Days 3-5 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacation to Colorado & New Mexico!
6-9-23, 7:00 AM – The weather had been unsettled during yesterday evening’s drive. Fortunately, the ominously dark clouds hanging over the Colorado front range upon Lupe’s arrival at Hotel Mika in Arvada hadn’t produced any hail, only rain. After a night of luxurious comfort in the Cowboy Room, skies were blue this morning, and a certain Carolina Dog was ready for action!
Uncle Joe was, too. When he suggested a hike along Indian Creek Trail No. 800 in the Pike National forest SW of Sedalia, Lupe was all for it.
It seemed very strange that Cousin Dusty was no longer around to join in the fun, especially during romps later in the day along the perimeter of the 100 acre field behind Hotel Mika, and the path by Ralston Creek.
Evening entertainment at Hotel Mika included a showing of the movie Red Dog, which was very good, but rather sad, too.
6-10-23 – After a second splendid night’s rest in the Cowboy Room, it was time to move on. Not, however, before Loopster got to wade in Ralston Creek and circumnavigate the 100 acre field once more. Even Mika, the Siberian forest cat, then turned out to bid her a fond farewell and happy trails on this Dingo Vacation.
To the American Dingo’s surprise, her current sudden acquaintance with luxurious living wasn’t over quite yet. Lupe and SPHP were invited over for hamburgers at Mark & Hilary’s place. High in the hills overlooking the Denver region, their home was about the closest thing to a real castle Lupe had ever been inside of, complete with a tame herd of giant deers resting in the valley below.
The world of marvelous company and delicious food finally did come to an end, though. Mountains were calling! By early afternoon, the RAV4 was zooming S on I-25.
6-10-23, 6:30 PM, Sangre de Cristo range, intersection of Ophir Creek Road (USFS Road No. 360), Gardner Road (USFS Road No. 634) and USFS Road No. 369 –
Wow, look at that, SPHP! Can we stop here for a sniff?
Sure thing, Loopster! I like the looks of this territory, too. Maybe we’ll stick around? It’s cooled off plenty. You won’t be sweltering here tonight!
Back in Pueblo, it had been 86ºF when SPHP stopped to gas up the RAV4. Hah! So much for that! As Lupe trotted SW along Gardner Road from the 10,700 foot pass where the junction was located, the fresh mountain breeze was a decidedly cool 53ºF.
A gorgeous view was off to the SSW. Beneath an unsettled sky, meadows sloped down to a region of rolling hills covered by a mix of aspens and pines. Small mountains beyond the hills stretched away toward a high distant range still partially clad in snow.
What mountains are those, SPHP? The ones with snow on them.
Dunno, Loop. We’ve never been in this region before.
Glad we’re here now, SPHP. This is awesome!
Dingo-approved, aye? I concur.
Are we going to climb one of those snowy peaks tomorrow, SPHP?
Nope. We’re going to hit Greenhorn Mountain (12,347 ft.), the Pueblo county, Colorado high point. Can’t see it from here, Looper. It’s still a bit of a drive, although nowhere near as far away as those mystery peaks.
A Colorado county high point! Been a long time since we’ve done any of those, SPHP. Should be fun!
Hope so! The plan is to visit a number of Colorado county high points on this Dingo Vacation. Greenhorn Mountain is supposed to be pretty easy. Gives us a chance to start getting acclimated to the altitude.
An easy one? Good thinking, SPHP! Especially after our Albany Peak fail.
Don’t count your mountains before they’re climbed, Looper. Supposed to be a 100% chance of thunderstorms tomorrow. Easy or not, success isn’t guaranteed.
6-11-23, 8:17 AM, USFS Road No. 369 –
After a rather long, winding drive S, SPHP parked the RAV4 along USFS Road No. 369. Lupe hopped out. Beyond the grassy field she started sniffing around in, a lone mountain stood against the blue sky.
Is that Greenhorn Mountain, SPHP?
Should be the N end of it, Loop. Greenhorn Mountain is a huge ridge with a couple of subpeaks. Believe that’s North Peak (12,200 ft.). Just wanted to get a quick look at it from here. C’mon, hop back in! The trailhead is a few miles farther.
6-11-23, 8:32 AM, 44ºF, Greenhorn/Bartlett trailhead – It was cool and breezy when SPHP parked the RAV4 again. A couple of other vehicles were already at the roomy trailhead parking lot, but not a soul was around as SPHP got the pack ready.
So, are we going to climb North Peak on the way to Greenhorn Mountain, SPHP?
Intended to Looper. There’s actually a big loop we can make with North Peak and Peak 12237 as side jaunts up on the ridge. Originally thought we’d set off from here taking Greenhorn trail No. 1316 up to that region. However, that might not be the best plan today, since thunderstorms are expected. Maybe we better just skip the early climb up onto the ridge, and stick with the lower part of the loop first? It’s a quicker, shorter route to Greenhorn Mountain’s true summit, our main objective.
Fine with me, but let’s hit Peak 12237 and North Peak on the way back then, SPHP.
Of course! Weather permitting, that’s our new plan, Loop.
Beyond a line of boulders, an old roadbed left the trailhead heading SE.
Apparently that old road is now Bartlett trail No. 1310, which is what we want Looper. Onward! Puppy, ho!
The road rose at a gentle pace as Lupe began trotting toward a forest on the W flank of the giant Greenhorn Mountain ridge.
The forest wasn’t all that thick. At times clearings provided big views to the SW. SPHP didn’t recognize them at the time, but what were probably Mount Herard (13,350 ft.) and Blanca Peak (14,345 ft.) were in sight beyond a vast valley.
The Carolina Dog had barely reached the W flank of the ridge when she came to a tiny stream bordered with ice. Not far beyond this point, more boulders and a mound of dirt put an end to any possible use of the road by even the most determined motorized vehicle drivers.
The forest eventually gave way to much more open territory. Looked like Lupe could climb right up onto the ridge most anywhere along in here, if she wanted to, but progress along the road was fast and easy. A few wet, mushy spots of no consequence were the only obstacles.
Although still well below the summit, Loopster was rapidly closing in on Greenhorn Mountain when the road made a big curve NE before turning S again. Badly eroded, this scenic turn harbored a group of mountain sheep. Shocked by Lupe’s sudden appearance, the mountain sheep fled up a steep talus slope. Marmots whistled unseen among the rocks. It was all very exciting!
Beyond this turn, climbing the steep talus slope directly to the top of the ridge would have been no small feat. While the Carolina Dog may have been sorely tempted to pursue those sheep, SPHP had no intention of leaving the road yet, which now began rising at a faster clip. Following it S, the sky was now looking much cloudier ahead.
After a stint going S, the road angled SW as it climbed into open forest, then began to level out and fade away after turning E. Reaching the high point of Bartlett trail No. 1310 near an old, weathered fence post, fog was now visible just down the slope at all points S. As Lupe watched, more and more of the slope vanished from sight.
Sheesh! It’s only 10:00 AM, and we’re almost there Looper. Don’t tell me we’re already too late! Not supposed to get stormy until this afternoon.
Well, we better get to climbing then while there’s still blue sky to the N, SPHP. Maybe we can get to the summit before the whole mountain gets swallowed by these clouds?
Did seem like the only sensible course of action. Greenhorn Mountain’s true summit was less than 600 feet higher and a mere 0.25 mile away as Lupe abandoned Bartlett trail No. 1310.
Nothing to this ascent really, except that, unaccustomed to the elevation, SPHP was really feeling it as the slope steepened. Leading the way, Lupe often had to wait while SPHP paused to gasp for air. The steepest part of the mountain was nothing but rock. Nervous mountain sheep along the ridgeline above gave SPHP another excuse to stop and breathe.
Once the mountain sheep disappeared from view, Lupe resumed her climb. Reaching a region of low, scratchy bushes and tufts of grass, the slope diminished. Unfortunately, by the time a wall of rock serving as a windbreak appeared ahead, no blue sky remained.
6-11-23, 10:48 AM, 60ºF, Greenhorn Mountain (12,347 ft.) – That wasn’t entirely true. As Lupe stood atop the rock wall comprising the wind shelter at the true summit, the clouds shifted, revealing blue sky to the N. Although distant views in other directions remained shrouded, the American Dingo could see most of Greenhorn Mountain’s N ridge all the way over to Peak 12237 and North Peak (12,200 ft.).
Well, congratulations, Loopster, on climbing Greenhorn Mountain, you’re first Colorado county high point in many a year! May I shake your paw?
Why, thank you, SPHP! It’s been a pleasure.
Suppose we might as well take a seat now that we’ve got a couple photos of what glimpses remain of the views before we’re totally engulfed in fog. There’s water and beef jerky for you in the pack, Loop. Interested?
Grabbing a glass jar wrapped with black tape from within the wind break, SPHP sat down facing E on small rocks and tundra just outside the windbreak opening. The Carolina Dog eagerly gobbled up as much beef jerky as SPHP was willing to provide before curling up on SPHP’s lap. Lost in fog, even the views to the N were gone now. SPHP slowly polished off a chocolate pudding cup.
Opening the jar, SPHP found a registry, as expected.
Your in luck, Looper! I can add your name. Wouldn’t have been able to a couple of days ago.
Why not, SPHP?
This registry is brand new. Nathan Brandli of Morrison, Colorado placed it here only yesterday in memory of one Roger Linfield. Yours will be the 5th entry, and 1st one today.
Poor Roger! I’m ashamed to say that I can’t even remember who he was, SPHP.
You’re slipping, Loop. How about Quinton Gonza’s mother? Remember her? Quinton’s is the 4th and final entry yesterday. Says he came up here all the way from Naples, Florida to scattered his mother’s ashes.
Drawing another complete blank, SPHP.
Not too surprising, Loopster, since we never had the pleasure of meeting either of them. By the way, let me know if those big soft Dingo ears detect any thunder. Might be wise to scoot before Mother Nature takes it upon herself to scatter our ashes up here, too.
Should have gotten an earlier start! Sad to have come all this way only to arrive as the views vanished, but nothing to be done about it now.
Sitting together, gazing down on a rising ocean of white clearly destined to completely engulf Greenhorn Mountain, there didn’t seem to be any point in staying for Lupe’s entire traditional summit hour, nor in going on to Peak 12237 or North Peak, especially since no shelter at all had been visible on the long ridge leading toward them. Completely exposed way up here on any part of Greenhorn Mountain was no place to be, if lightning did approach.
Guess we might as well head back the way we came, Looper. Let me know when you’re ready. No rush. Kind of cool looking down on these clouds.
At least we made it to the top of Greenhorn Mountain, SPHP!
Yeah, gotta be grateful for that. Would have been a lot more fun to get to explore the rest of the loop, though.
25 minutes after arriving at Greenhorn Mountain’s summit, the rising tide of white seemed to stall. Instead of being engulfed in fog, the day grew sunnier. Big views began reappearing to the N and W.
Look, SPHP! Views are opening up all over the place.
Well, wha’dya know? Luck of the Dingo! Let’s have a look around. If this keeps up, maybe we can explore the rest of the loop after all?
While waiting to see if this good fortune was likely to continue, Lupe first headed a little way back down the S slope to get a look at the views in the direction she’d come up from. Quite a few high clouds were still over this way blocking the most distant views, but they didn’t seem threatening, at least not at the moment.
Returning to the windbreak, Lupe stayed along the W rim of the summit region, which featured the sharpest drop-off.
Looking mighty good to the N, SPHP! Shall we go for it?
Absolutely! Onward! Puppy, ho!
A brief return to the summit wind shelter to retrieve the pack, and the American Dingo was on her way.
Progress was exceptionally fast and easy. Lupe roamed as she pleased across broad regions of scree and tundra. Meanwhile the sky continued to clear. A slight dip soon led to a bigger one where the ridge narrowed and turned NW. The Carolina Dog enjoyed eating snow melting along the rim of the mountain.
Descending to the saddle along the narrowest part of the ridge, suddenly there was movement was ahead.
Someone’s coming, SPHP!
A young man approached, exchanging friendly greetings with SPHP as he went on by, evidently destined for the true summit. Lupe had already crossed the saddle, and started on up the next hill when a young woman appeared, also heading S. She waved, but said nothing.
From this first saddle, Lupe regained roughly 140 feet of elevation on the way up to HP12240. Another windbreak was up here, and a descent to a second saddle ahead.
After a short rest at HP12240, Lupe met a couple coming up it from the NW on her way down to the second saddle. They had a dog about Lupe’s size with them, which wore a vest that the man used to carry their pet like a piece of luggage. Staying a good 20 feet away as they passed, the man announced that his dog was not friendly. No doubt this was true, since luggage seldom growls as menacingly as this piece did.
Took hardly any time at all to get down to the second saddle, which was very broad. Veering off to the R here, Lupe followed a gently rising draw toward the massive rounded hump comprising Peak 12237.
6-11-23, 12:37 PM, 54ºF, Peak 12237 –
Oh, I don’t know! You’ve got me, Loopster! Actually, I think we passed the true summit somewhere back to the W where it was rockier. So hard to tell where it is. This is one of those mountains where no matter where we go, everywhere else always looks a little higher.
Well, can we call it close enough for Dingo work then, and take a break, SPHP? What’s wrong with right here?
Nothing, really. Peak 12237’s summit region was a vast level plain, some parts rockier than others. No telling which of 10,000 different rocks was actually the true summit no matter how much roaming Lupe did. The air was definitely colder, clouds were moving in again, and views were disappearing as SPHP sat down.
A tall dark structure, which proved to be a giant cairn, was visible on a hill 0.25 mile E. That hill was clearly lower, so Lupe didn’t bother with going over there. With the weather deteriorating, visiting North Peak was more important. SPHP shared water and more beef jerky with the American Dingo, then consumed another chocolate pudding. Drifting clouds alternately hid or revealed views, occasionally threatening to plunge Peak 12237 into fog.
Half an hour ticked away.
Alright, let’s get going, Loop. Onward! Puppy, ho!
The journey to North Peak was also easy. Gradually losing elevation, Lupe had a grand time sniffing her way through an enormous, mostly grassy region while making a big arc to the W, then N. No one else was around. The cool air felt good; the gloomy gray sky seeming more like a forlorn day in November than summer.
Lupe soon reached a third saddle. Crossing this grassy, extremely broad, shallow region, she started up North Peak’s S slope. A moderately steep march 200 feet higher gradually leveled off near the top.
6-11-23, 1:25 PM, 55ºF, North Peak (12,200 ft.) – North Peak’s summit was also a large, flat region similar to Peak 12237’s. It was very cloudy by the time Lupe reached what seemed to be about the highest spot a bit beyond the last of a couple of cairns near the W rim.
Unfortunately, due to all the clouds, the only views were to the W and SW. Retreating over to the W edge of the mountain, Lupe found a fairly soft spot to lie down among the rocks. Looking W, a line of clouds hid everything to the N. S of these clouds, a road and small lake were in sight 900 feet below.
That’s USFS Road No. 369 down there, Loop, the road we came in on. The lake is the northernmost of two lakes known as the Blue Lakes. We passed them shortly before reaching the trailhead.
Looks like there’s parking down by that lake, SPHP. Maybe we can stay there tonight?
Not a bad idea, Loopster. We’ll check it out.
From North Peak’s W rim, Lupe and SPHP watched the back and forth battle between the clear air, and the line of clouds valiantly trying to force its way S. Views remained restricted to this one narrow scene.
20 minutes was enough. SPHP shook Lupe’s paw, congratulating her on her successful exploration of Greenhorn Mountain and its subpeaks, then the Carolina Dog headed back down North Peak’s S slope.
Searching along the W edge of the third saddle once she got down to it, Lupe had no trouble finding Greenhorn trail No. 1316. Heading SSW, the trail gradually descended a long talus slope, eventually leading to a pair of big switchbacks that got her down to the forest. By then, it was only another 0.25 mile back to the trailhead.
6-11-23, 2:19 PM, 47ºF, Greenhorn/Bartlett trailhead – Lupe arrived back at the RAV4 to the sound of thunder coming from an approaching storm. SPHP drove down to the N Blue Lake, where the rest of a mostly sullen afternoon of clouds, intermittent fog and rain, occasionally interrupted by brief moments of sunshine, was spent napping.
When sunlight returned early in the evening, Lupe got out to sniff along the lakeshore. SPHP heated up chicken and dumplings for dinner. As shadows lengthened, the sky clouded up again, and the air continued to cool. That didn’t prevent Lupe from a enjoying a nice jaunt exploring forests and fields along USFS Road No. 369.
The American Dingo got as far as the S Blue Lake before turning back. By then, SPHP had collected 2 plastic bags full of Lupe treasures.
6-11-23, dusk, N Blue Lake – Lupe curled up on her pink blanket. Already getting pretty cold out. SPHP threw the Viking blanket over her so she could snuggle in.
We had a great time up on Greenhorn Mountain (12,347 ft.) today, didn’t we, SPHP?
Sure did, Loopster! Your 1st Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacation is off to a good start. Snooze fast, sweet puppy! Lots more adventures ahead!
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