Lupe’s 11th Birthday (12-14-21)

8:37 AM, 47ºF, USFS Road No. 216 about 0.7 mile SE of Custer Peak – Better take the warm jacket!  Sort of a surprise.  With a high 20ºF above normal expected, SPHP had thought a light jacket would suffice.  A 25 mph wind out of the W changed everything.  Not exactly cold, but it did feel pretty cool out.

The birthday girl was unfazed!  For a mid-December birthday, conditions weren’t bad at all.  Could be a lot worse.  Thrilled at the chance to spend the day roaming the Black Hills, Lupe headed W on USFS Road No. 216.

Setting off for an 11th birthday romp in the hills. Photo looks W.

The road went past a beautiful snowy field flanked by pine and aspen covered mountains.  Beneath an overcast sky, the contrast between the white field and the dark pines made it easy to see how well the Black Hills live up to their name.

Pausing to admire the snowy field and Black Hills. Photo looks S.

This stretch of USFS Road No. 216 was familiar territory.  As the road gradually turned NW, Peak 6600 came into view.

Approaching Peak 6600 (R of Center). Photo looks WNW.

Are we going to Custer Peak (6,804 ft.), SPHP?

Sort of intended to, Loop, but with it so windy right now, maybe it would be better to wait until later in the day?  Hoped it would be sunnier than this, too.  How about we hit it on the way back, if there’s still time?

Fine with me, SPHP, but on the way back from where?

Oh, remember back in February when we climbed both Custer Peak and Peak 6600, then went on to try to climb Peak 6480, but never got very far because it got so foggy and started to snow?

Of course, I do!  Is Peak 6480 where we’re going now?

Yup, if we can find it.

No. 216 began climbing more steeply.  A little shy of the saddle between Custer Peak and Peak 6600, Lupe reached the junction with No. 216.1A, the spur to Custer Peak.  No. 216 leveled out as it made a big sweeping curve around to the SSE.  Since conditions hadn’t improved, Lupe stuck with No. 216, foregoing any attempt on Custer Peak.

At the junction with USFS Road No. 216.1A where No. 216 makes the big curve. Lupe came up from the L, and kept going to the R. Photo looks SE.

Beyond the big curve, No. 216 soon began angling S along the lower E slopes of Peak 6600.  The road provided a nice view of Custer Peak from along in here.  A bit farther on, No. 216 started gaining elevation again as it curved W around the S end of Peak 6600.  A decent view to the SE began to appear as Lupe got higher.

Custer Peak (R of Center) from USFS Road No. 216. Photo looks NNE.
Looking SE.

The road went past the end of Peak 6600’s S ridge.  Still windy, but the sky had brightened.  Weak sunshine cast shadows on the snow.

Loopster!  Want to go up Peak 6600 while we’re so close?  Won’t take long.  At least it’s kind of sunny now.  Might not be on the way back.

The American Dingo was all for it!  Leaving No. 216, she headed N.

Starting up Peak 6600. Photo looks NNE.

At first there was quite a bit of deadfall to contend with, but Lupe had no trouble getting past it.  By the time the S ridge started getting rocky, she was already close to the top.  Peak 6600’s true summit was along a line of rocks next to a small clearing at the SE end of a long summit ridge.  The clearing provided excellent views toward the S.

Shaking the birthday girl’s paw while she stood on the highest rocks, SPHP congratulated Lupe on her first mountain ascent as an 11 year old.

Getting a little rocky near the summit. Photo looks N.
View from the clearing by the true summit. Photo looks SE.
On the true summit of Peak 6600! Photo looks N.

Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) was visible from the true summit region, but the best, most open viewpoint was 700 or 800 feet away over at the opposite NW end of Peak 6600’s long summit ridge.  The still powerful SW wind shook the pines, as Lupe wound her way through the forest to get there.

At the NW viewpoint. Photo looks NNE.
Looking back toward the true summit (L). Photo looks SSE.
Custer Peak (L) from the NW viewpoint. Photo looks ENE.

Since the NW viewpoint was a favorite spot on Peak 6600, a short break was taken to share a chocolate coconut bar while enjoying the views.

The cool, gusty SW wind prevented a prolonged stay.  Before departing, SPHP surveyed the territory off to the NW.  A snowy ridge seen several miles away had to be Peak 6480, Lupe’s next objective.

Contemplating Custer Peak during the chocolate coconut bar break. Photo looks NE.
Peak 6480 (Center) is the long snowy ridge in the foreground. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

Soon the American Dingo was on her way back to the true summit.  She briefly got up on the highest rocks again before heading back down Peak 6600’s S ridge.  Reaching USFS Road No. 216 where she’d left it, Loopster followed it SW to a cattle guard where the road topped out near HP6427.

Back at Peak 6600’s true summit. Photo looks SE.
Heading down the S ridge. Photo looks SSE.
Back on USFS Road No. 216 at the cattle guard near HP6427. Photo looks SW.

Ahead the road dipped a little.  Lupe soon reached an intersection where a snowmobile trail system sign was posted.  This sign was as far as she’d gotten on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 265 before being forced to turn back due to snow and fog.

At the snowmobile trail system sign. Photo looks SW.
The sign was interesting, but on such a large scale that it wasn’t much help.

Continuing on past the intersection, the terrain rose a bit then flattened out.  A long march ensued along the snowy road as it gradually turned W, then NW, while staying up on fairly high ground.  Despite the balmy temperature, the SW wind still made it feel quite cool.

Beyond the intersection, continuing W along USFS Road No. 216. Photo looks W.
The snowy road went on and on. Photo looks WNW.

Do you remember any of this, Looper?  I’m sure we’ve been in this region before, but I must have it confused with somewhere else.  It’s not like what I thought I remembered.

Pleasant enough here, SPHP, but kind of non-descript.  Looks like a lot of places in the Black Hills.  Nothing stands out as familiar to me, either.  What does your topo map say?

Doesn’t even show a road here, just a trail, but I’m almost certain we’re still going the right way.

A brief glimpse of Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) came into sight just before the road reached the end of the high ground and began to drop.  After losing more than 100 feet of elevation, music could be heard.  At an unmarked intersection, the music seemed to be coming from off in the forest to the NE.  Peering over in that direction, Lupe saw what appeared to be a set of large, rusty wind chimes.  They were just hanging there in the forest, not close to any visible structure.

That’s kind of weird, SPHP!  But the chimes do sound good!

I like them, too, Loop!  Never have known they were there without this wind.

At the intersection near the wind chimes. Photo looks N.

The road curved WSW here, still heading gradually downhill.  A quick check of the map revealed that this was likely USFS Road No. 561.1C.  Lupe followed it for more than 0.33 mile to where it curved SW.

SW was the wrong way.  Peak 6480 still had to be NW.  Leaving the road, Lupe plunged N into the forest.  A short descent quickly leveled out at sort of a magical place full of Christmassy little spruce trees among tall white-barked aspens.

Just beyond the little spruce trees, Lupe came to an open lane that went a short distance E to a clearing.  Turning N again here, the terrain led up to the corner of a huge snowy field surrounded by a wooden pole fence.  Crossing a small corner of this field, Lupe returned to the forest.  A brief climb led to a big gravel road, clearly USFS Road No. 561 on the map.

Heading down USFS Road No. 561.1C. Photo looks W.
Among the little Christmassy spruce trees. Photo looks N.
At the clearing. Photo looks E.
The huge snowy field. Photo looks ENE.
On USFS Road No. 561. Photo looks NE.

Crossing No. 561, Lupe headed NW right back into the forest.  At first, the terrain sloped gently, but soon she was climbing much more steeply.  Another pole fence was encountered.  A small power line ran along it.  Ducking under the fence, Loop kept climbing.  Before long she reached flatter terrain.

Continuing NW after crossing USFS Road No. 561. Photo looks NW.
By the wooden pole fence. Photo looks S.

Lupe was now up on the SE end of the 6,400 foot ridge SE of Peak 6480.  Glancing back, both Custer Peak and Peak 6600 were visible 2 miles E.  This broad ridge ran NW/SE, so Loop followed it 0.2 mile to its high point at the far NW end.  From here, a big power line could be seen 0.5 mile farther NW atop a small cliff.  That was the S end of Peak 6480!

At the SE end of the 6,400 foot ridge. Custer Peak (L) and Peak 6600 (beyond Lupe) in the distance. Photo looks ESE.
Approaching the high point at the NW end of the 6,400 foot ridge. Photo looks NW.
Looking back from the high point of the 6,400 foot ridge. Photo looks SE.

A gradual, mostly open slope led down to the broad saddle connecting to Peak 6480.  This region looked like it had been logged at some point.  Once across the saddle, Loopster began climbing as she continued NW, eventually reaching a region of young pines and large bushes where the terrain began to level out.  Lupe was already quite close to the big power line above the small cliff by the time she saw it again.

Crossing the saddle leading to Peak 6480. Photo looks NW.
View back to the S on the way up. Photo looks S.
Approaching the power lines on Peak 6480. Photo looks N.

Turned out there were 2 big power lines running parallel to each other.  The cliff the higher one stood on wasn’t very tall.  Finding a route up was a cinch, but Lupe scrambled to the top rather reluctantly.

The wind had been blowing all day long.  Back in the forest and down in the valleys, it hadn’t been bad at all, often more heard in the treetops than felt.  This exposed limestone platform was another matter entirely.  The wind was stronger than ever here, a 35 to 40 mph gale out of the W.  Not much fun to a Carolina Dog’s way of thinking!

Although this was a good viewpoint, Lupe stayed only long enough for a quick look around.

By the power lines. Photo looks NNE.
On the limestone platform above the small cliffs. Photo looks SSW.
Custer Peak (far L) and Peak 6600 (L). Photo looks SE.
The upper power line. Photo looks N.

The power lines weren’t at the true summit.  Lupe was happy to leave the exposed platform to look for it.  Continuing NNW partially protected by the forest again, a rock outcropping appeared ahead.  Clearly higher than anything else around, that had to be it!

Approaching the true summit of Peak 6480 (R of Center). Photo looks NNW.

2:04 PM –  As Lupe approached the true summit of Peak 6480, tall pines swayed wildly with each new violent blast out of the W.  Getting worse!  40 to 50 mph!  A short climb led to two boulders perched on a small flat platform.  Despite the crazy wind, the American Dingo leapt up onto the highest one.

Custer Peak (far L) and Peak 6600 (L) from the true summit of Peak 6480. Photo looks ESE.

A couple of quick photos, and that was it.

That’s good, Loop!  Get off that rock before you get blown off!

Only a few feet below the top, the Carolina Dog tried to find a place to get comfortable.  SPHP sat so awkwardly on a rock, that SPHP’s lap was soon rejected.  Laying on a little patch of snow, Lupe stared up at SPHP somewhat accusingly.

Attempting to relax on Peak 6480.

You sure know how to show a birthday Dingo a good time, don’t you, SPHP?  What a hurricane!

Heh!  Yeah, this is going to be a birthday peak to remember isn’t it, Loop?

Or forgotten!  What do you have against palm trees, SPHP?  I’ve never even seen one!  Couldn’t we go somewhere with palm trees on my birthday for a change?

Oh, well, I didn’t know you were even interested in palm trees, Looper!

I am now!

Attempting to relax and simply enjoy being on Peak 6480 while watching the trees sway alarmingly was only partially successful.  At any moment one might snap off entirely, a sobering thought considering the millions of beetle-killed trees that were now deadfall in the Black Hills.

After 20 minutes, an exceptionally powerful gust put an end to Lupe’s stay.  Ripping SPHP’s stocking cap off, the wind flung it off into space.  Peering over the edge, there it was, caught on a short dead tree branch only a few feet away, but unfortunately 20 feet above the ground.

OK, that’s it!  A few more photos, Loop, then let’s get out of here!

Despite the disappointing lack of palm trees, the birthday girl complied, returning to the summit rock for the last time.

By the highest rock again. Photo looks ESE.
A precarious perch in the gale.
Final moments atop Peak 6480.

Circling around to the E side of the summit block before departing, Lupe took shelter from the wind, while SPHP saw to retrieving the stocking cap.  Turned out that it had already blown off the tree branch, and was now caught in a bush only a couple of feet above ground level.  Grabbing it before the cap could launch off on new adventures, SPHP restored it to its rightful place.

At least that was easy!  C’mon, Looper!  Let’s go!

Well protected from the wild W wind on the E side of the summit block. Photo looks W.
A last look back at Peak 6480’s summit. Photo looks N.
About to depart. Photo look SSW.

On the way back to the power lines Lupe stayed a little to the W, below the line of small cliffs.

Heading back to the power lines. Photo looks SSE.
Below the cliffs. Photo looks SE.
A scenic spot near the power lines. Photo looks SE.

The rest of the return was virtually identical to the route taken to Peak 6480.  The journey seemed to go faster on the way back.  Lupe arrived at the lower end of Peak 6600’s S ridge again while it was still light out.

Let’s climb Peak 6600 again, SPHP!

Really?  Would you like to, Loop?

Sure!  The wind isn’t so bad now!  We can even go on to climb Custer Peak, can’t we?  You said we could this morning, remember?

Sounds like a plan, Looper!  Let’s do it!

Lupe returned to Peak 6600’s summit.  However, by the time she got to the NW viewpoint, it was too late to go on to Custer Peak.  The sky had been overcast or nearly so all day, but was now clear to the NW.  Far to the SW, the sun suddenly dipped below the remaining cloud cover.  For the first time, the American Dingo stood in brilliant sunshine.

Wouldn’t last!  The sun was already hovering barely above the horizon.

Custer Peak (R) from Peak 6600’s NW ridge for the 2nd time today. Photo looks NE.
In the alpenglow. Photo looks NW.
End of a long day.

10 minutes, and the sun vanished.  Looper headed down the N ridge.  Although short, this route was snowy and very steep at first, and full of deadfall lower down.  Light was fading fast when Lupe finally reached USFS Road No. 216.1A.  Didn’t matter.  A pleasant, downhill road trek the rest of the way.

5:09 PM, 47ºF –  Dark and still breezy.  SPHP turned the key and the RAV4 sprang to life.  Time to head home, but not for long!

7:00 PM – Let the festivities begin!  Barking excitedly, decked out in her hat and birthday girl ribbon, the party animal rushed into Grandma’s apartment.  Oh, there were guests!  The more, the merrier!  Xochitl, Steve, Felix and Asher were all here, too.

SPHP wasted no time getting things underway, giving Lupe a Busy Rib Hide as an initial treat.  Felix petted Lupe while she chomped away, then helped SPHP stick 11 candles into the fabulous 11th birthday cake.  Soon Lupe was on Grandma’s white couch, surrounded by presents and an 11 alarm fire!

Felix and Lupe. The party began with a Busy Rib Hide treat and gentle pats.
The 11th birthday cake appears!
With Felix and the fire hazard.

Everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to Lupe, then cake and ice cream was served.  Felix declared the cake “delicious” and almost as good as the shark cake he had on his birthday.  Lupe didn’t touch the cake or ice cream she was offered, evidently hoping and holding out for something even better.

Once everyone had their fill, it was time to open presents.  Felix and Asher helped Lupe out.  The lucky Dingo got plenty of birthday loot!

Zuke’s Hip Action
Ol’ Roy Rawhide Rolls
Kong Squeaker Ball
Purina Busy Rib Hides
Golden Rewards Chicken Jerky

All that and more!  The Carolina Dog wasn’t disappointed.  The grand prize she’d been waiting for was included, too.  A T-bone steak!

Lupe’s traditional birthday T-bone!

While the steak was broiling in the oven, SPHP got everyone together for a group photo.

Lupe’s 11th birthday guests L to R: Xochitl, Asher, Steve, Felix & Grandma.

Organizing the group photo took so long that when SPHP opened the oven afterwards to check on Lupe’s T-bone, a thick cloud of smoke came billowing out!  Soon Grandma’s apartment was a smoky haze.  Windows had to be opened to air the joint out.

Grandma’s fire alarm didn’t go off, but every other one in the complex did.  Suddenly there were knocks on the door!  Out in the hallway, a crowd of anxious people wondered what was going on?

Apparently, when you turn 11, it’s a really big deal!  Lupe tried to look innocent.

Who, me? Oh, no! Everything’s fine!

Fortunately, the T-bone steak was perfect.  Nice and pink in the middle, and not burned a bit.  How it had produced such a vast cloud of smoke was a mystery.  A full investigation would have been conducted, but a certain American Dingo promptly devoured the evidence!

And, oh girl!  Was it ever good!

11 years old, December 14, 2021

Links:

Double Digit Dingo! – Lupe’s 10th Birthday (12-14-20)

Lupe’s 12th Birthday! (12-14-22)

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 265 – Custer Peak & Peak 6600 (2-3-21)

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s Dingo Tales Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe Adventures.

A Quick Trip to Colorado – Visiting Babies Felix & Owen plus a fun White Ranch Park outing (12-28-17 thru 12-31-17)

Christmas had come and gone.  The year was almost shot, but Lupe had a final chance for adventure in 2017.  Xochitl, Steve and baby Felix were flying into the Denver area from Chicago for a couple of days.  They would be staying at Matt, Cassie and baby Owen’s home in Parker.  Lupe and SPHP had an invitation from Joe and Andrea to come and stay in the Cowboy room at cousin Dusty’s home in Arvada.

Adventures with babies?  That was something new, and a rare opportunity!  Babies have a way of changing fast, and not being babies any more.  SPHP told Lupe that even though it would be a quick trip, there might be time for an outdoor adventure or two as well.  Even if Loop wasn’t certain about how adventures with babies might turn out, the year was going to end with bitterly cold subzero weather in the Black Hills.  Nothing was going to happen these last few days here at home.  So, did Loopster want to go to Colorado?

Cousin Dusty comes to visit the Black Hills every so often, so Lupe’s ears pricked up at the mention of Dusty’s name.  Loop hadn’t been to Colorado, though, for a very long time – not since November, 2015.  She could scarcely remember the Cowboy room at Dusty’s house, other than a vague sense that it had been a great place to stay.  There hadn’t been any babies around back then, but Lupe had climbed a couple of choice Colorado county high points.  That had been fun!

Babies in Colorado, with the possibility of an outdoor adventure or two?  Or stay home and spend the rest of the year laying on the living room rug staring bored-to-tears out the window at a subzero polar display?  Hah!  Lupe knew the answer to that one!

The novel adventure began on the frosty morning of 12-28-17 (6:58 AM, 16°F) when Lupe left home in the G6 comfortably riding shotgun atop her usual pile of pillows and blankets.  A Dingo Vacation in the winter was something completely unheard of up until now.  Lupe had great expectations!

At first those expectations were disappointed.  Hwy 471 S of Edgemont was snow-packed and slippery.  The day hadn’t warmed up a bit.  SPHP cancelled two possible short peakbagging breaks in the Nebraska panhandle, deciding to stay on main Hwy 18 which was clear to Mule Creek Junction in Wyoming.  No consideration was given to any other significant breaks the rest of the way.

Lupe arrived at cousin Dusty’s house in Arvada before mid-afternoon (2:06 PM, 39°F).  Dusty and Andrea were both home and answered the door.  Lupe dashed right in all excited to see them!  After the initial excitement, Loop sniffed around for a few minutes.  Yes, it was all coming back to her now.  The Carolina Dog did remember this place!

A lot of pent-up canine energy needed to be released.  Dusty, Andrea, Lupe and SPHP set out on a favorite walk around the 100 acre field out in back of Dusty’s house.

Andrea, Dusty & Lupe in the 100 acre field behind Dusty’s house. Photo looks W.
Cousin Dusty was sure surprised when Lupe showed up!

Cousin Dusty loves to fetch sticks.  The bigger the stick, the better.  She ran ahead of Andrea and SPHP looking for sticks to drop in their path, hoping to entice them to throw them for her.  Dusty would then zoom away after the stick, often catching it on the first bounce after a good throw.

Dusty waits for Andrea or SPHP to toss the stick she has carefully positioned out in front of her. Photo looks N.

Lupe never shows the slightest interest in chasing Dusty’s sticks.  Instead, she loves to act as defense on the stick’s behalf.  As soon as the stick gets tossed, she focuses entirely on barking and trying to herd Dusty.  While Lupe ignores the stick, Dusty ignores Lupe.  It’s a game they rarely tire of.

Dusty awaits the tossing of the stick, while Lupe awaits the opportunity to herd Dusty.

When the journey around the 100 acre field was over, Lupe was quick to reclaim the Cowboy room back at Dusty’s house.  Even though they like to spend time in the wilderness, American Dingoes are big fans of luxury, too!

Lupe was quick to claim her spot in the Cowboy room at Dusty’s house, where she would stay the next 3 nights. American Dingoes love luxury in addition to the outdoors!

As sunset approached, Lupe, Dusty and SPHP took one more trip around the 100 acre field.  There was more Dingo excitement when Joe came home after work.  After dinner, Joe, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP went on a long evening walk on the bike path near Ralston Creek.  Lupe went all the way past Jungle and Utah bridges.

The next day, Joe and Andrea had to work.  Dusty and Lupe went on dawn patrol with SPHP around the 100 acre field to get the day off to a good start.  Lupe and SPHP then drove down to Matt, Cassie and Owen’s house in Parker, arriving late in the morning.

Babies Owen (6 months) and Felix (9 months) were up looking bright-eyed and happy, but the adults were about shot.  The plane Steve, Xochitl and Felix had taken last evening had been hours late, arriving in Denver after midnight.  Felix had then proceeded to cry and scream until 3:30 AM.  A bleary-eyed Xochitl was up, and so was Matt.  Matt was probably exhausted, too, but he is always so calm natured, it was hard to tell.  Cassie and Steve were both asleep.

Lupe with Felix. Lupe isn’t used to being around children much, especially infants. She sometimes eyed Felix suspiciously as he crawled toward her. Perhaps it was because Felix liked to whack her face, his way of petting her.

The afternoon was spent watching, feeding, and playing with Felix and Owen.  Lupe also played with Matt and Cassie’s dog, Maya.  She went on a neighborhood walk with Matt, Maya and SPHP.  Cassie eventually appeared, long before Steve finally regained consciousness at 3:45 PM.  By then, Felix was taking a nap.

Steve, Xochitl, Matt, Cassie and Owen all went out for sushi around dinnertime.  Lupe and SPHP stayed at the house with Felix.  Felix is known for not sleeping much, so he was expected to wake up at any moment.  Instead he was still snoozing when everyone returned from the restaurant at 9 PM.  Lupe and SPHP then headed back to the Cowboy room at Dusty’s house in Arvada.

Saturday morning was Lupe’s one chance on this short Dingo Vacation for an adventure in the Colorado front range foothills.  Joe, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP headed for the lower E trailhead at White Ranch Park, which was only 10 minutes from Dusty’s house.

Joe, Dusty & Lupe about to set out on the Belcher Hill trail from the lower E trailhead at White Ranch Park.

It was a chilly 14°F when Lupe and her pack set out on the Belcher Hill trail.  The trees and fields were frosty, wisps of fog and low clouds hung in the air, but the sky overhead was blue.  The trail lost a bit of elevation on the way N to a low spot, then started climbing gradually as it followed the dry Van Bibber creek drainage NW.

Joe leads the way on the brief initial drop down to Van Bibber creek (where the frosty trees are). The creekbed was dry down here, but contained a little flowing water higher up. Photo looks NNW.
Joe, Dusty & Lupe near the start of the climb. Photo looks NW.

The Belcher Hill trail starts out on an easement across private property that leads to the rest of White Ranch Park.  At first there were homes not far from the trail.  It wasn’t long before Lupe had gained enough elevation to be looking down on several Colorado shacks.

As shacks go, they were really quite nice.  No doubt one can be had for only a few million dollars.  Lupe liked the looks of them, and asked SPHP’s opinion.  SPHP liked them too, but sadly checked pocket change and came up rather short.

Looking down on several Colorado foothills shacks from the Belcher Hill trail. Photo looks NNE.

After 1.1 mile, Lupe reached a junction with the Whippletree trail.  She stayed on the Belcher Hill trail, which turned SW here.  By now it was clear that a huge expanse of cold air E of the foothills was capped with a layer of low clouds.  The city of Denver and all its surrounding suburbs were hidden from view.  Lupe could see the top of  North Table Mountain (6,570 ft.) off to the SE floating barely above the clouds.

The flat top of North Table Mountain could be seen floating like an island above low clouds. Photo looks SE.
Joe and Dusty on the Belcher Hill trail a little beyond the junction with the Whippletree trail. Photo looks NE.

Shortly after bypassing the Whippletree trail, the effects of a powerful inversion became evident.  The temperature started changing rapidly, sometimes quite noticeably within only a few feet.  Overall it was getting a lot warmer out, but Lupe came to pockets of cold air, too.

Joe, Dusty & Lupe nearing the end of the Belcher Hill trail portion of the hike. It was already a lot warmer out, mostly due to a powerful inversion. Joe & SPHP were soon shedding layers. Photo looks SW.

The Belcher Hill trail steepened, and made a switchback shortly before coming to another junction, this time with the Longhorn Trail.

North Table Mountain again from the Belcher Hill Trail. The low clouds were just starting to clear out, moving slowly off to the E. Photo looks SE.
Lupe still along the Belcher Hill trail. She had started out near the frosty trees seen way down in the valley below. Photo looks SE.
Joe and Dusty pause for a look around near the end of the Belcher Hill trail section of the hike. Photo looks W.

At an intersection 1.8 miles from the E trailhead where Lupe had started, Joe and Dusty led the way onto the Longhorn Trail.

Lupe at the intersection of the Belcher Hill and Longhorn trails 1.8 miles from the trailhead. Joe & Dusty are already leading the way on the Longhorn Trail. Photo looks NE.
As clouds moved off to the E, it became possible to get a good look at Ralston Reservoir (R). Photo looks NE from the Longhorn Trail.
Ralston Reservoir (L) from rocks near the Longhorn Trail. Photo looks NE.
Another look at Ralston Reservoir from some different rocks. Photo looks NE.

After a short steep section, the Longhorn trail leveled out and became more of an up and down affair as it headed N.  After 0.4 mile, a junction with the Shorthorn trail was reached.  A longer loop could be made by taking the Shorthorn trail.  It was such a nice warm day this high up due to the temperature inversion, longer was definitely the better choice.  Everyone hit the Shorthorn trail.

The Shorthorn trail gained a bit more elevation, but only gradually with both up and down stretches along the way.  At first it headed NW.  This was a unique part of the hike, because the trail went through a shady forest of large pines.  Later on the trail turned NE, and wound around a series of ravines on much more exposed sunny slopes.

Joe and Dusty on the Shorthorn trail. Photo looks NE.
Dusty on the Shorthorn trail. Photo looks E.
Cousin Dusty again. North Table Mountain is seen on the R, still partially hidden by clouds. Photo looks SE.
North Table Mountain from the Shorthorn trail in White Ranch Park. Photo looks SE.

A 1.1 mile trek on the Shorthorn trail led to a different point on the Longhorn trail.  Shortly after reaching this junction, Joe discovered he had forgotten his walking stick about 0.33 mile back while shedding layers due to the near 60°F temperatures.  Everyone doubled back to retrieve it.

Joe, Dusty & Lupe near a second junction of the Shorthorn & Longhorn trails. Photo looks SE.
Heading back on the Shorthorn trail to retrieve Joe’s walking stick. Photo looks SW.

The walking stick successfully retrieved, it was back to the second junction of the Shorthorn and Longhorn trails.  A short hike up the Longhorn trail led to a tiny creek in a ravine.  At a big rock beside the little stream, it was time for a break.  Lupe and Dusty shared some Taste of the Wild.  Joe and SPHP had apples.  Dusty enjoyed polishing off the apple cores.

At the break rock near the tiny stream along the Longhorn trail.

After the break, it was time to head back down to the trailhead.  Joe and Dusty lead the way, using the Longhorn and Whippletree trails to complete a loop back to the Belcher Hill trail.  By the time Lupe arrived back at the trailhead, the air had warmed up some down here, but it was still only 30°F compared to near 60°F higher up.

Joe and Dusty lead the way down the Longhorn Trail on the way back to the trailhead.

The White Ranch Park adventure was over, but more good things were about to happen!  Joe, Andrea, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP were soon on the way back to Matt and Cassie’s house in Parker.  It was time for more fun with babies!  Owen was the only baby there at first.  Steve and Xochitl had taken Felix with them to visit friends.  Felix hadn’t woken up until 7 AM this morning, a recent personal record of 16 consecutive hours of sleep!

Knowing that SPHP was certain to sneak her some, Lupe was especially pleased at the news that Matt was going to smoke a huge chicken and ribs this afternoon!

Oh, boy! Smoked chicken and ribs! Let’s make this a tradition after every adventure! Whad’ya say SPHP?
Andrea with momentarily camera shy baby Owen.

Lupe had fun with Maya.  Eventually Steve, Xochitl and Felix showed up.  Mark did, too.  SPHP built towers with Owen’s blocks.  Felix had a good time knocking them down.

Lupe kept wanting to wrestle with Maya. Maya did a little bit, but finally retreated to her doggie bed for a respite from the over-active Dingo.
Felix eventually showed up at Matt & Cassie’s. Felix liked knocking down towers of blocks that SPHP built for that very purpose.
Adventures with baby Felix!

The big chicken and ribs took a long time to smoke.  Steve, Dusty, Maya, Lupe and SPHP took a walk at dusk.  Upon return, the smoked chicken and ribs were nearly ready.  The feast was soon served.  The smoked chicken and ribs were delicious!  Everyone had a great time!  A certain sly Dingo feasted on both chicken and ribs.

Felix & Mark.
Steve, Xochitl, Mark & Felix.

All too soon, it was time to head back to the Cowboy room in Arvada with Joe, Andrea and Dusty.  The next morning, Lupe left Dusty’s house after one last spin around the 100 acre field with Joe, Dusty and SPHP.  The trip to Arvada and Parker, Colorado had been a quick one, but a fun time!

By the time the sun set for the last time in 2017, Lupe was back in her Black Hills of South Dakota.  The G6 said it was 5 below zero when Lupe finally got home.  2018 was destined to get off to a frigid start.

In Wyoming on the way home on the last day of 2017. Photo looks W with the Laramie Range (R) seen faintly on the far horizon.
Looking S at I-25 from the rest stop near Orin, WY as 2017 draws to a close.

Related Links:

White Ranch Park trail map

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