7-28-23, 8:04 AM, 53ºF, Telkwa River, British Columbia – SPHP turned the key and the RAV4 sprang to life.
Finally get our trip journal caught up, SPHP?
I did, Loopster! Say good-bye to the beautiful Telkwa River, it’s time to make some tracks. You’ve got a couple of rest days ahead while I drive to recover from the long trek to Telkwa Microwave Mountain.
So what’s our next destination, SPHP?
Atlin Lake! Remember when we chartered a boat last summer to take us over to Teresa Island so you could climb Birch Mountain?
How could I ever forget that, SPHP? Birch Mountain was totally awesome!
Well, we’re going to do that again. Atlin Mountain(6,722 ft.) will be your objective this time around.
Wow! I can hardly wait, SPHP. Onward! SPHP, ho!
The drive back to Yellowhead Hwy No. 16 at Telkwa was mostly sunny, but SPHP drove into fog before getting to Smithers. After a quick stop at Safeway for supplies, skies were blue again with big cumulus clouds hanging over the mountains on the way to New Hazelton, but the air seemed oddly hazy. The mountains weren’t very clear at all.
At New Hazelton, SPHP fueled up the RAV4 in preparation for the 450 mile drive N on Cassiar Highway No. 37, and after that nothing notable happened. For hours, the Carolina Dog was happy snoozing on her pink blanket while SPHP drove.
Stops were few and far between. At the Bell I rest area after crossing the Bell-Irving River bridge, Lupe finally got a chance to get out and stretch her legs. She got a second chance to stretch and bark at squirrels after crossing the Stikine River. By early evening the American Dingo had reached the Cottonwood River, and SPHP was sick of driving.
At the Bell I rest area. Cassiar Hwy No. 37 km 188.3.Along the Stikine River, Cassiar Hwy No. 37 km 436.
We’re staying here tonight, Loopster.
The Cottonwood River was a gorgeous spot. However, the haziness first noticed after leaving Smithers had gradually grown worse all day. Well before getting this far, there had been no denying it – the air was full of smoke.
Evening at the Cottonwood River, Cassiar Hwy No. 37 km 582.2.
7-29-23, 7:50 AM, 54ºF, Cassiar Hwy No. 37, km 697 – Barking at 2 foxes and a bunny had gotten the Carolina Dog’s morning off to a great start during the smoky drive to the Blue Lakes. The lake next to the highway that Lupe trotted along the edge of was partially surrounded by burnt boreal forest, but this area had already burned before 2016 when Lupe had been here for the first time. Where the fires were now wasn’t clear.
Blue Lakes, Cassiar Hwy No. 37, km 697.
Gah! Can you believe this smoke, Loop? It’s worse than ever, and we’re practically to the Yukon border! Big fires in Alberta had been in the news since early May long before we ever left home, but I never dreamed that it would be so smoky way up here at the N end of British Columbia!
Me either, SPHP. The part of Alberta we saw wasn’t smoky at all, except for a little bit in Banff when we first got there. Maybe we’ll drive out of it once we turn W on the Alaska Highway?
Hope so. In fact, I’m counting on it, Looper.
7-29-23, 8:32 AM, 59ºF, Cassiar Hwy No. 37, km 720.1 – No farther than the Yukon Territory border was, conditions were just as smoky here as they had been at Blue Lakes. Lupe always got her picture taken here in front of the big Yukon Larger Than Life “Plus Grand Que Nature” sign. This time, SPHP first had to clear out a bunch of trash some numbskull had left beneath it.
At the British Columbia/Yukon Territory border, Cassiar Hwy No. 37, km 720.1.Cassiar Highway No. 37 map posted at the British Columbia/Yukon Territory border.At the Yukon Territory border!
Good grief! Who does this?
Does what, SPHP?
This plastic bag has two glass jars full of gray dust in them, Loopster. One of the jars is broken, and there’s a note here indicating that all this dust is somebody’s ashes. No doubt the poor deceased individual wanted their ashes spread in the Yukon, and this is as far as their dearly beloved friend or relative was willing to take them. Instead of actually spreading the ashes around and taking their plastic and jars with them, this genius left it all sitting here below the Yukon sign.
So are we going to spread the ashes around, SPHP?
No! I’m taking all this trash and stuffing it into the rest area trash bin across the road, ashes and all!
You wouldn’t, SPHP!
Oh, no? Watch me!
The Alaska Highway was only a couple of miles farther N, and in the few minutes it took to get there, SPHP had already gotten over any flicker of remorse due to not spreading the poor deceased soul’s ashes.
That’s just cold, SPHP!
We’re in the Yukon, Loop. Better get used to it!
7-29-23, 12:03 PM, 71ºF, Teslin, Yukon Territory – Even after a long drive W on the Alaska Highway, the air was still smoky when SPHP pulled into the gas station at the Yukon Motel.
Did you find out why the pumps aren’t working, SPHP?
Yup. Power is out all over town. Been out for 3 hours now, Looper. Next fuel is 30 miles away at Johnsons Crossing. Pretty sure we’ve got enough left to get there.
Chancing it wasn’t necessary. Moments later someone came running out of the Yukon Motel. Great news! The power was back on. Lupe was soon on her way to Johnsons Crossing, but with an already full tank.
7-29-23, 2:21 PM, 81ºF, Tagish Road No. 8 – Lupe waded around the boat ramp cooling her paws off in the Tagish River, occasionally lapping up some of the algae-filled water. The river was very wide here as it flowed N into Marsh Lake. Exiting the opposite NW end of the lake this river would have a different, much more famous name, for Marsh Lake was the source of the fabled Yukon River.
Near the Tagish Road No. 8 bridge over the Tagish River.S end of Marsh Lake from the boat ramp.
The sky wasn’t as smoky here, but that wasn’t as comforting as it might have been following the recent shock. After leaving the Alaska Highway at Jake’s Corner and going another mile to the turn-off onto Atlin Road No. 7, the news had been terrible. Miles S, Mount Minto(6,913 ft.) near the N end of Atlin Lake had been barely visible in thick smoke.
Very disappointing! Right then and there, Atlin Mountain was out. It was even farther S, lost somewhere in that thick blanket of smoke. SPHP wasn’t about to charter a boat to climb a peak in that much particulate and severely marred views. Not worth it. A new plan was in order.
Have you decided what we’re going to do yet, SPHP?
Think so. At least I’ve got something in mind, since the smoke isn’t all that bad over this way. There’s a peak that’s been on your list of possibilities for years that would have awesome views, if we can manage to climb it. We can scout out the trailhead on the way to Skagway, then give it a whirl tomorrow, if the smoke doesn’t get any worse.
Skagway! We’re going to Skagway, SPHP? Maybe we’ll see Bingc?
Heh. I’m pretty sure Bingc’s still back in China, Loopster. Even so, it’s about time for the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood to make another appearance in Skagway, though, isn’t it?
Lupe was perfectly happy with the new plan, but then Carolina Dogs aren’t terribly picky about whatever the plan might be as long as they can be part of it. Before heading S to Skagway, Lupe had fun visiting Carcross at the junction with S Klondike Hwy No. 2.
Hordes of tourists were milling around the artsy Carcross shops, but SPHP was more intrigued by the sight of nearby Nares Mountain and Montana Mountain where Lupe had great adventures a few years ago.
Among the native art decorated shops in Carcross.Nares Mountain (R) visible between shops.By the cool Killer Whale totem pole.
7-29-23, 4:21 PM – 4 or 5 miles S of Canadian customs, SPHP parked the RAV4 at a pullout teeming with tourists on the E side of S Klondike Hwy No. 2. Lupe leapt out to join the throng. Down a boulder and bedrock-infested slope full of stunted evergreens, the turquoise blue waters of long, skinny Summit Lake beckoned.
Let’s go down there for a better look, SPHP!
Scrambling closer to the lake over the rough terrain, Lupe perched on a boulder with a view. The air was still hazy with smoke, but not too bad. Certainly better than the scene Mount Minto had presented back at Atlin Lake. Summit Lake was one of many in the Tormented Valley, a region once buried deep beneath and scoured by enormous glaciers.
Summit Lake in the Tormented Valley. Photo looks NE.White Pass (Center) at the S end of Summit Lake. Photo looks SSW.
As much fun as it was scrambling among the boulders and seeing lovely Summit Lake, unlike the other tourists doing the same thing, that wasn’t why Lupe was here. Glancing NW back across S Klondike Hwy No. 2, an impressive mountain loomed 3 miles away.
Awesome! Looks big, SPHP. Is that where we’re going tomorrow?
Yes. If the smoke doesn’t get any worse, we’ll give it a go, Looper. Before we head on to Skagway, though, we need to check out one more thing. If we’re at the right pullout to use as a trailhead, there’s supposed to be a bridge over a big creek just S of it. Let’s go see if there is one.
Sure enough, returning to the pullout, a highway bridge went over signed Summit Creek at the S end.
Taiya Peak (L of Center) from Summit Creek. Photo looks NW.
Satisfied, Lupe and SPHP piled back into the RAV4. The drive continued S over White Pass, then steeply down a giant valley through US Customs and on to major tourist and cruise ship destination Skagway, Alaska.
Going through US Customs S of White Pass, S Klondike Hwy No. 2.
7-29-23, 4:29 PM, ADT – Lupe had originally joined the Arctic Sisterhood way back in 2017 when she’d climbed AB Mountain starting from a little pullout along the road to Dyea where the famous Chilkoot Trail of gold rush days began. Naturally, the first thing the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood wanted to do in Skagway was to visit the historic headquarters of the Arctic Brotherhood.
Back in Skagway again, the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood returns to the Arctic Brotherhood Hall.
After announcing her presence at the Arctic Brotherhood Hall, the Most High Exalted Dingo wandered all around Skagway, hoping to run into friend Bingc Gu again, whom she had met here in 2018 up at the Devils Punchbowl at the end of the Dewey Lakes trail.
Keeping an eye and a nose out for Bingc while exploring Skagway.
Lupe searched for Bingc at all the most likely places she could think of – the Red Onion Saloon, the magnificent cruise ships berthed at the Taiya Inlet harbor, and the White Pass & Yukon Railroad train station.
At the Red Onion.AB Mountain (Center) from the Taiya Inlet harbor. Photo looks N.At the welcome sign first seen by cruise ship passengers.One of the cruise ships.More cruise ships.Near the White Pass & Yukon Route train station.A couple of the colorful locomotives.By the fellow explorers centennial statue.
Under a tent near the train station, a band was playing live music. They weren’t bad. The sly Carolina Dog mingled in, still hoping to see Bingc somewhere among the crowd. A sudden, ear-splitting blast from the horn of one of the locomotives put an end to her search.
The Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood fled.
Run, SPHP! Let’s get out of here! You were right, Bingc is in China.
7-29-23, 10:53 PM, PDT, S Klondike Hwy No. 2 – Parked at another pullout just N of White Pass, SPHP closed the trip journal and put down the pen. Still light out, but the highway was quiet now.
All caught up again, SPHP?
Yup. Better get some sleep, Loopster. Really big day ahead tomorrow.
Evening’s end, South Klondike Hwy No. 2, British Columbia, Canada 7-29-23
Day 5 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacation to Canada & Alaska!
7:58 AM, Aveling Coal Mine Road, SW of Telkwa – Immediately after crossing the bridge over the Telkwa River, sure enough, there was a side road off to the R. Without driving down it, SPHP parked the RAV4.
C’mon, Loopster! Let’s check this out. John Stolk says there are some nice campsites down along the river. Maybe we’ll stay here tonight?
Oh, I hope so, SPHP! The Telkwa River is gorgeous!
Telkwa River from the Aveling Coal Mine Road bridge. Photo looks WSW.
Stolk was right – the primitive campsites along the N side of the river were secluded and very scenic. Returning to the RAV4 after a photo from the bridge, the drive along Aveling Coal Mine Road continued. Telkwa Microwave Mountain(6,333 ft.) was way out in the boonies. Even with Stolk’s directions, which were pretty good, it wasn’t always immediately clear where to go.
5 miles past the bridge, a security guard in a white pickup was stationed at the start of Road No. 116, a R turn marked with a bright yellow sign. SPHP inquired. No, this wasn’t it. Microwave Road, also a R turn, was another 3 km, maybe more, according to the guard.
Less than 2 miles beyond Road No. 116, Aveling Coal Mine Road forked at a large flat spot where it would have been easy to turn around. The road curving to the R as it started uphill almost had to be Microwave Road. John Stolk’s 7.5 mile estimate to the microwave tower on this sometimes bumpy, narrow affair was good.
At the start of Microwave Road.Parked near the microwave tower. Photo looks NW.
10:05 AM, 51ºF, parked 100 feet from the microwave tower –
Gah! The mosquitoes are terrible, Looper! Stay inside while I get ready. Where the heck did I put the Deet?
Finally remembering where it was after practically tearing the RAV4 apart, SPHP slathered 100% Deet on. Nasty stuff, but the mosquitoes hated it. Before long, the pack was ready.
Alrighty, Loop. Show time! Onward! Puppy, ho!
Going 150 meters back down the spur that led to the tower, a muddy side road headed off into the forest.
Is this the way, SPHP?
Yeah. Supposed to go nearly all the way to Telkwa Microwave Mountain, too, Looper. Should be a long, but relatively easy romp, if we don’t get rained out. According to the topo map, none of it’s all that steep.
At the start of the side road leading to Telkwa Microwave Mountain. Photo looks N.
Lupe was happy following the old jeep trail beneath a gray sky. The cool, humid air felt like rain. Marching straight through a series of big mud puddles, the American Dingo often paused for a drink of mineral water. Although many of these puddles covered the entire road, SPHP had no difficulty getting around them.
Everything was green and lush. The forest looked extremely healthy. As long as Lupe kept going, mosquitoes really weren’t much of a problem for her. Climbing gradually, the road dipped twice, then began a steeper climb which soon leveled out at a fork. The branch to the L appeared to head right into a swamp.
Approaching one of the dips. Photo looks N.The swamp route.
Naturally, the road to the R seemed the obvious choice. A short, initially steep, trudge on this road got Lupe to a plateau of stunted evergreens mixed in with some open ground. From here, the microwave tower was once again in view again back to the S. Near a lone patch of blue sky to the W, high mountains with snow and even glaciers were in sight on the horizon, their summits hidden in the clouds.
Everywhere else, the sky remained an unbroken gray.
Crossing to the NNE end of this gently rolling plateau, after going around a curve, 3 high ridges were in view off to the NW. Two of them had been visible from back at the microwave tower, but the middle one had not.
Crossing the rolling plateau. Photo looks N.First view of Telkwa Microwave Mountain (Center), Peak 5980 (R).
Which one is Telkwa Microwave Mountain, SPHP?
Not entirely certain, Loop. The center one, I think.
It’s a long way off, SPHP. Good thing this isn’t very rugged territory.
The road went W from here. Following it, a yellow cabin with a green roof and a vehicle parked nearby promptly appeared directly ahead.
Approaching the cabin. Photo looks W.
Someone’s in there, SPHP! I see movement by a window.
Yup. I saw someone, too, Looper. This must be the local ski club hut that John Stolk referred to, except that he said it was up a short spur to the R from the way he went. Not sure how we got off track.
Maybe Stolk took the swamp route, SPHP?
That would explain it. You’re probably right, Loop. Must have been a lot drier when John was here, if he went that way. If so, we ought to run into his route again somewhere not too far beyond the cabin. We’re going to have to go right past it, in any case. Act casual, and don’t bark if anyone comes out to ask what we’re doing here.
Whoever was in there apparently didn’t notice the Carolina Dog trot on by. No one appeared. Immediately beyond the hut, the road descended NW into an enormous parklike region. Stands of healthy spruce stood among fields of wildflowers and tundra. Various small tarns decorated the landscape.
View ahead from close to the ski club hut. Telkwa Microwave Mountain (Center), Peak 5980 (R). Photo looks NW.
Near the bottom of the hill, Lupe rejoined what must have been the road from the swamp route. A few drops of rain had fallen. Forewarned, SPHP paused to don the red rain jacket. Following the jeep trail N from this junction, Lupe crossed a broad flat region before the road turned W. A climb into thicker forest ensued as a steady light rain began to fall.
The mud puppy in one of the many large puddles along the way. Photo looks NNW.Passing a tarn. Photo looks ENE.A damp climb. Photo looks W.
The road leveled out again on another small plateau, then curved rather steeply down into a densely forested saddle. Near the low point, a huge, black turd was right in the middle of the road.
Bear scat, SPHP!
Looks mighty fresh, too, Loop. You’ve been kinda quiet. Bark a little now and then, would you, please?
Oh, I don’t know. No squirrels here, and the mist doesn’t really make me feel like barking.
You’ll feel like it when this monstrous bear shows up! I’m sort of hoping to avoid all that kind of excitement.
The road turned NW again as it resumed a long climb with minor dips along the way. Lupe made great progress. As she gained elevation, the forest thinned out, becoming stunted again as it gave way to tundra.
After reaching 5,200 feet, the American Dingo came to a long stretch where a series of dips between minor climbs resulted in little, if any, net elevation gain. One of the big ridges Lupe had seen from near the ski club hut was in sight almost straight ahead, its summit now hidden in the clouds.
Entering the flatter, more open country at 5,200+ feet. Photo looks WNW.Approaching one of the minor, gradual dips. Photo looks WNW.Near a very small tarn. Photo looks NNE.
12:08 PM – At one of the last high points in the 5,200+ foot region, Lupe was ready for a break. This was a particularly scenic spot. Clusters of pink wildflowers bloomed on the side of this little hill, and several tarns were visible in a shallow valley to the SW.
Unfortunately, while sharing a chocolate coconut bar, the quiet, general sullenness of the day turned to a deeper gloom. Fog swept in. Lupe’s world shrank to a only a few hundred feet, dimly seen, in all directions. Light rain continued to fall. It had been raining for quite a while now.
View from the break spot. Photo looks SW.
Well, shucks, Loopster. This is gorgeous territory, but doesn’t look like we’re going to get to see much of it today. You’re all wet. Are you cold?
I’m fine, but is it still a long way to Telkwa Microwave Mountain, SPHP?
Sort of. A few miles yet to the summit. We’re more than halfway there.
Hoping for the best, despite the disappointing weather, the American Dingo resumed her trek. Lupe soon came to a junction with another road coming up from the S. Turning N here, she started seeing bigger tarns. One of them was so full of water that it extended right over the road, spilling into a small stream. SPHP searched 50 feet downstream before finding a soggy spot narrow enough to leap over.
By the overflowing tarn.
Climbing again as the road wound N, before too long, an unexpected and welcome development occurred. The fog was lifting! Coming around a curve, a wide valley was in sight. Ahead, a gradually descending stretch of road crossed this valley before climbing back into the fog.
The fog lifts, revealing the big ridge (L) Lupe had seen before, as well as the shallow valley (R). Photo looks NW.
What’s that black dot in the distance, SPHP? Do you see it?
You mean the black dot on the road, Loop? I do see it.
Close to the road, but not quite on it, SPHP. Maybe that’s the bear!
Could be. Doesn’t seem to be moving, though. There’s another possibility. John Stolk mentions a unique large standing rock where he left the ATV track to head more directly for the Telkwa Microwave Mountain summit. That black dot might easily be his rock.
As Lupe got closer, it became clear that the black dot was not a bear, and actually well off the road. It was unmistakably the rock Stolk must have been referring to. No other rock remotely like it was anywhere around.
Approaching Stolk’s “unique standing rock” (Center). Photo looks NW.Part of what must have been Stolk’s off-road route to the summit. Photo looks N.
That rock’s quite a landmark, SPHP. Let’s go take a look at it. It’s such a spiffy rock that we really ought to give it a name, too!
How about the Tablet of Doom, or Devil’s Thumb, Looper?
My, my! A little rain and fog, and aren’t you the cheery one, SPHP? How do you ever manage to complete any adventures at all? How about calling it the Tablet of Hope? After all, the fog is lifting. Maybe the sun is going to come out?
It’s black, Loopster. That’s why I suggested gloomy names. Who knows what the weather will be like the next time someone sees it? Tablet of Hope might not fit at all.
Oh, alright. We could call it Stolk Rock. John Stolk made it famous!
Not sure I’d call it famous, Loop, but yeah, he’s probably the first one in the history of the world to ever mention it on the internet.
At major tourist attraction Stolk Rock. Photo looks SE.
Stolk Rock was 6 feet thick, 17 feet high, and stood magnificently upright according to SPHP’s very precisely calibrated eye. It’s color came from the black lichens adorning it.
From Stolk Rock, the road headed NW, climbing yet again. Lupe stayed on it since the tundra was so wet. However, she did not make it back up into the fog. Tablet of Hope was a fitting name today! The rain quit, and the sky brightened as the clouds continued to rise.
Tiny streams trickled down the sometimes mushy road. Frequent small stream crossings were never more than a few inches deep. Climbing out of the valley at an easy pace, the road turned N. The Carolina Dog was well above treeline now. Even the tundra was getting sparse. The big mountains on the horizon remained hidden among the clouds, but nearby ridges were in view. Lupe was already above most of them.
Climbing out of the Stolk Rock valley. Photo looks NNW.On an almost level stretch. Photo looks N.Starting to get some views. Photo looks NNW.
Eventually a scenic level stretch led to a view of a very deep valley to the NNW and the barren highlands of another mountain beyond. Resuming its climb, the road turned NE. Soon another tall, dark figure loomed in the distance ahead.
Look, SPHP! It’s one of those giant bowling pins!
Oh, not too much farther now, Loopster! That’s the summit tower.
Summit region (L). Giant bowling pin (L of Center). Photo looks NNE.
Beyond the tower lurked a couple of gnarly knobs that appeared to be higher. After nearly 7 miles of easy terrain, SPHP immediately felt a pang of trepidation. Could Lupe actually get to the true summit? Stolk had mentioned those high points. Supposedly no sweat. Class 2 at most.
Continuing on, the summit region disappeared from view due to the lay of the land. Lupe soon came to the edge of a big ravine cutting E/W clear across the mountain. From here, the road vanished under a snowbank as it turned sharply WNW and descended to a tarn nestled in the ravine. Reappearing from beneath the snow before it got there, after circling the tarn, it angled NE up the other side of the ravine.
Closer, and a little farther E, another snowbank filled the bottom of a higher part of the ravine.
Shoot, let’s skip the tarn and go that way, Looper. Won’t have to lose as much elevation.
Glad to see the snow, Lupe had no objections either way.
Along the edge of the ravine. Tarn (R). Photo looks WNW.Upper end of the ravine. Photo looks E.Utilizing the snowbank. Photo looks ENE.
The snow was strong, holding even SPHP’s weight, which made crossing the ravine a cinch. After reaching the upper rim of the far side, the rest was easy. Lupe quickly reached the road again, which was fading, but went all the way to the bowling pin. Or obelisk, as John Stolk called it.
N of the ravine, heading for the summit region. Photo looks NNE.Nearly there! Photo looks N.Approaching the obelisk. Photo looks N.
2:23 PM, 44ºF, Telkwa Microwave Mountain(6,333 ft.) – Beneath the gray sky, Lupe stood in a 10-15 mph SE breeze on a small, conical hill just E of the obelisk, wisps of fog sailing by as clouds scraped the summit.
On the hill near the obelisk, looking back the way Lupe came up. Photo looks SSW.
A pity we don’t have a clear day, Loop. Hudson Bay Mountain is only 13 km NE. I’m sure we must have seen Telkwa Microwave Mountain from there last year. We ought to be seeing it, plus a line of glacier-clad peaks all along the W horizon, too.
Hudson Bay Mountain was spectacular, SPHP, even if we couldn’t get anywhere near the true summit. You have to admit, though, we’re lucky to have any views at all today. Be thankful!
Yes, I know it. I am thankful, Loopster. For a while there, I thought we’d be totally socked in up here.
Getting socked in was still a distinct possibility, and the American Dingo hadn’t reached the true summit yet. The two gnarly knobs previously seen from afar were now back in sight again strung out along Telkwa Microwave Mountain’s N ridge. The closest one appeared to be at least a little higher than the conical hill near the obelisk.
The drops on both sides of the skinny N ridge were fearsome enough to cause concern as Lupe started toward an apparent drop-off leading to the closest knob. Happily, this drop was quickly revealed as an illusion. A minor dip, and a faint path on perfectly safe ground went right to the top of the S knob. An easy traipse, and Lupe was there!
The two knobs (L of Center) contending for the title of true summit. Photo looks N.Peak 6000 (Center) from the S knob. Photo looks NW.
So far, so good, but gazing N toward the next knob, SPHP was uncertain.
The N knob (R) from the S one. Photo looks NNW.
Well, shoot! It’s just like Stolk said, Loopster. Both of these high points are so close to the same elevation, I can’t tell which is highest. Let’s creep a little closer, and see if there’s a safe way over there.
Don’t do anything stupid, SPHP!
Oh, you know me, Looper. I do lots of stupid things. The trick is not being too stupid. C’mon!
From the N end of the S knob, the news was good. The faint path went all the way to the S high point of the N knob, which hopefully would be far enough. Hard to say for certain, though. The N knob actually had at least a couple of high points along it.
The N knob (Center) from the N end of the S one. Photo looks N.
OK, Loopster. We can do this. Onward! Puppy, ho! Be careful, though. That W edge is really steep.
S knob (R) from the N one. Photo looks SSE.
2:30 PM, Telkwa Microwave Mountain, N summit – Upon reaching the first high point of the N knob, SPHP felt instant relief. No need to go any farther. Clearly nothing any higher beyond this point. Good thing, too! This was it. The rest was beyond SPHP’s comfort zone.
As things stood, joyfulness reigned! SPHP shook Lupe’s paw.
Whew, a little more exciting here at the end than I would have ever thought, Loop! Anyway, congratulations on your successful ascent of Telkwa Microwave Mountain!
Nothing to it, SPHP! A simple stroll along a skinny ridge. So what? Oh, wait. Yes, it was terrifying! A 2 chocolate coconut bar mountain at least!
Ha! You already had one a while ago, crafty Dingo, and are going to have to wait for the next one. So little room up here that I don’t dare take off the pack. One accidental bump, and it will be 500 feet below us.
Is this the true summit, SPHP?
Hard to say, but you’ve been to it somewhere along the way. Actually tend to agree with Stolk. The S knob along this ridge is most likely the true summit. Glad we tagged this N high point, too, though!
Laying down, Lupe waited as SPHP took a few photos. Due to the cramped quarters, SPHP couldn’t get her in any of them.
Telkwa Microwave Mountain true summit (L). Photo looks S.Aldrich Lake (far L), HP5868 (R of Center). Photo looks ENE.Looking NNE with help from the telephoto lens.
5 minutes sitting together in the breeze while relaxing and enjoying the views was it before SPHP started back S, leaving the Carolina Dog alone in splendid isolation atop her remote, lofty, northernmost perch.
On the N knob. Photo looks NNW.
That’s good, Loopster! C’mon!
Returning to the true summit – the S knob of the N ridge in both Stolk’s and SPHP’s opinions, or the middle high point, if you counted the conical hill near the obelisk – Lupe lingered surveying the views. SPHP shook her gently offered paw once more.
Returning to the S knob (Center). Photo looks S.Back at the likely true summit. Photo looks S.A final glance back at the N summit (L of Center). Photo looks NNW.
The Carolina Dog’s traditional summit hour was already waning as she returned to the conical hill near the obelisk, but SPHP decided the wind was too cold up there. Retreating S a little way, a soft patch of tundra was a better choice.
After having some Taste of the Wild, and sharing the second chocolate coconut bar of the day, Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap. At first, the views of the way she’d come up and the big, barren ridges nearby were clear, but as time ticked away, intermittent fog began obscuring the scene.
Back on the conical hill near the obelisk.Relaxing S of the obelisk. Photo looks SW.
By the time summit hour was up, the views were gone. Waiting a little longer produced no improvement.
Fiddlesticks! Thought we’d return to the true summit one more time, Loopster.
Not much point in it now, SPHP.
No, there wasn’t. A final glance back at the obelisk and the conical hill, and the American Dingo was on her way.
About ready to go. Photo looks N.
The fog and threat of rain ruined other plans as well. Would have been fun to explore the S ridge on the way back to Stolk Rock, but Lupe stuck to the road again under the circumstances. She wasn’t anywhere near the S ridge by the time she lost enough elevation to get below the clouds.
Even the road route was incredibly scenic! Lupe displayed great energy and enthusiasm, often abandoning the road to race freely across the wet tundra before returning to check on SPHP’s progress.
Back below the clouds. Photo looks S.Tiny wildflowers of the tundra.
Don’t suppose we’ll ever see the Scottish Moors, SPHP, but this is what I’d image them to be like!
The Telkwa Microwave Mountain moors. Photo looks SE.
The sky brightened. Spirits soared! Reaching Stolk Rock, it seemed like the sun might break through the clouds at any moment.
Back at Stolk Rock. Photo looks SSE.
It never did. Lupe had a blast, anyway!
The Winfield Creek drainage below Stolk Rock. Photo looks SW.Exploring near one of the biggest tarns. Photo looks SSE.Resting on the tundra with a view of the region John Stolk explored. Photo looks NNW.By a big tarn with an interesting shape.
7:04 PM, 53ºF, back at the microwave tower off Microwave Road – Well, it was over. Tired, Lupe hopped up onto her pink blanket in the RAV4. Her Telkwa Microwave Mountain(6,333 ft.) adventure was complete. A slow, bumpy ride back to Aveling Coal Mine Road ensued.
A little sunshine wouldn’t have hurt a thing, but still an awesome day, Looper! How does beef stew and Fritos sound for dinner back at one of the campsites Stolk recommended along the beautiful Telkwa River?
Fabulous, SPHP! I’m famished!
Evening near the Aveling Coal Mine Road bridge over the Telkwa River.Telkwa Microwave Mountain, Hazelton Mountains, British Columbia, Canada 7-27-23
Directions:At the village of Telkwa turn W off Yellowhead Hwy No. 16 onto Harkin Road. Harkin Road goes 1 block, makes a 90º L turn running straight into Coal Mine Road, which immediately crosses a bridge over the Bulkley River.
Proceed SW on paved Coal Mine Road for 4 miles to a fork. Take the R branch of the fork. You are now on Aveling Coal Mine Road. There is a green and white street sign in the bushes on the R after making this turn, but it parallels the road and is not visible before making the turn.
The pavement ends 100 meters beyond this turn. After 6 miles, Aveling Coal Mine Road crosses the Telkwa River. (Campsites on the R.) 5 miles beyond this bridge, Road No. 116 appears on the R.
Do not take No. 116. Continue straight 2 miles to another fork at a flat spot with plenty of room to turn around. The road curving uphill to the R is Microwave Road. At various points Microwave Road becomes steep, narrow, rocky, full of potholes, switchbacks, etc. As per Stolk’s TR, any 2WD vehicle with decent clearance can make it. Follow Microwave Road 7.5 miles to a short spur on the L leading to the microwave tower.
Welcome to your trailhead! Distances given are +/- one mile.
