Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 196 – Devil’s Slide, Cascade Falls & Tepee Mountain (3-19-17)

Start (7:46 AM, 50°F)  J. H. Keith Memorial Park, Cascade Springs, Hwy 71 S of Hot Springs.

Nothing like starting the day off with a little dread.  Upon arrival, Lupe understood the situation immediately.  Another expedition, another cactus-infested mountain.  When would this ever end?  Lupe’s soft Dingo ears drooped.

Not many more of these lower peaks below cactus line to go, Looper.  You’ll be alright.  Once you’ve done them, you won’t ever have to return.  Besides, you’ve actually had some really fun times on these peaks, haven’t you?  Come on, it won’t take long.  I’ll help you dodge the cacti.  What do you say?

What do I say?  I say, OK, fine, but you ought to join in the fun.  About time you went barefoot, too, SPHP!  It’s a shame you’ve been missing out on the whole, complete joyful experience of all these barefoot treks through cacti lately.  Besides, it might be amusing to see human ears droop for a change.

Heh, I appreciate your concern Loop, but think I’ll pass on that.  Just a matter of personal vanity, you understand.  I don’t look nearly as good as you do with droopy ears.  Come on, let’s go!

The E slope wasn’t bad.  Definitely better than the optional route up the barren sunbaked WSW slope would have been.  That might well have been a cactus nightmare.  As it was, Lupe hardly encountered any cacti until she was at the top of the ridgeline.  By then, she was almost to the summit of Devil’s Slide Mountain (3,965 ft.).

Loop nears the summit of Devil’s Slide Mountain. She’d hardly encountered any cactus at all during her climb up the E slope. Photo looks NW.

As expected, cactus was thick on the other side of the ridge.  Lupe stayed mostly toward the E to avoid it.  She quickly made her way to the summit.  The top of Devil’s Slide Mountain consisted of an assortment of large boulders resting on a prominent knob along the ridgeline.

No trees were up here to block the views.  Lupe could see in every direction.

Lupe reaches the top of Devil’s Slide Mountain. With no trees around, she had fabulous views in every direction. Photo looks NNW along the spine of the ridgeline.
Lupe at the true summit. The steep slopes below the curved ridge in the distance on the L are known as Horseshoe Bend. Photo looks SSE.
Highway 71 is seen below on its way to Hot Springs, SD. The high ridge on the R is part of the Seven Sisters Range. Lupe had been climbing hills over there only a few weeks ago on Expedition No. 193. Back then, everything had been white with snow. Photo looks NNE.
Lupe on the very highest rock. Horseshoe Bend in view on the L. Photo looks SSE.

Lupe’s adventures had taken her to the top of Flagpole Mountain (4,320 ft.) only a week ago on Expedition No. 195.  SPHP thought she ought to be able to see the summit from here beyond Horseshoe Bend, a steep sharply curving slope along the NW face of the mountain.

Loop had an unobstructed view of the entire length of Horseshoe Bend from Devil’s Slide Mountain, but the light was a little glary.  Horseshoe Bend was far enough away so SPHP couldn’t tell if the actual summit of Flagpole Mountain was in view or hidden behind the top of the ridge.  Binoculars would have solved the puzzle, but SPHP didn’t have any along.

Although Lupe had a great view of the entire length of Horseshoe Bend, SPHP couldn’t tell if she could see the actual summit of Flagpole Mountain from Devil’s Slide or not. SPHP suspected it was just out of view beyond the top of the ridge. Photo looks SSE.

Not all of the views from Devil’s Slide Mountain were of more hills and mountains.  To the S and SW, high plains stretched away to the horizon beyond the Black Hills.  Closer by, Lupe could see Cascade Creek in the valley below.

High plains stretch away to the horizon SW of Devil’s Slide Mountain. Hwy 71 is in view below on its way to Ardmore, SD and Nebraska. Cascade Creek is to the R of the highway. Photo looks SW.

It was too early in the day to take a real break, but Lupe and SPHP hung around up on top of Devil’s Slide Mountain for a while enjoying the views.  Eventually it was time to press on.  Lupe had more adventures in store.

Lupe lingers at the summit of Devil’s Slide Mountain. Photo looks S.
Time to go, Looper! Come on down! Photo looks S with a little help from the telephoto lens.
Starting down.

Lupe returned to the G6 (9:16 AM, 57°F).  Her next stop, Cascade Falls, was only a few miles away.  The picnic ground was closed and barred shut to vehicles this time of year, but there was plenty of room to park the G6 at the turnoff.

Lupe went around the gate, through the picnic ground, and down the steps leading to Cascade Creek and the falls.  She had a drink, waded around, and enjoyed the view of Devil’s Slide Mountain from below.

Devil’s Slide Mountain from Cascade Creek above the main falls. Photo looks NE.
The true summit of Devil’s Slide Mountain is the high point seen on the L.
Yep, this is it – Cascade Falls! More like rapids really, but they feature a great swimming hole below and some fine wading, including a number of much smaller pools to soak in, above. Photo looks W.
A look downstream. Photo looks SSW.
Aren’t you coming in SPHP? Photo looks NW.
Cascade Falls as seen from downstream. Devil’s Slide Mountain is in view on the R. Photo looks NNE.

After visiting Cascade Falls, Lupe’s next stop was only a mile farther S at the Cheyenne River.  A sign S of the river told about the Wood Stage Station, which used to be close by.  More than a century ago, a stagecoach route ran from Sydney, Nebraska to Deadwood, South Dakota.  The sign mentioned General Custer’s 1874 Expedition to the Black Hills.

This historical marker about the Wood Stage Station is just S of the Cheyenne River on the E side of Hwy 71.

Custer’s only expedition to the Black Hills made him even more famous due to the discovery of gold.  Despite being on her 196th Black Hills expedition, Loop hasn’t become famous, but then she’s never found any gold.  SPHP sort of wishes she would, but understands that American Dingoes are more squirrel oriented than gold oriented.

At least Lupe’s relations with the Sioux nation are far superior to General Custer’s.

The Cheyenne River flows out of Wyoming around the S end of the Black Hills on its way to the Missouri River. Photo looks WSW from the Hwy 71 bridge.

Lupe’s next peakbagging objective was Tepee Mountain (3,970 ft.) on the S bank of the Cheyenne River a couple miles W of Angostura Reservoir.  Lupe had seen Tepee Mountain for the first time only a week ago on Expedition No. 195.  From Flagpole Mountain, Tepee Mountain appeared as a much lower, heavily forested ridge.

SPHP turned E off Hwy 71 onto Maitland Road five miles S of the Cheyenne River.  According to SPHP’s old Black Hills USFS map, Tepee Mountain is on BLM land, but private ranches are nearby.  SPHP had to look for access for Lupe.

More than a mile SSW of Tepee Mountain, Lupe and SPHP stopped by the headquarters of the Tepee Creek Ranch.  Two ranch dogs were eager for Lupe to come out and play, but she had to stay in the G6 while SPHP chatted with the rancher’s wife.

The wife was friendly.  She didn’t seem opposed to Lupe crossing the ranch to climb Tepee Mountain, but mentioned that cows were calving and it had been so warm and dry out lately snakes were already out.  She suggested that SPHP check out the possibility of public access along the Cheyenne River from Angostura Reservoir before resorting to crossing the ranch.  SPHP agreed to do that.

Lupe visited the S shore of Angostura Reservoir, as requested by the Tepee Creek rancher’s wife, but found no public access leading W along the Cheyenne River. Photo looks N.

Five miles of dusty gravel roads brought Lupe to a boat launch on the S shore of Angostura.  Immediately to the W was a mobile home park, which appeared to be bordered by more private ranchlands.  Lupe found no sign of public access to Tepee Mountain from here.

Lupe and SPHP left Angostura Reservoir.  An approach from Maitland Road would have to do.  SPHP found a spot to park the G6 (10:53 AM, 72°F).  The summit of Tepee Mountain was more than 2 miles N from here.

Lupe was none too keen on starting the trek.  The first half of her journey was through hilly, forested terrain.  The forest was a mix of junipers and Ponderosa pines.  Junipers thrive where it’s dry.  Lupe associates them with cactus.  She’s right, too.  Cacti were present from almost the very start.

The forested hillsides didn’t have much cactus, but wound around a long series of ravines in crazy directions.  The uneven ground was tiring to traverse.  Higher up, the terrain was much more level, but many areas were so dry on top that even the junipers couldn’t survive.  The sunny, exposed terrain was full of cactus.

Lupe in the mixed forest of pines and junipers. There was a lot less cactus in the forest than up on the sunny top of these low hills, but Lupe came to many ravines. Photo looks S.

Lupe and SPHP used her usual technique for dealing with cactus.  SPHP scouted ahead looking for a safe route forward.  When SPHP sat on the ground, Lupe took it as the signal she could advance that far.  Rinse and repeat.  Where there was too much cactus, SPHP carried Lupe far enough to get to a less infested area.

Progress was slow, but steady.  At first, Lupe and SPHP stayed mostly on the high ground along the edge of the trees.  Later, Lupe tried staying more in the forest.  Traveling each type of terrain had its benefits and drawbacks.  It was an extraordinarily warm day for March.  The Carolina Dog was thrilled to find a small rapidly shrinking patch of melting snow in the forest on the N side of a hill!

Lupe was thrilled to find this small rapidly melting snow bank on the N slope of a hill. It was a very hot day out for March. The cold, wet snow felt marvelous!

As wearisome as the forested hills were, SPHP was not looking forward to reaching the end of them.  From Maitland Road, Lupe had already seen the S slopes of Tepee Mountain.  She would have to make a long, gradual climb up a barren, sun drenched slope.  SPHP feared Lupe would face an incredible concentration of cacti the entire way.

Lupe might have to be carried more than a mile to the top.

Tepee Mountain as seen from Maitland Road. The summit is the high point on the R. SPHP feared Lupe would encounter so much cactus on the barren S slope that she would have to be carried all the way to the top. Her route would take her up from the R side of this photo. Photo looks N using the telephoto lens.

The forest ended when Looper reached the N end of the low hills.  Now she faced open grasslands the rest of the way up Tepee Mountain.  Just ahead was a dirt road at the bottom of a shallow ravine that drained to the W.  Beyond the road was a barbed wire fence.  Lupe would have to cross both the road and the fence.  First, though, she followed the road uphill to the E.

Traveling this short section of dirt road up the ravine was easy.  Lupe was confident she wouldn’t encounter any cactus.  Near a junction of fences, she left the road and went under the fence to the N.  SPHP thought Lupe might be on BLM land now, but wasn’t certain.

Despite the heads up from the rancher’s wife, Lupe hadn’t seen a single cow or rattlesnake.  However, cows had clearly spent a lot of time in the pasture N of the fence.  This was great news for Lupe!  The cows had eaten everything down so there wasn’t much vegetation left.  Best of all, cows are apparently hard on cactus.  SPHP had feared this area would be totally infested; instead there was hardly any!

Lupe now N of the low forested hills seen behind her. This field had far less cactus in it than SPHP had feared. Lupe made relatively good time the rest of the way up Tepee Mountain. Photo looks SSE.

Lupe wasn’t convinced this barren ground was safe.  She insisted that SPHP continue to scout out the cactus situation ahead.  Overall, though, she made significantly faster progress.  She traveled up the long, gentle slope going NW, staying close to another barbed wire fence coming down the mountain.

As Lupe climbed higher, more cactus appeared – enough to slow things down again, but it wasn’t too bad.  The fence line turned N.  Lupe kept going NW until she came across a cattle trail that went N, too.

The cattle trail was like a super highway.  Lupe trotted along unworried and unhindered by cactus.  By the time the cattle trail curved E, Lupe was only 150 yards from the top of the mountain.  She found cactus again as soon as she left the trail, but SPHP guided her through it.  Lupe reached the summit of Tepee Mountain (3,790 ft.).  Sweet success!

The large summit area was mostly grassland.  Barren terrain sloped gradually away to the S and E.  Junipers and pines were scattered thinly along the edge of the steeper W slope.  The steepest drop off was to the N, where a thick line of trees blocked the view most places.  The highest rocks on the mountain were clustered in a small area near the NW corner of the summit.  Four or five different medium-sized rocks might have been the absolute highest point.

The most impressive view was toward the NW.  Lupe could see Flagpole Mountain (4,320 ft.).  She had been there only a week ago on Expedition No. 195.

Lupe reaches the summit of Tepee Mountain. The most impressive view was this look at Flagpole Mountain. Lupe had been there only a week ago on Expedition No. 195. Photo looks NW.
Looking N at some of the colorful cliffs E of Flagpole Mountain.
Lupe stands on the rock that SPHP thought might be the highest one, though 4 or 5 rocks nearby were about as high. Photo looks N.
Looking ESE. The high plains of western South Dakota go to the horizon.

Lupe was happy to reach the summit of Tepee Mountain.  After a few photos, she curled up in the shade of a juniper tree.  She had a great view of Flagpole Mountain while enjoying some Taste of the Wild.  It was an amazingly warm day.  Only mid-March and the temperature was somewhere in the 70’s!

Lupe rested in the shade of a juniper tree while having Taste of the Wild and enjoying this beautiful view of Flagpole Mountain (L). Photo looks NNW.

SPHP munched an apple and shared water with Lupe.  When the apple was gone, SPHP got up to wander around the summit area to see what else there was to see.  Lupe preferred not to move around much.  She was still worried about cactus.  Besides, she liked the shade of the juniper tree.  She was curious about what SPHP was up to, though.

Sometimes she peered out from her juniper tree stronghold to see what was going on.

Whatcha up to, SPHP? … Don’t worry Loop, just having a look around. … OK, but don’t wander off too far and leave me stuck here all alone up on this pincushion! Photo looks WNW.
SPHP had to wander a little E of the true summit to find a break in the trees big enough to provide this view of the Cheyenne River. Part of Angostura Reservoir is seen in the distance on the R. Photo looks NE.

Lupe soon decided she didn’t want to miss out on any of the views.  She came out from her juniper trees to join SPHP and pose in a few more photos.

Angostura Reservoir from Tepee Mountain. Photo looks NE.
Looking NW toward the true summit.
Still looking toward the true summit as a cloud passes overhead providing temporary shade. The big green junipers on the L are at the top of the mountain. Photo looks NW.
Looking W.
The view to the WNW.

At the conclusion of her scenic summit tour, Lupe wanted to go relax in the shade of the juniper tree some more.  SPHP went with her.  There was no rush.  The sun was high in the sky, and Lupe might never be on Tepee Mountain again.  Time enough to enjoy this unique moment, and seldom seen view of Flagpole Mountain.

SPHP petted Lupe; in turn, she licked SPHP’s hand.  Puffy white clouds sailed slowly through the pale blue sky overhead.  Lupe and SPHP were both happy.

Happy times on Tepee Mountain in the shade of the juniper tree.

As it always does, the time came to say good-bye to the mountain.  Lupe and SPHP started back to the G6.  Lupe followed the same route as before, except that when she reached the low, forested hills again, she stayed farther to the W and lower down.  Hidden on the N slopes of various ravines, she found half a dozen more patches of snow to eat and cool off on.

There were still cacti to deal with.  Lupe remained cautious.  SPHP helped guide her through, and carried her for short distances where necessary.  She finally reached Maitland Road again W of the G6, but it wasn’t far away (3:31 PM, 81°F).

Looking back at Tepee Mountain (Center) on the way to the G6. Photo looks NNW.

Over 80°F, in March!  Incredible!  On the way home, Lupe stopped again at Cascade Falls.  The thirsty Carolina Dog had a huge drink from the creek.  SPHP thought the water would be cold, but it was surprisingly, comfortably warm.  This time, SPHP joined Lupe wading around in Cascade Creek.

Lupe returned to Cascade Falls for a 2nd time on this incredibly warm March day. SPHP joined her wading in the surprisingly warm creek. Photo looks S.
For cactus weary paws, Lupe recommends wading in Cascade Creek! Photo looks N.

Expedition No. 196 was a success, but wasn’t entirely over until Lupe was done with her enthusiastic barking from the G6 at all the cows and horses she saw on the way home.  SPHP thought she deserved a special treat for braving the cactus on two more mountains today.  The Sonic Drive-Inn was advertising half price milkshakes after 8 PM.

Lupe had a good time being taken out to the Sonic Drive-Inn.  She was delighted when SPHP bought her a milkshake of her very own.  Lupe had chocolate.  SPHP had strawberry.  When the milkshakes were gone, it was time for nighty-night and dreaming together about the day’s adventures, and adventures yet to come.

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 136 – Cascade Falls (7-12-15)

Cascade Falls isn’t really much of a waterfall.  Instead, it is a short series of pools and rapids on Cascade Creek.  The small upstream pools are very clear and clean with swiftly flowing waters.  They are no more than 3 or 4 feet deep.  Just downstream of the small pools, Cascade Creek pours over a large fan-shaped mineral deposit 5 or 6 feet high into a big deep (over your head!) blue-green swimming hole.  There are more large pools farther downstream, but unlike the clear upstream pools, they tend to be mucky.  Very few tourists ever visit this remote location, but Cascade Falls is often busy with locals cooling off on hot summer days.

On 7-9-15, Xochitl flew in from Chicago.  Lupe and SPHP picked her up at the Rapid City regional airport.  She was in town for just a few days to visit friends and family.  Her plans included spending July 11th at her class reunion at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and celebrating her birthday on July 12th with family and friends at Cascade Falls.

On 7-10-15, Xochitl and SPHP went for a hike from Sylvan Lake up to Little Devil’s Tower (6,960 ft.).  This should have been Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 136 for Lupe, but sadly Lupe didn’t get to go.  She had to stay home due to injuries sustained on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 135 on 6-27-15.  FrankenPuppy was a very dejected Dingo when SPHP told her she couldn’t come with.  She had gotten all worked up when SPHP had started packing up the backpack.  It really didn’t feel right at all to leave Lupe to mope on the floor, but it had to be done.

Cone-On the Luparian didn't get to go to Little Devil's Tower on 7-10-15. She had to stay home to continue healing up.
Cone-On the Luparian didn’t get to go to Little Devil’s Tower on 7-10-15. She had to stay home to continue healing up.
Xochitl at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park on 7-10-15.
Mysterious Ms. X at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park on 7-10-15.

P1060462P1060463P1060464The trek to Little Devil’s Tower proved to be a bit more than Xochitl had been expecting (like twice as much) and the round trip on the trail took more like 4+ hours than the 2 hours she had allotted, but she made it.  (SPHP’s fault for always being overly ambitious.)  Xochitl went to her class reunion on the 11th.

Thistle along the trail to Little Devil's Tower
Thistle along the trail to Little Devil’s Tower
Xochitl near Cathedral Spires on the way to Little Devil's Tower.
Xochitl near Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) on the way to Little Devil’s Tower.
Xochitl on Little Devil's Tower. Cathedral Spires in the background.
Xochitl on Little Devil’s Tower. Cathedral Spires in the background.
Marmot along the trail.
Marmot along the trail.

The 12th was Xochitl’s birthday and the last full day she was going to be in the Black Hills.  Since Lupe was soon going to get her staples and stitches out anyway on the 14th (which was days later than required by the veterinarians), SPHP decided Lupe may as well come with.  There wasn’t going to be any long trek where Lupe might re-injure herself, just some wading and swimming.  Lupe was ecstatic to be going anywhere!  Once in the G6, SPHP allowed Guille to take Lupe’s head cone off too, and it stayed off for the rest of the outing.  Loopster couldn’t believe her good luck – she was finally free of that torture device!

SPHP was somewhat reluctant to classify Lupe’s trip to Cascade Falls as one of her official Black Hills, SD Expeditions.  All her other expeditions have involved hikes through the mountains.  However, it wasn’t Lupe’s fault she got injured on Expedition No. 135.  SPHP decided to relent and consider this mere outing an official expedition.  Time to cut the wounded Carolina Dog a little slack!  So worthy of the title or not, Cascade Falls officially became Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 136 for Lupe.

Lupe arrived at Cascade Falls around 11:30 AM.  It was a hot, sunny day in the low 90’s – way too hot for a typical hiking expedition, but perfect for a day at Cascade.  Xochitl, Guille, Erik, Ana, Steve & SPHP were all there with Lupe, plus a ton of strangers enjoying the falls too.  There was a picnic with elk burgers, cherries, chips, lemonade, etc.  Lupe just stuck to her Taste of the Wild – even turning down perfectly good elk burgers for it!

Lupe in Cascade Creek. She liked walking (or running) along the shallow lip of the pool.
Lupe in Cascade Creek. She liked walking (or running) along the shallow lip of the pool.

After the picnic, Erik & Ana weren’t into swimming or even wading and left long before the rest of the gang did.  Lupe, SPHP and the rest of the gang made lots of treks back and forth from the picnic table down to the creek during the afternoon.  Lupe had been to Cascade Falls before, but never to spend the day in the creek.  She was having a good time, but sometimes seemed to be wondering what she was supposed to do or what was going to happen next.

Lupe and Guille at Cascade.
Lupe and Guille at Cascade.
Xochitl, Guille & Steve with Lupe at Cascade.
Xochitl, Guille & Steve with Lupe at Cascade.
Xochitl & Lupe at Cascade on Xochi's birthday.
Xochitl & Lupe at Cascade on Xochi’s birthday.

Lupe at Cascade 7-12-15Lupe at Cascade 7-12-15Many strangers were very kind to Lupe.  Some asked about her wound.  Others wanted to pet her.  Lupe enjoyed wading in the creek.  She really didn’t want to swim though.  She doesn’t like water over her head.  Those dingo paws want to be on terra firma.  She seemed genuinely concerned about Xochitl, Steve & SPHP whenever they swam in the big deep blue-green pool.  That dingo wasn’t about to leap in to rescue any of them, though, unless they showed more signs of distress.  American Dingoes aren’t fools, you know!

Lupe claims an island.
Lupe claims an island above the big pool.
Lupe in Cascade Creek 7-12-15
Lupe near her island.
Cascade Falls is just out of the Black Hills. Here Lupe is near the edge of the picnic ground. Cascade Creek is down in the trees. This photo looks WNW towards the surrounding countryside. It’s very unusual for it to be so green approaching mid-July!

For Lupe, it was a most puzzling expedition.  SPHP had never just hung out in the water before.  And having all these people around was very strange, too.  On the other hand, she loved the attention from everyone and seemed to enjoy being cool and partly wet.  She was determined not to get completely wet, though.  It was funny to watch her immediately leap out of the deep water whenever she stepped into a pool where it got up to her chest.

I'm not so sure about this!
I’m not so sure about this!
Lupe asks Xochi if she is OK down there in the big pool. Is it really safe?
Lupe asks Xochi if she is OK down there in the big pool. Is it really safe?
You got yourself in there - you can just get yourself out!
You got yourself in there – you can just get yourself out!
Cascade Falls - the big swimming hole.
Cascade Falls – the big swimming hole.

A little after 5:30 PM, it was time to leave Cascade Falls.  Lupe was sleepy after all the activity and had a relaxing ride home in the G6.  Back home, Xochitl became head chef for her own birthday dinner of curry chicken sweet potatoes.  Steve, Erik & SPHP assisted to some degree.  Although dinner turned out to be quite yummy, Lupe held out for cake and ice cream when it was all over.

Xochitl's birthday!
Happy birthday Xochi!
Cake created by Pillsbury and SPHP!
Cake created by Pillsbury and SPHP!
Xochitl says good-bye to Cone-On the Luparian the morning of 7-13-15 before flying back to Chicago.

Cascade Falls is easy to find.  It is about 10 miles S of Hot Springs, SD on the W side of Hwy 71 (a mile N of the Cheyenne River) at the very S end of the Black Hills of South Dakota.  On flat grassland overlooking the creek is a gravel parking lot, a few covered picnic tables, and a restroom.  No water or other services are available.  There are no fees or permits required.  There is no lifeguard – just a delightful old-fashioned swim/wade at your own risk creek and swimming hole!

Cascade Creek originates just 2 or 3 miles upstream at a series of warm water springs (67°F).  There is another picnic ground called Cascade Springs 2 miles closer to Hot Springs than Cascade Falls.  That picnic ground is more shaded by trees and the creek flows through it, but there is no swimming hole there.  Other attractions near Cascade Falls include the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, Evans Plunge and the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, SD, and Wind Cave National Park N of Hot Springs.

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A Quick Trip to Casper, Wyoming (May 1-4, 2015)

Late in the afternoon on Thursday, 4-30-15, SPHP’s spouse called and asked if Lupe and SPHP would come to Casper, WY for the weekend.  SPHP said sure!  Shortly before noon the next day, Lupe and SPHP were in the G6 and pulling out of the driveway.  Lupe knew something big was up, because SPHP had piled up luggage, pillows and blankets on Lupe’s passenger side watch-dingo seat so she was nearly level with the dashboard, something that only happens before Dingo Vacations.

Lupe’s route took her through Custer, SD over to Newcastle, WY, then on to Wright, Edgerton and Midwest before reaching Casper shortly after 4 PM.  It was a nice drive through wide open high plains country.  Lupe had a great time barking frantically at cows, horses, sheep, an occasional pronghorn antelope, and suspicious looking bushes and buildings.  When there was nothing to bark at, she stuck her nose out the partially open window to sniff the breeze.

Lupe at the apartment complex in Casper, WY.

SPHP’s spouse wasn’t at the apartment yet when Lupe arrived.  That didn’t stop the dingo fun, though.  Lupe soon discovered a small field out behind a row of garages where there were rabbits to chase.  This was great sport, although the rabbits very soon made themselves scarce.  All weekend long, every time SPHP left the apartment or G6, Lupe made a habit of running over to the little field to check on the bunny situation.  She was seldom disappointed.

Lupe & buddy Cloud in the Casper apartment.

Lupe and SPHP went to gas up the G6, and by the time they got back to the apartment, SPHP’s spouse had arrived.  Lupe got to see the apartment for the first time.  She was very surprised to see two cats, Cloud and Shoko, but not as surprised as they were to see Lupe!  Cloud was an old buddy of Lupe’s she hadn’t seen for almost two years.  Cloud soon seemed to remember that Lupe was a friend of cats and no threat.  Shoko, however, kept a wary eye on Lupe for the first day or so.

Lupe at home with Cloud back in July 2013.
Lupe at home with Cloud back in July 2013.

On Saturday morning, May 2nd, Lupe got to do a little sight-seeing in the Casper area.  She went to see Bridal Veil Falls on Garden Creek at the base of Casper Mountain.  The falls were easily accessed via a short path.  Lupe enjoyed sniffing around and wading in the creek.  It wasn’t a very long outing, though.

Lupe at Bridal Veil Falls on Garden Creek at the base of Casper Mountain.

In the afternoon, Lupe and SPHP went on a four hour peakbagging quest in search of the summit of Casper Mountain (8,200 ft.).  SPHP was not familiar with the area.  Despite having a topo map printed out from Peakbagger.com, SPHP had some trouble finding the summit.  Roads on the map only somewhat agreed with what was actually there.

The view of Casper looking N from the lookout pullout along Casper Mountain Road.
The view of Casper looking N from the lookout pullout along Casper Mountain Road.

The biggest problem was that SPHP had been expecting Lupe would be free to roam on National Forest land, but the whole area seemed to be private property with a wide variety of homes, cabins and RV’s scattered through the forest.  Private property, no trespassing, keep out and similar signs abounded.  Lupe and SPHP stuck to the roads as much as possible, but in some places even the roads seemed to be off limits.

Another problem was that the Peakbagger.com topo map showed that the summit of Casper Mountain was just NE of a radio tower.  Easy enough, but what it didn’t show was that there are multiple towers on Casper Mountain.  At first SPHP thought Lupe had reached the summit of Casper Mountain after finding the first big tower.  However, the road continued S and it didn’t look like it was losing much elevation.  SPHP decided to check it out.

The first (N) tower on Casper Mountain.

Lupe was soon gaining elevation again and came upon another big tower.  The road turned SE there and clearly went uphill even from the second tower.  So Lupe and SPHP continued SE on the road to another high point in the forest.  It seemed like this might be the high point of Casper Mountain, but there wasn’t any tower close at hand to the SW, so SPHP was suspicious.

The 2nd (middle) tower on Casper Mountain.

The road continued on to the S, but was starting to lose elevation.  Lupe and SPHP followed it anyway.  It soon turned E where it looked like Lupe was nearing the S end of Casper Mountain.  A big ridge could now be seen several miles off to the SE.  Lupe and SPHP left the road to trek off to the SW to see what was in that direction. Lupe soon came to a little clearing full of sagebrush where there was a narrow break in the surrounding forest that gave a view of some beautiful territory and distant mountains off to the S.

Lupe at the sagebrush clearing near the S end of Casper Mountain.
Lupe at the sagebrush clearing near the S end of Casper Mountain.  The views to the S didn’t turn out in this photo.

After checking out the view, SPHP turned around and suddenly saw a third tower off to the NW.  It wasn’t nearly so large as the other two towers, but it was still sizeable and not very far away.  Lupe and SPHP headed for it, and were soon there. The whole area around the tower was fairly level, but the highest ground did seem to be just a little way off to the NE.  The tower was near the SW end of Casper Mountain, which was right according to the map.

The 3rd tower. This one was just SW of the summit of Casper Mountain.

This did indeed seem to be the true summit of Casper Mountain.  Lupe had made it!  It was kind of an anti-climax though; there were no views from the summit of Casper Mountain.  The summit area was nearly level ground in the middle of the forest, with a not-so-impressive tower close by off to the SW.

Lupe at the summit of Casper Mountain.

After getting back to the G6, Lupe and SPHP went over to another high hill just NE of Bear Trap Meadow County Park.  From there it was easy to see that Lupe had been to the right spot.  The towers Lupe had visited were all in view.  The third and smaller tower, was seen poking above the trees at the highest part of Casper Mountain.  SPHP also saw that there were even more towers on Casper Mountain than the ones Lupe had found.  Overall, SPHP was just happy that Lupe could claim a successful ascent of Casper Mountain on Peakbagger.com.

On Sunday, May 3rd, Lupe got to go down to Morad Park in Casper.  Morad Park is an off-leash dog park right next to the North Platte River.  It is a pretty popular spot.  There were plenty of dogs and people around, but the park was easily big enough to give everyone space.  The park is on level ground, but has a mixture of vegetation.  In most places there are bushes and trees next to the river.  Away from the river is more open land including some swampy stuff, little streams, and scattered trees and bushes.  A nearly 8 mile long bike path that follows the river goes through the park.  Lupe had such a good time sniffing around Morad Park in the morning, that she got to come back again for a 2nd visit later in the afternoon.

Lupe also paid a visit to Casper College on Sunday.  She couldn’t go in to see the Casper College Tate Geological Museum, but she did visit the T. Rex outside.

Bad news, Rex! Dingoes rule the earth now!
Bad news, Rex! Dingoes rule the earth now!
The T. Rex at Casper College.

The weekend in Casper flew by and soon it was Monday morning, May 4th.  Lupe was up at 5:00 AM.   She made one of her last rabbit run checks shortly before moonset of the full flower moon.  SPHP’s spouse had to go to work.  SPHP packed up the G6 again.  An hour before leaving town at 7 AM, fog and drizzle rolled in.  This was much to SPHP’s disappointment, since the plan had been for Lupe to climb Laramie Peak (10,272 ft.) as a side trip on the way home.

However, just 10 or 15 minutes E of Casper on I25, Lupe and SPHP drove out of the fog.  There were still quite a few clouds around, but there were patches of blue sky too.  SPHP decided it was worth taking a chance on Laramie Peak.  At Douglas, Lupe left I25 and SPHP drove S towards Esterbrook.  Ultimately, it was a long drive to Laramie Peak over gravel roads that weren’t great, but there weren’t any really bad spots either.  The scenery in the Laramie Range was beautiful and had a rather wild and remote look to it.

Laramie Peak in the clouds as seen from the N.
Laramie Peak in the clouds as seen from the N.

The G6 made it as far as a junction with USFS Road No. 671 about 4 miles from Friend Park Campground.  Within a 0.25 mile of starting up No. 671, the way ahead was blocked by a huge snow drift.  SPHP had to back the G6 back down to the intersection.

SPHP paused to consider the situation.  It was 42°F out with a chill S wind blowing a big fog bank up and over Laramie Peak from that direction.  The top of Laramie Peak was nearly always in the fog.  When it wasn’t, snow was visible on the upper slopes.  With snow blocking No. 671, it was a 4 mile trek to Friend Campground where the hiking trail up Laramie Peak started.  The climb would involve about 2,500 feet of elevation gain from where the G6 would have to be abandoned.  There was a 50% chance of rain in the forecast, which would likely be snow near the summit.

SPHP had to tell Lupe she wasn’t going to get to climb Laramie Peak.  SPHP just wasn’t prepared for these conditions, which probably wouldn’t have been any fun for Lupe anyway.  A glorious view of fog wouldn’t have been too exciting for SPHP either.

Just because Laramie Peak wasn’t in the cards, it didn’t mean Lupe couldn’t still find a fun place to explore.  Down at this elevation, at about 7,800 feet, conditions were perfectly fine.  SPHP started the G6 and headed back N.

Lupe SE of Buzzard Peak and ready for a romp.
Lupe ready for a romp SE of Buzzard Peak seen in the distance.  Oh, yes, and the better to lick you with my dear!

Before long there was an interesting rocky mountain off to the NW, which was very likely Buzzard Peak.  Lupe didn’t get to climb Buzzard Peak either, but she did enjoy a 45 minute romp up to a rocky ridge to the SE of it where there was a splendid view of some higher peaks of the Laramie Range to the SW.  Lupe and SPHP both enjoyed the break.  Although the whole side trip to Laramie Peak took four hours, it was a good scouting trip.  Lupe hopes to come back and climb Laramie Peak another day.

Lupe SE of Buzzard Peak in the Laramie Range. Photo looks W.
Lupe SE of Buzzard Peak in the Laramie Range. Photo looks W.
Looking S from SE of Buzzard Peak.
Looking S from SE of Buzzard Peak.
The clouds lift momentarily as Lupe leaves Laramie Peak behind.
The clouds lift momentarily as Lupe leaves Laramie Peak behind.

SPHP and Lupe continued to explore new or seldom visited areas on the rest of the way home.  E of Lusk, WY was the little town of Van Tassell just before crossing the border into Nebraska.  There were interesting rock formations at Van Tassell.  According to Wikipedia, Van Tassell is the least populous town (15 according to the 2010 census) in the least populous county in the least populous state.

At Harrison, NE, Lupe and SPHP turned N onto a road that soon turned to gravel and wound around for many miles through scenic ranching territory.  Lupe had a time again barking at cows (including a few longhorns) and horses all the way to Ardmore, SD.  Lupe’s last stop before home was at Cascade Falls S of Hot Springs, SD.  At Cascade, Lupe got in the warm water stream, had a long drink and waded around for a while.

Lupe in the warmish mineral waters just upstream of Cascade Falls.
Lupe in the warmish mineral waters just upstream of Cascade Falls.
Cascade Falls S of Hot Springs, SD. The swimming hole beneath the little falls is surprisingly deep.
Cascade Falls S of Hot Springs, SD. The swimming hole beneath the little falls is surprisingly deep.

Cascade Falls overview 5-4-15Lupe didn’t arrive home until about 5:30 PM.  She and SPHP had spent 10.5 hours to get from Casper to home, a trip that had only taken 4 hours on Friday.  So what? Lupe and SPHP had a great time wandering and seeing some new territory.  In the evening SPHP went to Safeway and bought some fried chicken.  Lupe volunteered to help devour it.  With a tummy full of chicken, suddenly Lupe was pretty tired.  It had been a long day of barking at cows, horses and pronghorn antelope, plus all the running around near Buzzard Peak and other little stops along the way.

Lupe’s four day weekend trip to Casper, WY was over.  She was soon snoozing soundly while SPHP read a book about the Canadian Rockies.  It wasn’t long before SPHP was out like a light too.

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