Part 2 of Day 4 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to the West Coast!
12:31 PM, 52ºF – Alrighty, Looper! I’m ready. Onward! Puppy, ho!
Lupe was ready, too. In fact, she’d been waiting on SPHP for half an hour. After crossing the bridge to adventure over Lake Koocanusa, it had taken a while to get here. On the way, the sky had become overcast and rather gloomy, but the situation seemed to be improving now.
Leaving the nice grassy strip along USFS Road No. 7205 that served as trailhead parking for Robinson Mountain (7,539 ft.), Loop started up a steep little bank past the only trailhead amenity, a few signs attached to a tree. SPHP barely glanced at them.
Immediately beyond the signs, the trail leveled out some, first veering L before making a 180 back to the R. In short order, it then curved back around to the SW (L) again, before heading NW up a valley. This whole region was forested with dense undergrowth wherever sunlight could penetrate. Although the trail was soft due to recent rain, only one little stretch was muddy.
Kind of a jungle, isn’t it, SPHP?
Yeah, glad this trail is here, or we’d already be having quite the time of it!
Are these pink flowers fireweed, SPHP? Looks just like the fireweed we used to see up in Canada and Alaska to me!
I’ve been thinking the same thing, Looper! Had no idea that fireweed grew this far S, though. Happy to see it!
Well, we’re almost to Canada, right, SPHP?
Yup, only 4 miles S of the border. With any luck, a few hours and you’ll be looking into Canada from the top of Robinson Mountain!
Lupe had gone only 0.2 mile when the forest began to open up enough to see a ridge ahead. Looked only 200 to 300 feet higher. Climbing toward it, the trail curved S, tackling the slope at an easy angle.
Before getting all the way to the top of the ridge, Lupe popped out of the forest onto a grassy road. Much sunnier here. Dead trees could be seen higher up. Apparently, there had been a fire. The region near the crest of the ridge was pink with fireweed.
Hang on, Looper! Let me check the topo map. Ahh, good! This must be USFS Road No. 999. We ought to be able follow it to Trail No. 159. Should be on the L in about 0.3 mile.
0.3 mile, SPHP? It’s right here!
Turning NW, the American Dingo had barely gone 40 feet from where she’d reached the road. Yet, sure enough, an unmarked trail curved SW up the fireweed infested slope.
Hmm. Well, fine! Take it Loop, if you want to. The topo map does show Trail No. 159 running along the crest of this ridge. Either this is No. 159, or it ought to lead us to it.
A short, easy climb got Lupe up to a flat region on top of the ridge.
Look at this, SPHP! Pink Paradise! Most beautiful burnt forest ever!
Once on top, the trail headed across the broad ridge as if it was going to go right on down the other side into the Lime Creek valley, but at the last moment turned NW before losing significant elevation. Apparently this actually was Trail No. 159. Lupe followed it along the upper SW side of the ridge through dead forest and thriving fireweed. A tree-broken view of HP7158 was visible ahead.
Before long, No. 159 angled back up and over to the NE side of the ridge, and began a slow descent. Lupe was soon back at USFS Road No. 999.
OK, this must be where I expected we’d reach the trail before you found it so quickly the first time, Loop. The topo map shows it veering off to the L again somewhere right along in here. Keep a nose out for it!
Here it is, SPHP!
This time, Lupe had gone a whole 100 feet N along No. 999 before finding the trail again. Signs were visible on a tree just past where the trail left the road. Upon reaching the tree, a new sign said this was Trail No. 59, not No. 159 as shown on the topo map.
Hmm. Well, who knows which number is right? In any case, it’s gotta be the same trail. Just keep going, Loopster!
The trail climbed only a little before leveling out. Instead of continuing NW toward HP7158 as shown on the map, No. 159 curved NE. Still in the dead forest so nicely decorated with fireweed, Lupe entered a region of small hills, ridges, and valleys. After losing 40 feet of elevation crossing a ravine, there were more ups and downs. None were significant.
Finally approaching some higher ground, Lupe came to a climb that led to more up and down past some 20 foot high rock outcroppings. Beyond the rocks was another rise that didn’t amount to much. Still going NE, the trail leveled out, and gradually turned N.
Patches of blue sky and breezy. SPHP kept turning around to look back. The Carolina Dog seemed perfectly relaxed.
What’s wrong with you, SPHP? Why so skittish?
Equipped with those big soft Dingo ears, and you don’t hear it, Loop?
Hear what?
Branches or twigs cracking, like we’re being followed!
Just the wind, SPHP. You haven’t seen anything out there, have you?
No, I haven’t. Never anything there when I turn around, but it sure sounds like there is, and we’ve been in windy, dead forests before.
Forget it, SPHP! Nothing to worry about! Except, maybe your sanity.
If you say so, Loop, but this place suddenly seems kind of creepy, even in broad daylight. Want to know another thing that’s strange? We’ve come all this way through a dead forest, but not a single bit of deadfall across the trail. Nothing, nada!
You aren’t complaining, are you?
No, of course not, Loop. Just saying. In most dead forests there would be a ton of it.
The trail finally turned NW, beginning to climb much more steeply. The dead forest, SPHP’s delusions, and the beautiful pink fireweed were left behind. After gaining a good 400 feet of elevation, No. 159 turned N and flattened out at a 3-way junction. There was a sign here.
So which way, SPHP?
Stay to the L, Looper. Think the trail going to the R heads N to a little lake E of Robinson Mountain (7,539 ft.).
Beyond the junction, the trail to the L climbed a bit, leveled out again, then descended 20 feet into a ravine where Lupe came to another 3-way junction. Right at this junction, there was a big rock that sloped at a 30 degree angle.
Which way now, SPHP?
L again, Looper, but how about a chocolate coconut bar and water break? We can sit on that big rock.
The American Dingo was all in favor of that!
Chocolate coconut bars have an extremely short half-life when a Carolina Dog has anything to say about it. Lupe was soon back at it. Taking the trail to the L (W), she passed a sign that was visible from the junction confirming that this was the right way to go. Beyond the sign, Trail No. 159 sloped gradually down into a dense, gloomy forest.
Loop wasn’t far into the gloomy forest when the trail bottomed out and began a steep climb. Soon running water could be heard in a thicket L of the trail. No stream could be seen from the trail, even though it proved to be merely 6 or 7 feet away when the American Dingo conducted an investigation.
Trail No. 159 climbed only a little more before leveling out at the lower end of a big bowl. A high ridge was visible at the upper end.
As Lupe ventured farther and farther into the bowl, she broke out of the live forest into another region that had burned. The trail began to climb faster and faster, straight up the slope leading to the ridge ahead. Lupe raced away to bark at squirrels, while SPHP trudged higher.
A couple of long, gentle switchbacks made the last part of this ascent much easier than the direct attack. The Carolina Dog was nearly up to the ridgeline when Robinson Mountain came into sight for the first time.
Trail No. 159 brought Lupe to the top of the ridge at the saddle between HP7069 and HP7158. This region had burned fiercely. After crossing the saddle, the trail remained level as Looper traversed HP7158‘s SW slope, making a beeline for Robinson Mountain, now only 0.75 mile NW.
The American Dingo was soon at the base of the final ascent. Only 600 feet of elevation gain left to go!
Upon reaching the saddle between Robinson Mountain and Peak 7158, the trail curved R and went through a little gap. Robinson Mountain’s steep, rocky E face was now in view, along with an enormous amount of territory off to the NE. Here the trail turned NW again, starting up Robinson Mountain’s SE ridge.
A few hundred feet below the summit, Trail No. 159 veered off to the W, leaving the SE ridge. Braving a chilly SW breeze beneath a leaden sky, Lupe followed switchbacks up Robinson Mountain’s S slope. Looked like it might rain at any moment, but didn’t.
A small building could be seen up on the summit. Each switchback got Loop closer to it. Final approach was from the W. Lupe came to a large cairn shortly before reaching the old lookout.
A brief inspection of the cairn revealed nothing of particular interest, so Lupe proceeded on to the old lookout. A rock W of the building proved to be the true summit of Robinson Mountain (7,539 ft.). This rock bore a survey benchmark, which disappointingly did not have “Robinson” or the elevation stamped into it.
The sky remained quite cloudy, and the air was hazy. Whether the haze was due to smoke, humidity, or some combination thereof, was hard to say. Mount Henry (7,243 ft.) was in sight to the SW, but whatever lay beyond it was indistinct.
After a quick look at the views from the true summit, Looper retreated to the N side of the lookout seeking shelter from the cold wind. Curling up on SPHP’s lap, she faced N. Down a slope to the NE, an outhouse was visible among stunted trees. Mountains stretched away toward a murky horizon. The tallest was almost as high as Robinson Mountain.
What mountain is that, SPHP?
Probably Mount Fitzpatrick (7,328 ft.), Loop, 1.25 miles into Canada!
Canada!
Told you that you would get to see Canada today!
Wow, we’re that close! We really could walk into Canada, couldn’t we?
Yeah, but we wouldn’t get very far. Might as well enjoy it from here.
Speaking of enjoy, do you happen to have another chocolate coconut bar in the pack, SPHP?
For 20 minutes, Lupe and SPHP sat there gazing into Canada. Taste of the Wild and water followed the last chocolate coconut bar into oblivion, while SPHP had a fruit cup and Mott’s blueberry applesauce.
Well, SPHP, since we’re not going to Canada, you about ready for a tour of Robinson Mountain’s summit?
Might as well, Loop!
The E end of the summit region dropped away 50 feet from the lookout. HP7158 and HP7069, which Lupe had gone between on the way up, were both in sight to the SE. All the terrain directly E or NE was much lower. Pretty hazy that way, but Lake Koocanusa was discernable.
Turning back W, a door was visible on the E side of the lookout.
Try it, SPHP!
Unlocked! The Carolina Dog ventured in.
A spartan interior greeted Lupe. Small, as had been apparent from the outside. A broom, a metal ladder, plus a wooden one going up to the loft. Other than that, some firewood, and a little woodstove. Near the woodstove, a white plastic jug suspended by a rope contained a registry.
Apparently, Robinson Mountain is a popular destination. The registry was full of names.
Whoa! We aren’t even the first ones up here today, Looper!
We aren’t?
Not even close! We’re 11th and 12th! The Troyers, Planks, and a Miller have already come and gone. All from Nappanee, Indiana.
Really? They must have started a lot earlier, because we haven’t seen anyone.
Guess so, Loop. We’ve lucked out compared to them, though! Listen to this entry by the Troyers – “First time to Rexford, beautiful! Great hike – wish we could have seen more. Very foggy – windy – cold & damp!”
Hah! Good thing we stopped at the Ross Creek Giant Cedars this morning, SPHP. Sometimes being the early Dingo isn’t the best!
SPHP entered Lupe’s name into the registry. Not much else to do in here except shelter from the wind, so it was back to the summit tour. After leaving the lookout, Loop returned to the cairn for another look W. In addition to Mount Henry off to the SW, Caribou Mountain (6,844 ft.) stood out to the NW.
Finishing her tour, Loopster explored the region down by the outhouse. Highlights, if you could call them that, included a blue wheelbarrow, and a hitching post and railing.
Then it was back up to the lookout, and a last visit to the true summit, before it was time to go.
5:00 PM, 45ºF, Robinson Mountain – 65 minutes after arriving, Loopster was back at the big cairn. Her time here was about up, but SPHP let the American Dingo relax for a few moments. Canada! Glorious Canada was in sight only a couple of miles away. Tantalizingly real, yet only a dream as far as this Dingo Vacation was going to go.
Gazing N, spellbound, into a dreamlike haze toward Mount Fitzpatrick. Canada, right there! And almost forever beyond the horizon, Alaska!
Reality.
Plenty of time to get back before dark. Easy, fun return. It was time.
Onward! Puppy, ho!
To Pink Paradise and beyond, SPHP!
Another adventure tomorrow. (End 7:24 PM, 66ºF)
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GPS track by Mark Akers (8-31-21)
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