Dog Tooth Peak & Mitchell Peak, Wind River Range, WY – Part 2: Dog Tooth Paradise to the Summits! (7-4-22)

Day 19 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!

6:53 AM, base camp at Dog Tooth Paradise – A few raindrops had fallen on the tiny house at first light, but the morning was cool and fair now.  Some high clouds, but they weren’t at all threatening as Lupe stood in a light SW breeze on the bedrock of the 10,200+ ft. ridge.

Behind her, the upper half of War Bonnet Peak (10,369 ft.) and tiptop of Sundance Pinnacle (11,054 ft.) were in sunshine.  Beyond Jackass Pass in the distance, Pingora Peak (11,884 ft.), mighty guardian of the Cirque of the Towers, was bathed in sunlight, too.

Sundance Pinnacle (L), War Bonnet Peak (Center), Pingora Peak (R). Photo looks NW.

Wow!  What a spectacular setting, and we haven’t even set out yet!  We are in for one fabulous day sweet puppy!

I’ve been thinking, SPHP.  Let’s climb Dog Tooth Peak (12,488 ft.) first.  It’s closest, highest, and my top priority.

Don’t want to miss out on ol’ Dingo Fang, aye, Loopster?  Consider this, though, Mitchell Peak (12,482 ft.) is a mere 6 feet lower, and will have the grandest view of the Cirque of the Towers.  Ought to be able to see Lonesome Lake, too.  Furthermore, if things go well, provided we start with Mitchell, Dog Tooth and Big Sandy Mountain (12,416 ft.) might both be possible.  Since it’s in the middle, climbing Dog Tooth first means an either/or choice from there.

Still quite a few clouds around, SPHP.  I’d rather not take a chance on the weather deteriorating and not make it to Dog Tooth Peak.  Since Mitchell is your highest priority, we can do that next.

And it doesn’t bother you to forfeit any chance at Big Sandy, Loop?

SPHP, yesterday you said yourself that we probably couldn’t get to all 3 in a single day.  So, let’s not bite off more than we can chew, and focus on what’s most important to us.

Alrighty, then!  Sounds like a plan.  Onward!  Puppy, ho!

About to set out for Dog Tooth Peak (R) and Mitchell Peak (L). Photo looks NE.

Leaving the 10,200+ ft. ridge, Lupe headed NE down into the heart of Dog Tooth Paradise.  After leaping over the tributary of North Creek flowing through the center of this incredibly beautiful valley, Loopster began her ascent of Dog Tooth Peak (12,488 ft.) from a little S of Dog Tooth Waterslide, which she’d visited yesterday evening.

Starting up Dog Tooth Peak. Photo looks NE.

Nearly 2,300 feet to the top, up every step of the way!  Although steepish, the initial climb was very enjoyable, and really not hard at all.  Looper traveled along exposed bedrock, winding her way higher through a thin, scattered forest that had sprung up wherever a bit of soil presented an opportunity.  In some places, small streams ran through green meadows below big shelves of rock.

Exploring a meadow. Photo looks NNE.

By the time the Carolina Dog was 400 feet above Dog Tooth Paradise, she was above most of the trees.  The views were already tremendous!  To the S, Temple Peak (12,972 ft.), Scheistler Peak (12, 640 ft.), and much of Big Sandy Lake were in sight.  Continuing to climb, Lupe roamed at will over huge slabs of bedrock.  Watered by snow melt trickling down the rocks, a fair amount of low vegetation remained.

Above the forest. Mitchell Peak (Center). Photo looks N.
Temple Peak (L), Schiestler Peak (Center), and Big Sandy Lake (R). Photo looks S.
Continuing up the slabs. Mitchell Peak (Center). Photo looks N.
Wandering a series of small ledges. Dog Tooth Peak (L of Center). Photo looks NE.

The rate of climb steepened.  SPHP was forced to stop to gasp for air more and more often.  Lupe relaxed or sniffed about as she saw fit.  To the NW, Pylon Peak (12,378 ft.), Watch Tower (12,326 ft.), Sharks Nose (12,229 ft.), Overhanging Tower (12,164 ft.), and Wolfs Head (12,160 ft.) all came into sight strung out along the Cirque of the Towers beyond Jackass Pass.

War Bonnet Peak (L), Mitchell Peak (R). At Center in the gap from L to R: Pylon Peak, Watch Tower, Sharks Nose, Overhanging Tower, and Wolfs Head. Photo looks NW.

The slabs went on and on, but finally did come to an end.  Lupe entered a region of rougher terrain.  Fortunately, lanes of vegetation provided relatively easy routes higher.  Although these lanes never completely disappeared, they became scarcer and scarcer.

Entering rougher terrain above the slabs. Dog Tooth Peak (Center). Photo looks ESE.

The rocks grew bigger.  For a long way, Loopster leapt from boulder to boulder on steep fields of large talus.  SPHP was terrible at this.  Progress was dreadfully slow.  Some scrambling was required, none of it too scary with a little caution.

Among the talus. Photo looks ESE.

Near the top, the rate of climb diminished.  Suddenly there was much more greenery again.  An easy stroll led to a football field size plain strewn with boulders, many of which laid conveniently flat.

Getting close to the top. Photo looks S.

SPHP was initially disappointed to see that the high point a little to the S that Lupe had been climbing toward wasn’t actually the true summit.  A bouldery 60 foot high ridge NE of it was clearly higher.  Almost a vertical wall, getting up there looked problematic, maybe impossible.  Happily, an even higher ridge was a little farther N.

Although similar in appearance, this N ridge wasn’t quite as daunting.

Arriving at Dog Tooth Peak’s summit plain. S high point that Lupe had been climbing toward (L of Center). Photo looks S.
The daunting NE ridge. Photo looks ENE.
The N ridge. Photo looks NNE.

That’s it, SPHP!  Dog Tooth Peak’s true summit!  Look toward the L, I see a cairn up there.

Oh, yeah!  You’re right, Looper!  I see it too now.  Hoo-girl, not sure if we can get up there or not.  Looks dicey near the top.

Well, someone must have done it, SPHP, or there wouldn’t be a cairn.

Yeah, yeah, I know.  That doesn’t mean we can.  Before we break our necks trying, why don’t we have a look from those rocks over by the S edge.  A lot easier to get to, and I bet there’s a splendid view.

Wandering over that way among the boulders, only a little super easy scramble was required to reach some nice flat perches along the S edge.  Spread out before Lupe was a magnificent scene.  Big Sandy Mountain (12,416 ft.), the mountain she wasn’t going to get to visit, was only a mile SSE.  Wind River Peak (13,192 ft.), East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.), and Temple Peak (12.972 ft.) were all beautifully arrayed beyond it.  Part of Deep Lake was in sight, too.

Big Sandy Mountain (L of Center) in the foreground. Wind River Peak (L), East Temple Peak (Center), Temple Peak (R). Photo looks SSE.

After a leisurely look at this fabulous scene, it was time to take on that N ridge!  Lupe headed back that way.

Bound for the N ridge (L). NE ridge (R) Photo looks NNE.

A scramble on big talus went slowly, but successfully to a near vertical wall near the top.  Almost there, but getting spicey!  Lupe couldn’t go any higher.

Hang on, Loopster!  I’ll give you a boost!

Carefully, carefully, SPHP lifted the Carolina Dog as high as possible.

Now, Loop!  Go!

Clawing her way forward, Lupe made it.  Suddenly she was above SPHP, smiling back.  Not from the summit, but it couldn’t be much higher.

Come on up, SPHP! The mountain’s fine! Photo looks ESE.

SPHP joined Lupe.  That successful boost had been key.  One last dicey scramble move was all it took.  Child’s play to any real rock climber!

11:39 AM, 56ºF, Dog Tooth Peak (12,488 ft.)Splendor was all around as the American Dingo stood next to the summit cairn in a 15 mph SW breeze.  She’d made it.  Lupe was here!  A dream come true!

At Dog Tooth Peak’s true summit. Wind River Peak (L), Big Sandy Mountain (L of Center), East Temple Peak (Center). Photo looks SSE.

Oh, and what a dream it was!

SPHP, look at where we are!  Really, truly on Dog Tooth Peak!

Yes, we are!  Can you believe it?  Congratulations, Loopster!

SPHP shook Lupe’s paw.  She started to grin.

On Dog Tooth Peak. East Temple Peak (far L), Temple Peak (L). Photo looks S.

It’s a 4th of July to remember, SPHP!

Indeed it is!  And we haven’t even gotten to Mitchell Peak, yet.

Oh, we will, SPHP!  Just you wait and see.  First, though, we’re spending some time right here.

SPHP sat on the huge rock supporting the cairn.  Consisting mostly of flat-lying boulders and a few patches of dirt, the summit region was plenty big to move around on easily enough, but comfy spots were in short supply.  Lupe decided curling up on SPHP’s lap was her best bet.

Seems to be chocolate coconut bar time, Looper!  What do you think?

Thought you’d never ask, SPHP!  Bring it on!

So many awesome views from up here, it was hard to know even where to start, but Wind River Peak (13,192 ft.), monarch of the SE end of the Wind River Range, was certainly high on the list.  It was the 4th highest mountain Lupe had ever climbed, nearly 5 years ago now.

Wind River Peak (R of Center), Big Sandy Mountain (R), East Temple Peak (far R). Photo looks SE.
Wind River Peak (Center). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.

Naturally, that same glorious view of Big Sandy Mountain (12,416 ft.) with Wind River Peak, East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.), and Temple Peak (12,972 ft.) on display beyond it that Lupe had seen from down along the S edge was even better now.

Wind River Peak (L), Big Sandy Mountain (Center), East Temple Peak (R of Center), and Temple Peak (R). Photo looks SSE.

From way up here, Peak 11930 and Schiestler Peak (11,640 ft.) more to the SSW looked small in comparison.  Nearly 3,000 feet lower than Dog Tooth, Big Sandy Lake was in sight, too.  Bunion Mountain (11,905 ft.) and Laturio Mountain (11,342 ft.) were SW, along with that pipsqueak Sundance Pinnacle (11,054 ft.).

East Temple Peak (far L), Temple Peak (L), Peak 11930 (Center), Schiestler Peak (R), Big Sandy Lake (far R). Photo looks SSW.
Laturio Mountain (far L), Sundance Pinnacle (lower L), Bunion Mountain (L), War Bonnet Peak (Center), Warrior Peaks (R of Center). Photo looks W.

Perhaps the grandest scene, and one of intense interest, was to the NW where War Bonnet Peak (12,369 ft.) and Warrior Peaks (12,406 ft.) on the L, together with Mitchell Peak (12,482 ft.) on the R, framed Pylon Peak (12,378 ft.), Watch Tower (12,326 ft.), and several other pinnacles of the Cirque of the Towers.

War Bonnet Peak (far L), Warrior Peaks (L), Pylon Peak (L of Center), Watch Tower (R of Center), Mitchell Peak (far R). Photo looks NW.

Looking NW between Mitchell Peak and Lizard Head Peak (12,842 ft.), a sea of partially snow-clad mountains extended beyond vision along the spine of the Wind River Range.  Real giants were on the horizon, but too far away to identify.

Looking NW along the spine of the Wind River Range. Mitchell Peak (L).

Only 2 miles away, Lizard Head Peak, had a fearsome appearance.

Lizard Head Peak. Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.

Holy cow, Loopster!  And to think that at one time I thought we might be able to climb Lizard Head.  That ain’t gonna happen!

We could climb it with a helicopter, SPHP!

Across the gigantic canyon of the North Popo Agie River, both Bear Lake and another smaller lake were visible E of Lizard Head.  An enormous ridge was beyond them, with many minor summits along it.  Peak 12,539 was the highest point.  Cathedral Peak (12,326 ft.) was somewhere way out toward the N end.

Lizard Head (L edge), Bear Lake (L), and Peak 12539 (R). Photo looks N.

The North Popo Agie River canyon extended E more than 6 miles to a big bend where it curved NE.  Mount Chevo (11,423 ft.) was in sight beyond the bend.

Mount Chevo (R of Center) beyond the North Popo Agie River canyon. Photo looks E.

12:41 PM – Mitchell Peak was calling!  Lupe’s wonderful, precious hour on Dog Tooth Peak was drawing to a close.  The American Dingo stood next to the summit cairn for the last time with the fabulous panorama to the S beyond her.

On Dog Tooth Peak. Photo looks S.

Hate to go, but are you ready, Loop?

As ready as I’ll ever be, SPHP.  I wish it wasn’t over, but I feel blessed to have ever been here.  Thanks for agreeing to come here first.

Dingo Fang is a splendid summit, Looper.  Glad we came!

Me too, but the adventure continues, SPHP!

Indeed it did!  A very cautious initial descent succeeded in getting past the tricky, assistance-required spot.  Returning to the football field size plain, the Carolina Dog turned NW toward Mitchell Peak (12,482 ft.).

Setting out for Mitchell Peak (far R). Bunion Peak (far L), War Bonnet Peak & Warrior Peaks (L), Cirque of the Towers (Center). Photo looks NW.

It was a slow go.  Gradually losing elevation, Lupe leapt from boulder to boulder across an endless mountainside of big talus.  Far ahead, a rock formation extending SW down from the ridge leading to Mitchell Peak appeared to present an insurmountable barrier.

See that gap toward the lower end of the long wall of rock, Looper?  Head for it.  Let’s try to get through there. 

The cool SW wind had been strengthening all day.  As the Carolina Dog finally reached the wall of rock, it roared 50 mph through the gap.  A bit of scrambling was required to even get up to the gap, a task the gale made even more of a challenge.

Lupe made it, though.  Soon she was standing in the wild wind on large, flat rocks N of the gap.  Mitchell Peak was now directly ahead.

Mitchell Peak (Center) from near the gap. Lizard Head Peak (R). Photo looks NW.

A short descent on more big talus got Lupe down to much easier terrain.  Only scattered rocks were here on a sloping plain of low vegetation.  The wind wasn’t nearly as bad, either.  Staying well below the giant saddle way up along the ridge to the NE, Loop continued NW toward the slope SW of Mitchell’s cliffy summit block.

Approaching Mitchell Peak. Lupe aimed for that highest blip (L) on the W ridge. Photo looks NW.

The climb got steep pretty fast, but lanes of vegetation made it fairly easy for quite a long way.  Eventually, Lupe had to scramble up some big talus again, but not too far.  It was clear that being any farther E toward Mitchell’s summit block would have been much worse.

Above the largest talus, the route wasn’t quite as steep.  Life got easier.  Loopster was thrilled when she came to a couple of snowfields melting away in the July sun, but they were too soft to cross without post-holing.  Going around them was a bit of a pain.  150 feet above the uppermost snowbank, Lupe reached a broad plain 300 or 400 feet E of a big knob of rock along Mitchell Peak’s upper W ridge.

High on Mitchell Peak’s SW slope. Photo looks NE.
On the upper W ridge. War Bonnet Peak (L), Pylon Peak (R). Photo looks WSW.

Covered with large, flat-lying rocks, and a fair amount of low vegetation, the plain sloped gradually down to the N toward sheer, unseen cliffs.  To the E, it rose toward the summit.

Heading for the summit. Photo looks ENE.

The hard part was over!  Sweeping around the N side of the summit block, Lupe went virtually unimpeded all the way to the top.

Practically there! Photo looks SSE.

4:38 PM, 55ºF, Mitchell Peak (12,482 ft.) – The wind was 25 mph, still out of the SW, when Lupe reached a summit region of massive boulders.  A puny 3 rock cairn sat on the tremendous rock that supported the very highest one, which hung partly out into space toward the S.

True summit (Center), piddly cairn (R), War Bonnet Peak (far R). Photo looks SW.
On Mitchell Peak’s true summit. East Temple Peak (far L), Temple Peak (L), Peak 11930 (Center). Photo looks S.

What can be said?  The amazing 360º panorama from Mitchell Peak was in many ways similar to the one from Dog Tooth Peak only a mile SE.  Even so, if anything, the views were even more superb here.  One view in particular had made an ascent of Mitchell Peak a goal for years.

Oh, my gosh, Loopster!  Look at that!  The entire Cirque of the Towers!

Wow, this must be the best vantage point possible, SPHP!  We’re looking down on all of them!

Yup, just by a little bit, though.  The only thing that might be better would to be right on top of one of those towers so close to the rest.

I’d choose Pingora Peak (11,884 ft.), SPHP, it’s so cool looking.

An excellent choice, Looper!  Wolfs Head (12,160 ft.) appears so narrow and sharp it would slice us in two.

No reason to worry about that.  Neither Lupe nor SPHP would ever be on any of them.  They were all there, though, Warrior Peaks (12,406 ft.), Pylon Peak (12,378 ft.), Block Tower (12,210 ft.), Sharks Nose (12,229 ft.) , Overhanging Tower (12,164 ft.), and Bollinger Peak (12,232 ft.).

The famous Cirque of the Towers (L) from Mitchell Peak. Pingora Peak (Center). Photo looks NW.
Warrior Peaks (L), Cirque of the Towers (Center), Pingora Peak (R). Photo looks WNW.
Pylon Peak (L), Watch Tower (L of Center), Block Tower and Sharks Nose (Center), Overhanging Tower (R of Center), Pingora Peak (far R) with Wolfs Head (slightly L), Bollinger Peak and Mount Geikie (R) beyond. Photo looks WNW with help from the telephoto lens.

While the Cirque of the Towers was spell-binding, there was so much else to see, too!  Lizard Head Peak (12,842 ft.) was only 1.5 miles N.  Lupe could see little Skunk Knob (11,099 ft.) SE of it, where she had once been years ago.  E of Lizard Head was Peak 12539‘s giant ridge.

Lizard Head Peak (R), Skunk Knob (lower L). Photo looks NNW.
Lizard Head Peak (Center). Photo looks N.
Peak 12539 (R of Center), Lizard Head Peak (far L). Photo looks NE.

Of course, the view of Dog Tooth Peak (12,488 ft.) was spectacular with both Big Sandy Mountain (12,416 ft.) and Wind River Peak (13,192 ft.) in the background.

Dog Tooth Peak (Center), Big Sandy Mountain (R) with Wind River Peak beyond. Photo looks SE.
Dog Tooth Peak (L), Big Sandy Mountain and Wind River Peak (Center), East Temple Peak (R). Photo looks SE.

East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.), Temple Peak (12,972 ft.), Peak 11930, and Schiestler Peak (11,640 ft.) were naturally all a little farther away now, but the angle was such from Mitchell Peak that more lakes were visible.  In addition to Big Sandy Lake, all of Deep Lake was in sight.  Most of Temple Lake was, too, but it was a little hard to distinguish still almost entirely covered in snow and ice.  Part of Clear Lake, and a few others could be seen as well.

Big Sandy Mountain & Wind River Peak (far L), East Temple Peak (L), Temple Peak (Center), Schiestler Peak (R) with Peak 11930 beyond. Big Sandy Lake (far R). Photo looks SSE.
East Temple Peak (L), Temple Peak (Center), Schiestler Peak (R) with Peak 11930 beyond. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.
East Temple Peak (L) with Deep Lake below it. Temple Peak (R) with frozen Temple Lake below it. Part of Clear Lake (foreground). Photo looks SSE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

Despite Mitchell Peak’s summit region consisting of a ridge of large talus, it was actually fairly easy to move around, with plenty of space to do so.  After Lupe got up on the true summit, SPHP shook her paw, showering her with profuse praise and congratulations.  What an incredible couple of big mountains she’d climbed today!  A second and final celebratory chocolate coconut bar of the day was shared.

Surprisingly, no sign of a registry.  Hadn’t been one on Dog Tooth, either.  No registry wasn’t what mattered here, though.  After searching around, only a couple of feet W of the little cairn, SPHP saw the white outline of a rectangle on the upper surface of the massive flat rock supporting the true summit boulder.

Oh, no!  It’s gone, Loop!  It must have been attached right there.

What’s gone, SPHP?

The plaque commemorating Finis Mitchell!

The Finis Mitchell that Mitchell Peak is named after, SPHP?

Precisely, Looper!  Finis and his wife ran a fishing camp for many years near Mud Lake back down at Big Sandy Opening.  He’d been all over the Wind River Range during his life, and wrote Wind River Trails, a guide book that seems quaint these days.  At the end of the book is a photo of the plaque commemorating Finis’ 11 ascents of Mitchell Peak.  I really wanted to get a photo of you standing next to that plaque, but we’re too late!  It’s not here anymore!

The missing plaque was the only real disappointment of this epic, joyful day.  For more than an hour, Lupe and SPHP sat together, or wandered, gazing at the magnificent Wind River Range scenes in all directions.

Wind River Range from Mitchell Peak. Photo looks NW.
Same view with help from the telephoto lens. Skunk Knob (Center) near bottom. Texas Pass (far R). Photo looks NW.

5:47 PM, Mitchell Peak (12,482 ft.) – 4th of July!  One to remember!  SPHP didn’t realize it until much later upon seeing that photo of the Finis Mitchell plaque in Wind River Trails again, but this was sort of a coincidence, too.  Finis Mitchell’s first ascent of Mitchell Peak had been on the 4th of July back in 1923.

99 years later to the day, Lupe also stood alone on Mitchell Peak for the first time in a stiff SW breeze next to the little cairn only a foot or two from where both Finis Mitchell and his plaque had once been.

99 years later on Mitchell Peak. Photo looks SW.

The inevitable sad moment of departure had arrived, as it always does.  While Lupe lingered at the summit, SPHP started down first.

Final moments on the summit. Photo looks S.

SPHP called.  Lupe came running, bounding down the boulders.

One more thing we need to do before we completely leave the mountain, Loopster.

Oh, and what’s that, SPHP?

We should have a look at Lonesome Lake.  Couldn’t see it from the summit, and I’d like to see it again.

From up here?  That would be awesome, SPHP!

Then follow me, Loop.

After heading NW through the talus, SPHP led Lupe down to the cliffs along Mitchell Peak’s N edge.  Sure enough, Lonesome Lake was there, nestled at the base of Pingora Peak (11,884 ft.), partly in its shadow.

Cirque of the Towers (L), Pingora Peak (Center), Lonesome Lake (R). Photo looks NW.

Lonesome Lake is as beautiful as ever, SPHP!

Remember when we were down there, Looper?  We’d already been to the Cirque of the Towers, discovered that really cool waterfall, then came down to Lonesome Lake on our way to Skunk Knob (11,099 ft.).

I remember it was a sunny day, SPHP.  Sunlight was sparkling on the waves with Mitchell Peak soaring skyward past the lake.  Seems like a long, long time ago now.

That’s right, Loop!  And it has been a while.  That was back in 2015.

The SW wind blew constantly during nearly the entire descent.  Staying even a little farther W on the steep part below Mitchell Peak’s upper W ridge, Lupe was able to avoid nearly all the big talus she’d run into on the way up.  Once down to the much easier terrain SW of the big saddle on the ridge between Mitchell and Dog Tooth, the Carolina Dog ran free, displaying great energy as she led the way, roaming and sniffing at will, while marmots whistled warnings of her approach.

Incredibly beautiful, the long descent was interesting and somewhat more complicated than SPHP expected.  Lupe traveled S down slabs of bedrock past snowbanks, ledges, and a multitude of small streams.

The American Dingo was in the forest, almost all the way down to Dog Tooth Paradise when the wind finally quit.  Not much farther now.

Near sunset, base camp at Dog Tooth Paradise – SPHP was tired, but Lupe was still animated, sniffing around a while before finally entering the tiny house.

Big Sandy Mountain (12,416 ft.) tomorrow, SPHP?

I’d love to, but afraid not, Loop.  We’re completely out of food.  I didn’t bring enough.

That wasn’t entirely true.  A couple handfuls of peanuts remained.  Not for long, though!  Peanuts for dinner.  Even Lupe ate them, and when the last one was gone, still running on empty, on the magnificent day she’d been to 2 splendid Wind River Range peaks, it was time for goodnight.

On Mitchell Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming 7-4-22

Links:

Next Adventure                           Prior Adventure

Dog Tooth Peak & Mitchell Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: Big Sandy Opening to Dog Tooth Paradise (7-3-22)

East Temple Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: Big Sandy Opening to Clear Lake (7-18-20)

East Temple Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 2: Deep Lake to the Summit (7-19-20)

Big Sandy to Jackass Pass & Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, WY (9-1-15)

Cirque of the Towers, Lonesome Lake, Skunk Knob & Jackass Pass, Wind River Range, WY (9-2-15)

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacations to Wyoming, Canada & Alaska Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.

Dog Tooth Peak & Mitchell Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: Big Sandy Opening to Dog Tooth Paradise (7-3-22)

Days 16-18 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!

7-1-22, almost noon –  July already!  While SPHP moseyed about cleaning and organizing, Lupe had spent most of this beautiful morning relaxing on her pink blanket, displaying no sign of ambition.

C’mon, Looper!  We’ll be moving on soon.  Last chance for a sniff before we head out.

Rather reluctantly leaping out of the RAV4, Lupe joined SPHP on a short stroll along Road No. 10399 out to Greys River Road and back again.  She then wandered down to Greys River for a drink.

This is a wonderful spot!  I love it here, SPHP!  You haven’t even caught up the trip journal yet.  Why do we have to leave?

Because you’ve climbed all the mountains we intended to around here on this Dingo Vacation, Loopster, and I’m not in a trip journal mood.  So we might as well start getting into position for the next big thing.  Besides, I’m kind of looking forward to a nice, long, scenic drive.  You’ll enjoy it, too!

Will there be any cows and horses to bark at?

Can almost guarantee it, Loop!

And what is the next big thing, SPHP?  Where are we going?

The Wind River Range, Looper!  Ever since reading Wind River Trails by Finis Mitchell, I’ve always wanted to climb Mitchell Peak (12,482 ft.).

7-2-22, 1:28 AM, pullout along Hwy 352 near the turn to New Fork Lake – The only thing wrong with the drive to Pinedale was that it wasn’t long enough.  Lupe had arrived in plenty of time to enjoy not one, but two sniffs along Pine Creek.  Not inclined to stray too far from civilization this evening, near sunset SPHP had driven W out of town, admittedly the wrong way as far as getting to the Big Sandy Opening, but this pullout was a quiet enough spot late at night.

Lupe had been happy in the RAV4 most of the day, but the Carolina Dog wanted out now.  SPHP grabbed the flashlight.

OK, let’s go!

Moonless, the night was very dark, the Milky Way overhead but a faint glow.  Enjoying the cool air, Lupe sniffed along the tall grass bordering the pullout.  A surprisingly busy highway during the day, silence reigned now.  15 minutes of star-gazing pondering the universe sufficed.

7-2-22, predawn hours – Ugh!  Awake again.  Not due to the American Dingo this time, though.  In fact, Lupe never even seemed to notice, but there’d been increasingly bold scurrying in the RAV4 every night since this Dingo Vacation started.  About time to put an end to it, but how?

Grabbing the flashlight, SPHP shone it around.  A set of beady black eyes stared back a moment, then vanished.  Aha!  Knew it!  An idea formed.  Might work!  SPHP opened the door of the RAV4, and hopped out.

Where are you going, SPHP?

Stay put, Loop.  I’m gonna catch that mouse!

Getting a big, clear plastic bag out of the back, SPHP put some of Lupe’s Taste of the Wild in it.  Then placing it on the floor behind Lupe’s seat with the bag kept open, SPHP turned off the flashlight.

Didn’t take long.  The scurrying recommenced, right into the trap!

Closing the bag suddenly, SPHP turned on the light.  Got him!  Trapped like a rat, a really small one.  Moments later, SPHP released the mouse unharmed into the grass along the pullout before returning to the RAV4.

Hah!  So easy!  I should have thought of that sooner, Loop.  Mouse must have been getting pretty hungry in here.

The words were scarcely out of SPHP’s mouth, when scurrying resumed.  What?  Two mice?  Inconceivable!  But front and back, here and there, bold scurrying commenced anytime the light was off.

The Taste of the Wild trap worked a second time.  This time, just in case, SPHP released mouse 150 feet from the RAV4.  Blissful silence reigned even after the light was turned out.  Finally, that was that!

For 20 minutes, then the scurrying returned.  3 mice?  No, not possible!  That same dang mouse must know how to get back into the RAV4.

You’re no help at all, Loopster!  Can’t you do something about this mouse?

Like what, SPHP?  I’m a Carolina Dog, not the breed you need in a case like this.

Really?  What does breed have to do with it?  And what breed would you recommend?

A cat would be a good choice, SPHP.

A cat!  Maybe so, but a cat isn’t technically a canine, Loop.  Hate to break it to you, but cats are a different species entirely.  Cats are felines.

No need to slander cats, SPHP, just because they aren’t very bright.  Cats are canines, too, you know!  Not their fault they’re too mentally deficient to be decent members of the pack.  They’re loners by nature.  And despite their obvious handicaps, you’ve got to admit they are excellent mousers.

Cats are canines, too?  No, they aren’t silly Dingo!  But whatever, we’re fresh out of cats in any case, and apparently you aren’t going to lift a paw to help me.

Well, here’s a thought, SPHP.  Since you seem to be almost as good at catching mice as a cat, how about next time you play catch and release, run back to the RAV4 and drive away.  Mouse will never catch us.

Hmm.  Not a bad plan, Loopster!  Might be the only thing that will work.

Except it didn’t.  Mouse was wising up.  This time it took a while before the mouse dared enter the plastic bag.  SPHP snapped it shut.

Did you get him, SPHP?

Nope, doesn’t look like it.  Shoot!  Thought I had him.

SPHP reset the Taste of the Wild trap only to see the mouse scurry out of the bag before turning off the light.

Well, dang it!  I did have him all along, and now I don’t!

Major fail, SPHP!

Bold, in-your-face scurrying continued whenever the flashlight was off the rest of the night, but mouse wasn’t falling for the Taste of the Wild in the plastic bag trick again.

7-2-22, 8:00 AM – What a night!  The morning sun was already well above the Wind River Range when SPHP woke up.  No scurrying now that it was light out, but the stowaway was almost certainly still on board as SPHP fired up the RAV4.

In Pinedale, Lupe enjoyed another long sniff along Pine Creek.  By noon, SPHP had the trip journal fairly close to being caught up.  An afternoon drive to Boulder, then along the Lander Cut-off was great fun and very scenic, with terrific views of the Wind River Range the whole way.

7-2-22, 2:30 PM, Big Sandy Opening – Actually a few parking spots left at the trailhead when Lupe arrived.  SPHP was amazed, considering it was 4th of July weekend.  Tucking the RAV4 neatly into a spot, work on the trip journal resumed despite all the activity outside.  Meanwhile, the Carolina Dog was perfectly content snoozing on her pink blanket.

By 4:05 PM, the journal was caught up again.

What are you doing, SPHP?

Getting ready, Loop.

You aren’t seriously considering setting out now, are you?  Late afternoon already, and it was kind of a short night last night with all the antics you and mouse went through.  Why not stay here tonight, rest up, and hit the trail in the morning when we’re fresh?

Days are long this time of year, Looper.  If we head out now, maybe we can shave enough distance off this evening to put us within striking distance of Mitchell Peak tomorrow?

7-2-22, 5:30 PM – Finally ready, but as SPHP registered near the start of Big Sandy Trail No. 099, someone was not amused.  Lupe clearly didn’t want to go.

Loop reluctant to leave the trailhead.

Took a good deal of pleading and persuasion, but Loop finally followed SPHP over a small rise into the forest.  Almost immediately, a sign for the Meeks Lake Trail appeared.

By the Meeks Lake Trail sign.

A little beyond the sign, the broad, heavily-trafficked trail broke out of the forest, entering a flat meadow.  Lupe remained unenthused.  Even the sight of  Laturio Mountain (11,342 ft.) ahead failed to lift her spirits.

Laturio Mountain (L & Center) from Big Sandy Trail No. 099. Photo looks NNE.

C’mon, Loop, cheer up!  We aren’t going to do anything difficult today, just make some tracks.  Going to be alright, you’ll see.

It became almost a contest of wills.  SPHP led the way, while Lupe played an extreme version of her stalking game.  The American Dingo wouldn’t budge an inch until SPHP was not only out of sight, but gone for a while.  Forced to wait, SPHP had to resort to the whistle a few times.

Took way longer than it should have to cover the easy 0.75 mile to where Continental Divide Trail No. 096 split off from Trail No. 099 to Big Sandy Lake, but Lupe finally got there.

At the junction. Straight ahead to Big Sandy Lake, or L to Meeks Lake. Big Sandy River (R). Photo looks NE.
Junction signage.

The Carolina Dog’s reluctance to continue on diminished after taking much less frequented Trail No. 96, but Loop still hung back playing her stalking game for a while.  At least she was staying closer than before.

Playing the stalking game along Trail No. 096.

The trail wound gradually higher through a forested region.  Mosquitoes had been bad back at the Big Sandy Opening trailhead, and were worse here.  An enveloping cloud of the blood-thirsty little vampires whined in almost instantly during any pause.  Lupe caught up when SPHP finally stopped to slather on some Eucalyptus cream, followed by a liberal spraying of Repel.

Hold still, Looper.  I’ll put a little on you, too!

My, isn’t this fun, SPHP?  So glad we’re getting to serve as local blood banks, and I’m not stuck in the RAV4 snoozing peacefully with a full tummy after a decent meal.  Why, mouse might start scurrying around, and make me bat an eye!  Wouldn’t that be awful?

Yeah, I know, the mosquitoes are horrid, Loop.  I hate ’em too.  If ever there was a species I’d be glad to cheer on to extinction, they fit the bill.

Reeking of Eucalyptus, the journey resumed.  Poor Lupe!  Mosquitoes still kept attacking her eyes, lips, and paws where SPHP hadn’t dared to apply any Repel or Eucalyptus.  SPHP killed hundreds on her to no avail.  Constant motion was the only real defense.

After 0.33 mile, Trail No. 096 crossed a stream.  An easy rock-hop, this was the outlet stream from Meeks Lake.

Fording the Meeks Lake outlet stream.

Beyond the stream, the trail climbed another 100 feet before leveling out and turning NNW.  Soon patches of blue could be glimpsed in the thick forest W of the trail, but a good view of Meeks Lake never materialized.  Lupe was already beyond the lake when the trail forked again upon reaching a clearing.

Meeks Lake Trail No. 096 continues toward the L. Diamond Lake Trail No. 100 goes R. Photo looks N.
The fading signage.

Lupe had been here before.  Diamond Lake Trail No. 100 angling off to the R was the way to go.  Combined with Trail No. 096, it was a slightly longer, but far more secluded route than Big Sandy Lake Trail No. 099, which it would eventually rejoin past Diamond Lake.

After crossing the flat clearing, No. 100 started to climb as it headed NE back into the trees.  Before long, the surrounding forest was a complete shambles.  Deadfall everywhere, some of it gigantic!

Re-entering the forest on Diamond Lake Trail No. 100. Photo looks NE.
What a mess!

Fortunately, the USFS service had made a valiant, and largely successful, effort to keep the trail deadfall-free.  Still some deadfall to contend with, but not anywhere near the nightmare it might have been.  After gaining 200 feet over 0.25 mile, Diamond Lake Trail No. 100 topped out going over a minor pass.  A steady descent began, and the forest was soon looking much healthier again.

7-2-22, 7:03 PM – By the time Lupe made it to V Lake, the evening was drippy and gray.  Scheistler Peak (11,640 ft.), Temple Peak (12,972 ft.), and Peak 11930 were only dimly in view.  For a while, mist or light rain fell.  Multiple blue tents were up on an open hillside NW of the lake, along with the only people seen since leaving Big Sandy Trail No. 099.

Scheistler Peak (far L), Temple Peak (Center), and Peak 11930 (R of Center) from V Lake. Photo looks ESE.

Beyond V Lake, the trail was quite flat as Lupe continued NE through huge meadows, parts of which were swampy, and stretches of forest where the ground was firmer.  Progress was rapid on this easy terrain.  The Carolina Dog forded several small gravelly streams, none of which presented any difficulty.

N end of V Lake (R). Scheistler Peak (far L), Temple Peak (Center), and Peak 11930 (R of Center). Photo looks ENE.
Wading in one of the gravelly streams.

Reaching a big slab of exposed bedrock, 3 mountains were visible ahead for the first time.

Mitchell Peak (L), Dog Tooth Peak (Center) & Big Sandy Mountain (R). Photo looks NE.

Hey, hey, Loopster!  Told ya this was a good idea.  Looks like we’re starting to get somewhere.  There’s Mitchell Peak (12,482 ft.)!

Which one is Mitchell, SPHP?

The one on the L, Loop.

Do those other 2 peaks have names, too?

They most certainly do!  That’s Dog Tooth Peak (12,488 ft.) in the middle, and Big Sandy Mountain (12,416 ft.) on the R.

Dog Tooth Peak!  What an awesome name, although Dingo Fang Peak would have been even better.  Let’s climb Dog Tooth Peak, too, SPHP!  It’s the highest one.  In fact, we could climb all 3.

Glad to see your enthusiasm returning, Looper!  I’ve actually been hoping we can climb Dog Tooth in addition to Mitchell.  I knew you’d like that name!  Big Sandy is fine with me, too, of course, if we have time.  Might be a bit much in one day, though, and I didn’t bring enough supplies to stay up here very long.

A mile past V Lake, Diamond Lake came into view.  The trail passed through another semi-swampy big meadow NW of the lake.

Temple Peak (L) and Peak 11930 (Center) from Diamond Lake. Photo looks SE.

Beyond the meadow, Lupe stuck with Diamond Lake Trail No. 100 a little farther as it went back into the forest.  Light was soon starting to fade.  SPHP marched off into the pines NW of the trail.

This ought to be about far enough for today, Looper.  We don’t want to go so far that we reach Trail No. 099 again.  Much more secluded here.

Fine, fine, but hurry, SPHP!  Set up the tiny house.  I’m getting eaten alive!

The mosquitoes were horrendous!  Setting up the tiny house in record time, it was a tremendous relief to scramble inside, and zip that door shut!  After a bite to eat before it got dark, pleased how it had all gone, SPHP drifted off to sleep thinking Lupe was well-positioned for an ascent of Mitchell Peak, and maybe even Dog Tooth Peak tomorrow.

7-3-22, black as pitch – No telling what time it was.  Flashes of light so faint SPHP wasn’t even sure they were real soon brightened.  Lightning!  Before long, the pitter-patter of raindrops.  Nothing too serious, probably just a shower.  After pulling part of Lupe’s sleeping bag over her, SPHP rolled over and went back to sleep.

7-3-22, morning – Light out, but still raining.  Lupe had slept long and hard.  Even so, apparently she still felt listless, perfectly content to laze about on her red sleeping bag.  Also lethargic, SPHP laid listening to the rain, trying to doze.  Face it, getting soaking wet while facing a horde of vampires, wasn’t much of an incentive.  None dared leave the tiny house.

7-3-22, 10:30 AM – It had finally quit raining.  Slathered in Eucalyptus cream and coated with the last of the Repel spray, SPHP unzipped the door of the tiny house.

Going to try to do this fast!  Just stay inside, Loop, until I’ve got the tiny house ready to roll up.

No worries there!  The American Dingo hadn’t the slightest intention of disobeying that order.  Clouds of mosquitoes enveloped SPHP.  Happily, chemical warfare was working.  Only got bit once before having to kick Loop out of the tiny house.  Hoisting the pack as soon as possible, a hasty retreat back to Diamond Lake Trail No. 100 ensued.

Heading NE, it turned out Lupe had spent the night only a few minutes from the junction with Big Sandy Lake Trail No. 099.

Signage at the junction of Diamond Lake Trail No. 100 and Big Sandy Lake Trail No. 099.

For some grand, mysterious reason there were no mosquitoes to speak of along Big Sandy Lake Trail No. 099.  The day was getting sunnier, and the trail was busy.  Lots of people both coming and going.  Plenty of dogs to sniff with, too!

Lupe had started out playing her stalking game again, but soon gave that up and trotted right along.  The trail ran NE, climbing at an easy pace.  By noon, the Carolina Dog was wading in the cold, shallow waters at the SW end of Big Sandy Lake.

Big Sandy Lake. Dog Tooth Peak (L) & Big Sandy Mountain (Center). Photo looks NE.

Continuing along Big Sandy Lake’s W shore on Trail No. 099, forest soon gave way to a big meadow.  The scenery was magnificent, and it was lunch time, too!

Doesn’t get much better than this!  Want to take a break, Loop?  I brought beef jerky.

An offer too good to refuse!  Heading W up a short grassy slope, a sunny perch was settled upon on some big rocks.  Mitchell Peak (12,482 ft.), Dog Tooth Peak (12,488 ft.), and Big Sandy Mountain (12,416 ft.) were all on display.  Directly across the lake, Scheistler Peak (11,640 ft.) was most impressive.

Mitchell Peak (L), Dog Tooth Peak (R), Big Sandy Mountain (R edge). Photo looks NNE.
Big Sandy Mountain (Center). Photo looks NE.
Scheistler Peak (Center). Photo looks SSE.

See that gigantic wall of rock?  That’s Haystack Mountain (11,978 ft.), Loop.  The pointier peak to the R that looks like you’re walking a plank is East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.).

Haystack Mountain (Center), East Temple Peak (R). Photo looks SE.

East Temple Peak!  Why we were there only a couple of years ago, SPHP!  Remember how beautiful Deep Lake was, and how we couldn’t find the tiny house in the middle of the night?

Sure do, Loopster!  How could I ever forget all that?

7-3-22, 1:21 PM, N end of Big Sandy Lake – A very pleasant hour in the warm sunshine had shot on by.  The beef jerky had, of course, been a huge hit.  After crossing the alluvial plain where Lost Creek spread out into various trickles only a few inches deep, Lupe was now at the next trail junction.

Junction of Trails No. 099 and No. 098 at the N end of Big Sandy Lake.
Junction signage.

Which way, SPHP?

Go L, Loop, unless you want to climb East Temple Peak again!

Don’t tempt me, SPHP!  I’d do it in a heartbeat.

For the first time, Big Sandy Trail No. 099 climbed aggressively, winding N through a forest.  Loopster gained 400 feet of elevation before the trail flattened out.  Ahead, a big gap was visible between two towering peaks.

War Bonnet Peak (L), Mitchell Peak (R). Photo looks N.

That’s War Bonnet Peak (12,369 ft.) on the L, Looper.  Part of Mitchell on the R.  We’re only a couple of miles from Jackass Pass.

We’re going to Jackass Pass, SPHP?  You mean we’ll be visiting the Cirque of the Towers and Lonesome Lake again?  Been forever since we’ve been there, and so spectacular!

Sadly, no.  We’ll have to leave the trail before we get to Jackass Pass, Loop, if we want climb Mitchell Peak.

And Dog Tooth Peak, too, SPHP!  Don’t forget Dog Tooth.  I’ll bite you, if you do!

That ought to remind me, Miss Dingo Fang!

7-3-22, 2:05 PM – As Lupe trotted N along the flat section, it was clear any attempt at an ascent today would mean she’d only get to one summit at best.  Too late already, and to tell the truth, SPHP wasn’t feeling even that ambitious.  Maybe better to pitch the tiny house somewhere, and rest?  Might be possible to hit 2 summits tomorrow with an early start.

Seemed like a better plan.  Checking out the grassy slopes W of the trail, the best place to camp was already taken, but there was another spot a bit farther on that might do.

Loop, leave the trail here!  Let’s go up there and take a look around.

How come, SPHP?

We got off to too late a start due to the rain.  Let’s find a place to camp. We’ll wait on mountains until tomorrow.

A short climb led to a great view from some big rocks, but the little patch of relatively level grassy ground next to the rocks proved too rocky.

Haystack Mountain (L), East Temple Peak (L of Center), Temple Peak (R of Center), and Scheistler Peak (R) from the viewpoint. Photo looks SSE.

Terrific view, but this isn’t going to work, Looper.  We’re going to have to keep looking.  Oh, that’s sad!

What’s sad, SPHP?  Keeping looking?

No, I see a dead animal on top of a big rock 50 feet away.  Poor thing!

What kind of a dead animal, SPHP?

Not sure, Loop.  Let me take a look with the camera’s telephoto lens.  Hmm, well, that’s surprising.

What’s surprising, SPHP?  Don’t keep me in suspenders!

Suspense, not suspenders, Loop.  Think it’s a marmot, or maybe a pika.  What’s surprising is how lively it looks for a dead one.

The “dead” marmot.

Oh, I love marmots, SPHP!  Pikas, too.  Hope it’s not dead.  Which is it, alive or dead?

Since I’ve seen it move now, and it’s eyes are open, I’m revising my earlier opinion, Loopster.  Clearly alive.

As much as Lupe would have liked to play a game of hunter and prey with the marmot, that really wasn’t possible.  The marmot’s lofty perch was eminently secure.  Returning to Trail No. 099, the trek N continued, but not very far before the trail dropped down to cross North Creek.

North Creek was a fairly good-sized rushing stream, but SPHP managed to rock hop it while Lupe waded on through.  Now on the E side of the stream, the trail immediately began winding higher.  Lupe gained a good 100 feet of elevation before it leveled out again, heading N.

Let’s leave the trail here, Looper.  The topo map shows sort of a big flat ridge not too much higher up this slope to the E, and a shallow valley on the other side where there’s a tributary of North Creek.  Might be our best shot at finding some level ground.

Abandoning Trail No. 099 yet again, Lupe started up a thinly forested slope that didn’t look very promising.  The topo map was right, though.  Before long, the terrain began to level out.  Soon the Carolina Dog was on top of a wide ridge of exposed bedrock.  Scattered, scrawny trees grew wherever the bedrock harbored a bit of soil.

Oh, my gosh, Loop!  This ridge is gorgeous, and the views are spectacular!  We’ve got to find a place to pitch the tiny house up here.

Look over there, SPHP!  Isn’t that the top of Pingora Peak (11,884 ft.) over by the Cirque of the Towers beyond Jackass Pass?

Oh yeah, you’re right, Looper.  How awesome is that?  We’re staying here!

7-3-22, 3:32 PM – A small, shallow patch of flat pine-needle covered soil was found that sufficed.  Before long, SPHP had Lupe’s tiny house up.

Base camp at10,200+ ft. Haystack Mountain (L), East Temple Peak (L of Center), and Temple Peak behind trees (R). Photo looks SSE.

Despite an easy day, a certain weariness had set in for both human and Dingo.  The sky was clouding up again, too, the weather a bit unsettled, although there hadn’t been any more precipitation.  Occasional brief gusts of wind shook the tiny house.

Hate to say it, but I feel like a nap, Loop.

Me too, SPHP!  Why don’t we take a snooze, and see what develops?  If it’s nice out, we can emerge and do some exploring this evening.  If not, we’re already as snug as a bug in a rug.

Great minds think alike, Looper!

7-3-22, 6:07 PM – A long nap had done wonders, even for the weather.  Lupe emerged from the tiny house to mostly blue skies and sunshine.  An evening of joy and beauty was in store as Lupe and SPHP explored this fascinating region together.

NW, War Bonnet Peak (12,369 ft.) and Sundance Pinnacle (11,054 ft.) dominated the W side of the North Creek valley.  The distinctive, massive rounded spire of Pingora Peak (11,884 ft.) was visible in the distance.

Warbonnet Peak (Center), Pingora Peak (R) in the distance. Photo looks NW.
Sundance Pinnacle (L), Warbonnet Peak (Center), Pingora Peak (R). Photo looks NW.
War Bonnet Peak (L), part of Mitchell Peak (R), Pingora Peak (L of Center) beyond Jackass Pass. Photo looks NNW.

The ridge of bedrock that Lupe’s tiny house was pitched on at 10,200+ feet extended S several hundred more feet.  Venturing out that way, the Carolina Dog enjoyed superb views of Haystack Mountain (11,978 ft.), East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.)Temple Peak (12,972 ft.), and Schiestler Peak (11,640 ft.).

The 10,200+ foot ridge (R) serving as base camp. Schiestler Peak (L). Photo looks S.
The grand panorama. Haystack Mountain (L), East Temple Peak (L of Center), Temple Peak (R of Center), Schiestler Peak (R). Photo looks SSE.
Haystack Mountain (L), East Temple Peak (Center), and Temple Peak (R). Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.
Temple Peak (L) and Schiestler Peak (R). Photo looks S with even more help from the telephoto lens.
East Temple Peak (L), Temple Peak (R of Center). Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.
Fully zoomed in on East Temple Peak (Center). Photo looks SSE.

Back to the N was a tremendously encouraging view of Lupe’s two prime objectives, Dog Tooth Peak (12,488 ft.) and Mitchell Peak (12,482 ft.).

Mitch Peak (L) and Dog Tooth Peak (R). Photo looks NE.
Mitchell Peak (Center). Photo looks NNE with help from the telephoto lens.

The shallow valley shown on the topo map just E of this ridge was in sight too.  Lying at the base of Dog Tooth Peak’s gigantic SW slope, the valley looked exquisitely beautiful.

Look, SPHP, it’s Dog Tooth Paradise!  Let’s go down there!

Toward the N end of the valley, a pond was fed by a crystal clear stream.  Below the pond, the stream flowed S over bedrock, or next to meadows full of tiny wildflowers.  Upstream from the pond, Lupe discovered Dog Tooth Waterslide.

Setting off to explore Dog Tooth Paradise. Mitchell Peak (L), Dog Tooth Peak (R). Photo looks NE.
Sundance Pinnacle (L) and War Bonnet Peak (R of Center) from Dog Tooth Paradise. Photo looks NW.
Down by the stream. Sundance Pinnacle (L), War Bonnet Peak (R). Photo looks NW.
Dog Tooth Waterslide. Photo looks NNE.

While the sun sank slowly in the NW, Lupe roamed and sniffed her way around Dog Tooth Paradise to her heart’s content.  She came to a place where an enormous slab of bedrock supported scattered pieces of Dog Tooth Peak that had broken off and come tumbling down the mountain.

Temple Peak (L), Scheistler Peak (R). Photo looks S.

A sense of magic grew.  Somehow, in an over-crowded world, this hidden valley only 10 minutes from the heavily trodden trail to Jackass Pass was an unknown gem, unvisited and unspoiled.

You’re right, Loopster!  This is Dog Tooth Paradise!  How lucky we are to have found it!

Haystack Mountain, East Temple Peak, Temple Peak & Schiestler Peak from Dog Tooth Paradise, Wind River Range, Wyoming 7-3-22

Links:

Next Adventure                            Prior Adventure

Dog Tooth Peak & Mitchell Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 2: Dog Tooth Paradise to the Summits! (7-4-22)

East Temple Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: Big Sandy Opening to Clear Lake (7-18-20)

East Temple Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 2: Deep Lake to the Summit (7-19-20)

Big Sandy to Jackass Pass & Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, WY (9-1-15)

Cirque of the Towers, Lonesome Lake, Skunk Knob & Jackass Pass, Wind River Range, WY (9-2-15)

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacations to Wyoming, Canada & Alaska Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.

Atlantic Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 2: Atlantic Lake to the Summit! (9-15-20)

Days 3-6 of Lupe’s 5th Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!

9-15-20, 7:27 AM, Atlantic Lake – Squirrels!  A great way to start any day.  An American Dingo’s shrill enthusiasm broke the tranquility of the mountain air.

Loopster!  Hush!  You’ll wake up the campers.

Well, lucky them!  They’re missing out!  Lots of squirrels here.  No doubt they’ll want to get in on the action!

Yeah, keep that up, and I’m sure they’ll be coming over to thank you any minute now.  Anyway, c’mon, we’re ready.  You can look for more squirrels after we get sufficiently past their camp.

Smooth as silk!  Scarcely a ripple disturbed the surface of Atlantic Lake.  Such a beautiful spot!  Unfortunately, no improvement in air quality.  A little smokier than yesterday, if anything.  Disappointing, but sadly not entirely unexpected.

Atlantic Peak (L of Center) from Atlantic Lake. Photo looks WNW.

The Carolina Dog set out heading W along the S shore, utilizing a mix of faint use trails.  Soon turned out that there was a better trail a little off in the forest, away from the lake.  As this region narrowed, Lupe traveled along the base of rock formations or slides.  Big rocks sometimes created openings along the shoreline that provided viewpoints.

Atlantic Lake shortly after sunrise. Photo looks ESE.
A little farther on.

Near the W end of Atlantic Lake, Lupe came to a vacant campsite.  Not a bad spot!  If SPHP had known about it yesterday, Loop would have spent the night here.  A rushing stream was just beyond the campsite.  Leaving Atlantic Lake, Loopster followed the stream up a steep forested slope.  Crossing the stream after the terrain leveled out to some degree quickly proved to be a mistake.

At the campsite near the W end of Atlantic Lake.
Heading up the stream.
Loop crossed the stream (hidden in the bushes) here, but ran into difficult terrain on the other side.

Returning to the S bank, Looper kept going, venturing through a region bounded by a steep rocky slope on the L (S), and the stream and forest on the R (N).  She was often forced to scramble over talus at the base of rock slides.  Only intermittent signs of any use trail now.

Following the base of the slope. Atlantic Peak (R). Photo looks WNW.
Best to stay low and keep heading W for a while yet! Photo looks S.
Crossing talus. Atlantic Peak straight up from Lupe. Photo looks WNW.

After a while, the stream disappeared in the forest.  Lupe eventually came to the brink of a wide ravine.  She needed to get across it, but was too high.  A pond was visible 50 feet lower off to the N (R).  This seemed like a decent landmark to check progress against, but the topo map didn’t show a pond in this region at all.  Puzzling.

The mysterious unmapped pond. Silas Peak (12,248 ft.) (L). Photo looks NNW.
Need to get over there! Photo looks WNW.

Retreating into the forest, Lupe found a way to get down close to pond level.  The pond was actually a wide spot in the same stream she’d been following earlier.  Crossing only a minor tributary, Loop made it over to the base of the rock formations W of the ravine.  The American Dingo’s ascent of Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.) was about to start in earnest.

Looking up Atlantic Canyon. Silas Peak (R). Photo looks NW.
Made it across the ravine! Ready to start climbing? Photo looks WSW.

Going around the S side of the first rock formation, Loop found herself on a rocky slope that would have been a slow trudge for SPHP, if not for exposed slabs providing excellent routes higher.  The slabs were steep, but dry, so traction was good.  Staying on the slabs as much as possible, Lupe and SPHP traipsed toward an increasingly blue sky.

These slabs we’re coming to are the way to go! Photo looks SW.
In the heart of slab country. Photo looks S.
Wouldn’t want it to get too much steeper, but we’re doing great! Photo looks W.

All good things must come to an end, and the slabs did, too.  Lupe came to two high spots densely covered with low evergreens.  Reaching the top of the first one, a world of rock was visible beyond it.  Looked like some pretty rough ground.

At the first high spot. Second high spot (L) ahead. Photo looks W.

The evergreens were so thick, it was hard to push through them.  Turned out to be easier to avoid them altogether by staying along the N edge of this hill.  After getting past them, Lupe went SW toward the second high spot.  She never quite got to the top of this next high point, again finding it easier to simply avoid the whole evergreen situation by staying NW.

Immediately beyond the second high spot was a ravine choked with talus.  Fortunately, this ravine wasn’t terribly wide, enabling SPHP to rock hop through it all without losing too much time.

Lupe resumed her ascent.  The slope ahead was rocky and steep, but she again came to a series of slabs creating easy routes higher.  Between the slabs, she often found lanes of vegetation to follow.  Progress was good.  At about 11,000 feet, Loop could see a rock-free depression to the S that was somewhat lower.  Maybe a tarn that had gradually filled in with sediment?

Looking down on the sediment-filled depression (Center). Photo looks SSE.

Comprising much of the enormous slope W of the depression was a huge expanse of exposed slabs.  Looked steep at the upper end, and SPHP wasn’t eager to head that far S.  Nevertheless, Lupe inched toward the slabs as she continued up the mountain.  Soon a much smaller orange slab with a tiny meltwater stream appeared ahead.

Orange slab dead ahead! Photo looks W.
On the orange slab. Photo looks W.

Above the orange slab, a series of grassy benches existed among all the rocks.  Various ramps connecting these benches enabled a winding route higher without having to do much scrambling.  Lupe reached the N edge of the enormous slabby region far above the sediment-filled depression.  A good chunk of Atlantic Lake was now in sight.

Exploring a grassy bench. Photo looks SW.
Atlantic Lake (L) and the sediment-filled depression (R). Photo looks E.

The slope Lupe was climbing was taking her W toward the ridge SSE of HP12261, Atlantic Peak’s eastern subpeak.  The American Dingo was now getting close to the apparent top of this ridge, but SPHP realized that was merely an illusion.  Fearing a long talus scramble ahead in the as yet unseen region above the slabs, reality ultimately proved to be much kinder.  Far more vegetation and less rock than expected.  Cake!

Above all the slabs now, and my, isn’t this nice! HP12261 (R). Photo looks NW.

Before long, Lupe was approaching the genuine top of the ridge, a broad rock-strewn region between HP12261 and HP11801.  The true summit of Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.) was already coming into view.

Along the W side of the crest of this ridge sat a line of rock formations, several separate mounds of talus of varying size and shape.

Approaching the ridgeline. Atlantic Peak (Center). Photo looks NW.
Approaching rock formations along the W side of the crest. Photo looks WSW.

Going to the rock formation at the S end of the line, Loop peered over the edge, getting her first look at a huge expanse of territory S of Atlantic Peak.  Unfortunately, a grand panorama of Wyoming’s sagebrush plains beyond the Wind River Range was hazy and indistinct.  Darn smoke!

The smoke was bad, but it wasn’t terrible.  Lake 9590 was visible in the Blair Creek drainage, and so were the Sweetwater Needles (10,548 ft.) 1.5 miles beyond it.

Lake 9590 (L), Sweetwater Needles (Center), Peak 11101 (R), and Peak 11456 (far R). Photo looks SW.

After surveying this smoke-diminished scene, Loop headed N, passing E of the rest of the rock formations.

E of the rock formations. Atlantic Peak (L) and HP12261 (R). Photo looks NW.
Atlantic Peak (R of Center) from the N end. Photo looks NW.

From the formation at the N end, Atlantic Peak’s summit was in sight less than 0.75 mile NW.  So were the long slopes leading to it.  Rocky and steep, but nothing intimidating.  Merely a time-consuming grind.  SPHP got things off to a poor start by leading Lupe angling higher, which soon put her in talus.  Would have been better to have stayed lower where there was more vegetation.

Not that far now! Atlantic Peak (Center). Photo looks NW.
Looking back to the SSE. Peak 11892 (Center) with Peak 11761 poking up just to the R.

Climbing was often easier than going straight ahead or back down, so Loop kept working her way higher.  Trending NNW, the Carolina Dog gained a fair amount of elevation, but never reached the elusive top of the ridge above.  None of these maneuvers provided significant relief from the talus.

A wretchedly slow traverse, but SPHP eventually got through the worst of it.  A stretch of smaller rock and patches of vegetation allowed spurts of progress.  More rock, including talus still ahead, but not as intense as what Lupe had just come through.

Looking better now! We’ll aim for the saddle near that snowbank. Photo looks NW.

Upon reaching the big saddle between Atlantic Peak and HP12261, Loop had only 300 feet of elevation still to go.  A long, icy snowbank provided a useful ramp up a good part of it.  Above the snow was another talus climb that wasn’t too bad.  Staying toward the N, Lupe skirted a minor subpeak and came to a large flat spot.  Another 50 or 60 foot scramble and she’d be on top!

W end of the saddle between Atlantic Peak (Center) and HP12261. Photo looks W.
Heading up the snowbank. Photo looks W.
Glancing back. Silas Peak (L), saddle leading to HP12261 (R). Photo looks ENE.
Coming up to the minor subpeak (L). Atlantic Peak (R). Photo looks W.
Scrambling for the top! Photo looks WSW.

9-15-20, 1:22 PM, Atlantic Peak – Lupe came up at the E end of a 200 foot long E/W summit ridge.  The whole thing was a collection of talus with a steep slope to the S, and an absolute cliff to the N, the highest rocks mostly right along that fearsome N edge.

E end of Atlantic Peak’s summit ridge. Photo looks W.
Time to find the true summit and chalk this one up as a peakbagging success!

Although not quite to the true summit yet, the views were tremendous!  Due to the smoke’s interference with the clarity of distant objects, the most interesting view was of the Saddlebag Lakes and another unnamed lake tucked below the vertical S face of Silas Peak (12,248 ft.) way down in Atlantic Canyon.

Saddlebag Lakes (L & Center). Silas Peak (R). Photo looks NNE.

Despite the talus, it was relatively easy to maneuver W looking for the true summit.  A white rock resting on a larger boulder, both on the brink of the precipice to the N, proved to be the high point, although another boulder 20 feet farther W appeared to be nearly as high.

The white rock was too small, sloped, and close to the edge for Lupe to get up on.  However, she could easily touch the top with her paw, and stand on the boulder supporting it.  She also visited that other boulder in contention to the W to complete her peakbagging success.

At the true summit of Atlantic Peak. Highest rock next to Loop. 2nd highest rock (L). Photo looks NW.
One of the Saddlebag Lakes (far L) with Silas Peak and an unnamed lake beyond it. True summit rock by Lupe. Photo looks NE.
On the 2nd highest rock. West Atlantic Peak (12,430 ft.) (Center) is the high point of the dark ridge beyond Loop. Photo looks NW.

So much to see!  Atlantic Peak’s long W ridge curled N to a high point that had to be West Atlantic Peak (12,430 ft.).  Miles beyond it, partially obscured by the haze, were several recognizable giants of the SE Wind River Range.  Temple Peak (12,972 ft.), East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.), and mighty Wind River Peak (13,192 ft.) were all dimly displayed.

Atlantic Peak’s W ridge (L of Center). Mount Nystrom (12,356 ft.) (R of Center), West Atlantic Peak (R), and Temple Peak (far R) in the distance. Photo looks WNW.
Mount Nystrom (far L), West Atlantic Peak (L), Temple Peak (L of Center), East Temple Peak (Center), and Wind River Peak (R of Center). Photo looks NW.
Temple Peak (L), East Temple Peak (Center), and Wind River Peak (R). Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.
Zoomed in on Temple Peak. Icky haze! Photo looks NW.
Wind River Peak. Same story!

To the SW was the view of Lake 9590 in the Blair Creek drainage and the Sweetwater Needles (10,548) that Lupe had seen before from the rock formations in the saddle between HP11801 and HP12261.  However, she now saw them from a different perspective as she peered down Atlantic Peak’s SW ridge.

Lake 9590 (L) and the Sweetwater Needles (R). Photo looks SW.
Atlantic Peak’s SW ridge (Center). Sweetwater Needles (L) beyond Peak 11456. Atlantic Peak’s connecting W ridge (R). Photo looks WSW.

Lupe gazed down into Atlantic Canyon, she surveyed the route she’d taken up from the SE, and sat on many a boulder.  After a good long while, though, it was time for a break.

With nowhere to rest close to the true summit, Lupe retreated back to the E, choosing shady spot where SPHP put sweatshirts and a jacket on a rock to provide some cushioning.  Looper munched her Taste of the Wild and inhaled the beef jerky SPHP offered before trying to nap.

Looking NNW over Atlantic Canyon. One of the Saddlebag Lakes (R).
HP12261 (L), Peak 11892 (straight up from Lupe), Peak 11761 (R). Photo looks SE.
The saddle where Lupe first reached the ridgeline (far L). Peak 11892 (Center) and Peak 11761 (R) all in the foreground. Christina Lake (far L), Granite Peak (10,404 ft.) (L) and Pabst Peak (10,261 ft.) (L of Center) in the distance. Photo looks SE.
Chillin’ on Atlantic Peak. Photo looks E.
High in the mighty Winds of Wyoming! Photo looks NW.
Catching a couple of z’s.

3rd time had been a charm!  The American Dingo finally really was way up here on Atlantic Peak.  SPHP drank a Coke, pondering the splendid scenes in all directions.  A shame it had to be so smoky, but what a spot!

The melancholy moment arrived.  Looper stood again at the summit of Atlantic Peak.  All the planning, long anticipation, and effort to get here!  Not just here, but to any big remote peak.  The joy of success!  Precious minutes savoring it all, the world at your paws!  Then suddenly it’s on the verge of over and done with, a fabulous airy place almost certainly never to be seen again.  An instant both wonderfully real and terrible.

Back on top. Photo looks WNW.

9-15-20, 2:52 PM, Atlantic Peak – Well, no sense in brooding.  Just the way things are, have always been, and always will be.  Plenty of fun yet to come!  1.5 hours after arriving, Lupe left the summit of Atlantic Peak.

About to head down. HP12261 (Center). Photo looks E.

During the return, Lupe varied the route a bit.  Instead of heading back to the saddle between HP12261 and HP11801, she stayed higher going through minor passes SE and SW of HP12261.  After going through the second pass, an enormous long slope was in sight.  Lots of rock.  All the usual travails and little assists.  And way down in the valley, a blue gem, Atlantic Lake!

Approaching the first pass SW of HP12261 (R). Photo looks SE.
Second pass SE of HP12261 (L) with Christina Lake beyond it. Lupe’s route up went through the lower pass seen on the R. HP11892 (R) and HP11761 (far R). Photo looks SE.
At least it’s all downhill now! Atlantic Lake (L) and Christina Lake (R of Center). Photo looks SE.

The sun was down and light beginning to fade as Lupe headed E along the S shore of Atlantic Lake.  Not much farther to the tiny house!  SPHP was surprised to see a campfire.  Sort of expected the campers might be gone by now.  Two people!  They hailed SPHP.  Up to greet them.

So Lupe and SPHP met Peter and Meghan Cielenski, brother and sister, from Cincinnati, Ohio.  Right away, a miracle!  Peter and Meghan knew Lupe!  What?  Turned out Meghan’s boyfriend, Josh, had found The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe while researching a prior trip to Tayo and Coon lakes here in the Wind River Range.  Tayo Lake was on the way to Wind River Peak, which Loop had climbed in 2017.

Astonishing!  First time anyone had ever recognized Lupe from her blog!  SPHP asked Meghan and Peter if they were planning on staying up for a while, and if it would be OK to join them?  Answer – affirmative on both counts!  A quick trip to the tiny house to ditch the backpack and feed Loop before heading back to the campfire.

Starting to get dark already, but maybe enough light for a photo?

Lupe with Peter & Meghan Cielenski. First (and only so far!) people ever to recognize Lupe from T(M)TAOL.
Peter & Meghan Cielenski with Loop. A little fuzzy due to low light conditions. It was much darker than it looks.

Peter and Meghan were both very friendly, and a fun evening was spent with them.  Unaccustomed to a campfire, Lupe mostly hung back in the shadows, listening to the conversation.

Peter had discovered the Wind River Range back in 2019.  Already on his 3rd trip, he was a fan!  Peter’s main interest was in fly fishing.  He showed SPHP photos of brilliantly colored Golden Trout he’d caught when he and Meghan had gone all the way up Atlantic Canyon to the Saddlebag Lakes yesterday.

Meghan was a runner.  She sometimes runs marathons, and was more into exploring than fishing.  Meghan was hoping to see some shooting stars.  Wyoming wish granted!  The Milky Way appeared in the heavens as the night turned black.  A zillion stars glittered overhead.  A few fell, as sparks from the campfire’s embers sailed skyward in brief, doomed efforts to meet them.

The Cielenskis offered SPHP a Snickers bar, peanut M&M’s, and Babybel cheeses wrapped in cellophane and red wax so they’ll keep.  SPHP had never seen Babybel cheeses before, but they were good, and a really big hit with Lupe!  When the Cielenskis declined beef jerky offered by SPHP, the Carolina Dog made sure none of that went to waste, either.

Dingo recommended!

Good times with Kevin and Meghan!  But the evening wore on, the fire faded to embers, and it got late.  A fabulous, long day in the mountains.  Eventually everyone was ready to say good-night.

9-16-20, 8:04 AM, Atlantic Lake – Ready to go!  If anything, Atlantic Lake was even smoother this morning when Lupe appeared to bid a final farewell to Atlantic Peak.  A few moments to reflect, and it was nearly Puppy, ho! time.  Before departing, the American Dingo ventured back to Peter and Meghan’s camp to say good-bye.  No activity.  Maybe they were already out and about?

Final moments at Atlantic Lake.

On the way back to the trailhead, several groups of Californians were met.  All had fled the bonfire their drought-stricken home had become.  Some described smoke so thick that day turned to night.  Not good!  Some Year of Perfect Vision this turned out to be!

9-16-20, 1:10 PM, Christina Lake trailhead – The Atlantic Peak adventure was over.  A guy was changing a flat tire on his pickup truck when Lupe got back to the trailhead.  Not especially happy about it, he blamed the sharp gray rock they’d repaired the access road with recently, which he claimed were cheap tailings from an iron mine.  He had relatives that had suffered 8 flats on this road in the past 2 months.

Fortunately, the G6’s tires were fine.  No damage on the way in.  Now all they had to do was survive the trip out.  Still looking good upon reaching pavement on Hwy 28 at the SE end of the Winds.  SPHP turned S.

Lots more to do in the Wind River Range on this Dingo Vacation, if the weather and sky would co-operate!  Looper had a blast barking at cows along the Lander Cutoff.  Wind out of the WSW, though.  The mountains were barely visible when the G6 pulled into Pinedale.  Discouraging.

9-17-20, 2:30 PM, 80ºF, New Fork Lake – Chilly this morning, but the day had warmed up nicely.  Lupe had seen a moose and been entertained for hours by a squirrel in a big spruce tree at the dispersed camping site.  Trip journal caught up, it was time for a last stroll down to the beach.

Dispersed camping site near New Fork Lake.
Squirrel fever!

A hint of fall, aspens on the hillsides were suddenly yellow.  Beautiful!  Not a problem, but the smoke obscuring the mountains was.  No change overnight, or during the day thus far.  Apparently not much chance that the smoke was going to dissipate anytime soon, either.

Might as well face it.  Further delay wasn’t going to help.  Atlantic Peak was it, a one mountain Dingo Vacation!  Terribly inefficient, but it had been great fun.  No regrets!

A touch of fall at New Fork Lake.
Hopes dashed at New Fork Lake.

The American Dingo headed for home.  Normally a classic western scenic drive, but smoke was everywhere.

9-18-20, 6:53 AM, Wright, WY – Well, isn’t that special?  The G6’s R rear tire was nearly flat.  After airing it up at a gas station, SPHP asked the convenience store cashier where it might be possible to get it repaired?  R & B Tire, a mile or two back along Hwy 387.

Stroke of luck!  R & B Tire opened at 7:00 AM.  No waiting.  The tire was repaired and the G6 good to go in no time.  $18.00.  Say, by the way, had the mechanic found a nail in the tire, or what was the issue?

Nope, no nail.  A small, sharp shard of gray rock.

Figured.

(End, 9-18-20, 11:10 AM, 66ºF, breezy, smoky)

Atlantic Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming 9-15-20

Links:

Next Adventure                         Prior Adventure

Atlantic Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: The Christina Lake Trail & Beyond to Atlantic Lake (9-14-20)

Big Sandy to Jackass Pass & Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming (9-1-15)

Wind River Peak, Wyoming – Part 1: Worthen Meadow to Tayo Park (7-8-17 & 7-9-17)

East Temple Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: Big Sandy Opening to Clear Lake (7-18-20)

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacations to Wyoming, Utah & Montana Adventure IndexDingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.

Atlantic Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: The Christina Lake Trail & Beyond to Atlantic Lake (9-14-20)

Days 1 & 2 of Lupe’s 5th Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!

9-13-20, 3:20 PM, 85ºF, Lander city park – Only 6 days ago, Lupe had left Lander intent upon climbing Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.).  Instead, she’d wound up fleeing S into Utah in a futile attempt to avoid a freak Labor Day blizzard.  Well, guess what?  85ºF!  Summer of 2020 was back, and the American Dingo was, too!

“Police Line Do Not Cross” said a plastic yellow streamer cordoning off most of the deep green lawn beneath the big old cottonwood trees.  Piles of broken branches, damage from the recent storm, were heaped up throughout the park awaiting removal.

Didn’t matter.  Loopster loves Lander City park!  Free camping and squirrels!  Going to be home for tonight.  Tomorrow morning she would head up into the SE end of Wyoming’s mighty Wind River Range.

Return of the Dingo! Back at Lander city park.

9-14-20, 9:49 AM, Christina Lake trailhead just off County Road No. 300 – The W was still on fire.  The blizzard may have cleared the air for a while, but smoke was already drifting back into the Wind River Range.  Didn’t seem to be too bad.  Nothing to be done about it in any case.

Smoky or not, Looper was doing this!  Just getting to the trailhead this morning was as close to Atlantic Peak as she’d made it this summer.  Her first “attempt” had been back in July, when it turned out that the access road, County Road No. 300, had been closed for repairs.  Then, of course, there was the Labor Day blizzard, which had once again forced a retreat before the Carolina Dog ever even left the highway.

3rd time’s a charm, Loopster!  C’mon, let’s hit it!

At the Christina Lake trailhead off County Road No. 300, just S of Fiddlers Lake.

Near a small corral, Christina Lake trail No. 721 left the trailhead as a stony path heading N up into the forest.  The trail turned W after a brief climb, leveling out before getting quite to the top of a minor ridge.  The topo map showed Fiddlers Lake nearby, likely just on the other side.

Here now!  Might as well take a look!  Lupe left the trail, angling NW up onto the ridge.  Sure enough!  There was Fiddlers Lake.  A rocky dam was visible not too far away along the SW shore, which ought to be a good viewpoint.  Loop sniffed her way over to it.

Near the dam, Fiddlers Lake was calm and weedy.  Looked like there were lots of lily pads farther out before reaching truly open water.  Nice, but not super impressive.  Fiddlers lake resembled an overgrown pond.  Most of it probably wasn’t very deep, but maybe the fishing was good?

Carolina Dogs don’t fish much.  Lupe returned to the Christina Lake trail.

Leaving the Christina Lake trailhead. Photo looks N.
Sign at the start.
Fiddlers Lake. Photo looks NE.

Morning sunlight streamed through the trees.  The air was humid and fresh.  Scattered patches of snow melting in the forest made it feel more like spring than mid-September.  Easy to follow, the Christina Lake trail bounced along neither gaining nor losing much elevation.  Less than 0.5 mile from the trailhead, Lupe reached Fiddlers Creek.  No bridge, but Fiddlers Creek was too small to present any difficulties.

Feels like spring with all this melting snow! Christina Lake trail No. 721.
Fiddlers Creek.

After crossing Fiddlers Creek, Lupe gained 200 feet of elevation before the trail leveled out again.  Proceeding SW, a gradual downhill section led to several more streams, all mere trickles.  After another modest climb, the trail straightened and flattened well up on the side of a steep slope.  At the end of this straightaway came a curve to the R.  Beyond it, Loop arrived at a junction.

Silas Lake trail No. 722 headed off to the W (R) here on its way to Upper Silas Lake, a popular destination judging from the registry 1.5 miles back at the trailhead.  Lupe, however, didn’t need to go to Upper Silas Lake.  Sticking with the Christina Lake trail, she continued on.

At the junction with the Silas Lake trail.

Occasionally, small clearings had been visible off to one side or another, most of which looked like boggy regions.  20 minutes past the Silas Creek trail junction, the largest clearing yet appeared on the L.  A little beyond it, Lupe reached Silas Creek, the biggest stream she had come to so far.

Glimpse of the big clearing on the L side of the trail. Photo looks S.
Silas Creek.

Silas Creek wasn’t all that big, either, but was fairly wide where the trail crossed it.  Many rocks were in the stream, both upstream and down, but a quick check didn’t reveal any spots where they were arranged quite fortuitously enough to permit a rock hop.  Oh, well!  Shedding boots and socks, SPHP waded across.  Lupe followed after.

That was easy enough!  However, the American Dingo didn’t get much farther before coming to an even larger stream.  Atlantic Creek had twice, maybe triple, the flow that Silas Creek did.  The bottom of Silas Creek had been sand and gravel, but Atlantic Creek was rocky.  As much as 2 or 3 feet deep, the prospect of wading across Atlantic Creek’s stony bottom wasn’t too attractive.  Fortunately, the water was just low enough to permit a rock hop on stones barely protruding above the surface.

Atlantic Creek.
SPHP’s such a tenderpaw! Nothing to it!
Looking back after crossing Atlantic Creek. Photo looks NW.

Shortly after leaving Atlantic Creek, the Christina Lake trail went over a minor rise, passing through a clearing strewn with rocks and several large boulders.  Beyond this clearing, the trail re-entered the forest going gradually downhill.  At a low spot, the Carolina Dog came to the edge of an enormous field.  This field looked grassy and dry, but was actually quite soggy.

While looking upstream back at Atlantic Creek, Loopster had caught a glimpse of a high mountain.  SPHP had wondered at the time if it might have been Atlantic Peak?  A much better view of that same mountain, plus a number of peaks along a ridge S of it, was now available.  A quick check of the topo map convinced SPHP that the high mountain probably really was part of Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.).

Crossing the rocky clearing.
That’s HP12261, the E end of Atlantic Peak behind me! Photo looks WNW.
HP12261 (Center). Photo looks WNW with help from the telephoto lens.

Staying near the edge of the damp field, the American Dingo followed the Christina Lake trail through a boggy depression before returning to drier ground in the forest.  For a little way, the trail paralleled the field closely enough to still see it between the trees.  After that, Lupe roamed SW at will for another mile.  Meanwhile SPHP had an easy time, making good progress on a gradual incline.

Enjoying an easy trek through the forest.

Christina Lake trail No. 721 ended as a single track at a “T” junction with the Christina Lake 4WD trail, a dirt road liberally endowed with plenty of protruding boulders and an ample assortment of mud puddles.

Signage at the junction with the Christina Lake 4WD trail.
Not exactly G6 territory! Christina Lake 4WD trail.

This junction was very close to where the 4WD trail crossed the Little Popo Agie River.  SPHP had originally intended for Lupe to get here by taking Louis Lake trail No. 724 to the Christina Lake 4WD trail, but had ultimately decided against it, leery of what Loop might have to face in order to get across the Little Popo Agie.  The Christina Lake trail avoided this necessity entirely, and also had the additional advantage of saving an extra 800 feet of elevation gain required coming from Louis Lake.

Ditching the backpack for the moment, SPHP led Loop down to the Little Popo Agie River, 150 feet away.  One look, and SPHP was thrilled!  The decision to come by way of Christina Lake trail No. 721 had been a great call.  No bridge, and the Little Popo Agie River was 5 to 10 times the size Atlantic Creek had been.

Hah!  Don’t get too used to it, Looper, but every now and then I do manage to do something right!

You know what they say, SPHP!  Even a broken clock is … well, never mind.  Good call, SPHP!

Never would have rock hopped this baby! Little Popo Agie River. Photo looks SSW.
Of course, maybe crossing that little log jam would have worked! I could have done it!

Since Gustav Lake was only a little farther upstream, Lupe might as well have a look at it, too.  However, Gustav Lake proved to be surrounded by bushes and marshy ground.  Getting all the way to the shoreline wasn’t going to be possible.

Gustav Lake. HP10669 (Center) beyond it. Photo looks SSW.

Returning to the junction, SPHP grabbed the pack.  Lupe now headed W on the Christina Lake 4WD Trail.  The road would have been a G6 killer, but was fine as a hiking trail.  Only 0.5 mile to Christina Lake!

9-14-20, 1:31 PM, Christina Lake – A spur off the 4WD trail led to a long rock dam at the NE end of Christina Lake.  It was immediately apparent that the big lake was far below capacity.  The shoreline wasn’t even close to the dam.  Christina Lake was surrounded by a broad swath of sand and boulders exposed below the normal high water mark.

Arriving at Christina Lake. HP10669 (Center). Dam (L). Photo looks SSE.

A little off to the W along the N shore was an open flat region with a great view.  SPHP stashed the backpack against a sun-bleached log here.  About time for a rest break, but Lupe was going to do a little exploring first.  As soon as SPHP was ready, she wandered down to the beach.

At capacity, Christina Lake is more than a mile long, and still must have been close to that big even now.  Flanked by mountains to the S and W, Christina Lake was much larger and far more impressive than Fiddlers Lake had been.

Christina Lake. Peak 11448 (R) beyond Lupe. Photo looks SW.

Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.) was in sight.  However, it was clear that Loop would be able to get a better look at it if she went farther SE.  Continuing in that direction, she soon came to a narrow channel that the Middle Popo Agie River was surging through.  Following the channel E toward the dam, the whole river disappeared into a hole.

Christina Lake was being drained like a bathtub!  Up on top of the dam, a valve could be seen, no doubt used to control the flow.

Atlantic Peak (R). Photo looks WNW.
By the Little Popo Agie River as it drains out of Christina Lake. Photo looks SW.
Approaching the dam. Flow control valve (R of Center) up on top. Photo looks E.

Once S of the Little Popo Agie River channel, Lupe ventured down to the lake again.  From here she could see the true summit of Atlantic Peak, still 4 miles away.

Atlantic Peak (Center) from Christina Lake. Photo looks NW.
Atlantic Peak (straight up from Lupe) with help from the telephoto lens.

Satisfied with having gotten about as good a look at Atlantic Peak from Christina Lake as possible, Lupe and SPHP returned to the backpack.  A pleasant half hour was spent having lunch and resting in the shade of a couple of large pines while enjoying the view.

Christina Lake as seen during a break for lunch. Photo looks SW.
Relaxing in the shade.

Nearly an hour after arriving at Christina Lake, it was about time to press on.  Lupe hopped up on a boulder for a final look around before returning to the Christina Lake 4WD Trail.  Heading W, the road forked almost immediately.  Loop took the L branch paralleling Christina Lake’s N shore.  However, the lake was seldom seen, since the road stayed back in the forest as much as several hundred feet from the shoreline.

After nearly 0.5 mile, the road curved N away from Christina Lake shortly before ending at a sign for Atlantic Lakes trail No. 723.

About to depart from Christina Lake.
Start of the Atlantic Lakes trail.

Somewhat unexpectedly, the sign said it was 2 miles to Lower Atlantic Lake, or 4 miles to Upper Atlantic Lake.  Hmm.  SPHP didn’t remember seeing more than one Atlantic Lake on the topo map.  A quick re-check confirmed the existence of only one lake named “Atlantic Lake” as far as the map was concerned, which had to be the lower one referred to by the sign, since it wasn’t any more than 2 miles away.

Heading N deeper into the forest as a faint single track, the Atlantic Lakes trail was a bit worrisome at first.  Before long, though, the route became clearer and stayed that way, the trail ultimately proving to be easy to follow.

Gradually gaining elevation, the trail soon curved NW.  Lupe came to a sign for the Popo Agie Wilderness.  She’d barely left the sign behind, when a last glimpse of Christina Lake appeared.

Entering the Popo Agie Wilderness.
The only glimpse of Christina Lake from Atlantic Lakes trail No. 723. Photo looks S.

The Atlantic Lakes trail continued NW through a featureless forest, still slowly gaining elevation most of the time.  The forest contained many dead trees.  Plenty of rounded light-gray boulders were scattered about.  Small plants provided a bright green ground cover.

After a while, the trail passed a rocky depression on the R, then leveled out.  A dip led to a tiny stream, the only water seen along the way.

Dead trees and scattered boulders along the Atlantic Lakes trail.
Exploring the forest.

9-14-20, 3:54 PM, Atlantic Lake – Between the trees on the N (R) side of the trail Lupe could see a clearing, and beyond it, water.  This must be it!  Leaving the trail, Loop and SPHP went down for a look.  A little under 0.5 mile long, and not nearly as wide, Atlantic Lake wasn’t anywhere close to being as large as Christina Lake had been, but tucked in among big mountains at the SE end of Atlantic Canyon, it was even more scenic.

2 miles to the NW, the summit of Silas Peak (12,248 ft.) was sight.  From the shoreline, Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.) was also visible to the WNW.

Atlantic Lake. Silas Peak poking up L of Center. Photo looks NW.
Atlantic Peak (L) and Silas Peak (R) from Atlantic Lake. Photo looks WNW.

Returning to the trail, Lupe continued W.  A few hundred feet farther, the Atlantic Lakes trail appeared to end at a clearing.  Back from the lake a little way, this clearing would have been an ideal spot to pitch Looper’s tiny house, but SPHP was surprised to see that it was already taken.

With the exception of a forest ranger riding an ATV, Loop hadn’t seen anyone at all since leaving the Christina Lake trailhead this morning.  No one was here at the moment, either.  After a brief search, SPHP settled on another spot to pitch the tiny house.

What a great spot! Atlantic Peak (R). Photo looks WNW.
No one around at the moment, but they’ll be back sooner or later!
Not as nifty as that clearing was, but this will work!

After dinner, Lupe was free to enjoy the rest of the evening.  She spent most of it exploring, or just relaxing along the S shore of Atlantic Lake.

On Dingo Island! Photo looks NW.
E end of Atlantic Lake from the S shore. Photo looks NE.

What a fun day this had been!  Atlantic Lake was roughly 7 miles from the trailhead where Lupe had started out this morning – 5 miles to Christina Lake, and another 2 miles to get here, yet this had been about as easy a mountain trek as the American Dingo had ever been on.  Only 800 feet of net elevation gain, good trails the entire way, and no steep sections at all.

Tomorrow would be different.  More than 2,200 feet of elevation gain in a little over 2 miles to get to Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.)!

Watching the sun sink behind her ultimate destination as she rested by Atlantic Lake’s S shore, Lupe didn’t have to think about that yet.  Dusk was deepening when a man appeared a few hundred feet away.  The other campers must have returned!  Whether he saw Looper or not, wasn’t certain, but he gave no indication of it.

Evening repose at Atlantic Lake. Atlantic Peak (R). Photo looks W.

Shortly after the man disappeared again, Lupe retired to her tiny house, hoping for blue skies in the morning.  Not too likely with all the wildfires out W, but hope springs eternal.  With a little luck, sometime tomorrow an American Dingo would stand atop Atlantic Peak!

That’s where were going next! Hope you will return to join us for Atlantic Peak!

Links:

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East Temple Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 2: Deep Lake to the Summit (7-19-20)

Days 10 & 11 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming & Utah!

7-19-20, 8:52 AM – Lupe and SPHP had both sleep hard.  Feeling better, and no heavy pack today!  The Carolina Dog stood poised atop the flat rock outcropping 15 feet E of her tiny house.  2.5 miles to the SE, the sharp prow of East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.) and its catastrophic cliffs soared into the cloudless blue above and beyond Clear Lake and the massive shadowed stone wall of Haystack Mountain (11,978 ft.).

2,600 feet of elevation gain to go.

C’mon, Looper, we’re late!  Let’s hit it!  Puppy, ho!

East Temple Peak (Center), Haystack Mountain (L), and Clear Lake (foreground). Photo looks SE.

Angling ESE down a forested slope, Lupe soon picked up Little Sandy trail No. 98.  The trail went through a meadow before entering another stretch of forest still shadowed by Haystack Mountain.  Loop caught only tree-broken glimpses of the E end of Clear Lake as the trail swung S and began to climb.

The American Dingo hadn’t gotten too far S of Clear Lake, when she came to an interesting and beautiful region.  A crystal clear stream swept over large areas of exposed bedrock, and sometimes ran in secret courses beneath huge slabs of granite.  A series of small waterfalls poured into rippling pools where every rock on the bottom stood out, magnified in watery relief.

Wow! Doesn’t this look spiffy! Photo looks S.
Bunion Mountain (11,905 ft.) (L), War Bonnet Peak (12,369 ft.) (Center), and Haystack Mountain (R). Photo looks NW back toward Clear Lake.

The amazing region went on and on!  No sign of any official trail here, but so what?  That didn’t matter in the least.  Traveling S up the bedrock, sometimes on this side of the splendid stream, and sometimes on the other, was fun and incredibly scenic.  Wherever enough soil existed to support them, Looper did have to manuever around or through clumps of bushes and stands of trees, but these obstacles only slowed progress temporarily.

Following the stream higher. Haystack Mountain (L). Photo looks SE.

The summit of Temple Peak (12,972 ft.) appeared ahead.  15 minutes later, Lupe was thrilled when she looked back and saw the familiar enormous stretched-gumdrop cone of iconic Pingora Peak (11,884 ft.), and jagged knife-edge ridge of Wolf’s Head (12,160 ft.), both part of the Wind River range’s famous Cirque of the Towers.

That’s the top of Temple Peak (12,972 ft.) (Center) up ahead! Photo looks S.
And there’s Pingora Peak (Center) way over by the Cirque of the Towers! Photo looks NW.
War Bonnet Peak ( far L), Wolf’s Head (L), Bollinger Peak (L of Center) and Pingora Peak (Center). Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

More and more of both East Temple Peak and Temple Peak kept coming into view.  Eventually Loopster was high enough to see Peak 11390, a sort of Mini-Pingora Peak which appeared sandwiched between them.  In reality, Mini-Pingora was actually a high point along a ridge of solid rock extending NNW from East Temple Peak.

One waterfall after another plunged into sparkling pools.  The stream flowed over such huge areas of worn bedrock that it spread out until it wasn’t even 0.50 inch deep.  Lupe finally came to a spot where a ledge of rock 6 to 8 foot high sat above a 100 foot wide stream less than 0.25 inch deep.

East Temple Peak (L) and Temple Peak (Center) with Mini-Pingora between them. Photo looks S.
The stream spreads out. Temple Peak (Center). Photo looks S.
Wildflowers growing in a spot with some soil.
Easiest 100 foot wide stream ford ever!

After finding a way up the ledge, Lupe didn’t have much further to go to get to Deep Lake.  Clear Lake had certainly been beautiful, but Deep Lake made a much deeper impression.

On the far shore, flanked by East Temple’s smooth towering cliff wall on the L, and Temple Peak’s jagged precipices on the R, Mini-Pingora ruled over Deep Lake like an enthroned mountain God.  Below Mini-P’s granite stare, the sacred waters of Deep Lake filled the closely guarded valley to the point where the outlet stream overflowed a plain of bedrock strewn with large boulders at the N end, where the American Dingo now stood.

Shangri-la, SPHP!

Holy moley, Looper!  The old boy was right yesterday!  I should have drug everything up here last night, exhausted or not.  Huge mistake!  We could have been here all this time.

Why haven’t we ever come here before?

I had no idea.  Never heard anyone talk about this secret spot.

Deep Lake. Mini-P (Center), East Temple Peak (L), Temple Peak (R). Photo looks S.
East Temple Peak (Center) from Deep Lake. Mini-P (R) and Steeple Peak (12,040 ft.) (L). Photo looks SE.

Nearly 11:00 AM.  Sadly, with so much farther to go, Lupe couldn’t linger long at Deep Lake.  A short stay enjoying the magnificent scene from the area near the outlet stream, and she was on her way again.  Exploring SW beyond the exposed bedrock, the Carolina Dog rediscovered the trail, which headed S traversing the bush-covered slope W of the lake.  Profusions of wildflowers filled openings among the bushes.

W of Deep Lake. The trail eventually curves R of Mini-Pingora (Center) toward Temple Peak (R). Photo looks SSE.
Among the Indian paintbrush near Deep Lake. Steeple Peak (L), East Temple Peak (Center) and Mini-Pingora (R). Photo looks SE.

Approaching the S end of Deep Lake, the trail began to climb, eventually turning SW as it went over a broad minor pass.  This pass was a region of open ground and boulders with scattered clumps of stunted conifers and bushes.  Temple Lake soon came into view, its S end nestled at the base of Temple Peak (12,972 ft.).

On the SW side of the pass, Loop came to a trail junction.  Two different branches of Little Sandy trail No. 98 converged here.  SE of Temple Lake, and 900 feet higher, Lupe could now see the major pass she needed to get to along the ridge connecting East Temple and Temple Peaks.  The combined trail turned toward it.

Crossing the minor pass. Temple Peak (L). Photo looks S.
Temple Lake comes into view. The pass between East Temple Peak (L, not shown) and Temple Peak (Center) is on the L. Photo looks S.

As the American Dingo journeyed SSE toward the major pass, SPHP kept expecting the trail to go down to the E shore of Temple Lake, but it didn’t.  Instead, the path went on and on staying well above the lake.

This valley was another spectacular region.  Temple Lake was long, with N and S halves connected by a narrow channel.  The entire W shoreline hugged an enormous rocky ridge leading to Temple Peak.  Temple Peak itself was a formidable mountain.

As Loop got closer to the S end of Temple Lake, a trail could be seen on the steep slope going up to the major pass.  Expecting the trail Lupe was on to connect to it, SPHP was perplexed when the path suddenly turned clearly and very steeply up the slope to the L (E) instead.  Could this be right?  Didn’t seem like it, but maybe this was only a temporary blip higher?

Lupe started to climb.  Already fabulous views improved, but the trail did not level out.  Instead, it continued higher and higher, finally fading completely away in very steep rocky terrain.  Pausing to gasp for air, SPHP checked the maps.  Sure enough, this was all wrong!  Really not too surprising.  Must have missed a turn.  The trail should have gone down to Temple Lake.

Reluctant to lose hundreds of feet of hard won elevation, SPHP simply encouraged Loopster to keep going.  Maybe she could still work her way over to the pass?  If this slope got much steeper, though, retreating would soon be the only viable choice.

Approaching Temple Peak (Center) before the trail turned higher. Photo looks S.
A Cheval Peak (11,763 ft.) (L of Center). Warrior Peaks (12,406 ft.) and War Bonnet Peak (12,369 ft.) (both R) in the distance. Photo looks back to the NW.
Temple Lake again from a little higher up. Photo looks NW.

Heading for the pass didn’t work.  Lupe never got there, but she didn’t stop climbing.  Really steep for a long way.  It kept looking like she would top out pretty soon, but she didn’t.  A small half-frozen lake appeared in a cirque way above, and W of, the S end of Temple Lake.

Loopster (L) never quite made it to the pass (R). Photo looks S.
A half-frozen lake (Center) came into view N of Temple Peak. S end of Temple Lake (R). Photo looks WSW.

By the time the terrain leveled out somewhat, Lupe was already higher than the pass she had been heading for.  She could now glimpse portions of a couple of the Frozen Lakes in a rocky plain beyond the pass.  To the NE, a somewhat grassy slope led toward a talus-laden ridge way above the pass.

While this next slope was plenty steep, it wasn’t nearly as steep as what Loop had just come up.  Getting to the ridgeline wouldn’t be the end of things, though.  The topo map made it clear that what could be seen from here was only a false summit.  Looper was still 0.67 mile from the top of East Temple Peak.

Gazing over the pass between East Temple Peak and Temple Peak. Parts of a couple of the Frozen Lakes (L) are in sight. Photo looks S.
The next slope along the broad ridge leading to the summit. Photo looks NE.
Heading higher! Photo looks N.

Up, up, and away!  Wherever possible, Lupe followed lanes of vegetation higher, but she was often forced to scramble among the talus, too. Above the first rise was another one quite similar to it, except that the upper lip of this second long slope boasted several distinct rock formations.

Below rock formations at the top of the second rise. Photo looks NNE.

SPHP’s progress up these two slopes was almost as slow and exhausting as on the very steep slope coming up from Temple Lake.  Loopster had plenty of time to sniff around while waiting for SPHP to catch up, but at last she scrambled up past one of the rock formations at the top of the second rise.

Ahead was a much flatter region with a fair amount of greenery dotted with many boulders.  This area was quite broad, and rose more gently along the NW side.  Toward the E was a long talus ridge which sloped up toward the apparent summit, a large mound of talus to the N.

In the flatter region above the second slope. Photo looks W.

The trek across the plain over to the base of the mound was easy.  Lupe discovered a snow bank melting in the shade of a huge boulder.  The talus the mound consisted of was very large, and exploring the resulting maze was slow and difficult.  At one point, SPHP had to squeeze through a talus tunnel to get any farther.  At another, Loop needed to be hoisted up an otherwise impossible leap.

Despite the progress the Carolina Dog was making, SPHP’s belief that she was nearing the top was repeatedly disappointed.  One after another, false summits appeared, always another 40 or 50 feet higher.

On the snowbank at the base of the talus mound.
Approaching an apparent top.

Looper finally got high enough to see that she wasn’t actually close to the true summit yet at all.  Rocky, but flatter and easier terrain led over to a second talus hill farther N along the narrowing top of East Temple Peak.  By now it was clear that Lupe could have saved a lot of time and effort.  If she had only stayed farther W, she would have completely avoided the huge talus mound she’d just climbed.

The true summit appears ahead. Photo looks N.

Before heading for the true summit, Loop wandered over toward the NW edge.  Not too close, due to the sheer cliffs, but close enough to see Big Sandy Lake which she’d been to yesterday, and Clear Lake where she’d started out from this morning.  She also had a tremendous view of a sea of jagged peaks extending as far as she could see along the length of the Wind River range.  Only a few looked any higher than where Lupe was right now.

Lake 10821 (far L), Big Sandy Lake (L) and Clear Lake (Center). Photo looks NW.

The mound of talus leading to the true summit wasn’t nearly as large as the first mound Lupe had climbed, so it didn’t take too long to get to the top.  At the high point, two large light-colored boulders were just about equally high.  Lupe leapt up onto the one closest to the E edge, the top of the other boulder being perhaps too small for comfort.

Heading for the true summit. Photo looks NE.
On the true summit of East Temple Peak. Photo looks E.
Another look. Lupe at the true summit. Photo looks NNW.

The views from East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.) were awesome!  Less than 1.5 miles due E was another, even higher peak Lupe had been to 3 years ago, titan of the SE Wind River Range, mighty Wind River Peak (13,192 ft.)Mount Nystrom (12,356 ft.) to the SSE was also impressive.

Wind River Peak (R), giant of the SE end of the Wind River Range. Photo looks E.
Looking N.
Mount Nystrom (Center). Photo looks SSE.

To the S were glimpses of Independent Mountain (11,653 ft.) beyond the Frozen Lakes, and Little Sandy Lake beyond Little Sandy Lake Buttress (11,427 ft.).  Much of Temple Lake was in sight to the WNW, and beyond Schiestler Peak (11,624 ft.), the entire Laturio Mountain (11,342 ft.) ridge was on display.  Bunion Mountain (11,905 ft.) stood out a little farther N.

Little Sandy Lake and Little Sandy Lake Buttress (far L). Frozen Lakes and Independent Mountain (R beyond the near ridge). Photo looks S.
Temple Lake (L), Miller Lake (R) and Lake 10281 (far R). Laturio Mountain (R) beyond Schiestler Peak. Bunion Mountain (far R). Photo looks WNW.

And, of course, only a mile to the SW was a grand view of the fearsome cliffs of Temple Peak (11,972 ft.).

Temple Peak (L of Center). Photo looks SW.

The true summit was a small, bouldery area.  Not difficult to get to, but rather cramped.  Lupe didn’t remained perched on the highest rock for long.  Another high point only modestly lower could be seen off to the N, closer to the most amazing views of all from East Temple Peak, which were of all the many rugged peaks stretching away to the NW along the spine of the Wind River range.

Heading over to this next high point, Lupe found a metal tube hidden among small rocks beneath an overhanging boulder.  The outside of the tube was stamped “Chicago Mountaineering Club 25th Anniversary 1940 – 1965”.  SPHP managed to open the tube, but sadly all the papers inside were soaking wet.  Nothing but garbage at this point.  Putting the cap back on, SPHP returned the tube to its lofty hiding place.

At the next high point N of the true summit. The metal tube was hidden among the small rocks to the R of Loop. Photo looks NE.
The Chicago Mountaineering Club 25th anniversary tube.

There was more!  Beyond the metal tube high point, the narrow prow of East Temple Peak extended a little farther N.  A big flat rock led to other rocks beyond it where a small cairn sat near the very end.  The prow even went a bit farther than this, but big cracks among the rocks near calamitous cliffs meant the Carolina Dog was done.  The little cairn was as far as she was going.

From here, the vertical E face of Haystack Mountain (11,978 ft.) could be seen to the NNW, hundreds of feet lower, looking as though that half of the mountain had suffered a catastrophic collapse.  Beyond Haystack, Big Sandy Mountain (12,416 ft.), Dog Tooth Peak (12,488 ft.), and Mitchell Peak (12,482 ft.) stretched away along a giant ridge.  Lizard Head Peak (12,842 ft.) soared higher yet beyond Dog Tooth.

On the big flat rock leading to the prow of East Temple Peak. Photo looks N.
By the cairn nearly at the end of the prow, as far as Lupe was going. E face of Haystack Mountain (in shade R of Center). Dog Tooth and Lizard Head lined up beyond it. Dog Tooth flanked by Mitchell Peak (L) and Big Sandy Mountain (R) on same ridgeline. Photo looks NNW.

Focusing a little more toward the NW, the Cirque of the Towers was in view.  Cylindrical Pingora Peak (11,884 ft.) looked much lower.  SPHP didn’t dare let Loopster get close enough to the edge to peer down on Mini-Pingora (11,390 ft.) and Deep Lake, but part of Big Sandy Lake was in sight.

Lake 10281 (L) and Big Sandy Lake (Center). Pingora Peak (straight up from Lupe). Photo looks NW.
War Bonnet Peak (L), Wolf’s Head (in sunlight L of Center), Bollinger Peak (in shadow at Center), and Pingora Peak (R of Center). Photo looks NW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

East Temple Peak was an incredible vantage point!  More than an hour went by, as SPHP surveyed the views and Lupe relaxed.  The American Dingo devoured an entire can of Alpo.  Finally, lengthening shadows could be ignored no longer.  It was time.

Lupe returned to the N high point where the Chicago Mountaineering Club tube was hidden.  Although she got close again, she never did go back to the true summit.  Instead, Loop passed W of both it, and the huge mound of talus she had climbed on the way up, making much faster progress on easier terrain.

Starting back. Metal tube HP (L). True summit (R). Photo looks S.
Passing the metal tube HP again. Photo looks NE.
Temple Peak (Center) from East Temple Peak. Photo looks SW.
Near the true summit (R) again. Photo looks S.

After crossing the relatively flat plain, Loop reached the edge of the huge slope leading down to the pass.  Starting from rock formations along the W end, she worked her way lower, trying to avoid fields of talus as much as possible.

Nearing the end of the upper flat region. Loop started down near the L side of the rock formations ahead. Temple Peak (Center). Photo looks SW.
Glancing back after starting down. Photo looks N.

By the time Lupe was approaching the pass, the sun was just about down.  The pass was a jumble of rock.  The Carolina Dog didn’t go all the way down to it until she was close to the N edge, ready to begin the next steep 900 foot descent down to Temple Lake.

Near the pass between Temple Peak (L) and East Temple Peak (R) (both unseen). Temple Lake (Center). Photo looks NW.

A stream trickled down from the pass.  Lupe found the trail she had seen earlier in the day, and started N along it.  Progress was fast at first, but slowed considerably as the trail steepened.  Light was fading as Looper passed a long snowbank near the bottom of the slope.  It was almost gone by the time she reached Temple Lake.

At Temple Lake. Photo looks NW.

SPHP had assumed that by getting back to the trail and reaching Temple Lake before the night grew completely black, that Lupe would have an easy time the rest of the way back at least as far as Deep Lake.  Nothing more than sticking with the trail would be involved.  Wrong!  Down by the lake, the trail soon vanished, and could not be found again even with the help of SPHP’s small flashlight.

Heading N over a stony region so close to the E shore of Temple Lake that standing water was often seen between the rocks, Lupe sniffed in vain.  No trail!  Before long, it became apparent that the Carolina Dog was approaching a boulder field beyond which a dark ridge extended W far enough to create a choke point along the shoreline.  To get past this ridge, Loopster would either have to wade through the lake, or find a way over the ridge.

Overhead, stars were now brilliant in the night sky, but the valley was pitch black.  Wading into the obsidian depths of Temple Lake was not an option.  Way too scary!  Forced to climb a steep slope, Lupe managed to get beyond the ridge, but found no trail continuing N up here.  Instead, Loopster reached a point where she couldn’t climb any higher.  After crossing a marsh, the terrain forced her all the way back down to the shoreline again.

In the dark, confusion reigned.  Where was the trail?  Why was this so blankety-blank difficult?  Consulting the map provided no clues.  Looked perfectly simple!  Follow the non-existent trail, which couldn’t be too far from the lake, and no more than 100 feet above it.

Continuing N next to the lake, the whole scenario repeated itself.  Once again, the American Dingo was forced to climb a steep slope, found no trail, and made it past another ridge.  Once again, the terrain returned her to the shoreline, but this time the ground was firmer and drier.  It began to slope gently up toward the NE, the direction where the minor pass to Deep Lake had to be.

Late.  Weariness setting in.  The slope was easy, but SPHP was now just dragging.  Often glancing up at SPHP, as if uncertain what this was all leading to, Lupe looked worried.  Some indeterminable distance ahead, slightly off to the R, a strange phenomena appeared.  A glow!  Faint, ever so faint.  A lone firefly?  Didn’t make any sense.  No fireflies in Wyoming, are there?  Maybe it was something bigger, but much farther away than it looked?

As Lupe headed toward the tiny beacon, it soon became increasingly clear that whatever it was was close.  Reaching the source, SPHP picked up a tiny glowing plastic candle flame mounted on a round white base.  A little black switch on the bottom turned it on or off.

SPHP slumped to the ground.

Let’s rest here for a bit, Loopster.  I’m about out of gas, and my paws are getting awfully sore.  These new boots are doing a number on them.  No rush now that the light’s gone, anyway.  What do you make of this little flame?

Probably dropped by one of Mini-P’s acolytes during some dark mountain ceremony!  This whole region is a sacred temple, isn’t it?

It is!  Seems a little strange that Mini-P’s acolytes use battery-operated flames, though.  And even stranger yet that we’ve happened upon it while the battery still has some juice.  Think I’ll keep it, just as a souvenir of our journey to East Temple Peak.

I don’t know, SPHP!  Maybe you should leave it alone?  Why risk the wrath of Mini-P?  Stealing it might bring a curse upon us!

Turning the tiny candle flame off, SPHP tossed it in the pack.

Curse, schmurse!  I’m not afraid of any dark mountain curse, not when I’ve got an American Dingo on my side!

Go ahead and tempt fate!  You’ll see, SPHP!

The return soon continued.  Only 100 feet from where the tiny flame was found, Lupe came across the trail.

Hah!  Some curse!  We are in possession of Mini-P’s good luck charm, Looper!  Smooth sailing from here on.

The Carolina Dog made no reply.  Sniffing on into the night, she quickly came to the intersection where Little Sandy trail No. 98 divided.  Staying toward the R (NE), Lupe and SPHP headed over the gentle pass leading to Deep Lake.

The descent to Deep Lake was surprisingly longer, steeper, and rockier than SPHP remembered, but the trail was easy to follow even in the dark.  Loop eventually reached the boulder-strewn bedrock plain where the outlet stream exited the N end of Deep Lake.

On the way down to Clear Lake, the exposed bedrock was much harder to follow than expected.  Somehow, SPHP kept winding up thrashing around in bushes and bogs, usually E of where the stream turned out to be.  Lupe kept coming across trails, though, and repeatedly ran across the bedrock again.  Still, it had already been dark for hours by the time she reached the N side of Clear Lake.

After getting past the clearing Loopster had gone through shortly after reaching the trail as she set out this morning, SPHP led the Carolina Dog up the slope to the N toward the hidden location of her tiny house.

Oh, joy!  The tiny house was so well hidden, SPHP couldn’t find it!  Multiple forays up the slope followed by retreats clear down to the trail, and back and forth as far as the W end of Clear Lake, before returning E revealed nothing.  Again and again, SPHP searched the slope for stands of dead trees and rock outcroppings, both known to be present near the tiny house, but never came across the right ones.

Come on, Loop!  Help me!  Where is it?  Find the tiny house!

I can’t, SPHP!  It’s the curse of Mini-P!

Maybe it was.  Finding the tiny house had never been an issue before.  Leading Lupe over to a meadow on the S side of the trail, SPHP laid down, pulling the Dingo close.  Miss Hot Paws was like an oven, but a small one.

Stars glittered overhead.  All else was infinite blackness.  Using the pack as a pillow, SPHP tried to sleep.  Inside the boots purchased for this Dingo Vacation, SPHP’s swollen paws throbbed, painfully constricted.  Unable to shift much lest the Carolina Dog feel disturbed and insist upon wandering off, SPHP could feel the curse of Mini-P taking over.

Connected to the subterranean power of Mini-P’s anger, the cold earth became a basilisk.  No staring into its eyes, but its mere touch sent icy fingers creeping inwards.  Racing blood turned to sludge.  Joints stiffened and ached.  SPHP needed to move, but couldn’t.  Teeth chattered.

Oh, Loopster!  Too bad you aren’t inflatable!  You need to be bigger, like 5 times as big, so I can suck more heat out of you.  How do you stay so warm?

Well, I’m not inflatable.  Guess you’ll just have to use your precious stolen sacred candle flame, SPHP!

Sleep was impossible.  In the solidifying grasp of Mini-P, SPHP watched the movement of stars.  Or were they myriad tiny candle flames held forth by a timeless procession of dark acolytes?

How long this went on was hard to say.  Eyes glazed.  SPHP’s shuddering finally induced Lupe to leave.  The cold hard ground was intolerable without her.  SPHP staggered up.  Hobbling across the trail over to the N slope, the search for the tiny house resumed.

Same thing.  Nada.

The candle stars were dying.  One by one they faded away, then began to die en masse.  The dim outlines of Haystack Mountain and East Temple Peak were now discernable.  An idea!  Getting the camera out, SPHP compared the mountain outlines now visible with the first photo of the day, the one facing the same way where Lupe had been standing on the rock outcropping near the tiny house.

Nearly identical!  Maybe a bit more to the W?  Swinging the flashlight beam 30 feet over that way, there stood Lupe, the rock outcropping and faintly reflective fabric of the tiny house beyond her.  The curse of Mini-P was broken!  Dawn came on as Lupe and SPHP crawled into the tiny house and cozy warmth of the sleeping bags.

7-20-20, late morning N of Clear Lake – Hot!  Not a cloud in the sky.  Lupe still snoozed while bleary-eyed SPHP took off socks to examine painful paws.  Good!  Not as bad as they felt.  The R one was worst.  A generous application of anti-bacterial cream on the sore spots, and SPHP let them rest in the open air.

The plan had been for Lupe to climb another couple of peaks today.  Too funny!  Not going anywhere, except back to the Big Sandy trailhead, and even that not until later.  Simply not enough food along to spend a whole day resting, and still climb those peaks tomorrow.

A little after mid-afternoon, the paws were feeling good enough to give it a go.  SPHP slowly packed up the tiny house, Loopster lingering inside as long as possible before being evicted.  The heavy backpack didn’t feel good, but wasn’t as heavy as it had been on the way in.  Lupe and SPHP returned to the trail, starting the long journey back.

Uneventful.  Lupe didn’t take the side route to Diamond and V Lakes this time, although maybe she should have.  After reaching Big Sandy Lake, SPHP simply kept plodding steadily SW along Big Sandy trail No. 99, more interested in how far it was to the trailhead than the scenery.

The sun had just set when the American Dingo reached the trailhead at the Big Sandy Opening.  Too late to go anywhere else.  Tonight, after a good meal, Lupe would bask in the soft comfort of the G6.

And twitching paws would reveal the moment when the Carolina Dog set off again, wandering among waterfalls and glistening pools, past a deep lake overflowing with sacred waters where flowers bloomed and a mountain god reigned, on up steep talus-covered slopes, to the prow of a mighty mountain sailing an ocean of jagged peaks, while tiny candle flames began glowing and reeling in the black sky above.

East Temple Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming 7-19-20

Links:

Next Adventure                           Prior Adventure

East Temple Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming (7-18-20) – Part 1: Big Sandy Opening to Clear Lake

Big Sandy to Jackass Pass & Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, WY (9-1-15)

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacations to Wyoming, Utah & Montana Adventure IndexDingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.

East Temple Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: Big Sandy Opening to Clear Lake (7-18-20)

Days 7-9 of Lupe’s 2nd summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming & Utah!

7-16-20, 1:40 PM, Hwy 20, Wind River Canyon –  Middle of July.  The day had started out cool enough back in the Absaroka Range this morning, but was a scorcher out on the Wyoming high desert now.  Driving S, SPHP kept an eye on the tantalizing Wind River.  Any number of scenic pullouts, but no access.

Finally, a gravel road appeared that did go down to the river.  Turning off Hwy 20, SPHP drove partway down it.  A pickup truck was parked here, the only other vehicle around.

Come on, Loop!  Let’s go check out the river!

If you don’t mind, SPHP, think I’ll stay right here in the AC.

Sorry, not an option, Looper.  As soon as I kill the engine, the AC will stop.  You’ll roast on a day like this, even if I leave the windows open.

Reluctantly, Lupe leapt out of the G6 and followed SPHP the rest of the way down to the Wind River.  Perfect!  No rapids or fast water.  A huge pool half the width of the river swirled in a big, slow eddy, the current along the near bank actually going upstream.  The riverbed wasn’t rocky, and the water didn’t get deep until a little way out from shore.

One problem.  Two people were fly fishing.

They each made a few more casts, then announced they were just about to leave, anyway.  A few minutes later, they drove off.

Hah!  Good thing I brought my lucky Dingo!

Swim if you want to, SPHP.  I’ll just lay in the grass.

Suit yourself, Looper, but you really should wade in and cool off a bit first.

The Wind River was wonderful!  Refreshingly cool, not cold.  Egged on by SPHP, the Carolina Dog did spend a little time wading near the shore before relaxing on the bank.  Up on Hwy 20, traffic roared by, but no one stopped.  For an hour, SPHP swam, floated, drifted while gazing at the beige cliffs of the scenic canyon.  Fabulous!

I’m not much of a water Dingo, but the Wind River Canyon is lovely!

S of Riverside, the G6 read 96ºF.  Entering Lander, SPHP drove straight to the city park at the S end of Third Street.  Free overnight camping!  Very popular!  RV’s and tents everywhere.  The Middle Popo Agie River was the lowest SPHP had ever seen it, but Lupe had a grand time.  Lots of people, dogs, and squirrels around.  So much activity!

As the sun went down, SPHP spread pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags out on the thick green lawn beneath the big cottonwood trees.  Someone strummed a guitar and sang.  The park didn’t get quiet until late.  The American Dingo was shocked when she got to sleep out under the stars.

7-17-20, Lander City Park – Sleep?  Hah!  Dream on!  Looper hadn’t done much of that.  Every time SPHP woke up and peered into the darkness, Lupe had been laying on the grass, soft ears perked up listening to the night sounds, or sniffing and roaming among the tents nearby.  Now, as SPHP caught up the trip journal, a tuckered-out Dingo spent the morning snoozing peacefully in the deep green grass.

Power relaxing at the Lander city park.

This was supposed to be a positioning day for Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.) in the Wind River range, but there was plenty of time for that.  In fact, when Lupe perked up, she had time to enjoy an early afternoon visit to Sinks Canyon State Park half a dozen miles SW of Lander on Hwy 131.

The last time Lupe had been to The Sinks, the Middle Popo Agie River had such tremendous flow that the river completely filled The Sinks, with substantial overflow to spare.  With the river so low now, The Sinks was actually far more impressive.  The entire Middle Popo Agie River simply disappeared into a mysterious underground cavern.

The Middle Popo Agie River disappears into The Sinks.
Plaque describing The Sinks & The Rise.
Another display.

Conducting a closer inspection, Looper went right on down to the cavern entrance where the Middle Popo Agie River vanished.

At The Sinks.
Sinks Canyon from the mouth of the cavern.
Shady and cool down here!
Pretty awesome, aye?

Touring The Sinks didn’t take long.  Returning to Lander, SPHP stopped for supplies.  By 4:00 PM, Lupe was on her way out of town.  Up at the SE end of the Wind River range it turned out that USFS Road No. 300, which went to Louis Lake and beyond, was closed for repairs all the way to Burnt Gulch until August 20th.

Where was Burnt Gulch?  SPHP checked the map.

What does it say, SPHP?

As near as I can tell, Looper, it says Atlantic Peak isn’t happening, unless we want a longer hike, which we don’t.  No access to the trailhead, even if we go all the way back to Lander and approach it from the other end of the loop.

So what now?

Plan B.  East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.).

S of the Wind River range, SPHP turned W off Hwy 28 onto the Lander Cutoff.  36 miles to the Big Sandy Openings!  It was an exciting drive.  Cattle, sheep, antelope stopped and stared in amazement, as a frenzied American Dingo sped past.

Start of the Lander Cutoff after leaving Hwy 28. Photo looks NW.
Keeping watch to the R.
Watching L.
Astonished sheep.
Startled pronghorns.
Wind River range from the Lander Cutoff.

After 26 miles on the Lander Cutoff, a 3 way junction appeared.  Here, a sign indicated that the Big Sandy campground was another 10 miles on the road going N.  When Lupe arrived, the campground and trailhead parking lot were both full.  Fortunately, overflow parking was available for the G6 only a little way back.

What remained of a beautiful evening was spent with a great view of Laturio Mountain (11,342 ft.) beyond the meandering Big Sandy River.

At the junction with the road to the Big Sandy campground. Photo looks NE.
Laturio Mountain (Center) from Big Sandy Opening. Trailhead parking visible on the L. Photo looks NW.

7-18-20, 9:10 AM, 68ºF, Big Sandy Opening, Wind River range –  Loopster trudged along behind SPHP on the way to the trailhead.  The American Dingo wasn’t as rambunctious and energetic as she had been just a little while ago.

While getting the backpack ready, SPHP had caught the crazy Carolina Dog digging frantically at a gopher hole, tearing great chunks of grass and dirt away with her fangs while enthusiastically clawing away at the entrance.  Loop had swallowed and inhaled so much dirt that she was coughing and having trouble breathing when SPHP made her stop.

Loop was breathing OK, and wasn’t coughing now, but seemed dejected.  Gorgeous day, though, and the trailhead was busy!  This was the jump off point for Big Sandy Lake, Jackass Pass, and the enormously popular Cirque of the Towers, which Lupe had been to years ago.  As Loopster approached the parking lot, a friendly old man stopped his vehicle to chat.  He asked where she was headed, and his eyes lit up when SPHP said East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.).

Somewhat surprised because everyone goes to the Cirque of the Towers, the stranger pronounced East Temple Peak a fantastic destination.

What route you taking?

Clear Lake and Deep Lake.

Camp at Deep Lake!  Simply incredible!  You won’t regret it.

With that advice, the old guy waved as he drove off.

Sounded like he knew what he was talking about, didn’t he, SPHP?

Sure did, Loop.  Might have wound up there anyway, but shall we make Deep Lake our official goal for the day?

The American Dingo seemed happy enough with that notion, and was soon setting off on the Meeks Lake trail.

Start of the Meeks Lake trail at the Big Sandy trailhead.

The Meeks Lake trail was wide, well-trodden, and easy going.  Starting out in forest, Lupe was soon crossing a sunny meadow.  Not a cloud in the sky!  As the trail went on, the Big Sandy River was often in view off to the R (E).

Crossing a big meadow. Photo looks NNE.
By the Big Sandy River. Photo looks NE.

0.6 mile from the trailhead, Lupe came to an intersection.  The Meeks Lake trail veered off to the L, climbing into the trees, while Big Sandy trail No. 99 continued straight following the Big Sandy River.

Approaching the point where the Meeks Lake (L) and Big Sandy (straight) trails divide. Photo looks NE.
Loop at the signpost.

The Big Sandy trail was the most direct route to Big Sandy Lake, which Lupe did need to get to.  However, Big Sandy trail No. 99 was certain to be very busy on a Saturday in July.  An alternate route existed that would eventually hook back into the Big Sandy trail.

Although perhaps a bit longer, this alternate route went past both V and Diamond Lakes, which Lupe had never seen before.  Since it might be quieter, more scenic, and help break up the 6 mile march to Big Sandy Lake, Lupe stuck with the Meeks Lake trail, which was signed here as Continental Divide trail No. 96.

The Meeks Lake trail is part of the Continental Divide trail.

After gaining a little elevation, the Meeks Lake trail flattened out for a while.  Looper enjoyed an easy stroll going N through the forest.  She came to another rise after which the trail flattened out a second time.  Lupe went by Meeks Lake, which wasn’t far from the trail off to the W (L), but didn’t even see it due to the trees.

0.6 mile from the first intersection, the Carolina Dog came to a second one.  The Meeks Lake trail again angled off toward the L, but this time Lupe went R on the Diamond Lake trail.

On the Meeks Lake trail.
Sign at the second trail junction. Lupe took the Diamond Lake trail seen here on the R.
Sign at the second junction.

Gradually gaining elevation, the Diamond Lake trail wound NE for 0.5 mile through the forest.  As Loop started getting close to V Lake, the trail began going downhill.  As soon as V Lake could be glimpsed through the trees, Lupe left the trail and went down to it.

V Lake was fairly large, but shallow.  From the SW shore, Lupe had her first view of a number of peaks ahead.  Nearly 6 miles off to the NE, Mitchell Peak (12,482 ft.), Dog Tooth Peak (12,488 ft.), and Big Sandy Mountain (12,416 ft.) were all strung out along the same ridge.

Schiestler Peak (11,624 ft.) was somewhat closer and part of a different one.  Much closer, a mere 1.5 miles due N of V Lake, Laturio Mountain (11,342 ft.) formed a giant ridge all by itself.

V Lake. Mitchell Peak (far L), Dog Tooth Peak (L) and Big Sandy Mountain (Center) along the far ridge. Schiestler Peak (R). Photo looks NE.
Laturio Mountain from V Lake. Photo looks N.

After sharing a piece of fried chicken at V Lake, Lupe and SPHP returned to the Diamond Lake trail, which now headed NE along the W shore.  The N end of V Lake proved to be a marshy region.

Temple Peak (12,972 ft.) (Center) from V Lake. Photo looks ESE.
N end of V Lake. Temple Peak (L). Photo looks SE.
On the way to Diamond Lake after leaving V Lake behind. Schiestler Peak (L) and Temple Peak (R) with A Cheval Peak (11,763 ft.) between them. Photo looks E.

The mile long trek to Diamond Lake, about a mile NE of V Lake, was flat the entire way.  Lupe crossed a large damp meadow before getting there, and several minor gravelly streams near the lake.  Although Diamond Lake wasn’t as big as V Lake, it was quite pretty.  Most of the shoreline was forested, but the trail did pass through a big meadow N of the lake.

Diamond Lake. Dog Tooth Peak (far L), Big Sandy Mountain (L) and Schiestler Peak (R). Photo looks NE.
W end of Diamond Lake. Photo looks S.
A zen moment in the forest near Diamond Lake.
Leaving Diamond Lake. Photo looks SSW.

Less than 0.25 mile past Diamond Lake, the Diamond Lake trail merged with Big Sandy trail No. 99 again.  Only 2 miles to Big Sandy Lake now!

The Meeks and Diamond Lake trails had been a great alternate route!  V and Diamond Lakes were beautiful, had provided mountain views not seen along the Big Sandy trail, and the terrain had been easy.  Couldn’t have been much farther this way, either.  Better yet, Lupe had enjoyed complete solitude the entire way on a day when Big Sandy trail No. 99 was overrun.

Signs at the junction of the Diamond Lake and Big Sandy trails.

Big Sandy Lake was the largest lake Lupe would come to today.  By the time she got there, it was already mid-afternoon.  The heavy pack and new boots made SPHP eager for another break.  Although she’d been breathing easily the entire way, the Carolina Dog still seemed somewhat subdued after the gopher hole stunt this morning.  Loop was perfectly content to relax for a while near the S shore.

Dog Tooth Peak (L) and Big Sandy Mountain (Center) from the S shore of Big Sandy Lake. Photo looks NE.
Looper taking it easy.

Deep Lake was still 3 miles away.  Although getting around Big Sandy Lake would be easy, the trail would steepen once Lupe headed up to Clear Lake.  Consequently, the rest break was shorter than either Lupe or SPHP would have liked.  Nevertheless,

Onward!  Puppy, ho!

Leaving the S end of Big Sandy Lake, the trail followed the W shore N for 0.5 mile.  Both the solid rock ridge of Haystack Mountain (11,978 ft.) and dramatic ship prow summit of East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.) came into view along the way.

Haystack Mountain (Center) from Big Sandy Lake. Photo looks ESE.
On Big Sandy trail No. 99. Big Sandy Lake and Schiestler Peak in view. Photo looks S.
Haystack Mountain (L), top of East Temple Peak (Center) and Temple Peak (R) from Big Sandy Lake. Photo looks SE.

At the N end of Big Sandy Lake, Lupe came to another trail junction.  Big Sandy trail No. 99 went N from here up to Jackass Pass and Lonesome Lake, but Lupe now left it, going E on Little Sandy trail No. 98 instead.

On her way around Big Sandy Lake, Lupe forded several streams.  Lost Creek and North Creek were both small.  Easy rock hops for SPHP.  Black Joe Creek, the last stream Lupe came to, was considerably larger than the others.  Fallen logs got SPHP across without wet feet.  Hiking poles came in handy during this maneuver.

Crossing North Creek. Schiestler Peak (R.) Photo looks SE.
Little Sandy trail near the N shore of Big Sandy Lake. War Bonnet Peak (12,369 ft.) (R). Photo looks NW.

After crossing Black Joe Creek, the trail climbed a little way up a steep slope before dropping almost all the way back down again.  Lupe was now leaving Big Sandy Lake behind, heading SE along the NE side of a big marshy meadow.  She skipped a L turn onto Trail No. 116 which went to Black Joe Lake, and watched for a junction where Little Sandy trail No. 098 divided.  She came to it before reaching the end of the meadow.

The nice new sign at the turn for Clear Lake and Deep Lake.
Glancing back at Big Sandy Lake and War Bonnet Peak (Center) after starting up the trail to Clear Lake. Photo looks NW.

300 feet of elevation gain up to Clear Lake in a little over 0.5 mile.  Little Sandy trail No. 98 gradually steepened as it wound through forest and over bedrock.  Lupe and SPHP plodded along.  Not a difficult trail at all, but the backpack felt heavier with every step.  As the trail finally leveled out, the W end of Clear Lake came into sight along with a gorgeous view of Haystack Mountain (11,978 ft.).

Haystack Mountain from the NW end of Clear Lake. Photo looks SE.

SPHP couldn’t wait to shed the backpack.

Oh, Loopster!  What do you think?  Isn’t Clear Lake fabulous?  I shouldn’t be, but I’m all worn out.  Would you mind if we camp here tonight?  Still another 1.5 miles up to Deep Lake, and I simply don’t feel like doing it.

Fine with me, SPHP, but aren’t you just delaying the inevitable?  I thought you’d originally hoped to get way up to Temple Lake.  It’ll be that much harder to get up East Temple Peak tomorrow if we stay here, won’t it?

Yeah, I know it, but at the moment, I don’t care.  Ready to call it.

Alright then.  As you wish!  Certainly can’t fault this scenery!  Let’s look around for a spot.

The SW end of Clear Lake looked attractive.  Lupe and SPHP headed over that way, rock hopping Clear Lake’s outlet stream in the process.  Not much soil around here, which explained why the forest was more open.  A great deal of exposed bedrock provided rock solid camping spots, which didn’t hold much appeal since SPHP hadn’t brought any padding other than the sleeping bags.

Further exploration revealed tents already set up at a great spot with some soil.  Eh, best to move on and let them enjoy their privacy.

Big Sandy Mountain (12,416 ft.) from near the W end of Clear Lake. Photo looks NE.
W end of Clear Lake. Schiestler Peak (R of Center). Lupe explored the far shore while looking for a campsite. Photo looks SW.

Returning to Little Sandy trail No. 98, Lupe and SPHP continued E on the N side of Clear Lake.  Along the way, Looper made several forays up into the forest N of the trail looking for campsites.  She found some good ones, but they were all occupied.

Clear Lake from a little farther E along the N shore. Photo looks SE.
Another look at Schiestler Peak (R of Center) from Clear Lake. Photo looks SW.

Finally, after 3 or 4 tries, the Carolina Dog did find an unoccupied spot that would do.  50 feet higher up a steepish slope, and a good 200 feet N of the trail, was a small level patch of soft dirt amid a bouldery region featuring mostly dead trees.  15 feet to the E was a rock outcropping sporting an abandoned loose stone campfire ring.  From here, Lupe had a partial view of Clear Lake and East Temple Peak beyond it.

7-18-20, 6:37 PM, campsite N of Clear Lake – Good enough!  SPHP set up Loopster’s tiny house.  As soon as the sleeping bags were spread out, she was eager to get inside.  Time to eat and rest up for a big day tomorrow.

The last of the fried chicken disappeared.  Satisfied and tired, both Lupe and SPHP welcomed the sandman long before Mother Nature turned out the light.

N of Clear Lake, Wind River range, Wyoming 7-18-20

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East Temple Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 2: Clear Lake to the Summit (7-19-20)

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