Summit Peak & Mount Saint Paul, Stone Mountain Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada (8-4-17)

Day 5 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!

The sky was clear and bright, that pale arctic blue that promises rare adventure.  This was going to be a fantastic day!  Five days into her Dingo Vacation, Lupe was finally going to get to tackle her first major peakbagging objective.  She got a reasonably early start heading W on the Alaska Highway (6:41 AM, 50°F).  A sign said it was still 60 km to Summit Lake.

Summit Lake is situated at Summit Pass, the high point reached by the Alaska Highway as it goes through Stone Mountain Provincial Park in NE British Columbia.  There’s a campground and a picnic ground at the E end of the lake.  Lupe and SPHP had stopped there last year on the way through the park for the first time.

Lupe had been on her way home then at the tail end of her 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska.  She was out of time and couldn’t stay, but there had been new snow on the mountains, so conditions hadn’t been right anyway.  However, Stone Mountain Provincial Park had been an impressive, gorgeous surprise.  SPHP had left convinced that Lupe ought to come back some day.

Now, only 11 months later, the American Dingo was on her way.  She would arrive within the hour!

Suddenly, Lupe spotted a fox next to the Alaska Highway!  A skinny, somewhat strange looking fox of the far N.  The fox had tall, thin black legs, a gray and tan coat, and the most amazingly luxurious tail, ever.  SPHP slowed down hoping to get a picture.

Lupe had a conniption fit, barking hysterically.  Oddly enough, the little fox wasn’t fazed in the least.  It seemed to take Lupe’s hysteria as a friendly greeting from a fellow canine.  After SPHP got a photo, the fox trotted down the highway following the G6, staring hopefully at Lupe and SPHP as if it would like to hitch a ride, or wished Lupe would come out and play.

This strange, skinny northern fox seemed interested in making friends with a hysterical Dingo.

SPHP watched it in the mirrors for a few moments before accelerating away.  Best not to encourage the precious little fox to stay on the highway.  Besides, the decibel level in the G6 was totally out of control.

As it turned out, the fox wasn’t the only cause for hysteria.  Next came 3 caribou.  The caribou seemed to be licking something off the road.  Salt?  There was actually some traffic, but the caribou pretty much ignored it.  They were reluctant to move for vehicles, but warily kept their distance from the foaming-at-the-mouth Carolina Dog.

Lupe saw 3 caribou on her way to Stone Mountain Provincial Park. They couldn’t help but notice the deranged Dingo, too.
The caribou stayed busy purposely licking the highway. Maybe they were after salt? It was the only explanation SPHP could think of.
Although traffic had a hard time persuading the caribou to get out of the way, they were far more wary of Lupe.

As far as Lupe was concerned, the day was off to an exhilarating start!  She arrived at Summit Lake in great spirits.  SPHP parked at the picnic area next to the lake.  After a quick bite to eat, it would be peakbagging time!

Lupe arrives at Summit Lake in great spirits on a beautiful summer morning. The day had gotten off to an exhilarating start! Photo looks SW.

The Summit Peak trail starts right across the Alaska Highway from the campground and picnic area.  After a quick breakfast, SPHP moved the G6 to the roomy trailhead parking lot.  Only a couple of other vehicles were around.  Before Lupe hit the trail, SPHP took a look at information and maps posted nearby.  (9:04 AM, 61°F)

Information posted at the trailhead across the Alaska Highway from Summit Lake.
A closer look at the trail description.
This more general map of the Summit Lake area shows other nearby trails, too.

The posted description for the Summit Peak trail was vague and somewhat misleading about the significance of 3 stars shown on the trail map.  Only by comparing the posted information with what SPHP had brought along was SPHP certain what each star must represent.

The first star was only the first high point at the closest end of what could be considered Summit Peak’s long summit ridge.  It was both a false summit and a great viewpoint where apparently many people call it good and turn around.  The second star was the location of Summit Peak’s true summit.  The third star was the summit of Mount Saint Paul.  The trail description barely mentioned Mount Saint Paul, and made it sound as though the third star was the summit of Summit Peak.

As far as Lupe was concerned,  Summit Peak (6,611 ft.) was only her first objective.  SPHP really hoped the American Dingo would make it all the way to Mount Saint Paul (6,985 ft.).

The first section of the Summit Peak trail was short.  The trail climbed a bit, then emerged from the forest at an open level area where it passed by the end of a ridge on the L (W).  Once Lupe was past the ridge, the trail dropped into a shallow ravine where it crossed a creek before climbing an embankment on the opposite side to enter a conifer forest.

Lupe near the start of the Summit Peak trail in Stone Mountain Provincial Park in NE British Columbia. The trail leveled out here passing around the end of the ridge seen on the L. Part of Summit Peak is seen directly ahead. Photo looks N.
Crossing the little creek early on. This creek was the only water source on the way up Summit Peak.

Lupe climbed steeply through the forest until she reached the rim of the creek valley.  Here the trail nearly leveled out and made a sweeping curve around to the W along the rim of the valley.  Lupe was already high enough to have some beautiful views.  SPHP was particularly intrigued by a mountain off to the S, which looked easily climbable.

Once beyond the creek, the trail climbed steeply to the rim of the valley before nearly leveling out. Here the trail sweeps around to the W along the rim. The trail ultimately goes up the rocky ridge ahead on the way to Summit Peak. Photo looks N.
Lupe was already high enough to have some beautiful views. SPHP was particularly intrigued by the mountain on the L, which looked like something Lupe could easily climb. Photo looks S.

The pleasant trek along the rim of the creek valley didn’t last long.  Soon Lupe was above treeline at the lower end of Summit Peak’s S ridge.  The trail turned N here and headed up.

Looking NW up the creek valley from the base of Summit Peak’s steep S ridge. The trail turns NNE here to begin climbing up to the false summit at High Point 6,500 (1,981 m).

The S ridge became progressively more rocky.  The low vegetation began to disappear.  Looper came to various rock formations.  Sometimes there was a bit of scrambling involved, but nothing significant, scary or long.  The trail became less obvious, and began to fade away.  Sometimes Lupe followed cairns, though the general direction the route had to take was never in doubt.

SPHP paused frequently to catch breath.  The views were incredible!  The higher Lupe went, the more spectacular they became.

Early in the climb up the long, rocky S ridge. The true summit of Summit Peak is seen on the L. Photo looks NNE.
Lupe’s route up the S ridge would take her first to the false summit at High Point 6,500 (1,981 m) seen on the R. The true summit is in view on the L. Photo looks NNE.
Summit Lake from partway up the S ridge. The campground and picnic area are visible on the L. The mountain beyond the lake and slightly to the right of Lupe is Mount Saint George (7,402 ft.). Photo looks SSW.
Puppy ho! Onward and upward! Lupe (L) leads the way. By now vegetation was scarce. Still a ways to go, though. Photo looks N.
The upper end of the creek valley Lupe had crossed much farther down is at lower L. Summit Peak (6,611 ft.) is in shadow on the R. Mount Saint Paul (6,985 ft.) is the high ridge in sunlight on the L. Photo looks NW.
Lupe sometimes passed over rock formations like this one on the way up. Once in a while there was a bit of scrambling involved. Never anything scary or serious, however. Photo looks N.
Getting close to the SE end of Summit Peak’s long summit ridge. The true summit is on the far L.

After a long climb, Lupe finally reached the upper end of the S ridge.  She was now at the far SE end of Summit Peak’s long summit ridge.  This was already a glorious viewpoint, but a somewhat higher point was in view not too far off to the NW.  That was the false summit, High Point 6,500 (1981 m), which corresponded to the first star on the trail map that was posted back at the trailhead.  The mountain’s true summit could be seen beyond High Point 6,500, still some distance away.

After the long climb up the S ridge, Lupe arrived here, at the far SE end of Summit Peak’s long summit ridge. High Point 6,500 is near at hand on the R. Beyond it, appearing in shadow straight up from Lupe’s rump, is Summit Peak’s true summit. Mount Saint Paul is the high ridge on the L. Photo looks NW.
Same view with help from the telephoto lens. High Point 6,500 (1,981 m) is on the R. The true summit is in shadow at Center. Photo looks NW.

After a pause to take in the views, Lupe and SPHP continued on to High Point 6,500 (1,981 m).  Getting there was cake.  Lupe stood by a cairn at the top, which she had seen from a distance.  This was the location of the first star on the trail map, and the place where most hikers supposedly turn around according to the information back at the trailhead.

Looper stands by the cairn at High Point 6,500 (1,981 m). The far SE end of the long summit ridge, where Loop had just been, is seen a bit lower at Center. Photo looks SE.
Looking down the long S ridge Lupe had just come up from High Point 6500 (1,981 m). Summit Lake close to where she’d started out from is in view below. Much smaller Flower Springs Lake can also be seen well beyond Summit Lake. Photo looks SSW.

All the hard work was done!  The weather was perfect.  No way on earth were Lupe and SPHP going to turn around here!  The American Dingo headed for the true summit.

Turn around here? No way! A fun, glorious, easy ridge walk to the true summit lies just ahead! The American Dingo was going for it! Photo looks NW.

The stroll along the ridge leading to the summit was pure joy.  So easy, such stupendous beauty on all sides, conditions absolutely perfect, and the happy realization that no obstacle was going to prevent Lupe from attaining her peakbagging success!

Loopster reached the summit cairn to claim her first Stone Mountain Provincial Park summit.

Loopster at the true summit of Summit Peak (6,611 ft.). Mount Saint Paul in the background. Photo looks WNW.
Summit Lake from the top of Summit Peak. The lower end of the S ridge Loop had come up is seen at lower L. Photo looks SSW.
Looking SE back at High Point 6,500 (1,981 m) (L). Upper portions of the S ridge are seen on the R.

Getting to the top of Summit Peak had been quite a trek.  Lupe and SPHP took a lengthy break at the summit.

There was so much to look at and admire from up here!  Many fabulous mountains of the Muskwa Range were in view.  Some of the highest, most dramatic peaks were on the far W or SW horizon, sporting big snowfields and glaciers.  SPHP had no idea what the names of those mountains might be.  They were simply beautiful, remote, and mysterious.

There was no lack of wonderful sights close by, either.

On the far horizon, mostly toward the SW & W, Lupe saw many mysterious high mountains with snowfields and glaciers. Photo looks WNW(?) with help from the telephoto lens.
Looking W(?) with help from the telephoto lens. SPHP had no idea what the names of any of these beautiful peaks might be.
Looking WSW(?)
Mount Saint George (7,402 ft.) in sunlight (R). Summit Lake (lower L) and Flower Springs Lake beyond it. Photo looks SSW.
View to the ENE. The mountains were lower in this direction.
Lupe wandering a bit down the N slope, the cairn at the top of Summit Peak in view beyond her. Photo looks S.
Back at the cairn. Although the day had started out totally clear, puffy white clouds were building. They didn’t seem threatening yet. Photo looks S.
An American Dingo surveys Stone Mountain Provincial Park from Summit Peak. Photo looks SSW.
View to the N.
Lupe stands at the N end of the summit area. Beyond this point the mountain dropped off very sharply. Photo looks ENE.

After 45 minutes on Summit Peak, it was time to think about starting for Mount Saint Paul.  Lupe and SPHP were about to leave when Lupe spotted movement.  People were coming!  They would arrive momentarily.  Lupe and SPHP waited, and met Dave & Nancy Leckschas.

The Leckschas were from the Okanagan region.  They were on a 2 month vacation, with plans to go up the Dempster highway.  Dave said he had climbed Mount Saint George once, some 31 years ago.  Summit Peak now seemed more difficult than that had been.  Encouraging news, since Lupe and SPHP were hoping to climb Mount Saint George tomorrow!

Lupe meets Dave & Nancy Leckschas from the Okanagan region on Summit Peak. The Leckschas were on a 2 month vacation which would include a trip up the Dempster Highway. Dave and Nancy were the only people Lupe saw all day, other than a couple of girls who had turned back early on.

When SPHP mentioned that Lupe intended to go on to Mount Saint Paul from here, Dave said there were already two people up there.  Dave lent SPHP his field glasses, and sure enough, two people could be seen very close to Mount Saint Paul’s summit.

After a nice chat with Dave and Nancy, Lupe and SPHP headed out, leaving the Leckschas to enjoy the solitude they had no doubt expected to find on Summit Peak.

Referring to the rest of the route to Mount Saint Paul from Summit Peak, although not in a very clear manner, the information at the trailhead had said “After this viewpoint there are no more rock cairns or a visible trail but the peak can be reached by continuing on along the ridge of the mountain.”

Well, maybe, but that’s not exactly how SPHP would have worded it.  Looking toward Mount Saint Paul (6,985 ft.) Lupe could see the ridge the sign was referring to alright.  There was one teensy detail that had been left out.  Continuing on along the ridge meant dropping more than 1,000 feet (330 m) down an extraordinarily steep rocky slope to a saddle leading to the next part of the ridge.

Looking toward Mount Saint Paul (L), Lupe could see the ridge leading to it (R), but getting to that ridge meant dropping 1,000 feet down the very steep, rocky slope seen at lower R. Not to quibble, but it seemed to SPHP that this was a detail that might have been worth mentioning on the signage back at the trailhead. Photo looks NW.

At first, “continuing on along the ridge” going NW from Summit Peak looked like such a challenge that SPHP hesitated.  This route was way steeper than anything the Carolina Dog had faced on the way up.  However, there was no doubt this had to be the way.  If others had done it, Lupe could too.  Lupe started down.

“Continuing on along the ridgeline”, a simple matter of a 1,000 foot steep rocky descent to the saddle below (green area on L) before having to subsequently regain it all immediately climbing back up onto the next part of the ridge (seen ahead also on the L). No choice, though. If Lupe was ever going to get to Mount Saint Paul from Summit Peak, she had to do it. Photo looks NW.

For a while, Dave and Nancy could be seen waving encouragement from up on Summit Peak as SPHP slowly, cautiously trudged down the steep slope.  It was soon evident this was actually going to work, although SPHP was clearly destined to chew up a bunch of time on the descent.  Finally the terrain began to level out.  Lupe reached the saddle leading to the next part of the ridge.

After a lot of waiting around for SPHP, Lupe reaches the saddle leading to the next ridge. Photo looks ENE.

The weather was suddenly starting to become questionable.  Each cloud was now sprinkling rain as it sailed by.  While Lupe traversed the saddle, the rain showers intensified.  SPHP grudgingly called a halt to dig the plastic rain poncho out of the pack.

Putting on the rain poncho worked wonders.  Within 10 or 15 minutes the rain showers were kaput.  Nada.  No more the rest of the day.  No doubt failing to have put on the rain poncho would have caused a cloudburst.  Life can be like that.  Anyway, the rain poncho had done its job.  Back in the pack it went.  Lupe and SPHP began the process of regaining the 1,000 feet the American Dingo had just lost, and started up the next steep ridge.

Lupe just past the saddle area. Photo looks W up the valley leading to the base of Mount Saint Paul (L). Lupe needs to climb the lovely little ridge on the R to get there.
Looking back at Summit Peak (R) and the ridge Lupe followed down to the saddle seen below to get here. That whiner, SPHP! Doesn’t look bad at all from this angle! Photo looks SE.
Starting to get high again! Summit Peak on the L. The ridge going down from Summit Peak to the R toward the far end of the valley is NOT the same S ridge Lupe climbed. That ridge is out of sight beyond the one seen here. Anyone interested in climbing only Mount Saint Paul might do well to skip Summit Peak entirely, and come up the valley on the R. Photo looks SSE.

At first, the climb up onto the ridge beyond the saddle was steeper and more challenging than anything on the way up Summit Peak had been.  Part of the way, SPHP found some use of hands advisable, even necessary.  Lupe regained a lot of elevation before the situation improved.

The ridge beyond the saddle didn’t become an easy trek until Loop was back up even with Summit Peak again.  She was still gaining elevation from here, though, because this ridge went higher than Summit Peak.

On the way up. The first part of the climb up this ridge beyond the saddle was steeper and more challenging than the S ridge Lupe had climbed going up Summit Peak. It’s starting to get easier here. Photo looks NW.
Lupe (a tiny brown speck not far from the green patch on the R) up on the easier, more level part of the ridge. Mount Saint Paul is not pictured, still off to the L of this photo. Photo looks WNW.
In addition to grand views all around, there was beauty in miniature, too. The delicate, colorful tiny plants of the tundra are always fascinating.
Way up high again! The high point of the ridge beyond the deep saddle coming from Summit Peak is seen on the L. However, a 2nd saddle Lupe would have to go over was still ahead beyond that high point. Photo looks W.

A second saddle existed along this ridge leading to Mount Saint Paul.  Even if Lupe followed the very top of the ridgeline the entire way, she wouldn’t lose nearly so much elevation going down to this second saddle from the next high point as she had on that first enormous drop from Summit Peak.  However, there didn’t seem to be any reason to gain more elevation than necessary only to lose and regain it again.

Lupe climbed far enough to get a little higher than the second saddle, which she could see ahead.  Here a faint, nearly level animal trail went directly across the slope S of the ridgeline straight to the saddle.  Following this trail allowed Loop to skip the next high point she’d been approaching on the ridge.

Once Lupe reached the second saddle, only the final steep climb to the summit of Mount Saint Paul remained.

Way up in NE British Columbia in Stone Mountain Provincial Park, intrepid American Dingo explorer Lupe continues up the ridge. Summit Peak is now far behind her on the R. Photo looks SE.
The second saddle is seen ahead on the R. Lupe headed straight for it from here following a faint animal trail across the rocky slope, enabling her to skip going all the way up to the high point on the far R. Mount Saint Paul, her ultimate objective, is on the L. Photo looks WSW.
Loopster getting close to the second saddle. Mount Saint Paul on the L. On the final climb to the summit, Loop would stay slightly to the L (SE) of the ridge leading to it. Photo looks WSW.
Lupe pauses at the second saddle for a look back at beautiful Summit Peak (Center). The ridge she has been coming up is on the L. Photo looks SE.

The final climb to the summit of Mount Saint Paul from the second saddle was steep enough so it wasn’t entirely clear if Lupe and SPHP would even make it to the top.  At last that happy moment arrived when Lupe popped up onto the summit plateau.  The Carolina Dog had made it!  SPHP was ecstatic!

An easy stroll brought Lupe to a cairn along the W edge of the summit plateau.  This was it, the summit of Mount Saint Paul (6,985 ft.)!

Made it! Lupe on the summit cairn on Mount Saint Paul. Photo looks SW.
Looking WNW. High Point 6831 (2,082 m) is nearby at far R.
Looking N.
Oh, yeah! I made it! All the way up Mount Saint Paul! Photo looks NW.

Reaching the summit of Mount Saint Paul was cause for celebration!  And a break, a fantastic hour long break.  Lupe relaxed by the summit cairn.  She had water and Taste of the Wild.  She toured all around the whole roomy summit plateau, which was highest toward the NW, but relatively level overall.

And of course, Lupe and SPHP gazed long upon the splendid glories of the Muskwa Range on display in every direction of the compass in Stone Mountain Provincial Park way up here in NE British Columbia.

Looking down the valley to the SW. A little section of McDonald Creek is seen way down at the far end. Photo looks SW.
Loop at the SW end of the summit plateau. Photo looks N back toward the true summit.
Loop still at the SW end of the summit plateau. The triangular high spot (R) at the end of the near ridge is High Point 6752 (2058 m) Photo looks SSW.
High Point 6722 (2,058 m) is now on the L. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.
Zoomed in on High Point 6752 (2,058 m) in the foreground now. Next we’ll zoom in on some of those distant snowy peaks. Photo looks SW.
Zoomed way in on the high peak straight out beyond High Point 6752 (2,058 m). Photo looks SW.
Now zoomed way in on the distant peak slightly more to the R (W). SPHP has no idea what the names of these gorgeous peaks are. Photo looks SW.
Two nearby ridges rise up to meet at Center of this photo. A more level sharp ridge continues farther from the meeting point sweeping around toward the R. The high point at the far R end is the summit of Mount Saint George (7,402 ft.). Photo looks SSW.
Zoomed in on Mount Saint George’s summit ridge. Tomorrow Lupe would try to climb Mount Saint George (7,402 ft.). She would go up the ridge seen at lower L to the meeting point reached with the ridge coming up from the lower R. From there, she would follow Mount Saint George’s sharp summit ridge as it sweeps around to the summit at the far end on the R. At least, that was the plan. Photo looks SSW.
SPHP no longer remembers what direction this distant snowfield was from Mount Saint Paul, but believes it was likely toward the W.
Looking back up toward the summit of Mount Saint Paul from near the SE edge of the summit plateau.
The ridge Lupe came up from Summit Peak is highlighted in sunshine (Center). The first deep saddle from Summit Peak is at far R. The second saddle before the final ascent up Mount Saint Paul is on the far L. Photo looks NE.
Beautiful Lupe taking it easy on Mount Saint Paul.
At the summit. Photo looks NW.

Lupe’s beautiful, joyous hour on Mount Saint Paul passed by.  It was a long way back to the G6.  Best get a move on.  Looper wasn’t going to return using the same route she had come up.  It was late afternoon now, and she didn’t have time to go all the way back to Summit Peak.

Back on Summit Peak, Dave Leckschas and SPHP had commented that Mount Saint Paul’s SE ridge looked like it ought to serve as a good shortcut back and a reasonably easy route down.  Now looking down on it from above, it didn’t look quite so amenable.  Most of the SE ridge was fine.  Getting down to the easy part was the problem.  The upper end of the ridge near the top of the mountain was steeper and more challenging than SPHP expected.

Lupe relaxes near the E edge of the summit plateau. Here she’s got a fantastic view of Summit Peak (6,611 ft.) (Center L) and High Point 6500 (1,981 m) (Center R) leading to it. The distant ridge on the R is the one Lupe climbed on the way up Summit Peak. The near ridge at lower R is part of Mount Saint Paul’s SE ridge SPHP had expected Lupe would be able to take back to the G6.
The upper end of Mount Saint Paul’s SE ridge is in the foreground. Doesn’t look bad from this angle. Photo looks E.
At the top of the long SE ridge (foreground) leading down from Mount Saint Paul. Summit Peak at Center. Photo looks SE.

Lupe and SPHP started down Mount Saint Paul’s SE ridge.  The upper ridgeline was pretty ragged with drop offs that had to be negotiated around.  Lupe always stayed on the less steep R (SW) side of the ridgeline when she couldn’t make progress right on it.

SPHP is always terribly, terribly slow on steep rocky descents like this.  After a while, SPHP became discontent with the rate of descent.  Everything was fine, Lupe would have gotten there, but it seemed like it was taking forever to reach the lower, easier part of the ridge.  SPHP got the numbskull idea that things looked easier off to the SW away from the ridgeline.

They weren’t!  Soon Lupe found herself far from the ridgeline heading down a slope so steep and rocky that even the Carolina Dog was becoming alarmed.  Lupe begged SPHP to stop.  She wanted to be held, petted, comforted, reassured.  SPHP periodically obliged her, but never for long.  It was imperative to get down to the easier terrain far below.

Zigzagging ever so cautiously down the slope trying to avoid drop offs at a series of horizontal rock bands was incredibly slow, and Lupe had to go a lot farther down this way to reach more reasonable terrain than she would have staying on the ridge.  The American Dingo made it, though.  Anxious to be out of the rocks, she sped ahead long before SPHP was able to move freely.

Deep in the shadow of the mountain, SPHP finally reached the floor of the upper valley.  How long had that descent taken?  It seemed like hours.  Crazy!  Pathetic!  Nerve-wracking!  Thankfully, it was all over now.  To SPHP, the trek ahead down the huge valley was just a relaxing end to the long day of peakbagging.  To Lupe it was the best part of the whole journey.

Lupe ran and ran, far from SPHP, wherever she pleased.  She sniffed, played, explored.  SPHP had to keep an eye on that fleet brown and white speck dashing across the countryside, to make sure it never disappeared from sight for very long.  Loop periodically returned, grinning ear to ear, panting hard.

It was still a long way back.  Lower down, Lupe came to hillsides full of bushes nearly as high as SPHP.  Pushing through them threatened to become a difficult, hopefully not impossible, task.  The sun was down, and the long twilight of the N country was slowly fading when finally a deep ravine appeared ahead.  A creek was at the bottom.  Lupe scouted the edge of the ravine until she found a way down to cross the creek.

A 75 foot descent and subsequent higher ascent up a steep embankment on the other side of the creek brought Lupe to a much anticipated link to civilization.  The trail!  Yes it was here!  Lupe was at the base of Summit Peak’s S ridge.  No worries now.  Puppy ho!  Onward!  Back to the G6.  What a fabulous day!  (9:50 PM)

Summit Peak (L). Mount Saint Paul’s SE ridge (Center). Lupe’s playground on the way back, the vast valley on the R. Photo looks SE.

Related Links:

Mount Saint George, Stone Mountain Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada (8-5-17)

Stone Mountain Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska Adventure IndexDingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 194 – Summit Peak & Bishop Mountain (3-5-17)

Of course!  But, really?  Do you mean it?  You’re not just pulling my curly Dingo tail?  Lupe was incredulous.  SPHP had just asked if she wanted to go up into the mountains?  Half the day was almost shot already.  Until a moment ago, SPHP hadn’t shown the least inclination to go anywhere.  Loop was mentally prepared for another idle day lounging about the house.

SPHP sprang into action.  To the Carolina Dog’s utter amazement and joy, suddenly preparations were underway!  The reason?  A neighbor had casually mentioned winds gusting to 70 mph tomorrow.  Lupe was supposed to go on one of her Black Hills expeditions tomorrow, not today, but SPHP had quickly checked the forecast.  It said more like 30 mph winds with occasional stronger gusts.  Not nearly as dramatic, but combined with temperatures in the low 40’s, no picnic either.

Today was an unseasonably warm 65°F with a gentle breeze.  Given the circumstances, waiting until tomorrow was nuts.  As late as it was, there wasn’t time to go clear down to the southern Black Hills to continue Lupe’s adventures there.  That would have to wait for another day.  However, there was still time for some kind of an expedition closer to home.

Ever ready for adventure, Lupe was soon leaping out of the G6.  She found herself at the intersection of Old Hill City Road and USFS Road No. 357 (1:06 PM, 57°F).

Lupe near the start of USFS Road No. 357 about 2 miles ESE of Hill City. Photo looks SW.

Lupe began by heading SW on No. 357.  A big pasture, part of a private ranch, was right next to the road.  Lupe’s first peakbagging objective was all on Black Hills National Forest land, however, so she wouldn’t have any access issues.  Summit Peak (5,655 ft.) was less than a mile from the G6.  Soon Lupe was leaving the road to start her climb.

In an open forest thinned by logging operations, Lupe came to a spiffy rock outcropping before she had even gained much elevation.  She hopped up on the rocks and struck a happy American Dingo explorer pose.  Who knew what the top of Summit Peak might be like?  From a distance, the mountain was heavily forested.  There might not be anything to look at up there except trees.  At least this rock formation looked good in a photo.

Lupe astride the spiffy rock outcropping she reached before she’d even gained much elevation on her way up Summit Peak. Photo looks ENE.

Lupe continued upward.  She quickly came to another, higher road.  This grassy road was apparently seldom used.  Instead of charging right up the N slope of Summit Peak, Lupe followed the grassy road.  She gained elevation gradually as the road went SW along the NW flank of the mountain.

When the grassy road seemed to be getting close to topping out, Lupe left it to start climbing directly up a heavily forested hillside.  She arrived up on a saddle between rock formations.  A rusty barbed wire fence ran along the ridgeline, a hazard for Lupe and an unwelcome sight.  SPHP made certain she stayed away from it.

The topo map showed the true summit of Summit Peak at the SW end of the mountain, but Lupe was much closer to the NE end now.  Another high point was supposed to be to the NE, so Lupe explored that direction first.  The rock formation on the ridgeline was much larger and more rugged than it initially appeared.  Before long, Lupe was forced to make a choice on how best to try to reach the NE end of the mountain.

Lupe got off the rocks to continue NE along the SE side of the formation.  She soon found herself below a solid wall of rock, but had no problem continuing NE along its base.  She was gaining elevation along the way, but so was the wall of rock.  After going hundreds of feet, it became clear that she was nearing the far NE end of the ridge.

Fortunately, gaps in the rock wall provided the Carolina Dog a relatively easy way to scramble to the top.

Lupe up on the rocks at the far NE end of Summit Peak. Photo looks NE.

The rocks at the very NE end weren’t the absolute highest.  A couple of massive rocks only 20 or 30 feet farther SW were clearly the high point.  These rocks were too large for Lupe to get up on them from this direction.

The highest rocks, one of which is seen on the L, were a short distance from the NE end of Summit Peak. Lupe couldn’t climb them from this direction. Photo looks SW.
Lupe had this great view of Ford Mountain from the far NE end of Summit Peak. Photo looks NW with some help from the telephoto lens.

The only hope for Lupe to climb onto the highest rocks was if there was a route up from the SW.  To find out, she went down a narrow gap right next to them.  Small bushes grew thickly in the gap, but Lupe had no problem getting through.

Lupe comes down the narrow gap next to the summit rocks on her way to look for a way up from the SW. Photo looks NE.

The wall of rock was too high for Lupe to climb by herself, but she found a spot where it was possible for SPHP to scramble up.  Lupe waited anxiously below while SPHP scouted around above.  She didn’t like being left behind, especially when SPHP disappeared from view.

Yes, there was a way up to the highest rocks along the SE side of the rock formation!  SPHP came back to tell Lupe the good news.  She was mostly relieved that she hadn’t been abandoned.  SPHP scrambled down, then lifted Lupe up, giving her the boost she needed to get on the rock wall.  SPHP then climbed back up to join her.

The route to the top was short.  To get up on the very highest rocks Lupe needed another boost, but with SPHP’s help she made it!  A look back to the SW convinced SPHP that Lupe was now on the true summit of Summit Peak (5,655 ft.).  The topo map showing the true summit at the opposite SW end of the mountain was wrong.  SPHP would have bet money on it!

With a couple of boosts from SPHP along the way, Lupe sits at the true summit of Summit Peak! Some of the rocks she had been on earlier at the far NW end of the ridge are seen not very far away on the L. They weren’t much lower, only a few feet. Photo looks NE.
Loopster on Summit Peak with Five Points (6,221 ft.) in view in the distance on the L. Photo looks NNE.
Lupe’s no longer at the very summit here, but close to it on rocks only a little to the SW. Photo looks SW along the ridgeline. The rounded, forested hill on the R is the SW end of Summit Peak. The topo map showed the true summit over there, but SPHP would have bet money Lupe had found the true summit here at the NE end of the mountain no matter what the map said. Photo looks SW.

SPHP was surprised at the size and length of the rock formations on Summit Peak.  Lupe had some terrific views!  When she was ready to get down, SPHP helped her off the true summit.  While she explored among rocks nearly as high nearby, SPHP took pictures.

This massive granite formation is shown as Elkhorn Mountain on the topo map. It is part of a long rise toward the summit of Black Elk Peak. Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.
Sweet Loop checking out the views. The summit rock, which she had just been on, is right behind her. Photo looks NE.
Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), the highest mountain in South Dakota, towers over the Palmer Gulch KOA, seen at lower L. Photo looks S.
Black Elk Peak using the telephoto lens. Photo looks S.
Saint Elmo Peak (6,458 ft.) is the high point on the horizon slightly to the R of Lupe.  Photo looks SSW.
Bishop Mountain (5,706 ft.) (R of Center) would be Lupe’s next peakbagging objective when she finished exploring Summit Peak. Photo looks NW.

After enjoying the impressive views from the summit area, Lupe and SPHP left by the same route Lupe had come up.  Loop was willing to leap off the rock wall, but SPHP helped the Carolina Dog so she wouldn’t risk joint damage.

Lupe headed SW exploring the NW side of the rock wall along the ridgeline.  The rocks were even more impressive over here than on the SE side she had investigated earlier.

Loop on her way down on the NW side of the rock wall. Photo looks NE.
The amount of rock on Summit Peak was totally unexpected! Photo looks S.
Working along the base of the rock wall was sometimes slow work due to the number of boulders scattered around. Photo looks E.

Once beyond the long rock wall, Lupe continued SW along the ridgeline.  SPHP was convinced she had already been to the true summit, but she was going to see what the official summit according to the topo map was like.  Was there any chance it actually was higher?

Lupe had to dodge the rusty barbed wire fence a couple of times again.  SPHP wondered for the 10 millionth time, why it was so common to find barbed wire fences so incredibly high up on rugged mountains and ridges in the Black Hills?  These hazardous fences were useless and silly.  They always had been.  No cow or horse would ever attempt this kind of terrain of its own free will!

As Lupe continued SW, she came to more high points.  Near the first big one was a very odd rock formation.  The rocks formed a large square surrounding a depression full of boulders, branches and pine needles.  Strange!  SPHP decided to name this formation Box O’ Rocks.

Lupe at the next significant high point SW along the ridge. SPHP was certain this wasn’t as high as where she’d been earlier. The Box O’ Rocks formation was only a little farther SW from here. Photo looks W.
Looper sits at the NE end of Box O’ Rocks. Photo looks NNE.

Lupe had lost quite a bit of elevation coming down from the NE, but she eventually regained a fair amount of it.  After a fairly big climb, she arrived at a high point SPHP suspected might be the location of the (erroneous) true summit shown on the topo map.

Trees made it hard to see much in most directions, but the nice flat rock at the top did offer lovely, clear views to the N and NW.  Lupe had a great look at both Bishop and Ford mountains, her next peakbagging objectives.

Lupe sits on the flat rock that SPHP suspected might be the (erroneous) true summit near the SW end of Summit Peak indicated on the topo map. She had a great view of Bishop Mountain (L) and Ford Mountain (R), both of which she still hoped to climb on Expedition No. 194. Photo looks NW.
Lupe still at what SPHP suspected might be the SW summit. Although she had a great view of Bishop and Ford Mountains and a few other peaks from here, this view was more typical of what she could see in most directions. Photo looks WSW.
Years ago, Storm Hill was a beautiful green, but a forest fire changed that. Photo looks N using the telephoto lens.
Five Points (6,221 ft.) (Center) and the mountain Lupe knows as New Year’s Eve Peak (6,046 ft.) (on the horizon on the R). Humbolt Mountain (5,722 ft.) is the lower peak in front of and a bit L of Five Points. Photo looks N.

Lupe had to retreat off this possible SW summit going back down toward the NE.  She then circled around the SE side of the ridgeline to continue SW.  She went some distance before finding an easy way over to the NW side of the ridge.  SPHP was again surprised at the size of some of the rock formations that continued SW from here.

When Lupe made it over to the NW side of the ridge, she started working her way down the mountain.  Looking back up, SPHP began to have doubts if Lupe had actually been to the true SW high point.  Maybe one of those towering rocks was actually it?

Lupe below some of the towering rocks of the SW end of the ridge. She’s already starting down the mountain. Photo looks S.

Lupe continued on down for 10 minutes while SPHP dithered.  Finally, SPHP decided Lupe had better go back up to check it out.  It’s a good thing American Dingoes have a lot of patience and a forgiving nature.  Lupe didn’t complain in the least about having to return to the ridge.  She didn’t bite SPHP even once.

SPHP wasn’t even certain Lupe could make it to the top of the towering rocks, but investigation revealed a surprisingly easy route.  Lupe was soon perched at the highest point.  She was maybe a couple hundred yards SW of the last high point she’d been at.  SPHP could sort of see the other high point between the trees, but not clearly.  This final spot seemed to be about as high.

From here, Lupe had some fabulous views.  She could also clearly see there weren’t any higher points farther SW along the ridge.

The wide open views from the final SW high point Lupe reached along the ridge were fabulous! Photo looks N.
So, satisfied yet, SPHP? Is this the true summit? … Yes, my curiosity is satisfied now Loop! Thank you! This might or might not be higher than the last spot you went to, but I still believe the true summit was way back near the NE end of the mountain. Fantastic views here, though, aye?
Lupe could see clearly there weren’t any higher points along the ridge farther SW than where she was now. Photo looks SW.

SPHP was now completely satisfied that Lupe had been to every possible location of the true summit on Summit Peak.  So much time had been spent on the mountain, it was doubtful Lupe had time to climb any others.  Maybe she could still try to make it up Bishop Mountain (5,706 ft.)?

Lupe went back down to the NW side of the ridge.  She resumed following the ridgeline SW, but was losing elevation steadily.  Large rock formations continued much farther than SPHP expected, but there was no need to climb any of these rocks.  None were as high as where Lupe had already been.  When she finally reached the end of the rock formations, Lupe turned NW descending as quickly as possible.

Bishop Mountain was less than 2 miles NW, but Lupe first had to detour nearly a mile to the WSW to get around private property.  She was now making rapid progress, but SPHP had made her dilly-dally a long time up on Summit Peak.  By the time she was approaching Bishop Mountain, it was clear she wouldn’t have any time to waste here.

Approaching Bishop Mountain from the S.

Lupe started up Bishop Mountain.  At first her course aimed between two high points midway up, but she eventually drifted over to the E to reach the S ridgeline.  As soon as she was on the ridge, she came to big rock formations.  Due to the forest, good viewpoints were rare, but Lupe came to a few along the way.

One of the good viewpoints Lupe came to climbing the S ridge of Bishop Mountain. Black Elk Peak is in the distance. Photo looks SSE.

The higher Lupe went, the more rock formations she encountered.  However, they did not form continuous walls like on Summit Peak.  Lupe could wind around among them easily enough while working her way higher.  Loopster was quite high on the mountain, but not at the summit yet, when she saw the golden glow in the W.  The sun had already set.

Sunset from Bishop Mountain. Good chance this photo looks W.

The sky had been almost totally overcast for a while.  Lupe hadn’t seen sunshine since leaving Summit Peak.  However, there must have been a small break in the clouds.  Off to the S, suddenly Elkhorn Mountain and Black Elk Peak were aglow in the final rays of sunlight on those higher peaks.

Elkhorn Mountain glows in the last rays before sunset. Photo looks SE using the telephoto lens.
Black Elk Peak. Photo looks SSE.

With light fading fast, Lupe pressed on looking for the true summit of Bishop Mountain.  The top of the mountain was a fairly big area dotted with large rock outcroppings.  The farther N Lupe went, the higher the rock formations were.  She’d made it quite a long way N when one rock formation appeared higher than all the others so far.

Looper scrambled to the top.

Lupe scrambled to the top of this rock formation, which SPHP briefly thought might be the true summit of Bishop Mountain. Photo looks SE.
Hwy 16 S of Hill City is seen below from Bishop Mountain. Photo looks SW.

The true summit of Bishop Mountain proved to be a less dramatic place.  Only a little farther, way at the N end of the mountain, Lupe came to a modestly sloping area with a couple of minor high points so nearly equal in elevation that either might have been the true summit.  She also discovered 3 cement pillars.  The pillars were likely part of the foundation of some former structure, though they looked almost new.

It was already so dark out when Lupe arrived, even the highly light sensitive camera lens had a hard time producing a clear image.

Lupe at the first candidate for true summit of Bishop Mountain. Photo looks S.
Loop on the tallest cement pillar. They all looked new, but SPHP believed they were supports for some former structure. The top of Ford Mountain can be seen between the trees L of Lupe. Photo looks NE.
Lupe on the sloping rock that was the 2nd candidate for true summit of Bishop Mountain. Photo looks N.
Sheesh! Trying to make me leap out of my fur? Lemme know before you do that! … Sorry Looper, just seeing if things look any better using the flash.
Part of the Bishop Mountain summit area. Photo looks NNW.

With darkness growing by the minute, it was time to get off the mountain.  The G6 was less than 1.5 miles to the E, so the return trip seemed like an easy, done deal.  SPHP became careless about the route Lupe would take back.  Down, down the mountain she went, but SPHP missed the saddle between the two high points to the S.

Suddenly there were houses ahead.  Somehow Lupe was on private property instead of USFS land.  What had happened?  The realization grew that SPHP had taken Lupe in totally the wrong direction.  The best guess was that she was now somewhere SW of Bishop Mountain.  In the dark with an overcast sky, it was hard to know exactly where she might be, or what direction she was headed.

So the wandering began.  Back up away from the homes, then up and down over ridge after ridge.  Lupe came to lots of little dirt roads in the forest, but none had any signage.  In the darkness, the mountains loomed much higher than seemed possible.  How much elevation had Lupe lost?  Nothing was familiar.  Peachy.

Lupe was still having fun!  She loved prowling around in the night.  Fortunately she stuck close to SPHP.  On and on.  SPHP thought Lupe was now heading mostly N or E, but wasn’t sure.

Finally, the Carolina Dog came to a big power line up on a hill.  The USFS map showed a power line going NE/SW about a mile E of Hill City.  A few stars were now out, so it was possible to be more certain which way Lupe was going.  She followed the power line NE.  At least it went straight, although the route was still up and down.

Lupe eventually left the rugged power line route.  She wound up in Hill City!  She had been considerably farther S than SPHP believed.  The poor American Dingo had to traipse the entire boring length of the town to get back to Old Hill City Road.  Sadly, it was Sunday, so the Alpine Inn was closed.  If it had been open, Lupe have been delighted to stop in for a delicious filet Mignon steak.

Still two miles to the G6!  Funny how things work out.  Clouds dissipated from the night sky.  Stars and a half moon lit the way through the quiet countryside.  Lupe trotted along alertly checking fields for signs of deer or wild animals.  Truth was, the happy Carolina Dog may have been a little sad when her beautiful moonlit stroll and Expedition No. 194 came to an end.  (9:21 PM, 37°F)

Lupe scrambled to the top of this rock formation, which SPHP briefly thought might be the true summit of Bishop Mountain. Photo looks SE.

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