP left.<\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog was now alone, waiting for the signal to come.<\/p>\n

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Back at the summit. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Final moments atop Francs Peak<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The signal came.\u00a0 The race was on.\u00a0 The American Dingo streaked S along the ridgeline, overtaking SPHP in a flash.\u00a0 However, the race was not against SPHP, but time, and it had just begun.<\/p>\n

Atta girl, Looper!\u00a0 Oh, it’s a long, long way!\u00a0 We better make some tracks!\u00a0 Gotta get back to the Meadow Creek trail before the light is gone.<\/em><\/p>\n

Loopster paused at the S end of the summit ridge for a final look before beginning the steep descent in earnest.\u00a0 Then it was down the scree slopes, across the saddles and minor hills along the SE ridge.\u00a0 Every now and then, SPHP requested that she stop briefly for photos at especially scenic points.<\/p>\n

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At the S end of the summit ridge before heading down. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On the way down to the vast ridge leading back to the Meadow Creek trail. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Atop a rock formation near Orange Lichen Pass. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The last photo came at Orange Lichen Pass, where Mystery Mountain could still be seen looming in the distance.\u00a0 Not that there weren’t more wonderful moments during the return.\u00a0 It was all beautiful, a fabulous evening trek buoyed by Lupe’s success at Francs Peak, and weighed down by ever increasing weariness.\u00a0 The need for speed, to the degree it could be maintained, now took precedence.<\/p>\n

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Mystery Mountain<\/strong> (Center) from Orange Lichen Pass<\/strong>. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the way back, Looper did not pass by the tents again, instead taking a shortcut well SW of them.\u00a0 Nor did she return to the summit of HP12260<\/span><\/strong>, although she came within 40 feet elevation-wise as she passed W of it on her journey S.<\/p>\n

The sun was down by the time the Carolina Dog reached the Meadow Creek trail again.\u00a0 This time no leaving it!\u00a0 No repeat of this morning’s mistakes.\u00a0 As light faded, Lupe and SPHP sped down the trail.\u00a0 At one point there was a slightly scary snowfield to cross.\u00a0 Once beyond it, the pace picked up again.<\/p>\n

Perhaps it was inevitable.\u00a0 As dusk deepened, the trail grew fainter just as rapidly as the fading light.\u00a0 After rounding the end of the big ridge that extended E into the middle of the Meadow Creek basin, SPHP lost the trail completely.\u00a0 Even Loop didn’t seem to know where it went.<\/p>\n

Oh, well.\u00a0 Hopefully, no disaster.\u00a0 Lupe had made it down to the region of scattered pines and open meadows.\u00a0 If she just kept going down the canyon, all she had to do was pick up the trail again before it crossed Meadow Creek.<\/p>\n

The flashlight came out.\u00a0 The march lower resumed in weak flickering light.\u00a0 Stars were now shining overhead.\u00a0 Everything else was black, black, black.\u00a0 Weariness demanded rest breaks.\u00a0 Alright.\u00a0 5 minutes each time.\u00a0 Then onward!\u00a0 It was clear the Carolina Dog would have preferred to spend the night.<\/p>\n

After a while, Lupe did come upon a trail again.\u00a0 Encouraging!\u00a0 But as she followed it E, on and on deeper into the canyon, SPHP began to fret.\u00a0 Had Loop found the trail too late?\u00a0 Could the creek crossing really be this far?\u00a0 Had it been missed way back up there somewhere?\u00a0 Didn’t really make sense, though.\u00a0 Could there really be 2 trails up here?<\/p>\n

For a long way, Meadow Creek could be heard, but not seen, somewhere below off to the R (S).\u00a0 Several times hopes rose as the trail threatened to go down to the stream, but each occurrence proved a false start.\u00a0 Finally, a switchback!\u00a0 This was it.\u00a0 How big was Meadow Creek going to be?\u00a0 The American Dingo had not crossed it on the way to Francs Peak.<\/p>\n

Well, not a rock hop, but not too scary, either.\u00a0 Exhaustion was setting in.\u00a0 Hardly pausing, SPHP splashed across, feet and pants legs getting soaked, but only below the knee.\u00a0 If Loopster had any problems with Meadow Creek, she didn’t say so, but she arrived on the S bank wringing wet halfway up her chest.<\/p>\n

Now that she was across Meadow Creek, it was certain Lupe would make it back to the G6 tonight.\u00a0 All she had to do was stick with the trail.\u00a0 It all became a blur.\u00a0 Longer, steeper, rockier than SPHP remembered.\u00a0 Rest breaks laying in the dirt, even though it was virtually all downhill.\u00a0 In the black forest, both time and the trail stretched to infinity.<\/p>\n

So what if we come to a grizzly here in the forest, SPHP?\u00a0 What’s the plan?\u00a0 Still want me to just growl and stick with you?<\/em><\/p>\n

No, don’t bother with that now, Looper.\u00a0 The grizzly will already be upon us if we meet one here in the night.\u00a0 New plan!\u00a0 Since I don’t have anything left in the pack for you, just go ahead and eat any grizzlies we come to.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I am hungry!\u00a0 Fresh bear steak does sound good!\u00a0 Plenty left over for you, too, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thanks, Loop!\u00a0 I can hardly wait.\u00a0 C’mon, let’s keep going.<\/em><\/p>\n

Down, down!\u00a0 At last, Lupe reached the landslides, got across them, and was on the countless long switchbacks.\u00a0 Almost home free!\u00a0 However, near the bottom, the trail faded away.\u00a0 Criminy!\u00a0 What next?\u00a0 Lost in a wretched tangle of deadfall!<\/p>\n

Took a while, but Loop managed to thrash through it all.\u00a0 Suddenly, she was on the road!\u00a0 Yes!\u00a0 Which way?\u00a0 Dark outlines of the mountains against the night sky said R.\u00a0 5 minutes, and the exhausted American Dingo was at the G6.\u00a0 (7-16-20, 2:01 AM, 44\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

7-16-20, 6:54 AM, USFS Road No. 200, Wood River ford 0.33 mile from the Meadow Creek trailhead –\u00a0 <\/em>Lupe’s Francs Peak adventures might be over, but the G6’s weren’t.\u00a0 Not until it got through 3 fords again, and back to the better road that started at the Brown Mountain campground without being swept away or popping a tire.<\/p>\n

A beautiful morning!\u00a0 The Carolina Dog stood on the bank of the shining Wood River at the first and worst of the 3 fords, while SPHP assessed the situation.\u00a0 Maybe stay more to the R on the way through the ford instead of foolishly charging right through it like last time?<\/p>\n

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First Wood River ford<\/strong> on the way out. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yup!\u00a0 Staying R was better.\u00a0 No bogging down.\u00a0 The G6 was a champ!\u00a0 Half an hour later, Lupe was on smooth gravel in the scenic Wood River valley cruising toward Meeteetse, happily barking at cows along the way.<\/p>\n

So what now, SPHP?\u00a0 Where we going next?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, we’re going to rest up, take it easy for the next couple of days, then it’s on to the next big thing.\u00a0 How does the Wind River range sound to you?<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe was happy with that.\u00a0 The Wind River range is awesome!\u00a0 And as long as the Carolina Dog is on the road to adventure, life just can’t get any better.<\/p>\n

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Francs Peak<\/strong>, high point of the Absaroka Range, Wyoming 7-15-20<\/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

Franc’s Peak, Absaroka Range, Wyoming (7-15-20) – Part 1: The Meadow Creek Trail & Beyond!<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Trout Peak, Absaroka Range, Wyoming – Part 1: Jim Creek to Agee Creek (7-7-22)<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Trout Peak, Absaroka Range, Wyoming – Part 2: Agee Creek to the Summit! (7-9-22)<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/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><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Part 2 of Day 6 of Lupe’s 2nd summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming & Utah! 7-15-20, 1:15 PM, 0.25 mile NNE of HP12064 – Heading N, Looper angled toward the E side of the vast, featureless ridge before her.\u00a0 The gradual slope higher was a relief for SPHP after the relentless, steep march … Continue reading Francs Peak, Absaroka Range, Wyoming (7-15-20) – Part 2: HP12064 to the Summit!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29192,"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":[1309,105,106,26,1310,104,1311,275],"class_list":["post-29268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-summer-of-2020","tag-absaroka-range","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-francs-peak","tag-lupe","tag-meadow-creek-trail","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_7081.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\/29268","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=29268"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29268\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46244,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29268\/revisions\/46244"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/29192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}