Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 207 – Peak 6720, Medicine Mountain, Peak 6680 & Copper Mountain (6-3-17)

Start 10:06 AM, 67°F, USFS Road No. 304 near the lower end of Tree Draw, about 4 miles S of Deerfield Road

Well, this was it!  Lupe trotted happily along the road leading up Tree Draw.  At least there was some shade.  It was already warm out.  Only a few little white clouds dotted the sunny blue sky.  Lupe’s pink tongue dangled so far out of her mouth, it looked like it ought to belong to a considerably larger Dingo.

Lupe was destined to spend a good deal of the day panting.  Summer was here!  Due to the heat, Expedition No. 207 would be her last Black Hills Expedition until cooler weather arrives in the fall.

Miss Enormous Pink Tongue on the way up Tree Draw on her last Black Hills expedition until cooler weather comes in the fall. Photo looks WNW.
At least the trees in Tree Draw provided some welcome shade. Photo looks WSW.

The road went W for 0.5 mile, then turned S for 0.375 mile.  Lupe was now approaching the upper end of Tree Draw.  The road angled SW and started climbing more steeply.  It faded away entirely at a barbed wire fence.  Lupe ducked under the fence, and quickly reached a minor pass.  This was the saddle NNW of Peak 6720, her first peakbagging destination for the day.

A broad, gently rounded ridge led SSE up to the top of the mountain.  On the way, Lupe dodged scattered deadfall timber.  Near the summit, the deadfall was worse and had fallen over the barbed wire fence, which unfortunately came up here, too.  SPHP lifted Lupe over the dangerous downed fence.

At the saddle on the ridge above Tree Draw. Lupe followed this broad ridge right on up to the top of Peak 6720, which is dead ahead. Photo looks SSE.

At the N end of the first sizable rock outcropping she came to, Lupe reached the true summit of Peak 6720.

Lupe on the true summit of Peak 6720. Photo looks NW.
Astride the highest rock formation at the N end of the summit ridge. Photo looks NNW.
Dingo on the Rocks.

The summit ridge sloped gradually down toward the SSE.  Beyond a gap of relatively level ground were more rock formations.  Lupe left the true summit to explore them, too.

Lupe went over to explore slightly lower rock formations farther along the ridge. Photo looks SSE.
The rock layers along the spine of Peak 6720 were tilted nearly straight up. A jumble of loose rocks lay scattered immediately below the highest ones. Photo looks SSE.

Fewer trees grew around the rock formations S of the true summit.  Lupe enjoyed better views from here, even though she wasn’t quite as high on the mountain as before.  She could see Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) off to the SE where she’d been only a week ago on Expedition No. 206.

Lupe liked scrambling around on the rocks strung out along the spine of Peak 6720. Here she’s at the top of the S high point. Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) where she had been only a week ago on Expedition No. 206 is seen on the horizon right behind her. Photo looks SSE.
Loopster enjoying being up on the S high point. Why not? The views were terrific! Photo looks SE.

Looking NNW back along the jagged spine of Peak 6720.
Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) (R of Center) from Peak 6720 with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SE.
Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) (L) and Peak 6733 (highest point on the far ridge on the R) from Peak 6720.  Lupe had been to both on Expedition No. 206.  Photo looks SSE.

It hadn’t taken long to get to Peak 6720, so Lupe wasn’t ready for much of a break yet.  She remained on the summit ridge only 20 minutes.  That was long enough to get a drink, scramble around on the rocks some, and see the views.

Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.), 2 miles to the SSW, was next on the Carolina Dog’s peakbagging agenda.  Lupe left Peak 6720 heading straight on down the SW slope.  Progress was slow at first.  SPHP had to navigate a band of loose rock directly below the spine of the mountain.  This was followed by a much longer band of deadfall timber.  The deadfall was considerably worse here than on the way Lupe had gone up.

Loose rocks and deadfall were left behind, though, well before Lupe reached the floor of the valley to the W.  A dirt road in the valley headed straight for Medicine Mountain.

Leaving Peak 6720 behind. Photo looks back to the NE.
Down in the valley on the dirt road leading straight for Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.). Photo looks SSW.

Loop had about a mile to go to reach USFS Road No. 297 down by Negro Creek, but the dirt road she was on veered off onto the W (R) slope of the valley after only half that distance.  The Carolina Dog left the road to remain in the valley instead.  Following an old cow path, she went around the E side of a large fenced area on the valley floor.

When a spring and small creek appeared, Lupe made good use of them.

In the lower part of the valley. Photo looks WSW.

Lupe reached USFS Road No. 297.  She was halfway from Peak 6720 to Medicine Mountain.  Negro Creek, a small stream, but much larger than the tiny tributary in the valley she’d just come through, was flowing through an interestingly shaped pond on the other (SW) side of the road.  The pond was home to a family of Canadian geese.

Negro Creek flows through this interestingly shaped pond N of Medicine Mountain (Center).  Photo looks S.
A family of Canadian geese made the pond on Negro Creek their home.

Lupe and SPHP trudged S on USFS Road No. 297 far enough to get past a barbed wire fence before leaving the road to cross Negro Creek.  While SPHP jumped across, Lupe hopped right in the creek and laid down.  She then got up, and strolled up and down the creek a few times while drinking the cold water.  When the Carolina Dog felt sufficiently refreshed, she leapt out of the creek to start climbing Medicine Mountain.

The day was hot.  At least, it was hot for climbing mountains.  Despite her revitalizing dip in Negro Creek, Lupe’s tongue was soon hanging out again.  The heat sapped SPHP’s energy.  Most of the mountain was forested, but Lupe came to a few sunny fields on the way up, too.  Lupe and SPHP made numerous short rest stops in shady places.

Lupe explored the forest while SPHP kept chugging slowly up Medicine Mountain.  There wasn’t much deadfall until almost to the top.  Lupe arrived at the base of a narrow rock outcropping after coming up the N ridge.  The outcropping looked only 20 feet high.  A route existed where SPHP might be able to scramble directly up.

No problem with the little scramble, but the first 20 feet led only to a false summit. However, Lupe didn’t have much more to go.   Loop and SPHP worked a little higher along the E side of a rocky ledge, while proceeding S.  In a couple of minutes, Lupe was at the top of Medicine Mountain’s N summit.  A line of rocks of roughly equal elevation along the ledge provided terrific views to the N.

This time, break first – then views.  Lupe had water and Taste of the Wild.  An apple, as usual, for SPHP.  Lupe curled up in the shade of a tree, surrounded by delicate white wildflowers.  Medicine Mountain was a busy place.  Flies buzzed, bees hummed, butterflies chased each other in dizzying circles.

A variety of butterflies chased each other in dizzying circles. This one landed briefly to take a break with Lupe.
Relaxing in the shade among the wildflowers.

After a 10 minute rest, Loop and SPHP were ready for a look around.  From the rocks of the N ledge, Lupe could see in every direction except S.  The best views were toward the N & W.

After her break, Lupe went out on the rocks of the N ledge for a look around. She could see Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.) (L) the 2nd highest in all of South Dakota. Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) is the high point in the distance to the R of Lupe. Photo looks NW.
The view to the NNW. Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) again in sunlight on the far L. Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.) is the ridge L of Center.
Peak 6680 is the lower hill to the L of Lupe. Looper would be going there next after leaving Medicine Mountain. Photo looks W.
Gillette Prairie, an area of grasslands within the Black Hills, is in view on the R.  Distant ridges along the E edge of the high limestone plateau country lie beyond it. The closest ridge on the L is Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.). Lupe hoped to get there, too, before her day was over. Photo looks NNW.
Odakota Mountain (R of Center) and Peak 6680 (L). Photo looks WNW.

So far, Lupe had only made it to the lower N summit of Medicine Mountain.  If she wanted to see the views to the S and complete her peakbagging goal, she would have to go to the mountain’s true summit.  A saddle with considerable deadfall timber led over to the higher S summit, which wasn’t far off.  Lupe could be there in minutes.

Lupe ready to head for Medicine Mountain’s S summit (Center). Photo looks S.

Once she was across the saddle, Lupe found a short, faint trail leading up the NW side of the S summit.  The highest point on Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) proved to be occupied by a young aspen tree.

The young aspen tree on the right sprawled out over all the very highest rocks on Medicine Mountain. As far as Lupe was concerned, this was close enough. Photo looks NW
Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.) (L) from the true summit of Medicine Mountain. Photo looks WNW.

The best views from the S summit were toward the rugged country around Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) to the SE.

Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) (Center) and Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) (R).
Black Elk Peak (straight up from Lupe) with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SE.

Looper could see a long way to the S.

Looking S from Medicine Mountain’s true summit. Atlantic Hill (6,393 ft.) is the bump on the horizon straight up from Lupe. Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.) is the highest point far off at Center L. Photo looks S.

Lupe spent a little while near the true summit of Medicine Mountain.  However, if she wanted to have enough time to actually get to Peak 6680 and Copper Mountain, she couldn’t dilly dally too long.  Disappointingly, a little sniffing around revealed no medicine on Medicine Mountain, so Lupe moved on.  She took the faint path leading back to the saddle, and began a descent down the mountain’s W slope.

The W slope was moderately steep and full of deadfall timber.  Lupe was nearly down to a huge field in the next valley before she was out of it.  She continued W across the field, and headed for a saddle ESE of Peak 6680.  The saddle and much of the rest of the way up were covered with a forest of dense young pines 10 to 15 feet high.

The young pine forest would have been difficult to travel through, but fortunately, a series of lanes free of trees existed by which it was possible to weave up the mountain mostly unhindered.  As Lupe approached the summit of Peak 6680, she came to an older forest and started seeing rock outcroppings.

Lupe saw a great many wild irises on Expedition No. 207. She found these on the W slope of Medicine Mountain on her way to Peak 6680.
Approaching Peak 6680‘s summit ridge from the ESE.

Lupe had been to Peak 6680 once before, way back on Expedition No. 96 on 9-20-14.  It had been so long ago, SPHP couldn’t remember what the summit was like.  Lupe rediscovered a 150 foot long summit ridge oriented E/W with large rocks scattered along the N edge where the slope below was steepest.  This whole ridge was forested, but a few spots offered Loop glimpses of distant views.

The rocks at the far E and W ends of Peak 6680’s summit ridge seemed to be the two highest points on the mountain. Here Lupe is at the E high point. Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) can be glimpsed beyond Lupe. Farther away, Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) is in view on the R. Photo looks E.
Lupe out on a slightly lower ledge near the E high point. Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.) in view beyond her. Photo looks NW.
Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks E.

Lupe had come up at the E end of Peak 6680’s summit ridge.  The ridge was roughly level, but with slightly higher points at each end.  Lupe could see a rock at the far W end which looked like it might be the true summit.

Naturally, the American Dingo had to go check it out.

Looking W along the summit ridge from near the E end. The rock that is the high point at the far W end can be seen between the trees straight up from Lupe’s nose.
Up on the highest rock at the W end of the ridge. This might have been the true summit of Peak 6680, but it was hard to tell for sure. In any case, Lupe had already been to the E high point, so she was here to claim another peakbagging success! Photo looks N.
Not a bad perch!

Although it wasn’t really clear if the E or W high point was the true summit of Peak 6680, Lupe had now been to both.  She could now claim peakbagging successes at 3 different mountains today.  SPHP was pretty certain she still had time to get to Copper Mountain, too.

Copper Mountain was 2 miles due N.  Loop wasted no time getting started.  She went E back a little beyond the rocks at Peak 6680’s E high point, before turning N.  She traveled down to a very wide saddle leading to the long S ridge that would take her to Copper Mountain.  It was a bushwhack all the way through the forest until she came to a dirt road upon attaining the S ridge.

Now Lupe and SPHP could make good time.  The dirt road followed the top of the ridge to Sixmile Road (USFS Road No. 301), a major gravel road.  Lupe crossed No. 301 continuing N before eventually turning E.  The sun was getting low, but would still be up for another hour or so, when Lupe reached the cliffs at the SE end of Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.).

The last time Lupe had been here was 14 months ago, when she’d first met her mountaineering friend Jobe Wymore.  Jobe had used Lupe’s Black Hills scouting services, and come all the way from the west coast to visit Odakota Mountain.  Lupe and SPHP had then gone with Jobe all the way to the Wildcat Hills of Nebraska.

Fun times, and it was fun to think about them again now!  Neither Lupe nor SPHP had ever met a real mountaineer before.  Jobe had turned out to be such a great guy with so many interesting tales to tell!  Lupe hadn’t seen Jobe since that day, but it was possible she was going to see him again on one of her 2017 Dingo Vacations this summer!

Medicine Mountain is the conical peak on the R. Photo looks SE.
Looking SW at Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.) from Copper Mountain. Jobe Wymore had come all the way from the W coast to peak bag Odakota Mountain, because it is the 2nd highest in South Dakota. (Jobe had already climbed the highest mountains in all 50 states.)  After Odakota, Lupe had also brought Jobe here to Copper Mountain where the views are better.
Lupe at the far SE end of the cliffs on Copper Mountain. Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) is on the L. Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) is on the R. Negro Creek with the pond where the Canadian geese live is in the valley with the green grass seen near Lupe’s head. Photo looks SE.
A closer look with the telephoto lens at the Negro Creek valley. Photo looks SE.
Looking N across Copper Mountain’s summit area from the high point at the edge of the cliffs.
Looking N across Gillette Prairie. Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) (L) and Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) (Center) are faint on the far horizon.

The evening views from Copper Mountain were beautiful.  Lupe and SPHP stayed a little while admiring them, talking about Jobe, and remembering.  The sun was getting lower, though, and Lupe had a bit of a bushwhack ahead of her to get back to the saddle above Tree Draw near Peak 6720.

Lupe’s return trip went fine.  The heat of the day was gone.  Lupe and SPHP were both energized.  Lupe saw many deer, a few squirrels, and one giant deer (elk) on the way.  She had a blast!  She made such good progress, she even had time for a quick side trek back up to the top of Peak 6720 to see the sun set.

Expedition No. 207 marked the end of Lupe’s Black Hills expeditions for a while.  The first of her splendid Summer of 2017 Dingo Vacations full of more distant adventures would be starting soon!  (9:11 PM, 52°F)

On the tippy top of Peak 6720 again at sunset.
Expedition No. 207 nears its conclusion.
On the jagged spine of Peak 6720.

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition                      Prior Black Hills Expedition

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Parker Ridge & the Saskatchewan Glacier, Banff National Park, Canada (9-6-16)

Day 39 of Lupe’s Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska

6:20 AM on this beautiful early September morning found Lupe already on the road, heading SE on Yellowhead Highway No. 16.  Ever since leaving Alaska, Lupe had made her 450 mile daily quota or a little more.  Today she didn’t need to go so far.  She could spent part of the day visiting some favorite places in the Canadian Rockies.

Lupe’s first stop came before mid-morning when she reached her favorite picnic ground in Jasper National Park.  For some unknown reason, there’s no signage for this great picnic area right along the E bank of the mighty Athabasca River.  It’s located 5 or 6 miles S of Athabasca Falls along the W side of Icefields Parkway Hwy 93.

The Athabasca River was much lower than Lupe had ever seen it before, but until today she had never been here this late in the season.  Previously, the river had always come right up to the bank at the edge of the picnic ground.  Now a wide expanse of riverbed was exposed beyond the bank.  Lupe went down to the riverbed, and trotted over rounded stones to the water’s edge.

Lupe had never seen the Athabasca River so low before. She went way out across exposed riverbed to this boulder. Photo looks upstream (SE).
Loop at the Athabasca River near her favorite picnic ground.

Every other time Lupe had seen the Athabasca River, it had been a light gray color, running high, and full of silt.  Now the river was a beautiful blue.

When the Athabasca River is running higher, it is a light gray color and full of silt. Today the river was running low and a beautiful blue. Photo looks downstream (NW).

Time for a late breakfast.  After checking out the river, Lupe returned to the picnic ground.  While SPHP heated up soup and Swiss Miss, Lupe had a fine time barking at squirrels in the trees.  When breakfast was ready, Lupe helped SPHP devour the soup.  She didn’t get any Swiss Miss.

Lupe got to spend nearly 2 hours at the picnic ground.  She took short walks through the forest along the river with SPHP, barked at squirrels, and returned to the Athabasca River.

Looking upstream again toward Mount Christie (10,236 ft.). Photo looks S.
Happy times at the Athabasca River in Jasper National Park! Mount Christie in the background. Lupe’s still keeping a sharp eye out for squirrels up in the trees on the riverbank. Photo looks S.

Late in the morning, another vehicle pulled in to the picnic ground.  No doubt more would be coming as lunch time approached.  Lupe and SPHP hit the road again.  Icefields Parkway Hwy 93 through the majestic Canadian Rockies is always a spectacular drive.

Lupe and SPHP enjoyed the scenery, passing by many gorgeous places Lupe had explored on her 2013 and 2014 Dingo Vacations.  Lupe didn’t stop again, however, until she reached the trailhead for Parker Ridge (7,612 ft.).  By now it was early afternoon, and the trailhead parking lot was packed.  SPHP had to wait for a parking spot to open up.

Parker Ridge is Lupe and SPHP’s favorite short day hike in the Canadian Rockies.  A well-traveled trail switchbacks up the side of the ridge.  On the other side is a tremendous view of the huge U-shaped valley carved long ago by the Saskatchewan Glacier.  The glacier can still be seen in the upper part of the valley flowing down from the Columbia Icefield.  The trail gains over 800 feet of elevation on its way to the ridgeline.

The Parker Ridge Trail was very busy, but the glorious view of the Saskatchewan Glacier from the other side of the ridge made dealing with the crowd totally worthwhile.

Once over the ridgeline, Lupe had fantastic views of the Saskatchewan Glacier. Photo looks SW.
The Saskatchewan Glacier from Parker Ridge. Photo looks SW using the telephoto lens.

The way the terrain is configured, Lupe’s view of the Saskatchewan Glacier actually improved as she followed the trail on the other side of Parker Ridge away from the glacier.  More of the toe of the glacier could be seen from here.

The farther Lupe followed the trail away from the Saskatchewan Glacier, the more she could see of the glacier’s toe and the pond below it. Photo looks SW.
Looking W along Parker Ridge. On the other side of these mountains is Jasper National Park and another impressive glacier. The Athabasca Glacier can be seen from Icefields Parkway Hwy 93, but for a truly amazing view of it, Lupe recommends taking the trail to Wilcox Pass.
The Saskatchewan Glacier flows down from the Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in North America’s Rocky Mountains.

Saskatchewan Glacier from Parker Ridge using the telephoto lens. Photo looks SW.
An even closer look at the toe of the Saskatchewan Glacier through the telephoto lens.
Across the huge valley carved by the Saskatchewan Glacier, Lupe saw high peaks and impressive snowfields. Photo looks SSW.

Lupe followed the Parker Ridge trail far enough away from the Saskatchewan Glacier to where she could see its entire toe.

Lupe with a view of the entire toe of the Saskatchewan Glacier from Parker Ridge.
A close-up showing the entire toe of the glacier.

Several groups of people had gone this far along the trail, too.  Everyone was hanging around enjoying the glacier view.  After several minutes, Lupe realized people and Carolina Dogs weren’t the only ones interested in being here.  A mountain sheep wandered up the steep side of Parker Ridge from the valley below, likely more interested in finding something to eat than the grand view.

After all, mountain sheep are so used to splendid scenery they pretty much take it for granted.  A good meal can be harder to come by.

A mountain sheep wandered up to the Parker Ridge trail from the deep valley below. The sheep seemed used to people, but rather alarmed to be confronted with the presence of an American Dingo!
When the mountain sheep saw Lupe, it hesitated before coming any farther up. Lupe and the mountain sheep were both extremely interested in each other, but for different reasons.
For mountain sheep in the Canadian Rockies, spectacular scenery is easy to come by. Photo looks ESE from close to the end of the Parker Ridge trail.

For a few minutes, Lupe and the mountain sheep had a stare down.  Lupe was a very good American Dingo.  She did not bark or lunge at the sheep.  She wouldn’t have gotten anywhere anyway, since she was on her leash.

Lupe and the mountain sheep stared each other down for several minutes before the sheep decided it was safe to come farther on up Parker Ridge.

When Lupe didn’t do anything except stare in rapt attention, the mountain sheep decided maybe it was safe to come farther on up Parker Ridge.  It turned out this sheep was an advance scout.  Several more mountain sheep suddenly made their appearance.

The first mountain sheep was only a scout. When the scout decided it was OK to advance despite Lupe’s presence, the rest of the flock started appearing. Six sheep ultimately came into view.

A total of six mountain sheep came up onto Parker Ridge from below.  Lupe still didn’t bark, but the sight of all these mountain sheep wandering around nearby was almost more than she could bear.  The Carolina Dog was trembling with excitement from nose to tail.  She kept glancing up at SPHP pleading to be turned loose.  She was absolutely 110% certain fresh mutton would taste better than the soup she’d had for breakfast.

This situation wasn’t going to be sustainable.  To Lupe’s enormous disappointment, SPHP insisted that she head back away from the mountain sheep.  She was most reluctant to comply, but in the end, she had no choice.  Parker Ridge had certainly been an exciting adventure, but oh, how much better it might have been!

Lupe on Parker Ridge on the way back to the G6. Mount Wilcox (9,462 ft.) is in view at Center. To the R is Wilcox Pass, where there are tremendous views of the nearby Athabasca Glacier. Photo looks NW.

Lupe and SPHP returned to the G6 (3:48 PM, 48°F).  Lupe continued S on Icefields Parkway Hwy 93.  Her biggest adventure for the day up on Parker Ridge was over, but she still had some fun ahead of her.  Overcome with drowsiness from the gorgeous, relaxing drive, SPHP eventually parked the G6 at Lupe’s favorite picnic ground in Banff National Park on the SE side of Bow Lake.

After an hour’s nap, Lupe got to go see wonderful Bow Lake.

Lupe at beautiful Bow Lake. Photo looks W from near the picnic ground.
The red roof of the Num Ti Jah Lodge is in view at the foot of Mount Jimmy Simpson (9,731 ft.) across Bow Lake. Photo looks NW.
Looking S along the shore.
On a path at the picnic ground. No one else was around. Lupe and SPHP had the whole place to themselves.

The picnic ground was completely deserted, even though it was dinnertime.  After a good look at Bow Lake, SPHP prepared dinner at a table near the shore.  At this late stage of Lupe’s Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation, supplies were almost completely exhausted.  Lupe and SPHP shared the last of the soup and sardines.

Good thing Lupe was well on her way home!  Swiss Miss and tea was all that remained to sustain SPHP, though Lupe still had some Taste of the Wild and Alpo in reserve.

By the time this feast was over it was 7:00 PM, but there was still light in the sky.  Lupe and SPHP drove over to the Num Ti Jah Lodge at the N end of the lake.  Lupe went down to the shore and saw a curious thing.  A piece of wood was swimming around as if it were alive!

Near Num Ti Jah Lodge, Lupe saw a curious sight. A piece of wood was swimming around in Bow Lake as if it were alive!

Lupe had spotted a beaver!  The beaver paddled around near the shore completely unconcerned by Lupe’s presence.  Lupe wasn’t really certain why that piece of wood seemed so lively, but finally lost interest in it since it never came out of the water where it could be properly sniffed and inspected.

The beaver paid Lupe no attention. Since it never left the lake, Lupe eventually lost interest in it.
The beaver had a short stick it was gnawing the tender thin bark off of.
After a few minutes, the stick didn’t have much bark left. The beaver looked quite satisfied with this treat.
After a few minutes, the lively piece of wood (seen beyond Lupe) swam away. Photo looks SSE across Bow Lake. Part of the Crowfoot Glacier is in view R of Center beyond the opposite shore.
Lupe, the beaver, Bow Lake & the Crowfoot Glacier.

The beaver eventually swam away farther out into the lake.  Lupe never did figure out what made that floating piece of wood so much livelier than any other she’d ever encountered.

Off to the SW, part of Bow Glacier and Bow Glacier Falls were in view.  A trail that Lupe took once before on her Summer of 2013 Dingo Vacation goes all the way to the base of Bow Glacier Falls.  It would be dark long before Lupe could do that again, but there was still time to follow the trail partway along the N shore of Bow Lake.

Beyond Bow Lake, part of the Bow Glacier and Bow Glacier Falls were in view. Photo looks SW.
Bow Glacier & Bow Glacier Falls using the telephoto lens. Photo looks SW.
Too bad there wasn’t time to take the trail all the way to Bow Glacier Falls again, but it would be dark before Lupe could get there. It’s a great, easy, scenic hike with a good trail and very little elevation gain along the way. Lupe highly recommends it!
Num Ti Jah Lodge is at the N end of Bow Lake. The trail to Bow Glacier Falls starts here. Photo looks N.
This hefty, wooden bridge crosses a small creek entering Bow Lake near Num Ti Jah Lodge. Photo looks SSE.
Bow Glacier flows down from the Wapta Icefield. Another small lake exists out of sight below Bow Glacier above the falls. Neither the small upper lake, nor the glacier are visible from the base of Bow Glacier Falls. However, a distant view of both, plus part of the enormous Wapta Icefield can be seen from Cirque Peak (9,820 ft.). Photo looks SW.

Lupe and SPHP only took the trail to Bow Glacier Falls along the N shore of Bow Lake for 20 minutes.  Lupe hadn’t even made it to the end of the lake yet when the time came to turn around.  Darkness was coming, maybe rain, too.  The sky was clouding up.

Lupe on the trail to Bow Glacier Falls. She would have to turn around in another 10 minutes due to oncoming darkness. Crowfoot Mountain is on the L.
Clouds were rolling in and starting to hide the mountains. The sky looked increasingly like rain was a possibility. Photo looks SSW using the telephoto lens toward a peak S of Bow Glacier.
Bow Glacier & Bow Glacier Falls through the telephoto lens from the point of Lupe’s farthest advance along the trail.
The upper portion of Bow Glacier Falls with the telephoto lens cranked up.

On the way back to the Num Ti Jah Lodge, a gentle steady rain did start falling.  The lodge was lit up and looked inviting when Lupe returned.  The soggy Carolina Dog couldn’t go in, though.  She had to return to the G6.

Num Ti Jah Lodge was lit up and looked inviting when Lupe returned in the rain from the Bow Glacier Falls trail. The soggy Carolina Dog couldn’t go in, though. Back to the G6!

Around 8:30 PM, SPHP parked the G6 for the final time.  The steady rain was coming down harder.  The temperature was only 38°F.  Maybe Lupe was going to get snowed in overnight in the Canadian Rockies?  It sure seemed like a possibility.

Lupe had only made 250 miles today, but that was OK.  She’d spent a lovely day in the Canadian Rockies.  Maybe it wasn’t the most spectacular day she’d ever spent here, but she’d seen many beautiful sights, gone to some favorite places, and had several pleasant, relaxing outings.

Lupe’s only regret was that with supplies running desperately low, SPHP hadn’t allowed her to secure a great new supply of fresh mountain sheep mutton!

Sigh … Carolina Dogs try to be man’s best friend.  They really do.  Humans are hard to understand, though.  Sometimes they don’t have any sense at all.Note:  The Parker Ridge trailhead is located at a pullout right along the southbound side of Icefields Parkway Hwy 93 several miles S of Sunwapta Pass, the border between Banff & Jasper National Parks.

Links :

Next Adventure                       Prior Adventure

Parker Ridge & the Saskatchewan Glacier, The Icefield Centre & the Athabasca Glacier (7-23-13)

Bow Lake & the Trail to Bow Glacier Falls (7-25-13)

Cirque Peak, Banff National Park, Canada (7-24-14)

Parker Ridge Trail, Banff National Park, Canada (7-29-14)

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 206 – Sylvan Hill & Peak 6733 (5-27-17)

Start 7:35 AM, 46°F, USFS Road No. 352 just NW of the end of Sylvan Hill’s N ridge.

Expedition day!  Lupe was excited!  She frolicked and rolled in tall green grass, wet from overnight rain showers.  Before SPHP was even ready to set out, Loop was already a soggy doggie, but happy as a clam.  She led the way, trotting S on perfectly good USFS Road No. 352, expecting SPHP to follow.

Instead, SPHP left the road right at the G6, climbing a slope to the SE to begin the 1.75 mile trek up Sylvan Hill’s N ridge.  The Carolina Dog doubled back.  This was more good news!  Loop loves off-road, off-trail exploring most of all.

Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) is the high point of Custer County, SD.  Situated only 3 miles SW of Black Elk Peak (7,131 ft.), the highest mountain in South Dakota, and a mile W of Sylvan Lake, it lies near the heart of the most rugged territory in the Black Hills, an area characterized by large ancient granite formations.

As the Custer County high point, Sylvan Hill gets climbed more frequently than many Black Hills peaks.  The vast majority of ascents are made by the shortest route possible starting from a dirt parking lot off Hwy 87/89 located 0.5 mile W of Sylvan Lake Lodge in Custer State Park.

From the dirt parking lot, a short trek up a switchback on a gated side road ends at a sod-covered water storage facility.  A subsequent steep climb WSW through the forest skirts around the S end of a big granite formation, and leads to a saddle on a ridgeline with more granite to the S (High Point 6849).  The summit of Sylvan Hill lies less than 0.25 mile NW of this saddle along a deadfall infested ridge.

This popular route from the E is no more than 0.75 mile one way, and involves less than 800 feet of net elevation gain.  The first time Lupe climbed Sylvan Hill slightly more than 3 years ago on Expedition No. 89 (5-17-14), she had also used this route.  Not today, though!  Now she was intent upon exploring the longer N ridge.

Lupe gained a little under 200 feet of elevation going up the slope to the first high point on the N ridge.  Scattered boulders were at the top, but no large rock formations.  Lupe angled S, losing a little elevation.  Off to the W, a short stretch of USFS Road No. 352 was in sight again a little lower down.  Lupe had been right, it would have been easier to follow the road this far.  Ahh, well.  Que sera.

Continuing on, Lupe’s climb resumed.  This next section was shorter, and led to more boulders strung out along a higher part of the ridge.  Lupe got up on one of the biggest boulders offering a partial view of what lay ahead.

Lupe on her way up the N ridge of Sylvan Hill. Her route eventually took her up to the high ground seen on the R. Photo looks S.

For a while, the ridge narrowed considerably.  The edge was steeper than before.  Sometimes Lupe could go over the top of rock formations she came to.  Other times, it was easier to go around.  SPHP often expected Lupe was about to have to lose some elevation, but she seldom lost much.  A way through to higher ground always seemed to appear.

The ridge widened out again, and Lupe came to an abandoned road.  The road was switchbacking its way up, so Loop followed it.  Why not?  It was the easiest way.

Lupe on the faded, abandoned road. Yellow flowers like these grew scattered in the forest, but were more abundant along the road’s edge.

The road didn’t take Lupe very far.  It ended at what appeared to be an old prospecting site where a hole had been blasted in the side of the ridge.

The abandoned road ended at this old prospecting site where part of the ridge had been blasted away. Photo looks E.

With the forest also blown away in this area, Lupe would have her first real shot at some distant views from rocks she could see above the blast site.  Loop scrambled up for a look around.  She had a nice look back to the N at Saint Elmo Peak (6,458 ft.) and Zimmer Ridge (6,600 ft.).

Above the blast site, Lupe had a nice view to the N. Zimmer Ridge (6,600 ft.) is seen on the L. The G6 was parked back near the base of closer Saint Elmo Peak (6,458 ft.) (R).

Dingo, ho!  Lupe was climbing steadily now.  The ridge was getting steeper.  The longest, steepest part of her journey up the N ridge was underway.  Loop was approaching the high forested area she had seen from the first big boulder early on.  Before the final big push, she reached another high point with a view.

Shortly before starting the longest, steepest push up Sylvan Hill’s N ridge, Lupe arrived at this high point with a view. Photo looks NNW.

Onward!  Up and up.  After several hundred feet of sharp elevation gains, the terrain began to level out.  Lupe was still going up, but at a more moderate pace.  The forest started thinning out.  Lupe came to meadows with minor high points a short distance off to the SSW.  She went over near the top of the first one.

Lupe had her first view of Sylvan Hill’s true summit ahead.

After the last big steep push up Sylvan Hill’s N ridge, the true summit (L) came into view from the first minor high point Lupe came to. Photo looks S.

The rest of the way was easy.  The slope of the terrain was gradual.  Lupe romped through open fields.  To the E, she had views of impressive rock formations and many peaks she had been to before.  The true summit wasn’t far off now.

Getting closer! Lupe reaches another minor high point along the way. Photo looks SSE.
Sylvan Hill summit from the NW.

The NW slope of the knobby summit would have been an easy climb, but was full of deadfall timber amid a thick stand of young aspens.  Lupe found it easier to circle around to the SW, where she faced a momentary scramble between a few big rocks.  A couple of bounds up, and she was there!  Lupe sat comfortably on a small grassy spot on top of Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) for the first time in over 3 years.

A short bounding scramble between a few boulders brought Lupe to the top of Sylvan Peak for the first time in over 3 years. Photo looks NE.

The views from Sylvan Hill were magnificent!  Lupe could see far off in every direction.  The summit area was small, but not the least bit scary.  The American Dingo had plenty of room to relax and take life easy.  First, though, it was time to enjoy those views!

The cairn at the top of the mountain had been considerably improved upon since the last time Lupe had been here on Expedition No. 89.  She got up near it for a good look around.

Black Elk Peak (7,131 ft.) (L) is seen straight up from Lupe’s head. Straight up from the tip of her tail is Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.). The Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) are on the horizon a little L of the cairn in the same area. Photo looks ENE.
Lupe’s ear on the L points to Black Elk Peak. Little Devils Tower is up and to the R of the tip of her tail. Photo looks ENE with help from the telephoto lens.
Looking E. Little Devils Tower (L) and Cathedral Spires (a little to the R of LDT) are in view on the horizon. Hwy 89/87 is seen below. The dirt parking lot for the shortest and most used route to the top of Sylvan Hill from the E is on the R side of the closest part of the Hwy seen here. A sliver of Sylvan Lake is even in view on the L. (Click photo to expand.)
Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) is on the horizon between Lupe and the cairn. Photo looks SSE.
Looking S across the small, but perfectly adequate summit area.
Another look SSE. Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) is on the L. Farther away, Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.) peers around the R side of the cairn.

N of the true summit was another rock ledge Lupe could comfortably pose on.  She happily agreed to get up on it for a few photos in this direction, too.

Lupe on the N ledge. Zimmer Ridge (6,600 ft.) (L) is the closest big ridge beyond Lupe. Saint Elmo Peak (6,458 ft.) is on the R. The big hill on the far horizon straight up from Lupe’s tail is Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) (Center). Also on the far horizon, the largest of the smallest bumps above the W (L) flank of Saint Elmo Peak is Custer Peak (6806 ft.). Photo looks N. (Click photo to expand.)
Some of the territory Lupe traversed along Sylvan Hill’s N ridge to get here is seen below on the L. Photo looks NW.
Lupe could see Thunderhead Mountain (6,567 ft.), site of the Crazy Horse Memorial carving from Sylvan Hill. Crazy Horse is a major tourist attraction in the Black Hills. Photo looks W using the telephoto lens.
When Lupe first caught sight of Sylvan Hill’s summit on the way up, the big granite formation on the L was also in view. At first it appeared to be as high as Sylvan Hill. By the time Lupe reached the summit, the big rock formation was clearly significantly lower. Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.

Before taking her break, Lupe returned to the summit cairn for another look.  Of all the grand views available from Sylvan Hill, the best was toward Black Elk Peak, South Dakota’s loftiest mountain.

The best of all the views from Sylvan Hill was the rugged scene culminating at Black Elk Peak (R), South Dakota’s loftiest mountain. Photo looks NE.
Black Elk Peak (L), Little Devils Tower (Center) and the Cathedral Spires (a little to the R) are all on display. Sweet! Photo looks ENE.

That was a bunch of pictures.  Lupe was ready for her break.  She curled up to enjoy her usual Taste of the wild.  SPHP had nectarines instead of the usual apple.  After devouring both nectarines, SPHP wandered around the summit a bit more while Lupe continued chilling out.

Looper curls up to enjoy her Taste of the Wild.
The summit of Sylvan Hill sported two varieties of yellow wildflowers. Lupe had seen quite a few of these on the way up the N ridge.
SPHP hadn’t noticed any of these on the way up, but this nice specimen was at the top.
Looking SE from the summit. This is the direction most climbers ultimately approach Sylvan Hill from when starting at Hwy 87/89 to the E. The rugged, rocky stuff seen here is easily avoided, but bountiful deadfall timber still makes this last part of the approach a real pain. Fortunately the distance traversed along this upper SE ridge is less than 0.25 mile.

The weather had been becoming increasingly unsettled while Lupe came up the N ridge.  After 20 minutes at the summit, the first of a series of squalls blew in.  Suddenly, Lupe really was chilling out.  SPHP feared a cold, drenching shower was imminent, but none materialized.

What did materialize was a snow storm!  The micro-blizzard was dramatic, and came on driven by a frigid, stiff N breeze.  The snow wasn’t flakes, but arrived as tiny pellets.  Neither the Carolina Dog nor SPHP was particularly pleased with this turn of events, but snow was better than a bone-chilling rain.

The Sylvan Peak micro-blizzard lasted all of 3 or 4 minutes before it began to taper off again.  Typical in this country.  More squalls would come, but in the meantime, Lupe would have 20 minutes or more when the skies would clear somewhat and the sun might shine.

Loop was ready to move on.  A few more minutes at the summit, and SPHP was ready, too.

The snow pellets of the micro-blizzard melted the instant they hit the ground. When it was all over, Lupe was ready to move on. The plan was for her to traverse the near ridge seen beyond her from L to R. It was part of the route to her next objective, Peak 6733. Photo looks S.
Last moments at the summit of Sylvan Hill. Black Elk Peak on the R. Photo looks NE.
Loop awaits the signal from SPHP that it’s OK to come on down. Photo looks N.

Lupe’s next peakbagging goal for Expedition No. 206 was Peak 6733, located nearly 1.5 miles SW of Sylvan Hill across the upper end of Bear Gulch.  The plan wasn’t to head directly for it, but to explore the entire length of the long, undulating ridge going all around the S end of Bear Gulch.

The first part of Looper’s route to Peak 6733 would follow the same SE ridge which is the last segment of the popular route to Sylvan Hill from Hwy 87/89.  SPHP remembered this trek from Lupe’s Expedition No. 89 as being dreadfully slow due to all the deadfall timber killed by pine bark beetles.

The deadfall situation hadn’t improved at all over the last 3 years.

Yuck! The deadfall was just as thick as ever on the ridge SE of Sylvan Hill. Photo looks SE.
Lupe would face at least a couple of massive granite formations that might pose difficulties on her way along the ridge leading to Peak 6733. High Point 6855, the knob of rock in the sunlight on the R, was one of them. Photo looks SW.

Fortunately, it wasn’t nearly as far to the first big granite formation SE of Sylvan Hill as SPHP remembered.  Despite the deadfall, Lupe made her way over there fairly quickly.  She climbed most of the way up the granite into a narrow crack between nearly vertical walls.

Lupe reaches the crack in the first big granite formation SE of Sylvan Hill. Somehow she needed to get over or around the rock wall seen on the R. Photo looks ESE.

Lupe was near High Point 6849 on the Peakbagger.com topo map.  She needed to get past the highest vertical wall of granite blocking her way S.  SPHP didn’t see an easy way over it, and was fearful of the potential drop that might be waiting for Lupe on the other side.

Looking NW back at Sylvan Hill from the vicinity of High Point 6849.

After a half-hearted search for a way over, Lupe and SPHP gave up.  Lupe went W looking for a way around High Point 6849.

Looking SW at High Point 6855, the next big obstacle on the ridge as Lupe starts down to the W (R) to go around High Point 6849, which had her blocked.

Loop had to lose more elevation than SPHP expected, but she did get around the W end of High Point 6849.  Good thing Lupe went around it, and hadn’t tried too hard to go over the top!  Looking back after regaining the ridgeline on the other side, it was clear that going around had been the only feasible option.

Going around the W end of High Point 6849. Lupe was on her way to the ridgeline seen ahead. Photo looks SSE.
Lupe regains the ridgeline S of High Point 6849, the wall of rock seen on the R. Clearly going around it had been Lupe’s only real option. Sylvan Hill is in view on the L. Photo looks NNW.

Now that she was past High Point 6849, Lupe followed the ridge SW.  The ridge was broad, and the terrain wasn’t bad at all, with no big climbs or drops.  Lupe still had excellent views to the S.

Despite these advantages, the ridge walk wasn’t fun.  Deadfall timber was strewn so thickly about, Lupe’s progress was excruciatingly slow.  She did reach one area that was kind of cool.  A lumpy platform of solid granite had a few big puddles on it, and was free of the aggravating deadfall.

This cool granite platform offered some great views, but the rest of Lupe’s trek along the ridge was infested by annoying amounts of deadfall timber. Photo looks SSW.

The views were great, but beyond the platform, Lupe was forced right back into the deadfall infested forest.  Up ahead, High Point 6855 loomed as the next obstacle.  It really didn’t look like Lupe could get all the way to the top, but she could clearly get quite high.  She shouldn’t have a hard time finding a way past the summit.

Another squall came and went.  Cold N breeze, same deal as before, except this time it was a mix of snow then rain.  As before, it didn’t last long.  These squalls might come and go for hours.  If they turned completely to rain and got worse, Lupe’s long trek around the deadfall infested ridge was going to be unpleasant.  She still had a long way to go to Peak 6733.

Upon reaching a saddle leading to the now imminent climb up High Point 6855, the American Dingo discovered a faint road.  Lupe was doing fine, but SPHP was fed up with all the deadfall on the ridge.  Come on, Looper, let’s just take this road down into Bear Gulch.  Even though you’ll have to regain a lot more lost elevation, we’ll get to Peak 6733 way faster.

Lupe didn’t mind.  In fact, she preferred the road, too.  The road went by meadows where she could run around, instead of wasting her energy hopping over dead trees.  The faint road led to a better one, which ultimately brought Lupe down into the upper end of Bear Gulch from the E.

Peak 6733 was now in view ahead.

From down in the upper end of Bear Gulch, Lupe could see Peak 6733 ahead. Photo looks WSW.

Lupe came to USFS Road No. 352 again 2.5 miles S of where the G6 was parked along it.  Nearby, a little stream crossed the road.  Lupe crossed the road, too, staying S of the creek.  Boggy forested terrain interlaced with small rivulets trickling through it all forced her SW.

Loop drank from the rivulets.  She loved the feel of the soft, damp, boggy ground on her paws.  SPHP was less enthused by the mud, but managed to avoid the worst of it.  Before long, the Carolina Dog was beyond the bog and climbing a hillside.  She had skipped past a big part of the long ridge to Peak 6733, but now she needed to get back up there again.  SPHP had her aim for the saddle between High Point 6627 and Peak 6733.

About the time Loop regained the ridgeline, a third squall hit.  This squall was mostly dark clouds and wind, accompanied by only a little rain.  Apparently the squalls were weakening instead of strengthening.  Good!  Lupe turned NW following the ridge.  She still needed to regain another 300 feet of elevation to reach Peak 6733’s summit.

In keeping with its annoying tradition, the upper part of the ridge was strewn with deadfall.  At least it wasn’t quite as bad here as before.

Getting close! The upper part of the ridge leading to Peak 6733 was also strewn with deadfall timber, but wasn’t quite as bad as the deadfall Lupe had faced earlier. Photo looks NW.

The summit of Peak 6733 is a block of granite with small cliffs facing NE.  Lupe had an easy time scrambling up from the SE.  The views were superb in most directions, except to the W toward Thunderhead Mountain (6,567 ft.) and the Crazy Horse Memorial where trees interfered.

Lupe on her way up Peak 6733’s summit block. Crazy Horse on Thunderhead Mountain is seen on the L. Photo looks NW.
Success! Lupe stands atop Peak 6733. Sylvan Hill (Center) is seen beyond her. High Point 6855, which she skipped going to, is on the R. Photo looks NE.
Another look. Sylvan Hill is now on the L. High Point 6855 is at Center. The upper portion of Bear Gulch, which Lupe had come through to get here, is down below on the L. The summit cairn was new since the last time Lupe had been here on Expedition No. 103 on 11-6-14. Photo looks E.
Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.) is the highest point on the R. Photo looks SSE.
Looking S.

After a look around, Lupe and SPHP took a break.  Lupe had water and more Taste of the Wild.  SPHP had foolishly devoured both nectarines back on Sylvan Hill.

By the time Lupe’s break was over, another squall could be seen coming in from the N.

Lupe at the N end of Peak 6733’s summit area, which was adequate, but not terribly big. High Point 6634 (Center) is beyond Lupe in the sunlight. Meanwhile, the next squall is approaching Zimmer Ridge (6,600 ft.), the dark ridge on the R. Photo looks NNW.
Lupe at the N end of the summit area as the next squall approaches. Most of Peak 6733’s summit is in view here. Photo looks SE.
The view to the NW.

This fourth squall was the weakest and final one of any note.  The sun soon came out again.  Lupe made another tour of Peak 6733’s summit before beginning her descent.

Saint Elmo Peak (6,458 ft.) is in sunlight on the L. Five Points (6,621 ft.) lies in shadow at Center. Peak 5800 is in sunlight far away on the far R. Photo looks NNE using the telephoto lens.
Looper poses dramatically atop the N end of the summit once again. Sunshine was on the way now that the last squall had blown on by, but hadn’t arrived quite yet. Photo looks NE.
In sunshine again back at the summit cairn. Part of the long ridge Lupe had climbed on her way up Sylvan Hill is seen on the L. Photo looks ENE.

The easiest way down seemed to be to the SE back the way Lupe had come up.

Loopster ready to begin her descent. Photo looks NW.
Crazy Horse with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks W.

Once Lupe was down off the summit, she stopped briefly by another high point a little to the SE.  It was somewhat lower, of course, but offered a final, unobstructed view of Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) and Bear Gulch.

Sylvan Hill with the upper end of Bear Gulch below. High Point 6855 on the R. Photo looks ENE.
Another look showing more of Bear Gulch and a great deal of the long N ridge Lupe had climbed earlier on her way up Sylvan Hill. Photo looks NE.

From here, Lupe headed N, passing below Peak 6733’s summit along the base of the NE facing cliffs.

Once beyond the cliffs, Lupe and SPHP stayed on the N ridge making a long trek through a battle zone of deadfall timber.  The terrain was easy enough, but the deadfall was horrid the entire way.  Lupe finally reached a road at a gated pass immediately S of High Point 6634.

Peak 6733 from the horrid deadfall infested N ridge. Photo looks S.

Once again, Lupe was glad to reach the road!  She made another descent into Bear Gulch.  The road took her a long way back to the SE, before eventually curving N again.  Lupe didn’t care.  She was free of the deadfall.  Now she could have fun sniffing around.  She was entertained by numerous deer she saw along the way.

The road finally reached USFS Road No. 352 down by the creek at the bottom of Bear Gulch.  Here, the side road Lupe had been following was marked as No. 352.2B.  The G6 was still a good 2 miles N along No. 352.

It was only mid-afternoon.  The sun would be up for hours.  However, Lupe had gotten off to an early start this morning, and the long stretches of deadfall had been wearying.  The Carolina Dog turned N on No. 352, and headed for her ride home.  (5:01 PM, 59°F)

In Bear Gulch on USFS Road No. 352.

Note:  USFS Road No. 352 (marked by a brown fiberglass wand) leaves the W side of Hwy 87/89 in Sunday Gulch (S of Hill City) less than 0.25 mile S of privately owned Horse Thief Campground & RV Resort just as the highway begins a 3 mile climb up to Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park.

Stay to the L at a “Y” where No. 352 levels out.  Park along the road here (like Lupe did), or go a little farther to a small parking area at a locked gate in Bear Gulch less than a mile from the highway.  High clearance vehicle not required.

Links:

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Teapot Mountain, British Columbia, Canada (9-5-16)

Day 38 of Lupe’s Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska

Lupe’s morning started at 7:00 AM with a quick side trip into nearby Fort St. John for fuel for the G6.  Then it was back N a few miles to the turn SW onto Hwy 29 to Chetwynd.  Making that turn, Lupe left the Alaska Highway for the final time on her Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation.

Hwy 29 was a beautiful drive.  For a while, the road followed a stretch of the Peace River valley.  However, that feeling of being in the truly far N, which Lupe had while in the Yukon and Alaska, was fading fast.  At Chetwynd, SPHP turned W on Hwy 97.  It would eventually turn S and take Lupe to Prince George.  This was still gorgeous, unspoiled territory, all wild, forested, and full of rivers and lakes, but Lupe saw no more snow-capped mountains, not even on the most distant horizon.

Nearly all day would be spent driving, but Lupe did have one adventure in store for her.  She was going to take the trail up Teapot Mountain, sometimes touted as one of the best day hikes of central interior British Columbia.  The trail isn’t long, only 0.9 mile (1.4 km).  It climbs an ancient steep-sided basaltic plug which survived the last ice age, while gaining 650 feet of elevation (200 meters).

The sky clouded up.  Light rain showers dampened the highway.  Miles rolled by.  Suddenly, ack!  Talus Road!  Wasn’t that it?  Yes, and SPHP had missed the turn.  Oh, well.  At least the sign had been spotted.  SPHP found a place to turn around.  A few minutes later, Lupe was turning W onto gravel Talus Road.

A kilometer later, SPHP missed the R turn onto Caine Creek Forestry Road, too.  The whole area seemed to be a maze of gravel roads, and the signage wasn’t great.  Nevertheless, after a brief exercise in futility, Lupe did make it back to Caine Creek Forestry Road, which wound around for 2 miles (3 km) before crossing a bridge over a creek connecting a couple of skinny, swampy lakes on either side.

As the road started curving L after crossing the bridge, a sign could be seen tucked back at the edge of the trees near a dirt side road on the R.  Nearby was enough parking space for several vehicles.  The sign said Teapot Mtn.  An arrow pointed into the forest along the side road.  Not another soul or vehicle was around, but this had to be the trailhead.

SPHP parked, and Lupe got out of the G6.  The sky was clearing a little again.  The sun was trying to break through.  On the way here, Lupe had seen densely forested Teapot Mountain a little to the W.  It didn’t look very big after all the mountains Lupe had seen on this Dingo Vacation.  The trip up Teapot Mountain (3,009 ft.) wouldn’t take long.

Lupe had plenty of time.  Why not take a look at the swampy lakes and the creek from the bridge, before going up the mountain?

Lupe at the trailhead. There was room to park maybe half a dozen vehicles nearby.
Lupe along Caines Creek Forestry Road near Teapot Mountain. Photo looks NNW at the larger of the two skinny, swampy lakes. The swampy lakes were actually part of the Crooked River, which flows N.

The water in the creek, which was actually the Crooked River, looked clean and clear.  From the smaller skinny lake, it flowed N under the bridge.  Both skinny lakes were part of the river system.  Lupe didn’t see any fish in the river, but no doubt there must be some.  The lakes had plenty of water and looked like great habitat.

In the 15 minutes Lupe spent sniffing around the Crooked River and the swampy lakes, 2 vehicles had arrived and parked at the Teapot Mountain trailhead.  Hikers were already somewhere on the trail ahead of her by the time Lupe started out.  The first part of the trail followed the side road, which curved NW as it led Lupe into the forest.  The side road dead-ended after only a few hundred feet.

Lupe on the short side road which served as the first part of the Teapot Mountain trail. The road curved NW as it led Lupe into the dense forest. Photo looks W.

Where the side road ended, a wide path strewn with leaves led off to the W toward Teapot Mountain.  Lupe hadn’t gained any elevation yet, but she was about to.  The path started climbing steadily, slowly at first, but it quickly became steep.

Lupe near the start of the path to Teapot Mountain after the side road dead-ended. The path started out level as shown here, but quickly became quite steep. Photo looks W.

The well worn trail was easy to follow, but soon became a real challenge for heart, lungs and legs.  It worked its way over to the SE face of Teapot Mountain, where it began to climb even more steeply heading almost straight up the mountain.

The dense, lush forest hid all views.  Many tree roots and rocks were exposed on the trail, which was hard packed.  This part of the Teapot Mountain trail must be very slick when wet, but it wasn’t bad as Lupe made her ascent.

Teapot Mountain hadn’t looked that big from below, but felt bigger with each step up.  The relentless steep rate of climb continued until Lupe reached a junction close to the top of the mountain.  Here, the trail divided.  Lupe could go L or R.  It didn’t really matter which way she went, since both directions were part of the circular loop trail around the upper rim of Teapot Mountain.  Lupe went R (N), hoping to catch a view of the Crooked River below.

Just because Lupe had reached the loop trail didn’t mean she could see anything.  The top of Teapot Mountain was as densely forested as all the rest of it was.  The trail had come up near the SE end of the mountain, at a part of the rim that proved to be a little lower than most of it.  The summit area contained within the loop trail was acres in size.  The interior terrain sloped gradually and unevenly up toward some unseen high point.

The loop trail was an easy, almost level stroll.  Lupe didn’t have to go very far N before she came to a break in the trees where she could see a long, skinny lake down along the Crooked River off to the NE.

Lupe could see one of the long, skinny lakes that was part of the Crooked River system from the loop trail. Photo looks NE.

On her way around the N rim of Teapot Mountain, Lupe came to no more viewpoints until she reached some cliffs at the NW end of the mountain.  Lupe could see a large shallow pond in a clearing far below.

From cliffs near the NW end of the loop trail, Lupe saw this shallow pond in a clearing below. Topo maps show that the top of Teapot Mountain is somewhat smaller than this pond. The loop trail around the perimeter really isn’t very long. Part of Jakes Lake, a much bigger body of water, is farther away on the L. Photo looks W.

From the cliffs at the NW viewpoint, Lupe didn’t have far to go to reach a big tan-colored rock formation at the SW end of the mountain.  Up until now, Lupe hadn’t seen anyone along the trail.  She found everyone here, congregated on the rock formation which offers the premier view from Teapot Mountain.

A friendly dog wanted to play with Lupe, but with cliffs so close by, the humans put a quick end to all the mad dashing and chasing around.  A wooden bench was nearby to the E.  Lupe got up on it for a look at the big view.  Summit Lake, which is quite large and has an interesting irregular shape, was the main attraction.  Lupe could see the N end of Summit Lake dotted with forested islands not too far away to the S.

From the SW viewpoint, Lupe could see Summit Lake dotted with forested islands. Photo looks S.
Summit Lake through the telephoto lens.

While everyone else remained congregated on the tan rock formation, Lupe and SPHP went off in search of the true summit of Teapot Mountain.  The highest point Lupe found was a nice mossy spot at the end of a very faint trail into the interior.  The summit wasn’t far from the SW viewpoint at all.

Lupe sits comfortably on the mossy spot at the true summit of Teapot Mountain. Photo looks N.

Lupe returned to the loop trail.  People were getting ready to depart.  Before long, Lupe had the premier viewpoint on Teapot Mountain all to herself.

Lupe conducts her initial investigation of the premier viewpoint on Teapot Mountain. She discovers a sign indicating she is 1 km from the trailhead (by the most direct route), and aptly enough, a teapot. Part of Jakes Lake is seen in the distance. Photo looks W.
So, SPHP, is it tea time? What kind of tea are we having? Did you bring any crumpets? …… Umm, heh, sorry Looper, I didn’t remember to bring any tea. Kind of short on crumpets, too, to tell the truth. Guess I wasn’t thinking.
Loopster astride the big tan rock formation, with Jakes Lake on the L. Photo looks W.

For a little while, Lupe and SPHP stayed together up on the tan rock formation enjoying the view of the lakes and forests of central British Columbia.  Before long voices were heard approaching from the E.  More hikers.  Time to go and let them enjoy this beautiful spot in peace.  Loop still had many miles to go today anyway.

Lupe saw more teapots placed on rocks and in trees along the S rim of Teapot Mountain as she completed the loop back to the trail down.  The clouds hadn’t so much as sprinkled any rain for a while.  On her way down, Lupe encountered several more groups of people who had decided to come up.  Apparently, Teapot Mountain really is quite a popular hike.

It was mid-afternoon by the time Lupe arrived back at the G6 (2:55 PM, 50°F) ready to resume the long drive S.  Teapot Mountain had been a pleasant break from being cooped up.  The whole trek had taken a little over 2 hours at a leisurely pace.

By evening, Lupe was far SE of Prince George near the small town of McBride.  Her day ended with a pleasant twilight stroll exploring a quiet park next to the Fraser River.  Up until her Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation, Lupe had never been even this far N before in her whole life.  Tomorrow she would return to more familiar territory in Jasper and Banff National Parks in the fabulous Canadian Rockies!

Note: The L (W) turn off Highway 97 onto Talus Road is about 31 miles (50 km) N of Prince George.  Follow Talus Road 1 km to a R turn onto Caine Creek Forestry Road (poorly marked).  Follow Caine Creek Forestry Road 3.3 km.  The Teapot Mountain trailhead is at the start of the first side road to the R after crossing the bridge over Crooked River.

Links:

Next Adventure                     Prior Adventure

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s 2016 Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to New Lupe Adventures.

Black Hills, SD & WY Expedition No. 205 – Balm of Gilead Gulch & Cement Ridge (5-20-17)

Start, 11:04 AM, 33°F, intersection of USFS Roads No. 189, 189.4A & 631.2C about 0.33 mile WSW of Crooks Tower

This was supposed to be an expedition to celebrate the rapid approach of a glorious new summer!  Lupe would explore mysteriously named Balm of Gilead Gulch before continuing on to Cement Ridge.  There, beneath cotton ball clouds sailing a crystal blue sea, the Carolina Dog would sniff colorful wildflowers swaying in warm breezes.  She would gaze upon panoramic views of Inyan Kara, the Bear Lodge Mountains, and far into eastern Wyoming.

The scene would both excite the imagination and serve as a call to action!  Nearly 8.5 months after Lupe’s return from her grand Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska, the time for new Dingo adventures beyond the Black Hills was almost here!

Hah!  Dream on.  Even before leaving home, SPHP knew the forecast didn’t include much in the way of warm breezes.

A week ago on Expedition No. 204, Lupe had visited Crooks Tower (7,137 ft.), one of the highest points in the Black Hills.  She’d made a day of it coming up from Merow Spring and Clayton Pond, and subsequently continuing on to Peak 6820.  Now, driving W on South Rapid Creek Road (USFS Road No. 231), it occurred to SPHP that Loop was very close to Crooks Tower again.  Why not go back for a good look at how much conditions had changed?

It wasn’t necessary to spend a whole day on foot and paw to get to Crooks Tower.  In fact, a 2 mile detour S on USFS Road No. 189 would bring Lupe to a point only 0.33 mile WSW of the summit.  Let’s do it!  SPHP made the turn.  Five minutes later, Lupe sprang out of the G6 into a world where the mood was better suited to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer than 4th of July fireworks.

Sooooo, let me get this straight. We’re here to celebrate the imminent approach of summer, right? Did you get a really big discount for booking early SPHP, or what? At the W end of USFS Road No. 189.4A. Photo looks SSE.

Although the forecast called for 0% chance of precipitation, the sky was heavily overcast.   Any more overcast, and Lupe would have been in a fog.  Humidity filled the air.  It felt like it could rain buckets at any time.  Or snow.  At a chilly 33°F, snow seemed equally plausible.  The ground was already white with the stuff.

Lupe concealed her disappointment with summer’s non-arrival well.  In fact, she seemed thrilled and energized by the snow.  She charged through fields and forests as SPHP began a mucky march E along USFS Road No. 189.4A.

USFS Road No. 189.4A leads ENE from the junction with No. 189 & No. 631.2C. About 0.33 mile later, it passes just S of the summit of Crooks Tower. Photo looks E.

About 0.33 mile from the G6, the road passed just S of the summit of Crooks Tower.  Lupe and SPHP left the road to take the short path leading to the top from the SW.  Only a week after her 8th ascent, Lupe was here for the 9th time.

Back on Crooks Tower for the 9th time! Photo looks SE.
On the summit, looking WSW.
Each pine needle was beautifully flocked, but that wouldn’t last long this time of year. The snow already looked like it was starting to melt.
Looking NW from the summit.
Loopster at the highest point. Photo looks N.

Having been here only a week ago, Lupe and SPHP dawdled only a little while on Crooks Tower.  It was fun to be there again, but the plan was still to explore Balm of Gilead Gulch and reach Cement Ridge today.  Lupe returned to the G6 (11:35 AM, 33°F), and SPHP drove onward.

N of Highway 85, a little W of O’Neill Pass, SPHP parked the G6 again (11:53 AM, 39°F) near corrals S of the junction of USFS Roads No. 175 (Willow Springs Road) and No. 106 (Riflepit Canyon Road).  Here Lupe was only 0.67 mile W of Laird Peak (6,906 ft.), another mountain along the way.  SPHP figured she might as well climb it, too, since it was an easy peak and wouldn’t take long.

An unmarked grassy road led E from the parking area up a little valley past Tom Spring.  This area was hundreds of feet lower than Crooks Tower, so there wasn’t nearly as much snow around.  What snow there was in the pines was melting fast.  Snowmelt dripped to the ground in such abundance, Lupe was getting rained on beneath the trees.

In the valley leading E to Tom Spring on the way to Laird Peak. There wasn’t nearly as much snow here as there had been at Crooks Tower. Photo looks S.
Loop had a good time exploring on the way to Laird Peak. Photo looks E.

Tom Spring was a muddy area.  Water poured from a pipe into a circular water trough.  Not too exciting.  Lupe didn’t seem interested.  She pressed on up the valley.  The road faded somewhat beyond Tom Spring, but could still be followed.

Upon reaching a ridgeline where several better dirt roads intersected, Lupe took a road going N.  She stayed on it for only 100 feet or so to get past a fence running E/W.  She then turned E following the N side of the fence line.  Laird Peak’s summit was only a couple hundred yards ahead.  The summit appeared only as a small hill in the forest.

Approaching the summit of Laird Peak from the W. The summit appears to be just another small hill in the forest. Photo looks E.

Lupe quickly reached the top.  The summit area was easily the size of a modest yard in town and quite flat.  Deadfall timber lay scattered about the perimeter of a small clearing.  A sign marking the location of the survey benchmark was in sight near the N edge of the clearing.

Lupe at the survey benchmark on Laird Peak (6,906 ft.). A little less than half of the flat summit area is in view. Photo looks N.
This was Lupe’s 3rd ascent of Laird Peak. Other than having to deal with a little deadfall timber, it’s a quick easy climb from the W via Tom Spring. Photo looks N.
The Laird Peak survey benchmark.

Pine bark beetles had damaged the surrounding forest enough to provide tree-broken glimpses of distant views in various directions, but only enough to tantalize.  Lupe couldn’t really see much from here other than the immediate area.  With no clear views to contemplate, the American Dingo was soon ready to go.

Lupe ready to head back down the W slope. Photo looks WNW.

The sky was still overcast, but not as darkly as before.  Now and then a small patch of blue sky appeared.  SPHP kept expecting the clouds to burn off, but they didn’t.  Instead the clouds kept closing up the gaps, and the sunshine would disappear.  Nothing had really changed by the time Lupe reached the G6 again (12:45 PM).

A winding drive NW down Grand Canyon ensued.  USFS Road No. 175 turned to No. 875 at the Wyoming border.  By the time SPHP parked the G6 at the intersection of No. 875 & No. 804, it was already 1:23 PM (47°F).  If Lupe was going to explore Balm of Gilead Gulch and still have time to reach Cement Ridge, she had best get on with it.  The Carolina Dog and SPHP took off heading E up Rattlesnake Canyon on No. 804.

Dandelions prospered along No. 804 on the way up Rattlesnake Canyon. Nuisances in yards, dandelions are amazingly resilient plants.

The stroll up Rattlesnake Canyon was easy.  A couple of miles E of the G6, SPHP started looking for a R (S) turn on USFS Road No. 804.1A which would take Lupe up into Balm of Gilead Gulch.  A road going S up a hill did appear.  There weren’t any signs at the turn, but a forest service gate was in view a little way up the hill.

Was this No. 804.1A?  It didn’t seem quite right.  The topo map showed a 4WD trail heading S up a smaller valley about 0.5 mile before (W of) the turn to Balm of Gilead Gulch, and this was the first side road Lupe had come to.  SPHP almost led Lupe past this road, but decided she might as well check out the forest service gate for any clues first.

Good thing!  Nearing the gate, Lupe found a marker showing this was USFS Road No. 804.1A.

Nearing the forest service gate, Lupe found a marker showing this was USFS Road No. 804.1A after all. She was bound for Balm of Gilead Gulch! Photo looks S.

So this was it!  Lupe was bound for Balm of Gilead Gulch!  Except for one thing that raised doubts again.  As the Carolina Dog trotted past the gate, SPHP noticed large white letters on the round metal swivel housing on the L.  The letters read OLDB 05.  What did that mean?  SPHP was suspicious.

It might mean that this road had been renumbered.  USFS Road No. 805 went up Wagon Canyon 1.5 miles to the S.  Was this possibly a connecting spur, formerly known as No. 805.B?  Seemed like a possibility, but who knew?  May as well try it.  After all, the official sign did say this was No. 804.1A, which was supposed to be the road into Balm of Gilead Gulch.

Lupe continued up No. 804.1A.  The road turned SE and led up a small forested valley.  The day had warmed up some, and Lupe was still considerably lower here than she had been at either Crooks Tower or Laird Peak, so she didn’t find any snow in this area.  There had been some, though.  The road was damp, nearly muddy.

Although no tire tracks were to be seen, an amazing number of animal tracks crisscrossed the soft road.  It wasn’t long before Lupe started seeing wildlife – whitetail deer and Lupe’s giant deers – the elk.

Lupe saw many whitetail deer and a number of her giant deers (elk), too, as she traveled up USFS Road No. 804.1A.

It was fun being where there were so many animals in the forest, and sort of easy to see why they were here.  No tire tracks on the road at all meant people seldom come here.  The forest was full of hidden grassy glens.  This was a good place to hide and hang out.

Lupe at a grassy glen along USFS Road No. 804.1A. There seemed to be plenty more such glens hidden back in the forest, making this area popular with deer and elk.

Lupe gained elevation steadily for perhaps a mile before the road leveled out.  Here, the main road turned SW and started going downhill.  A fainter road curved ESE.  Lupe needed to go E, so she took the fainter road.  When she wanted to stop for a water break 5 or 10 minutes later, SPHP took a look at the maps.

Hmmm.  SPHP was soon convinced that Lupe hadn’t been traveling through Balm of Gilead Gulch at all.  Where the main road had turned SW, it almost had to be headed for Kirley Gulch on its way down to Wagon Canyon.  Apparently the road numbers really had been changed.  The old No. 804.1A leading into Balm of Gilead Gulch that Lupe had been looking for was no more.  The new No. 804.1A actually was a road connecting No. 804 in Rattlesnake Canyon and No. 805 in Wagon Canyon.

The inescapable conclusion was that Balm of Gilead Gulch was 0.5 mile N or NE of where Lupe was now.  She could have gone through the forest looking for it, but that would have meant losing elevation she’d already gained.  Furthermore, she would only get to travel through part of the gulch.  Instead of doing that, SPHP decided Lupe might just as well continue on to Cement Ridge.  She could hit Balm of Gilead Gulch on the way back.

Break done, Lupe roamed happily in the forest along a series of remote USFS roads.  She traveled E or SE, and once in a while NE.  She was generally still gaining elevation, but at a slow rate.  Sometimes there were markers at the road junctions, but even when there were, usually only one road was marked.  It wasn’t always clear which road the marker was meant for.

This was pretty high country, but due to the forest, Lupe seldom had any distant views.  Some ridges did eventually appear off to the S and SW.  Loop was already nearly as high as they were.

Roaming the back roads on the way to Cement Ridge. Photo looks E.
The light green of the newly emerging aspen leaves contrasted nicely with the dark green of the Ponderosa Pines. Lupe loves wandering back roads like this one. Photo looks ESE.
This was a 3 way intersection (roads also went to the L & R) where Lupe found a marker for USFS Road No. 805.3J, but which road it was meant for was impossible to tell. She had reached this point coming up the road seen on the R. Photo looks W.

On her explorations, Lupe either traveled along or passed by USFS Roads No. 805.3J, 805.3G, and 805.3A.  About two miles E of where she’d left No. 804.1A, she came down a side road marked No. 105.1B to arrive at the first major gravel road she’d seen since leaving No. 804 down in Rattlesnake Canyon.

A check of the maps revealed that Loop was now only 0.25 mile S of No. 105’s junction with No. 804.  Cement Ridge (6,674 ft.) was only 1.5 miles NNW beyond the intersection.  Before setting out again, Lupe was ready for more water and Taste of the Wild.  SPHP ate the only apple, which was supposed to have been saved for Cement Ridge, but, oh well.

All tanked up again, Lupe set off along No. 105 for Cement Ridge.  Upon reaching the junction with No. 804, she followed No. 804 NNW a good 0.5 mile to its high point, then plunged into the forest.  The American Dingo loves being off road most of all, so she had a grand time.  Gradually things got steeper, but it was never more than a straightforward trudge up a hill.

When Lupe reached the ridgeline along the N face, she turned W and followed the ridge a short distance to a pathetic little limestone cairn at the high point.  This was it, the true summit of Cement Ridge!

Lupe next to the pathetic little limestone cairn at the true summit of Cement Ridge. Photo looks WNW.
Crow Peak is seen faintly on the horizon beyond Lupe. The sky was still cloudy and rather hazy. Loop found a small amount of snow remaining here on Cement Ridge, but only close to the true summit. Photo looks NE.

Virtually no one from the Black Hills region would recognize this place where Lupe was now as the summit of Cement Ridge.  This might be the true summit according to the topo maps, but only a handful of peakbagging Dingoes would even be aware of its existence.  Cement Ridge is well known locally as one of the Black Hills’ premier viewpoints, but what everyone around here is referring to are the views from the Cement Ridge fire lookout tower.

The fire lookout tower is located on a barren highpoint near the NW end of Cement Ridge over a mile from the true summit.  According to the topo map, the lookout tower is 27 feet lower than the true summit.  Nevertheless, the views from the tower are far superior to those available from the heavily forested true summit.

Lupe could see the lookout tower from the true summit.  Perhaps it was only an illusion, but it actually looked higher to SPHP.

The Cement Ridge fire lookout tower (L) was visible from the cairn where the true summit is supposed to be. SPHP thought the lookout tower actually appeared higher, but perhaps its an illusion. Lupe offered no opinion. Photo looks NW.

Lupe had no comment on which point she thought might be highest, the lookout tower or this pathetic little cairn.  She was content to let surveyors battle that one out.  However, when SPHP asked if she wanted to go see the fabulous views at the tower, she was all for that!

A 10 minute trek N down through an aspen forest brought Lupe to a saddle where USFS Road No. 850 coming up from the W turns N.  Loop followed the road all the way to the lookout tower.  Not a soul was around.

Lupe reaches the Cement Ridge Lookout Tower. Photo looks E.
This survey benchmark is located at the base of the flag pole NW of the lookout tower.
The Cement Ridge fire lookout tower in eastern Wyoming is only 1 mile W of the South Dakota border. The true summit is even closer to South Dakota, only 0.5 mile away.

Instead of cotton ball clouds sailing a crystal blue sky, Lupe saw scattered tiny patches of blue lost in a gray-white ocean.  She felt no warm breezes.  There were wildflowers to sniff, but they tossed about tormented by a chilly N breeze.  The views were wonderful, but felt remote and forlorn, not bright and inspiring.

Looking SE along the length of Cement Ridge. The access road is seen below. The true summit (R) is the high point in the distance appearing almost straight up from Lupe’s head.
Inyan Kara (6,360 ft.) (R) from Cement Ridge. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.
George Armstrong Custer reached the summit of Inyan Kara on July 23, 1874, less than 2 years before his death in the Battle of the Little Bighorn (Custer’s Last Stand) on June 25-26, 1876 in Montana. Lupe reached the summit on November 9, 2014, more than 140 years after Custer.
Crow Peak (5,787 ft.) (R) is the most prominent peak W of Spearfish, SD. Photo looks NNE.
Looking NW toward the Bear Lodge Mountains. Warren Peaks (6,650 ft.) is the high point where another fire tower exists.

With sweeping views in nearly all directions, Lupe saw a great many Black Hills peaks she had been to before.  The wind was coldest and strongest, though, up near the fire tower.  Lupe and SPHP retreated a bit down the W slope to an old picnic table.  Conditions were only slightly better here, and only the views to the W could still be seen, but they were grand.

Looper and SPHP stayed at the lower picnic table soaking it all in.

Loopster up on the old picnic table. Inyan Kara is on the horizon to her R. Photo looks SW.
Warren Peaks again. Lupe made a number of expeditions to peaks in the Bear Lodge Mountains in the fall of 2016. Photo looks NW.
Looking E back toward the lookout tower from the lower picnic table. Two newer picnic tables were located up close to the tower.

Cement Ridge would be a great place to see the sunset, but Lupe was here too early for that.  The sun wouldn’t set for another couple of hours.  Even if she waited, the sky was so overcast, it wasn’t likely she would see much.  Besides, if she was ever going to see Balm of Gilead Gulch, she needed to get going.

Puppy ho!  After a little rest curled up beneath the old picnic table, Lupe set out for Balm of Gilead Gulch again.  The first part of the journey took her SE back along the length of Cement Ridge.  This time, instead of following the access road, she stayed up on the highest parts of the ridge where she could see the terrific views to the E.

A glance back at the Cement Ridge fire lookout tower. Photo looks NW.
Tiny wildflowers grew in profusion. These pretty little purple/pink flowers were SPHP’s favorites.
A final look back. Photo looks WNW.

On her way, since she had to pass so close to it again, Lupe returned to Cement Ridge’s true summit.

Approaching the true summit again, this time from the N. Photo looks S.
Looper returns to the true summit. She was now in a hurry to get to Balm of Gilead Gulch, so this time she didn’t dilly dally here more than a few minutes. Photo looks WNW.

Since Looper was now in a hurry to get to Balm of Gilead Gulch before the sun set, she stayed only a couple of minutes at the summit before pressing on to the S.  She came across a dirt road going SSE, which was faster for SPHP than traveling through the forest.

Going down this road, suddenly sunshine was filtering through the trees.  The sky, which had been 90%+ overcast all day long, was almost completely clear!  SPHP was astonished at how fast this transformation had taken place.  Only a few clouds remained.  The rest hadn’t floated on by, they had simply dissipated into thin air.

The sun was noticeably lower now, but would still be up for a while.  The evening light brought out even more wildlife.  Lupe saw more whitetails and giant deers.

Elk S of Cement Ridge. Photo looks SSE.

The road eventually reached USFS Road No. 105, this time a little E of its junction with No. 804.  A marker showed Lupe had been coming down USFS Road No. 105.1A.

Lupe at the marker for USFS Road No. 105.1a where it reaches No. 105. Lupe had just followed No. 105.1A SSE nearly all the way down from Cement Ridge’s true summit. Photo looks NNW.

A short trek to the W on No. 105 brought Lupe to the junction with No. 804 again.  This time she turned S on No. 105, following it back to the turn W onto No. 105.1B.

Earlier in the day, before ever reaching No. 105 on her way to Cement Ridge, Lupe had reached a broad gentle saddle where there was a 4-way intersection.  This was probably where she’d gotten on No. 105.1B as she continued E at the time.  However, SPHP had seen that the road going NW from there sloped gradually into a wide valley.  That wide valley was likely the upper end of Balm of Gilead Gulch.

With the sun getting ever lower, Lupe and SPHP hurried back along No. 105.1B, hoping to reach the broad saddle before the sun was down.  Even hurrying along, it was hard not to appreciate the beauty of the sunlight filtered by the trees.  What a wonderful evening trek!  Lupe was enthusiastic.  She raced through the forest exploring everything.

Sunlight filters through the forest nearing Balm of Gilead Gulch.

Lupe did make it to the broad saddle before the sun was down.  She turned NW on the road leading through the wide valley.  She followed the road a little way, but left it to follow a single track trail W down into Balm of Gilead Gulch.

Lupe reaches the beautiful broad valley at the upper end of Balm of Gilead Gulch. The sun wouldn’t be up much longer. Photo looks WNW.
On the single track trail after leaving the road.

Lupe traveled the entire length of Balm of Gilead Gulch, as sunlight left the valley floor to linger on the forested hillsides.  The pale golden light of day retreated to the uppermost treetops, and was lost.  Lupe saw deer.  She saw elk.  A hawk screeched and flew away.  Lower down where the valley narrowed, the Carolina Dog came to a tiny stream.

It was all beautiful, but though she sniffed and looked everywhere she could, the Carolina Dog never found it.  If a different road to a different place hadn’t been relabeled as USFS Road No. 804.1A, she would have been here much earlier and had more time.  Maybe, maybe then, she would have found it.  As it was, twilight faded, darkness descended, stars glittered in the night sky.

But Lupe never did find the fabled Balm of Gilead.  (End 9:32 PM, 32°F)

 

“Prophet! said I, “thing of evil! – prophet still, if bird or devil! –

Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,

Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted –

On this home by Horror haunted – tell me truly, I implore –

Is there – is there balm in Gilead? – tell me, tell me, I implore!”

Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”

from The Raven, Edgar Allen Poe

In Balm of Gilead Gulch

Note: The Cement Ridge fire lookout tower is accessible by road from the W or SE by following USFS Road No. 804 to No. 850.  The true summit is the hill immediately S of where No. 850 reaches a saddle on the ridgeline, and turns N to continue on to the lookout.  Another route exists from the E on USFS Road No. 103 to this same point, but requires a high clearance vehicle.

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition                  Prior Black Hills Expedition

Want more Lupe adventures?  Check out her Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions Adventure Index, Master Adventure Index, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures!

Leaving the Yukon & Northern British Columbia, Canada (9-3-16 & 9-4-16)

Days 36 & 37 of Lupe’s Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska

Day 36, 9-3-16, 6:40 AM, 32°F – Time for Lupe’s last walk down to the shore to say farewell to Kluane Lake.  As soon as the G6 defogged, Lupe would be leaving.  Another 450 miles to go today.  By the end of the day, she would leave the Yukon and reach extreme northern British Columbia.

The huge lake was calm, the smoothest Lupe had ever seen it.  More exciting adventures remain for Lupe in Kluane National Park in this wild, remote corner of Yukon Territory, but not on this Dingo Vacation.  Who knew when, or if, Lupe would ever return to do them and see fabulous Kluane Lake again?  No matter.  It was time to go.

Last moments near fabulous Kluane Lake. Photo looks SW.

The sun wasn’t even above the horizon yet, as Lupe and SPHP started S in the G6, but would be illuminating the Kluane front range peaks of the Saint Elias mountains before long.

Yesterday evening, SPHP had seen Mount Decoeli (7,650 ft.) from afar.  Lupe climbed Mount Decoeli earlier on this Dingo Vacation.  What a tremendous adventure that had been!  Now Decoeli was sporting a cap of new snow.  The Alaska Highway would soon take Lupe only a few miles E of the mountain.  She wasn’t too many miles from Kluane Lake, before there it was, looking majestic, clean and white!

Lupe wasn’t too many miles away from Kluane Lake, when Mount Decoeli(L) came into view, now sporting a clean, white snowcap. Photo looks SE.
Mount Decoeli is the sharper peak on the L. Photo looks SE with a little help from the telephoto lens.

The Kluane front range mountains all looked even more impressive with snow on them, than when Lupe had been here in early August.  SPHP stopped frequently for photos.  These were the biggest, most gorgeous mountains Lupe would see all day!

Lupe enjoyed all the stops.  She didn’t mind posing for pictures.  Each stop was another chance, however brief, to explore fields and forests near the Alaska Highway.

Early light on the Kluane front range. The high point on the L is possibly Mount Cairnes (9,186 ft.). Photo looks SW.
Daybreak on Lupe’s last day in the Yukon.
Getting closer to Mount Decoeli (L). Photo looks SE.
Much closer now. Looking SW at Mount Decoeli.
Loop and Decoeli. She’d stood on top of the mountain earlier on this Dingo Vacation.
Mount Decoeli on the R. The white peak on the L in the distance is either Mount Archibald (8,491 ft.) or a peak very near it. Photo looks SW.
View along the Alaska Highway from E of Decoeli. Photo looks S in the general direction of Mount Martha Black (8,241 ft.) possibly one of the peaks seen here.
Come on! Let’s go! Lupe was ready to climb Decoeli(R) again! Sadly, there was no longer time for a repeat performance. Photo looks WSW.
Again looking S in the general direction of Mount Martha Black, likely pictured somewhere among these high peaks. The morning light on the tundra was amazing!
Mount Decoeli from the E.
Lupe in Yukon Territory still E of Mount Decoeli. Everything was ablaze with color in the early morning light! Photo looks SSW.
The Yukon was so beautiful, it was enough to make an American Dingo think about becoming a Yukon Dingo!

On the way to Haines Junction, SPHP decided Lupe ought to take the 14 mile (one way) detour S to have a look at King’s Throne (6,529 ft.) and Kathleen Lake.  King’s Throne was the first mountain Lupe had climbed in Kluane National Park, and another super adventure!  Maybe Lupe could get a great photo of King’s Throne covered with new snow and shining brightly in the morning light?

Lupe only got 10 miles S of Haines Junction, though, before it was apparent there wasn’t much point in going farther.  Clouds already screened King’s Throne from the sunlight, and more clouds were moving in fast.  From what could be seen, King’s Throne hadn’t received any of the recent new snow either, perhaps because it is lower than Decoeli.

Near Quill Creek, Lupe and SPHP turned around to head back N.  The mountains here were still in brilliant sunshine.  However, large clouds were moving in from the SE.  Lupe’s best bet was to enjoy these gorgeous mountains while they were still in view.  All the way back to Haines Junction, Lupe and SPHP stopped frequently to gaze upon the beautifully sunlit Kluane front range.

Lupe at Quill Creek, S of Haines Junction. Photo looks SW.
Looking up Quill Creek using the telephoto lens.
Although only a few miles N of King’s Throne, this distinctive pyramid-shaped mountain near Quill Creek was still in brilliant sunshine. King’s Throne was already cloaked in the gloom of a cloud bank. Photo looks SW using the telephoto lens.
Lupe S of Haines Junction, but N of Quill Creek. The Kluane front range is in dazzling sunshine to the SW.
Crisp, clean peaks on the way back N to Haines Junction. Photo looks SW.
Another fantastic peak of the Kluane front range.
Snow certainly adds a great deal of grandeur to almost any peak. Gorgeous!

At Haines Junction, Lupe headed E on the Alaska Highway.  The dazzling splendor of the Kluane front range of the Saint Elias mountains receded in the rear view mirror.  Within a few minutes, the mountains disappeared entirely as Lupe entered a dense fog bank.

For miles SPHP drove slowly in the fog.  Lupe finally emerged from the fog bank, but the mood of the morning was different here.  The sky was overcast.  The dull, gray clouds weren’t dark or threatening, but the cheerful sunshine was gone.  Lupe snoozed as the miles rolled by.  E of Whitehorse, Lupe crossed the Yukon River again.  By now it was 11:15 AM, and even SPHP was drowsy.

Lupe and SPHP stopped at a rest area on the E bank of the Yukon River.  Even though it was practically the middle of the day, and the Alaska Highway was busy, SPHP took a nap.  An hour later, feeling better, it was time to press on.  Before leaving, Lupe was ready for a short stroll down to the river.

Lupe checks out the Yukon River one more time before continuing E. Lupe had crossed the Yukon River much farther N, too, back when she was on the Dalton Highway before crossing the Arctic Circle. Photo looks W.

The clouds were lighter and starting to break up as Lupe continued E on the Alaska Highway.  After a slow start in the morning, Lupe was behind schedule on reaching her mileage quota for the day.  She needed to keep rolling.  She was allowed fairly frequent short stops at rest areas, but other than that, Lupe had little to do but continue dozing or watch the scenery go by.

Forests were everywhere.  Lupe saw many lakes and streams.  Although Lupe saw lots of mountains, too, they weren’t nearly as large or rugged as the ones back at Kluane National Park.  Hours went by.  Finally, a cluster of higher, more impressive mountains appeared in the distance ahead.  They had a good dusting of snow and were quite beautiful.

After hours heading E on the Alaska Highway, a small range of more impressive snowy peaks came into view. Photo looks E.
SPHP has no idea what mountains these are, but driving the speed limit they were about 3 hours E of the Yukon River on the S side of the Alaska Highway. They looked like something Lupe could climb easily enough some day. The views from the top must be amazing. These mountains were the highest around for a long, long way!

On the way to the Yukon near the start of her Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation, Lupe had traveled up the Cassiar Highway (Hwy 37).  This time, when she reached the junction, Lupe stayed on the Alaska Highway going E instead of turning S.  This was an alternate route home.  Lupe was going to see a lot of new territory!

The new territory featured forests.  Trees stretched from horizon to horizon.  Mile after mile.  Not that there hadn’t been plenty of vast forests before.  Here, though, there were hills, ridges, and deep river valleys, but no real mountains, not like Lupe was used to seeing up to this point.  Everything was forested.  Nothing was above treeline.

E of Watson Lake, the Alaska Highway left the Yukon for good.  Lupe was now back in far northern British Columbia.  The highway wound around near the Liard River valley.  In many places, the forest was clear cut for 50 to 100 feet and mowed on both sides of the highway.  The resulting miles long skinny clearings proved attractive to wildlife.

Lupe sprang to life when she realized there were animals out there!  She’d been mostly resting in the G6 for two whole days.  The American Dingo was bursting with energy and enthusiasm.  Time for the barkfest to end all barkfests!  Many buffalo, 3 bears, and 1 fox were all cause for ear-splitting excitement.

Lupe near the Liard River. E of Watson Lake, Lupe left the Yukon for good when the Alaska Highway entered far northern British Columbia. The highway wound SE in or close to the Liard River valley for many miles.
Oh, yeah! Buffalo roamed the narrow clear cut strips of land along the Alaska Highway E of Watson Lake. Lupe was beside herself with joy! She barked like a Dingo-possessed, watching eagerly for the next buffalo to appear as she cruised by in the G6. She was seldom disappointed for long. SPHP wondered where else these buffalo would ever find any open ground? Except along the highway, trees extended horizon to horizon.
Bears! Lupe saw three small black bears in addition to the buffalo. They were every bit as exciting as the buffalo! In all her time in the Yukon and Alaska, Lupe never saw a single bear. She did see a few black bears in British Columbia both on the way N and going home.

A little after 8 PM, with light fading fast, Lupe arrived at Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park(Note:  The 6.5 minute video on the front page of this link is worth watching.  Be sure to expand it!)  SPHP drove in at the entrance finding no one at the entry booth.  It was Saturday night and lots of people were around.  SPHP parked the G6, and Lupe was happy to get out.

The main attractions at Liard Hot Springs are a couple of hot water bathing pools along a flowing stream.  A wide boardwalk led off toward the hot springs.  Lots of people were coming and going on the boardwalk, so Lupe and SPHP took it, too.

The boardwalk went through a forested swamp.  It was far longer than SPHP expected – 700 meters!  Lupe did get to see the hot springs, although, sadly, it was already too dark for pictures.  A couple of wooden changing rooms were next to a deck overlooking the hot springs, which had significant flow.  A warm fog rose from the waters where bathers were enjoying soaking in two natural pools.

SPHP asked around how this all worked?  As it turned out, there is normally a seasonal day use fee ($5.00 adult, $3.00 child, $10.00 family) charged for park admission at the entry booth at the front gate.  A camping spot costs $26.00.  However, the entry booth closes at 8 PM, and no day use admission is collected after that.  Somewhat oddly, the gates close at 10 PM, after which no entry or exit is permitted.

Of course, Lupe couldn’t go in the hot springs, but there was still time for SPHP to enjoy them.  Back to the G6, where Lupe was sad and worried about being abandoned.  SPHP tried to cheer her up, promising to return before too long.

The changing rooms at the hot springs were rustic, with only benches and hooks.  No lockers, showers, restrooms or anything like that.  Not even electricity or any lights.  The upstream pool was too hot for SPHP, but the downstream pool was great.  Despite the excellent flow, the water cooled off quickly going downstream, so it was easy to choose the temperature zone that felt best.

Liard Hot Springs was totally awesome!  Where else can you relax in soothing warm (hot, if you like!) waters outdoors in the middle of a boreal spruce forest in a giant swamp?  SPHP soaked and chatted with people, who were mostly from Fort Nelson.

At 9:15 PM, someone came to announce the time, and that the park’s gates closed in 45 minutes at 10:00 PM.  SPHP soaked for 10 more minutes, then got out into the chilly night air to get changed and return to Lupe.  After a joyous reunion, Lupe and SPHP left the park at 9:48 PM with 12 minutes to spare.  Onward!  But only for a little way.  Lupe had already made 500 miles today.

Day 37, 9-4-16, 6:19 AM, 35°F – Beneath a bright blue sky with thin little clouds, Lupe was underway early.  She was in far northern British Columbia, only a little S of Liard Hot Springs.  The terrain rapidly became increasingly mountainous as Lupe headed SE on the Alaska Highway.  For a while, a long stretch of road construction slowed progress to a crawl.

The morning sky held promise of a beautiful day ahead.
The terrain grew more mountainous S of Liard Hot Springs. Lupe was approaching Muncho Lake Provincial Park.

The road construction ended, and progress resumed at a normal pace, but not for long.  Lupe soon entered Muncho Lake Provincial Park.

SPHP hadn’t done a bit of research during pre-Dingo Vacation planning on Muncho Lake, and it was a real surprise.  This was an area of unspoiled, remote snow-capped peaks.  The Alaska Highway went right through it all, and hugged the E shore of beautiful Muncho Lake for miles.  Lupe was thrilled to see more buffalo, and even another black bear.

Lupe’s day was off to a thrilling start with lots more buffalo near the Alaska Highway in Muncho Lake Provincial Park. She even saw another black bear.

Such beauty was cause for several stops.  Lupe was only too glad to get out of the G6, if even only for a short time.  Too bad Lupe’s time was so limited now.  Muncho Lake Provincial Park was surely worth exploring!

Lupe in gorgeous Muncho Lake Provincial Park. She was very happy to get out of the G6 to see the sights here, if only for a little while.
Looper at Muncho Lake.
Lupe at Muncho Lake with a splendid peak in the distance. Photo looks SSW.
Muncho Lake Provincial Park in far NE British Columbia.
Wow! Now we’re talking adventure! This float plane was parked near a lodge on the E shore of Muncho Lake. Lupe loves to bark at airplanes, and especially helicopters. Not sure how she might react to flying away in one? Photo looks NNW.
Hmmm. The more SPHP pondered this glorious peak, the more it looked like something Lupe might be able to climb. Maybe some day? Photo looks SSW.
Wonder if there’s a trail? SPHP will have to look into it.

S of Muncho Lake, the Alaska Highway lost elevation and entered the beautiful Toad River valley.  Although it was still early in the day, SPHP was overcome by drowsiness.  Lupe and SPHP wound up taking a nap at a pullout along the highway.  Nearly two hours slipped by before SPHP woke up again, feeling much revived.

However, Lupe hadn’t needed reviving.  By now she was so bored, she was desperate to get out of the G6.  For the next half hour she had a great time sniffing around a young forest near the pullout while SPHP picked up copious amounts of trash.  People!  Trash containers were provided right at the pullout, yet way too many people don’t bother using them.  Totally disgusting!

A little farther on, Lupe left Muncho Lake Provincial Park.  Before long she crossed a bridge over another wonderful stream, the Racing River.  SPHP parked the G6 again at a pullout near the bridge.  Lupe found an old road leading through the forest.  The primitive road paralleled the Racing River downstream for a little way.  Evidently this route is sometimes used for dispersed camping.  Lupe passed several old campfire sites before the road turned and ended at the river.

The Alaska Highway bridge over the Racing River. Photo looks SW.
The Racing River was this incredible icy blue color, and certainly lived up to its name. The river did race right along.
Lupe was in great spirits. She enjoyed her visit to the Racing River! After all, she’d found a squirrel to bark at in the forest nearby!

After 25 minutes near the Racing River, Lupe and SPHP continued on.  The Alaska Highway quickly left the Racing River valley, going around the N side of a mountain into another big valley.  The highway now followed the course of McDonald Creek upstream toward impressive white mountains.  Lupe was nearing Stone Mountain Provincial Park.

Shortly after entering Stone Mountain Provincial Park, Lupe saw something she had never seen before.  A small herd of caribou were trotting across an open field toward a forest!  By the time SPHP could stop and turn around, they had vanished into the trees.  The field the caribou had crossed was at quite an elevation above McDonald Creek, and offered a good lookout point toward the mountains.  Lupe and SPHP got out of the G6 to take a look.

As Lupe approached Stone Mountain Provincial Park, impressive white mountains were visible ahead.
Lupe at the edge of the big field where she had seen caribou for the first time ever only a few minutes ago. This viewpoint overlooks the McDonald Creek valley. Photo looks SE.
The McDonald Creek valley. Mount Saint George (7,402 ft.) is on the R. Photo looks SE.
Mount Saint George using the telephoto lens. Photo looks SE.
A tower is seen at far R on the N flank of Mount Saint George. A trail leads to the tower from the Summit Lake area. Photo looks SE.
A little farther S on the Alaska highway from where Lupe saw the caribou, she made another quick stop for this grand view of the McDonald Creek valley. Photo looks S.

After getting a little exercise and seeing the grand view of Mount Saint George (7,402 ft.) and the McDonald Creek valley from Caribou Point, Lupe and SPHP drove on.   The Alaska Highway turned NE and in only a few miles reached Summit Lake at the top of a pass.  At the NE end of Summit Lake were a campground and picnic area.  Lunch time!  Lupe and SPHP pulled into the picnic area.

Lupe at Summit Lake in Stone Mountain Provincial Park. Photo looks SW.
Looking SW over Summit Lake using the telephoto lens.

Soup, sardines and crackers were on the menu.  While SPHP was heating the soup up, Lupe found a new friend.  A big dog arrived to sniff and wag tails with her.  A young woman from Fort Nelson came over to retrieve Grommet, which was the big dog’s name.  She stayed chatting with SPHP while Lupe and Grommet did dog stuff – sniffing, playing and growling.

The friendly young woman mentioned a trailhead over on the opposite (N) side of the Alaska Highway.  When lunch was over, Lupe and SPHP went over to check out the trailhead.  A map showed a 2.5 km (one way) trail going to Summit Peak (6,611 ft.) on the N side of the Alaska Highway, and several other trails S of Summit Lake.

Looking up toward a couple of white peaks N of the Alaska Highway from Summit Lake. The high point on the L is likely Summit Peak (6,611 ft.).  Photo looks N.

It all looked very interesting, but Lupe didn’t have time to explore any trails.  In fact, it was 2 PM already.  Lupe hadn’t even gone 100 miles yet today!  Definitely time to get underway again.

E of Summit Lake, the Alaska Highway lost elevation again on the other side of the pass.  Soon Lupe was out of Stone Mountain Provincial Park, leaving the big, snowy peaks of the Muskwa Ranges behind.  At Fort Nelson, the Alaska Highway turned S again.  Off to the W, Lupe could still see high mountains with snow.  The highway got close to them at one point, but then veered away.

After a great morning and early afternoon, with lots of little hikes and scenic stops along the way, the rest of the afternoon and evening proved disappointing for the intrepid American Dingo.  She spent nearly all of her time stuck in the G6, traveling through the endless forest.  The road wound over and around high ridges.  Sometimes the Alaska Highway dropped down into big valleys to cross rivers, but it never took Lupe back to the high mountains.

Lupe spent much of the rest of the day in the G6 traveling S along the Alaska Highway. The road wound along high ridges, and sometimes went down into big valleys to cross rivers. Off to the W were high snowy mountains, but the road never took Lupe up into them again.

Lupe had few chances to get out of the G6 again, but by evening she did make her 450 miles for the day.  Most of northern British Columbia was now behind her.  That feeling Lupe’d had for most of the past month of being in the far N, in Arctic lands, was fast slipping away.

Lupe in NE British Columbia leaving the far N on her way home.

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