{"id":31499,"date":"2021-04-09T08:10:59","date_gmt":"2021-04-09T14:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=31499"},"modified":"2021-04-19T14:02:24","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T20:02:24","slug":"the-year-of-perfect-vision-strikes-again-9-5-20-to-9-9-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=31499","title":{"rendered":"The Year of Perfect Vision Strikes Again! (9-5-20 to 9-9-20)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days 4-8 of Lupe’s 4th Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Montana & Wyoming!<\/em><\/p>\n

9-5-20, 9:32 AM, Pass 10140, Beartooth Mountains, Montana<\/em> – For once, SPHP had been the one to wake up early.\u00a0 After the American Dingo’s witching hour return from a hugely successful journey to the Froze to Death Plateau and Tempest Mountain yesterday, Lupe was the one still zonked in the tiny house.<\/p>\n

As SPHP packed for the journey back to the West Rosebud trailhead, Looper snoozed as long as she could.\u00a0 Not until a bee flew into the tiny house did she decide to emerge to lay on the grass, permitting SPHP to roll up her sleeping bag and begin disassembly, a task soon completed.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At Pass 10140<\/span><\/strong>. Mount Wood<\/span><\/a> (12,660 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A final contemplation of Froze to Death Mountain<\/span><\/a> (11,760 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, where she’d been only yesterday, and Lupe set out across the broad plain of Pass 10140<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Picking up Phantom Creek trail No. 17, she started the long trek down to Mystic Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Farewell, Froze to Death Mountain<\/strong> (Center)!<\/em> Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
About to head down Phantom Creek trail No. 17. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Saturday, first day of Labor Day weekend!\u00a0 The weather was perfect, the single track trail in great condition, and the scenery stupendous!\u00a0 Going down was so much faster and easier than coming up had been.\u00a0 Upon reaching the trees, Lupe kept an eye out for squirrels.\u00a0 SPHP was in a cheery mood, and often spoke to hikers on their way up.<\/p>\n

By the time Loop made it Mystic Lake, she’d passed 18 people intent upon climbing Granite Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,799 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the Montana state high point.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Scenic Phantom Creek trail No. 17. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Pausing for refreshment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9-5-20, 12:16 PM, Mystic Lake<\/em> – Mystic Lake was busy!\u00a0 Lots of people around and more arriving all the time.\u00a0 And why not?\u00a0 What a jewel!<\/p>\n

Loop and SPHP found a relatively quiet spot along the S shore.\u00a0 No real rush to get back to the West Rosebud trailhead.\u00a0 For a serene half hour, Lupe rested next to Mystic Lake, enjoying a cool breeze while watching the waves roll in.\u00a0 SPHP sat nearby, soaking a couple of sore paws in the Oh, so refreshing!<\/em> water.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mystic Lake<\/strong> in the Beartooth Mountains! A new favorite place!<\/em> Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Ahh! This is the life!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP’s paws comfortably numb, the Carolina Dog hit West Rosebud trail No. 19.\u00a0 Before heading through the gap on top of the wall of rock E of the lake, Lupe paused for a final look.\u00a0 What a gorgeous mountain lake!\u00a0 Easily accessible, too!\u00a0 Only 3 miles and 1,000 feet of elevation gain from the West Rosebud trailhead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mystic Lake<\/strong>, Beartooth Mountains. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Exquisite! What a setting!<\/em> Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mystic Lake was no big secret.\u00a0 Hordes of people were coming up the West Rosebud trail.\u00a0 Many canines to sniff with, too!\u00a0 Lots of kids and people with fishing gear.\u00a0 Everyone was in fine spirits.\u00a0 The march down Trail No. 19 was rockier than SPHP remembered, but it all went fast.<\/p>\n

9-5-20, 3:00 PM, 90\u00baF, West Rosebud trailhead<\/em> – Hoo-eee!\u00a0 Summer ain’t over yet!\u00a0 Baking hot down here!\u00a0 SPHP had noticed a picnic area during the drive in 3 days ago some miles back along the washboardy road to the trailhead.\u00a0 Once all the gear got stashed in the G6, Lupe enjoyed some AC on the slow, bumpy ride to it.<\/p>\n

Although everywhere else was overrun with people, the picnic ground was empty.\u00a0 Good spot to spend the rest of the day!\u00a0 West Rosebud creek, a lovely stream back up at the trail, was a full-fledged river here.\u00a0 Beef stew, rest, relaxation!\u00a0 Despite 91\u00baF heat, Lupe refused to leave her pink blankie in the G6.\u00a0 SPHP rolled all the windows completely down, and gave her plenty of food and water.<\/p>\n

Crunching away, the American Dingo complained between mouthfuls.<\/p>\n

I can’t believe it, SPHP!\u00a0 You really did have a bag of Fritos in the G6!<\/em><\/p>\n

Told ya!<\/em><\/p>\n

Why didn’t you bring them with when we went into the mountains?\u00a0 I sure could have used them to entice those salt-starved mountain goats!<\/em><\/p>\n

Never really considered that angle, Loop.\u00a0 Besides, Fritos don’t travel well jammed into a backpack.\u00a0 All we would have gotten up there with would have been some salty roasted corn flour.<\/em><\/p>\n

Still would have worked, SPHP!\u00a0 Those goats were desperate!\u00a0 They lick pissed-on rocks for salt!\u00a0 Do you really think they would be too fastidious to munch a little corn flour?<\/em><\/p>\n

OK, OK!\u00a0 My bad!\u00a0 Next time, alright, Looper?\u00a0 Can we just forget it?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I suppose.\u00a0 Too late now, anyway!\u00a0 Any more Fritos left?\u00a0 Pass me some more, would ya?\u00a0 And fill my water bowl again, too, please.<\/em><\/p>\n

9-6-20, 6:40 AM, West Rosebud trailhead overflow parking<\/em> – The sun was just rising.\u00a0 SPHP immediately saw how lucky Lupe had been the past several days.\u00a0 2020, the Year of Perfect Vision, had struck again!\u00a0 Smoke of distant forest fires filled the air, obscuring the Beartooths.\u00a0 Deja vu!\u00a0 Getting to be a tiresome theme, but one likely to keep repeating unless the W got some serious rain.\u00a0 Fat chance of that this time of year!<\/p>\n

A rest and positioning day, anyway.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was done here.\u00a0 Smoky or not, no sense in sticking around.\u00a0 Loopster had a grand time barking at cows and horses as the G6 went on the prowl, searching for the next big adventure.\u00a0 Reasonably clear skies were now the primary criteria.<\/p>\n

9-6-20, 9:47 AM, Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River, Hwy 120<\/em>\u00a0– Driven out of Montana by the haze, Lupe stood on the bank of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River shortly after entering Wyoming.<\/p>\n

This was the same river she had a favorite camping spot next to with a view of Pilot Peak<\/span><\/a> (11,699 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> high in the Beartooths, E of Yellowstone National Park.\u00a0 Up there, it was a lively mountain stream with rapids and a chilly swimming hole, just on the verge of becoming large enough to be worthy of the designation “river”.\u00a0 Down here in the sagebrush desert, the Clarks Fork was much wider, still rippling along, but also far more placid and ordinary.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Along the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Wyoming Hwy No. 120 bridge 8 or 9 miles S of the Montana border. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Edelweiss Bar & Cafe, along with its mostly deserted campground and picnic area, was just a quick sniffing stop, a chance to get out and stretch.\u00a0 Quiet today, but once upon a time this had been an exciting spot, an integral part of one of those heroic, dramatic events so common in the tragic history of the world.<\/p>\n

In 1877, the Nez Perce tribe under Chief Joseph made a daring, desperate escape from the U.S. Army in this area.\u00a0 Sadly, their success did not last.\u00a0 The army caught up with them shortly before they reached the Canadian border, where they’d hope to join up with Sitting Bull’s band of Sioux.\u00a0 A series of plaques at the bar’s parking lot related the story.\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Less than a mile SW, Hwy 120 went over the Clarks Fork a second time.\u00a0 A primitive dirt road on the R (NW) provided a less developed access point.\u00a0 Why not?\u00a0 Lupe had all day.\u00a0 SPHP nursed the G6 along a rutty road before finding a spot to stash it near the river.<\/p>\n

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The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone<\/strong> is running a little low, but after all, it is September! Would look a lot different during the spring runoff from the Beartooths!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looks like Wyoming to me! See the Beartooths<\/strong> on the horizon? No? They’re in the haze.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The only thing clear about the Beartooths, which still ought to have been easily visible from here, was that they were much too smoky to entertain the notion of remaining anywhere in the general area.<\/p>\n

Out on the sagebrush plains of Wyoming, Lupe kept a close watch as SPHP drove S, but even cattle were scarce.\u00a0 Lacking entertainment, the Carolina Dog’s eyes grew heavy.\u00a0 \u00a0Soon she was snoozing in AC’d comfort as the miles rolled by and temperature soared.<\/p>\n

9-6-20, 1:24 PM, Wind River Canyon, Hwy 20\/789, S of Thermopolis<\/em> – Not much of a water Dingo, Lupe preferred to rest on the bank of the Wind River while watching SPHP swim, but SPHP had carted her out to the white rock she sat on now for a photo.\u00a0 She didn’t know it yet, but there wasn’t going to be a free ride back to shore.\u00a0 Looper was going to have to wade, SPHP’s diabolical plot to force her to get thoroughly cooled off, but she wouldn’t mind.\u00a0 In fact, since it wasn’t deep, she’d linger a minute or two, enjoying the cool water.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Oh, the Wind River Canyon<\/strong> is beautiful! Not quite so smoky, either! Maybe we’re headed the right way?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP had just enjoyed a refreshing half hour swim in Rattler Whirlpool, an enormous eddy in the Wind River with a gentle current along the near bank that consistently flowed upstream, greatly reducing any prospect of being swept down river.<\/p>\n

This was the second time Lupe had been here this summer.\u00a0 SPHP had gone swimming in this exact same giant eddy back in July, too, but the name “Rattler Whirlpool” was a new one.\u00a0 No one had been here when Loop first arrived today, but a Jeep had soon come down the access road, parking 40 feet away.\u00a0 Whoever was in it stayed inside for a while, then suddenly leapt out to shout the news that there was a rattlesnake over there and to be careful, before leaping back in and driving off.<\/p>\n

Neither Loop nor SPHP saw the rattler before walking back up to the G6.\u00a0 Probably for the best.<\/p>\n

9-6-20, 4:00 PM, 90\u00baF, Lander city park<\/em> – Nearly a week into September, and still 90\u00baF!\u00a0 Actually a little cooler now than it had been earlier.\u00a0 93\u00baF on the way over from Riverton!\u00a0 There’d been one more stop, a brief one to examine a herd of wild horses racing through the desert beneath a stormy sky – a mural painted on the Hudson town hall.<\/p>\n

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Snazzy mural on the side of the Hudson, Wyoming town hall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Like Rattler Whirlpool, Lupe had been here before, too, this summer.\u00a0 At the S end of 3rd Street right across from the beautiful Middle Popo Agie River, Lander city park was awesome!\u00a0 Free camping on a soft green lawn beneath shady old cottonwoods.<\/p>\n

The park was going to be home for the evening.\u00a0 Normally, small streams flow in a couple of ditches running through the park, but they were bone dry now.\u00a0 A stroll over to the Middle Popo Agie River revealed that it was almost gone as well, a trickling remnant of its normal self.\u00a0 Shocking!\u00a0 Lupe had never seen the Popo Agie so low before.\u00a0 Fortunately, that didn’t interfere with a thrilling evening of squirrel watching.<\/p>\n

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Riveting times on the soft green lawn of Lander city park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unfortunately, still pretty smoky out.\u00a0 Maybe tomorrow would bring good news on that front?\u00a0 SPHP tried to be optimistic, but, in truth, felt mighty skeptical.\u00a0 Attempts to evade smoke hadn’t worked on Looper’s last Dingo Vacation.\u00a0 There wasn’t much reason to believe they would pan out this time around, either.<\/p>\n

Labor Day, 9-7-20, 11:56 AM, Lander city park<\/em> – Actually got chilly last night.\u00a0 Breezy and definitely cooler this morning.\u00a0 Apparently not going to be another scorcher.\u00a0 Encouragingly, not quite so smoky either!\u00a0 After walks through the park, Lupe had spent the morning dozing whenever there was a lull in the squirrel watching action.<\/p>\n

Hey, Loopster!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
What’s up, SPHP?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Got the trip journal caught up.\u00a0 About ready for the next big adventure?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure!\u00a0 Where we going, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Thinking we’ll head up to the trailhead for Atlantic Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,490 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> here in the Wind River Range.\u00a0 We were going to climb it back in July, but the access road was closed due to road construction, remember?\u00a0 The repairs were supposed to wrap up back on August 20th.\u00a0 Ought to be open by now.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sounds good!\u00a0 Are we leaving right away?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, in just a few minutes.\u00a0 Need to make a quick stop at Safeway to pick up some supplies before we leave town.<\/em><\/p>\n

Heading SE out of Lander on Hwy 287\/28, Lupe was just getting psyched up for some much anticipated barking at cows and horses, when SPHP made a sudden U-turn.<\/p>\n

Forget something, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

No.\u00a0 Did you see that big lighted sign next to the road, Loop?<\/em><\/p>\n

Umm.\u00a0 Can’t say that I did.\u00a0 Wasn’t paying much attention to signs.\u00a0 What about it?<\/em><\/p>\n

It was unbelievable!\u00a0 Gotta take another look.\u00a0 Maybe I read it wrong?<\/em><\/p>\n

Making another U-turn, SPHP drove slowly past the sign again.\u00a0 No doubt about it.\u00a0 Alternating with a “High Fire Danger” message was another one saying “Heavy snow, poor visibility, 9PM to 6PM Tuesday”.<\/p>\n

“9PM to 6PM Tuesday”!\u00a0 That must mean they’re expecting this storm to hit at 9PM on Monday, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Today is Monday, isn’t it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, it’s Labor Day, and Labor Day is always on a Monday.<\/em><\/p>\n

How can that sign possibly be right, SPHP?\u00a0 Not even 8 hours until 9PM right now, and it’s 77\u00baF!<\/em><\/p>\n

I don’t know.\u00a0 A blizzard tonight?\u00a0 Seems impossible.\u00a0 Maybe the highway department is just testing the sign?\u00a0 It was 93\u00baF only yesterday!<\/em><\/p>\n

Just keep going, SPHP.\u00a0 Maybe another sign will say something different?<\/em><\/p>\n

Loopster was right!\u00a0 Along Hwy 28 on the way up into the SE end of the Wind River Range, more lighted signs appeared.\u00a0 All bore exactly the same message, different from the first sign’s message.\u00a0 Unfortunately, not much different.<\/p>\n

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So what now, SPHP?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What now, indeed?<\/p>\n

Sheesh!\u00a0 The Year of Perfect Vision strikes again!\u00a0 Sure knows how to throw us one curve ball after another, Loopster!<\/em><\/p>\n

Are we still going to the trailhead, SPHP?\u00a0 Do you think it’s wise?<\/em><\/p>\n

Umm, no.\u00a0 That’s all we need, to wake up tomorrow morning in a blizzard already snowed in at 9,400 feet, miles from the highway.\u00a0 Time for Plan B, Looper!\u00a0 Or maybe it’s Plan C or D by now?<\/em><\/p>\n

What’s Plan B, or C or D, or whatever?<\/em><\/p>\n

I’ll let you know, as soon as I think of it, sweet puppy!<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP kept driving right over the Wind River Range.\u00a0 81\u00baF at Farson, but more signs bearing the same message had been seen along the way.<\/p>\n

OK, Loop, here’s the deal!<\/em><\/p>\n

Do tell!\u00a0 I’m all ears, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, not entirely, but they are pretty big.\u00a0 Apparently some freak storm is moving in tonight.\u00a0 I mean, who has ever heard of a blizzard on Labor Day?\u00a0 We’ve never even run into one clear up in Alaska this time of year.\u00a0 Anyway, this goofy storm will clear the air out, and the temperature will likely rebound within a few days.\u00a0 However, if it drops a lot of new snow as expected, might be very difficult to do anything among the high peaks until some big portion of it melts, which might easily take several more days.<\/em><\/p>\n

Logical enough, SPHP.\u00a0 So what do we do about it?<\/em><\/p>\n

Plan B, which probably makes the most sense, is to cut and run right now.\u00a0 Just call it good, and head for home.\u00a0 We could be there late, late tonight!\u00a0 No sense hanging around here for nearly a week waiting for a blizzard to hit, and then for the snow to melt.\u00a0 At least we got lucky and got to have a grand time in the Beartooths for a few days.<\/em><\/p>\n

Pathetic!\u00a0 So, our Dingo Vacation is over already?<\/em><\/p>\n

Afraid so.<\/em><\/p>\n

What about Plans C & D, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Plan D, I haven’t come up with yet.\u00a0 Plan C is to head S trying to out run the storm.\u00a0 Maybe it won’t get past the Uinta Range, or miss it to the E?\u00a0 Don’t really have anything planned down there, but we could probably come up with a few peaks to climb somewhere in Utah.<\/em><\/p>\n

I like Plan C better, SPHP!\u00a0 Can we do that?<\/em><\/p>\n

I suppose.\u00a0 If that’s what you want.\u00a0 Sort of a long shot, but who knows, it might work out fantastically!\u00a0 Sometimes it pays to be flexible.<\/em><\/p>\n

If you don’t mind then, SPHP, let’s go for it!\u00a0 What have we got to lose?\u00a0 It’s an adventure!\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 G6, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, there was all that money wasted on fuel to lose, if Plan B didn’t pan out, but SPHP complied.\u00a0 The whole situation was surrealistic.\u00a0 Driving S on Hwy 191, the G6 registered 86\u00baF.\u00a0 Fleeing snow?\u00a0 Tonight?\u00a0 Absurd!\u00a0 Ridiculous!\u00a0 The only indicator of any big change in the weather was that it was getting windy.\u00a0 And off to the N, (Yes, the N!), the formerly smoky sky was turning blue.<\/p>\n

Even if Plan B proved futile, which remained to be seen, the scenic drive was fun!\u00a0 After entering Utah, SPHP briefly dropped by the visitor center at the Flaming Gorge dam.\u00a0 Personnel inside confirmed that the forecast was for 2 days of snow.\u00a0 Might possibly be able to do something around here tomorrow morning before it hit.<\/p>\n

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A N wind was blowing during a brief stop at Flaming Gorge reservoir<\/strong>, Utah.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tomorrow morning?\u00a0 That wouldn’t be enough time to accomplish much.\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 The drive S continued.<\/p>\n

Not windy S of the Uintas!\u00a0 At least, not yet.\u00a0 Instead, it was back to the same old problem.\u00a0 At Steinaker Reservoir, N of Vernal, the air was thick with smoke.\u00a0 A sickly orange-pink sun glimmered through a choking haze, it’s light reflecting on the still large, but half-withered lake.<\/p>\n

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Not looking so good, is it, SPHP?<\/em> Steinaker Reservoir<\/strong>, N of Vernal, Utah.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Vernal was the land of Mordor, suffocating in a dense blanket of smoke.\u00a0 Off to the W, though, the sky was brighter, as if there was a definite edge to the cloud.\u00a0 A check of the atlas.\u00a0 Hmm.\u00a0 There was a Gray Head Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,496 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and an Indian Head Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,959 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> shown SW of Duchesne.\u00a0 Maybe Lupe could climb one of them tomorrow?<\/p>\n

Potentially promising!\u00a0 Definitely less smoke, and not so stifling hot (68\u00baF)<\/em>, when SPHP parked the G6 for the night in the Ashley National Forest SW of Duchesne.<\/p>\n

9-8-20, 7:17 AM, 32\u00baF, Hwy 191, Ashley National Forest<\/em> – Lupe hopped out of the G6, ready for adventure.\u00a0 Sleet, borne on a cold, raw breeze!\u00a0 Must have just started, only a little clinging to the G6 so far.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Well, at least the smoke is gone!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sorry, Lupe.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not happening, is it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Nope.\u00a0 No way we’re going to climb Gray Head or Indian Head today.\u00a0 Gotta face the music, Loop.\u00a0 We could keep going, but it doesn’t make any sense.\u00a0 If we go far enough to escape the storm, we’ll just run into smoke.\u00a0 Umpteen fires blazing away out in California, and we’d just be getting closer to them.<\/em><\/p>\n

Seems the Year of Perfect Vision has us cornered, doesn’t it?<\/em><\/p>\n

In a way, but our little fiascos are nothing compared to what others have had to deal with this year.\u00a0 So shake it, off Lucky Dingo!\u00a0 Your summer of 2020 adventures might be over and done with, but others will be heading your way soon enough.<\/em><\/p>\n

That last part turned out to be true enough.\u00a0 Having given up on this Dingo Vacation, just getting home proved to be an adventure in itself.<\/p>\n

9-8-20, 10:38 AM, 32\u00baF, Hwy 40, NW Colorado<\/em> – Vernal had been a balmy 44\u00baF this morning as SPHP drove through it, but snow had been visible on the foothills of the Uinta Range, and dark clouds hung low obscuring the mountains.\u00a0 Maybe best not to go back that way!\u00a0 As a result, SPHP had kept driving E.\u00a0 However, conditions had rapidly deteriorated E of Dinosaur, Colorado.<\/p>\n

Now Lupe stood out in the gale at a “Point of Interest” 4 miles W of the little town of Maybell.\u00a0 What the point of interest might pertain to was a mystery.\u00a0 Signs were all plastered in snow and ice.\u00a0 The Year of Perfect Vision was putting an emphatic end to any notions of “Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacations”.\u00a0 Substitute “winter” for “summer” and maybe Lupe would be on to something.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
So much for the summer of 2020!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Craig, Colorado was in a low spot.\u00a0 No snow, just rain.\u00a0 Turning N, Hwy 13 climbed back into a winter wonderland.\u00a0 Reaching Hwy 789, flashing lights on a sign near the Wyoming border indicated that I-80 was closed 50 miles ahead.\u00a0 Through piles of slush, the G6 pressed on despite the warning, bucking a strong NW wind.\u00a0 Snowing only lightly here, but 27\u00baF and the wind was building drifts.<\/p>\n

I-80 was open at the junction with Hwy 789.\u00a0 No problem getting onto it.\u00a0 Heading E, only one lane was partially clear.\u00a0 Crusty, half-frozen slush on the rest of it.\u00a0 SPHP tailed several vehicles going E at 35 to 40 mph.\u00a0 No traffic at all going W.\u00a0 A lighted sign soon explained.\u00a0 I-80 was closed at Sinclair, 16 miles ahead.<\/p>\n

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Heading E on I-80.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At Rawlins, Hwy 789\/287 going N to Muddy Gap was closed, too.\u00a0 With no routes open to the N or E, Lupe was stuck.\u00a0 She really didn’t mind.\u00a0 Half a foot of snow, 28\u00baF, and a frigid wind meant one thing.\u00a0 About time for that cheapskate SPHP to break down and get the Carolina Dog a motel room.\u00a0 Ahh, yes!\u00a0 Pillows, blankets, and a big soft bed to stretch out on.\u00a0 Now we’re talking!<\/p>\n

9-9-20, 8:55 AM, 27\u00baF, Hwy 73 E of Baroil, Wyoming<\/em> – Why on earth they had closed Hwy 789\/287 yesterday was beyond SPHP.\u00a0 A 10 or 12 mile long section of patches of snow and ice N of Rawlins, then the highway had been completely clear after that.\u00a0 Snow in the fields, but the road was smooth and dry.<\/p>\n

Loop was out of the G6 for a quick sniff.\u00a0 Off to the NW stood an old friend, Whiskey Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,225 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, decked out in white.\u00a0 The American Dingo had been up there once, in June, 2017.\u00a0 Fun to see it again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Whiskey Peak<\/strong> from Hwy 73 E of Baroil. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Whiskey Peak<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The day warmed up.\u00a0 In the 40’s\u00baF!\u00a0 Perhaps one last attempt to salvage something more from this Dingo Vacation?\u00a0 Maybe Lupe could climb Mile High Hill<\/span><\/a> (5,280 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>?\u00a0 At MP 37.1 along Hwy 450 on the way to Newcastle, SPHP turned S on Lynch Road.\u00a0 Good gravel for a mile to a junction with Piney Creek Road where the old Darlington School stood vacant, its last students having abandoned it countless years ago.<\/p>\n

A pickup truck on Piney Creek Road was coming this way.\u00a0 The driver turned out to be a friendly young guy who worked for the coal mine.\u00a0 He’d never heard of Mile High Hill, but his phone showed the region it was in as BLM land.<\/p>\n

However, 6 inches of snow were melting up in the Rochelle Hills, and he pronounced the remote dirt and gravel roads leading into the area a quagmire impassable to the G6.\u00a0 His formerly white truck, covered in mud from wheels to roof, spoke eloquently in support of this assessment.<\/p>\n

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Oh, we’ll be back someday! Just you wait and see!<\/em> Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So that was it.\u00a0 The last gasp, the final straw.\u00a0 Smoke and blizzards!\u00a0 The Year of Perfect Vision had put a screeching halt to Lupe’s summer of 2020 Dingo Vacations.\u00a0 Might as well go home.\u00a0 (End 3:41 PM, 54\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Point of Interest, Hwy 40, 4 miles W of Maybell, Colorado, 9-8-20<\/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 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Want 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<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Days 4-8 of Lupe’s 4th Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Montana & Wyoming! 9-5-20, 9:32 AM, Pass 10140, Beartooth Mountains, Montana – For once, SPHP had been the one to wake up early.\u00a0 After the American Dingo’s witching hour return from a hugely successful journey to the Froze to Death Plateau and Tempest Mountain … Continue reading The Year of Perfect Vision Strikes Again! (9-5-20 to 9-9-20)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31488,"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":[105,106,1369,26,369,1372,104,1361,1370,1373,1371,1274],"class_list":["post-31499","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-summer-of-2020","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-clarks-fork-of-the-yellowstone-river","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-flaming-gorge","tag-lander-city-park","tag-lupe","tag-mystic-lake","tag-nez-perce","tag-steinaker-reservoir","tag-wind-river-canyon","tag-year-of-perfect-vision"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8080.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\/31499","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=31499"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31499\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33837,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31499\/revisions\/33837"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/31488"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=31499"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=31499"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=31499"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}