Lupe – Page 193 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Harvey Mountain, Babine Mountains Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada (9-9-17)

Days 39, 40 & 41 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!

9-7-17, 6:24 AM, 44°F, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory – Lupe and SPHP were awake dark and early. That’s right – dark and early. A week into September now, long days of the far north were ending. SPHP drove S on the Dempster Highway just to let the G6 warm things up a bit. Lupe stopped and had breakfast near the big sign at the entrance to Tombstone Territorial Park.

Lupe’s Tombstone Park adventures were over. She’d had a grand time climbing Surfbird Mountain, Goldensides, and taking the Grizzly Ridge trail to Grizzly Lake. In fact, Loopster was done here in the Yukon. It was time to head home, but home was thousands of miles away. Most of the remaining days of her 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska would be spent on the road. Still, there would be stops at various sights, and a couple more big adventures along the way.

After breakfast, Lupe rode shotgun watching for wildlife, while SPHP drove. The fall scenery was magnificent.

A week into September, the fall scenery along the Dempster Highway was magnificent.

Upon reaching the North Klondike Highway, SPHP turned SE toward Whitehorse, the capitol city of Yukon Territory. Whitehorse, which was 550 kilometers from where the Carolina Dog started this morning, was as far as Lupe was going today.

Lupe and SPHP had never been on the North Klondike Highway before. The road wound among countless hills, ridges, and valleys. There were mountains to be seen, but the highest ones were generally far away on some horizon. The highway crossed streams and rivers, and went past small lakes. Everywhere Loop looked, bright yellow forests of deciduous trees mixed with the dark greens of conifers.

The long, peaceful drive was beautiful and relaxing – just the ticket after Lupe’s nearly 14 hour day on the Grizzly Ridge trail yesterday. Loopster snoozed when she felt like it, but was always eager to get out of the G6 to look around when SPHP stopped briefly at memorable spots along the highway.

A view of the **Tintina Trench** from along the North Klondike Highway. Photo looks N.

The **Tintina Trench** is a geological feature which extends across the Yukon into Alaska. A fault line along the trench has shifted laterally 450 kilometers.

Patches of low clouds hang over the **Tintina Trench**. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.

View of the **Five Finger Rapids** area on the **Yukon River**. Photo looks W.

**Fox Lake** was the largest lake Lupe saw along the North Klondike Highway. She wasn’t far from Whitehorse by the time she got here. Photo looks NW.

Late in the afternoon, Lupe arrived in Whitehorse. SPHP found a Jiffy Lube, and the G6 got a needed oil change. Evening featured a roasted chicken from President’s Choice. The American Dingo enthusiastically helped to devour the chicken at Takhini Hot Pools, which SPHP enjoyed for the second time on this Dingo Vacation.

9-8-17, 4:41 AM, 48°F in Whitehorse – Two foxes! SPHP watched them for a couple of minutes before Lupe woke up and saw them, too. A Dingo barkfest ensued, but the foxes only seemed perplexed and curious. After a minute or two of this abuse, they sauntered off together heading for downtown. Awesome!

Another relaxing day on the road. The morning featured gorgeous S Yukon Territory scenery along the Alaska Highway. After turning S on the Cassiar Highway, Lupe spent the afternoon in British Colombia. The Cassiar Highway was in better shape this year than in 2016. No more long stretches of gravel. Those had been replaced with new pavement. Smooth! Lupe passed by many beautiful lakes – Good Hope, Lang, Deese and others.

Lupe by the **Yukon River** SE of Whitehorse. Photo looks W.

With so many miles to go, it wasn’t possible to stop much. By late afternoon, after nearly 2 days in the G6, Lupe was getting restless. Something had to be done. A stop along the Stikine River for a 30 minute break helped. Loop found a squirrel up in the trees. Superb Dingo therapy!

Loop licks her schnoz after enjoying some **Stikine River** water. Photo looks ESE.

*About time you let me out of the G6!* Photo looks SW.

This is more like it! Searching for squirrels in the trees along the **Stikine River**. Found one, too! Oh, happy half hour!

Two black bears and a horse along the highway provided what little excitement there was the rest of the day. Between these episodes, Lupe’s eyelids grew heavy. She went back to snoozing. The highway went by many beautiful snow-capped peaks. Made 550 miles today. Stopped for the night somewhere S Ningunsaw Pass. Out of Alpo. Out of everything. Crackers for dinner. Oh, yum! (8:37 PM, 50°F)

9-9-17, 4:11 AM – Out to sniff the air, then onward! Turned out Lupe hadn’t been far from the Bell 2 rest stop last night. Reached it within 15 minutes. Later stopped briefly at Bell 1 near the Bell Irving River where Lupe had spent a night on her 2016 Dingo Vacation. In the dark, Bell 1 seemed just as mysterious now as it had back then.

5:55 AM – Still dark. Stopped to fuel up at Meziadin Junction. Raining! Not good. Hours to Smithers yet, though. Hopefully the rain will stop, so Lupe can climb Harvey Mountain (6,083 ft)!

From Meziadin Junction, it rained for a long way. Finally, though, the rain slackened to only intermittent showers. Still lots of clouds around, but even that situation improved enough so that by the time Lupe was approaching Smithers on Hwy 16, it was decided the American Dingo was at least going to take a shot at Harvey Mountain.

After a quick stop at Safeway in Smithers, Lupe and SPHP continued SE on Hwy 16. On the way out of town, the highway crossed a bridge over the Bulkley River. SPHP watched for a N (L) turn onto Old Babine Lake Road. The turn soon materialized. Several miles of twists and turns later, Lupe was heading up Driftwood Canyon.

10:10 AM, 47°F – The Harvey Mountain trailhead has limited parking. No problem. There was plenty of room for the G6. No other vehicles around. As soon as Lupe got out of the G6, she ran across the road over to Driftwood Creek for a drink. The rushing creek was shaded in deep forest. Mossy rocks lined the creek banks, and formed mossy islands midstream. Pretty, but once Looper was hydrated, it was time to hit the trail for Harvey Mountain (6,083 ft.)!

At **Driftwood Creek** right across Driftwood Road from the Harvey Mountain trailhead.

The Harvey Mountain trail proved to be an abandoned road or former jeep trail. Most of it was grassy, though a single track was beaten down to dirt a lot of the way. In some places, forest undergrowth had taken over all but the single track.

Looper hits the Harvey Mountain trail in **Babine Mountains Provincial Park**.

The trail started off easy enough, but that didn’t last long. Soon it was a steady uphill grind at a pretty fierce rate of climb. It stayed that way for a long way with only occasional short level stretches. SPHP was pausing frequently to catch breath. Lupe enjoyed showing off, trotting easily up and down the trail, while SPHP stood gasping between pushes onward and upward.

The trail switchbacked up a steep mountainside though dense forest. Other than the challenging rate of ascent, everything about this was easy. No rocks, no roots, no cliffs, no rough terrain or obstacles. In many places the whole grassy roadbed was exposed, so the trail was plenty wide, too. This was simply a relentlessly steep road hike.

Due to the dense forest, there were also no views. Even after gaining 2,000 feet of elevation, Lupe still hadn’t seen much of anything except trees. Oh, there were hints of views now and then, but not even a single decent opening appeared to allow some contemplation and appreciation of what was out there just beyond the forest.

Lupe came to a large yellow metal gate. The gate was padlocked shut to prevent any possibility of vehicle traffic on the trail. After passing this gate, the situation finally started to show some signs of changing. The forest ahead was beginning to thin out. Before long, Loop was emerging from the trees. A huge sloping alpine meadow was ahead.

After passing a large yellow metal gate, Lupe finally began to emerge from the forest.

As Lupe left the forest, she entered a huge, sloping alpine meadow. The trail went on in the general direction of the high point seen on the L. Photo looks E.

Onward and upward! Climbing the steep alpine meadow. Photo looks NW.

Lupe had gone a long way up the slope, when it became apparent rain was approaching from the SW. SPHP donned the blue rain poncho, then sat next to a modest-sized rock which had a cairn on it. Looper curled up on SPHP’s lap inside the rain poncho, hoping to stay dry, too.

Lupe was high on the long slope she’d been climbing when it became clear rain was on the way. Photo looks SW.

*Better get that rain poncho on fast, SPHP! The rain is almost here!* Photo looks W.

Staying dry while rain and fog sweep over Harvey Mountain.

Rain and fog swept over Harvey Mountain. Visibility was close to zero. The rain showers had seemed limited in scope, when SPHP saw them coming. 30 minutes later, however, Lupe and SPHP were still sitting next to the rock with the cairn in dense fog. Rain continued to fall.

The rain fell hardest shortly before suddenly ending. The fog flew away. Loop was out of the rain poncho like a shot when SPHP urged her to move. Locally the sky was brighter again, but ragged clouds clung to nearby mountains. More rain wasn’t far off in several directions.

Conditions after the shower weren’t nearly so bright and encouraging as SPHP had expected, but Harvey Mountain wasn’t being threatened at the moment. This was Lupe’s chance to make a break for the summit. Puppy, ho! Onward!

*Yes, we hid right here from the rain!* Photo looks S.

Lupe still at the rock with the cairn. From here she headed for the high point beyond her. Photo looks SE.

Although **Harvey Mountain** wasn’t directly threatened at the moment, ragged clouds clung to nearby mountains. Photo looks N.

The trail had completely faded away even before the rain hit. Loop was climbing SE following Harvey Mountain’s broad NW ridge. Cairns were seen every now and then, but the route was clear enough without them. The obstacle free terrain was getting even easier. The slope of the ridge was decreasing as Lupe progressed.

Going up the very broad NW ridge. A small cairn is seen beyond Lupe a little to the R. Photo looks SE.

The topo map showed a high point labeled “Mt. Harvey” toward the N end of the mountain. This N high point couldn’t be the true summit. The map also clearly showed a higher contour well to the SSE. Since the N high point was closest, Lupe went looking for it first.

The Carolina Dog climbed or skirted several minor high points along the N end of the mountain before reaching the highest one. She sometimes had glimpses of impressive mountains and the deep valley to the N, but even during this break in the clouds, Looper could seldom see very far. She did get a good look at the true summit of Harvey Mountain from one of the minor high points.

Even during this local break in the clouds, Lupe could seldom see very far. She did get glimpses now and then like this one of the huge, deep Driftwood Creek valley to the N. The S end of **Mt. Elmsted** is on the L. Photo looks NNE.

The true summit at the S end of **Harvey Mountain** is the dark knob directly beyond Lupe. Photo looks SSE.

The true summit (L) from the same spot with help from the telephoto lens.

Looking toward **Mt. Hyland** (R) during a rare semi-break in the clouds in that direction. Photo looks NE.

Once Lupe made it to the highest of the N high points, the one marked “Mt. Harvey” on the topo map, all that remained was an easy trek across an undulating summit plateau to the true summit. Loop could see her destination from here.

Lupe at the N high point. The true summit is in the distance at Center. Photo looks SSE.

Another view from the N high point showing more of Harvey Mountain’s summit plateau. The true summit is on the L. Clearly there’s another spot on the mountain higher than where Lupe is on the R. Call it the S Central high point. Photo looks S.

The weather made the otherwise simple trek to the summit far more dramatic than it otherwise would have been. Fog repeatedly streamed by out of the SW producing temporary whiteouts, or giving the summit plateau a ghostly aura. Big patches of blue sky also appeared, suddenly bathing the American Dingo in brilliant sunshine.

Another look at the true summit from the same spot. Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.

The true summit of Harvey Mountain was up on a small ridge of dark colored rock. This ridge was 25 to 30 feet long, 5 to 10 feet wide, and sat 25 to 30 feet above the immediately surrounding terrain. Looper easily scrambled to the top from the W end. Except for doubt caused by the weather, Harvey Mountain (6,083 ft.) had been cake!

Loopster claims another peakbagging success at the summit of **Harvey Mountain**. Photo looks E.

On a clear day, Lupe would have had some spectacular views of the Babine Mountains from **Harvey Mountain**. No such luck today!

With the weather as dicey as it was, Lupe only got to spend 10 minutes at the summit before SPHP thought it best to start the descent. Reaching Harvey Mountain’s summit was still an accomplishment, even if Lupe didn’t have long to relish her success.

More rain showers in the distance. Photo looks SW.

Looking NNW back across the summit plateau. Lupe came here from this direction. The S Central high point is on the L. The N high point is the dark bump R of Center.

Sunshine in the distance. The S Central high point is on the R. Photo looks W.

SE of the summit, Harvey Mountain dropped very steeply away into a deep canyon. Lupe could see clear to the bottom. Clouds continually hid Pyramid Mountain on the other side. The topo map suggested it might be possible to journey over to Pyramid Mountain and an even higher peak to the E traversing a saddle farther N, but the weather squelched all ideas of giving that a try.

In fact, after only 10 or 12 minutes at the summit, with another line of showers approaching from the SW, Lupe had spent long enough up here. The American Dingo would have had tremendous views of the Babine Mountains on a clear day, but that didn’t seem to be in the cards. Loop had better start her descent in case the situation decided to take a turn for the worse.

So Lupe left the summit of Harvey Mountain. She proceeded NW toward the S Central high point.

On the way to the S Central high point (L) after leaving the summit. Photo looks NW.

This time, Lupe did go to the top of the S Central high point. By the time she got there, though, the next squall had arrived. This one was mostly a dense fog. Once again, everything disappeared from view. Raindrops fell at first, quickly followed by snow granules.

Lupe was stuck here. The snow granules, which stung a little driven by the wind, weren’t the problem. With no trail and no visibility, it would be way too easy to get turned around.

Another wait doing nothing. The wind and snow made it cold. SPHP started getting nervous when the fog didn’t show any sign of breaking up quickly. 20 minutes went by. Finally, the outline of another hill not far to the N could be seen. Lupe headed for it, and the fog thinned some more. Enough so Loop could keep going.

After waiting more than 20 minutes up on the S Central high point, the outline of another hill to the N could be seen. Lupe headed for it. Photo looks N.

By the time Loop was near the N end of the mountain again, the fog was only wispy. She turned and started down the broad NW ridge. Blue sky appeared! Oh, yeah! Nearby, though, clouds still prevailed.

Looper back near the N end of **Harvey Mountain** again as wisps of fog continue to sweep by. The summit she’d left behind is on the L, the S Central high point on the R. Photo looks S.

Blue sky returns! Summit on the L. Photo looks S.

Improvements in the weather looked potentially temporary. Photo looks W.

By the time Lupe reached the last big rock formations on the NW ridge, she was in sunshine. She had it made now. The trail was just down the big alpine slope from here. Once she reached the trail, it wouldn’t matter how foggy it got.

In sunshine on the last big rock formation on the NW ridge. Photo looks SSW.

Looking W from the same spot. Lupe would pick up the trail again down toward the L.

A peek back to the NE before continuing the descent.

Beautiful W slope of Harvey Mountain. Photo looks S.

Of course, Lupe did reach the trail. The return was super simple the rest of the way. Gravity helped to make it all so easy compared to SPHP’s huffing and puffing ascent. The weather steadily improved (naturally!). Looper even saw the glacier on Hudson Bay Mountain (8,494 ft.) off to the WSW, although the summit remained shrouded.

**Hudson Bay Mountain** W of Smithers is an ultra prominent peak (more than 5,000 ft. of prominence). Photo looks WSW.

After glimpsing Hudson Bay Mountain, it was down the winding trail through the forest all the way back to the trailhead. (3:46 PM, 59°F)

On the pleasant, now sunlit, journey back to the trailhead.

Back for another taste of refreshing **Driftwood Creek**.

*Delicious! Why don’t you ever have any, SPHP?*

Harvey Mountain was destined to be the last peak Lupe climbed in Canada in 2017. After another round of refreshment in Driftwood Creek, the Carolina Dog left the Babine Mountains returning to Highway 16. The rest of the day was spent on the road, traveling SE through gorgeous British Columbia toward Prince George.

Loop didn’t make it all the way to Prince George. Toward evening she stopped for another adventure. This adventure wasn’t about climbing mountains, instead it was an adventure in beauty. In 2016, when Lupe had been on her way NW on Hwy 16, she had stopped at the prettiest city park, Steelhead Park, in the little town of Houston.

Steelhead Park is right along the highway. It isn’t very large, but walkways lead across a beautifully manicured lawn past shady trees and carefully cultivated flower beds. There is even a fountain. A stop to stretch those legs and enjoy Steelhead Park again was a must!

Lupe sets out on an adventure in beauty at **Steelhead Park**.

**Steelhead Park** features beautifully manicured lawns and carefully cultivated flower beds.

*Whatcha think, SPHP? Do I look good in pink? …. Oh, yes! You’re so beautiful, Looper!*

*See any tall, dark, and handsome Dingoes around, SPHP? This is my sweet come hither look. …… Oh my, deadly!*

By the fountain featuring leaping **Steelheads**.

**Harvey Mountain** was the last mountain I’m going to get to climb in Canada this year? That’s a sad thought!

*Purple and gold! Think the Minnesota Vikings need an American Dingo mascot? I’d be pretty scary with horns, you know. Give me the ball, and I’m fast enough to score touchdowns, too!*

*No, on second thought, maybe I’ll just stick with beautiful things like mountains and flowers. Hard to win when they out weigh you 10 to 1. One good hit in the NFL, and I would be a Dingo pancake!*

*Yes, beautiful things are the way to go. I fit right in, don’t I?*

*Steelhead Park really is wonderful. So glad we stopped to enjoy it again! There’s mountains near Houston, too, SPHP! Maybe we could come back and climb one or two around here some day?*

After visiting Steelhead Park, Lupe continued on. Near Cluculz Lake SE of Vanderhoof, it got dark. Lupe and SPHP stopped for the night. No sense missing any scenery! Tomorrow was another day.

Harvey Mountain trailhead directions: From Smithers, British Columbia head SE on Hwy 16. After crossing the Bulkley River bridge, watch for Old Babine Lake Road, which soon appears on the L. Follow Old Babine Lake Road approximately 4 miles to another L turn onto Telkwa High Road. Go 1 mile to a R turn onto Driftwood Canyon Road. Follow signs to Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park. Keep going 6 km up Driftwood Canyon. After crossing a series of single lane bridges over Driftwood Creek, the Harvey Mountain trailhead appears on the R. Parking is limited. Additional parking is available 1 km farther on at the Silver King trailhead. Total elevation gain to the summit is 2,943 feet.

Links:

Next Adventure Prior Adventure

Babine Mountains Provincial Park Map

Babine Mountains Provincial Park Brochure

The Little Onion, Astlais Mountain & The Big Onion, Babine Mountains, British Columbia, Canada (8-8-18)

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

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 234 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Rapid Creek to Deer Creek (9-22-18)

Start – 10:42 AM, 69 °F, Rapid Creek trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89

Sad to say it, but Lupe’s many adventures on 3 separate Dingo Vacations during the grand summer of 2018 were over. It was officially fall now, and the American Dingo had been back at home for a whole week. That was more than enough time to get all rested up and start missing those long summer days spent exploring magnificent far away places.

When SPHP suggested it might be time to check out another section of Centennial Trail No. 89 in the Black Hills, Loopster was excited at the prospect of getting back into action. Oh, yeah! She could hardly wait!

Loop had explored some of the 111 mile long Centennial Trail No. 89 back in the spring. It seemed only natural to pick up from where she’d left off at the Rapid Creek trailhead below the Pactola Reservoir dam. The plan was to follow the next section of the trail N all the way to the Deer Creek trailhead, a distance of 5.0 miles.

Lupe happy to be back at the Rapid Creek trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89 for the first time since spring.

Leaving the trailhead, Centennial Trail No. 89 goes a short distance W before crossing Rapid Creek on Pactola Basin Road. Instead of crossing the creek right away, though, Lupe continued upstream for a look at the pond at the base of the Pactola Reservoir dam.

Lupe drops by for a look at the scenic pond below the dam. Photo looks WSW.

A couple of ducks flew away as the Carolina Dog approached. At the pond’s outlet, a footbridge provided a way over Rapid Creek. Lupe and SPHP lingered a few minutes admiring the scenic pond before following the creek downstream back to Pactola Basin Road. Along the way, Loop cooled her paws off and helped herself to a drink.

Cooling off in Rapid Creek. The footbridge Lupe had crossed by the pond is in view. Photo looks SW.

Once back at Pactola Basin Road, Lupe followed it NW. The road soon curved to the L (W) to start winding steeply up to the top of the dam. Centennial Trail No. 89, however, took a side road NW up a small valley. Sticking with the trail, Lupe passed by several cabins.

Sticking with Centennial Trail No. 89 after leaving Pactola Basin Road, Lupe passes by the last cabin along a side road. Photo looks W.

Beyond the last cabin, Centennial Trail No. 89 continued NW. The trail was well marked and easy to follow.

Heading up the valley. Part of Pactola Reservoir dam is seen on the L (W).

The trail was clearly marked and easy to follow even though the road soon began to fade. Photo looks N.

The road faded away. Centennial Trail No. 89 was now a single track trail, which began to climb more steeply. Lupe quickly reached the top of a small ridge. The Carolina Dog was now high enough to see Highway 385 and part of Pactola Reservoir off to the W & SW.

The steepest part of Centennial Trail No. 89 the American Dingo would encounter today was just ahead. Even so, the rate of climb remained moderate. The trail snaked up a long slope, passing near a utility line. Higher up, a view began to open up back to the S.

Continuing higher. This next section was the steepest part of Centennial Trail No. 89 that Lupe would encounter today. Photo looks NW.

As Lupe gained elevation, a view to the S began to open up.

After passing through a meadow, Loopster reached a high point where Centennial Trail No. 89 leveled out. The Carolina Dog had gained 500 feet of elevation, and was now 0.75 mile from the Rapid Creek trailhead. This was the end of the first big climb. Directly ahead the trail entered the forest.

Although Lupe had gotten a late morning start, SPHP figured she had plenty of time to get to the Deer Creek trailhead and back before dark. In fact, Lupe probably had enough time to leave the trail and do a little peakbagging. Perrin Mountain (5,212 ft.) was less than a mile E.

Centennial Trail No. 89 levels out and enters the forest 0.75 mile NW of the Rapid Creek trailhead. This is the end of the steepest climb on this section of the trail. Photo looks N.

Lupe left the trail setting out for Perrin Mountain. She gained another 100 feet of elevation climbing a forested slope to the NE. This brought her up onto Perrin Mountain’s WNW ridge. The Carolina Dog traveled NE across a broad thinly forested saddle to a big rock formation.

Off trail now, Lupe approaches a big rock formation on her way to Perrin Mountain. Photo looks NE.

From the big rock formation, Lupe followed the ridge SE. She passed over several high and low points on the way to Perrin Mountain, but the elevation changes weren’t dramatic. She soon came to a large power line. The clear cut area along the power line provided the best view of Pactola Reservoir thus far.

Looking S toward Pactola Reservoir from the power line that crosses Perrin Mountain’s WNW ridge.

The rest of the way to Perrin Mountain, Lupe caught only tree-broken glimpses of the lake. Closing in on the summit, Lupe came to a short stretch of dirt road beyond which a single track trail led to the odd “Hurt Locker” sign at the top of the mountain. The true summit was a small rock outcropping 30 feet to the N.

Lupe arrives at the odd “Hurt Locker” sign on **Perrin Mountain**. Photo looks E.

At Perrin Mountain’s true summit. Photo looks NE.

Perrin Mountain was too heavily forested to see much of anything. Lupe took a short break near the summit before returning to Centennial Trail No. 89 via the same route. The Perrin Mountain (5,212 ft.) side trip was Lupe’s only peakbagging success of the day. From now on she would stick to the trail.

Heading back to Centennial Trail No. 89 along Perrin Mountain’s WNW ridge. Photo looks WNW.

Lupe made it back to Centennial Trail No. 89 at the same point she’d left it. She now followed the trail N into the forest. It remained level for a little while, before curving W and beginning to lose elevation steadily. Going down a fairly steep forested ravine, Lupe soon reached Highway 385. SPHP helped Lupe cross the busy highway safely.

Starting down toward Highway 385 after reaching Centennial Trail No. 89 again. Photo looks W.

Approaching Highway 385 after losing nearly 300 feet of elevation. Photo looks W.

W of Highway 385 the trail lost a bit more elevation. Lupe could soon see the inlet where the N boat launch on Pactola Reservoir is located. The trail got quite close the lake, but stayed 30 feet above the water.

Lupe enjoys some fall colors along Centennial Trail No. 89 after crossing Hwy 385. Photo looks W.

Looking toward the N boat launch on Pactola Reservoir. Photo looks S.

Beyond the N end of the inlet, Centennial Trail No. 89 headed NW up a shallow valley. This was the start of the second notable climb along the trail. This climb was much longer than the first one, but quite gradual the whole way. Occasionally it was interrupted by level or short downhill sections.

After crossing the paved road leading down to the N boat launch, the trail turned back toward the SW. Eventually the boat launch could be glimpsed below to the E. Although Lupe wasn’t far from the main body of Pactola Reservoir here, she couldn’t see it due to the forest. The trail now curved toward the W on high ground SE of Boarding House Gulch.

Where the trail turned N again, Lupe came to a bit of open ground from which she could see part of Pactola Reservoir. This was a good spot to take another break.

Lupe on a bit of grassy high ground SE of Boarding House Gulch with a partial view of Pactola Reservoir. This was a good spot to take a second break. Photo looks SW.

Lupe wasn’t quite halfway to the Deer Creek trailhead yet, so this second rest break was also fairly brief. Upon resuming her trek, Centennial Trail No. 89 wound around high up on a mostly forested slope on the NE side of Boarding House Gulch.

The trail was fairly level along in here. SPHP liked this area since higher ground to the NE screened most of the traffic noise from Hwy 385. Lupe liked it because she was having success finding squirrels to bark at.

Lupe liked racing along level sections of the trail near Boarding House Gulch like this one looking for squirrels.

After winding around quite a bit, Centennial Trail No. 89 crossed over to the other side of Boarding House Gulch. Here the trail was no longer single track. For about a mile it followed a much straighter dirt road climbing slowly, but steadily NW.

Lupe approaching the end of the single track trail in **Boarding House Gulch**. Just ahead Centennial Trail No. 89 crosses to the other side of the valley and starts following a dirt road. Photo looks NW.

Going up **Boarding House Gulch**. Photo looks NW.

Nearing a minor pass at the upper end of **Boarding House Gulch**. Photo looks NNW.

Lupe reached a minor pass at the upper end of Boarding House Gulch. A few buildings could be seen off to the NE. Centennial Trail No. 89 left the dirt road here, heading WNW into Smoker Gulch. The trail reverted to single track once again. Lupe passed through beautiful secluded stands of aspens that were just beginning to show fall colors.

Lupe on the single track trail leading into **Smoker Gulch**. The aspens were just beginning to show some fall colors. Photo looks NW.

Heading W into **Smoker Gulch**. This relatively short section of single track trail was one of the prettiest and most secluded areas Lupe came to.

Leaving most of the aspens behind, the trail soon curved NNW again as it entered the upper portion of Smoker Gulch. For a while the trail closely paralleled yet another dirt road.

Beyond most of the aspens heading farther up **Smoker Gulch**. Photo looks NNW.

Smoker Gulch was only a third as long as Boarding House Gulch had been. Lupe was soon approaching another minor pass at its upper N end. At about 5150 feet, this pass was the high point of the entire section of Centennial Trail No. 89 the Carolina Dog was traveling today. She had gained about 550 feet of elevation from where she’d left the inlet of Pactola Reservoir near the N boat launch.

At this pass, Lupe discovered a clearly marked junction with Deerfield Trail No. 40, which heads W for 23 miles to Deerfield Reservoir. Looper wasn’t going that way today. Instead, she continued N over the pass on a section of trail shared by both Centennial Trail No. 89 and Deerfield Trail No. 40. It wasn’t much farther to Silver City Road.

Lupe reaches a junction with **Deerfield Trail No. 40** at the N end of Smoker Gulch. Photo looks WNW.

Lupe continus N on a section of single track trail shared by both Centennial Trail No. 89 & Deerfield Trail No. 40. She passed by the house seen on the R on the way to Silver City Road. Photo looks N.

Loop arrives at **Silver City Road**. Centennial Trail No. 89 & Deerfield Trail No. 40 both cross the road here. Photo looks NW.

100 yards after crossing Silver City Road, Lupe reached another junction, this time with the spur trail leading to the Deer Creek trailhead. SPHP didn’t immediately recognize the junction for what it was. Lupe stayed to the L continuing N on Deerfield Trail No. 89. She didn’t get far before SPHP realized the mistake.

Lupe reaches the junction with the relatively short spur trail to the Deer Creek trailhead. SPHP didn’t immediately recognize this junction for what it was, mistakenly leading Lupe to the L continuing N on Centennial Trail No. 89.

Going the wrong way! Lupe continuing N on Centennial Trail No. 89 when she should have been on the spur trail going E down to the Deer Creek trailhead. She didn’t get much farther than this before turning around. Photo looks NW.

It only took a minute or two to get back to the spur trail. The spur trail itself was only a 5 minute trek down a slope to the E. At the bottom Lupe finally reached the Deer Creek trailhead, her objective for the day.

Lupe reaches the Deer Creek trailhead, her objective for the day. This is the official E end of Deerfield Trail No. 40, as well as an access point for Centennial Trail No. 89.

Except for the empty parking lot, there wasn’t much to see at the Deer Creek trailhead. Lupe didn’t stick around for long. She now had to head S retracing her entire 5.0 mile long trek on Centennial Trail No. 89 back to the Rapid Creek trailhead where the G6 was parked.

Ready to head back! Lupe sits at the start of the spur trail at the Deer Creek trailhead. Photo looks SW.

Back at the junction of the spur trail and Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks S.

The return trip was pleasant and easy. Except for the big climb after crossing Highway 385, it was mostly downhill. Lupe sniffed and ran. She barked at squirrels. She saw several deer and even a couple of elk. She did not revisit Perrin Mountain, staying on Centennial Trail No. 89 the whole way.

The sun was about to disappear by the time the American Dingo reached the Rapid Creek trailhead again. (End – 6:51 PM, 63 °F) It had been a fun day on Centennial Trail No. 89, but Lupe was ready to head home. She hopped into the G6. SPHP drove up Pactola Basin Road to the junction with Highway 385 near the N end of the dam.

Lupe’s return home had to be delayed! From the dam, a gorgeous sunset could be seen over Pactola Reservoir. SPHP drove across the highway to a viewpoint overlooking the lake. Together Lupe and SPHP watched until the blazing display faded to gray.