{"id":5916,"date":"2016-06-19T08:10:08","date_gmt":"2016-06-19T14:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=5916"},"modified":"2019-04-06T22:59:56","modified_gmt":"2019-04-07T04:59:56","slug":"pitcher-hill-bisbee-hill-markley-hill-poland-hill-laramie-mountains-wy-5-30-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=5916","title":{"rendered":"Pitcher Hill, Bisbee Hill, Markley Hill & Poland Hill, Laramie Mountains, WY (5-30-16)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Morning, and a glorious new day from the looks of it!\u00a0 Lupe, of course, was already awake.\u00a0 She was eager to dash outside the G6.\u00a0 SPHP let her out.\u00a0 While Lupe sniffed around the boulders and searched the trees for squirrels, SPHP\u00a0consumed peach yogurt.\u00a0 Nearby, the rugged high points of Eagle Rock<\/a><\/span> (8,320 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0were lit up by the sun.\u00a0 Lupe had been up there just yesterday evening.<\/p>\n

The yogurt disappeared.\u00a0 Time to go!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP headed E on USFS Road No. 714, but stopped briefly 0.33 mile SE of Eagle Rock.\u00a0 The whole SE face of the mountain could be seen from here.\u00a0 SPHP still wondered if the middle high point or one farther to the N was the true summit.\u00a0 From this vantage point, it looked like the\u00a0high point\u00a0to the N was slightly higher.<\/p>\n

\"Eagle<\/a>
Eagle Rock<\/a><\/span> (8,320 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> from the SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Flowers<\/a>
Flowers in the fields SE of Eagle Rock. The orange ones were unusually shaped. SPHP had no idea what kind of flower they were.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe’s next peakbagging goal was Pitcher Hill<\/a><\/span> (7,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> located less than 5 miles ESE of Eagle Rock.\u00a0 SPHP expected no trouble finding it.\u00a0 In fact, SPHP had seen a big hill from Eagle Rock that was probably it.\u00a0 The stony top of the hill looked like something Lupe\u00a0wouldn’t\u00a0even be able to climb.\u00a0 SPHP hoped Lupe could find a way up.<\/p>\n

USFS Road No. 714 curved S, as expected.\u00a0 Then it curved W.\u00a0 Any time now, the intersection with No. 712 should appear.\u00a0 It didn’t.\u00a0 SPHP drove on.\u00a0 Finally, it was clear something was wrong.\u00a0 Eagle Rock was again off to the N, and not that far away.\u00a0 SPHP stopped to check the maps.\u00a0 This had to be No. 712 already, but where\u00a0had No. 714 turned into No. 712?\u00a0\u00a0SPHP was supposed to have turned E, not W, on No. 712\u00a0there.<\/p>\n

SPHP turned the G6 around.\u00a0 A couple of miles later, it all became clear.\u00a0 SPHP found the junction. \u00a0No. 712 going W was a good gravel road, just like No. 714.\u00a0 Going E though, it was\u00a0only a minor dirt\u00a0side\u00a0road.\u00a0 That was why the junction hadn’t even\u00a0looked like a junction.\u00a0 Fortunately, No. 712 going E was still\u00a0good enough to be passable for the G6,\u00a0provided SPHP drove very slowly.<\/p>\n

The G6 crawled along No. 712 going E.\u00a0 A side road to the S\u00a0marked as No. 712.D appeared.\u00a0 Just beyond it was No. 710.\u00a0 This all looked right according to the map.\u00a0 No. 710 passes 0.25 mile N of Pitcher Hill.\u00a0 SPHP turned onto No. 710, but went only a short distance further before parking the G6.\u00a0 Lupe would start from here, even though she was still 0.75 mile NW of Pitcher Hill.<\/p>\n

There was one problem.\u00a0 Where was Pitcher Hill?\u00a0\u00a0This was open rolling grassland. \u00a0Lupe had a good view of what was around, but Pitcher Hill was missing!\u00a0 The big stony hill that SPHP had been assuming was Pitcher Hill was in sight, but it\u00a0seemed to be a long way off to the S.\u00a0 Could that really be it?\u00a0 It didn’t seem right at all.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP went up a gentle rise to the SE for a better look.<\/p>\n

SPHP stopped up at the top of the\u00a0gentle rise to study the maps.\u00a0 It was for certain Lupe wouldn’t be able to climb Pitcher Hill, if SPHP wasn’t even able to figure out where it was!\u00a0 Lupe wondered what was going on.\u00a0 Why are we stopping here?<\/p>\n

SPHP had two maps of the area.\u00a0 They both showed Pitcher Hill, but they didn’t agree on its location!\u00a0 At least it was clear that the prominent stony hill SPHP had thought was Pitcher Hill couldn’t possibly be it.\u00a0 That hill was too far away to the S.\u00a0 It was\u00a0almost certainly\u00a0where the Russell Benchmark (8,227 ft.) was.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The stony mountain in the distance was the one SPHP had thought was Pitcher Hill. However, it was clear from the maps that it was too far away and in the wrong direction. So where was the real Pitcher Hill? Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The old Medicine Bow National Forest map showed Pitcher Hill was 0.5 mile SSW of where Lupe was on the opposite (S) side of Lodgepole Creek.\u00a0 Although the creek wasn’t in view, Lupe could see a gap that the creek must be flowing through in that direction.\u00a0 If the Medicine Bow National Forest map was right, Pitcher Hill had to be the modest looking hill on the far side of the gap.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
SPHP’s old Medicine Bow National Forest map placed Pitcher Hill on the S (opposite) side of Lodgepole Creek. If the map was correct, Pitcher Hill was the hill shown on the L in this photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Peakbagger.com topo map showed Pitcher Hill was 0.75 mile to the SE and on the N (same) side of Lodgepole Creek.\u00a0 A low forested ridge was seen in that direction, but it didn’t look very impressive at all, hardly even worthy of a name.\u00a0 Was that Pitcher Hill?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
According to the Peakbagger.com topo map, the unimpressive forested ridge in the background was Pitcher Hill. USFS Road No. 710.A is seen in front of it. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For a minute or two, SPHP pondered, still uncertain.\u00a0 In the end, SPHP concluded the Peakbagger.com topo map had to be right.\u00a0 The topo map was much more detailed than the old Medicine Bow National Forest map.\u00a0 The topo map showed that Pitcher Hill didn’t boast much elevation gain.\u00a0\u00a0Small wonder it didn’t look very impressive.<\/p>\n

Well, Lupe was out peakbagging, and if Peakbagger.com said that low ridge to the SE was where Pitcher Hill was, that was\u00a0the hill Lupe was going to climb!\u00a0 Lupe was happy when SPHP finally made a decision and started moving again.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP crossed USFS Road No. 710.A and entered\u00a0a scraggly pine forest, approaching Pitcher Hill from the NW.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP skirted around the NE side of the first rocky high point.\u00a0 It was clear there was higher ground a short distance beyond it.\u00a0 Soon Lupe was up on top of the NW end of the Pitcher Hill<\/a><\/span> (7,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0summit ridge.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe up on the NW end of the Pitcher Hill summit ridge. A lower rocky point she went around the NE (R) side of is shown on the R. Photo looks NW toward the junction of USFS Roads No. 710.A (L) and No. 710 (R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looking SE along the narrow summit ridge, SPHP saw that the true summit was farther SE.\u00a0 It was only a matter of a few feet higher than where Lupe was already, but of course Lupe would go over there.\u00a0 SPHP also saw something else.\u00a0 Lupe’s nemesis was here!\u00a0 Cactus!<\/p>\n

Although SPHP hadn’t seen any cactus at all in the Laramie Mountains until now, and none on the way from the G6 to Pitcher Hill, there was plenty of it along the summit ridge.\u00a0 Lupe understood it was there, too.\u00a0 She became very cautious.\u00a0 SPHP put her leash on her to better help her avoid injury.\u00a0 After a short break at the NW end of the summit ridge, Lupe and SPHP started SE for the true summit.<\/p>\n

\"Part<\/a>
Part of Lupe’s cactus-infested route to the true summit of Pitcher Hill, seen just ahead. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Pitcher Hill summit ridge was quite narrow, very rocky and somewhat discontinuous.\u00a0 Cactus was abundant.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP had to scramble up and down the rocks.\u00a0 It would have been fun, if the cactus hadn’t been around to make the whole process worrisome.\u00a0 Lupe made it, though!\u00a0 A tricky little climb\u00a0brought Lupe to the true summit of Pitcher Hill.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe reaches the true summit of Pitcher Hill<\/a><\/span> (7,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>! Lodgepole Creek is seen below on the L. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The true summit wasn’t very far from the SE end of the summit ridge.\u00a0 Lupe went all the way to the end of the ridge.\u00a0 The views from Pitcher Hill were amazingly good, considering how unimpressive this ridge had seemed when Lupe and SPHP\u00a0first saw it.\u00a0 The SE end of the ridge was sunny and open, offering a panoramic view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Russell Benchmark from the real Pitcher Hill. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Lodgepole<\/a>
Lodgepole Creek from the SE end of Pitcher Hill. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There was an easier way up to the summit of Pitcher Hill than Lupe had taken.\u00a0 It looked very easy to come up from the SW almost right to the summit.\u00a0 Lupe couldn’t go down that way, though.\u00a0 SPHP had left the backpack back at the NW end of the summit ridge.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP made one more scramble back over to the NW end of the ridge to retrieve the backpack, dodging cactus again\u00a0all along the way.\u00a0 Scraggly pines provided some shade there, so Lupe and SPHP took another short\u00a0break.\u00a0 For a minor objective, Pitcher Hill had made things rather interesting.\u00a0 The views, though not spectacular,\u00a0had been surprisingly worthwhile.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP returned to the G6 (9:49 AM), staying\u00a0on the road\u00a0once Lupe reached No. 710.\u00a0 SPHP saw only one cactus down off the Pitcher Hill summit, but didn’t want to take an unnecessary chance of Lupe getting injured.\u00a0 Pitcher Hill was lower than any of the other peaks Lupe climbed in the Laramie Mountains on this trip.\u00a0 Perhaps that was why it was the only place Lupe encountered any cactus.<\/p>\n

Lupe’s next two peakbagging goals,\u00a0Bisbee Hill<\/a><\/span> (8,480 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and Markley Hill<\/a><\/span> (8,520 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>,\u00a0were a pair of hills close to each other that Lupe had seen the day before from the top of much higher Pole Mountain<\/span><\/a> (9,040 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 At least SPHP knew how to find them!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP set out in the G6 to find a place from which Lupe could start her climbs.<\/p>\n

\"Bisbee<\/a>
Bisbee Hill (L) and Markley Hill (Center) from USFS Road No. 712 (Telephone Road). Happy Jack Hwy No. 210 where SPHP ultimately parked the G6 is seen on the R. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Almost straight W of Bisbee Hill, SPHP found a perfect place to park the G6 at the S end of a long pullout along the W side of\u00a0Happy Jack Hwy No. 210\u00a0(10:30 AM, 57\u00b0F).<\/p>\n

While SPHP had complete confidence Lupe would have no problems climbing Markley Hill, Bisbee Hill was another matter.\u00a0 It looked very rocky and steep.\u00a0 Bisbee Hill\u00a0was only 0.25 mile away, so Lupe and SPHP\u00a0crossed the highway and headed for\u00a0it\u00a0first.<\/p>\n

\"Bisbee<\/a>
Bisbee Hill wasn’t that high, but the huge rock knob of a summit looked rather daunting for a Carolina Dog. Would Lupe find a way up? Photo looks E from Happy Jack Hwy No. 210.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP had an easy climb up the forested slope to the long saddle between Bisbee and Markley Hills.\u00a0 As the ground leveled out, Lupe turned N toward Bisbee Hill.\u00a0 When SPHP first saw the W\u00a0half of the\u00a0S face of the mountain, hope almost disappeared that there would be any way for Lupe to get up on Bisbee Hill.\u00a0 It was a sheer cliff!<\/p>\n

Getting a little closer, though, the E\u00a0half of the S face came into view.\u00a0 It looked much more promising.\u00a0 Lupe began her climb of Bisbee Hill<\/a><\/span> (8,480 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0from there.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe’s route\u00a0was kind of steep and rocky, of course, but the way up was surprisingly easy.\u00a0 Soon Lupe was perched on the highest rocks near the W end of the summit!\u00a0 Success!<\/p>\n

\"Hah!<\/a>
Hah! Piece of cake! Lupe sits on the true summit of Bisbee Hill<\/a><\/span> (8,480 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks W. The G6 is parked along Happy Jack Hwy No. 210 on the L.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking SSW from Bisbee Hill. Pole Mountain<\/a><\/span> (9,040 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center R) and Leg Benchmark<\/a><\/span> (9,055 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Far R) where Lupe had been just the day before are in view. Happy Jack Hwy No. 210 is seen below on the R, too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Thickly<\/a>
Thickly forested Markley Hill, Lupe’s next peakbagging objective, is seen not too far away beyond Lupe’s rump. Photo looks S from Bisbee Hill.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP shared water and a couple of chocolate coconut granola bars to celebrate Lupe’s successful ascent of Bisbee Hill.\u00a0 After a little while spent relaxing and enjoying the views, it was time to go.\u00a0 SPHP started down first.\u00a0 Lupe waited for the signal that she could come, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe waits on top of Bisbee Hill for SPHP’s signal that it’s OK for her to begin her descent. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP went back down the E\u00a0half of the S face of Bisbee Hill.\u00a0 It seemed to be the only possible safe route down, and left Lupe and SPHP at a good point from which to\u00a0start the trek along the long saddle going S to Markley Hill.<\/p>\n

Once down off Bisbee Hill, Lupe\u00a0continued losing\u00a0elevation slowly as she explored the forest for 0.33 mile on her way to Markley Hill.\u00a0\u00a0 Arriving at\u00a0the lowest part of the saddle N of Markley Hill, Lupe discovered\u00a0a little clearing and a nice surprise.<\/p>\n

A big snowdrift was on the S edge of the clearing!\u00a0 Lupe was excited!\u00a0 She\u00a0frisked on the snow, cooling off and having a great time.<\/p>\n

\"Overjoyed<\/a>
Overjoyed Lupe frisks on the snow drift at the base of Markley Hill. Anyone want to play with a really cool American Dingo?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The climb up Markley Hill was straightforward.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP went up a long moderately steep slope through the forest.\u00a0 When Lupe reached the top of a broad ridgeline coming up from the NW, she turned SE following the ridge higher.\u00a0 More rocks and boulders appeared as Lupe got close to the summit, but they presented no serious\u00a0obstacle.\u00a0 Soon Lupe was on top.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe on the true summit of Markley Hill<\/a><\/span> (8,520 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Markley Hill had appeared heavily forested from a distance, so SPHP wasn’t anticipating there would be much in the way of views.\u00a0 However the summit area was rockier than expected,\u00a0and there were fewer trees than SPHP had thought.\u00a0 Lupe actually\u00a0did have partial\u00a0views toward the S and SW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Pole Mountain<\/span><\/a> (9,040 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) from Markley Hill. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Although<\/a>
Although there were partial views to the S and SW, not much could be seen to the N except trees. Here Lupe is on the highest rock on Markley Hill. Photo looks NNE toward the forest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP didn’t dilly-dally too long up on Markley Hill before starting back to the G6.\u00a0\u00a0Lucky Lupe\u00a0got to frisk around briefly on the big snow drift one more time.\u00a0 By 11:59 AM, Lupe\u00a0and SPHP were back at the G6.<\/p>\n

SPHP\u00a0started driving\u00a0S on Happy\u00a0Jack Hwy\u00a0No. 210.\u00a0 The plan was for Lupe to climb Point Crawford<\/a><\/span> (8,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Bennett Hill<\/a><\/span> (8,440 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> next.\u00a0 SPHP knew they were only a few miles away to the SW.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP left Happy Jack Hwy to take USFS Road No. 707 (Headquarters Road).\u00a0 No. 707\u00a0goes by both peaks\u00a0less than 0.5 mile to the E of them.<\/p>\n

After driving by on No. 707, SPHP still wasn’t quite certain exactly which high points\u00a0were Point Crawford and Bennett Hill.\u00a0 SPHP turned N on USFS Road No. 705 (Blair-Wallis Road).\u00a0 It was getting to be lunch time, and despite a lack of rain in the forecast, clouds seemed to be building up fast in the SW.\u00a0 Maybe it was time for Lupe\u00a0to eat, and take a little break from peakbagging?\u00a0 A sign at the intersection\u00a0had indicated the Wallis picnic ground was only 0.5 mile N.<\/p>\n

It turned out there weren’t any signs at the Wallis Picnic Ground itself.\u00a0 SPHP drove right on by.\u00a0 When\u00a0the picnic ground\u00a0didn’t materialize farther up the road, SPHP turned around and went back.<\/p>\n

The Wallis picnic ground appeared to be defunct.\u00a0 A wooden rail fence enclosed a big flat round parking area next to Middle Crow Creek.\u00a0 Across the creek, tucked next to the shady forest, was a small building and a couple of picnic tables.\u00a0 Rather inconveniently, the bridge to that side of the creek was gone.\u00a0 The only sign around was a small one nailed to\u00a0a wooden fence railing saying “No Overnight Camping”.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe next to Middle Crow Creek at the defunct Wallis picnic ground. The bridge across the creek to the old picnic tables was out.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clouds sprinkled rain, but didn’t accomplish much. While having lunch in the G6, SPHP studied the topo map.\u00a0 SPHP suspected that a somewhat barren big hill in view to the NE was Point Crawford, but was less certain about the location of Bennett Hill.\u00a0 A small forested hill in view to the SE might be it, or Bennett Hill might have been one of the high rock outcroppings that had been in view from the E on USFS Road No. 707.<\/p>\n

The light rain stopped, but there were still big clouds around.\u00a0 It felt cooler out.\u00a0 Instead of tackling a big hill like Point Crawford, SPHP decided Lupe should go farther S and check out Turtle Rock<\/a><\/span> (8,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and Poland Hill<\/a><\/span> (8,480 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 It meant another little drive, but that was OK.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP had seen Turtle Rock before from a distance.\u00a0 Turtle Rock was a dramatic\u00a0looking mountain.\u00a0\u00a0Rock walls\u00a0forming a giant horseshoe shape rose up from the\u00a0surrounding grasslands.\u00a0 Several distinct high points were spread out along the ridge.\u00a0 The maps showed that Vedauwoo Glen\u00a0campground was hidden inside the horseshoe, surrounded by the giant rock walls except at the only entrance\u00a0from the S.<\/p>\n

In truth, SPHP didn’t think there was any way Lupe could climb Turtle Rock.\u00a0 From a distance, the nearly solid rock mountain looked too steep and unforgiving.\u00a0 As\u00a0the G6\u00a0approached Turtle Rock from the SW on USFS Road No. 700, climbing Turtle Rock seemed even less feasible than before.<\/p>\n

\"Turtle<\/a>
Turtle Rock from USFS Road No. 700. It really didn’t look like anything Lupe and SPHP could climb. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some sort of event must have been going on at Turtle Rock.\u00a0 SPHP\u00a0drove on\u00a0No. 700 all the way to the intersection with No. 720, which leads to Vedauwoo Glen campground.\u00a0 Vehicles were coming and going.\u00a0 More than 50 were parked in the fields near the intersection.\u00a0 A big sign said this was a fee area.<\/p>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 Crowds, fees and an unclimbable mountain.\u00a0 Not exactly the combination Lupe and SPHP normally seek out.\u00a0 Mentally, SPHP crossed Turtle\u00a0Rock off Lupe’s list of peakbagging goals.\u00a0 Turtle Rock looked awesome, but climbing it wasn’t gonna happen!<\/p>\n

On the way to Turtle Rock, Lupe and SPHP had driven by\u00a0S of Poland Hill.\u00a0 Poland Hill hadn’t looked all that promising either, but at least it was a much smaller rocky crag.\u00a0 Maybe Lupe could get to the top?\u00a0 SPHP doubted it, but it seemed worth a try.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP drove back W on No.\u00a0700.\u00a0 Shortly before reaching I-80, SPHP parked the G6 at the start of USFS Road No. 700.G (2:01 PM, 54\u00b0F).<\/p>\n

\"Poland<\/a>
Poland Hill<\/a><\/span> (8,480 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, seen here, is a mile W of Turtle Rock.\u00a0 Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP began the journey to Poland Hill heading NW on\u00a0No. 700.G near a fence line.\u00a0 The road came to a low spot, climbed a small hill, and started losing elevation again as it\u00a0turned NE toward Poland Hill.\u00a0 When the road\u00a0curved farther E on its way to a pond that was now in view, Lupe and SPHP left the road.<\/p>\n

A wide marshy area filled with tall bushes and aspen trees was directly ahead.\u00a0 Lupe had no problems going right on through it all, but SPHP had a much trickier time trying to find a way over 3 separate small streams and a lot of wet, mucky ground.\u00a0 SPHP finally managed to get across without getting too wet and muddy.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP continued N up a much drier grassy hillside, and arrived on flatter, very thinly forested ground strewn with scattered boulders and odd rock outcroppings W of Poland Hill.\u00a0 The view of the rest of the way up was not the least bit encouraging.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe on one of the odd rock outcroppings near Poland Hill. This view of the rest of the way up wasn’t very encouraging. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP scouted out the W side of the line of rocks at the top of Poland Hill.\u00a0 It was clear there wasn’t any feasible\u00a0way up\u00a0for Lupe from any other direction.\u00a0 Poland Hill had two high points.\u00a0 A\u00a0huge rock at the N end was definitely the true summit.\u00a0 Some big rocks near the S end formed the second highest point.\u00a0 The S high point appeared to be 5 to 10 feet lower than the N summit.<\/p>\n

In between the high points was a line of huge, rounded rocks.\u00a0 Near the top of the hill,\u00a0the rocks were so huge, and the sides so steep,\u00a0it\u00a0didn’t look possible to go over or around them.\u00a0 If there was any way up, Lupe would have very limited mobility along the ridge.\u00a0 It wouldn’t be possible to maneuver from the N summit toward the S high point or vice-versa.<\/p>\n

At first glance, SPHP didn’t see any way up at all.\u00a0 However, a little scouting around revealed a way up some boulders that brought Lupe all the way up onto the ridgeline.\u00a0 She arrived\u00a0at a point very close to the S high point.\u00a0 SPHP considered getting even this high a victory for Lupe.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe reaches the ridgeline on Poland Hill a little way N of the S high point (not pictured). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Close to where Lupe came up, she discovered a secret, hidden grotto.\u00a0 The rocks just N of the S high point contained a\u00a0depression\u00a0several feet deep\u00a0and a dozen feet wide.\u00a0 At the bottom was a cool pool of water with green plants growing in it.<\/p>\n

<\/a>
Lupe perches above the secret hidden oasis on Poland Hill. Turtle Rock can be seen in the background. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although it had been mostly sunny on the way to Poland Hill, clouds were now moving in again.\u00a0 What had been a light W breeze, became a strong W wind.\u00a0 The air felt colder.\u00a0 Lupe didn’t enjoy the wind at all.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe sits exposed to a strong W wind up on Poland Hill. Turtle Rock is again visible in the background. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The true summit of Poland Hill at the N end of the ridge is the big boulder seen beyond Lupe. Lupe stands above the N rim of her secret oasis. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had come up quite close to the S high point.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP could both see it.\u00a0 It was right there!\u00a0 So close, and yet so far.\u00a0\u00a0SPHP explored a big crack between boulders, but it soon became apparent there simply wasn’t any\u00a0practical way up.\u00a0 Lupe posed for a photo of the S high point on the highest rock she could reach safely.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Almost there, but not quite! Lupe on the highest rock she could get up to on Poland Hill<\/span><\/a> (8,480 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. The close, but unattainable, S high point looms over her. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe never did get to the top of Poland Hill, not even to the top of the S high point.\u00a0 She was probably 25 feet +\/- short of the true summit, considerably closer than that to the top of the S high point, but still\u00a0not close enough to claim success, even for Dingo work, on such a small mountain.<\/p>\n

Lupe didn’t care.\u00a0 She’d crossed streams and marshes, climbed high boulders, discovered a secret hidden oasis, and gazed upon distant mountains while exposed to\u00a0the wild and free\u00a0W wind!\u00a0 Speaking of which, Lupe was entirely ready to get down out of the annoying wild and free W wind.\u00a0 SPHP took a couple more\u00a0quick photos of the views, and Lupe began her descent.<\/p>\n

\"Looking<\/a>
Looking NE toward Twin Mountain<\/a><\/span> (8,831 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and the Sherman Benchmark from Poland Hill.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Turtle<\/a>
Turtle Rock from Poland Hill. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP ventured much farther W toward a house and private property near the edge of the Medicine Bow National Forest on the way back to the G6.\u00a0 This allowed Lupe (actually SPHP) to\u00a0avoid the worst\u00a0of the marshy land to the S.\u00a0 Sadly, there were lots of Lupe Treasures along the way.\u00a0 SPHP gathered up as many as possible, but wasn’t\u00a0truly prepared to carry much.<\/p>\n

The W wind was still blowing\u00a0briskly when Lupe reached the G6 (3:46 PM, 54\u00b0F).\u00a0 Lupe hopped right in the G6 ASAP to escape it, leaving SPHP struggling to keep the Lupe Treasures from blowing away.\u00a0 From a peakbagging standpoint, Lupe’s journey to Poland Hill had been a near miss, but still a\u00a0failure.\u00a0 As an adventure, though, it was a complete success!<\/p>\n

<\/a>
Lupe at\u00a0the hidden grotto on Poland Hill.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe Treasures gathered: 13 aluminum cans, assorted pieces of Styrofoam.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Next Adventure<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\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

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s 2016 Laramie Mountains, WY Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Morning, and a glorious new day from the looks of it!\u00a0 Lupe, of course, was already awake.\u00a0 She was eager to dash outside the G6.\u00a0 SPHP let her out.\u00a0 While Lupe sniffed around the boulders and searched the trees for squirrels, SPHP\u00a0consumed peach yogurt.\u00a0 Nearby, the rugged high points of Eagle Rock (8,320 ft.)\u00a0were lit … Continue reading Pitcher Hill, Bisbee Hill, Markley Hill & Poland Hill, Laramie Mountains, WY (5-30-16)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5896,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[648],"tags":[105,657,106,26,104,658,11,656,659,275],"class_list":["post-5916","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2016-laramie-mountains-wyoming","tag-american-dingo","tag-bisbee-hill","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-markley-hill","tag-peakbagging","tag-pitcher-hill","tag-poland-hill","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/IMG_1110.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\/5916","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=5916"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5916\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21609,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5916\/revisions\/21609"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5916"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5916"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}