Tunnel Mountain, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (8-1-17)

Days 1 & 2 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!

Even though the air was hazy and clouds hung over the Bighorns, approaching Buffalo, Wyoming SPHP stopped at a pullout along I-90 so Lupe could get out and stretch her legs.  With the haze, the view wasn’t nearly so good as it might have been, but Lupe was in great spirits!  It was the last day of July, and the first day of what was going to be her most stupendous Dingo Vacation of the entire summer of 2017.

Lupe was in great spirits even though the air was hazy as she passed by Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains. This last day of July was the very 1st day of her most stupendous Dingo Vacation of 2017! More than 6 weeks of non-stop fun and adventures was just beginning! Photo looks W.

Lupe’s day had started early, before 6:00 AM.  She’d had to take a bath, not her favorite thing.  Then she’d had to wait hours while SPHP packed the G6 and scurried around taking care of a seemingly endless list of last minute details.

Events started improving rapidly after that.  Getting Beggin’ Strips and breakfast on the deck overlooking the canyon at Grandma’s house had been fun.  A last minute check on things at home and Lupe was on her way!  (10:29 AM, 84°F)

Nearly this whole day would be spent on the road, but Loop didn’t mind that in the least.  Perched up even with the dash on her traditional pile of pillows and blankets, she was having a riot barking at cows, horses and anything else that struck her fancy as the G6 sped on by.

After a short stroll and as good a look at the Bighorn Range as conditions allowed, Lupe and SPHP were ready to hit the road again.  Before Lupe reached Billings, Montana, the temperature hit a high of 102°F.  Beastly!  Of course, Loopster rode in air-conditioned comfort, so it hardly mattered, except when SPHP stopped in Billings.  SPHP had to race into Albertson’s to buy fried chicken for dinner, then dash back out before the G6 became a Dingo oven.

NW of Billings, SPHP turned W on Hwy 12.  The long drive up the Musselshell River valley heading for the Little Belt Mountains was relaxing and delightful.  Near Harlowton, Lupe could see Crazy Peak (11,209 ft.), and it’s long SE ridge which she had been on with her mountaineering friend Jobe Wymore only 9 days ago at the tail end of her last Dingo Vacation.  The mountain was barely visible in a smoky haze, but SPHP was certain that was it.

Lupe reached King’s Hill Pass (7,393 ft.) on Hwy 89 in the Little Belt Mountains shortly before sunset (8:17 PM).  No time to lose!  Lupe and SPHP set out immediately, following the gravel road W up to the fire lookout tower and Showdown ski area on Porphyry Peak (8,192 ft.).

The sun had already sunk into a bank of clouds on the W horizon by the time Lupe and SPHP reached the summit.  It was pretty clear the sun wasn’t going to make a reappearance, and light was fading fast.  Conditions weren’t all that great for seeing anything anyway.  A smoky haze hung in the air here, too.  At least climbing the mountain had been good exercise after a long day in the G6.

While twilight lingered, Lupe and SPHP strolled around Porphyry Peak’s summit.

The sun had already sunk behind a bank of clouds on the W horizon by the time Lupe made it up to the Porphyry Peak fire lookout tower. Photo looks E.
An information plaque at the base of the lookout tower.
Lupe near the Showdown ski area facilities on Porphyry Peak. Photo looks NE.
Big Baldy Mountain (9,177 ft.) (R) is the highest point in the Little Belt Range in W central Montana. Porphyry Peak was the first mountain Lupe climbed on this Dingo Vacation. Big Baldy Mountain would eventually prove to be the last. Photo looks NE.

Before the light was completely gone, SPHP wanted to go at least partway up the fire lookout tower.  The tower wasn’t staffed at present.  In fact, not another soul was around anywhere on the mountain.  The access door to the observation deck was locked shut.

That was fine with the American Dingo.  While Loopster doesn’t mind clambering around on high mountains, she doesn’t care much for lookout towers.  From her perspective, there’s too much air between those big steps.  It’s not natural and just plain scary!  Lupe refused to go any farther up than the first flight of stairs.

Light of day fades away in the Little Belt Mountains. Photo looks WNW from partway up the Porphyry Peak fire lookout tower.
Nope, not coming any farther up than this, SPHP!

The last light of day faded away.  A half moon hung in the evening sky as Lupe and SPHP made the trek back down to King’s Hill Pass.

The next morning, Lupe was underway again as the sun peeped above the horizon.  This was another travel day, and at 11:00 AM the Carolina Dog crossed uneventfully into Canada at Sweet Grass.  Southern Canada looked drier than Lupe had ever seen it before.  The smoke of forest fires farther W filled the air even here.

By 3:00 PM Looper was in the huge metropolis of Calgary.  It was sunny when she arrived, though the sky was clouding up.  An hour later, as Lupe headed W on Trans-Canada Hwy 1 toward the Canadian Rockies, dark clouds dropped light rain showers.

Loop in Calgary, Canada enjoying the drive so far.

Lupe reached Banff at 5:00 PM.  It was August 1st, 3 years to the day since she’d last been in beloved Banff.  SPHP drove slowly down Banff Avenue, crossed the bridge over the beautiful Bow River, and parked near the tennis courts and picnic ground.

After spending most of the day in the G6, Looper was more than ready to get out.  Loop and SPHP went for a stroll down by the Bow River.

Lupe at the beautiful Bow River in Banff, Canada. It was 3 years to the day since Lupe had left Banff toward the end of her 2014 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies & Beartooths. The S end of Tunnel Mountain is on the L. Mount Rundle on the R. Photo looks ESE.

Being back in Banff was great!  Montana’s blistering summer heat and smoky air were a thing of the past.  Low clouds and cool mist hung over the mountains.  Lupe and SPHP strolled E along the S side of the Bow River.  When Loop got to the pedestrian footbridge over the river, she took it.

Crossing the Bow River. Photo looks WNW.

On the N side of the river, Lupe came to a posted map of Banff.  The map showed a trail leading up Tunnel Mountain E of town.  That was a great idea!  There was time enough to do that right now!  Lupe and SPHP kept going.  Soon the Carolina Dog was on the Tunnel Mountain trail.

This map of Banff posted on the N side of the Bow River shows the trail leading up to Tunnel Mountain E of town. That was a great idea! The trail wasn’t far away, and Loop still had plenty of time to climb the mountain this evening.
On the popular Tunnel Mountain trail in Banff. Even though it was cloudy and cool out, Lupe met plenty of people and dogs along the way.

The Tunnel Mountain trail is an easy climb and hugely popular.  Even though it was cloudy and cool out, Lupe met plenty of people and dogs.  Since it was getting to be dinnertime, most were on their way back down to Banff.

The views weren’t nearly as spectacular as they would have been on a clearer day, but Lupe did see the famous Banff Springs Hotel at the base of Sulphur Mountain (8,005 ft.), and the Banff Springs golf course at the base of Mount Rundle (9,675 ft.).

The famous Banff Springs Hotel from the Tunnel Mountain trail. Photo looks SSW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.
Mount Rundle (R) towers above the golf course and Bow River. Photo looks SE.

The absolute summit of Tunnel Mountain (5,551 ft.) was a rock formation surrounded by thick forest.  However, not far away was a sloping rock ledge with a great view of the town of Banff.  Lupe visited the summit first.  A large crowd of people, who turned out to be in town for an ergonomics convention, were occupying the ledge with the view.

Lupe reaches the summit of Tunnel Mountain. This was about it for views at the very top, even on a clear day.

While waiting for the ergonomics people to finish their sight-seeing, Lupe proved to be quite popular with them.  Many wanted to pet her, and SPHP heard quite a few tales of how much others were missing their dogs.  Lupe didn’t even know what ergonomics was, but she was getting a good impression of it.  She willingly submitted to being adored for however long the ergonomics people wanted to keep it up.

When the ergonomics people finally moved on, Loop was a little sad to see them go.  However, she could now get a good look at the beautiful town of Banff from Tunnel Mountain.  It was sort of a shame that it was so cloudy out.  The view would have been totally gorgeous on a sunny day.

After the ergonomics people left, Lupe got her chance to take a look at the town of Banff from the rock ledge near the top of Tunnel Mountain. Photo looks W up the Bow River valley.
Looking down on Banff with help from the telephoto lens.
Sulphur Mountain (8,005 ft.) is the ridge across the valley. Both a trail and a gondola go to the top of Sulphur Mountain, but Lupe has never been there. The Banff Springs Hotel is seen below near the center of this photo. Photo looks SSW.

August 1st, yet it was almost chilly up on Tunnel Mountain when the breeze came up!  Temperatures were only in the upper 50’s °F.  Lupe started back down the trail.  She was back in Banff before 8:00 PM.

Loop ready to set off back down to Banff on the well-worn Tunnel Mountain trail.
On the bank of the beautiful Bow River again after climbing Tunnel Mountain (Center). Photo looks E.

Lupe and SPHP enjoyed a late dinner.  It was dark out by the time SPHP asked Lupe if she wanted to go on the Pretty Puppy Parade.  The Pretty Puppy Parade?  Loop hadn’t done that in 3 years now.  Oh, yes, she did want to go on the Pretty Puppy Parade!  She had forgotten all about it until SPHP mentioned it.

Back on her 2013 & 2014 Dingo Vacations to the Canadian Rockies, Lupe had gone on the Pretty Puppy Parade virtually every night she’d been in Banff.  All it really amounted to was an evening walk among the throngs of tourists all up and down Banff Avenue, the main drag through town.  People had often commented on Lupe’s good demeanor and wanted to pet her.  She got to sniff with lots of other dogs on their own Pretty Puppy Parades, too.

Even though it was the heart of tourist season, the crowds on the streets of Banff had thinned out quite a bit.  The evening was cool and breezy, and Lupe had gotten a late start.  Some people did notice her, though, and she did get to sniff with a few other dogs.  Lupe went up and down both sides of Banff Avenue.

What Lupe really wanted to do was go shopping.  The restaurants and stores had their doors open, and Loopster wanted desperately to go in and have a look around.  It was all so intriguing and smelled so good!  Of course, she couldn’t.  The poor American Dingo had to settle for getting her photo taken with some of the big animals guarding shop entrances.

Lupe was pretty nervous about this scary Musk Ox guarding the entrance to one of the shops in Banff. SPHP had a hard time persuading her to stay put for a photo. She was worried she was about to be attacked from behind by that strange shaggy beast.
Bear, shmear! This bear wasn’t nearly so scary as that darn Musk Ox!

While SPHP sympathized with Lupe’s frustration at not being able to go exploring the shops in Banff, it wasn’t really necessary to feel too terribly sorry for her.  After all, she was at the very beginning of a long Dingo Vacation to lots of fabulous places, and was going to get to do loads of fun stuff other Dingoes only dream of.

I wish you had put a sign like that on me, SPHP! Let me know if that shaggy monster moves!

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Banff, Alberta, Canada (7-20-13)

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Porphyry Peak (7-30-16) & King’s Hill (7-31-16), Montana

Days 1 & 2 of Lupe’s Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation

Lupe was happy, oh so happy!  Loopster, it’s going to be a while yet, I need to finish loading everything in the G6.  You will be in the car all day.  Why don’t you come out, and run around a bit before we go?

Nothing doing!  Lupe knew good things were about to happen.  She had already jumped up into the G6 onto her comfy spot where she would be riding shotgun.  She wasn’t about to get out of the car and risk being left behind.  This Carolina Dog wasn’t taking any chances on missing out on her Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation, which SPHP kept telling her would be the best ever!

I'm staying right here, SPHP! Hurry and finish loading up. I can't wait for my Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation to begin! You've told me this is going to be the best one ever. Where are we going? Squirrel Mountain, I hope!
I’m staying right here, SPHP! Hurry and finish loading up. I can’t wait for my Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation to begin! You’ve told me this is going to be the best one ever. Where are we going? Squirrel Mountain, I hope!

At 10:06 AM, SPHP backed the G6 out of the driveway.  Lupe was on her way!

It was a very long way to where Lupe was going.  Most of today and tomorrow would be spent traveling.  Lupe didn’t mind.  She loves riding, looking out the window, and sniffing the air.  Mostly she watches for animals to bark at.  She was going to see plenty of them in the next two days.  Cows, horses, and occasionally sheep, deer or pronghorn antelope.

Lupe’s very satisfying barking frenzy began long before her Black Hills of South Dakota disappeared in the rear view mirror.  It continued for hours across the high rolling plains and pine-covered ridges of SE Montana.  W of Lame Deer, Montana the temperature hit 100°F.  By then, Lupe was barking in air-conditioned comfort.

The miles rolled by.  It was an easy, relaxing drive on lightly traveled highways.  SPHP grinned at Lupe.  You know, Loop, things might never get any better than they are right now.  We are free as birds, and have your whole Dingo Vacation ahead of us!

Well, actually they could be a little better, SPHP!

What do you mean?

Did you bring any water?  My barker is dry!

Oh, sorry!  So, you’re one parched puppy, aye?  Small wonder.  Hang on a sec.  Here you go.  Lupe slurped up an entire bowl of water and requested a refill, which she also drained in short order.  Better?

Much!  Thank you!  Lupe returned to vigilance.  More cows could appear at any moment.  If not, haystacks, barns or suspicious-looking outbuildings would do, too.  The G6 was a noisy place.

At 6:30 PM, SPHP parked the G6 at King’s Hill Pass on Hwy 89 in the Little Belt Mountains of central Montana.  That’s enough driving for today, Loop.  We’ll stay here tonight.  Remember this place?  You were here a couple of years ago.  How about climbing Porphyry Peak (8,192 ft.) again to stretch our legs?

By now, Lupe was very ready to get out of the G6, eager to go exploring for a while.  A dirt road left King’s Hill Pass heading W for Porphyry Peak.  It wound around a bit, but went all the way to the summit.  By the time Lupe reached the ranger tower on top of the mountain, she had gone at least 1.5 miles along the road, and gained nearly 800 feet of elevation.

No one else seemed to be around.

Lupe near the base of the ranger tower on Porphyry Peak.
Lupe near the base of the ranger tower on Porphyry Peak.
Photo looks ESE.

Without climbing the ranger tower, the best views from Porphyry Peak are from the E end of the large, flat summit area over by the Showdown ski resort facilities.  Lupe and SPHP headed over there for a look.

Big Baldy Mountain (9,177 ft.) (L) and Yogo Peak (8,801 ft.) (R) from Porphyry Peak. Photo looks NE.
Big Baldy Mountain (9,177 ft.) (L) and Yogo Peak (8,801 ft.) (R) from Porphyry Peak. Photo looks NE.
SPHP believes this is Big Baldy Mountain, the highest peak of the Little Belt Mountain Range in Montana. Photo looks NE using the telephoto lens.
SPHP believes this is Big Baldy Mountain, the highest peak of the Little Belt Mountain Range in Montana. Photo looks NE using the telephoto lens.
Lupe was a little nervous up on the Showdown ski resort chairlift on Porphyry Peak. She wasn't ready to take up skiing yet, which was just as well, since there wasn't any snow at the end of July.
Lupe was a little nervous up on the Showdown ski resort chairlift on Porphyry Peak. She wasn’t ready to take up skiing yet, which was just as well, since there wasn’t any snow at the end of July.

After taking a look at the views from the Showdown ski area, Lupe and SPHP wandered back over toward the ranger tower again.  The hatch door to the observation deck at the top was closed, but Lupe could still go partway up to check out the views.  SPHP started up the stairs.  Lupe came along behind, but she wasn’t so sure this was a good idea.

Upon returning to the ranger tower, SPHP noticed this Porphyry Peak benchmark nearby. Photo looks, uh, down.
Upon returning to the ranger tower, SPHP noticed this Porphyry Peak benchmark nearby. Photo looks, uh, down.
Although Lupe is used to climbing mountains, the ranger tower seemed somewhat scary. She was rather reluctant going up the stairs due to the unprotected openings between them.
Although Lupe is used to climbing mountains, the ranger tower seemed somewhat scary. She was rather reluctant going up the stairs due to the unprotected openings between them.

Even from only partway up the ranger tower, it was possible to see mountains to the W that weren’t visible from ground level due to the forest.  SPHP thought it might be nice to get a sunset photo from up here, but the sun wasn’t going to set for a while yet.

It had turned out that Lupe and SPHP weren’t alone on Porphyry Peak.  Over by the Showdown ski area there had been a parked vehicle.  Someone had been busy rearranging gear in it.  Lupe and SPHP had time to go over there to see who it was, which is how Lupe met Cooper from Sacramento, CA.

Lupe with Cooper from Sacramento, CA at the Showdown ski resort. Cooper had recently graduated from high school and was off on long adventures of his own now.
Lupe with Cooper from Sacramento, CA at the Showdown ski resort. Cooper had recently graduated from high school and was off on long adventures of his own now.

Cooper had graduated from high school 2 months ago, and since then had been off exploring the American West on his own.  He had a beautiful camera and hopes of becoming a “digital nomad”, turning photography into a profession.

Cooper had another month of exploring ahead of him before flying to Hawaii to work on a farm for room and board for 3 months.  After that, he intended to find work on a ship.  Basically, he was taking a year off for various adventures before starting college.  Lupe and SPHP were both impressed.

By the time Lupe and SPHP had heard Cooper’s story, the sun was getting near the horizon.  Cooper also wanted to get some photos from the ranger tower.  Lupe, Cooper and SPHP all went over to the ranger tower together.  This time, Lupe felt braver.  She climbed a long way up the tower steps.

Lupe felt braver and climbed much higher up the steps of the Porphyry Peak ranger tower the 2nd time around.
Lupe felt braver and climbed much higher up the steps of the Porphyry Peak ranger tower the 2nd time around.
Sunset from the Porphyry Peak ranger tower, 7-30-16.
Sunset from the Porphyry Peak ranger tower, 7-30-16.

After the sun sank below the horizon, Lupe and SPHP bid Cooper good-bye and good luck.  Lupe took a shortcut down one of the ski runs to get to the road back to King’s Hill Pass.  By the time she reached the G6, the light was fading.  Day 1 of her 2016 Dingo Vacation was over.  It had been a good, promising start.  Lupe had Alpo for dinner, then settled down on her soft perch for the night.

Early the next morning, Lupe was totally energized and ready for many more long hours of enthusiastic barking.  The sun wasn’t even up yet (5:33 AM).  Let’s climb King’s Hill before we leave, Loop.  You look ready for a romp!  Burning off a little of that American Dingo energy now wouldn’t hurt a thing.

No argument there!  A trek up King’s Hill (8,008 ft.) sounded like an even better way to start the day to Lupe than barking at cows.  She burst out of the G6 as soon as the door was open, and dashed into the woods.  On the prowl and sniffing excitedly, she wound around racing between the trees.

SPHP followed Lupe into the forest, and quickly came upon USFS Road No. 487, which headed S angling up the W slope of King’s Hill.  The road curved around to the E as it reached the open ground near the top of the hill.  At a 3-way intersection, Lupe and SPHP turned N on USFS Road No. 251 (Dry Wolf Road).

SPHP didn’t stay on the road much farther.  Lupe was running around up on the open ground leading to the summit.  A cool W wind was making things a bit chilly up here, but the sun would be up in minutes.  Lupe reached the summit of King’s Hill, marked by a survey benchmark near the N end, about the time the sun peeped up over the horizon.

Sunrise from King's Hill, 7-31-16.
Sunrise from King’s Hill, 7-31-16.
Lupe reached the summit of King's Hill just as the sun peeped up above the horizon. A chilly W breeze was blowing.
Lupe reached the summit of King’s Hill just as the sun peeped up above the horizon. A chilly W breeze was blowing.
The survey benchmark at the summit.
The survey benchmark at the summit.
Porphyry Peak from King's Hill. The Showdown ski runs are in view. Photo looks W.
Porphyry Peak from King’s Hill. The Showdown ski runs are in view. Photo looks W.

It was going to be a beautiful day in the Little Belt Mountains, but Lupe couldn’t linger up on King’s Hill for very long.  She had many miles to go.  A power line goes NW back down to Hwy 89 from near the summit.  Lupe and SPHP took this steeper shortcut to return to the G6 (7:09 AM).

Lupe had many miles to go, so she couldn't stay up on King's Hill very long. She took this shortcut under the power line back down to King's Hill Pass and the G6. Photo looks NW.
Lupe had many miles to go, so she couldn’t stay up on King’s Hill very long. She took this shortcut under the power line back down to King’s Hill Pass and the G6. Photo looks NW.

As Lupe resumed her journey, there wasn’t too much for her to bark at for a little while.  The Little Belt Mountains were mostly forested, so there weren’t many cows or horses.

Hwy 89 lost elevation steadily for miles N of King’s Hill Pass.  When the highway was about out of the mountains, SPHP stopped at the Al Buck Memorial Park.  Time to let Lupe run off a little more steam!  Lupe was quick to take advantage of the opportunity.

Lupe visited Isaac Walton Spring where a tiny waterfall poured right out of the hill beside the park.  She waded in the cool water and had a nice drink.  She found a chipmunk to bark at in one of the trees in the park.  She went across Hwy 89, and took a look at scenic Belt Creek.

Lupe cools her paws off near the tiny waterfall created by Isaac Walton Spring at Al Buck Memorial Park along Hwy 89.
Belt Creek, MT. Photo looks SSW.
Belt Creek, MT. Photo looks SSW.

Lupe enjoyed a few more short breaks out of the G6 during the day, but once out of the mountains, Day 2 was mostly another Carolina Dog barkfest.  Shortly before noon, Lupe crossed the border into Canada.  Yesterday’s 100°F heat in Montana was long gone.  The high in Canada was only in the low 60’s °F.  The rest of Lupe’s summer was going to be cool and comfortable!

NW of Lethbridge, there were big clouds and scattered rainstorms, even a short stretch of small hail.  It had been nearly 2 years since Lupe was last in Canada, and it was good to be back.  Off to the W, the Canadian Rockies were beckoning Lupe to come and play!

By early evening, Lupe was entering the gorgeous Canadian Rockies.  She got to stop and take the Many Springs Trail in Bow Valley Provincial Park.  The Many Springs Trail was super easy, with little elevation change as it went around a big pond in a wetlands area that looked like prime wildlife habitat.

Lupe on a footbridge along the Many Springs Trail in Bow Valley Provincial Park, Alberta. The trail featured wetlands and views of Yamnuska (7,349 ft.).
Lupe on a footbridge along the Many Springs Trail in Bow Valley Provincial Park, Alberta. The trail featured wetlands and views of Yamnuska (7,349 ft.).

Maybe there was dangerous wildlife out there!?  About 2/3 of the way around the pond, a boardwalk served as the trail where it went right along the edge of the pond.  Something spooked Lupe just as she reached the boardwalk.  She absolutely refused to go on the boardwalk to complete the loop.  The American Dingo insisted on going back the way she had come rather than set one paw on that frightening 6″ high boardwalk.

Oh, well.  That was fine.  Lupe and SPHP returned to the G6.  Exploring a couple of winding roads revealed a lovely picnic area along the Bow River.  Lupe wasn’t too hungry yet, but she sniffed around part of the time while SPHP dined.

The first long leg of Lupe’s journey was complete.  Lupe’s two day Barkfest was over.  Tomorrow Lupe would be climbing and playing in the spectacular Canadian Rockies.

Lupe along the Bow River in Bow Valley Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada.

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Porphyry Peak (8-1-14) & King’s Hill (8-2-14), Montana

Lupe did her Pretty Puppy Parade one last time up and down both sides of Banff Avenue on the evening of July 31, 2014.  The Pretty Puppy Parade is really just an evening stroll on a leash through the crowds of tourists in beautiful downtown Banff, Canada.  Lupe often draws the attention of some people in the crowd, and gets to sniff with other doggies too.  During Lupe’s 2013 and 2014 visits to the Canadian Rockies, the Banff Pretty Puppy Parade has grown to be an evening tradition.

Sometimes SPHP feels kind of bad about the Pretty Puppy Parade.  Lupe often wants to go into the various interesting and exciting stores and restaurants that have their doors open to the street.  Lupe looks happily and expectantly at the open doorways and back at SPHP.  Clearly she is expecting and hoping SPHP is really going to take her shopping or dining out!  Of course, SPHP always has to disappoint her and tell Lupe she can’t go inside.  It’s a hard thing to do to the beloved dingo when she has such a big excited grin and believes you can make all good things happen for her.

The next morning was August 1st.  Lupe and SPHP woke up at 6 AM still in Banff.  It was time to leave.  Lupe’s annual Canadian National Parks Pass, which SPHP had purchased in July, 2013, had expired at midnight.  Lupe and SPHP immediately left Banff National Park heading E on Hwy 1 towards Calgary.  After messing up the route through Calgary, SPHP finally got the G6 heading S on Hwy 2.  It was a beautiful day and everything was fine.  Naturally, SPHP had to change something.

Desiring a less busy highway, SPHP turned E at High River on Hwy 23.  For 10 or 12 miles, things were still fine.  Then the left front tire on the G6 suddenly deflated.  Totally flat in seconds.  SPHP was changing the tire when a friendly Canadian in a big pickup truck stopped and offered to help.  The little toy spare tire that came with the G6 was soon on and the friendly Canadian left.

The G6 didn’t like the little toy spare tire.  The low traction light came on and the G6 didn’t drive well at all.  SPHP stopped for a look.  The little toy spare tire hadn’t been used or aired up in years.  It was also nearly flat.  Not a good thing.  However, nearly flat was not the same as totally flat.  SPHP got back in the G6.  For some inexplicable reason it now drove better.  The low traction light did not come on again.  With the flashers on, SPHP drove on the paved shoulder at speeds between 40 and 45 mph.

Lupe and SPHP eventually made it to the little town of Vulcan, Canada on Hwy 24.  Fountain Tire was the only tire store in all of Vulcan.  They had only one tire that would fit the G6 in stock.  Someone had ordered it and then decided against purchasing it.  Maybe it was the $260.00+ price Fountain Tire wanted for it.  SPHP could have bought at least 2 tires for the G6 for that price back home in the U.S.  Faced with such an outrageous price, SPHP immediately summoned all negotiating skills.  “I’ll take it.” said SPHP.  Fountain Tire threw in a free tire rotation and Lupe was soon on her way again.

By 7:30 PM, Lupe was back in the states at King’s Hill Pass in the Little Belt Mountains of Montana where Lupe had spent the first night of this vacation on July 15th.  Back then everything had been wet and lush.  Now things were still green, but everything was dry.  The temperature was thankfully only 66 °F.  Earlier in Great Falls, the G6 was registering 96 °F.  Lupe and SPHP went up to the top of Porphyry Peak (8,192 ft.) again.  This time Lupe even climbed up the ranger tower as far as she could go, although the top platform couldn’t be reached since the hatch was locked.

Lupe on top of King's Hill in the Little Belt Mountains of Montana on the morning of 8-2-14. Porphyry Peak where the Showdown Montana ski resort is located is seen in the distance.
Lupe on top of King’s Hill in the Little Belt Mountains of Montana on the morning of 8-2-14. Porphyry Peak where the Showdown Montana ski resort is located is seen in the distance.

From Porphyry Peak, SPHP studied King’s Hill (8,008 ft.) to the E just across Hwy 89.  SPHP concluded there were at least two ways to get up there without much trouble.  The next morning, August 2nd, Lupe and SPHP followed a road around the S end of King’s Hill on up to the top.  It was a beautiful morning.  Even though Lupe had left the wonderful Canadian Rockies behind, there was still fun ahead.  Dingo Vacation 2015 wasn’t over yet.

Lupe on King's Hill, Montana 8-2-14. Photo is looking S.
Lupe on King’s Hill, Montana 8-2-14. Photo is looking S.

Lupe and SPHP took a shortcut down the N slope of King’s Hill under a big power line.  Then they hopped in the G6 and took off for Beartooth Pass and the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River.  New dingo adventures lay ahead!

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Warren Peaks, WY (7-15-14) & Porphyry Peak, MT (7-16-14)

SPHP came to at 6:15 AM on July 15, 2014.  A very late beginning for Lupe’s 2014 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies!  Despite the occasion, SPHP just felt lazy and spent another half an hour summoning the energy to roll out of bed.  In truth, SPHP felt somewhat unprepared.  Other than go to the Canadian Rockies, SPHP really didn’t have any specific idea what was going to happen over the next few weeks.  Unlike SPHP, Lupe was bright-eyed, expectant and ready for action!

Lupe waits in the G6 for SPHP to get a move on! Dingo vacations are supposed to get off to an early start!
Lupe getting bored waiting in the G6 for SPHP to get a move on! Dingo vacations are supposed to get off to an early start!

The house and yard were in as good shape as they were going to be, and the G6 was half packed the previous evening.  At 8:00 AM, Lupe got her heartworm medicine.  At 9:40 AM the G6 was finally rolling out of the driveway.  It was hazy out and a rather cool day for mid-July.  Lupe and SPHP headed W on I-90.  All day it felt like weather was building up farther to the W where Lupe was going.

Now we're talking! Lupe arrives at the lookout tower on Warren Peaks.
Now we’re talking! Lupe arrives at the lookout tower on Warren Peaks.

Lupe’s first stop was a little side trip up to Warren Peaks (6,650 ft.) in the Bear Lodge mountains in NE Wyoming.  Warren Peaks became Lupe’s first peakbagging success of her 2014 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies & Beartooths.  It didn’t seem like much of an achievement, since a road goes all the way up to the lookout tower and SPHP just drove the G6 up there.  Still, the view was pretty, and just being up there further lifted SPHP’s rising enthusiasm for the glorious days ahead that were now just beginning.

Lupe's first peakbagging success of her 2014 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies and Beartooths was Warren Peaks in NE, Wyoming.
Lupe’s first peakbagging success of her 2014 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies and Beartooths was Warren Peaks in NE, Wyoming.
View to the SSW of Warren Peaks in the Bear Lodge Mountains of NE Wyoming.
View to the SSW of Warren Peaks in the Bear Lodge Mountains of NE Wyoming.

It had only been 62°F at Warren Peaks at 11:35 AM, but it was 81°F by the time Lupe reached the Powder River two hours later.  Things cooled off again just E of the Bighorn Mountains where Lupe encountered the first rain shower of the day.  The rain was harder and steadier in Montana.  At Billings, MT, SPHP was glad to leave I-90 and all its road construction.  Lupe headed N on Hwy 3 to Lavina and turned W on Hwy 12 following the Musselshell River.

W of Harlowton, Hwy 12 goes up into the Little Belt Mountains.  Neither Lupe nor SPHP had ever been to the Little Belts before.  Lupe saw lots of pretty country on this day’s drive, but other than the glorious Bighorn Mountains which Lupe didn’t enter, the Little Belt Mountains were the best.  The Little Belts were gently rolling and forested with meadows in the valleys.  They were quite beautiful and sparsely populated.  Lupe and SPHP turned N on Hwy 89 just N of White Sulphur Springs, and went as far as a big parking pullout up at King’s Hill Pass (7,393 ft. elevation).

By the time Lupe reached King’s Hill Pass, the sun was close to setting.  SPHP parked the G6.  For 45 minutes Lupe got to romp around in the wet woods while SPHP explored a bit too.  It felt good to be out of the G6 and moving, but with all the clouds around, darkness started coming on fast.  Soon after retiring to the G6 for the night, rain and fog rolled in.

By morning on July 16th, the skies were clear.  The first order of business was for Lupe to climb Porphyry Peak (8,192 ft.), which was a couple of miles W of Hwy 89 at King’s Hill Pass according to the map.  Lupe and SPHP started up a road that skirted the S side of the King’s Hill Campground.  Lupe dashed around in and out of the wet forest, very pleased with the way this day was starting out.  Soon she was a very soggy doggie, but it didn’t bother her in the least.

Soggy doggie Lupe up on Porphyry Peak on the morning of 7-16-14
Soggy doggie Lupe up on Porphyry Peak on the morning of 7-16-14.  Porphyry Peak was Lupe’s 2nd peakbagging success of this American dingo vacation.

The road wound around all the way up to the summit of Porphyry Peak where there was a lookout tower plus a couple of ski lifts and a few other facilities connected with the Showdown Montana Ski area.  A sign at the bottom of the lookout tower said to shout for permission to climb the tower.  SPHP shouted, but there was no answer.  The tower went unclimbed by Lupe and SPHP.  The views were pretty nice even without climbing the lookout tower.  After wandering around the top of the mountain by the ski lifts where the views were best, Lupe and SPHP headed back down to the G6.

The ranger tower on Porphyry Peak, MT
The ranger tower on Porphyry Peak, MT
Lupe on Porphyry Peak where the Showdown Montana ski area is located.
Lupe on Porphyry Peak where the Showdown Montana ski area is located.

From King’s Hill Pass, Hwy 89 lost elevation for many miles.  It was a pretty drive, and SPHP was convinced the Little Belt Mountains are the most scenic route through this part of Montana.  Near the bottom of the range was a picnic area close to a little creek.  SPHP stopped there long enough for Lupe to sniff around a bit and get a drink.  Then it was back in the G6 and onward to Great Falls, MT.

The Little Belt Mountains in Montana looking NNE from Porphyry Peak.
The Little Belt Mountains in Montana looking NNE from Porphyry Peak.
The wet, green forest on Porphyry Peak.
The wet, green forest on Porphyry Peak.

W of Great Falls, the air was no longer clear and clean.  The mountains farther W were in a haze, which eventually proved to be smoke.  SPHP stayed on Hwy 89 all the way through Choteau and Browning to St. Mary just E of Glacier National Park.  It was all new territory to both Lupe and SPHP.  Lupe happily barked at cows and horses along the way.  In Choteau was a pretty neat statue of a dinosaur.  Later on, SPHP regretted not stopping there to get a picture of Lupe next to the dinosaur.

A soggy Lupe in the G6 ready to leave Porphyry Peak, MT for more dingo adventures in Canada.
A soggy Lupe in the G6 ready to leave King’s Hill Pass, MT for more dingo adventures in Canada.

From St. Mary, SPHP took Hwy 2 N to Hwy 12, which led Lupe to the Canadian border.  At the drive up window, there was no one else in line to get into Canada.  SPHP presented a U.S. passport and the Canadian border agent asked a bunch of standard questions.

SPHP must have been somehow suspicious, or perhaps it was just a dull, boring day on the border.  SPHP was asked to park the G6 and go inside the main building while Lupe waited in the car.  There SPHP presented the exact same passport, different Canadian border patrol personnel asked the exact same questions, and SPHP gave the exact same answers.  Somehow this cleared up all difficulties or misunderstandings, whatever they may have been, and Lupe was free to proceed into beautiful Canada!  Her 2nd Canadian Rockies adventure was now truly underway!

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Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s 2014 Canadian Rockies & Beartooths Adventure IndexDingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.