Days 1 & 2 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2024 Dingo Vacation to Colorado, Utah, Wyoming & Montana!
6-16-24, 7:48 AM – Nothing so rare as a day in June, except perhaps that one special day each year when the very start of a certain Carolina Dog’s fun-filled, action-packed, annual Dingo Vacations arrives! However, it wasn’t until the middle of June that Lupe noticed the tell-tale signs.
Yesterday, a storm had caused delays, but all systems were go now on a beautiful summer morning. Lupe looked thoughtful resting on her pink blanket as SPHP began backing the RAV4 out of the driveway.
So, where are we going this year, SPHP?
Colorado first, Loopster!
Sounds fabulous, SPHP! Plenty of awesome mountains in Colorado! What’s our first peakbagging objective?
Actually, we’re going to start out with a Lists of John peak we haven’t been to in the Black Hills before we’re even out of South Dakota, Looper. Won’t take us long at all. It’s an easy one, not that far from the route we’ll be taking into Wyoming.
Oh, well, it will be nice to tag it then, SPHP, but I meant what’s our first major objective?
Clark Peak (12,955 ft.), Loop, the high point of Jackson County, Colorado, and highest point of the Medicine Bow Mountains.
Wait, what? Isn’t Medicine Bow Peak in Wyoming the high point of the Medicine Bow Mountains, SPHP?
Nope. Medicine Bow Peak is the high point of the Snowy Range, Loopster, which is one of the ranges within the Medicine Bow Mountains. Clark Peak is more than 900 feet higher.
An ambitious start then for us, SPHP! After the Lists of John peak, that is.
Yeah, hope we’re up to it, Loop!
What’s this “we” business, SPHP? You know I’ll get there.
Glad to see you haven’t changed, Looper. Not going to cut me any slack, are you?
After brief stops at Song Dog Road and near the Lists of John peak in the Black Hills, the RAV4 sped through long stretches of familiar territory. In Wyoming, Lupe contented herself with barking at cows, horses, and the occasional pronghorn. Her next opportunity to escape the RAV4 for a few minutes came at the scenic rock formations N of Manville.
Hwy 230 SW of Laramie, was unfamiliar territory. Lupe got to explore a bit of this new region when SPHP needed to stretch, and stopped at the Woods Creek trailhead. By late afternoon, the American Dingo was S of Walden, Colorado pondering a line of big mountains off to the E.
Which one is Clark Peak, SPHP?
Must be the big one in the middle, Loop.
6-17-24, 7:25 AM – Almost immediately after taking County Road No. 41 from a curve along Hwy 14, a State Forest State Park entrance station had appeared. After paying the required $10.00 fee for a daily vehicle pass, SPHP had then driven E on No. 41 well above the N shore of North Michigan Reservoir. Once beyond the reservoir, No. 41 curved N. After going another mile, SPHP began watching for an expected R turn E or SE onto Ruby Jewel Road.
Lupe now stood before an open green metal gate near a roomy, empty parking area, an excellent, though narrow, dirt road proceeding beyond the gate.
Ruby Jewel Road, I presume, SPHP?
The signage was clear.
Indubitably, Sweet Puppy. Nice that the gate’s open.
6-17-24, 8:08 AM, 55ºF – After driving through the gate, Ruby Jewel Road had begun to deteriorate only a mile in. Looked worse ahead beyond a junction with Frisco Loop Road. Eh, this was good enough. SPHP parked the RAV4, and got the pack ready. Lupe was raring to go!
Which way, SPHP?
We just keep following Ruby Jewel Road, Looper.
Heading N on Ruby Jewel Road, it became a steeper, rather rocky incline right after passing Frisco Loop Road on the L, but wasn’t as bad as what SPHP had expected. The road soon topped out and curved ENE. A high spot near this curve provided a view of Clark Peak (12,955 ft.) flanked by Peak 12667 on the L, and Pipit Peak (12,432 ft.) on the R.
From this minor high point, Ruby Jewel Road led back into the forest. Lupe crossed a couple of seasonal streams as the road undulated up and down a bit. The Carolina Dog was gradually gaining elevation when she came to a small clearing partially enclosed by a log fence. Signage at the far end indicated that this was the 2WD trailhead.
A 4WD road continued on through the forest.
We could have driven this far, SPHP.
Hmm. So it seems, Loopster. It’s a bit confusing. The map in the brochure I picked up back at the park fee station clearly shows the end of the 2WD road close to where we parked the RAV4.
Whatever. Didn’t matter now. Lupe began following the 4WD portion of Ruby Jewel Road, which soon steepened a bit. Before long, the sound of madly rushing water was coming from the dense forest on the L side of the road.
Must be the South Fork of the Canadian River, Loop.
Sounds powerful! Are we going to have to ford it, SPHP?
Yup, unless there’s a bridge.
Around a bend, suddenly the South Fork of the Canadian River was right there. No bridge, but the river wasn’t nearly as big as it sounded. The pool of water at the ford was tranquil, and only a foot deep.
This river is just a creek, SPHP. Easily forded!
Even that wasn’t necessary. A mere 20 feet upstream, 2 short logs and a pallet provided a makeshift bridge. Lupe got her paws wet only because she waded in for a drink.
Beyond the river, Ruby Jewel Road wound NNE, climbing steadily for 0.75 mile. Along one stretch, Clark Peak came back into view, still a long way up. Shortly before reaching the 4WD trailhead in a big flat area, Lupe passed 3 large trees that had fallen across the road, blocking the way for any vehicles.
As a result, not too surprisingly, the 4WD trailhead was completely empty when Lupe reached it. Not a soul was around. The Ruby Jewel Trail left the trailhead going N as a broad single-track. Signage said it was now only 1.5 miles to Ruby Jewel Lake.
The trail quickly crossed 2 tributaries of the South Fork of the Canadian River. Up here, there were bridges, which was mighty convenient. Once across both streams, the trail began switchbacking NW up a steep slope. Numerous snowbanks still melting away in the forest extended over the trail. Lupe didn’t mind in the least. She enjoyed chomping mouthfuls of snow as she went over them.
After gaining 150 feet of elevation on the switchbacks, the Ruby Jewel Trail flattened out and briefly headed into a sunnier, more open area. The S end of the giant ridge W of Ruby Jewel Lake was now directly ahead.
This is gorgeous territory, SPHP!
Indeed, Sweet Puppy! That’s why we’re here.
Heading toward the huge ridge, the trail re-entered the forest. Lupe was soon climbing again. The trail turned ENE, preserving a reasonable rate of climb as the terrain steepened. Upon reaching a snowfield covering a big rockslide, the Ruby Jewel Trail vanished beneath the snow. Although there were a few footprints along the edge of the snowfield, there was no clear indication of where the trail went from here.
Huh. Just keep going, Loop, I guess.
Across the snow, SPHP?
Yeah. It’s not that steep. No doubt we’ll find the trail again somewhere on the other side.
The American Dingo kept climbing as she crossed the snowfield. No tracks at all in the snow out here, but there was quite a view back to the SSW, including a good look at Margi’s Knoll (11,049 ft.), which Lupe had just gone by. In unfamiliar territory, SPHP didn’t know the names of any of the big snow-capped peaks visible way off in the distance.
Climbing more steeply, Lupe reached a rocky, snow-free area, which led to another snowfield above. Still no sign of the trail, but it looked like a flatter region was only a little higher. The Carolina Dog rediscovered the trail in a snow-free area as soon as she got there. Pipit Peak (12,432 ft.) was now in sight off to the E along the ridge S of Clark Peak.
The valley Lupe was now in W of Pipit Peak was broad, fairly flat, and mostly open, despite scattered stands of evergreens. Melting snowfields, boggy regions, and bushes all covered substantial portions of the valley floor.
Staying near the NW edge of the enormous valley, the Ruby Jewel Trail soon began to curve N. Lupe was climbing again, the trail frequently disappearing beneath more snow. This time, tracks showed where the trail went during a romp up another big snowfield.
Wouldn’t have mattered if they hadn’t. Above the snowfields, a steep, grassy slope brought Lupe to the top of a small ridge. Just off to the NW, still mostly buried beneath snow and ice, there was Ruby Jewel Lake, nestled in a cirque S of Peak 12667.
6-17-24, 10:49 AM, 54ºF, Ruby Jewel Lake – While back down in the forest during the 1,800 foot ascent to reach this lovely spot, a wind had started blowing up in the treetops. At first, it had scarcely affected the Carolina Dog, but up here among exposed bedrock, boulders, and low vegetation, Lupe stood in a stiff, chilly 20 to 25 mph breeze blowing up from the S.
SPHP shook Lupe’s paw.
Congratulations, Loopster, on making it to Ruby Jewel Lake! Quite a gem, isn’t it?
Dazzling, SPHP! But mind if we get out of this wind and enjoy a chocolate coconut bar while we admire the views?
Great minds think alike, Looper! Let’s do it. Although I think I forgot to bring a chocolate coconut bar, now that you mention it.
No chocolate coconut bars? So much for your great mind, SPHP.
A low ridge of bedrock adjacent to a stand of stunted evergreens along the S shore of the lake provided the only shelter available, and happily did cut the wind somewhat. Lupe got a duck jerky and Taste of the Wild in lieu of a chocolate coconut bar, while SPHP had a strawberry Equate and Dots.
Beyond the N end of Ruby Jewel Lake, Peak 12677 towered above it, the mountain’s long, massive S ridge completely protecting the W shore. SE of Peak 12677, the broad saddle between it and Clark Peak was in sight. An open slope leading up to the saddle looked plenty steep. Grassy and no obstacles, though, and not steep to the point of being scary.
We’re going to have to get up to that saddle, if we’re going to climb Clark Peak, aren’t we, SPHP?
Yeah, that’s the intention, Looper. We also could have climbed Pipit Peak’s W ridge, and headed N from Pipit, but in that case, we should have crossed the valley below and already begun climbing the ridge, instead of coming all this way.
And miss out on seeing Ruby Jewel Lake? No, this route is better, SPHP. However, I wonder what this wind is going to be like up at that saddle? Might be a hurricane!
Entirely possible. After a pleasant half hour break near the SE corner of Ruby Jewel Lake, there was only one way to find out.
Onward! Puppy, ho!
Trotting N near the snowy E shore of Ruby Jewel Lake, the American Dingo was soon beyond the lake, beginning her 1000 foot ascent to the saddle. Really not all that steep at first, but it didn’t take long for that to change. Views became more spectacular every step of the way.
Heading NE, Lupe never complained during the steep ascent, no doubt because SPHP kept pausing to gasp for air, even though it seemed like there was a great plenty of it about. The S wind came in increasingly powerful gusts, reprieves between them never lasting more than a few seconds.
Exhibiting great patience, the Carolina Dog led the way, often stopping to check if SPHP was actually still coming, or not. Each time SPHP paused, Lupe came running down to encourage SPHP during a chest-heaving survey of the view of Ruby Jewel Lake following the most recent bit of progress. As soon as SPHP recovered enough to resume the ascent, Lupe roamed with confidence right back up the slope.
At last, the rate of climb began to diminish. The saddle didn’t appear to be much farther. Heh, an illusion. More ground kept appearing above, extending the wearying trudge.
The climb couldn’t go on forever, though. Eventually SPHP managed to stagger up to the broad, gently rounded saddle. However, this success meant virtually nothing. The wind now roared through this pass from out of the SW at 40 to 50 miles an hour. Pre-ascent notions of possibly also climbing Peak 12677 prior to Clark Peak were abandoned.
Without hesitating, the American Dingo turned SE, starting up another slope as steep as the one she’d just climbed. Clark Peak’s unseen summit was still somewhere nearly 700 feet above.
Gravity and wind were the only real obstacles. After gaining several hundred feet of elevation, the slope wasn’t as steep. Surprisingly, even the wind began to diminish. Off to the N, small lakes were visible below a string of snowy peaks leading to South Rawah Peak (12,653 ft.).
Starting to look like we might actually make it up this beast, Loopster.
C’mon, SPHP. Let’s get there!
6-17-24, 1:56 PM, 56ºF, Clark Peak (12,955 ft.) – The wind was a mere 15-20 mph out of the S when Lupe reached a nearly flat, N/S oriented, summit ridge roughly 400 feet long and 40 feet wide. Near the N end, a 2.5 foot high rock windbreak was situated along the W edge. Opposite this windbreak, Lupe now stood perched on one of a pair of big rocks along the E edge.
Looks like this is it, SPHP – the true summit of Clark Peak!
No doubt about it, Loopster! Congratulations on your successful ascent of mighty Clark Peak, high point of the Medicine Bow Mountains!
And the Jackson County, Colorado high point, too, SPHP.
But, of course! How could I ever forget?
How? I suppose just like how you forgot the chocolate coconut bars, SPHP. You forgot them easily enough.
Still sore about that, Looper? I’ll make it up to you. Let’s go sit over by the windbreak. The wind’s still kind of annoying.
The windbreak helped a little. Might have helped even more, if SPHP had sat inside of it, instead of just outside, but then the Carolina Dog wouldn’t have been able to see the views.
In order to compensate for the lack of chocolate coconut bars, SPHP awarded Lupe 2 duck jerkies, plus Taste of the Wild and water, then sat devouring most of the rest of the Dots.
Tremendous views in all directions! Far beyond South Rawah Peak, big snow-capped peaks were on the NNW horizon.
That’s got to be the Snowy Range back in Wyoming, isn’t it, SPHP?
Oh, I think so, Loopster. Not 100% certain, but I’d almost bet money that the biggest mountain on the L is Medicine Bow Peak.
The territory to the NE was all lower. Directly E, part of Chambers Lake and most of Barnes Meadow Reservoir were in sight. SE, several big peaks well beyond the dam forming the Joe Wright Reservoir drew the eye. Even farther away, more toward the SSW, a real monster stood out.
What peaks are those, SPHP?
Not completely sure, Loop. Best guess is that the 3 big peaks clustered to the SE are Hagues Peak (13,565 ft.), Fairchild Mountain (13,505 ft.), and Ypsilon Mountain (13,511 ft.).
And the giant one, SPHP?
Think that’s got to be Longs Peak (14,257 ft.), Looper.
Many more beautiful snowy peaks were toward the S, but SPHP couldn’t really positively identify any of them. Lowlands stretched away toward the SW. Disappointingly, there was no view of Ruby Jewel Lake from Clark Peak’s summit. Two large groups of mountains were beyond an enormous wide valley to the W. While quite high, even with some snow on them, they didn’t look all that rugged from a distance.
Suddenly, a marmot stirred the American Dingo to action! Dashing over to the E edge, Lupe searched among the rocks, her tail waving excitedly in the wind, but the marmot had vanished. Losing interest, Lupe joined SPHP in an exploration of the entire summit ridge, discovering a survey marker with an arrow on it before returning to the windbreak.
6-17-24, 3:09 PM – Summit hour and more had flown. If anything, the wind was getting stronger as Lupe started down Clark Peak’s S ridge. Soon what should have been a pleasant trek to Pipit Peak (12,432 ft.) was becoming increasingly tense. SPHP had to use poles as braces to maintain balance as powerful gusts came roaring across the ridge from out of the SW.
The wind wasn’t the only problem. Discovering that the iPhone’s battery was down to 2%, SPHP saved Lupe’s GPS track before it died, ending the track prematurely.
Sheesh! We need an extra battery, or some kind of extra external battery pack to boost the iPhone on these longer treks, Loop.
Good grief! Take action, SPHP! They must sell them. Why not invest in one? Not like this is the first time the iPhone has died on you.
Yeah, I know. The iPhone has a hard time keeping up with an American Dingo. Come to think of it, I do, too.
Approaching the saddle leading to Pipit Peak, the wind was ferocious. Although Lupe hadn’t encountered any trails on her way up Clark Peak after leaving Ruby Jewel Lake, a well-defined use trail here ran along the lee side of the ridge slightly below the crest. As this trail began angling closer to the ridgeline, a sudden blast struck with such irresistible fury that it hurled SPHP to the ground despite being braced for it. Even the Carolina Dog was nearly toppled.
Somewhat frighteningly, the hurricane gust did not let up. Pinned on all fours, SPHP couldn’t get back up again, forced to cling desperately to the ground while getting sandblasted. Lupe was OK, having retreated down the E side of the ridge a little way.
This way, SPHP! It’s not so windy down here!
Crawling lower, 10 feet was enough to make a tremendous difference. SPHP stood up. Ahead, E of the ridgeline, a big snowfield covered most of the territory leading to Pipit Peak.
Holy schmoley, Loopster! Good thing you like snow, cause we’re giving the ridgeline a wide berth the rest of the way to Pipit.
We’re lucky it wasn’t this windy up on Clark Peak, SPHP.
Yeah. We never would have made it up there.
The snowy romp to Pipit Peak was still plenty breezy, but away from the W edge of the ridge, nothing even close to that super gust occurred.
6-17-24, 4:07 PM, 60ºF, Pipit Peak (12,432 ft.) – Only a bit over 200 feet of gain, but the trudge to the top had been wearying. A short break was in order as Lupe arrived at a smallish, flat, rather rocky summit. SPHP took a single photo looking back at Clark Peak with the iPhone, and the battery promptly gave up the ghost.
Along the W edge, a relentless 50 mph gale was shooting skyward from the steep slope below. Sitting only a few feet away, the wind was a much more tolerable 15 mph, swirling in from completely unpredictable and ever-changing directions. SPHP finished the box of Dots. Meanwhile, Lupe munched the last of the Taste of the Wild. Ruby Jewel Lake was in view from here.
6-17-24, 4:19 PM – A short break, but it was enough, the Carolina Dog was ready for action! Time to get down out of the wind once and for all. In order to do that, though, first meant a long, descent braving the gale on the W side of the ridge. Nevertheless, Lupe started down Pipit Peak’s SW slope. Under more favorable conditions, it would have been easy to tag nearby Peak 12,390‘s summit, too. No thought of that today!
Venturing down the open slopes, there was no protection at all from the wind, but, as expected, it gradually diminished as Lupe lost elevation. Roaming at will, a 1,000 foot descent brought the American Dingo to a more gradually sloping W ridge where a long snowbank clinging to the N rim prevented a descent into the valley below. Continuing W, a spot was eventually found where it was possible to get past this snowbank, and down to a trail that switchbacked lower.
Once in the valley, Lupe explored NW, crossing more snowfields, fording several streams, and struggling through various bogs and dense thickets of bushes. The effort was all worth it when she finally reached the Ruby Jewel Trail again. Still miles to go, but now out of the wind with good trail and roads to follow, the rest would be easy. (End 7:39 PM)
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