Sky Pilot Mountain, Beartooth Mountains, Montana (8-9-20)

Day 5 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of  2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming & Montana!

8:08 AM, Donelson Lake – What a glorious morning in the Beartooths!  The Carolina Dog stood perched on Camel Hump Rock along the N shore of gorgeous Donelson Lake.  The lake’s surface rippled gently in a light breeze, Lonesome Mountain (11,399 ft.) in view a few miles to the SSE.

On Camel Hump Rock along the N shore of Donelson Lake. Lonesome Mountain (L). Photo looks S.

SPHP had the pack ready to go.  Finally, a day when it wouldn’t be so blasted heavy!  Lupe’s tiny house, the sleeping bags, and some other stuff could be left behind, since the plan was to return to Donelson Lake this evening.

Time’s a-wasting, Looper!  Onward!  Puppy, ho!

Heading NNE, the American Dingo started up a steep slope, beginning a 2+ mile trek up Sky Pilot Mountain (12,047 ft.), a destination coveted ever since Lupe had been to Sky Pilot Lake more than 7 years ago.  Lots of rocks on this slope, but plenty of green stuff, too, so pretty easy.  Speed was limited only by what SPHP’s heart, lungs, and legs could manage.  Periodic brief rest breaks provided opportunities to survey the beauty of Donelson Lake and surrounding region as Lupe worked her way higher.

Ready to set out up the slope beyond the tiny house. Photo looks NNE.
Leaving Donelson Lake. Photo looks SSW.

Several particularly enormous boulders were visible along the upper edge of the steepest part of this first slope.  By the time Lupe got up to them, the view of Donelson Lake was amazing!

Yesterday SPHP had actually considered dragging the tiny house way up here.  Despite the view, SPHP was now glad Lupe had camped down by the lake instead.  Too much rock!  Good spots to camp, if they existed at all, were few and far between.

Donelson Lake and Lonesome Mountain (L) from the upper rim of the first steep slope. Photo looks S.
Getting mighty rocky! Photo looks NNE.

Continuing N, the slope steadily decreased.  Lupe reached a flat region at 10,800 feet NE of HP10814.  This area was full of rocks, too, but rocks of moderate size, scarcely slowing the pace of advance at all.  Making great progress, Loop entered a giant amphitheater surrounded by high rocky ridges, open only back toward the S.  Vegetation began reappearing as she journeyed on.

Heading into the amphitheater. Photo looks NNE.
Looking back. State Line Peak (11,360 ft.) (L), Lonesome Mountain (Center), Donelson Lake (R). Photo looks SSE.

The highest and most formidable ridge along the amphitheater rim was toward the NW, the direction Loop needed to go.  A bit of a break existed near the center of this wall of rock, but SPHP hoped the Carolina Dog wouldn’t have to try it.  The topo map provided reason to believe it would be a lot easier to go around the NE end.

We’ve got to get over or around that ridge on the L! Photo looks N.

Approaching the ridge, Loopster climbed steeply again on grassy slopes.  Even as she got closer, going over the ridge still looked unappealing.  The Carolina Dog turned NE, climbing less aggressively along a broad sloping bench that had a fair amount of vegetation.  SPHP hoped the ridge would peter out as the topo map indicated.

Approaching the wall of rock blocking the way forward. Photo looks NW.
Perhaps possible to get over that little pass at Center in a pinch, but Looper tried going around to the NE (R) instead. Photo looks NW.

Drawing near the NE end of the wall of rock, the terrain steepened and rocks grew in size.  Reaching a lower part of the ridgeline, Lupe could see the rugged SE arm of Sky Pilot Mountain beyond a chasm.  Nearby, a snowbank lay melting in the flat area shown on the topo map.

Getting close to the ridgeline NE of the wall of rock. Photo looks NE.
The rugged SE arm of Sky Pilot Mountain comes into view. The high point at R is not the true summit. Photo looks NNE.
On the snowbank at the flat spot. Photo looks NNE.

Lupe had made it out of the amphitheater.  The good news was that it was now clear the American Dingo could get around the NE end of the wall of rock that had been blocking the way.  The bad news was what lay ahead on the other side.  Staying on another snowbank to avoid large talus, Lupe turned WNW making a short climb up closer to the NE end of the rock wall for a better view.  Yeah, it was all the same.

Ahead, in the area behind the wall of rock Lupe had been trying to get past, a gully 200 or 300 feet wide rose gradually to the WSW.  The entire thing was choked with large talus.  The N side of this gully was an even more formidable ridge, another steep wall of even larger talus 150 feet high.  Toward the E (R), a snowbank could be seen above it.

Absolutely no way around this one!  Dismayed by the task at paw, Lupe and SPHP began the painfully slow trek across the gully.

NE end of the first wall of rock (L). Lupe climbed this snowbank to get up next to it for a better look at what was ahead. Photo looks W.
Not good! A huge gully chock full of enormous talus. Lupe would have to get over to and up the other side (R). Photo looks W.
Looking back after making some progress up the gully from the snowbank seen on the R. Beartooth Mountain (12,351 ft.) (L of Center), Avalanche Mountain (12,000 ft.) (R of Center), Drop Off Mountain (12,115 ft.) and Spirit Mountain (12,283 ft.) both (R). Photo looks E.

The talus wall on the N side of the gully looked most formidable directly across it, so Lupe and SPHP carefully rock-hopped W up the gully for a while.  Maybe Looper could either get to a better place to turn N, or the talus would shrink and become easier to deal with farther up the gully?

Neither wish was granted.  Although Loop made some progress up the gully, the dreadfully slow slog yielded little in way of results.

Going up the gully, but getting no relief. Photo looks W.

Getting nowhere!  Might as well pick the best looking spot close by and try it.  Lupe turned NW, angling toward the giant talus ridge.

As always, climbing amidst huge talus was an intimidating and difficult task.  Despite Loopster’s excellent scrambling skills, SPHP became more and more concerned as each success led only to yet another challenge.  If Loop missed a single jump, she could easily fall and break a leg.  Potentially a fatal disaster.

Only yesterday, Lupe’s friend Jobe Wymore had expounded numerous times on the dangers presented by large talus and boulder fields.  Maybe SPHP ought to consider putting an end to these treacherous excursions so far from help?  One thing was for certain, if the rest of the way was anything like this, Lupe was never going to get to the top of Sky Pilot Mountain.

Good thing we didn’t try to come over that first wall of rock (R), SPHP! The back side looks like it would have been an awful, if not impossible down climb. Photo looks SE.
Keep climbing, worrywart! We’re doing fine!

It happened.  Lupe missed a jump!  Not completely, but for a moment she hung on the edge of a boulder, frantically scrambling to keep from tumbling backward 10 feet down onto the rocks below.  Looking on in horror, SPHP was in no position to help.  Clawing for all she was worth, the American Dingo regained control.  Made it, but a close one!

The nerve-wracking climb continued.  One obstacle and false summit after another.  Behind Loop, the views kept improving.

Another look back. State Line Peak (L of Center) and Lonesome Mountain (R of Center). Talus-filled gully in the foreground. Photo looks SSE.

Loopster was getting higher.  This couldn’t go on forever!  At last, the slope began to diminish.  The talus shrank a bit, as the upper snowfield came into view.  Once Lupe reached the snow, rapid movement became possible again.  Climbing N to a rounded snow top, she then turned NE, descending slightly as she headed for a flat region beyond the snow.

Relief in sight! Snowfield ahead. Photo looks N.
Up on the snowfield. SE arm of Sky Pilot Mountain in the background. Photo looks NE.
A wider view. Lake Fork canyon (R). Beartooth Mountain (far R). Photo looks ENE.

What was in sight ahead was tremendously encouraging!  Beyond the snow, the terrain consisted of small rocks and even some vegetation.  To the NW was a shallow dip followed by a hill leading to a vast region above that could only be partially glimpsed from here.  The hill wasn’t all that rocky and looked like an easy climb.

Woo-hoo!  We made it, Loop!  Avoided disaster, and beyond the talus!

Not so sure about that, SPHP.

What are you talking about?  That next hill is a cinch!

True enough!  I’m talking about the avoided disaster part.

Huh?  What disaster?  In the end, you made that heart-stopping leap.

Yup, but look behind you, SPHP!

Fabulous view!  So where’s the disaster?

Your pants!

A large tear had a big flap of the seat of SPHP’s britches hanging open.

Oh!  Heh.  Now that you mention it, it did seem a mite breezy back there, but I’d hardly noticed.  Guess that’s what I get for using my best little girl techniques on the scary stuff.

You’ll never win any points for style when it comes to your mountain climbing techniques, SPHP.

Style, schmyle!  Who’s ever going to see that anyway?  Not a soul up here!  I’m more worried about staying in one piece.  Come on, Looper!  You’ve got a mountain to climb, and somewhere I’ve got a mountain goat to moon.

The American Dingo headed N toward the edge of the canyon to the NE, staying on high ground on the way to the next hill.  Off to the SW was a commanding view of some of the same territory seen yesterday with her friend Jobe, but this time from 800 feet higher up.

The next hill (L) ahead. Lupe went up the R edge. Photo looks N.
Castle Lake and Summerville Lake (Center) with Pilot Peak (11,699 ft.) (L) and Index Peak (11,240 ft.) far beyond them. Photo looks SW.
Heading for the edge of the canyon (R) before following it up the next hill (L). Photo looks N.

Upon reaching the edge of the canyon, Lupe saw a fabulous sight, one she hadn’t seen in more than 7 years.  More than 900 feet lower, there was deep turquoise blue Sky Pilot Lake!  Even the hill overlooking the lake where Loop had rested the first time she’d ever seen it was in view.

Sky Pilot Lake. Thunder Mountain (11,441 ft.) (Center) beyond it, and Beartooth Mountain (R). Photo looks ENE.
Lovely Sky Pilot Lake.

The Carolina Dog also had a stunning view of that fearsome SE arm of Sky Pilot Mountain.  Good thing that high point way out at the end wasn’t the true summit!  Didn’t look like Dingo territory at all.

SE arm of Sky Pilot Mountain. Photo looks NE.

Carrying on, Lupe started up the next hill.  After gaining 200 feet or so, the terrain leveled out.  To the N was a long gradual slope, already wide and getting wider.  The ground was strewn with small rocks amid tundra vegetation.  No significant obstacle in sight!

Looking back from close to where the terrain levels out again after climbing the hill. State Line Mountain (Center) and Lonesome Mountain (R) with Jasper Lake between them. Part of High Pass Lake is visible above Lupe. Photo looks SSE.
On the gently sloping plain with smooth sailing ahead. Photo looks N.

With only a mile to go now to the summit, and such a vast expanse of easy ground ahead, suddenly it was looking like the American Dingo had Sky Pilot Mountain (12,047 ft.) in the bag!  For a long way, Lupe made rapid progress.  In fact, all of a sudden she took off like a rocket!  What the heck?

Oh!  Here was SPHP’s big chance to moon a mountain goat, 4 of them, in fact.  Loop had dashed off to tell them all about it.  However, they were a very long way away.  The light brown speck racing toward them finally decided it wasn’t worth the effort and came racing back.  She arrived sides heaving and long pink tongue hanging out.

Don’t think they were interested, SPHP!  They weren’t going to come.

Probably just as well, Loop.  I wasn’t that keen on it myself.

After a couple of bowls of water, and a few minutes to regain her cool, calm composure, the march higher resumed.  Much of it along ground Lupe had just covered twice at top speed, but it was all new to SPHP.

The trek eventually steepened somewhat.  The ground became rockier.  Vegetation shriveled and disappeared.  Rocks steadily grew in size and number, but not enough to significantly slow progress.  Meanwhile, the views were becoming even more tremendous.  At last the terrain began to flatten out again.  Lupe reached and crossed a snowfield.  The summit couldn’t be much farther.

A last look at fabulous Sky Pilot Lake (Center). High Pass Lake (R). Photo looks SE.
Getting rockier, but small stuff.
Silver Run Peak (12,542 ft.) (L) and Whitetail Peak (12,551 ft.) (Center). Photo looks NE.
Crossing the last snowfield as the terrain levels out again. Photo looks WNW.

By now, Looper had already passed W of Sky Pilot Mountain’s NE arm.  The ridge she was taking N was no longer as vast as the region she’d left behind.  Although slowly narrowing, it was still plenty wide.  More and more talus was appearing, but the gentle slope and general presence of less challenging lanes through it all enabled reasonably swift progress.

Keeping an eye out for the true summit, SPHP hoped it wouldn’t be some enormous boulder or rock formation beyond Lupe’s capabilities.

Can’t be too much farther now! That smooth ridge behind me is the top of Castle Mountain! Photo looks NNW.

An unusual rock appeared ahead.  Long, relatively thin and narrow, it sat jutting out toward the SSW.  Clearly not the highest rock around, but certainly getting up there and quite distinctive, an easily identifiable landmark.

We’re calling this one “Diving Board Rock“! Photo looks NNW.

12:39 PM, Sky Pilot Mountain summit – 300 feet N of Diving Board Rock, a couple of pinkish-tan boulders sat perched along the E edge.  Separated by 20 feet, of modest size and about the same elevation, they appeared to be the highest rocks on Sky Pilot Mountain (12,047 ft.).  Happily, Lupe could easily get up on both of them.

SPHP decided the larger rock, which was toward the N, was most likely the true summit, although a couple more rocks a little to the W now also looked like they might possibly be in contention.  Hardly mattered, since Looper could visit all of them before departing.

Hearty congratulations were in order!  After 7 years of dreaming about this moment, an American Dingo sat proudly at the summit of Sky Pilot Mountain.  With great enthusiasm, SPHP shook her paw and praised the accomplishment, while Lupe seemed truly pleased.

On the S boulder. Beartooth Mountain (L). Photo looks SE.
At the true summit (N boulder) of Sky Pilot Mountain! Photo looks NNE.

The ridge was still 50 feet wide almost all the way to the N edge where the mountain dropped away, which was another 50 feet beyond the true summit boulder.  A small cairn sat a little off to the NW.  Lupe visited the cairn before taking a tour of the incredible views.

At the cairn. Salo Mountain (12,250 ft.) beyond Loop and the lake. Photo looks NW.

Nearly 2 miles off to the N, a huge, flat-topped wall of rock sat on the far side of the upper reaches of the gaping West Fork of Rock Creek canyon.  This wall was Sundance Mountain (12,262 ft.).  The top of Bowback Mountain (12,351 ft.) was visible beyond a low point near the center.

Sundance Mountain (L to R) with the knobby summit of Bowback Mountain (Center). Photo looks N.

Two mountains dominated to the NE.  Whitetail Peak (12,551 ft.) was a long, jagged, narrow ridge.  More distant Silver Run Peak (12,542 ft.) sported two distinct summits and appeared more massive.  Two small lakes could be seen in this direction, too.  Lake 10183 SW of Whitetail Peak was a milky turquoise color.  The other lake wasn’t shown on the topo map.  Considerably smaller, it filled a depression once occupied by the Hopper Glacier.

Whitetail Peak (R). Silver Run Peak (Center). The small icy lake is where part of the Hopper Glacier used to be. Photo looks NE.
The icy tarn with help from the telephoto lens.
Silver Run Peak. Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.
Lake 10183 at the base of Whitetail Peak (L), Beartooth Mountain (R). Photo looks ESE.
Lake 10183 with help from the telephoto lens.

Beartooth Mountain (12,351 ft.) and others that had been visible on the way up were off to the SE.  To S and SW were distant panoramic views.

Beartooth Mountain (L). Photo looks SE.
Near the N end. True summit boulder (L), another boulder in contention (R), cairn (Center) beyond Lupe. Photo looks SSE.
Checking out the view from that other boulder. Photo looks S.
Pilot Peak and Index Peak (R). Photo looks SW.
By the cairn again. Lonesome Mountain (Center). Photo looks SSE.

The most enchanting views of all were to the W and NW.  Lupe was a mile closer to Castle Mountain (12,612 ft.) than she’d made it with her friend Jobe Wymore yesterday.  More than 1,600 feet higher than Pass 10380 had been, Sky Pilot Mountain was a tremendous vantage point!

The American Dingo could see all of Varve Lake, where she would have camped last night if Castle Mountain hadn’t been abandoned, and two higher lakes in the direction of Salo Mountain (12,250 ft.), as well.

Varve Lake (lower L), Navajo Tarn (R), and an unnamed lake (far R) near Salo Mountain. Photo looks W.
Navajo Tarn (above) and the N end of Varve Lake (below). Photo looks WNW with help from the telephoto lens.
Salo Mountain (Center). Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

The view of Castle Mountain (12,612 ft.), Castle Rock Spire (12,450 ft.), and Rainbow Peak (12,540 ft.) was stunning!  Lupe went way out to the N edge of Sky Pilot Mountain for the best possible look.

At the far N end of Sky Pilot Mountain. Rainbow Peak and Castle Rock Spire (L), Castle Mountain (Center) and Sundance Mountain (R). Photo looks NNW.

Lupe was as high as that big snowfield on Castle Mountain that had caused such consternation yesterday.  This was a great opportunity to get some terrific photos showing the entire S face of the mountain!  SPHP took a bunch, zooming in on that problematic snowfield in a few.  Maybe Jobe or others would find them useful some day?

S face of Castle Mountain. The Omega Pass region, which climbers using the West Fork of Rock Creek route come over from the R, is seen along the lower portion of the ridgeline at lower R. Photo looks NNW.
Castle Mountain and Omega Pass. Photo looks NNW.
Castle Rock Mountain (far L), Rainbow Peak (L), Castle Rock Spire (Center), Castle Mountain (R). Photo looks NNW.
Zoomed in on the snowfield.
Castle Mountain summit region with help from the telephoto lens.

The weather was perfect!  Now and then a light S or W breeze came up.  Taking in the grandeur of the Beartooths in all directions, Lupe and SPHP rested or wandered about the summit region.  7 years of waiting for Sky Pilot Mountain (12,047 ft.) were over.  Hard to believe Lupe was really here!  SPHP congratulated the Carolina Dog multiple times.

A precious hour of glory and more slipped by.  Sadly, magic never lasts.  Reality must be faced.  Once again, Lupe sat perched at the true summit.

Oh, it doesn’t get any better than this, does it, SPHP?

With great reluctance, the return began.  Within minutes, Loop reached Diving Board Rock again.  The Carolina Dog was willing to scramble up onto it, but chose not to venture out to the end.  She had no intention of doing a Dingo dive.

On Diving Board Rock. Beartooth Mountain (R). Photo looks ESE.

Of course, Lupe still had hours of Sky Pilot Mountain fun to look forward to during the descent.  She never did see the mountain goats again, but did venture over to the W side of the vast sloping plateau far enough to look down on Flat Rock Lake, which she had been near, but seen only part of yesterday.

Heading down the vast sloping plateau. Photo looks S.
Flat Rock Lake (R). Photo looks SW.

Didn’t take long to get back to the snowfield overlooking the talus ridge and gully.  Looper tried her luck staying farther E down through all the talus, but this made no discernable difference.  Still a time-consuming, cautious, somewhat scary down climb followed by a super slow trek across the gully.  No mishaps, though, so all was well!

Approaching the snowfield overlooking the talus ridge and gully on the other side. Photo looks SSE.

The rest was easy.  Around the NE end of the first talus ridge and down the grassy slopes of the amphitheater to the rocky plain at 10,800 feet.  Before long Looper was back by the enormous boulders along the upper edge of the last slope leading down to Donelson Lake.  Near the N shore, a minuscule orange and gray dot confirmed that the tiny house was still there waiting for the American Dingo’s return.

Closing in on Donelson Lake again. Photo looks S.
Donelson Lake (Center) and Lonesome Mountain (L). Photo looks S.

The N shore of Donelson Lake was destined to be home again for a very lucky Dingo for another evening.  How beautiful it all was, and what a fabulous dream come true Sky Pilot Mountain had been!

On Sky Pilot Mountain, Beartooth Mountains, Montana 8-9-20

Links:

Next Adventure                           Prior Adventure

Castle Mountain, Beartooth Mountains, Montana with Mountaineer Jobe Wymore – Part 1: Island Lake to Two Bits Lake (8-7-20)

Castle Mountain, Beartooth Mountains, Montana with Mountaineer Jobe Wymore – Part 2: Two Bits Lake to Flat Rock Lake (8-8-20)

Sky Pilot Lake, Beartooth Mountains of Montana 7-17-13

Lonesome Mountain in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana 8-3-14

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

Castle Mountain, the Carbon County Montana High Point with Mountaineer Jobe Wymore – Part 2: Two Bits Lake to Flat Rock Lake (8-8-20)

Day 4 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming & Montana!

6:00 AM, near a tarn S of Two Bits Lake – An early start is a good thing, but thankfully Jobe had waited until after dawn to roust Lupe and SPHP.  Took SPHP a while to pack the tiny house and everything else up, but it wasn’t too long before that was accomplished.  It all had to come with.  Proposed base camp on the NE shore of Varve Lake (aka Forsaken Lake) for the attempt on Castle Mountain (12,612 ft.) tomorrow was more than 3 miles away.

Yesterday evening, Jobe had still had the energy to do a little scouting along the ridge W of the stream running down from Two Bits Lake to Triskel Lake.  He recommended crossing the ridge at the lower of two possible routes, which was toward the S.  However, after rock-hopping the stream at a point where it was practically underground, instead of making the trek S everyone simply started straight up the short, rather steep slope immediately to the W.

The terrain up top leveled out to a considerable degree.  Turning SW, Jobe led the way through some rough looking territory.  Really wasn’t bad at all due to lanes of vegetation running through this region.

Jobe leads the way through the area above the first steep slope while Loop takes an early snow break. Photo looks SW.

This shortcut soon linked up with the S route Jobe originally proposed.  Traveling NW up a valley of mixed meadows and rock, it wasn’t far to a pass where Donelson Lake was in sight directly ahead.

Donelson Lake was a gem!  Lupe had never been this close to it before, having seen Donelson Lake only once 7 years ago from higher up when she’d been on her way to Sky Pilot Lake.  SPHP recommended going around the N shore, which worked out fine.

Lupe on her way back to see what’s keeping SPHP as Jobe heads for the pass leading to Donelson Lake. Photo looks WNW.
Loop and Jobe near Donelson Lake. HP10817 (Center). Photo looks NNW.
Along the N shore of Donelson Lake. Photo looks SW.

What lay ahead was now unexplored territory.  Lupe had never been W of Donelson Lake.  Responsible for enticing Jobe to take this “Lupe route” to Castle Mountain, SPHP sincerely hoped it was going to pan out, and believed it would.

The topo map didn’t look at all dicey until past Maryott Lake.  What could be seen from here appeared fine.  A couple of large boulders stood out up on top of a ridge not too far to the W.  Maryott Lake was supposed to be on the other side of that ridge.  The route up there was a little slow due to all the rock, but not difficult.

Sure enough, when Lupe reached the ridgeline, Maryott Lake was right there where it should be.  Surprisingly, both Pilot Peak (11,699 ft.) and Index Peak (11,240 ft.) were in view way off in the distance, as well.

Maryott Lake from the ridge W of Donelson Lake. Pilot Peak (L) and Index Peak (R) far beyond Lupe. Photo looks SW.
Donelson Lake from the ridge overlooking Maryott Lake. Two Bits Lake is hidden on the far side of the ridge in the foreground on the L. Drop Off Mountain (12,115 ft.) (far L) in the distance. Photo looks ESE.

A notably higher ridge was now in view 0.25 mile off to the NW.  Three small pine trees growing near the top became the next objective.  Some elevation had to be lost leaving the ridge overlooking Maryott Lake, but the terrain N of the lake was relatively easy to cross.  However, much rougher ground was ahead.  Plenty of talus to deal with on the way up to those little pines.

Upon reaching three pine ridge, Looper not only had a terrific view of a small unnamed lake NW of Maryott Lake, but an even better view of Pilot Peak and Index Peak than before, plus a whole lot more.

The unnamed lake NW of Maryott Lake. Pilot Peak (L) and Index Peak (R) both at (Center) in the distance. Photo looks SW.
By one of the 3 little pines. Maryott Lake (R). The ridge Lupe had just come from is at far L in front of the sliver of Donelson Lake in view. Lonesome Mountain (11,399 ft.) (Center) in the distance. Photo looks SSE.

Three pine ridge was connected to yet another even higher ridge due N.  The Carolina Dog would have had to go over that one, too, except for the presence of a wide, flat shelf along its cliffy SW face.  That shelf was a real blessing, saving close to 150 feet of steep elevation gain.  Beyond it, a long snowbank could be seen draped along another ridge that wasn’t too much higher than where Lupe was now.

Scouting ahead, Jobe proved it was quite possible to get over to the wide shelf with little difficulty.  Lupe and SPHP brought up the rear, as Jobe crossed the shelf to explore the region beyond it.

Jobe (Center) on the broad shelf that saved having to scale the high ridge on the R. The route eventually goes over to the R end of the long snowbank seen on the L. Photo looks NW.
Another look at the unnamed lake NW of Maryott Lake from close to the SE end of the shelf. Pilot Peak (far R). Photo looks SSW.
Looking back after crossing the broad shelf. 3 pine ridge (Center) in the foreground. Lonesome Mountain (Center) in the distance. Photo looks SSE.

After crossing the shelf, Lupe followed Jobe through a rocky region where a little tarn could be seen to the S.  This tarn was fed by the melting snows of the long snowbank only a bit higher and farther W.  Upon reaching the snowbank, Loop crossed it angling toward the N (R) end.

This snowbank rested along the SE side of Pass 10660 less than 0.5 mile NW of Maryott Lake.  The American Dingo was now coming to a critical point.  If the “Lupe route” to Castle Mountain was going to cliff out, it might easily happen as soon as she reached the NW side of the pass, or somewhere in the next 0.75 mile beyond it.

Looking back after crossing the long snowbank. Lonesome Mountain (L of Center) in the distance. Photo looks SSE.

A little beyond the N end of the long snowbank, Jobe was waiting for Lupe and SPHP along the NW edge of Pass 10660.  Ahead was a steep drop.  The territory just S of Pass 10380, only a little more than 0.25 mile SE of Flat Rock Lake, was now in view.  However, Jobe wasn’t fixated on the terrain between here and there.  Instead, he stood staring curiously at Castle Mountain (12,612 ft.).

Little more than the large, gently rounded top of Castle Mountain and its steep SW flank could be seen from here.  Hidden by the end of a massive ridge jutting SW from Sky Pilot Mountain (12,047 ft.), the critical S face of Castle Mountain wasn’t quite in view yet.  That was where the route Jobe and Loopster would take from Varve Lake up to the summit was supposed to be.

Salo Mountain (12,250 ft.) (L), Castle Rock Mountain (12,401 ft.) (L of Center). Rainbow Peak (12,540 ft.) (L) and Castle Rock Spire (12,450 ft.) (R) both straight up from Jobe. Castle Mountain (12,612 ft.), the objective, is at R. Photo looks NNW from Pass 10660.

Continuing N, Jobe led the way down a long steep slope littered with rock toward a tarn visible on a big shelf.  Not too bad a descent.  Patches of vegetation lower down provided some relief.  Lupe didn’t get all the way to the tarn.  Jobe paused upon reaching slabs of bedrock not far from it.

To the SW was an enormous canyon drained by Sierra Creek.  Several of the little Pleiades Lakes were in view along with a slice of much larger Summerville Lake well beyond them.

Heading down toward the tarn (Center) on the way to Pass 10380, which lies above the L end of the shadow of the big knob ahead. Photo looks N.
Summerville Lake (R) with Pilot Peak (L) and Index Peak (R) beyond it. Pleiades Lakes in the foreground. Photo looks SW.

From the slabs, another steep, rocky slope to the W finally got everyone down to a meadow.  Lupe was now a good 100 feet below Pass 10380, which was still to come, having lost roughly 400 feet of elevation since leaving Pass 10660.

So far, the “Lupe route” to Castle Mountain had been viable, but not without its trials.  Loop had already contended with a lot of rock, and while Jobe didn’t say anything directly against this route, he did describe this latest 400 foot descent as a future “soul-crushing” experience when the time came to ascend it during the return.

Unencouragingly, the topo map showed a similar situation lying in wait beyond Pass 10380, where another 400 foot descent would be required to get down to Flat Rock Lake.  Didn’t look like it would be quite as steep as this first big drop, but it sure wouldn’t be anything to look forward to during the return, either.

No point in dwelling on that now.  Turning N, Jobe, Loopster and SPHP all headed up toward Pass 10380.  Near the upper end of the meadow, a giant boulder sat alone out among the wildflowers and grass.  Beyond it, the terrain quickly became increasingly rocky.  No doubt anxious for that first really good look at Castle Mountain, Jobe powered on ahead, disappearing over the pass.

Jobe heading for Pass 10380. Photo looks NE.
Loop about to cross the pass. Photo looks NNE.

11:00 AM, a little N of Pass 10380 – Jobe was again standing on a rock scrutinizing Castle Mountain when Lupe and SPHP caught up with him.  The summit was still nearly 2.5 miles due N, but he finally had a good unobstructed view of the whole S face.

0.25 mile NW, part of Flat Rock Lake was visible 400 feet below Looper’s current position.  No sign yet of Varve Lake, today’s ultimate objective.  It was still hidden somewhere more than a mile away at the base of Castle Mountain.

Happily, the “Lupe route” to Castle Mountain had proven itself!  No cliffs!  Getting down to Flat Rock Lake looked no worse than the descent from Pass 10660 had been.  At Flat Rock Lake the Carolina Dog’s route merged with the known successful approach others had taken from the S up Sierra Creek canyon.  Whether Lupe’s route was any better or worse, who knew?  At least it had worked.

Even so, Jobe was dismayed.

Jobe returns to his pack just N of Pass 10380 after coming back to check on SPHP. Castle Mountain (Center). Photo looks N.
Flat Rock Lake from the Pass 10380 region. Castle Mountain (R). Photo looks NNW.
Rainbow Peak (L of Center) and Castle Mountain (R). Photo looks N.
Castle Mountain. Photo looks N.

The view was disturbing.  Above the region where Varve Lake had to be were 2 tremendously steep sections of slabs.  Above them was a gentler region of slabs partially covered with snow.  Unhappily, cliffs towered above the gentler slabs, and a humongous snowbank to the W (L) filled the entire less forbidding slope to the top.

Shortly after SPHP reached Jobe, he sighed and spoke.

Rookie mistake!

Why, what’s wrong, Jobe? 

Admittedly, Castle Mountain looked intimidating.  Certainly beyond SPHP’s capabilities.  Sadly, that meant Lupe was never going to stand at the summit, but Jobe could make it with his vast experience.  SPHP was sure of it.

Left my crampons and ice axe in the Rubicon.  See that big snowfield on the L?  That’s the way up.  Steep enough that every step has to be perfect.  100 or more.  No room for error.

Jobe didn’t have a problem with any of the rest of it, just that one darn snowfield.  He hadn’t expected so much snow on a S facing slope in August.  For half an hour, Jobe and SPHP stood mesmerized, pondering the situation and discussing options.  Hard to tell from so far away how challenging it all really was, but from here it didn’t look like any route other than that one upper snowfield was likely to prove safely viable.

Castle Mountain (Center) with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks N.

It all ended with 2 little lightning bolt words from Jobe.

I’m out!

The voice of experience.  Three days short of a year ago, Jobe had been injured during a solo attempt on Castle Mountain.  On the way up the West Fork of Rock Creek route intending to come over Omega Pass, Jobe hadn’t even gotten all that close when he’d been caught in a rock slide.  One of his hands had gotten mangled with compound fractures.

Perhaps even more relevant, also last year, for the first time ever in his climbing career, Jobe had been “on the clock” as he put it.  At a different mountain, although fully equipped, he had lost control on a snowfield, hurtling toward doom.  “The clock” was a short one.  Trying with all his might with precious seconds ticking away, Jobe couldn’t regain control.  Not until his ice axe finally bit in at the last possible moment.

Just like that, this attempt on Castle Mountain was over.  Rookie mistake!  Talk about soul-crushing!  After all this way.  Jobe took it stoically, but had to be chagrined.  Nevertheless, the mountain would still be here, he declared, and someday he would return fully prepared.

Jobe and SPHP picked up the heavy packs again.

Puppy, ho!  Onward!

Only in this case, onward meant retreat.

Jobe took the lead, as always, and was soon out of sight S of Pass 10380, lost in whatever dark thoughts one experiences in such disappointment.  Not far from the lone, giant boulder, Lupe and SPHP caught up with him again, where he had paused to wait.  SPHP wanted to talk to him.

Castle Mountain was one of the few of 414 peaks on the list of Western Contiguous USA County High Points that Jobe hadn’t climbed yet.  Nothing else around here was on any list Jobe was working.  He could head on out.  Lupe and SPHP would be fine.  Arrangements were made for a possible Jobe/Dingo encounter at another peak in the near future.

Not even noon yet.  The sun blazed overhead in a cloudless sky.  Lupe and SPHP hid out in the shade of the boulder, relaxing and watching while Jobe climbed the steep rocky slope back up to Pass 10660.  After losing sight of him for a little while, Jobe reappeared way up on the ridge.  Half a minute later he disappeared again, this time for good.  Jobe was gone.

The whole experience had been a complete waste of time for Jobe, but not necessarily for a certain Carolina Dog.  Castle Mountain had always been a long shot for Looper and SPHP.  Seeing Jobe again and getting to explore this route had been fun, although it was shocking and terribly sad how it had all ended in such sudden and unexpected denial.

So now what, SPHP?  Are we going to go back and check out Varve Lake?  See how tough that S route up Castle Mountain is up close?

Hah, no!  Faintly tempting, but if Jobe isn’t up for it, neither are we.  Let’s do something where we might actually stand some chance of success.

And that would be?

Where we’ve been wanting to go for 7 years now, sweet puppy!

Oh!  We’re finally going to do it?  Which way then?

Back the way we came.  We’ve got to get back over Pass 10660, too.

SPHP had been studying the slope leading back up to Pass 10660 as Jobe climbed it.  By heading farther S from the giant boulder before turning E to start up, most of the talus could be avoided.  Quite a bit easier, though still a wearying steep climb.  Upon reaching the ridgeline, Lupe and SPHP paused to rest and gaze back at the gorgeous territory being left behind.

Sierra Creek canyon from Pass 10660. Castle Lake (straight up from Lupe’s ears), and Summerville Lake beyond it. Photo looks SW.
Salo Mountain (L of Center) and Castle Mountain (far R). Photo looks NNW.

More or less retracing the same route she’d taken this morning, Looper enjoyed a mid-afternoon frolic on the long snowbank SE of Pass 10660.  She then crossed the broad bench N of the unnamed lake NW of Maryott Lake to reach 3 pine ridge where she could see Maryott Lake itself again.

On the long snowbank SE of Pass 10660. Lonesome Mountain (L of Center) in the distance. Photo looks SSE.
Keeping cool in the Beartooths! Photo looks SW.
The tarn below the long snowbank. Photo looks SW.
The unnamed lake NW of Maryott Lake. Lonesome Mountain (L). Photo looks S.
Maryott Lake from 3 pine ridge. Photo looks S.

This time Lupe went clear down close to the N shore of Maryott Lake.

Maryott Lake. Photo looks S.
Another look at Maryott Lake. Photo looks WSW.

4:07 PM, Donelson Lake – Upon reaching Donelson Lake, SPHP called a halt.  This was it!  Donelson Lake was going to be a lucky American Dingo’s home for the night.  SPHP set up her tiny house E of a stream a little way back from the N shore.  The sky had clouded up some after Jobe had left, and a 10-20 mph SW wind had kicked up, but it wasn’t blowing that hard here.

Time to rest!  The long evening got spent relaxing both in and out of the tiny house.  Dinner, with a view, of course!  Lupe and SPHP didn’t know it, but Jobe was busy climbing Lonesome Mountain (11,399 ft.), visible 3 miles SSE of Donelson Lake.

We love Donelson Lake! It’s so beautiful here! Photo looks SSE.
Relaxing by the tiny house. Photo looks S.
Donelson Lake. Photo looks SW.

If everything had gone as planned, Lupe would have been resting up NE of Varve Lake, getting ready to take on Castle Mountain tomorrow along with SPHP and her friend Jobe.  Sadly, that dream had been dashed.  Yet here along the N shore of  gorgeous Donelson Lake, the American Dingo was perfectly positioned to take a shot at fulfilling another dream, a dream now 7 years old.

High adventure in the morning, Loopster!  Guess we better hit the hay!

Better rest up! Tomorrow’s adventure is going to be a doozy! You will be joining us, won’t you?
Evening at Donelson Lake, Beartooth Mountains, Montana 8-8-20
At Pass 10660 with Jobe Wymore on the way to Castle Mountain, Beartooth Mountains, Montana 8-8-20

Links:

Next Adventure                          Prior Adventure

Sky Pilot Mountain, Beartooth Mountains, Montana (8-9-20)

Castle Mountain, the Carbon County Montana High Point with Mountaineer Jobe Wymore – Part 1: Island Lake to Two Bits Lake (8-7-20)

S Route from the Clay Butte Trailhead to Castle Mountain (8-19 to 8-22, 2006) trip report by Adam Helman

West Fork Rock Creek Route to Castle Mountain (8-12-16) trip report & GPS track by Greg Slayden

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

Sky Pilot Lake, Beartooth Mountains of Montana (7-17-13)

On 7-16-13, the day after Lupe’s long day spent looking for Fossil Lake (and actually reaching Fizzle Lake instead) in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana, Lupe and SPHP spent an easy day in camp on the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River.  There weren’t nearly so many “bad bugs” (mosquitoes) at camp, so SPHP started feeling more positive about staying in the Beartooths another couple of days.

SPHP still had it in mind that Lupe ought to at least try to reach Sky Pilot Lake before leaving the Beartooths.  Getting there would be a very long day hike.  In the morning, SPHP spent some time looking at maps to consider possible alternate routes.  In the afternoon, a guy named Mick drove up in his motor home and camped by the river near Lupe’s camp.  Mick was originally from England, but had married an American.  Now he and his wife live in Boulder, CO.

Mick was very friendly and quite a character.  He had a start in the music industry in England, but spent most of his career as a welder in the USA.  He had been many places and had lots of stories to tell.  Although Mick was traveling alone, he does own a dog.  Mick was very kind to Lupe, even giving her treats intended for his dog.

SPHP spent hours visiting with Mick.  In the evening, Mick invited SPHP and Lupe in for a tour of his motor home.  Lupe got to spend the whole evening in there “roughing it” in the lap of luxury.  Mick knows lots of famous people from the music industry.  He said he has had a tremendously fun life.  He told some pretty wild tales about the music industry, places he had been, and people he knew.  His nickname in the music industry was “puker” – not terribly charming, but related to the wild partying lifestyle he shared for a while with the rich and famous.

On 7-17-13, Lupe and SPHP woke up pretty early, refreshed from the easy prior day in camp spent visiting with Mick.  Lupe and SPHP were ready to go find Sky Pilot Lake!  SPHP intended to start the trek Beartooth Lake campground, so Lupe and SPHP went there first.  However, SPHP wasn’t able to find a source of water there.  Since the familiar Island Lake campground and trailhead were only a few miles farther E on Beartooth Hwy No. 212, SPHP quickly gave up on a start from Beartooth Lake.  At the Island Lake campground, SPHP got water and Lupe was ready to go.

Lupe left the Island Lake trailhead at around 8:15 AM.  Even though Lupe had taken the trail from Island Lake twice before (once with Lanis in August, 2012 as far as Beauty and Becker Lakes, and a 2nd time just 3 days earlier on 7-14-13 as far as Two Bits Lake), Lupe and SPHP were perfectly happy to take this trail again.  It really is the easiest and most direct route to Sky Pilot Lake from Beartooth Hwy No. 212.  Better yet, the entire trail goes through simply gorgeous alpine territory.

At first, Lupe and SPHP made very good time.  Lupe and SPHP passed Island Lake, Night Lake, Flake Lake, Mutt & Jeff Lakes, Becker Lake and were all the way to Albino Lake by 11:15 AM.  Soon Lupe and SPHP reached Jasper Lake.  From Jasper Lake on, the going became much slower.  Lupe left the trail at the S end of Jasper Lake, and the ground became progressively rougher with more and more boulder fields.  The weather had been cool and overcast, which was great for hiking, but began to clear and became sunny as Lupe and SPHP worked around the E side of Jasper Lake.

Lonesome Mountain from Jasper Lake 7-17-13. Much later in the day, Lupe and SPHP were caught in a storm near this point.
Lonesome Mountain from Jasper Lake 7-17-13. Much later in the day, Lupe and SPHP were caught in a storm near this point.

From Jasper Lake, Lupe headed NNW up a rocky ridge towards Two Bits Lake.  On the other side of the ridge was a series of little lakes and ponds scattered among the rocks and grassy areas.  Once up on the ridge, instead of heading N for Two Bits Lake again (which Lupe had reached just 3 days earlier), this time Lupe stayed farther W.  She wound her way around to cross the stream which comes from Two Bits Lake just downstream of Triskele Lake.

Beyond the ridge NNW of Jasper Lake. A portion of Triskele Lake is seen beyond this pond toward the left side of this photo.
Beyond the ridge NNW of Jasper Lake. A sliver of Triskele Lake is seen beyond this pond toward the left side of this photo.
Lupe takes a break not far from Triskele Lake in the Beartooth Mountains.
Lupe takes a break near the pond before reaching Triskele Lake in the Beartooth Mountains.
Lupe investigates something interesting near the stream below Triskele Lake.
Lupe investigates something interesting near the stream below Triskele Lake.

Lupe and SPHP were happy.  Lupe was now exploring new country.  It was all wonderful!  Lupe and SPHP climbed NNW up the big ridge beyond Triskele Lake.  Lupe kept coming to one false top after another.  It was very rough country, but not a dangerous climb.

When Lupe finally reached the top of the ridge, there was a grand view from the SE to the SW all the way around to the NW.  There were many high mountains in view.  Relatively close by and most dramatic was Lonesome Mountain (11,399 ft.) back to the S.  Nearby and for the first time, Lupe and SPHP could now see Donelson and Maryott Lakes below to the WNW.

Lupe up on the ridge NNW of Triskele Lake and W of Two Bits Lake. Lupe is enjoying a view of the SE end of Donelson Lake. Photo looks SW.
Donelson Lake and a bit of Maryott Lake beyond. Looks like very interesting territory to explore! Photo looks SW. Beartooth Mountains, Montana.
Donelson Lake and a bit of Maryott Lake beyond. Looks like very interesting territory to explore! Photo looks SW. Beartooth Mountains, Montana.
Donelson (closest) and Maryott (farthest) Lakes. The W arm of Donelson Lake is seen beyond the little ridge at the left side of the photo.
Donelson (closest) and Maryott (farthest) Lakes from higher up. The W arm of Donelson Lake is seen beyond the little ridge at the left side of the photo.

Once up on the ridge, SPHP had expected it to be relatively easy to find High Pass where Lupe needed to go to get to Sky Pilot Lake, but even with the topo map it was hard to figure out exactly which way to go.  Lupe and SPHP kept climbing along the ridgeline heading N and scrambling around the boulder fields trying to figure out which way was the easiest way to High Pass.  The boulder fields really slowed progress down.   SPHP could now see what looked like a line of storms developing to the W, and some big clouds that looked a bit threatening to the N of the high ridge hiding Sky Pilot Lake.

Lonesome Mountain as seen from the ridge W of Two Bits Lake and NNW of Triskele Lake.
Lonesome Mountain (11,399 ft.) as seen from the ridge W of Two Bits Lake and NNW of Triskele Lake.
Our intrepid American Dingo, Lupe, rests above Donelson and Maryott Lakes in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana on 7-17-13.
Our intrepid American Dingo, Lupe, rests above Donelson and Maryott Lakes in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana on 7-17-13.

After much consulting of the maps and gazing at the terrain to the N, SPHP could see 3 possible ways that might lead to High Pass.  The closest one was the westernmost.  SPHP thought Lupe was too far W for it to be the right one, but although steep, it looked relatively easy to climb.

Since it was taking so long to traverse the endless boulder fields, SPHP didn’t want to go to the E to check out the other possibilities.  SPHP decided Lupe would just climb this closest big ridge, which was directly N of the ridge Lupe was on.  It took a while to get up there, but Lupe and SPHP finally got to the top.

Lupe reaches the top of the ridge about 0.67 mile NNE of Donelson Lake and just W of High Pass. This was her high point reached at around 11,120 feet. The jagged mountains N of High Pass are now in view.

At the top was a huge view in almost every direction.  For the first time Lupe and SPHP could see farther N.  SPHP had been right.  Lupe’s climb up to this N ridge was W of the best access to High Pass.  A few hundred feet below, Lupe and SPHP could see High Pass and High Pass Lake.  Some dramatic towering jagged mountains including Sky Pilot Mountain (12,047 ft.) were in view beyond High Pass Lake.

High Pass Lake. SPHP believes the mountain at the L is a false peak of Sky Pilot Mountain (12,047'). The mountain seen in the center beyond the gap is probably Whitetail Mountain (12,551'). Beartooth Mountains, Montana, 7-17-13
High Pass Lake. SPHP believes the mountain at the L is the SE ridge and a false summit of Sky Pilot Mountain (12,047 ft.). The mountain seen in the center beyond the gap is probably Whitetail Peak (12,551 ft.).  Photo looks NNE.  Beartooth Mountains, Montana, 7-17-13
Lonesome Mountain from the ridge just to the W above High Pass. Photo looks S.
Lonesome Mountain from the ridge just to the W above High Pass.  In the far distance beyond Lonesome Mountain to the L a small portion of Island Lake is seen.  The far side of the lake is where Lupe started this long day hike!  Photo looks S.

By now the storm clouds to the W & N looked closer.  SPHP realized there wasn’t a lot of time to dawdle.  High Pass is 10,800+ feet and Lupe had climbed several hundred feet higher than that.  Lupe was probably somewhere around 11,120+ feet.  Lupe and SPHP worked on down the other side of the ridge into High Pass.  Despite the need to hurry, it was slow going.  Once down in the pass, the going was much easier.  Lupe and SPHP headed N past High Pass Lake up to a small ridge.  SPHP hoped to see Sky Pilot Lake from this ridge, but was disappointed when it was not visible from there.

There was one more ridge to the N, a bit lower, but which was hiding some land in a big cirque.  SPHP thought Sky Pilot Lake might be just beyond that ridge.  SPHP certainly hoped it would be.  SPHP could see that there was a gigantic canyon ahead heading off to the NE.  Lupe shouldn’t go very far down into the gigantic canyon to find Sky Pilot Lake, given the developing weather conditions.  This last ridge was as far as SPHP was willing to go.  So Lupe went down to the lower ridge.  The first thing that Lupe saw was the upper end of the big cirque beyond the ridge.

The big cirque as viewed from the final (lower) ridge. Snow, yes, but not looking like a glacier to SPHP!
The big cirque as viewed from the final (lower) ridge. Snow, yes, but not looking like a glacier to SPHP no matter what the topo map showed!

The topo map showed a glacier in the big cirque.  Although there was a considerable amount of snow, it really didn’t look like much.  It certainly didn’t look like there was a glacier any more.  More disappointingly, Sky Pilot Lake was not visible.  Lupe and SPHP headed a bit further to the NNE up to the end of the ridge.  There, nearby, but hundreds of feet below Lupe, was Sky Pilot Lake!  Lupe had succeeded in finding it!

Lupe rests on the final ridge above beautiful Sky Pilot Lake in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana 7-17-13
Lupe rests on the final ridge above beautiful Sky Pilot Lake in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana 7-17-13
Sky Pilot Lake (10,478 ft.) shines beautifully in the sunlight. Whitetail Peak (12,551 ft.) is shrouded by clouds to the N.

Sky Pilot Lake was a very beautiful lake!  It shimmered with a gorgeous blue-green color when the sun shone on it.  SPHP wished it hadn’t taken so long to get here, because it would have been great to go down to the shore of the lake and see it from there. However, it was getting late and the weather looked increasingly ominous.  It clouded up, but then blue sky came out again.  Lupe and SPHP sat high up near the end of the little ridge looking at the great view of Sky Pilot Lake.  Lupe rested and had some Taste of the Wild and water.

The SE arm of Sky Pilot Mountain, which is a false summit.
Looking E from the ridge SW of Sky Pilot Lake and N of High Pass. The mountain at L may be the W side of Beartooth Mountain (12,351').
Looking E from the ridge SW of Sky Pilot Lake and N of High Pass. The mountain at L may be the W side of Beartooth Mountain (12,351 ft.).
SE arm and false summit of Sky Pilot Mountain (L) and Whitetail Peak (center).
SE arm and false summit of Sky Pilot Mountain (L) and Whitetail Peak (center).

Lupe and SPHP had been there maybe 20 minutes or more when Lupe started hearing thunder in the distance.  Reluctantly, SPHP decided Lupe had better get going.  After a last glance at Sky Pilot Lake, as fast as SPHP could manage, Lupe and SPHP scrambled back over to High Pass and High Pass Lake.  Soon it completely clouded up and started to sprinkle.  SPHP had raingear in the backpack, but did not stop to put it on.

Lupe got over High Pass and had just barely started down the S side of the pass when the storm hit with driving rain.  Soon there was hail, too.  The hail was only pea-sized, but still stung a bit. SPHP saw an especially big rock nearby with a little bit of an overhang.  Lupe and SPHP headed for it.  Arriving at the big rock, SPHP got Lupe under the overhang and out of the hail.  There was room for SPHP’s head under there too, but that was it.  At least the backpack provided some protection, too.  Still, it was a good thing the hail didn’t get any bigger, or SPHP would have been pounded.  Lupe and SPHP hid there under the overhang for a few minutes while it hailed and SPHP got drenched.

The hail let up pretty soon.  Lupe and SPHP got going again.  It was still raining, but not as hard.  More concerning, lightning was now not too far away, and there was frequent thunder.  The lightning was really the scariest thing.  Lupe needed to lose elevation as fast as possible.   Lupe and SPHP were way too high up and easy targets.  As far as SPHP could see to the W (and SPHP could see a long way from here!), there were more storm clouds.

Lupe and SPHP scrambled onward.  Sometimes it rained harder again, but mostly it was relatively light.  Thankfully, it didn’t hail again.  From the sound of the thunder, lightning was close, but still a little ways away.  Lupe and SPHP made it all the way down through the biggest boulder fields and crossed the stream below Triskele Lake again.  Lupe and SPHP were utterly alone.  The scenery seemed even more beautiful, dramatic and wild in the storm.  Once past the stream, Lupe and SPHP headed up and over the ridge to the S and down to Jasper Lake.

Lupe and SPHP were heading around the E side of Jasper Lake when the storm hit hard again.  It poured rain and hailed again, but the hail was so tiny it didn’t do anything.  This time though, the lightning was now close.  It flashed all around and thunder roared, echoing in the mountains.   Lupe and SPHP crouched down beside a big boulder not far from the shore of Jasper Lake.  There Lupe waited for the storm to pass.  It was an amazing view.  The surface of Jasper Lake danced with raindrops while lightning struck Lonesome Mountain on the other side of the lake.

After 10 or 15 minutes, the rain let up quite a bit.  The lightning and thunder moved away to the E.  Lupe and SPHP got going again.  Lupe and SPHP got up over the ridge S of Jasper Lake and started heading for Albino Lake.  Although occasionally thunder and lightning threatened again, it was never as bad as at Jasper Lake and never again caused Lupe to seek cover.  It rained, but not hard.  Eventually the rain diminished to become just a light sprinkle.  At times it quit entirely.  The clouds broke up and the half moon was out.

Lupe had fun exploring.  There no more mishaps the rest of the way to the G6.  It got so dark, SPHP had to start using the flashlight before Lupe was even back to Mutt & Jeff Lakes.  For hours, Lupe continued to see lightning in the darkness far to the SE.  SPHP was tired, but still felt amazingly good.  Lupe seemed to feel the same way.  Lupe made it back to the G6 back at the Island Lake trailhead at 11:42 PM.  It was 50°F.

By 12:30 PM, Lupe and SPHP were back at camp at the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River.  It looked like it had really rained hard there.  SPHP was tempted to sleep in the G6, but Lupe wanted to go in her “tiny house” (tent).  So SPHP got rid of the water in the tiny house and put things in order.   Sometime around 1:00 AM, Lupe and SPHP sacked out in the tiny house.

At nearly 15.5 hours, this was Lupe and SPHP’s longest day hike in the Beartooths on her 2013 Dingo Vacation, and the most spectacular.  It had also been the most dangerous, when Lupe and SPHP got caught in the storm up in High Pass at around 10,800 feet elevation.  Sometime it would be fun to explore the high country around Donelson and Maryott Lakes.  SPHP was very happy Lupe did get to see Sky Pilot Lake, which was very pretty and remote.  The peaks nearby and the gigantic canyon to the NE below Sky Pilot Lake were most impressive too.

A year later, Lupe returned to the Beartooth Mountains as part of her 2014 Dingo Vacation.  On 8-3-14 she climbed Lonesome Mountain, which she had passed by this day on the way to Sky Pilot Lake.

Whitetail Peak beyond Sky Pilot Lake, Beartooth Mountains, Montana 7-17-13

Links:

Next Adventure                    Prior Adventure

Lonesome Mountain in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana (8-3-14)

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s 2013 Beartooths & Canadian Rockies Adventure IndexDingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.