Black Mountain, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-3-19)

Day 8 of Lupe’s 1st 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming!

Squirrels, deer, elk and even a moose!  Nothing like a frenzied barking spree to start a day off right!  The dawn patrol drive along USFS Road No. 16 to the start of No. 222 was one Dingo delight after another.  The Carolina Dog’s response had been overwhelmingly enthusiastic!

At the start of USFS Road No. 222. Photo looks SSE.

100 yards on No. 222, and the road curved E (L) revealing a stream ford.  The G6 was done.  No matter.  Black Mountain (9,489 ft.) was less than a mile due E.

We’ll take it on paw from here! Only 2 miles to Black Mountain at most, even as the trail goes! Photo looks E.

6:15 AM, 45ºF, USFS Road No. 222 – The stream, a minor tributary of the Little Tongue River, was an easy rock hop.  On the other side, a broad, straight, level trail went S (R).  The road went NE (L).  No signs.  Which way?  SPHP checked the topo map.

Stick with the road, Loopster!

Lupe passed by a couple of occupied dispersed camping sites as No. 222 started uphill.  Before long, the road leveled out and curved E.  The sky had been mostly cloudy on the drive over here.  Now fog in the treetops lent an air of mystery.

A mere 7 minutes after rock-hopping the first stream, Lupe came to the Little Tongue River.  It wasn’t any bigger, just another rock hop.

We’ve barely started, and here we are at the Little Tongue River already! Photo looks E.

After crossing the Little Tongue River, USFS Road No. 222 curved SE (R) proceeding up the river valley, although not close to the stream.  Even if there hadn’t been the 2 fords, the road was too rough in spots for the G6.  High clearance vehicles wouldn’t have had any problem, though.

The fog thickened as Lupe steadily gained elevation.  Not good, but she kept going.  About 0.67 mile from the Little Tongue River ford, the road ended at a circle around a single large pine.  The American Dingo had reached the start of Trail No. 011.

At the turnaround circle at the end of USFS Road No. 222. Photo looks NW.
Even though it’s foggy, let’s keep going! Maybe we’ll climb out of it? Loop at the start of Trail No. 011. Photo looks E.

Trail No. 011 was easy to follow.  Wide and well-beaten, the trail went E.  As Looper trotted along it, the sky brightened.  The fog soon dissipated.  Good news, but at least so far, the forest still hid any views.

Before too long, No. 011 began a series of long switchbacks higher.  The rate of climb increased.  Higher up, the switchbacks shortened as they brought Lupe farther N.

On Trail No. 011.

Loop must have been within 150 to 200 feet of the top when the terrain finally leveled out.  A level stretch on a shoulder of the mountain SE of the summit led to a much rockier region and the first views of the day.  The best was of Cloud Peak (13,167 ft.) far to the SSE.

At one of the first good viewpoints. Cloud Peak (L). Photo looks SSE.
Black Tooth Mountain (13,005 ft.) (Center) and Cloud Peak (just R of Center). Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.

Approaching the summit region, Lupe came to a wall of rock.  Staying S of this wall, the trail went NW to an outhouse.  A sharp bend E near the outhouse led to a rough ramp constructed of flat rocks.  At the upper end of the ramp, the trail bent sharply back to the NW again, but this time on the NE side of the wall of rock.

Approaching the wall of rock as Lupe reaches Black Mountain’s summit region. Photo looks NW.
Near the outhouse. Photo looks NW.
Heading up the rough ramp. Photo looks E.
On the NE side of the wall of rock. Photo looks N.

The last section of Trail No. 011 was quite short, but the most fun of all!  Heading generally NW, the trail skirted along the NE side of the wall of rock.  Lupe could see a huge amount of territory!  Off to the E, foothills of the Bighorn Range overlooked an ocean of clouds hiding the prairies of NE Wyoming.

Getting close to the top. Photo looks NW.

At the very end, a little switchback led up onto the summit block.  The old Black Mountain fire lookout was just ahead!  A huge boulder right next to it appeared to be the true summit of Black Mountain (9,489 ft.).  Lupe leapt up onto it to claim her peakbagging success!

On the summit block approaching the fire lookout. Photo looks NW.
Perched atop Black Mountain. Photo looks NW.
At the true summit.
The Dingo guru of Black Mountain lost in meditation. Photo looks NE.

The Black Mountain fire lookout appeared to have been abandoned for many years.  The entrance to the balcony surrounding it was chained off.  Slipping under the chain, Lupe took a look around.  The balcony boards were weathered, but firm, except at the far corner where several boards were broken.

To the N and W, a huge expanse of the Bighorn National Forest was in sight, but Loop saw no other sharp peaks.  Twin Buttes (8,235 ft.) looked small and insignificant from here.

Looking N.
View to the W. Lots of forest, but no sharp peaks.
Twin Buttes (R). Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

The ocean of clouds washing up against the foothills to the E made it seem as if the Bighorn Range guarded the edge of a continent.  Nothing could be seen of the prairies below the billowing white sea.  A much higher layer of clouds wasn’t as thick or continuous.

On the summit rock with a view of the foothills. Photo looks E.
Looking back down the trail from the summit. Photo looks SE.
Gazing across the ocean of clouds. Photo looks E with help from the telephoto lens.

For a while, Lupe and SPHP sat together by the chain at the entrance to the fire lookout balcony.  The sun shone weakly through the thin layer of high clouds.  A chilly 5-10 mph NW breeze sprang up.  6 miles to the S, Lookout Mountain (10,147 ft.), where Lupe had been only yesterday, appeared slightly higher, but not very dramatic – just a big ridge.

SPHP still wondered if the 2 higher peaks beyond it had been correctly identified as Dome Peak (10,828 ft.) and the Sheridan County High Point (11,020 ft.)?

The most impressive attractions, of course, were Cloud Peak (13,167 ft.) and Black Tooth Mountain (13,005 ft.), which appeared close together much farther SSE.

Lookout Mountain (Foreground) with possibly the Sheridan County High Point (L) and Dome Peak (R) beyond it. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.
Black Tooth Mountain (R) and Cloud Peak (far R). Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.

Exploring the summit region, Lupe discovered a survey marker on rock formations outside of a cable serving as a handrail along Trail 011.  The marker was stamped “Black Mtn. No. 2”.  An arrow pointed toward the true summit and fire lookout.  However, only a small metal bar stuck up out of the summit boulder.  If another survey marker was still around, it must have been hidden under the fire lookout.

Loop standing close to where she discovered the Black Mtn. No. 2 survey marker. Photo looks SE.
Black Mtn. No. 2.

A happy hour raced by.  Despite the early morning fog, the luck of the Dingo had held long enough for Lupe to get to see the world from Black Mountain.  Not even 9:00 AM yet!  Still plenty of time to visit another peak or two, if she got going.  Black Mountain had been fun, and with such a good trail all the way to the top, pretty easy, too.  However, it was time to hit the trail again.

Looking down Trail No. 011 from Black Mountain’s summit boulder. Photo looks E.

The descent was super easy.  Lupe did a little more sight-seeing while still up in rocky region.  Down in the forest, she sniffed and explored.  Near the end, she plopped down in the Little Tongue River to cool off.

Checking out the views on the way down. Photo looks SSE.

And that turned out to be it for this Dingo Vacation.  Lupe’s luck ran out.  Despite plans to visit Freeze Out Point (8,305 ft.) next, it didn’t happen.  Minutes after reaching the G6 (9:49 AM) fog came sweeping up from the E.  Sea level was rising.  No point in staying.  It seemed likely to last.

The clouds were 3,000 feet thick.  A strange day for July!  Down below the murk, it was so cool that SPHP let the heater add a little warmth to the G6.  The high plains of Wyoming were the lushest SPHP had ever seen them this time of year.  Hills were yellow with blossoms.

Loop had a grand time barking ferociously at cows and horses along I-90, but arrived home looking dejected.  The excitement was over.  Her fun in the Bighorn Mountains had been cut short.  What a grand time it had all been!

The American Dingo needn’t have worried.  Lupe’s 2019 adventures in the Bighorn Mountains weren’t over yet!  Before July was out, she would return.  The best was yet to come!

Oh, I hope you return to join me on my next Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains! We have a couple of splendid mighty peaks to climb! Relaxing in the Little Tongue River on the way back from Black Mountain, 7-3-19

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Black Mountain, Laramie Range, Wyoming (6-8-17)

Day 1 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Laramie Range, Wyoming & Beyond

Nine months gone.  Practically an eternity!  Late in the evening, Lupe laid sad-faced and bored on the even sadder-looking old couch clawed up by 4 cats who no longer lived here.  Did she ever even think anymore about those glorious days of her last and greatest 2016 Dingo Vacation when she’d gone all the way to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska?

If so, you couldn’t tell it.  Of course, maybe she was thinking of those times, and how long ago and far away it all seemed was what was making her sad.  Loopster heaved a sigh, staring vacantly over the edge of the couch.  She looked like she had lost her last friend.

Forlorn Lupe.

She hadn’t, of course.  She’d been on lots of Black Hills expeditions full of adventures with SPHP over the last nine months.  Fun times, but not the same as hitting the open road for days on end spent exploring exciting, beautiful, distant lands.

While Loop moped on the couch, SPHP was not idle.  A warm, fragrant breeze stirred the air.  Late spring by the calendar.  Early summer by SPHP’s reckoning.

Better enjoy lounging around like that while you still can!

Lupe’s eyes shifted to watch SPHP busily checking equipment and supplies.  Her expression didn’t change.

You’ll see, soon enough!

Promises, promises.  Nothing fun happened.  Dullsville.

The next morning SPHP was up early.  Shower, breakfast, and then back and forth packing all this stuff into the G6.  Lupe began to realize something really was up.  A glimmer of hope in her eyes grew rapidly to increasing anticipation.

Mountain climbing season, Loopster!  It’s here!  You ready?

Was she ever!  Only a few hours later, Lupe was in Wyoming, whizzing along in the G6 headed for her first adventure of her first Dingo Vacation of 2017.  Had the mood ever changed from last night!  Looper was ready to let the good times roll!

Lupe returns to the great state of Wyoming at the start of her first Dingo Vacation of 2017. Oh yeah, this is gonna be good!

Lupe was headed for the Laramie Mountains in SE Wyoming.  Only 8 days into June, it was still weeks early to head up into some of the higher Wyoming ranges for mountain climbing, since there would still be too much snow on the peaks.  However, with the exception of Laramie Peak (10,272 ft.), the highest mountains of the Laramie Range top out only a little over 9,000 ft.  There might still be some snow around in early June, but not enough to be a problem.

By early afternoon, Lupe reached Douglas, Wyoming.  SPHP drove S from there on Hwy 94.  The highway eventually turned to gravel and became County Road No. 5.  A mile N of Esterbrook, SPHP had planned to let Lupe tag Prairie Dog Hill (6,400 ft.) as her first peak “climbed” in the Laramie Range this year.  It wasn’t even really a climb at all, since County Road No. 5 goes almost right over the high point.  Pathetically easy.

However, when Lupe arrived at Prairie Dog Hill, a cattle drive was in progress right on the road.  Lupe was almost out of her mind with delight!  She bounded from window to window of the G6 in a foaming-at-the-mouth barking frenzy.  She was eager to get out and help drive some cattle herself!  Not such a good idea.  The cowboys might have an issue with that.  SPHP drove on, turning E at Esterbrook on USFS Road No. 633.

No. 633 wound N & E for several miles.  Shortly after passing Esterbrook Campground, the road began to lose elevation and turned S.  Lupe’s first real peakbagging objective, Black Mountain (7,960 ft.), came into view.

Black Mountain (L) comes into view from USFS Road No. 633. Laramie Peak, the highest mountain of the Laramie Range is seen in the distance on the R. Photo looks SSW.
Black Mountain (Center) was Lupe’s first real peakbagging goal of her 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Laramie Range & Beyond. Photo looks SSW.

Black Mountain was still 9 or 10 miles SSW from where it first came into view.  On the way there, Lupe stopped by Horseshoe Creek, which flowed right along USFS Road No. 633 for a couple of miles.

Lupe stops by scenic Horseshoe Creek on the way to Black Mountain. She would later spend the night at the pullout off USFS Road No. 633 seen beyond her.

Looking for USFS Road No. 667, SPHP turned off No. 633 at Camp Laramie Peak, a Boy Scout camp at Harris Park.  Lupe and SPHP made inquiry at the main office on how to find No. 667 to Black Mountain.

Lupe stopped at Camp Laramie Peak to inquire about how to find USFS Road No. 667 to Black Mountain. She was a good deal more enthusiastic about how this day was going than the boy outside the Boy Scout camp’s main office.

Camp Laramie Peak was just opening up for the summer season.  Councilors were already here, but the first Boy Scouts were just beginning to arrive.  Fortunately, an official was available who told SPHP that USFS Road No. 667 (unmarked) to Laramie Peak went right through the camp.  He pointed out a road that went S down a little hill.

The road would quickly deteriorate to a high-clearance proposition – it wasn’t going to be G6 friendly at all.  This was known in advance from the topo map where No. 667 was marked 4WD.  The intention all along had been to ditch the G6 somewhere, and follow the road on paw and foot.  Fortunately, SPHP was free to park the G6 at Camp Laramie Peak at a small parking area near the main office.

It turned out that USFS Road No. 667 (a 4WD road) to Black Mountain goes right through Camp Laramie Peak. The officials at the camp said SPHP was free to park the G6 at a small lot not far from the main office, so Lupe’s trek up Black Mountain started right here.

At 3:08 PM (79°F), Lupe and SPHP set off.  There had been one caveat mentioned at the office about taking USFS Road No. 667.  The road went through Boy Scout property for the first half mile or so.  Leaving the road was not permitted.  No trespassing on Boy Scout land!  Seemed like an odd demand from an organization dedicated in part to promoting the outdoors, but another official reiterated this rule as Lupe and SPHP ambled along the road through the camp.

Whatever, no problem.  SPHP adhered rigidly to this restriction.  The American Dingo, having spent most of the day cooped up in the G6, was somewhat less diligent.  Lupe had a fun time roaming and exploring the forest not too far from the road.

After dipping down through camp, No. 667 crossed a small stream and then began to wind W climbing steadily.   Bluebells were growing in profusion in the forests and fields.  It was a pretty day, a bit warm, and Lupe was off to a good start.  She was beyond forbidden Boy Scout territory in a jiffy.  A mile from camp, she arrived at a minor saddle near large rock formations.

Loopster among the bluebells.

About a mile from Camp Laramie Peak, Lupe reached these large rock formations at a minor saddle. Photo looks NNE.

Still hidden from view more than a mile N of the minor saddle was Peak 7320, another mountain SPHP hoped Lupe would get a chance to climb.  First things first, though!  The road turned due S from the saddle and climbed more steeply than before.  Lupe followed it, continuing toward Black Mountain.

No. 667 soon turned SW and leveled out for a little way.  Peak 7320 now came into view back to the N.  The mountain was capped by a huge knob of solid rock.  Lupe might not be able to get to the top, even if there was time enough later on for an attempt.

Peak 7320 from USFS Road No. 667 on the way to Black Mountain. Photo looks N.

Off to the SW, the summit of Black Mountain had come into view, too.  It was a little hard to recognize at first, but got easier to discern as Lupe continued along the road.  A fire lookout tower was perched way up on the highest rocks.

The summit of Black Mountain (far L) came into view here, but it was still so far off, it was hard to recognize at first. Photo looks SW.
Getting closer! The fire lookout tower on the summit (Center) is now discernable. Photo looks SW.
The fire lookout tower at the summit (R of Center) with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SW.

No. 667 soon began to climb again fairly steeply.  Before long, it made one big jog to the NW before turning sharply S.  Once it made the turn, the road started leveling out.  Lupe was still gaining elevation, but at an easy pace.  The Carolina Dog now enjoyed a pleasant journey S to the summit along the big N ridge.

The views were increasingly beautiful!  Albany Peak (7720 ft.) could be seen to the SSE.  A little farther on, Laramie Peak (10,272 ft.) came into view to the SW.

Albany Peak is seen straight up from Lupe on the L. Photo looks SE.
Laramie Peak, the highest mountain of the entire Laramie Range, comes into view. Photo looks SW.
Lupe traveling the big N ridge. The summit is in view, still a little way off. Photo looks S.

Lupe continued S along No. 667 until it curled around a big rock formation, and suddenly ended at the base of the massive stone knob the fire lookout station was perched on.  A steep metal stairway was the only way up.

Lupe arrives at the end of USFS Road No. 667. She did not like the steep stairway leading to the fire lookout station. Photo looks ESE.

The American Dingo didn’t like the look of those stairs!  She stayed at the bottom, while SPHP climbed the first longest section.  SPHP had to plead with her to follow.  She finally did come up, but not until SPHP was about ready to go down and get her.

A metal platform turned 90°, and led in a few feet to a 2nd shorter flight of stairs.  SPHP climbed this 2nd set, only to turn around and see Lupe running back down the 1st flight all the way to the bottom again.  SPHP returned to the top of the 1st flight to resume pleading and coaxing.  Looper finally relented.  This time she made it all the way to the fire lookout station to claim her peakbagging success!

Despite the long, scary metal stairway, Lupe makes it to the fire lookout station on Black Mountain (7,960 ft.) to claim her peakbagging success! Photo looks S.

The day had been warm and the air calm all the way up the mountain.  Even down at the base of the metal stairway, there hadn’t been much of a breeze.  However, up at the fire lookout tower, it was considerably cooler.  An annoyingly strong gusty wind was blowing out of the SSE.  The last bit of elevation gain had made a surprising difference!

It was so windy, Loopster wanted to take shelter in the lookout tower.  She was most disappointed that it was padlocked shut, and no one was around to let her in.  The views were splendid in every direction.  Somewhat reluctantly, the Carolina Dog cooperated with taking photos.  She preferred to spend her time on the N side of the tower out of the wind.

Lupe and SPHP made several forays around the tower to check out the views, returning frequently to the N side for breaks from the wind.

Of course, the most impressive view from Black Mountain was toward Laramie Peak (10,272 ft.), the highest mountain in the entire Laramie Range. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.
Looper checks out the view of Laramie Peak. Photo looks SSW.
The view to the N.
Another look to the N.
Albany Peak (7,720 ft.) (L) from Black Mountain. County Road No. 71 down in the Cottonwood Creek valley is seen in the foreground. Photo looks SSE.
Another look at Albany Peak a little later on with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SE.
Haystack Peaks are seen in the foreground on the R. Beyond them in the distance is Bear Head Mountain (8,359 ft.). Photo looks SSW.
Another look SSW, this time with more help from the telephoto lens. Haystack Peaks are in the foreground. Bear Head Mountain in the distance.
Laramie Peak (R) dominates Haystack Peaks (L foreground) and Bear Head Mountain (L distant). Photo looks SW.
The view to the NW. USFS Road No. 667 is seen below.

Lupe spent a good 30 minutes up at the summit of Black Mountain (7,960 ft.).  Before leaving, the Carolina Dog and SPHP took a longer break out of the wind on the N side of the lookout tower.  Lupe had water and Taste of the Wild.  Then it was time for one last look at Laramie Peak from the top, and a final stroll around the lookout tower.

A last look at Laramie Peak from the Black Mountain fire lookout tower. Photo looks SW.
After half an hour up at the windy fire lookout tower on Black Mountain, Lupe waits on the sheltered N side of it for the signal from SPHP that it’s OK to start down and get out of the wind once and for all. Photo looks S.

In her eagerness to get out of the wind, Lupe showed no fear of the long metal stairway leading down to USFS Road No. 667.  She raced to the bottom in nothing flat.  It was still a little breezy back down at the road, but nothing compared to the gusty wind up at the tower.

SW of the lookout tower were some great viewpoints where Laramie Peak was on display.  Lupe took a little time to sniff around and explore this area.

Laramie Peak from SW of the lookout tower. Photo looks SW.
Looking NE back up at the fire lookout tower.

When Lupe was satisfied with her explorations of the summit area, she headed back N along USFS Road No. 667.  She would retrace her route up following the road all the way back to Camp Laramie Peak.

Bluebells on the way back.

Although SPHP had hoped Lupe would have time to take a crack at Peak 7320 on the way down, the sun was starting to get low.  Since it looked like there wouldn’t be sufficient daylight to summit and get back to the road before dark, Lupe never made the attempt.

Peak 7320 (Center) seen a little before sunset on the way down Black Mountain. Unfortunately, Lupe wouldn’t have enough daylight to climb it and find her way back to the road before dark. Photo looks N.

It was 9:11 PM (52 °F) when Lupe reached Camp Laramie Peak again.  In fading light, she was treated to a ride S in the G6 down the Cottonwood Creek valley on County Road No. 71.  SPHP wanted to check out potential access routes to Albany Peak.  Maybe Lupe could climb it tomorrow?

There proved to be numerous homes on private property along County Road No. 71.  “No Trespassing” signs were posted all over the place.  SPHP found one possible access point, but it wasn’t clear if this route went across private property or not.  From Black Mountain, Lupe had seen a very large rock formation at the top of Albany Peak.  Maybe she couldn’t even get to the top of the mountain, even if there was access?

Reluctantly, SPHP decided Lupe should skip Albany Peak, at least on this trip.  SPHP drove N again, as Lupe barked enthusiastically at antelope grazing in the fields at dusk.  It was dark by the time Lupe stopped at a pullout along USFS Road No. 633 near Horseshoe Creek for the night.

Sunset in the Laramie Range of Wyoming.

Only 24 hours ago, Lupe had been bored and despondent on the tattered old couch back home.  Yet today she’d had a blast traveling to Wyoming and climbing Black Mountain.  The lucky American Dingo’s summer of 2017 adventures had only just begun!

Laramie Peak from Black Mountain, 6-8-17

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Laramie Peak, Wyoming (8-9-15)

2016 Laramie Mountains, Wyoming Adventure Index

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Black Mountain, Moffat County Highpoint, Colorado (8-15-15)

Dawn on Day 7 of Lupe’s great Summer of 2015 Dingo Vacation found Lupe at Battle Pass in southern Wyoming.  The American Dingo was up and ready to go.  Another great day of Dingo adventures was about to begin.  Lupe and SPHP headed W on Hwy 70.  Lupe’s peakbagging goal for the day was going to take her out of Wyoming and into Colorado to climb Black Mountain (10,840 ft.), the Moffat County High Point.

Lupe up at dawn at Battle Pass, WY in the Sierra Madre range.

Dawn at Battle Pass, WY 8-15-15The drive down Hwy 70 from Battle Pass went through gorgeous, unspoiled mountain scenery.  Lupe rode with her head out of the window in the wind.  She had a look of pure joy on her face.  Highway 70 left Wyoming and entered Colorado.  Lupe passed the Slater U.S. Post Office on the N side of the road.  If there was a town of Slater somewhere around here, Lupe and SPHP didn’t see it.  Lupe turned S on South Slater Creek Road, a gravel road that crossed the Little Snake River.

South Slater Creek Road headed S for a mile, and then followed Slater Creek through a narrow gap in a high ridge.  Immediately beyond the gap was an intersection.  Lupe and SPHP took the fork to the left across the creek.  SPHP was expecting this to be County Road No. 82, but a sign said Moffat County 1.  The road headed S along the E side of the Slater Creek valley for miles, eventually turning more SE and gaining quite a bit of elevation.  The grand unspoiled vistas brought to mind the days of the Old West.

Looking W down at the Slater Creek Valley and beyond.
Looking W down at the Slater Creek Valley and beyond.

Eventually SPHP saw a sign for County Road No. 82.  Lupe was on the right road, but not for long.  A few miles later, the road forked at the Brush Mountain Ranch.  A sign said No. 82 continued E.  The other choice was an unmarked road that went S.  SPHP didn’t have any detailed maps of the area, and assumed continuing on No. 82 was the right thing to do.  Lupe headed E.  Soon a very nice looking mountain came into view off to the N.  SPHP didn’t know it at the time, but this was Brush Mountain (9,869 ft.).

Lupe near Brush Mountain in Colorado. Photo looks N.
Lupe near Brush Mountain in Colorado. Photo looks N.

SPHP was looking for USFS Road No. 110, but County Road No. 82 went on and on.  The scenery was all beautiful and remote.  There began to be some signs though, that Lupe was on the wrong road for getting to Black Mountain.  USFS Road No. 110 never appeared.  Suddenly No. 82 magically became No. 80.  After No. 80 went S for some miles, there was a sign pointing to Bears Ears (10,577 ft.).  It pointed W instead of SE.  Signs mentioned California Park, which SPHP had never heard of before.

Dingo barking alert! Cows dead ahead.
Dingo barking alert! Cows dead ahead.
In California Park SE of Saddle Mountain (10,057 ft.). Photo looks NW.

SPHP became convinced it just couldn’t be this far to USFS Road No. 110.  Finally at the top of a small ridge, there was a trailhead of some sort with a map posted.  After studying the map, SPHP realized that the correct road was the one that turned S way back at the Brush Mountain Ranch.  Gah!  It was 22 miles of gravel just to get back there.  Lupe didn’t mind.  Neither did SPHP either, not really.  Sometimes unplanned adventures just happen.  This was one of them.

Quite some time later, Lupe and SPHP reached Brush Mountain Ranch again.  This time Lupe took the road headed S.  Soon there was a sign with the unhelpful  message “1W”.  The road crossed Slater Creek.  SPHP stopped and let Lupe out of the G6 to go get a drink.  Instead she raced off down into the trees.  SPHP hadn’t noticed the huge black cow resting in the shade chewing its cud.  Lupe ran right up to it and barked furiously in its face.

The cow was pretty comfy where it was.  Never before in its entire life had the cow seen such a shrill, noisy, annoying thing as the Carolina Dog that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.  There was only one good thing about it.  The frantic doggie was tiny by comparison.  The cow declined to get up.  It wasn’t going anywhere.  SPHP called Lupe.  She came racing back up the hill.  Her enthusiastic expression showed what worlds of fun it was threatening the monstrous cow.  She couldn’t believe SPHP had let her out of the G6 to do that.  Lupe never did get a drink out of the creek.

SPHP drove on.  In practically no time, there was a sign for USFS Road No. 110.  At last!  No. 110 wound around in the forest.  Locals kept blocking the road.  Some people had cut down a huge dead tree.  They were cutting it up and loading the pieces onto a big trailer.  They had to move their trailer so Lupe and SPHP could get by.  A guy in a pickup and a guy in a sheepherder’s rig going in opposite directions were stopped on the road while they chatted.  Lupe and SPHP came through to bust up the conversation.  One of them thanked SPHP a moment later. The conversation had gone on way too long.

Looking W somewhere along the way to Black Mountain.
Looking W somewhere along the drive to Black Mountain.  SPHP believes these may be Mount Oliphant (10,670 ft.) (L), Buck Point (10,550 ft.) (Center), and Mount Welba (10,569 ft.) (R).

It was lunch time by the time Lupe and SPHP reached the Black Mountain trailhead along USFS Road No. 110.  Lupe and SPHP had lunch in the shade of some small trees.  Finally, at 12:54 PM (69°F), Lupe and SPHP started for Black Mountain on Trail No. 1185.

For a short distance, the trail was faint and hard to follow as it climbed steeply through an area of tall grass.  Beyond the tall grass the trail was in much better shape.  It was easy to follow and headed NW along the SW slope of a big forested ridge.  The trail undulated up and down.  There was a net elevation gain, but not all that much.  The forest provided welcome shade.  Now and then there were glimpses of distant territory to the SW.

Eventually Trail No. 1185 reached a saddle between the forested ridge and Black Mountain.  Beyond the saddle, the trail started climbing much more steeply.

Four horseback riders appeared.  They were heading down.  Lupe and SPHP got off the trail to let them pass.  They stopped.  The first rider said Lupe would get up on the mountain just in time for the lightning to be snapping and popping real good.  On this encouraging note, the riders continued on.  As the last horse went by, Lupe couldn’t contain herself any longer and barked.  SPHP grabbed her nose and held her mouth shut to keep her from spooking the horses.

After the horses went by, it wouldn’t have taken too long to finish the steep part of the climb to get up on Black Mountain.  However, someone far down the mountain started firing a gun as if a war was breaking out.  The sound carried very well way up the mountain.  Lupe kept wanting to stop and hide.  SPHP finally persuaded her to finish the steep climb.

Once up on top, a sign by the trail said Black Mountain, East Summit, 10,801 ft.  SPHP stopped and sat on a big log.  Lupe was happy resting and hiding out nearby.

Lupe happily rests on Black Mountain while she waits for the sound of gunfire far below to stop.
Lupe rests happily on Black Mountain while she hides from the sound of gunfire.

Black Mountain is a plateau.  The entire mountaintop is pretty flat with sharp drops all around the edges.  The mountain has two large parts separated by a comparatively narrow ridge of level ground.  The W part of the mountain is somewhat smaller than the E part.  Lupe had arrived on the mountain near the far SE corner of the larger E part.  The E portion of Black Mountain extends more than 0.5 mile NW/SE, and at most 0.25 mile SW/NE.  Trail No. 1185 runs along the length of the SW rim.

The war ended and no more gunfire was heard.  Since the E end of the mountain is just an increasingly narrow flat ridge, it was a short easy walk from where Lupe came up over to the N side of the mountain.  Lupe and SPHP went to see what was over there.  There was quite a nice view.

Lupe at the NE rim of Black Mountain very near the E end of the plateau. Photo looks N.
Lupe at the N rim very near the E end of the Black Mountain plateau.  Photo looks N.  The high mountain on the L is likely Buck Point.

After seeing the view to the N, it was time for Lupe to find the true summit of Black Mountain.  The highest point and true summit was shown on SPHP’s topo map as being less than 0.25 mile to the W.  It was supposed to be a very short distance N of the trail.  Lupe and SPHP headed W on the trail to find it.

Unsurprisingly, there really wasn’t any identifiable exact summit.  Being a plateau, the top of Black Mountain was so level it was hard to say any particular point was the absolute highest.  None of the territory N of the trail looked noticeably higher than the trail itself.  In fact, not too far N of the trail, the ground clearly began to lose elevation.  SPHP chose a spot with a few flowers a bit N of the trail for Lupe’s official summit of Black Mountain photo.

Lupe’s official summit of Black Mountain photo. This place looked about as high as anywhere else on the mountain. Close enough for Dingo work!

After Lupe’s summit photo, Lupe and SPHP went back to the trail to continue NW along the SW rim of Black Mountain.  Soon Lupe wanted to stop again.  Now there were faint rumblings of thunder.  SPHP agreed to stop at a point where there was a good view from the SW rim.  It was possible to see a long way to the S, but the view was marred by smoke haze.  There had been some haze back in Wyoming, but the smoke was definitely thicker here in Colorado.

A look back from the SW rim of Black Mountain towards the SE. A road is visible going up the first distant ridge just to the right of the tall tree at the center of this photo. The G6 is parked back over there.
A look back from the edge of Black Mountain towards the SE.  A road is visible going up the first distant ridge just to the right of the tall tree at the center of this photo. The trailhead where the G6 is parked is at the highest point seen on that road from here.

It was kind of hot – at least in the 70’s °F.  Lupe and SPHP sat near the edge of Black Mountain.  Soon both fell asleep.  Suddenly SPHP awoke to the sound of puppy feet dashing away.  Lupe had heard a squirrel.  The usual commotion ensued.  When it was over, Lupe was completely revived.  Lupe and SPHP continued NW on the trail.  By now there were sprinkles of rain, but nothing serious.  The rain soon quit.

The clouds passed on by.  It was sunny again when Lupe reached the NW end of the E portion of Black Mountain.  Lupe was close to the narrow flat area that connects the E part of Black Mountain with the W part.  Lupe and SPHP crossed over to the N side of the mountain to check out the view over there.

Looking N from the NW end of the E portion of Black Mountain. SPHP believes the mountain at center is Mount Oliphant and the one on the right is Buck Point.
Looking N from the NW end of the E portion of Black Mountain. SPHP believes the mountain at center is Mount Oliphant and the one on the right is Buck Point.  Mount Welba may be on the left.
Lupe along the NE rim of Black Mountain. Photo looks NW towards the W portion of the mountain.
Lupe along the NE rim of Black Mountain. Photo looks NW towards the W portion of the mountain.

A communications site was shown on the topo map.  Sure enough, a little tower was in clear view a bit farther W.

Lupe reached the communications site on Black Mountain. Photo looks NE.

From the tower at the communications site, Lupe and SPHP headed SW.  At a cliff, Lupe could see a long forested ridge extending S from the W portion of Black Mountain.  There was a big gulf of open space between the cliff where Lupe was and that far S ridge.

The high ridge that extends S from the W portion of Black Mountain. Lupe did not explore any farther in that direction.
This high ridge that extends S from the W portion of Black Mountain. Lupe did not explore any farther in that direction.

Lupe could have gone on to explore the W portion of Black Mountain, but SPHP was satisfied she had gone far enough.  It was getting to be time to turn around.  On the way back, Lupe and SPHP explored the NE rim of the E part of Black Mountain.  The ground was definitely lower and not as level here as along the SW rim, but it was still pretty easy going through the forest.  With no trail, SPHP thought about how few people or American Dingoes must ever venture to this part of Black Mountain.

It was beautiful and peaceful.  There were little meadows filled with flowers, although most were now past their prime.  There were many places with good views to the N.  Lupe and SPHP had a very fun time exploring.

These flowers toward the NE rim of Black Mountain were still looking pretty bright and beautiful.
These flowers toward the NE rim of Black Mountain were still looking pretty bright and beautiful.
Lupe near the NE rim of Black Mountain. She is getting close to the SE end of the mountain again here.
Lupe near the NE rim of Black Mountain. She is getting close to the SE end of the mountain again here.

Shortly before Lupe reached the trail again near the far SE end of the mountain, SPHP realized a big dark cloud was approaching from the W.  Lupe and SPHP headed down as soon as Lupe reached the trail.

The dark cloud started sprinkling rain.  Lupe kept wanting to stop due to thunder.  SPHP made her press on.  Lupe had lost considerable elevation, and was already at the end of the steep part of the trail, when the storm hit.  It rained harder and the wind blew.  Lupe and SPHP took shelter beneath a clump of trees right next to the trail.  The trees provided pretty good protection.  Lupe didn’t get very wet.  The worst was over in 10-15 minutes.

Lupe was still reluctant to go on.  She could still hear the thunder.  Then she saw a deer in the forest.  In an instant, the thunder was forgotten.  An hour before sunset, Lupe was back at the G6.  Her adventures on Black Mountain were done.

Happy days. Lupe in a meadow of flowers near the NE rim of Black Mountain where Dingoes are seldom seen.
Happy days. Lupe in a meadow of flowers near the NE rim of Black Mountain where Dingoes are seldom seen.

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