{"id":35121,"date":"2021-11-09T08:10:17","date_gmt":"2021-11-09T15:10:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=35121"},"modified":"2022-04-03T08:47:17","modified_gmt":"2022-04-03T14:47:17","slug":"elk-peak-bighorn-mountains-wyoming-6-23-21-6-24-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=35121","title":{"rendered":"Elk Peak, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (6-23-21 & 6-24-21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days 1-3 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!<\/em><\/p>\n

6-22-21, 7:40 PM<\/em> – Free at last!\u00a0 A whole month had shot by after getting back from New Mexico, but Lupe’s 2nd fabulous Dingo Vacation of 2021 was finally underway.\u00a0 Despite a late start this morning, the Carolina Dog had made it to the Bighorns with enough daylight remaining for an evening romp.<\/p>\n

Joyful among sweet-scented lupines,\u00a0Lupe alternately sniffed or dashed her way through the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, excited by the whistles of marmots coming from over by rock formations on the N side of the valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Oh, happy day!<\/em> Back in the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness<\/strong>!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The American Dingo paused for a cold drink out of the North Tongue River.\u00a0 Following the river upstream, Loop surprised a moose hidden among the willows.\u00a0 Splashing noisily over to the far bank, the moose vanished into the woods.\u00a0 Climbing up onto the rock formations, Lupe surveyed the Elysian Fields hoping to see those whistling marmots.<\/p>\n

Oh, it’s a glorious evening, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

That it is, Looper!\u00a0 Nothing so rare as a day in June!<\/em><\/p>\n

Especially in the Bighorns, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

No argument there, sweet puppy!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Along the North Tongue River<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the rock formations overlooking the North Tongue River<\/strong> and Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness<\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6-23-21, 6:41 AM, 51\u00b0F, Coney Creek trailhead along USFS Road No. 26 –<\/em> Lupe had been bright-eyed and alert an hour ago, but it had taken SPHP this long just to have a bite to eat and get organized.\u00a0 Everything seemed to be ready now, though, and the weather was perfect.\u00a0 A few minutes to register before heading into the Cloud Peak Wilderness<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, and it was Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em>\u00a0 time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to leave the Coney Creek trailhead<\/strong> along USFS Road No. 26.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Cloud Peak Wilderness registration station across the road from the trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was in fine spirits as she set off heading S into the forest on Coney Creek Trail No. 21.\u00a0 Racing ahead of SPHP, she lost no time setting about searching for squirrels, scoring some early successes.\u00a0 The forest rang with the American Dingo’s shrill barking – off a marvelous start!<\/p>\n

The trail began by climbing at a moderate pace, but soon leveled out on a minor ridge where there were some big boulders.\u00a0 Nothing to see here except forest, but Lupe got up on one of the biggest rocks, anyway.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On a big rock at the top of the first minor ridge along Trail No. 21.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What a great day, SPHP!\u00a0 Where are we going anyway?<\/em><\/p>\n

Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (11,050 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, or Giant Deer Peak, if you prefer, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Giant Deer Peak!\u00a0 That sounds awesome!<\/em><\/p>\n

Hope so.\u00a0 It’s a fur piece, though.\u00a0 Going to be a long day.<\/em><\/p>\n

A long day in the Bighorns sounded like fun!\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was used to them, but it wouldn’t be until much later that it would become clear just how long a day it was going to turn out to be.<\/p>\n

This first minor ridge was the high point of Trail No. 21 the rest of the way to Stull Lakes.\u00a0 From what SPHP had been able to gather online, the Coney Creek trailhead and this route were relatively new.\u00a0 The trail used to start from Twin Lakes which were something like a mile off to the SE.<\/p>\n

Since the entire region was forested, Lupe never even caught a glimpse of Twin Lakes.\u00a0 Trail No. 21 wound through the forest making a gradual descent.\u00a0 Lupe passed a river of large white boulders before crossing 3 streams.\u00a0 The first one must have been Snail Creek.\u00a0 It was the smallest, and the only one with a bridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cooling off next to the stone bridge over Snail Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The second stream either came from, or went to, Lost Lake.\u00a0 Although larger than Snail Creek, it was an easy rock-hop.\u00a0 Coney Creek, the third stream, was larger yet and more problematic.\u00a0 SPHP had to search for a place where it could be rock-hopped.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Crossing the Lost Lake stream. An easy rock-hop!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A flat stretch of Trail No. 21 on the way to Stull Lakes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Coney Creek<\/strong> where Trail No. 21 reached it. Too wide and deep to rock-hop it here!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rock-hopping Coney Creek<\/strong> 40 feet upstream of where the trail forded it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7 minutes past Coney Creek, Loopster reached a boulder overlooking the largest of the Stull Lakes.\u00a0 Here she had a view of the mountains off to the W.\u00a0 Two that the Carolina Dog had climbed in 2020 were in sight.\u00a0 Dome Peak<\/span><\/a> (10,828 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was 3 miles almost due W.\u00a0 The Sheridan County High Point<\/span><\/a> (11,020 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was slightly farther away off to the SW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the boulder overlooking the largest of the Stull Lakes<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sheridan County High Point<\/strong> (L of Center) from Stull Lakes<\/strong>. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dome Peak<\/strong> (L) from the largest of the Stull Lakes<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A considerable amount of open ground existed along the S shore of the largest Stull Lake, but an attempt to venture down to the shoreline failed.\u00a0 Turned out this entire area was just a big bog.<\/p>\n

Oh, well.\u00a0 No big deal!\u00a0 However, another issue of far greater importance soon became apparent.\u00a0 Although the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> showed a number of trails intersecting S or E of the largest Stull Lake, SPHP saw no sign of any of these other trails.\u00a0 Even Lupe couldn’t sniff them out.\u00a0 Since the plan had been to take Trail No. 114 from here all the way to Pass 10220<\/span><\/strong> SW of Elk Peak, this was<\/em>\u00a0a big deal.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, the Carolina Dog was facing the prospect of miles of off-trail travel, the first part of which would be in a forested region unlikely to have any views to help orient by.\u00a0 Furthermore, Lupe would have to ford Wilderness Creek, which from the looks of the area it drained on the map might be nearly a river where fabled Trail No. 114 crossed it, if that point could even be found.<\/p>\n

Only Trail No. 21 seemed to continue from here.\u00a0 The topo map showed it ending 1.5 miles WSW at Coney Lake.<\/p>\n

So, what’s it going to be, SPHP?\u00a0 Plunge S into the forest, or Coney Lake?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure going to be the long way around, Loopster, but Coney Lake, I guess.\u00a0 Kind of afraid of what we might run into down at Wilderness Creek if we try to head S from here.<\/em><\/p>\n

Leaving the largest Stull Lake, Trail No. 21 briefly turned SW.\u00a0 Lupe came to an unmarked trail that split off to the S just before Trail No. 21 crossed a ravine with a tiny trickle of a stream in it.\u00a0 Exploring this side trail up a relatively short slope, the Carolina Dog came to a big pond, which might well have been the smaller of the Stull Lakes.<\/p>\n

Since the side trail vanished here, returning to Trail No. 21 seemed to be the only sensible thing to do.\u00a0 Upon reaching it, Lupe crossed the ravine containing the tiny stream and continued WSW.<\/p>\n

Trail No. 21 wound through the forest, most of the time gaining elevation at a moderate pace.\u00a0 The path was generally easy to follow, but there was little to see other than trees.\u00a0 Lupe eventually came to a level rocky spot where a cairn sat on a boulder, but this point didn’t seem to be of any real significance.\u00a0 Shortly before reaching Coney Lake there was a view to the R of a big meadow down in a valley, with a glimpse Dome Peak in the distance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the cairn at the rocky spot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the meadow viewpoint not far from Coney Lake. Dome Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Trail No. 21 ended at a fine camping spot on a small knoll immediately SE of Coney Lake.\u00a0 It would have been an even better camping spot if not for a wand saying that camping within 100 feet of the lake was illegal.\u00a0 Unfortunately, although largely hidden by trees, the lake wasn’t that far away.\u00a0 Lupe headed down to the shoreline for a better look.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At Coney Lake<\/strong>. Sheridan County High Point<\/strong> (L), HP10740<\/span><\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dome Peak<\/strong> (Center) beyond Coney Lake.<\/strong> Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although Trail No. 21 officially ended here, a use path continued SW along Coney Lake’s SE shore.\u00a0 Going past a boggy region S of the lake, it led to a big ravine full of light grey boulders.\u00a0 The use trail did not cross this ravine, instead turning S and heading up the steep slope just E of it.\u00a0 After a climb of nearly 200 feet, the terrain leveled out.<\/p>\n

A pond here, shown on the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, confirmed Lupe’s position.\u00a0 She was now less than 0.5 mile due N of where Wilderness Creek coming down from the S made an abrupt 90\u00b0 turn E.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Following the use trail along the SE shore of Coney Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Heading up the ravine S of Coney Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the pond where the terrain leveled out 0.2 mile S of Coney Lake<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the pond, a gentler slope went up to a little pass on the big ridge S of Coney Lake.\u00a0 By now the use trail was fading away.\u00a0 It was probably heading up to HP10020<\/span><\/strong> and beyond, since this ridge was a popular route to the Sheridan County High Point<\/span><\/a> (11,020 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, now only 1.33 mile SW.\u00a0 Following the S side of the ridge, Lupe kept climbing until she started getting glimpses of Elk Peak<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(11,050 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, still 3 miles SSE beyond the huge Wilderness Creek drainage.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Saddle Mountain (10,569 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) and Elk Peak<\/strong> (R) from the ridge S of Coney Lake. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The plan was now to continue high enough to keep Elk Peak reliably in sight, then head S all the way to Pass 10220<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 If successful, this meant the Carolina Dog would be traveling through the territory W of Wilderness Creek without ever having to ford it.<\/p>\n

Continuing SW somewhat farther up the ridge, Lupe never did get above treeline.\u00a0 The forest had thinned out, though, by the time she turned S.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Sheridan County High Point<\/strong> (Center) from the first ridge S of Coney Lake. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At first, progress was decent.\u00a0 Loopster wandered through relatively easy stretches of forest and open ground.\u00a0 She came to a small, lively stream, a tributary of Wilderness Creek, which was easily leapt over.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the first of many tributaries of Wilderness Creek. None presented serious difficulty.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Still hoping to get above treeline, SPHP encouraged Lupe to keep slowly gaining elevation.\u00a0 However, this policy eventually backfired.\u00a0 The views kept improving, but the going got tougher as the mountainside Loopster was traversing became much rockier.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was still E of the Sheridan County High Point when she came upon a large field of talus overlooking another small pond.<\/p>\n

The territory ahead looked discouragingly rugged.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Saddle Mountain<\/strong> (L) and Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center) as the terrain gets rocky. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the pond (visible beyond Lupe) overlook. Elk Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Among the boulders. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop kept going, but SPHP’s progress was very slow.\u00a0 Fortunately, this first boulder field proved to be the worst of the rocks.\u00a0 Once through it, the terrain became considerably easier again.<\/p>\n

The march S continued.\u00a0 Lupe came to another pond, a long skinny one difficult to get past.\u00a0 Beyond it was a descent into a boggy valley toward the W.\u00a0 After crossing another tributary of Wilderness Creek running through the bog, Lupe faced a climb back up into another rocky area.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cooling off in a snowbank.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the skinny pond, which extended way off to the R. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
E of the Sheridan County High Point<\/strong> (R). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
About to head down into the first boggy region. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Losing and regaining elevation in order to cross bogs and streams in side valleys toward the W developed into a pattern that kept repeating itself.\u00a0 At one point Lupe came to a spot where it looked a lot easier to just head down into the Wilderness Creek valley, but SPHP was reluctant to lose the elevation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
An easy opportunity to enter the Wilderness Creek valley<\/strong>. Instead, SPHP encouraged Lupe to remain high. Saddle Mountain<\/strong> (L) and Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Staying high back-fired.\u00a0 Another climb, followed by yet another drop into a boggy side valley, was ahead.\u00a0 S of this bog, a massive wall of rock extending out from the enormous ridge to the W finally put an end to this wearying and time-consuming process.\u00a0 Lupe was forced to begin a steep descent into the Wilderness Creek valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Down in the last boggy side valley. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The rock wall on the R prevented Lupe from continuing S, forcing a steep descent into the Wilderness Creek valley. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Following another tributary of Wilderness Creek lower.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the Wilderness Creek valley<\/strong>. Elk Mountain<\/strong> (L) and Pass 10220<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching the floor of the valley, the American Dingo discovered plenty of open ground occupied by another bog.\u00a0 Only a mile due N of Pass 10220<\/span><\/strong> now, if Lupe could cross the valley here, she could head SE straight up Elk Peak!\u00a0 Fortunately, it wasn’t too hard to find a relatively dry route with minimal splish-splashing required to get through it all.\u00a0 Better yet, Loopster was far enough upstream so that Wilderness Creek itself was no longer a significant obstacle.\u00a0 Even SPHP managed to leap over in a single bound.<\/p>\n

After crossing the valley, Lupe started up Elk Peak.\u00a0 Grassy, easy terrain soon got so steep that SPHP had to pause frequently gasping for air.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking NW back across the Wilderness Creek valley<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After gaining several hundred feet of elevation, the rate of climb began to diminish.\u00a0 Still a long way to go, though!\u00a0 Above treeline, the grassy slope started getting rockier.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog came to a long snow bank, and enjoyed wandering up it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near treeline. Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the start of the long snowbank. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By the time Looper reached the upper end of the snowbank, she wasn’t all that far from an obvious high point directly E.\u00a0 Following the easiest terrain higher rather than heading straight for it, she approached from the SW.\u00a0 This last slope wasn’t all that steep, but quite rocky.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Above the long snowbank. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting might rocky. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Scrambling NE through a field of talus, Loopster finally reached a wide, flat saddle toward the NW end of Elk Peak’s summit region.\u00a0 Sandwiched between several large rock formations, this saddle sported a fair amount of grass among scattered boulders.<\/p>\n

Whew!\u00a0 I’m pooped, Loop.\u00a0 How about taking a longer break right here?<\/em><\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog was all for that notion.\u00a0 Looper curled up on the soft green grass.\u00a0 Water and a bite to eat.\u00a0 A little dozing.\u00a0 20 minutes ticked away before SPHP managed to stagger up again.<\/p>\n

Which of these rock formations is the true summit, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

This one right next to us, I think.\u00a0 C’mon, let’s see if we can get up it!<\/em><\/p>\n

In truth, the huge pile of talus looked rather dicey.\u00a0 Scrambling SE, Lupe got most of the way up easily enough, but the final stretch was a doozy.\u00a0 Still tens of feet below what appeared to be the top, Loop was confronted by an almost vertical wall of massive boulders with treacherous holes between them.\u00a0 Unable to see a safe route higher, SPHP balked.\u00a0 Uh-uh.\u00a0 Not going to work!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Partway up with a view of the grassy saddle. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking down on Saddle Mountain<\/strong> (L) and Dome Lakes<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Heading for the insurmountable wall of rock. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, shoot, Loopster!\u00a0 All this way, and we can’t get to the top?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, there has to be a way!\u00a0 Let’s try another spot, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

A partial retreat, and Lupe tried again, this time working around to the SW side of the rock formation.\u00a0 At first it didn’t appear that this attempt was going to pan out, either, but the situation improved once the American Dingo managed to get past a few particularly enormous chunks of talus.<\/p>\n

Hah!\u00a0 Promising!\u00a0 Keep going, sweet puppy!\u00a0 We’re almost there!<\/em><\/p>\n

Scrambling higher, Lupe made it to the top of the rock formation that had been insurmountable from the NW.\u00a0 She had a terrific view of the Sheridan County High Point<\/span><\/a> (11,020 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Dome Peak<\/span><\/a> (10,828 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> back in that direction.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Past the biggest talus, now over on the SW side. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Scrambling higher. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sheridan County High Point<\/strong> (L) and Dome Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This vantage point still wasn’t quite the top of Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (11,050 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 The true summit, another collection of big boulders, was a little farther SSE.\u00a0 Fortunately, most of the boulders were fairly conveniently arranged.\u00a0 Getting over to the highest rock wasn’t all that difficult.\u00a0 With a boost from SPHP, Lupe claimed her latest peakbagging success!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the highest rock! Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
True summit of Elk Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The cluster of tall boulders in the immediate vicinity of the true summit was a cramped spot.\u00a0 Hardly any room to move around!\u00a0 Lupe couldn’t see a thing down in the narrow spaces between the huge rocks, but the views from up on top were stupendous!<\/p>\n

Far to the SSE, Cloud Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,167 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, highest of the Bighorn Range, was the big attraction.\u00a0 To the S, and considerably closer, was a line of unnamed peaks about as high as Elk Peak.\u00a0 Pass 10220<\/span><\/strong> at the upper S end of the Wilderness Creek valley, was off to the SW.\u00a0 Another line of peaks ran N from there over to the Sheridan County High Point and Dome Peak, which together dominated the scene to the NW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cloud Peak<\/strong> (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
View to the S of unnamed peaks of similar height.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sheridan County High Point<\/strong> (L) and Dome Peak<\/strong> (Center) from Elk Peak’s summit. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

0.67 mile to the N, Lupe gazed down on a green pasture featuring several notable rock formations.\u00a0 That was Saddle Mountain (10,569 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Both Lookout Mountain<\/span><\/a> (10,147 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Black Mountain<\/span><\/a> (9,489 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> could be picked out far beyond it, but they weren’t too impressive from here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dome Peak<\/strong> (L). Saddle Mountain<\/strong> is the green pasture (R). Both Lookout Mountain<\/strong> and Black Mountain<\/strong> (Center) on the far horizon. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nothing to the NE or E was anywhere close to being as high as Elk Peak, but the largest of the Twin Lakes and both Dome Lakes were in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dome Lakes<\/strong> (R) and the largest of the Twin Lakes<\/strong> (L). Photo looks NNE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looking around for some sign of a registry, SPHP noticed a red plastic Folgers coffee jar with a black lid tucked down in a cubby hole between the two highest rocks.\u00a0 Upon inspection, this jar contained only 2 items.\u00a0 Both were sopping wet.\u00a0 One was a Cloud Peak Wilderness permit stating Annie Kill had been here on 8-6-20, having come up from Dome Lakes.<\/p>\n

The other item was what SPHP had hoped to find, a small notebook with a\u00a0 yellow cover serving as a registry.\u00a0 Sadly, the water-logged notebook was in such bad shape that it was basically garbage at this point.\u00a0 Having abandoned the pack back down at the grassy saddle, SPHP had no pen or paper to leave any separate entry for Lupe.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Folgers coffee jar in its hiding spot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the 2nd highest rock on Elk Peak<\/strong>. True summit<\/strong> (R). The coffee jar was down in the deep slot between these 2 rocks. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Elk Peak was glorious, but time waits for no Dingo.\u00a0 20+ minutes shot by.\u00a0 Sadly, already time to head back down to the grassy saddle to retrieve the backpack.\u00a0 SPHP’s slow-as-molasses scrambling gave Lupe plenty of opportunity to continue enjoying the views along the way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Final moments near the true summit. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Starting down. Pass 10220<\/span><\/strong> (Center) with part of Shell Reservoir<\/strong> visible beyond it. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
View to the S during the initial descent.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Come on, SPHP! Can you hurry it up a bit?<\/em> Pass 10220<\/span><\/strong> (L). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rock formations SSE of the true summit<\/strong> (Center). Cloud Peak<\/strong> (L) on the horizon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6-23-21, 6:45 PM, the grassy saddle toward the NW end of Elk Peak<\/em> – SPHP grabbed the backpack and strapped into it.\u00a0 Egads!\u00a0 12 hours gone since the American Dingo had struck out for Elk Peak from the Coney Creek trailhead this morning, and she was still here!\u00a0 A few hours until dusk, and that would be it as far as natural light.<\/p>\n

At as lively a pace as possible despite a certain degree of weariness, SPHP set off heading N, but only went far enough to get another look at Saddle Mountain.\u00a0 A long, broad, rounded ridge led down from Saddle Mountain into a thickly forested region surrounding the Dome Lakes.<\/p>\n

Cripes, Loop!\u00a0 I should have brought the Cloud Peak Wilderness map!\u00a0 These little topo maps I printed out don’t even cover the Dome Lakes region.<\/em><\/p>\n

You thinking of going back that way, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes!\u00a0 Only about 3 miles down to the lakes, and it doesn’t look bad at all.\u00a0 Annie Kill made it, and I know there are roads somewhere down there.\u00a0 Might be a longer return overall following the roads, but so what?\u00a0 If we can get to the Dome Lakes and find a road before sunset, we’d have it made in the shade the rest of the way back.<\/em><\/p>\n

Does tend to get pretty shady at night, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, no doubt.\u00a0 On the other paw, having seen how open the Wilderness Creek valley is, I think we could make much faster progress going down it than on the rough high route farther W that we took getting here.<\/em><\/p>\n

If we can get back to the trail at Coney Lake before dark, wouldn’t that be just as good then, SPHP?\u00a0 Trail No. 21 was in good shape.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, but I seriously doubt we’d get that far, Loopster.\u00a0 Too late already.\u00a0 We’d probably wind up wandering through the pitch black forest looking for the trail after dark.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well then, if you think it’s better, SPHP, let’s head for the Dome Lakes!\u00a0 Decide quick, though!\u00a0 Your precious daylight’s wasting!<\/em><\/p>\n

Map or no map, the Dome Lakes route was almost certainly a better choice under the circumstances.\u00a0 Loopster might even be able to tag the summit of Saddle Mountain (10,569 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> along the way, provided the rock formations weren’t too gnarly!<\/p>\n

SPHP hesitated, then turned around, heading SW back through the grassy saddle.<\/p>\n

Wilderness Creek, SPHP?\u00a0 Really?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup!\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Puppy ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

Fine with me, SPHP, but why didn’t you choose Dome Lakes?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I don’t know, Loop.\u00a0 Mental illness, I suppose, or at least a personality disorder.\u00a0 Exploring the remote Wilderness Creek valley seems a lot more exciting than just following that ridge down to the lakes and a long dreary road hike.<\/em><\/p>\n

And if we can’t find the trail in the dark?<\/em><\/p>\n

We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.<\/em><\/p>\n

So Lupe left Elk Peak enjoying a long romp down the spacious, gentle SW slope leading to Pass 10220<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 SPHP strode after her making hay while the sun still shone.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Exploring the wide open spaces of Elk Peak’s SW slope<\/strong>. Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center) didn’t really look like much of a mountain from here! Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Frolicking on a snowbank on the way to Pass 10220. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With time of the essence and such favorable terrain, it wasn’t necessary to go all the way to Pass 10220<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Before Lupe got that far, she turned NW following one of many snow melt tributaries down to Wilderness Creek.<\/p>\n

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Heading down to the Wilderness Creek valley<\/strong>. Sheridan County High Point<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching Wilderness Creek, a series of small waterfalls drained N as the creek rushed down to the flatter, boggy region where Loop had first crossed this valley on the way to Elk Peak.\u00a0 In that same area, the Carolina Dog leapt back over to the W side of the stream.\u00a0 Heading NW just far enough to reach drier ground, she turned N again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Following waterfalls down the upper Wilderness Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Progress was rapid.\u00a0 The terrain, partly forested, but with lots of open space, too, was much easier down here than the high route taken earlier way up on the steep slopes to the W.\u00a0 The only genuine obstacles were occasional big bogs fed by tributaries of Wilderness Creek.\u00a0 These bogs forced long detours way around their W edges.<\/p>\n

As the valley broadened out, the best route drifted farther and farther from Wilderness Creek.\u00a0 Lupe eventually lost sight of it off to the E, and after a while the creek could scarcely even be heard.\u00a0 Wilderness Creek appeared to have disappeared into a lower heavily forested region.\u00a0 As Loop passed the last of the big bogs, the terrain ahead began to slope up into the trees.<\/p>\n

By now the sun was long gone.\u00a0 As the Carolina Dog entered the forest, already fading light deepened into a dim gloam.\u00a0 Before long SPHP’s tiny flashlight had to come out.\u00a0 Dreaded night had arrived.<\/p>\n

Lupe was tired.\u00a0 All the way down the Wilderness Creek valley, she’d been hanging back, taking little rest breaks and following only when SPHP was out of sight.\u00a0 It was like being stalked, always looking back to see if Looper was still coming, or listening for the tinkle of her tag.\u00a0 Now that it was dark there was no reason not to stop for a while to rest up.<\/p>\n

As a full moon rose over the ridge to the E, SPHP stroked Lupe’s big soft Dingo ears.<\/p>\n

We seem to be at that bridge you talked about crossing when we came to it, SPHP.\u00a0 What now?\u00a0 How much farther to the trail according to your map?<\/em><\/p>\n

Dunno, Loop.\u00a0 Not sure if we’re past where Wilderness Creek turns E or not.\u00a0 Even if we’re not that far yet, we ought to be before too long.\u00a0 Just guessing, I’d say we’re only a mile or so S of Coney Lake.<\/em><\/p>\n

A mile through the forest didn’t sound so bad, but maybe it wasn’t a good estimate? After a decent rest, Lupe continued N, SPHP navigating by moonlight.\u00a0 The forest went on and on, though.\u00a0 Deadfall, rocks, small streams and bogs, uphill and down, one obstacle and steep rocky hillside after another.\u00a0 In the black forest, the terrain seemed much more rugged than the topo maps had led SPHP to believe.<\/p>\n

More rest breaks were followed by more frustration.\u00a0 The helpful moon vanished.\u00a0 Hard to say at any given moment exactly what direction Lupe was going, other than that SPHP felt reasonably confident it was likely still some version of N.\u00a0 Who knew for sure, though?\u00a0 She might be going in a circle.\u00a0 Or S!<\/p>\n

No sign of Coney Lake.\u00a0 No sign of anything other than faint animal trails that gave out almost right away.\u00a0 SPHP began to worry that it might be awful easy to cross Trail No. 21 in the darkness without realizing it.\u00a0 Maybe it had already been missed?<\/p>\n

At long last, Lupe climbed to the top of a high ridge.\u00a0 Despite hopes, no trail up here, either.\u00a0 Trying to continue N, the ground soon began to drop steeply away in all directions.\u00a0 Ultimately descending toward what SPHP thought was the NE, Lupe lost what seemed like a ton of elevation, yet the terrain just kept dropping.\u00a0 The American Dingo wanted to rest again.\u00a0 Obliging, SPHP laid down in the dirt.<\/p>\n

Hope you don’t mind if I curl up, too!<\/em><\/p>\n

Please do, SPHP!\u00a0 How much farther to the trail now?\u00a0 Seems like we’ve been going forever!<\/em><\/p>\n

I know it.\u00a0 I have no idea what hour of the night it is, other than that it’s very late, or any clue where we are now.\u00a0 No sense in going any farther.<\/em><\/p>\n

We’re lost, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Well … yes!\u00a0 You could say that, at least to some degree.\u00a0 Of course, we still have a general notion of where we are, within a few miles or so.\u00a0 If we keep going, though, the most likely result is that we’ll just get even more lost.\u00a0 So sweet dreams, Loopster!\u00a0 This is it for tonight.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sleeping right on the dirt in a lonely dark forest high in the mountains after an exhausting all day march isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, never mind that the brochures aren’t all that tantalizing in the first place.\u00a0 Lupe dozed more peacefully than SPHP did, her head resting on SPHP’s hand.<\/p>\n

6-24-21, 4:00 AM?, lost in the forest<\/em> – A bit of light in the sky.\u00a0 Dawn!\u00a0 Thank heavens!\u00a0 SPHP rolled over, becoming instantly alarmed.\u00a0 Where was Lupe?<\/p>\n

Oh, there she was!\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was only a few feet away, already awake and listening intently, apparently refreshed and excited by the strange night spent lost in the wilderness.\u00a0 SPHP heard nothing but a light breeze in the pines.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, the night had been a fairly warm one.\u00a0 Chilly toward the end, but not that bad considering what it might have been.\u00a0 SPHP got up stiffly.\u00a0 Soon it would be light enough to resume the march N.\u00a0 Suddenly, Lupe was off like a shot!\u00a0 She was after something, something bigger than a squirrel.\u00a0 SPHP never saw what it was, but called her back right away.<\/p>\n

So what’s the emergency, SPHP?\u00a0 Spoil sport!\u00a0 This day was about to get off to an epic start!<\/em><\/p>\n

Save that energy, Loop!\u00a0 You can’t go running off after the wildlife.\u00a0 What did you see, anyway?<\/em><\/p>\n

Not telling!<\/em><\/p>\n

Breakfast.\u00a0 Lupe crunched up the last of her Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 SPHP had applesauce.\u00a0 As soon as it was light enough to see some brown in Lupe’s fur, the return from Elk Peak adventure got underway again.<\/p>\n

Losing so much elevation at the end last night had been a big mistake.\u00a0 Not going see any landmarks to navigate by way down here in the dense forest!\u00a0 At least the sunlight gave some idea of the general direction Lupe was going.\u00a0 For 2 hours she roamed N or NW through gently undulating territory, gradually gaining elevation most of the time.\u00a0 Nothing looked at all familiar.<\/p>\n

At last, Looper was high enough to catch a glimpse of Saddle Mountain and Elk Peak.\u00a0 A bit farther, and a big mountain could be seen off to the W, but whether it was the Sheridan County High Point or Dome Peak wasn’t clear.\u00a0 Soon Lupe reached a better view.\u00a0 Dome Peak was off to the NW.\u00a0 Coney Lake had to be just down the steep slope directly ahead!<\/p>\n

Getting down to Coney Lake was a bit of an unexpected ordeal.\u00a0 Lupe was somewhere E of the ravine full of white boulders, and trying to go N directly down to the lake kept cliffing her out.\u00a0 Eventually, working W to the ravine solved the problem.<\/p>\n

And that was it, as far as adventure was concerned.\u00a0 Picking up Trail No. 21 again at the SE corner of Coney Lake meant a known route back.\u00a0 Still weary from yesterday’s exertions, SPHP plodded along, pausing to rest after each tiny uphill stretch.<\/p>\n

Somehow the American Dingo showed no ill effects.\u00a0 She amused herself searching for squirrels in the sunlit forest.\u00a0 Too bad SPHP couldn’t bottle up some of that energy and take a giant swig!<\/p>\n

6-24-21, 9:01 AM, Coney Creek trailhead, USFS Road No. 26 – <\/em>26 hours and 20 minutes after leaving for Elk Peak, the Carolina Dog’s longest “day hike” ever was over.\u00a0 Eager to curl up on her pink blanket, Lupe leapt into the RAV4.\u00a0 Food, sleep, more food, more sleep, was pretty much it for the rest of the day.\u00a0 After an afternoon visit to the Dead Swede picnic ground along the beautiful South Tongue River, the lucky Dingo grabbed the last dispersed camping spot next to the spruce forest 0.5 mile SW of Owen Creek campground.<\/p>\n

During an evening stroll out to sniff the air under a sky that looked like rain, SPHP wondered how that last mile back to Coney Lake could have possibly taken so many hours?\u00a0 No telling where Lupe had been, but it must have been a very convoluted route indeed!\u00a0 Only two things were certain.\u00a0 She’d never be there again, and as beautiful as the Wilderness Creek valley had been, next time the American Dingo was taking that big ridge down to Dome Lakes!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Elk Peak<\/strong>, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 6-23-21<\/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 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Dome Peak, Bighorn Mountains, WY (6-27-20)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

The Sheridan County High Point, Bighorn Mountains, WY (6-27-20)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2021<\/span> Dingo Vacations to New Mexico, Wyoming & the West Coast Adventure Inde<\/strong><\/span>x<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, Dingo 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 1-3 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming! 6-22-21, 7:40 PM – Free at last!\u00a0 A whole month had shot by after getting back from New Mexico, but Lupe’s 2nd fabulous Dingo Vacation of 2021 was finally underway.\u00a0 Despite a late start this morning, the Carolina Dog had made it to … Continue reading Elk Peak, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (6-23-21 & 6-24-21)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35105,"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":[1416],"tags":[105,185,106,26,1459,104,275],"class_list":["post-35121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1416","tag-american-dingo","tag-bighorn-mountains","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-elk-peak","tag-lupe","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_0728.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\/35121","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=35121"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35121\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39204,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35121\/revisions\/39204"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/35105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=35121"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=35121"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=35121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}