2022 – Page 17 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Mount Fitzpatrick, Salt River Range, Wyoming – Part 2: Upper Crow Creek Lake to the Summit! (6-30-22)

Day 15 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!

6-30-22, the wee hours, Upper Crow Creek Lake – Coming to for the 2nd time tonight, SPHP stuck the little flashlight out of the tiny house, and swept the faint beam around the surrounding area.

There she was! 15 feet away, Lupe was laying all by herself out on cold, bare ground, silently contemplating the brilliant stars in an otherwise ink black sky. Sniffing the night air and listening, she glanced over.

I’m fine, SPHP!

Yeah, I see that, Loop. Glad you’ve got sense enough to never wander too far off and get lost. Still, I always feel like I’ve got to check on you every so often. Maybe you ought to come back into the tiny house? Warm up, and have a nice snooze. Big day coming up. Mount Fitzpatrick (10,907 ft.), if we can get there!

There’s something primeval about the night, SPHP. I love being out here!

I know. I always feel it, too. The night whispers to one’s soul, especially alone in the wilderness with the unfathomably ancient universe ablaze above. Well, enjoy, but don’t stay out too long. Don’t fall asleep out there. You never know. We may not be as entirely alone as it seems.

First light, Upper Crow Creek Lake – Wrapped in her red sleeping bag, the Carolina Dog was snoozing peacefully, all toasty warm. Across the lake, Peak 10525 was exquisite in the morning alpenglow. SPHP felt restless and uneasy, maybe a bit queasy. The sky promptly clouded up, the alpenglow vanishing. Suddenly, Peak 10525 was drab and lifeless compared to what it had been only moments ago.

Should probably get going, but lethargy triumphed. Maybe it would be better to wait a while, get some more sleep? Simply smart to give this summer day a chance to soften the snowfields on Mount Fitzpatrick’s steep N face, right? Seemed logical enough, and a perfect excuse. SPHP took an Alka-Seltzer Cold Plus, rolled over, and tried to get back to sleep.

Morning, Upper Crow Creek Lake – Yikes! That certainly worked. Nearly 10:00 AM! Although still not all that energetic or confident, SPHP did feel better. Resting nearby in brilliant sunshine, Lupe was outside the tiny house again, calmly watching the world.

Shoot! You should have woken me up, Loop! Didn’t mean to sleep so long.

Hated to do that to you, SPHP. You were really sawing wood.

You mean snoring? I never snore.

Oh, really? Coulda fooled me, SPHP!

Well, never mind that. Getting you some Taste of the Wild. Eat it quick, and we’ll split some beef jerky as a morning picker-upper. Then we better get with it.

Beef jerky? Awesome! Bring on that Taste of the Wild, SPHP. It’s doomed!

10:02 AM, Upper Crow Creek Lake – At least someone was feeling feisty! Right after setting out, the were-puppy attacked, forcing SPHP to fend it off or get bitten.

Ow! Dang it, do you really have to do that to me every time you get excited?

Just a love, nip, SPHP! Admit it, you love the were-puppy, too!

True enough. Most of me does. I’m glad you’re so high-spirited and feeling frisky, but you really ought to know that my ankles and calves aren’t as fond of the were-puppy as you might imagine. C’mon, Mount Fitzpatrick time! Onward, puppy ho!

Heading W, Lupe led the way, Mount Fitzpatrick already in sight only a mile away.

Setting out for **Mount Fitzpatrick** (Center). Photo looks WSW.

Flat terrain quickly led to a snow-filled valley W of Upper Crow Creek Lake. Part of this valley was exposed rock. Seemed better to climb along a partially tree-lined ridge a bit farther N.

Plenty of snow and rock this way, too, but it worked out pretty well. After gaining some elevation, the Carolina Dog reached some relatively flat, bare ground. Several use trails were in this region.

Starting up. **Mount Fitzpatrick** (L). Photo looks WSW.

Glancing back at **Upper Crow Creek Lake** after some initial progress. Photo looks E.

Entering flatter, more snow-free territory after following the ridge. Photo looks WNW.

Choosing the best use trail, Loop followed it W on a fairly steep S-facing slope overlooking the snowy valley. The snow-free trail made for an easy traverse. Gradually gaining elevation, the trail eventually curved NW. Passing through a short stretch of forest, Lupe arrived at a broad, snowy saddle.

This was the saddle that the valley W of Upper Crow Creek Lake swept up to. A deep snow-filled depression was to the N, and Peak 10788 was visible to the NW.

Traversing the **hillside N of the snowy valley**. Photo looks WSW.

Arriving at the saddle. **Peak 10788** (R). Photo looks NW.

Snow-filled depression (L) from the saddle. Photo looks N.

Going W across the saddle, Lupe began climbing a steep, mostly bare slope leading up a 300 foot high ridge. Finding the use trail again, Loop was able to follow it most of the way, but once above the steepest part, the trail vanished again in a snowy forest.

Avoiding the trees as much as possible, a snow trudge higher finally got her to some more bare ground along the E side of the ridgeline. Upper Crow Creek Lake was in view again.

Crossing the saddle, about to start up the next ridge. Photo looks WNW.

Approaching the trees. **Mount Fitzpatrick** (L of Center). Photo looks SSW.

**Peak 10143** (L), **Upper Crow Creek Lake** (Center), **Peak 10525** (R). Photo looks E.

The territory W of the ridge Lupe had reached wasn’t nearly as steep. A wide, relatively shallow valley was so full of snow that a tarn shown on the topo map must have still been buried beneath it.

Of more immediate interest, Mount Fitzpatrick’s N face was now fully in sight to the S. Snowfields covered most of it. Unequipped for a snow climb, the lower half looked impossibly steep.

However, there was good news, too. Toward the E side of the N face, a broad swath of ground was almost entirely snow-free. Although also very steep, an E approach looked quite feasible. In fact, a fair amount of greenery was visible, which usually meant decent traction. A sloping rock band visible above the greenery appeared potentially problematic. Might be a line of cliffs along it? Hard to say how formidable from here.

Sometimes on snow, but mostly on rocky terrain, Lupe headed S, aiming for the E side of Mount Fitzpatrick’s N face. The Carolina Dog actually lost some elevation before getting to where the decisive ascent began.

**Mount Fitzpatrick’s N face**. Photo looks SSW.

Heading for the **mostly snow-free E side of the N face** (L). Photo looks S.

Looking back at the **region N of Mount Fitzpatrick** after starting up. **Peak 10788** (Center). Lupe came up along the trees on the R. Photo looks NNW.

Hopes were soaring as Lupe started up! The slope was very steep, but no worse than many others she had been on. For a long way, plenty of low vegetation made for good, firm traction. By the time Loop reached the slanting band of rock SPHP thought might be a problem, the rate of climb was diminishing. The American Dingo was already higher than most of the exceptionally steep massive snowfield to the W.

The rock band proved to be no issue at all. While it did form a long wall, as expected, the wall was crumbling and low. Loop simply scrambled up one of the easier spots. Nothing to it!

Approaching the rock band wall. Photo looks SW.

Up and over toward the L! Photo looks SSW.

Patches of greenery existed even above the wall, but they soon gave way to much rockier terrain. Still climbing, though now on less of an incline, Loopster turned SW traversing an extensive boulder field between the massive snowfields below, and a long, narrow snowbank above.

Above the wall of rock. Photo looks SSW.

Traversing the boulder fields. Photo looks SW.

Charging onward below the upper snowbank. Photo looks SW.

Near the upper end of the long snowbank, Lupe turned S, surging up and over it in a few bounds. Immediately above the snowbank, she reached a rounded ridgeline of broken rock with sparse vegetation scattered throughout. This was Mount Fitzpatrick’s E ridge.

By now it was clear that the American Dingo was already very high on the mountain. Turning W, a 50 foot climb was all it took before a cairn appeared only a little farther ahead.

On the **upper E ridge**. Photo looks W.

Approaching the summit cairn. Photo looks W.

12:58 PM, 58ºF, Mount Fitzpatrick (10,907 ft.) – Smiling broadly, Lupe stood with her front paws propped up on the summit cairn. Peak 10788 and others strung out along the same ridgeline were in view beyond her, Grand Teton (13,770 ft.) faintly visible on the N horizon. Skies were sunny that way, but much stormier looking to the S.

**Peak 10788** (L of Center), **Grand Teton** (Center) faint on the horizon. Photo looks N.

We made it, SPHP! Mount Fitzpatrick wasn’t so hard after all, was it?

Have to admit I can scarcely believe how well it has all gone, Loopster. After those first glimpses of Peak 10525 yesterday, I was almost certain we were doomed to failure. Glad we didn’t try this a week ago, though. Might still have been enough snow back then to prevent us from getting up here. That big snow-free stretch on the E side of the N face was key.

Good call delaying Fitzpatrick until after Mount McDougal (10,780 ft.) and the Snake River Range, SPHP! Worthy of a chocolate coconut bar!

Believe you’re on to something there, Looper! Should be one in the pack.

Mount Fitzpatrick’s summit was crescent-shaped, with 2 lobes extending E and SSW from a circular central region 20 feet in diameter where the cairn was. Plenty of room to stroll around a bit, and nothing at all up here to block the views in any direction.

After a pawshake congratulating Lupe on her latest peakbagging success, SPHP grabbed a white plastic tube from the center of the cairn, then sat facing E on bare ground nearby. Assisted by a famished Carolina Dog, a chocolate coconut bar performed its disappearing act. Loop then curled up on SPHP’s lap. Munching an apple, SPHP had a look at the registry contained within the white tube.

The registry consisted of loose full-sized sheets of paper printed out with columns for name, date, address, and comments. 2 or 3 pages had been completely filled out, easily sporting 50 to 60 names dating back as far as 2010. At least 3 dogs had been up here, too. Unfortunately, the entire registry, including all the extra pages, was sopping wet.

Just a mess, aye, SPHP? Too bad!

Yeah, these blank pages aren’t going to be usable. I’m just going to pack them out, but we might as well leave the pages that are already completed, since most of the entries are still legible.

You’re not going to add my name to the registry, SPHP?

Oh, of course I will, Loop. I’ll tear a page out of our small notebook. Not the best, but at least your ascent will be noted as long as that page lasts. Really not much else we can do at this point.

Loop’s registry entry taken care of, SPHP returned the white tube to the cairn, which featured one other item of interest.

Want your registry entries to last longer than a piece of paper, Loop? Elly Rainey has a solution.

Who is Elly Rainey, SPHP?

No idea, Loopster, but we could have run into her here sometime in 2018.

Oh, that’s awesome, SPHP! An entry carved in stone! That’s a great idea.

Would be if I were as ambitious as Elly. Not sure I want to be carrying rocks up every mountain we climb, Loop.

Maybe Mount Fitzpatrick is of some special significance to Elly?

Seems like that might well be the case, Looper. She would have had to bring a much bigger rock to explain why, though.

The storminess to the S was slowly drifting E. Lupe alternated between relaxing on SPHP’s lap, and wandering about sniffing and looking at the views. In addition to the Tetons to the N, the Gros Ventre Range was on the NNE horizon, and the Wind River Range NE.

Much closer, Mount McDougal (10,780 ft.) and Triple Peak (11,127 ft.) were both identifiable NE beyond the Greys River valley in the Wyoming Range. Mount Coffin (11,242 ft.) and Wyoming Peak (11,378 ft.) were in sight to the SE.

Less than a mile away, Peak 10525 was due E . Way below it, a sliver of Upper Crow Creek Lake was visible just to the N. Lupe’s tiny house might have been visible down there, too, if not hidden by trees.

**Mount McDougal** (L) and **Triple Peak** (R of Center) beyond the **Greys River valley**. Photo looks NE.

**Peak 10315** (R) with **Mount Coffin** (Center in shadow) & **Wyoming Peak** (just to the R) beyond. Photo looks SE.

**Mount Coffin** (L), **Wyoming Peak** (Center), and **Mount March Madness** (R). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.

Immediately W, a long, straight ridge running N/S defined the opposite side of the Swift Creek valley. Unfamiliar mountains in Idaho were on the horizon beyond it. Quite a bit closer, Red Top Mountain (10,411 ft.) was identifiable to the SW.

**Swift Creek valley** (lower R) and **Red Top Mountain** (Center). Photo looks SW.

**Swift Creek valley** (L & Center). Photo looks NW.

Much of Mount Fitzpatrick’s N face was so steep that it couldn’t be seen from the summit, but the region Lupe had traveled through below it was visible.

**Peak 10788** (L). Lupe had come up from the lower R. Photo looks N.

The best views of all, while a considerable amount of snow still lingered on N slopes, were to the S. Greysalt Mountain (10,769 ft.) and Mount Wagner (10,709 ft.) stood out.

**Greysalt Mountain** (L of Center) and **Mount Wagner** (R) in the distance. Photo looks S.

The Carolina Dog was more interested in a steep snowbank clinging to Mount Fitzpatrick’s upper SE face. She ventured out onto it to cool off and eat some snow.

**Mount Wagner** (L), **Red Top Mountain** (R). Photo looks SW.

**Greysalt Mountain** (R) in the distance. Photo looks SSE.

2:26 PM – The weather was perfect, visibility and the views awesome! However, nearly an hour and a half had shot by. Lupe now stood by the cairn on Mount Fitzpatrick for the last time.

Final moments on **Mount Fitzpatrick**. Photo looks W.

Hate to go, Looper, but it’s over. Take a good look around, we’ll be leaving this region tomorrow, and it may be a long time before we ever come back.

That’s just sad, SPHP! It’s been marvelous, and Mount Fitzpatrick turned out great, didn’t it?

Sure did, Loop. Thrilled that we actually got here. Yesterday I was afraid we wouldn’t.

The American Dingo had already lost 80 feet of elevation heading down the E ridge, when SPHP suddenly stopped.

Hang on, Loop!

What’s up, SPHP?

Heading down the **E ridge**. Photo looks W.

I’ve been trying to remember to take a photo with our new iPhone from each summit we’ve been visiting on this Dingo Vacation. Think I forgot to again. Would you mind going back up for a few minutes?

I’d be delighted to, SPHP!

So the American Dingo returned briefly to Mount Fitzpatrick’s summit. Once the iPhone photo was taken, Lupe enjoyed one last chance to gaze again upon the glorious scenes in all directions from the highest peak of the Salt River Range.

Oh, the fun wasn’t over yet! Lupe still had a wonderful long day ahead of her on the way back out. Although she made minor variations to her route up Mount Fitzpatrick, for the most part her descent was the same.

Back down at the saddle overlooking the snowy **valley W of Upper Crow Creek Lake**. **Peak 10525** (L). Photo looks SE.

Approaching **Upper Crow Creek Lake** again. **Peak 10525** (R). Photo looks E.

When Lupe got back to the tiny house, SPHP was surprised when she didn’t try to get in. Instead, Loop laid down among the buttercups in the corner of the two logs by the white stone fire ring. While SPHP packed up the sleeping bags and the tiny house, she relaxed while enjoying the fabulous view of Upper Crow Creek Lake and Peak 10525.

As soon as SPHP had everything ready, it was time to head back to Trail No. 079 at Pass 9060.

Leaving **Upper Crow Creek Lake** and **Mount Fitzpatrick** (R of Center). Photo looks SW.

Down in the North Crow Creek valley along Trail No. 044, Lupe saw a couple of deer and an elk. When she got to the fords of Crow Creek, she plunged right through like a pro. With boots, socks, and paws already soaking wet from the snow back at Mount Fitzpatrick, even SPHP didn’t hesitate to do the same.

9:03 PM, 53ºF, Crow Creek trailhead along Greys River Road – The last of the alpenglow was on the highest peaks when Lupe made it back to the RAV4. She was eager to leap in and get back on her pink blanket, while SPHP mucked around getting everything loaded.

Once that was done, Loop enjoyed Ol’ Roy for dinner, as SPHP drove S. Too tired to do anything else, SPHP munched a packet of Ritz crackers, sharing some with the Carolina Dog. It was dark when SPHP finally parked the RAV4 at the end of Road No. 10399 near Greys River.

For the 4th and final time on this Dingo Vacation, Lupe would get to spend the night at this favorite spot. She drifted off to Dingo Dreamland knowing Mount Fitzpatrick had been a grand and beautiful success. What a fun adventure!

And Lupe would always remember her quiet night beneath the stars by lovely Upper Crow Creek Lake.

**Mount Fitzpatrick**, Salt River Range, Wyoming 6-30-22

Links:

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Mount Fitzpatrick, Salt River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: Greys River Road to Upper Crow Creek Lake (6-29-22)

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Mount Fitzpatrick, Salt River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: Greys River Road to Upper Crow Creek Lake (6-29-22)

Days 12-14 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!

6-27-22, Dog Creek trailhead at the end of USFS Road No. 31030 – The sun was well up and shining brightly when SPHP came to.

About time, sleepyhead!

And I suppose you’ve been up for hours, aye, Looper?

A long time, SPHP.

Well, bully for you then, Miss Ambitious! You needn’t have woken up so early, though. After 4 days in the Snake River Range, we’re taking a break.

Good! I’m actually feeling lazy, too. I was just giving you a hard time, SPHP.

Perfect, we’re on the same page then, Loopster. You’re going to like the plan for the next couple of days.

Two rest days, SPHP?

Yeah, why not? The trip journal needs some serious catching up.

After a quick drive back to Hwy 26/89, SPHP spent an hour cleaning and reorganizing the RAV4 at the Pritchard boat ramp along the Snake River. Lupe didn’t even get out, preferring to laze around on her pink blanket. Then it was off to Alpine for a few groceries.

6-27-22, Greys River – Lupe was super enthusiastic when she hopped out of the RAV4 and saw that she was back at the same spot at the end of Road No. 10399. Nearly a week ago she’d spent the day after her ascent of Mount McDougal (10,780 ft.) here. The American Dingo dashed about sniffing excitedly, even briefly wading in the river before settling down to relax in the shade of old spruce trees along the riverbank.

This was rapidly becoming a favorite spot! Hiding from the sun with the help of blankets and clothing draped over the RAV4’s windows, Lupe spent a pleasant afternoon snoozing on her pink blanket while SPHP worked on the trip journal. In the evening, a stroll was taken both up and down Greys River Road

6-28-22, Greys River, end of Road No.10399 – During the night, Lupe had wanted out. SPHP obliged her, but the Carolina Dog didn’t actually go anywhere. Instead, she just laid on the ground near the RAV4 for a while all by herself beneath the stars, sniffing the cool night air and listening.

Morning had been sunny and bright again. Clouded up a little around noon. Another beautiful lazy day shot by next to the Greys River. Only a deer managed to entice Lupe out of the RAV4 during the heat of the day. Evening brought lightning and a rain shower, followed by a rainbow. After a drive along Greys River Road just for fun, Lupe had been up for another stroll as dusk came on. It was close to midnight by the time SPHP had the trip journal caught up.

6-29-22, 10:25 AM, Crow Creek trailhead along Greys River Road –

C’mon, Looper! Adventure time!

Barepawed, SPHP had already forded the first little side channel of Greys River, but Lupe was hanging back.

**Crow Creek trailhead** along Greys River Road. Photo looks NE.

Evidently the American Dingo was intent upon playing her stalking game again today. That was alright. She’d be along soon enough.

After putting socks and boots back on, SPHP almost immediately ran into a second side channel. Ugh, already the usual ford routine again! By the time SPHP was across this second stream, Lupe had caught up. A short, damp, almost marshy stretch of Crow Creek Lakes Trail No. 044 went S from here to a sturdy pawbridge over Greys River.

**Greys River** from the bridge. Photo looks S (upstream).

Once across the bridge, the trail headed W to a slope that gained 50 feet on its way up to a level stretch of forest. Many trees were dead, trunks scorched by fire. Beyond the forest, Trail No. 044 turned SW, passing through a large meadow leading to the mouth of the Crow Creek valley.

In the first level stretch of forest. Photo looks. E.

Glancing back at the forest while passing through the meadow. Photo looks NE.

Heading for the **Crow Creek valley**. Photo looks SW.

The trail dipped slightly after crossing the meadow. Crow Creek, a lovely, medium-size stream was now in sight.

**Crow Creek** (L) as Trail No. 044 enters the valley. Photo looks SW.

0.5 mile plus from the Greys River pawbridge, Trail No. 44 crossed Crow Creek. No bridge at all here! Lupe was going to have to ford the stream. Although the bottom was rocky, this wasn’t a difficult ford. The water wasn’t even knee-deep on SPHP.

Since Loopster was still playing her stalking game, SPHP was already on the far bank by the time the Carolina Dog arrived. Instead of plunging in, Lupe laid down in the shade of some bushes.

At the **first Crow Creek ford**. Photo looks NE.

C’mon over, Loop! Nothing to it. You’ll like it!

Is that so? I notice you don’t plunge entirely into many frigid streams, SPHP. Why should I? Where are we going, anyway? You haven’t said, yet you’ve got the tiny house. How long are we going to be gone this time?

Oh, remember before we climbed Mount McDougal (10,780 ft.) how I first gave up on climbing Mount Fitzpatrick (10,907 ft.), because I was afraid of how much snow we might have to face on a steep N face? I’m hoping enough snow has melted since then to give us a decent shot at Fitzpatrick. Should only take us a couple of days.

So, just one day in, then all the way back tomorrow, SPHP?

Yep, that’s the plan! We’ll only go as far as the Crow Creek Lakes today, summit tomorrow, and out. How does that sound?

The American Dingo apparently liked the plan. Without further ado, Lupe easily forded Crow Creek and the trek resumed, but only for a few hundred feet before a second ford appeared.

SPHP was getting sick and tired of constantly taking boots and socks off, only to put them right back on again, but did it once more. Lupe waited until SPHP ventured across to take on Crow Creek a second time.

Braving the **second Crow Creek ford**. Photo looks E.

Happily, this second ford was the last one. Trail No. 44 now headed W up the valley, eventually curving NW. Most of the time, Lupe was out in the open, among wildflowers and lush vegetation. Although never far away, Crow Creek was generally hidden by bushes and seldom in view.

Obstacle-free and easy to follow, the trail both gained and lost elevation, but was usually flat, or a gradual incline. Progress was rapid. Overhead, a previously sunny sky was clouding up.

Along the N side of the **Crow Creek valley**. Photo looks ESE.

Heading deeper into the **Salt River Range**. Photo looks NW.

Roughly 2 miles from the trailhead, the Crow Creek valley split in two. The confluence of North and South Crow Creeks was in this area, but never visible from the trail. Sticking with the trail, SPHP followed it W up the North Crow Creek valley. Meanwhile, Lupe continued to hang back, playing her stalking game.

The rate of climb increased. No. 044 crossed several tributaries of Crow Creek. All were small, a few muddy stretches of trail being the worst of it. While there were still meadows, the trail now went through longer and more frequent stretches of forest. Deadfall sometimes slowed SPHP down, but most of it wasn’t that hard to get by.

A **tributary of North Crow Creek** flowing right along Trail No. 044. Photo looks WSW.

Loop cooling off in another minor stream. Photo looks E.

Passing through a rare stand of aspens. Photo looks W.

After a while, it began to sprinkle. SPHP took shelter beneath a large spruce tree when a harder downpour began, and Lupe soon caught up. 10 or 15 minutes, and the rain moved on. So did the Carolina Dog.

Eventually, glimpses of a huge mountain began appearing ahead. Upon seeing it, SPHP’s heart sank. If that was Mount Fitzpatrick (10.907 ft.), this whole endeavor was doomed. Lupe wouldn’t stand a chance! The whole N face was very rugged, rocky, and borderline cliff-like steep.

A **huge rugged mountain** appears ahead. Photo looks W.

A closer look with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks W.

Trail No. 044 headed almost straight for the monster. As Lupe closed in, a headwall extending N came into view. Both Crow Creek Lakes were somewhere above that headwall.

A bit of deadfall to contend with. Going around it did the trick. Photo looks W.

The trail sometimes faded while crossing meadows. Photo looks W.

Getting closer. Headwall on the R. Photo looks W.

4 miles from Greys River Road, Lupe entered a big meadow providing a great view of both the mountain and the headwall, which were now only 0.25 mile away. Just getting above the headwall looked like a challenge. A continuous line of cliffs ran along it.

Near the far W end of this meadow, a brown “No Motor Vehicles” wand marked the end of Trail No. 044 at a junction with Trail No. 079, which went either S or N from here. 100 feet W of the wand, a sign was nailed to a tree.

In the big meadow before reaching the junction with Trail No. 079. Photo looks W.

Loop down by the sign tree. Photo looks W.

The sign identified Trail No. 079 as Way Trail.

The sign merely confirmed what SPHP already knew. Lupe needed to take Trail No. 079 R (N) to Pass 9060.

Despite 2 rest days, and an easy trek thus far, SPHP was already getting worn out lugging a heavy pack. Heh, too bad! Things were just starting to get interesting. Continuing W a short distance into the forest, Trail No. 079 steepened considerably as it then curved N into a long meadow.

The American Dingo’s stalking game continued. Loop was getting plenty of rest breaks due to SPHP’s frequent pauses to gasp for breath. The sky was clearing again, and the sun felt mighty warm on the uphill trudge.

Trail No. 079 curves N toward **Pass 9060** (R). Photo looks NNW.

Looking back on the way up to **Pass 9060**. Photo looks S.

3:03 PM, Trail No. 079 at Pass 9060 – Shedding the pack, SPHP sat down on a log. Pass 9060 was forested, and sitting in the shade was a welcome relief. Time for a longer rest break! When Loop sauntered in, she had no objections to laying down and enjoying some Taste of the Wild.

Pass 9060 was a fairly narrow ridge running E/W. The N side was quite rocky, and Lupe was thrilled to find a snowbank still melting away. Off to the NW, Peak 10180 was in sight. Trail No. 079 continued N beyond the pass, starting a descent into the Rock Creek valley.

Arriving at **Pass 9060**. Photo looks NNW.

On the snowbank just N of the pass. Photo looks W.

**Peak 10180** (Center). Photo looks NW.

This was it, though, as far as Trail No. 079 was concerned for Lupe. As soon as SPHP felt sufficiently recovered, it was time to start looking for a way up the headwall. Apparently inspired by the steeper, rocky terrain, the American Dingo no longer held back, instead leading the way as she began climbing W along the Pass 9060 ridge.

A use trail appeared. Following it, the cliffs of the headwall soon came into view.

Approaching the headwall. Photo looks WSW.

Reaching the base of the cliffs, they appeared continuous toward the S. The use trail turned NW up a rocky ramp. From Pass 9060, cliffs had been visible to the N, too, but after gaining some elevation and getting up to where these cliffs were, the ramp and use trail both turned SW.

Heading NW up the lower part of the ramp. Photo looks NW.

The upper ramp turns SW. Photo looks SW.

Sort of steep, but the ramp wasn’t bad. No real scrambling involved at all. Suddenly, Lupe was above the headwall! Still climbing, the use trail turned W continuing up a big ridge. Steep meadows were to the S, with genuine cliffs just N of the ridgeline.

Above the headwall, continuing up a big ridge. Photo looks W.

After gaining nearly 200 feet of elevation from the top of the headwall, the rate of climb diminished. Another mountain was now in sight W of the one seen earlier from the North Crow Creek valley. Pausing to check the topo map, SPHP finally understood.

Oh, I get it now, Loopster! That first mountain is actually Peak 10525. Mount Fitzpatrick (10,907 ft.) is the one beyond it.

**Peak 10525** (Center), **Mount Fitzpatrick** (R). Photo looks SW.

Is that a good thing, SPHP?

Eh, hard to say. See quite a bit of snow on Fitzpatrick’s N face, and it looks mighty steep, too. Can’t be any worse than Peak 10525, though. No way we were ever going to make it up that one.

Well, it is a good thing then, SPHP! At least we stand a chance now!

Yeah, I guess you’re right, Looper. Surprised we haven’t seen any use trail peeling off to the SSW yet. Lower Crow Creek Lake is supposed to be over that way nestled at the base of Peak 10525. Sort of wanted to see it.

Nothing stopping us from going over there, SPHP. Want to do that?

Oh, I don’t know, Loop. Think we’ve already climbed too far. Kind of hate to give up any of our elevation gain, and I suspect we’re already well above the lower lake. If we see a trail going that way, maybe we’ll take it, but we could just head for Upper Crow Creek Lake instead. Hoping to put your tiny house up there, anyway, since it’s closer to Fitzpatrick.

Suit yourself, SPHP! Fine with me. Onward, then!

Staying high, Lupe continued WSW along the flattest part of the ridge.

Continuing along the high ground. **Peak 10525** (L) and **Mount Fitzpatrick** (Center). Photo looks WSW.

Before long, the flat ground came to an end. Ahead, the terrain sloped quite a bit. Lupe was going to have to lose at least some elevation just to get over to the next flat area, a forested region already in sight.

By now the use trail had faded away. Side-hilling wasn’t SPHP’s favorite, but didn’t bother the Carolina Dog at all. The only other choice would have been to angle WNW following the ridge clear to the top of Peak 10143. Eh, that wasn’t happening, so the downward traverse began.

On the traverse leading to the flatter stretch of forest ahead. **Peak 10525** (L of Center), **Mount Fitzpatrick** (R). Photo looks WSW.

When Loopster got to it, the forested area wasn’t entirely flat, either. Exploring, she came to a snow-filled clearing in a depression. Since there still wasn’t any sign of a trail going S to the Lower Crow Creek Lake, Lupe kept going W. At the base of Peak 10143, she discovered a scenic tarn so secret that it wasn’t even shown on the map.

In the snowy depression. Photo looks SW.

Near the secret tarn below **Peak 10143**. Photo looks NW.

Passing S of the tarn on rocky terrain, Lupe got almost down to the tarn’s level. A meadow went W from the tarn to another fairly steep slope. An 80 foot rocky climb led to a broad flat region.

Got it made now, Looper! This is Pass 9540. All downhill from here!

After crossing the super flat saddle, a gentle descent toward Peak 10525 ensued through a meadow bordered by forest and long snowbanks.

Starting the beautiful descent from **Pass 9540**. **Peak 10525** (L), **Mount Fitzpatrick** (R). Photo looks SW.

At the lower SW end of the meadow, a minor escarpment of flat rocks came just before a somewhat steeper, but still easy, descent into a band of trees. Emerging from the trees, a glorious scene was ahead.

Wow! So, this is Upper Crow Creek Lake, SPHP? It’s absolutely gorgeous!

Yeah, our home for an evening, Loop! I’m loving it, too!

Right at the base of the highest, most magnificent part of Peak 10525, Upper Crow Creek Lake was nearly surrounded by snowfields still filling most of the valley. The lake even sported a few icebergs A mile WSW, loomed the N face of Mount Fitzpatrick (10,907 ft.).

**Upper Crow Creek Lake**. **Peak 10525** (L), **Mount Fitzpatrick** (R). Photo looks SW.

5:22 PM – After circling around a little NE bay, SPHP pitched Lupe’s tiny house amid newly emergent buttercups on a snow-free patch of ground next to a stand of old spruce trees on a bank overlooking the N shore of Upper Crow Creek Lake. Only a few feet away, a couple of weathered logs, their ends set at a 90º angle to each other, partially protected a white stone fire ring.

Despite the glorious surroundings, a certain weariness had set in for both human and Dingo. Once the tiny house was up, both crept inside for a nap, enjoying the comfort of sleeping bags. A cool S breeze coming from across the lake made the tiny house flap, but a blissful sound sleep was not to be denied.

6:44 PM – Ahh, much better! The American Dingo and SPHP were both up and about again, feeling much refreshed. What remained of a long summer evening was now free to spend exploring the fabulous Upper Crow Creek Lake region.

By the tiny house amid the buttercups. Photo looks SW.

Naturally, a trip down to the N shore of Upper Crow Creek Lake was in order. It was a journey Lupe would make more than once this evening.

Along the **N shore**. **Mount Fitzpatrick** (R of Center). Photo looks WSW.

Near the **W end of the lake**. Photo looks SW.

Looking back at **Peak 10143** (Center & L) and the tiny house (R). Photo looks ENE.

Is that a bear I hear, or is it getting to be about dinner time, SPHP?

That’s my tummy, Loop. Yeah, something to eat wouldn’t be a bad idea. In fact, most anything would do at this point. I’m famished!

Lupe sniffed around the tiny house, while SPHP rustled up some grub.

After dinner, another trip was made down to Upper Crow Creek Lake’s N shore to see the icebergs and admire Peak 10525’s rugged splendor as the last rays of sunshine crept up the mountain.

**Peak 10525** (L) on a splendid evening from **Upper Crow Creek Lake**, Photo looks SSW.

No marmots, pikas, or gophers had been seen or heard, but somehow the crazy Carolina Dog became utterly convinced throngs of ’em were hiding near the tiny house. The evening ended with frantic sniffing and furious digging at various holes. Meanwhile SPHP stared off to the WSW toward Mount Fitzpatrick’s N slope.

A lot of snow up there, and mighty steep for a long way. Loopster was having a grand time digging, but her efforts were all coming to naught. Maybe this whole trip was going to end up the same way?