Got Truck?

As a matter of fact, yes, we do!

Friday morning was a joyous occasion at our house -- We got our truck back! Because we weren't exactly sure when we might get it, we hadn't made any concrete plans for the weekend. All I knew was that I wanted to go play outside! So after a mad scramble to get ready and a much later start than I had hoped for, we were underway. Despite our tardiness, the camp spot we wanted was miraculously still unoccupied. As we sat in our camp chairs by the river eating lunch, I could feel the week's stress slipping away with the water's foam. 

With lunch out of the way, it was time to ride. As we approached the Benbow area, Dan asked if I wanted to ride the Jeep Trail. It is a rocky, challenging, but gorgeous ride through aspen groves and pine forests, with a stream crossing thrown in just for fun. Dan found some fairly fresh bear tracks, but we never caught up with the maker. (Leaving me equally relieved and disappointed.) We did run into the Partridge Family. Or the Grouses, or the sage hens... whatever. It was fun to hear the hen and chicks call back and forth to each other. 

Later in the evening, as we sat playing cribbage in the camper, a sudden gust of wind tried to rip away our awning. We rushed out into the wind, lightning, and spattering raindrops to put it up. Unfortunately, it was but an indication of things to come. The wind was still screaming when we went to bed... and at 3 am... and ALL. NIGHT. LONG! 

The bear was here!

When morning came, we were joined by friends with four wheelers. Let the games begin! We had hardly driven out of the camp site when Dan slammed on the brakes. BEAR! It quickly changed its mind about crossing the road and disappeared back into the brush. Oh well, the day was young. While we never did spot anymore wildlife, it was still a great day for four-wheeling. The wind had finally died down and the sun was shining. We rode about 40 miles, splashing through puddles and streams and bouncing over rocks. The whole time, I just kept thinking about how much I was enjoying just being out again. 

I only said that we did not get rained on.
I never said that we did not get wet! =)

After a group supper back at the camper, we packed up and started the caravan for home. We had driven barely five miles when something big and black crossed the road in front of us. Yep, bear. It climbed over the guard rail and down the bank to the river. I am jealous of the fisherman who had the perfect angle for pictures. I didn't get any pictures, but nonetheless, it's always fun to see them. Maybe next time...

Where there's smoke, there's fire.
I am not sure where the fire was,
but the smoke created a pretty sunset. 

Distracted by a Waterfall

I hate weekends with limited playtime, but with obligations both Friday morning and Saturday afternoon, we knew we didn't have many recreational options. With the truck still at the mechanic's, camping and four-wheeling were out anyway. So, we headed up the Beartooth Highway to hike. 

Earlier in the week, we had thumbed through our hiking book to find something on the Beartooth plateau. Dan found the perfect hike - the trail to Becker Lake - almost no elevation gain, not too long, ending at a lake. What's not to love about that? 

We weren't the only ones eating lunch!

After stopping for sandwiches in Red Lodge, we started up the mountain. We were determined to do things differently this time, not the same old, same old. Therefore, we ate our lunch in a pull-out overlooking a pond where we had never stopped before, then we made a bee-line for Island Lake Campground. Again, this was new territory, and it was the starting point for our hike. Island Lake was just the first of a string of lakes. We followed the shore line of Island Lake to the shore of Night Lake, then on past several more small lakes. Not all of these lakes, however, are labeled on the map in the hiking book or on the GPS. At this point, we were a bit confused: we were supposed to be looking for a "faint, overgrown trail" in "a wet meadow just after Flake Lake." Well, then... we have been walking in said conditions almost since we left the parking lot! And just which of these lakes is Flake Lake?

While we stood studying the book, the lake, and the GPS, we noticed a small waterfall on the other side. Dan asked if I wanted to climb to the top of it. Ummm, NO! So we continued on up the main trail. But I found myself constantly glancing back at the waterfall. Well, ok, forget Becker Lake. Let's go climb the waterfall.

The whole falls was just a series of little ones
like these. 

It really wasn't as steep as it first looked, and being late in the summer, the water flow was not torrential. It was actually a lot of fun to rock-hop back and forth across the falls and to work our way up the boulders beside them. In fact, the rocks were really quite well stair-stepped, although a few of those stairs had a pretty steep rise to them. We finally came to the top and found a tiny lake surrounded by yet-higher peaks. Of course, Dan was ready to climb them, too, but it was getting late, so we hopped from rock to rock across the lake and started back down the other side. 

The source

Walking along the lakes back to the parking lot, with no other sound except the lapping of the waves along the shore, I was not one bit disappointed that we didn't get to our original destination. There's always another day!

While we never did see any large mammals, the smaller
creatures were happy to entertain us.

Make sure that you click on this one to view it full-size.
  I just love the movement of the water coming off the rocks. 

A Dry and Dusty Day

Don't look down!

With our truck still out of commission, we figured we'd be stuck at home this weekend. But, no, not so! Rick once again donned his mask and cape and came to our rescue. He swooped in with his big, white (diesel) steed and we were on our way.

We returned yet again to the Pryor Mountains. Rick hadn't ridden Burnt Timber or Sykes Ridge Road and wanted to go that way. He was driving, remember, so we were going wherever he wanted. (Not that we minded.) The only bad part was the dust ~ thick, choking, heavy dust. (I was leading, so the guys got the worst of it.) 

The wild horses were scarce on this trip. We saw just a couple of small groups and a few single ones. I was beginning to think that the sheep weren't going to put in an appearance at all. When I did finally spot them, they didn't exactly pose for a group photo like last time. They just kept walking, and I was a little disappointed at the lack of photo opportunities. Until, that is, we followed and caught up to them again. They were perfectly posed on high, rocky points with nothing but the sky and the far-away valley behind them. We watched in awe as they picked their way down the nearly vertical cliff and disappeared into the brush below.

Just room for four feet

 

Feeling much more satisfied with our day, we went back to the machines, back to the dry, dusty road, back to the truck, and back home. 

Best Laid Plans

Black Mountain Fire Lookout

Yay for long weekends! Thursday morning found us leaving town instead of heading to work. Ever since we tent-camped in the Big Horn Mountains a couple of years ago, we have been wanting to get back and explore more thoroughly. This was our weekend to do that! Despite a "check engine" light and a slight delay, we got the camper set up by mid-afternoon. We had spotted a fire lookout on the way in, and we just happened to be camped on the road that led up to it! Wow! Black Mountain Lookout Road was a baptism by fire! Is this what I can expect on every ORV trail in the Big Horns?!? I was very glad for my independent suspension, power steering, and high clearance (all the reasons that we chose the Polaris machines in the first place), as well as any experience that I have gained over the last two years of riding! I finally cried "Uncle!" and we set out on foot to finish the climb. I didn't feel quite so bad about chickening out when we came to the ATV parking area just a tenth of a mile further up the road. But the view from the top made all the effort worthwhile! 

Friday was all about the riding. We rode over the mountains, among the trees, and through the river. We rode main roads, jeep roads, and ORV trails. We saw lots of cool scenery, but I wanted animals. I was especially eager to see moose. We were nearly back to camp late in the afternoon before I finally spied one. She was, however, rather shy and didn't hang around for pictures. Fortunately, we came across a second one a couple of miles later, and this one cared not one little bit how long we wanted to stand watching her and taking photos. After a while, we decided to head back to camp and get supper. With dinner over, I wanted a campfire. I stepped out of the camper and found myself nearly face-to-face with a young mule deer doe. She paid us no mind as she went around the back of the camper to graze in the little meadow behind us. I thought at one point, she might just join us at the fire! 

Peek-a-boo

The trail that we rode on Saturday might well have been my favorite of all three days' riding. It was mostly easy riding without being boring, it followed a river most of the way (always a plus), and it led us to a photogenic young bull moose. Since we wanted to get an earlier start for home than we sometimes do, we limited our miles for the day, and by 4:30, we were pulling out for home. 

Because of the trouble with the truck on the way in, Dan was carefully watching gauges on the way out. Everything was fine until after we got gas in Greybull. Not more than a couple of miles out of town, the engine started to chug and the light came back on. So we pulled over and prepared to wait it out. (Hey, it worked the first time.) After a while, we tried again, only to stop again just a few miles later. So we waited again, even longer. Third time's the charm, right? WRONG! Time to call in the Lone Ranger! We put out a distress call to our good friend Rick, who came to our aid. So much for our early start ~ we pulled into Laurel just after 2 am. And, of course, wouldn't you know it, we had to wait for a train. At that point, we just had to laugh. How else could this story end? 

Ummm... where's the bridge? 

A bit of history: This structure is called a splash dam.
Loggers would hold back the water until conditions were right to "flush"
the logs down the river to sawmills in the towns below. c1905

Smiling rock :)

Nothing Runs Like a Bear!

I apologize that this post is delayed, due to the craziness

of the holiday weekend. 

My girl is home! Our daughter Ashley makes it a priority to be home from Milwaukee, Wisconsin every year for the 4th of July. We must go explore! 

Dan had Thursday night off, so he and Ashley set off over the Beartooth Pass. They found and photographed mountain goats, climbed down to a waterfall, and explored side roads. 

On Friday, I was able to join the fun. We gave Ashley her choice of activities, and she decided that she wanted to see the wild horses. (Even if it did mean riding the "wretched death machines"!) One of our buddies joined us and let her ride with him in his side-by-side. A "real" seat and a seat belt made her feel much better. 

We parked in our usual spot on Helt Road and set off up the mountain. We came down the switchbacks to Crooked Creek Road and ran along the canyon rim. Coming around a corner, I caught movement off to my left. Bear! It stopped for a second, so I went scrambling for the camera. Of course, the camera had settled all the way to the bottom of my backpack, and I couldn't get it out. By now, the bear had given up on me and lumbered out of sight. Dan had caught up to me and asked if I wanted to chase it. Well... NO! He assured me that all the bears in the Pryors are blacks and that we were safe, so we went as far as the initial meadow. But the bear was not in the meadow, and I did not see which way it went. Chasing a bear into dense underbrush didn't seem prudent, so we returned to the machines and caught up with Ashley and Ronny. 

We stopped for lunch at the Big Ice Cave. We fought off the flies while we ate, then we walked the short trail down to the cave. The cool air coming out of the cave felt so good, and it provided relief from the flies. 

Ice stalagmite in the ice floor of the cave.

Then it was on to find the horses. We spotted a small group and spent some time photographing the baby one before moving on to the main herd up the road. We set up the tripod, and Ashley was happily snapping away when someone told us to turn around. The first group of horses had come to join the rest, and they walked right by us, about 20 yards away! THAT was cool! 

Eventually, Dan pointed out the time (and the miles back to the truck), so we reluctantly packed up our gear and headed out. 

We did have to stop again a couple of times, as we encountered a group of big horn sheep and spied an arch that will definitely require some closer inspection on another day.

 

This picture made me laugh. It reminds me of some
sort of athletic team photo. 

All on a Sunny Day

Mystic Lake from the Froze to Death Plateau

With an unexpected extra night off of work and beautiful, sunny weather in the forecast, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my long weekend. We could finally make our assault on Froze to Death Plateau. 

We first discovered East Rosebud and Slough Lake over ten years ago. Then, in the last few years, we made a couple of trips up the West Rosebud drainage to Mystic Lake. I have always wanted to do the whole hike from one end to the other, but we just didn't have a way to make it work. But, now we do. 


Thursday afternoon, we hauled the camper up to the Jimmy Joe Campground in the East Rosebud valley. I was a little surprised and extremely delighted to find the place completely deserted. We chose a spot close to the river and set up camp. Then we drove both vehicles over to the Mystic Lake trail head and left the truck. Then, BACK again (did I mention that it is about thirty miles between the valleys?) for dinner and a little evening photography. 

















We were up early on Friday morning, and on the trail by 7:15. The guidebook said that this is a thirteen mile hike, and the trail divides itself nicely into four roughly equal segments. Slough Lake marked the end of the first quarter, so we took a short break for a snack and a few pictures. 

Slough Lake

The next objective was the summit of the plateau. A beautiful, if distant, waterfall kept us entertained for several miles. We met a hiker coming the other way who told us that he had seen a bear just below the plateau. Well then, I kinda want to see a bear, but I also kinda want to live. 

The whole plateau was blanketed with wildflowers. 

We reached the summit without seeing anything or anybody. The moment that we topped out on the plateau and Mt Wood, Mt Houge, and Pyramid Mountain loomed large on the horizon was perhaps the highlight of the whole day. With renewed vigor, we crossed the plateau and were soon looking down on Mystic Lake and Island Lake. We stopped at this half-way point and just soaked up the sun and the view. 


Once off of the plateau, the trail drops steeply down to Mystic Lake. About half-way down, it became obvious that this was a hike of more than thirteen miles. The gps showed that we were closing in on the twelve mile mark, and we weren't even to the lake yet, and we know that it is three miles from the lake to the parking lot. Eventually, we did reach the lake, and then the truck. Twelve hours and 15.81 miles after we started, I was tired and footsore. But, oh, what a feeling of accomplishment I had! 

The moon was just rising over the ridge as we reached the truck. 

Bonus pictures! =)

This pretty little waterfall gave me opportunity
to practice the soft water effect. 

This mama grouse (?) and her two chicks startled me!

A great blue heron? It was getting a little too dark for really good  pictures, but we had to try!

A very vocal redwing blackbird. 

Where the Wild Things Are

Oh, how many times have we been in the Pryor Mountains and seen nothing in the way of wildlife! We are always looking for the wild horses (or bears), and have spotted only a few. It turns out that we have been on the wrong side of the mountains!

A few weeks ago on the blog, I mentioned Burnt Timber Road and its warning sign regarding the kind of vehicle required in to navigate it. This weekend, we parked the camper at the start of the road and spent both Friday and Saturday riding it. And guess what... We saw horses both days! Friday afternoon, we came across a small herd. We spent quite a bit of time watching them and taking pictures before returning to the camper for a late dinner. 

Moonrise 

The sunrise that I did not get up to see

Saturday morning, we headed for Sykes Ridge Road. Dan has been wanting to try this one for quite a while. We were just getting started when I spotted two horses looking down on us from a higher ridge. Then a little later, we spied another one. This time we were looking down on it, as we had scrambled up a hillside to investigate what we thought might be a cave. (It wasn't.)

We ate our lunch on a peak high above the Big Horn Recreational Area - as in one of the peaks that tower overhead when you are standing at Devil's Overlook or Barry's Landing. We then continued up Sykes Ridge. This trail is a great ride - lots of up and down hills, in and out of trees, and vistas that go on forever. 

Not long after lunch, Dan noticed a group of bighorn sheep lounging in the shade of a lone tree. So once again, we were off the machines and photographing wild things. 





The highlight of the day, though, was still to come. As we approached Pen's Cabin, there were horses everywhere! It was so much fun to photograph a couple of foals, as well as the interaction of both stallions and mares. We spent a long time enjoying their antics before reluctantly moving on. My day was made! That's one more thing that I can cross off the Summer 2015 To Do list. 

Whole lotta horses!

P.S. I have to admit that I am saving the best pictures for the photography Face Book page. Please check us out at Photography by Dan and Tammi Capron. Remember to like our page while you are there.