Washington – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Silver Star Mountain, Cascade Range, Washington (8-23-21)

Day 18 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to the West Coast!

7:59 AM, 46ºF, Grouse Vista trailhead – Sunlight filtering through the trees and an encouraging patch of blue sky had both vanished by the time SPHP was ready. Smoke or fog! Always seemed to be one or the other on this Dingo Vacation.

Fog had ruined the views the past couple of days. Both smoke and fog the day before that. Nothing the Carolina Dog could do about it. Yet the increasingly cloudy sky was disheartening as Lupe passed three gray boulders by the dark opening at the start of the Tarbell trail.

**Grouse Vista trailhead** along Road 1200 N of Washougal.

The Tarbell trail was wide and smooth. Lupe followed it higher through a shady green forest. In under 10 minutes, she reached a junction. The Tarbell trail narrowed and leveled out as it continued straight, destined for Hidden Falls. Lupe took the wider trail that branched off to the R.

L to Hidden Falls. R to Silver Star Mountain.

Trail No. 180F was soon climbing rather steeply. Covered with loose rock, the pathway widened enough to be an old jeep trail or USFS road as it wound N.

Loop had already gained 400 feet of elevation, and the rate of climb was diminishing, by the time the trail curved E. Lupe trotted along a narrow single track corridor lined with dense foliage. No views, but sunshine reappeared. Encouraging!

The American Dingo finally reached a clearing. Still lots of clouds, but some blue sky, too! Lupe paused to take in the first distant views she’d enjoyed while climbing mountains in days. Large portions of a hillside to the N had been clear-cut. Part of Larch Mountain (3,480 ft.) was in sight back to the W.

A partly clear-cut mountainside. Photo looks NNW.

**N end of Larch Mountain** (L). Photo looks W.

The view of greatest interest, however, was to the NE. A big knob of rock was visible along a long ridge.

That must be Pyramid Rock (3,577 ft.), Loop!

Is that where we’re going, SPHP?

Might be, since Silver Star Mountain (4,360 ft.) is still in the clouds.

**Pyramid Rock** (R of Center). Photo looks NE.

Lupe went on. Back in the forest, views vanished. No. 180F rose at an easy pace, now trending NE. Some stretches were perfectly flat.

Progress was rapid. Lupe came to a trail junction at a clearing. Pyramid Rock now loomed nearby.

**Pyramid Rock** from the junction. Photo looks NE.

Want to climb Pyramid Rock, Loop? Silver Star is still shrouded.

Might as well, SPHP, before Pyramid Rock disappears, too!

Certainly possible. Intent upon making hay while the sun shined, the Carolina Dog took the unmarked side trail going SE.

A short, steady climb led to a saddle where the side trail curved E. Lupe was now due S of Pyramid Rock. A tall grass field dotted with bushes and a few trees led to the base of the rocky part.

**Pyramid Rock** from the saddle. Photo looks N.

Seemed simple enough, until SPHP checked the topo map.

Makes no sense!

What doesn’t, SPHP?

This map, Loop! Clearly labels the hill S of us here as Pyramid Rock.

You’re joking, right, SPHP? That hill isn’t even rocky.

I know it, Looper. Doesn’t look like a Pyramid Rock at all! However, the map labels what we think ought to be Pyramid Rock merely as HP3577. Even Peakbagger.com agrees, calling it Peak 3577. Meanwhile, both insist that the hill S of us is Pyramid Rock (3,480 ft.). Just crazy! Can’t think of an explanation for it.

I can, SPHP.

Really? Do tell, Loopster.

Humans named it. Doesn’t have to make any sense at all. Anyway, which one do you want to climb, SPHP? The hill the map says is Pyramid Rock, or the real one?

Oh, I don’t know. Maybe we’ll do both? Let’s start with the easy one.

A two track road led most of the way up the hill to the S. Above it, Lupe picked her way through tall grass, bushes, and up a small rocky section the short remaining distance to a few rocks along the upper edge. Along the way, she discovered a most unusual creature.

About to head up the hill to the S. Photo looks SSW.

Getting close to the top. Photo looks SSW.

Come look at this, SPHP!

Wha’dya find, Looper?

The world’s shortest snake, SPHP! Sniffs funny. Might be dying! It’s barely moving.

That’s not a snake, Loop. That’s a slug! Sort of a snail without a shell.

Weird! Don’t think I’ll eat it. Got any chocolate coconut bars, instead?

Yeah, I do. Don’t eat the poor slug! Actually quite a handsome specimen as far as slugs go. Leave him be, Loop.

Handsome as far as slugs go? Slugs don’t seem to go very far, SPHP.

The top of the fake Pyramid Rock was acres in size. The N lip clearly wasn’t the high point, so Lupe went in search of it. Tall, wet vegetation hid the ground over a large region all practically the same elevation. No discernable specific point appeared to be the true summit.

**Summit of fake Pyramid Rock**. Photo looks S.

Satisfied that she’d done as much as could be done, Lupe returned to the N lip. A chocolate coconut bar break was taken here, while enjoying the view of what still seemed to be the real Pyramid Rock (3,577 ft.), plus Sturgeon Rock (4,120 ft.) and Silver Star Mountain (4,360 ft.), both of which were now emerging from the clouds.

Relaxing on **Fake Pyramid Rock**, aka **World’s Shortest Snake Hill**. Photo looks NW.

**Sturgeon Rock** (L) beyond **Pyramid Rock** (L of Center). **Silver Star Mountain** (R of Center). Photo looks NNE.

**Sturgeon Rock** (far L), **Pyramid Rock** (L), **Silver Star Mountain** (R). Photo looks NNE with help from the telephoto lens.

**Sturgeon Rock** (R). Photo looks NNE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

Half an hour flew by up on Fake Pyramid Rock. Time to move on.

Silver Star Mountain is below the clouds! Climbing the true Pyramid Rock might not be the best choice, SPHP. Maybe we better get to Silver Star?

Seemed reasonable. Looper returned to Trail No. 180F, which ran NNE from the junction along the mostly open side of the ridge, passing W of true Pyramid Rock. Sturgeon Rock could still be seen along in here, but Silver Star Mountain could not.

Continuing along Trail No. 180F. Sturgeon Rock (L). Photo looks NNE.

Eventually climbing faster, widening out, and becoming quite rocky, the trail curved back into the forest. In this region, a woman caught up to SPHP, and struck up a conversation. Her name was Boni. She and her husband, Dave, lived somewhere over toward Larch Mountain. Dave soon appeared, and fell in with Lupe’s growing parade, too.

On the rocky stretch close to where Boni caught up.

Dave was an expert on the local trail system. He and Boni had hiked up Silver Star Mountain many times. Dog Mountain (2,948 ft.), farther E along the Columbia River gorge, was another recommended summit, and sure sounded good to Lupe, but Silver Star was their favorite. Boni and Dave were both very friendly, but soon pressed on ahead.

Lupe started coming to other trails. No 180F fed into No. 180. No sign that SPHP noticed, but farther on, there was a sign for No. 180E, which went to the Indian Pits along the S ridge. Might have been interesting, but Lupe went right on by. It was only a little farther up to a huge cairn at another trail junction.

Abandoning No. 180, which continued N, Lupe turned E (R) at the cairn on No. 180D, which was also a wide and somewhat rocky path. It wasn’t far to a flat spot on the L where a single stone campfire ring was hidden among the trees.

From here, the trail angled SE. Gaining 120 feet of elevation beyond the campsite, the trail turned E again as it reached a saddle between two high points.

11:16 AM, 57ºF, Silver Star Mountain (4,360 ft.) – Still quite cloudy, but at least the American Dingo wasn’t lost in fog. Off to the N (L), Boni and Dave were visible over at Silver Star’s summit. Straight ahead, Lupe had a great view of Little Baldy Mountain (3,920 ft.) way out along Silver Star’s E ridge. Bluff Mountain (3,928 ft.) was beyond Little Baldy, and a series of hazy, more distant ridges stretched away past it.

The map showed a “Star 2” survey benchmark at the high point to the S, which was very close by. Lupe went up there first. Disappointingly, no sign of the Star 2 benchmark could be found, only a thick metal rod sticking up out of a pile of rocks.

**Little Baldy Mountain** (Center) with **Bluff Mountain** (R) beyond it. Photo looks E.

By the metal rod at the **Star 2 high point**. **Silver Star Mountain true summit** (R). Photo looks NNW.

**Silver Star Mountain’s E ridge** (foreground) with **Little Baldy Mountain** (R) from the **Star 2 HP**. Photo looks ENE.

Looking SW, Pyramid Rock and World’s Shortest Snake Hill were both in sight way down the ridge. Clouds still hung around Larch Mountain’s summit. Near the horizon, the Columbia River was barely discernable through the haze.

**Pyramid Rock** (L of Center) with **false Pyramid Rock** beyond it. **Larch Mountain** (R). Photo looks SW.

Having seen what there was to see from the Star 2 high point, Lupe went over to Silver Star Mountain’s true summit. Still there, Boni and Dave welcomed Loopster to their favorite mountaintop.

With Boni and Dave on **Silver Star Mountain**! Photo looks N.

Another conversation ensued. Both Pyramid Rock candidates were in view from the summit. Dave confirmed that the very rocky high point along the SW ridge was the true Pyramid Rock, no matter what the map said. When SPHP asked Dave about a natural arch somewhere on Silver Star Mountain, Dave knew all about it.

Just go back down to the little campsite with the stone fire ring, then take Trail No. 172 around to the N side of the mountain. Look up. From the right spot, the arch is visible well up a steep slope. A small cave is behind the arch.

Boni was surprised! Dave had never mentioned the arch to her before! She wanted to see it, too. Dave agreed to take her there. Happily, before departing, Boni had good information to share. Thus far, SPHP hadn’t noticed any, but Boni insisted that Silver Star Mountain had plenty of huckleberries. She’d seen many on the way up.

Stay alert! Don’t want to miss out on the huckleberries!

Boni and Dave went on their way. Lupe and SPHP lingered up on Silver Star Mountain. The true summit was a 15 foot diameter rocky crag that jutted 10 feet up above the rest of a considerably larger summit region. Shaking Loopster’s paw, SPHP congratulated the American Dingo on her success, following praise up with an eagerly accepted chocolate coconut bar. Shared, of course.

Atop **Silver Star Mountain**. Photo looks S.

**Star 2 high point** (L) from the **true summit**. Photo looks S.

Lots more to see up here, too! During her traditional summit hour, Lupe toured the highlights. To the SW, Larch Mountain was cloud-free now. A concrete foundation, perhaps all that remained of an old lookout, was immediately NW of the summit knob.

The old concrete foundation. **True summit** (R). Photo looks NE.

Sturgeon Rock (4,120 ft.) was due W, and looked much different and more dramatic from up here.

**Sturgeon Rock** (Center). Photo looks W.

**Sturgeon Rock** with help from the telephoto lens.

There was a fabulous view of Silver Star Mountain’s long E ridge, and of countless hills, mountains, and ridges to the N. Only 0.33 mile N, Lupe could see Silver Star Mountain North (4,210 ft.).

**Silver Star Mountain’s E ridge** (Center & R), **Little Baldy Mountain** (R), and Bluff Mountain (far R). Photo looks ENE.

**Silver Star Mountain North** (Center). Photo looks N.

The clouds were breaking up! More and more blue sky appeared. Views kept improving. Silver Star Mountain was turning out well. Still not all it might have been, though.

Unfortunately, no sign of the big volcanoes, Looper.

Which ones should we be able to see from here, SPHP?

Mount Saint Helens(8,333 ft.) and Mount Adams (12,276 ft.) N and NE. Maybe even Mount Rainier(14,411 ft.). Mount Hood(11,239 ft.) SE.

75 minutes after arriving at Silver Star Mountain’s true summit, Lupe was back on it. Silver Star was popular. Getting busy! Time to go.

Our Silver Star Mountain adventure isn’t over already, is it, SPHP? We’re still going to check out the arch Dave told you about, aren’t we?

Oh, yeah! Lots more to come, Looper. Might even see those volcanoes yet!

Returning to Trail No. 180D, Lupe headed back down to the campsite. No sign, but sure enough, a trail did head NE off into the forest.

At the stone fire ring campsite just N of Trail No. 180D. Photo looks WNW.

Start of Trail No. 172 (L) where it leaves the campsite. Photo looks NE.

Didn’t take long to follow the trail around to the N side of the mountain. A pink slip of paper was impaled on a stick next the trail.

A note, SPHP! What does it say?

Go to excellent huckleberry bushes straight ahead! (We left some for you.) Look straight up from there and see arch. Remove this note please. Boni & Dave.

Looking straight ahead across a small rock slide, and up the slope from there, a little sliver of the arch was visible.

The arch is above the rock formation seen directly beyond Lupe. Photo looks ESE.

C’mon, Looper! Let’s go up there!

Easier said than done. Huckleberry-whacking is an exceptionally slow process. After crossing most of the rockslide, Lupe started up. The slope was very steep, and densely covered with huckleberry bushes. Big, ripe, dark purple, and sweet! SPHP devoured hundreds of huckleberries. Hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, remained.

Heading first toward the L (E) up to the base of a big rock outcropping, then to the R (W) where Lupe discovered an equally steep faint trail, SPHP scarfed up huckleberries the entire way. After gaining 80 to 100 feet, Lupe was positioned for success directly below the arch.

Finishing the climb, Lupe entered a little grotto behind the arch. A low cave went maybe 6 to 8 feet back into the mountain. Plenty of headroom for a Carolina Dog!

Most awesome Dingo Cave ever, SPHP! Hidden spot way up on Silver Star Mountain’s N slope, with this grand arch entryway, and a fabulous view!

Certainly was pretty sweet! Depending on how one wanted to frame it, either Peak 3977 or Silver Star Mountain North (4,210 ft.) could be seen out the big arch picture window.

**Silver Star Mountain North** through the arch. Photo looks NNW.

The arch and cave combination was very cool and unusual. Lupe and SPHP hung around a little while enjoying the view before returning to Trail No. 172. On the way back to the campsite, an unmarked trail took off to the WNW. Exploring it, Lupe soon reached a major trail junction.

Three old wooden signs gave directions. Lupe was back at Trail No. 180, which went both S and N. The junction with the big cairn where Trail No. 180.D split off heading for Silver Star Mountain’s summit was 0.25 mile S. Going N, Ed’s Trail (No. 180A) split off from No. 180, destined to wrap around the E side of Silver Star Mountain North.

Sign for Trail No. 172, which Lupe had just come from.

Ed’s Trail No. 180A wraps around the E side of Silver Star Mountain North.

Trail No. 180 went both S and N from here.

Where to, SPHP? S back to the big cairn?

Nope! We’ve got one more project on this side of the mountain. Take No. 180 N. Maybe we can climb Silver Star Mountain North (4,210 ft.)?

At the junction. Lupe left it heading N on Trail No. 180 (L). Photo looks N.

Leaving the junction, Trail No. 180 was smooth, wide, and level as Lupe followed it through the forest. Before long, the trail climbed a bit. 0.25 mile from the junction, the Carolina Dog emerged from the trees on an open shoulder just W of Silver Star Mountain North.

Distant clouds, but lots of blue sky now! Very encouraging! The day was getting better and better. Looked like Silver Star Mountain North would be an easy climb, too. A rock slide to go up, but Lupe could do that.

Trail No. 180 out on **Silver Star Mountain North’s W flank**. Photo looks N.

Below **Silver Star Mountain North**. Photo looks SE.

Turning back, because she’d gone too far N, Looper returned to the edge of the forest. Leaving the trail to climb ESE, she passed through a bushy region on her way to the rock slide. Huckleberries! Tons of ’em! Lupe cooled her jets, sniffing about while SPHP indulged.

The inevitable huckleberry delay came to its conclusion. Lupe started up the rock slide, aiming for the lower S end of the line of cliffs above.

Above the rock slide, just S of the cliffs. Photo looks NNW.

Above the rock slide, Lupe reached the edge of a large plateau that tilted down toward the S. Quite rocky, the plateau was dotted with scattered trees and bushes. Climbing N near the W edge, Loop was soon beyond the last trees. The summit wasn’t much farther. On the way to it, she came to a semi-circular rock windbreak.

Near the W edge of the plateau. Photo looks N.

2:43 PM, 63ºF, Silver Star Mountain North (4,210 ft.) – The summit was at the far NNW end of the plateau, where a low ridge of rock ran along the N and NE edge. Except near the horizon, almost the entire sky was now cloud-free. However, that didn’t mean visibility was as good as it should have been. Smoke still marred the views to the W and SW, where the Columbia River remained barely visible.

**Silver Star Mountain North summit**. Photo looks NNW.

Locally, visibility was excellent. The Carolina Dog enjoyed grand views of the long N ridge, and Silver Star Mountain (4,360 ft.), where she’d been with Boni and Dave so recently.

Peering down on the N ridge. Photo looks NW.

Another view. Trail No. 180 below. Photo looks NW.

**Silver Star Mountain** (Center) from **Silver Star Mountain North**. Photo looks S.

Yet the most exciting view was far to the SE. Kind of smoky over that way, too, but the smoke wasn’t terrible.

SPHP, look! A volcano! We finally get to see one!

You’re right, Loop! That’s gotta be Mount Hood (11,239 ft.)!

**Mount Hood** with help from the telephoto lens.

Maybe seeing Mount Hood from Silver Star Mountain North meant that the Luck of the Dingo was finally returning? The trend was favorable, but distant clouds still hid Mount Saint Helens and Mount Adams. Plenty of time left, though, and the American Dingo could make good use of it.

C’mon, Looper! Let’s go visit Sturgeon Rock (4,120 ft.)!

Returning to Trail No. 180 as quickly as possible, despite another round of huckleberry fest, Lupe headed S. At the junction with all the signs, she continued S up to the intersection with the big cairn and kept going.

Downhill now, but not that far, to where Trail No. 180E branched off to the Indian Pits. Ignoring that turn, Lupe went another 25 feet to where Trail No. 180C branched off to the W (R).

Trail No. 180C was wide and rocky, yet looked a bit overgrown, as Lupe started down it.

**Sturgeon Rock** (Center) from Trail No. 180C. Photo looks WNW.

No. 180C lost elevation, a trend that accelerated as Lupe went on. By the time Loopster drew even with the E end of Sturgeon Rock, it was much, much higher. A line of columnar vertical cliffs above showed that Loop would have to try to reach the ridgeline farther W.

The ridgeline sloped down to the W, but so did the trail. Once Lupe was beyond the cliffs, SPHP started looking for a way up, but the slope was still extremely steep. After passing two massive deadfall logs, Loopster finally came to a place where a faint use trail angled up into the forest.

The use trail was an illusion that soon faded away. After gaining some elevation, Lupe got stuck below a nearly vertical bank that was still too steep to manage. The critical problem zone wasn’t very tall, maybe 20 feet. A mad scramble thrashing around in the bushes while traversing farther W ensued.

Before too long, Lupe came to a spot that might work. Barely, but it did! Now above the trees and tall bushes, Loop was still on a very steep slope, but she could claw her way higher. It was much farther to the ridgeline than it had appeared from below, but the Carolina Dog managed to get up to where the terrain was much flatter.

There was a good use trail up here that headed right for Sturgeon Rock!

Above the worst of it, but still on a very steep slope. Photo looks ENE.

Along the S edge of the ridge. **Sturgeon Rock** (Center), **Silver Star Mountain** (R). Photo looks ENE.

Wait, Loop! Don’t go to Sturgeon Rock yet.

Why not, SPHP? Isn’t that what we’re here for?

Yes, but you can tag the Clark County High Point (4,080 ft.) on the way. It’s somewhere up along the ridgeline between here and Sturgeon Rock.

Oh, so two ascents for the price of one? I like it, SPHP!

Loopster went up to the ridgeline, which wasn’t far from the trail. The views were great! A lot of smoke to the SW, but otherwise the sky was clear, especially to the E over by Sturgeon Rock.

Looking WSW toward the smoke. **Larch Mountain** (L).

On the ridgeline. **Sturgeon Rock** (R), **Silver Star Mountain** (far R). Photo looks NE.

How do we find the Clark County High Point, SPHP? What do we look for?

Possibly a cairn, or even a registry, Loop, but I doubt we’ll find either. It’s just wherever the county line crosses this ridge. Go E along the ridgeline hitting whatever little high points there may be, and you’ll go right over it somewhere along the way. Good chance we won’t even know when we’re there.

And that still counts, SPHP?

Oh, yeah! Totally legit!

Well, that sounded easy enough out on an open ridge with no significant obstacles. Hitting every high point along the way, Lupe headed E.

**Silver Star Mountain North** (L), **Sturgeon Rock** (R of Center), **Silver Star Mountain** (far R). Photo looks ENE.

*Who knows? This might be it, SPHP!* Photo looks W.

*This would be a good spot for the **Clark County High Point**!* Photo looks NNE.

*Say when, SPHP! … I just don’t know, Loop. Supposed to be only 40 feet lower than Sturgeon Rock, so maybe a little farther?*

*Like looking for a needle in a haystack, and yet I’m supposed to step on it!*

*No cairn, no registry, no survey benchmark, no clue, yet I’ll still get credit for an extra ascent!*

In the end, the use trail wound up to an elevated platform immediately W of Sturgeon Rock.

So, do I get credit for visiting the Clark County High Point, SPHP?

Yes, of course! Must have hit it somewhere along the way by now, Loop.

Oh, good! I’ll be collecting an extra chocolate coconut bar then.

Fine, fine! Have to wait until you’ve climbed Sturgeon Rock, though.

On the platform just below **Sturgeon Rock**. **Larch Mountain** (L). Photo looks W.

From a distance, Sturgeon Rock had looked like a fail. Lupe wasn’t going to be able to get up onto that lofty pinnacle! But up close, the situation appeared rather different. Lupe was already only 20 feet below the top!

Think you’re looking good, Loopster!

And in a moment she was!

Not a roomy place! Sturgeon Rock (4,120 ft.) was most definitely an airy perch.

Stay right there, Looper! Don’t move! Gotta get a couple more shots!

As seen from the platform. Photo looks E.

Couldn’t leave Lupe up there too long! SPHP called her down. A short break was taken on the platform, enjoying the Sturgeon Rock success, plus all the grand views. By now, even the clouds to the N and NE had retreated so far off that more wonders were on display.

Mount Saint Helens (8,333 ft.) and Mount Adams (12,276 ft.) were both in sight! Of course, Mount Hood was, too. Hazy, but Lupe had been looking for these bad boys for days now, and finally, here they all were!

**Mount Saint Helens**. Photo looks N with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

**Mount Adams** (R). **Silver Star Mountain North** (L) in the foreground. Photo looks NE.

Zoomed in on **Mount Adams**. Photo looks NE.

Silver Star Mountain, what a day! You’ve been all over this mountain now, Loop, including the arch and cave, met Dave and Boni, the local trail and huckleberry experts, seen 3 famous volcanoes, and even made it to the top of Sturgeon Rock!

Aren’t you forgetting something, SPHP?

Like what, Loop? Your chocolate coconut bars?

Well, yes, that, but I mean about Silver Star Mountain.

Indian Pits? You wanted to see the Indian Pits, Loop?

I suppose the Indian Pits would be OK, but look over there, SPHP!

Looking down Silver Star Mountain’s long SW ridge, a massive knob of rock stood out. Pyramid Rock. The real one, not the fake one with the world’s shortest snake that Lupe had climbed this morning.

**Pyramid Rock** (Center). Photo looks SSW.

Probably still time, if we hurry, Loopster.

On the way down the ridge W of Sturgeon Rock, Lupe followed the use trail past where she’d come up, hoping to avoid the super steep slope. Even the use trail led to a ridiculously steep decent, but it was at least somewhat better than Loop’s route up had been.

Two big white trees were across No. 180C where Lupe reached it again. Turning E, she went all the way back up to No. 180.

Downhill to No. 180F! Pyramid Rock basked in evening sunlight as Lupe approached and went by, hurrying on to the junction with the side trail.

Trail No. 180C where Lupe reached it after following the Sturgeon Rock use trail down.

Approaching **Pyramid Rock** (L) on No. 180F. Photo looks SW.

Lupe made it to the same saddle she’d been to earlier in the day. Still time! Pyramid Rock remained bathed in sunlight as the Carolina Dog followed another trail through the tall grass to the base of the S face.

Back at the saddle, destined for **Pyramid Rock**. Photo looks N.

The use trail ultimately led to a short scramble near the top that SPHP wouldn’t be anxious repeat on the way down, but Lupe made it!

7:35 PM, 55ºF, Pyramid Rock (3,577 ft.) – Half an hour before sunset, Lupe stood all aglow atop the real Pyramid Rock. Well beyond her, both Sturgeon Rock and Silver Star Mountain were still lit up, too. Smoky all points W, but the sky was otherwise clear, and the smoke wasn’t thick enough to deny a sunset.

On **Pyramid Rock**. **Sturgeon Rock** (L), **Silver Star Mountain** (R). Photo looks NE.

Enough room up here to relax easily enough, even a bit of grass among all the rock where Lupe could get comfortable.

**Pyramid Rock summit**. **World’s Shortest Snake Hill** (R). Photo looks S.

A light W breeze. Silence. Precious minutes ticked away. Lupe stayed until the last glimmer of the weary sun sputtered and died.

Only twilight remained. It would soon be gone, too.

The American Dingo beat twilight to the punch. Avoiding that scramble on the upper S route, Lupe went SE first, losing enough elevation to get below it before returning to the use trail. A better route!

Back at Trail No. 180F, SPHP had to bring out the flashlight. Down the trail Lupe went, trotting through the black forest, confident that comfort, dinner, and rest were waiting at the RAV4. (End 9:31 PM, 55ºF)

With Boni & Dave on **Silver Star Mountain**, Cascade Range, Washington 8-23-21

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Sleeping Beauty, Cascade Range, Washington (8-22-21)

Day 17 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to the West Coast!

9:38 AM, 52ºF, USFS Road No. 040 pullout 0.15 mile SW of the Sleeping Beauty trailhead – Before midnight there’d been stars every time Lupe wanted out of the RAV4, but by daybreak there had been a change. Overcast! Low clouds. Not good. SPHP had spent a few hours on the trip journal. Completely caught up now, but no improvement outside.

Our usual dilemma, Loopster. Sit here and wait, hoping against hope for blue skies, simply go for it, or just forget it entirely, and move on?

Not raining. We might as well climb the mountain, since we’re already here, SPHP. Sleeping Beauty (4,907 ft.) won’t take long, will it?

Shouldn’t, Loop. 1,400 feet of elevation gain over 1.4 miles. Trail all the way. Just afraid it will turn out like Sunrise Peak yesterday, and we won’t see a thing.

And I suppose I’ll have to put up with you and your huckleberries again.

Huckleberries! That’s right! The ones on the way to Sunrise Peak had been at their juicy height of scrumptiousness. A continuation of SPHP’s newly adopted huckleberry diet was an attractive proposition regardless of what the weather might be like.

You know, I believe you’re right, Looper! Let’s climb the mountain!

Leaving the excellent pullout SPHP had discovered yesterday evening, Lupe trotted along USFS Road No. 040 to the Sleeping Beauty trailhead where Trail No. 037 headed NNE into the forest.

At the pullout along USFS Road No. 040 only 0.15 mile from the trailhead.

Trail No. 37 set out as a pleasant path winding through a leafy forest. Lupe was soon climbing steadily. She’d gone only a little way, when she came to a large chunk of deadfall over the trail. Way over the trail, that is, like suspended 9 or 10 feet above it.

*Oh, you think you’re so hilarious, don’t you, SPHP?*

Even SPHP didn’t have to duck.

My kind of deadfall, Loopster! Don’t run into it very often.

Couldn’t run into it if you tried, SPHP!

Lupe went on. Naturally, a light mist soon began to fall. No biggie, just enough to get everything damp and dripping. Might as well enjoy some of those juicy, moist huckleberries! However, the bushes along Trail No. 37 weren’t the right type. No huckleberries at all!

You tricked me, mangy Dingo!

Mangy! I’ll have you know, I’m well-groomed, SPHP. See to it personally every day with my giant pink tongue. You on the other paw …

Let’s not go there, sweet puppy! You have to admit, though, that there’s nary a huckleberry along this trail.

And how was I supposed to know that, SPHP? Dingoes aren’t huckleberry experts. We don’t even like them! I just assumed since Sunrise Peak had gobs of them that there would be plenty here, too. Just like you did!

*No huckleberries! Imagine that! A crying shame. Hehe!*

Lupe’s climb continued. No clearings, no views, not even misting any more, just forest. Steepest in the middle part of 1,000 feet of elevation gain, the trail eventually leveled out at a big saddle. Loop was now only a little way NW of Sleeping Beauty, which although nearly another 400 feet higher, still wasn’t in sight.

Upon reaching the saddle, the trail turned E. Within minutes, Lupe was climbing again, this time traversing a steep slope.

Traversing Sleeping Beauty’s lower NW slopes.

The Carolina Dog came to a series of sharp switchbacks. At the first turn, a clearing provided a glimpse of a huge rocky knob way up the slope. The second switchback came at the base of a giant wall of rock. The third featured more rock formations.

Although the mountain was becoming more interesting, the bad news was that Lupe was climbing right up into the clouds. Getting foggy!

Looking up from the clearing near the first switchback.

Below the giant rock wall at the second turn.

After the fourth switchback, the American Dingo got a better view of the rock formations above. Practically cliffs! Exactly how the trail would get her up there wasn’t clear.

The answer came at the end of the fifth and final switchback. Instead of a sharp, narrow turn here like all the previous ones, the trail widened out. Beyond this point, rock walls that must have taken an eternity to build enclosed the path as Lupe wound up a series of stony terraces.

On one of the rock walls enclosing the trail as it winds higher.

The top of the mountain wasn’t much farther. Several big knobs could be seen arrayed along an unusually lumpy summit region.

Beyond the last of the terraces, the trail made a short steep climb up to a little notch.

The notch was a cramped narrow spot along the summit ridge. A quick scramble to the NE (L) got Loop up to some rocks where the ridge was a little wider and more open.

The notch is down among the trees beyond Lupe. Photo looks SW.

This still wasn’t the top, though. A path continued NE past a few trees to another little scramble.

11:10 AM, 42ºF, Sleeping Beauty (4,907 ft.) – Skunked again! No mist, but a thick fog enveloped the mountain as Lupe reached the apparent summit. The path leveled out, passing between two stony ridges, the ridge on the R (SE) only half as high as the one on the L. Another high spot, which couldn’t have been much lower, was visible off to the E.

On the lower of the 2 summit ridges. Photo looks ENE.

Well, shucks! Whose nutty idea was it to come up here in such conditions anyway, Loop?

Ours, SPHP! It was a joint decision.

I blame the huckleberries, Looper. The ones that don’t exist!

We could console ourselves with a chocolate coconut bar, SPHP.

Might as well, but not until you get up on that highest ridge, Loop.

Close, but no banana! No chocolate coconut bar, either. C’mon silly Dingo, get up there!

*There ya go! That’s better!* Photo looks NE.

Alright, I’m at the top! Why did we come here, anyway, SPHP? What was the big attraction?

Why, for the spectacular view you’re currently enjoying of Mount Adams, of course!

Mount Adams (12,276 ft.) seems a bit hazy at the moment, if you don’t mind me saying so, SPHP! What direction should I be looking?

NE, Loop. It’s a giant volcano. You can’t miss it!

And yet, somehow, I am, SPHP.

On a day like today, you have to use your mind’s eye, Loopster. Close your real eyes and concentrate! Go all Zen Dingo! Tell me when you see it!

Oh, yes! There it is, SPHP! Wow! Amazing!

What does Mount Adams look like, Looper? Describe it. I’ll take notes so I can include the description in your post about Sleeping Beauty later on.

OK! Mount Adams is enormous, SPHP! Truly incredible!

Yes, yes! What else?

And looks so delicious …

Delicious? That’s an odd description for a mountain, Loop, especially for a volcano. How so?

SPHP, you aren’t going to believe this, but Mount Adams is shaped like a massive bar, rich with chocolately coconut goodness!

I might have known.

Good! Glad you understand me, SPHP! Now I have a question for you …

By all means, Looper! Appears chocolate coconut bar time is upon us!

In no time at all, the chocolate coconut bar did resemble Mount Adams – gone for good!

Despite virtually non-existent hopes, the American Dingo hung around on Sleeping Beauty awaiting a Mount Adams miracle. Lupe checked out various perches. She peered down the trail, which went farther beyond the summit, but there didn’t appear to be any reason to follow it.

On the lower summit ridge. Photo looks E.

Waiting for a weather miracle. Photo looks NE.

A cold breeze sprang up out of the SW, making conditions less tolerable. More than half an hour gone by, and not the slightest hint that the fog might dissipate.

Might as well call it, Loop!

Heading SW along the short little trek back down to the notch, a massive rock formation was momentarily visible some distance away. It looked every bit as high as where Lupe was. Maybe a good 10 feet higher!

Once below the notch, Loopster tried to investigate, but didn’t get far. However, she did get close enough to see that something was up there.

As close to the SW knob as Lupe got. Photo looks SSW.

Took the assistance of the camera’s telephoto lens to see what it was.

Looks like an old railing, Loop!

Oh, like the one on Sunrise Peak, SPHP?

Yeah, I think so. Must have been a fire lookout here, too, at one time.

Ought to be a way to get over there then, SPHP!

Couldn’t find it, though. Not in the fog.

If we’re ever back this way on a sunny day, I guess we can check it out then, SPHP, along with that spectacular view of Mount Adams!

Maybe so! A happy thought! With reason enough to return some day, Lupe started down the winding path among the rock walls and terraces. (End 12:23 PM, 55ºF)

Once back at the RAV4, Lupe soon hit the road. Naturally, the afternoon turned sunny by the time she reached the Columbia River. SPHP pulled over to the side of the highway.

Crossing the railroad tracks, Loopster saw lots of people parasailing out on the river. A strong wind was blowing out of the W, evidently coming from the narrow gap where the Colombia River flowed through the mountains. The sky looked darker over that way.

To the SE, blue skies, white clouds! The town of Hood River was visible on the S bank.

**Columbia River** from the N bank. Photo looks E.

Oregon, SPHP! Looks like fun!

That it does, Looper! But we aren’t quite done with Washington yet.

And with that, Lupe and SPHP returned to the RAV4, and drove W into the storm.

**Sleeping Beauty**, Cascade Range, Washington 8-22-21

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Sleeping Beauty GPS Track by Jason O’Connell (9-5-21)

Sunrise Peak, Cascade Range, Washington (8-21-21)

Days 14-16 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to the West Coast!

8-19-21, 69ºF, 1:15 PM, Upper Dungeness trailhead, Olympic Peninsula – SPHP regained consciousness. A lovely blue sky day!

How you feeling, Loop?

Awake already, SPHP? I’m better, a lot better, but was hoping you’d stay conked out.

How come?

Because I’m not feeling too ambitious. Don’t get me wrong, Grey Wolf Ridge was so worth it, but what a doozy!

Heh. No worries, Looper. No big plans today. Positioning day, or what’s left of it. I assume you have no objections to a scenic drive?

Oh, that sounds great, SPHP! Especially if there are cows and horses!

Doubtful to say the least on that score, Loop. The Olympic Peninsula isn’t exactly cattle country.

Hope you can stay awake while driving then, SPHP. Don’t be surprised if it turns into a snooze fest for me!

8-20-21 – Mount Rainier National Park was a bust. Just a drive through for Lupe in any case, but would have been nice to at least get a good look at mighty Mount Rainier (14,411 ft.). The American Dingo did get to see it from Hwy 410, but practically enveloped in clouds. As the road wound higher, SPHP drove into fog and mist.

A not too scintillating glimpse of **Mount Rainier** from Hwy 410.

E of the park, thousands of feet lower, it was a completely different story. At the turn off Hwy 410 to Bumping Lake, fire fighters had set up barriers. Road closed indefinitely. Raging forest fires in this region. 134 mile long perimeter being defended. Should all be over and done with when the snow flies.

Heh. No choice.

Guess Mount Aix (7,766 ft.) gets the axe, Loopster. Sorry about that!

Back to Mount Rainier National Park, then S for many miles.

8-20-21, 1:16 PM, USFS Road No. 2324 – Got here early enough, but, yeah, this wasn’t happening, either. Not today.

Can’t do Sunrise Peak (5,892 ft.) at sunset anyway, SPHP! Wouldn’t be right, would it?

Rules are made to be broken, Looper! Unless our luck changes in the next few hours, though, looks like this rule is going to hold.

SPHP had parked the RAV4 along a wide spot along USFS Road No. 2324 just past where No. 063 took off to the L curving steeply up a hillside.

Sunrise Peak trailhead is supposed to be up at the end of No. 063, Loop. It’s not very far, not even 0.2 mile. Want to go check it out?

Might as well, SPHP.

A sign at the start of No. 063 revealed that the RAV4 was parked at the trailer trailhead. Probably OK, not a single trailer there at the moment.

Signage at the start of USFS Road No. 063.

A foggy sniff along No. 063 got Loop up to not one, but two small parking areas near the start of Trail No. 262. SPHP was surprised to see that both were nearly full. 4 vehicles at the lower one, and 6 at the upper, where Trail No. 262 took off from the far end of the lot.

At the **upper Sunrise Peak trailhead**.

At the moment, no one was around. A quick look at Trail No. 262, which started off going downhill as it disappeared into the foggy forest, and there really wasn’t anything more to do here.

Guess we’ll head back, Loop. Learned one thing.

What’s that, SPHP?

Unless some trailers show up, no point in bringing the RAV4 up here just to try to cram it in among all these other vehicles.

Back at the RAV4, SPHP worked on the trip journal while waiting for the weather to clear. Soon bored with staring into the fog, Lupe snoozed. Fog was better than smoke! Not as likely to persist, but as the afternoon dragged on, the mood grew darker. A heavy mist developed, dampening hopes. Sunrise Peak was not going to transform into Sunset Peak.

8-21-21, 8:13 AM, Sunrise Peak trailer trailhead – Sunrise at Sunrise Peak hadn’t happened, either. No mist, but still foggy. Frustrating! More trip journal work, then suddenly, the day brightened. A lovely patch of blue sky appeared, furnishing all the encouragement required.

Hey, hey, Looper! We might be in business! Maybe these clouds are finally about to burn off? Wanna try it?

She did.

Blue sky vanished, though, even before Lupe completed the short trek to the upper trailhead. Hmm. Well, no matter. Still hopeful that the clouds would clear out before too long, Lupe ventured into the foggy forest.

After an initial dip of 20 feet followed by a flat stretch, No. 262 started to climb. The trail became quite wide, sort of a big, smooth rut. No stones at all, just soft dirt. Hexagonal or diamond-shaped grids were embedded along some stretches, perhaps to reduce erosion?

Lupe trotted along through the dim, damp forest for 0.25 mile before the trail leveled out at an opening overlooking a 50 foot cliff. Ordinarily, there must have been a view here, but only a soft, featureless, gray was on display now.

Although the American Dingo didn’t see much of anything, she could hear. Something was coming! A roar of engines got louder and louder. Stepping off the trail, 4 dirt bikes raced by. 2 riders had rifles. All wore camouflage.

Hunters? This time of year? On noisy dirt bikes? Made no sense.

Guess they do things differently here in Washington, Loop.

The hunters vanished as quickly as they’d appeared, the roar of their bikes fading away after them. The Carolina Dog returned to the trail, which now trended SW. She was soon climbing again, but before too long came to more level terrain, and even a minor downhill stretch.

Lupe wasn’t much beyond the cliffs when the trail went past a stand of strange plants with 3 – 5 foot tall stalks that shot up from a base of long, thin, grass-like leaves. These plants resembled sort of a tropical or rain forest version of a yucca plant.

Bushes with clusters of bright red berries added color to the gray day, but the plants that interested SPHP the most bore dark purple berries.

Not another blueberry trap, SPHP!

Heavens, no! Banish the thought, Looper! This is a huckleberry trap!

Oh, and were the huckleberries ever scrumptious! Plump, ripe, fresh and juicy! Progress slowed so much that Lupe took to simply laying on the dirt path wearing an expression of boredom and disgust.

Meanwhile, intent upon conducting a thorough huckleberry taste survey of statistically significant sample size, ol’ purple fingers munched away.

And why not? What’s the rush? Sunrise Peak was a mere 2 miles from the trailhead. The longer it took Lupe to get there, the more likely the fog would clear off. Still, SPHP did make some progress in a dawdling sort of way. Every now and then more dirt bikers appeared. Lupe kept having to scoot off into the bushes until they roared by.

Loop was on a flat section of trail when she finally came to a junction where an old wooden signpost was leaning against a tree.

Lacking arrows, the signs attached to the post were initially confusing. Trail No. 262, which Lupe had been on ever since leaving the trailhead, wasn’t even mentioned.

Happily, the topo map sorted it out. Trail No. 262 continued straight for another 0.33 mile to Trail No. 261, which could then be followed either N to Juniper Ridge (5,611 ft.), or S to Jumbo Peak (5,801 ft.). Both were potential destinations on a sunnier day.

However, neither were today’s main objective. Lupe needed to turn R here, taking Trail No. 262A roughly 0.75 mile to a second junction with Trail No. 261A, where another R turn would get her to Sunrise Peak (5,892 ft.).

Trail No. 262A climbed more aggressively and relentlessly than No. 262 had. Trending NW now, Lupe passed more of the tall stalk plants. To SPHP’s delight, plenty of delicious huckleberries, too! Although starting out as another big rut full of tire tracks, no dirt bikers came this way.

The forest began thinning out. Soon Lupe was traversing a steep slope with only scattered trees. Still foggy, but directly ahead a blue tinge was visible along the rough outline of a big rock formation.

Approaching the rock formations (Center & R). Photo looks NW.

Hopes for sunshine were immediately dashed. By the time Lupe got to the rock formation, the fog was thicker again.

Turning W along the base of the rock formation, Trail No. 262A topped out. From here, the trail dipped then leveled out as it curved N.

At No. 262A’s high point S of the rock formation. Photo looks W.

Looking back. Loop still at No. 262A’s high point. Photo looks ESE.

Two minutes from the high point, Lupe reached the junction with Trail No. 261A. A L turn would have been a shortcut to Trail No. 261 and Juniper Ridge. Staying R, Loop continued her ascent of Sunrise Peak.

Junction with Trail No. 261A. Lupe again went R. Photo looks N.

Not much farther now! The summit was only another 300 feet higher. In forest again, Trail No. 261A switchbacked tightly up the NW slope.

Near the top, the trail broke out of the trees, heading SE across an open slope. Lupe could see her shadow! Blue-tinged fog had returned, and a bright white disk glowed in the clouds above!

Trail No. 261A, way up on the almost sunny slope. Photo looks SE.

Luck of the Dingo! Might have timed this just about perfectly, Loopster!

Oh, I hope you’re right, SPHP! What do you think we’ll see up here?

Great question! Magnificent sights, Loop! On a clear day, 3 enormous peaks. Mount Rainier (14,411 ft.) is due N. Mount Adams (12,276 ft.) is SE. And to the SW, a mountain you haven’t seen since your first Dingo Vacation way back in 2012.

When we went to the West Coast with Lanis?

Exactly right, Loop! Remember when we went to see Mount Saint Helens (8,333 ft.), and you met Gary Rosenquist who had been in the area taking pictures of the massive violent eruption on May 18, 1980?

Oh, yes I do, SPHP! The volcano that blew its top!

Yup. Rainier and Adams are volcanoes, too! Just haven’t blown their tops off recently.

Sounds like Sunrise Peak is volcano central, SPHP! Maybe we’ll see some fireworks?

Heh. No doubt we would, if we could hang around on a geological time scale. Today, I’ll be thrilled if the fog disperses.

Despite hopeful signs, the fog hadn’t dispersed yet. Trail No. 261A soon led up to Sunrise Peak’s final rocky summit knob, approaching it from the SW. At one time there had been a fire lookout on Sunrise Peak. An old metal railing still provided assistance getting to where the lookout once stood.

Approaching the summit block. Photo looks N.

The Carolina Dog scrambled up without any such assistance. SPHP made full use of it, glad the railing was there.

10:40 AM, 65ºF, Sunrise Peak (5,892 ft.) – Various anchor bolts stationed around the perimeter of a flat summit 25 feet in diameter were all that remained of the old fire lookout. Sheer cliffs were present along all edges, except where the railing came up, which was mighty steep, too.

Another massive knob of rock 4 or 5 feet higher was instantly visible less than 100 feet away. That other knob was actually the apparent current summit of Sunrise Peak, although before the mountain was decapitated to accommodate the lookout, the natural true summit might well have once been where Lupe was now.

Peering over the edge of the gap separating these high points revealed a drop of 30 or 40 feet. Even if there was an easy way to get to the base of that other high point, it was much steeper than anything Lupe or SPHP could attempt.

Don’t be a fanatic, SPHP! This is close enough for Dingo work. We’re not going over there!

**Sunrise Peak summit** from the railing.

The nearby apparent current **true summit knob**.

The top of Sunrise Peak was roomy enough, but wasn’t up to American Dingo standards as far as comfort was concerned. Small rocks, gravel, and bits of broken glass covered the roughly leveled solid rock site. Not terrible, but certainly not soft or cushiony, either.

With nothing else in sight, Lupe made do as best she could while waiting for the fog to clear, an eagerly anticipated event expected any time now.

Waiting for the big volcano show to begin.

Lupe waited and waited. SPHP shook her paw, congratulating her on her ascent of Sunrise Peak. She shared the only chocolate coconut bar SPHP had brought along, then had some Taste of the Wild. When the rocks got too uncomfortable, Loopster curled up on SPHP’s lap.

Still no sign of any volcanoes, or anything else, either. The air was calm. Clouds moved slowly, if at all. Now and then a light mist fell. Later on, the sky above was so blue, and the rays of the unseen sun felt so warm, that SPHP applied sunscreen.

Suddenly, there was movement! Right along the edge, over toward the true summit, a tiny visitor appeared.

Fortunately, the chipmunk vanished before Lupe saw it. The innocent little creature made SPHP uneasy. If Lupe had seen it, she would have raced over to the brink of the cliff in an instant, abandoning all caution. Could have been a disaster!

More dangerous than a bear!

Sorry, SPHP! I’ve been dozing. What did you say? Something about a bear?

Oh, nothing. Just muttering to myself, Loop. I ought to comb my hair.

Up here? Why? That’s silly! Seen any volcanoes yet, SPHP?

Not a one, Looper. You’ll be the first to know, if I do.

45 minutes of staring into the whiteness drifted on by. Several times, the top of the cloud deck had been briefly visible far off to the NW, but other than that, nada. However, a large region of hazy territory could now be seen to the W and NW. No volcanoes, it was all lower than Sunrise Peak, but this vision persisted long enough to encourage an extension of Lupe’s usual summit hour.

Another 5 or 10 minutes, and it all vanished again.

Sunrise Peak isn’t quite high enough, SPHP!

I know it, Loop! Another 1,000 feet would do it. Bet we’d be above this soup with a grand view of 3 massive volcanoes floating on a sea of white.

Oh, that would be awesome, SPHP!

No doubt, but that wasn’t the case. Not quite high enough, was. Several more times fleeting glimpses of distant lower hills and ridges appeared to the W and NW, followed by a dim view E.

Lupe’s wait continued, but an hour and a half after arriving, the clouds welled up. Blue tinged sky vanished, replaced by a darker, somber gray.

Guess we can’t win them all, Loopster. Not happening! Too bad!

Between smoke and fog, winning any at all couldn’t be taken for granted on this Dingo Vacation. Gray Wolf Ridge had been a big win, but other than that, Lupe was having to settle for a lot of partial victories.

Nothing to be done about it, except face reality and keep trying. Lupe had come tantalizingly close here on Sunrise Peak, but the reality was that it was time.

Onward, puppy ho!

The return was fast and easy. On departure, Sunrise Peak looked the same way it had when Lupe arrived. Foggy, but like it might not last forever.

Still foggy now, though, was all that mattered. Descending the winding path, Lupe was soon back in the darker, foggier forest.

It was an amazing place, too! Towering trees! Ripe huckleberries! Tall stalk plants! Dripping, brooding silence. The wonder and mystery of what else might be out here?

Until, of course, the roar of engines approaching, warning that dirt bikes were on their way. Better get off the trail! (1:44 PM, 52ºF)

**Sunrise Peak**, Cascade Range, Washington 8-21-21

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GPS Track by Joanne Najdzin (11-2-19)