Days 12 & 13 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacation to Colorado & New Mexico!
6-18-23, Monte Vista, San Luis valley, Colorado – After driving to both the E and W ends of town on Hwy 160 to see what was here, SPHP parked the RAV4 in the shade of a line of huge cottonwoods out in front of the high school.
This ought to be a good spot to hang out for a while, Loopster. I like the looks of this town. Want to get out and take a stroll?
A walk? Lupe was all for it! After wandering up and down several streets looking at the houses, SPHP ventured over toward a park or golf course bordered by an irrigation canal. On a sunny morning in June with the sun already high in the sky, the American Dingo was hot and thirsty. Unsuspectingly stepping into the canal, Lupe instantly vanished from sight beneath the murky, deceptively swift-flowing, green water.
OMG! Lupe!
SPHP was horrified! The canal was only 5 or 6 feet wide, but no telling how deep it was. Might easily be 5 or 6 feet, or more. No matter, going to have to leap in to find her!
No, wait! Suddenly the Carolina Dog reappeared, breaking the surface, coughing and swimming hard as she was swept downstream. Lupe wasn’t even wearing her adventure collar, so SPHP couldn’t grab it to help her.
Luckily, despite the steepness of the bank, Lupe managed to haul herself out unaided. The Carolina Dog shook herself off, spraying water in all directions.
Well, wasn’t that refreshing? You could have warned me, SPHP! You know us Carolina Dogs don’t mind wading, but hate to swim.
Oh, Loop! I’m sorry! Never dreamed you would just walk right in like that without being able to see the bottom.
Might have been tragic, but no harm done. The walk went on a while longer now to let the sun dry the Dingo off before returning to the RAV4. A pleasant morning snooze on her soft pink blanket in the shade of the cottonwoods ensued. Shortly after noon, though, the American Dingo was on her way back up into the mountains.
6-19-23, 7:22 AM, 51ºF, South Fork trailhead, end of County Road No. 28 –
You still want to stick with the road past the log barrier, right, SPHP?
Yep. Onward! Puppy, ho!
Last evening’s reconnaisance of the two routes leaving the trailhead for the upper South Fork of Rock Creek valley had proven that the old road continuing past the log barrier was the easiest way to go. Taking the ATV trail spur down to South Rock Trail No. 702 lost 100 feet of elevation right away, most of which was unnecessary.
After trotting around the barrier, Lupe gained elevation at an easy pace on the abandoned road, as it slowly faded away. More than 0.25 mile led to the road’s apparent end at a clearing studded with tree stumps and scattered deadfall. A path continuing into the trees quickly led to a mere 15 or 20 foot dip down to the South Fork of Rock Creek.
The trail went right through the creek, a beautiful little stream lacking a convenient rock hop. Wanting to avoid soaking wet socks and boots this early in the day, SPHP removed them, flung them over to the opposite bank, then waded across.
Lupe didn’t follow, merely watching as SPHP got ready to go again.
Bennett Peak (13,203 ft.) is calling, Loop! Are you coming, or not?
The American Dingo hesitated, clearly pondering the situation. Decision made, Lupe suddenly got a running start and leapt completely over the South Fork of Rock Creek in a single bound.
Show off!
I’m not showing off, SPHP. Just not taking any chances.
Chances? What’s gotten into you, Looper? Oh, I get it! You’re worried about yesterday’s plunge into the canal. Why? You can see the bottom. This stream isn’t anywhere close to being as deep as the canal was. No worries here.
Be that as it may, the mighty Dingo leap had already been made. SPHP followed Lupe up the trail beyond the stream through a meadow on the way to the next stretch of forest. This meadow proved to be quite soggy. The path faded away, but continuing NW, Lupe soon reached South Rock Trail No. 702.
No. 702 was basically an ATV route. Taking it NW through meadows and forest, the trail climbed at an increasing rate as it gradually curved SW.
The entire mountainside seemed to be seeping water. The Carolina Dog crossed many small streams, which often ran right down long stretches of the trail. Sheep Mountain (12,492 ft.) came into view. By the time SPHP was ready to take a breather under a big pine, HP12279 was in sight only 0.5 mile S.
Whew! Guess I’m still not acclimated to the elevation yet, Looper.
No worries, SPHP! Take your time. I’m ready whenever you are.
A 15 minute break beneath the pine tree helped, but didn’t make as much of a difference as SPHP had hoped. Although following the road should have been easy, SPHP trudged slowly after the American Dingo with little energy as Lupe led the way higher.
Tree line wasn’t much farther. Above it, the open terrain provided an unobstructed view of HP12279, its N slopes still mostly covered in snow. A bit higher, Lupe came to a junction with Trail No. 702.1, a spur going N to connect with Dry Creek Trail No. 700. Bennett Peak, a massive, grassy dome, was now only 1.5 miles away as the crow flies in that direction.
Instead of turning N, SPHP encouraged Lupe to continue SSW on South Rock Trail No. 702.
I thought we were going to Bennett Peak, SPHP. Are we going to climb HP12279, first?
Looks like a nice, easy summit, Loopster, but Sheep Mountain is a little higher. I’m thinking we might as well go over it on our way to Bennett.
Another 0.33 mile got Lupe up to an enormous pass between HP12279 and Sheep Mountain. Silver Mountain (12,420 ft.) was now in sight 2 miles S. A long ridge with snow along its E flank blocked the views SPHP had expected to see to the SW.
HP12279 was now only 0.25 mile due E. Shoulda, woulda, coulda, if only SPHP had felt more energetic. Instead, Lupe abandoned Trail No. 702 heading W for a small stand of trees near the base of Sheep Mountain’s long, rounded S slope. Upon reaching the trees, another short break was taken in the shade, before tackling the gradual, grassy, rock-strewn trek to the summit.
6-19-23, 9:52 AM, 49ºF, Sheep Mountain (12,492 ft.) – The wind was 10-15 mph out of the W, the sky cloudless, views marred only by a bit of haziness that was worst to the E, when Lupe reached the summit cairn.
Made it! Congratulations on your first ascent of the day, Loopster!
Nothing to it, SPHP. Looks like an easy romp all the way to Bennett Peak from here, too.
It does! A lovely high elevation trek that can wait. Summit hour, Loop! Let’s relax and enjoy the views.
After shaking Lupe’s paw while she was still on the cairn, SPHP sat down facing away from the wind. Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap, gazing E out toward Windy Mountain (12,608 ft.), which overlooked the South Fork of Rock Creek valley she had just come up.
Mountains in sight all around! Everything nearby looked pretty tame, though. The closest more dramatic peaks were SW, toward the region Lupe had been exploring recently. Conejos Peak (13,172 ft.) was easy to spot. SPHP was also able to pick out Long Trek Mountain (12,866 ft.) , Montezuma Peak (13,150 ft.) and Summit Peak (13,300 ft.).
Shortly after sharing water and beef jerky, company appeared. Lupe and SPHP met John Pelner, who had also come up Sheep Mountain’s S slope. A retired family physician from Colorado Springs, John was very friendly.
Originally born in Wisconsin, where he still has family he visits often, John said he’d been climbing mountains all of his adult life. He’d been to all of Colorado’s 14’ers, many 13’ers, and at 73, was now working on the most interesting 12’ers. John had already been to Silver Mountain this morning, and was on his way to both Pintada Mountain (12,840 ft.) and Windy Mountain. Unlike Lupe, he’d already visited Bennett Peak years ago, and didn’t intend to go there again today.
Chatting amiably with SPHP until Lupe’s traditional summit hour was complete, Dr. Pelner then accompanied the Carolina Dog down Sheep Mountain’s N slope.
Upon reaching the saddle leading to Bennett Peak, it was time to part ways. Bound for Windy Mountain or Pintada Mountain next, John bid Lupe farewell before taking Dry Creek Trail No. 700 NE. Meanwhile, Lupe began her 1,100 foot journey to the top of Bennett Peak.
Following West Frisco Trail No. 850, an ancient jeep route, the climb NNE up Bennett Peak’s S and SE slopes amounted to a long, breezy slog on largely featureless grass and tundra slopes. With 400 feet of elevation gain yet to go, the trail turned NW upon reaching the sharp NE edge of the mountain where cliffs and snowbanks added scenic appeal.
West Frisco Trail No. 850 remained near the E edge of the mountain as it swept up to Bennett Peak’s giant, gently rounded summit region. A faint spur led to the true summit over near the W end. As Lupe approached, the remnant of a tattered American flag attached to a pole protruding from a large cairn flapped wildly in a 15-20 mph W wind.
6-19-23, 12:40 PM, 54ºF, Bennett Peak (13,203 ft.) – As the Carolina Dog stood atop the summit cairn, an enormous amount of territory was in sight. A general haziness of the otherwise cloudless sky obscured details of the countless distant snow-capped mountains visible in almost every direction. Some of the ranges perceptible to the N and W must have been over 100 miles away.
Far to the ENE, Blanca Peak (14,345 ft.) was recognizable beyond the pancake flat San Luis valley. Long lines of lofty mountains extended both N and S from the Blanca Peak region. Toward the S and SE, the mountains were lower. Peering down on nearby Sheep Mountain, Silver Mountain, and HP12279, they now seemed only modest prominences of gently rolling highlands.
The most dramatic views were still to the SW, in the region Lupe had so recently explored. Conejos Peak (13,172 ft.), Summit Peak (13,300ft.), Montezuma Peak (13,150 ft.), and Long Trek Mountain (12,866 ft.) were all once again in sight among many others.
A line of scattered boulders larger than most of other rocks on Bennett Peak extended SW of the cairn. Wandering over that way, Lupe sniffed among the rocks while SPHP admired the views.
After the usual paw-shaking congratulations, SPHP sat down near the cairn, using it as a windbreak. Annoyed by flies, the American Dingo had a hard time getting comfortable on the rocky ground. With the sun practically straight overhead, Lupe tried poking her nose under SPHP’s legs for partial relief.
As the wind blew, and flies buzzed, SPHP entered Lupe’s name in the registry contained in a jar found nestled in the cairn. Water and beef jerky were shared. SPHP then munched on trail mix, while Lupe had some of her Taste of the Wild. The views were expansive; so much so that nearly all points of interest seemed far, far away.
Felt good to rest, doing nothing at all way up here in the sky. Meanwhile, the precious minutes ticked away. As the American Dingo’s summit hour drew near an end, Lupe returned to the cairn for a final look around.
Inevitably, the time for action came once again.
That’s it, Loopster! Bennett Peak is history. Onward! Puppy, ho!
Returning to West Frisco Trail No. 850 along the NE edge, Lupe started SE back down the mountain, returning the same way she’d come up only an hour ago.
2 down, and 1 to go, Looper!
We’re climbing another mountain, SPHP?
Yup. Windy Mountain (12,608 ft.), dead ahead. We can abandon the trail and make a nice loop going over HP12778 on the way, with Windy Mountain as a relatively short side jaunt before heading back to the South Fork trailhead.
During the initial descent, Lupe had a grand view of Pintada Mountain (12,840 ft.) a mere 2 miles NE where Dr. John Pelton had been headed.
Do you think we’ll see him again, SPHP? We’ll be crossing his route on the way to Windy Mountain.
Possible, but not likely, Looper. Doubt he spends an hour at most summits like you do. He’s probably been there and gone already.
Abandoning West Frisco Trail No. 850 where it turned SSW toward Sheep Mountain, Lupe descended ESE to a vast grassy saddle before heading up a gentle rise to HP12778. Looking back from a cairn here, she had a terrific view of the cliffs along Bennett Peak’s E face.
Turning SSE from HP12778, the terrain gradually steepened. By the time Pass 12065 leading to Windy Mountain came into view, a surprisingly steep descent on flat, loose, pink talus was ahead. Realizing that most of the talus could be avoided by staying a bit farther N, SPHP encouraged a slight course adjustment.
The wind was roaring 30 mph out of the SW as Lupe crossed Pass 12065 on her way to Windy Mountain’s NW ridge. Interesting rock formations near the start of the 550 foot climb invited exploration, but the wind was annoying enough to discourage such notions.
Thankfully, as SPHP made this final weary trek higher, plodding after the still unfazed Carolina Dog, the wind gradually slackened instead of getting any worse. Near the top, a slope of more of the flat, pink talus led to an 800 foot long summit ridge.
The stroll along the broad summit ridge couldn’t have been easier. Most of the ridge was covered with small talus, although the SE end featured quite a bit of tundra. Signs of serious cracking along the rocky SW edge showed where huge chunks of Windy Mountain would one day hurtle down into the South Fork of Rock Creek valley. Roaming SE in search of the true summit, Lupe continued to gain a little elevation.
6-19-23, 4:01 PM, 58ºF, Windy Mountain (12,608 ft.) – The wind was down to 10-15 mph out of the SW by the time Lupe reached a jumble of talus only marginally higher than the rest of the summit ridge. 200 feet farther ESE, a big cairn with a sweeping view of all points E sat at the brink of a precipice along the S edge of the mountain.
After a quick photo at the true summit, Lupe headed over to the cairn and its dramatic perch.
3 mountains in one day! Ought to be worth another round of beef jerky, SPHP!
Oh, of course, Loopster! Give me just a moment.
After shaking Lupe’s paw in congratulations once again, SPHP grabbed a jar from the cairn, then sat down on the tundra a little back to the W.
Let’s see if John Pelner actually got here today, or not, Loop!
Opening the jar, SPHP checked the registry within.
So what does it say, SPHP?
Sure enough, John was here! His entry is the 4th one so far this year. I’ll add your name, too, Loopster. And guess what? John left us a present.
A present? What kind of a present, SPHP?
A Nature Valley granola bar, Loop.
Anyone could have left that, SPHP. Doesn’t have our names on it, does it? How do you know John left it?
Because it seems to be fresh, instead of petrified. Anyway, whether John left it for us, or not, let’s eat it!
It’s all yours, SPHP. I’m sticking with beef jerky, speaking of which, bring it on! And how about some water, too?
As usual, beef jerky and water for all! Lupe polished off the last of her Taste of the Wild, too. Munching on the Nature Valley granola bar while resting in the breeze up on Windy Mountain with the last big climb of the day out of the way, life seemed mighty fine.
To the NW, Bennett Peak and Pintada Mountain blocked more distant views. No doubt John Pelner had been to Pintada today, too.
Windy Mountain was high enough to still see the fabulous view SW of Conejos Peak, Summit Peak, and all the other snow-capped mountains.
From the S edge over by the cairn, Lupe could see County Road No. 28, snaking its way up to the South Fork trailhead where the RAV4 waited, visible as a lone blue speck 1,400 feet below.
The RAV4! Soon time to be heading back. The American Dingo lingered on Windy Mountain, but didn’t quite complete her traditional summit hour. 52 minutes after first reaching the true summit, she was back at it again, enjoying the view of HP12279, Sheep Mountain, and all the snowy peaks beyond for the last time.
Descending Windy Mountain’s NW ridge, the wind picked up again as Lupe got close to Pass 12065. Once down to it, the Carolina Dog turned SW, continuing her descent into the South Fork of Rock Creek valley.
The mountainside was steep. No trails, but Lupe was able to follow grassy lanes through the forest most of the way down. The wind died completely away, which was nice after being in it virtually all day long, and a giant deer provided a bit of excitement.
Near the end, Lupe encountered an unavoidable stretch of thick forest where deadfall slowed SPHP’s progress. Managing to lose another 150 feet of elevation, the Carolina Dog finally reached a beautiful, park-like meadow that quickly led to South Rock Trail No. 720.
Turning SE down the valley, the trail soon crossed the South Fork of Rock Creek. The creek was bigger here than where the American Dingo had bounded over it this morning, but Lupe had no qualms about fording it this time, easily wading across. She then waited while SPHP forded the stream 3 times, after forgetting the camera the first time over.
One more trudge higher! Fortunately, only 100 feet of elevation gain was all that was required before popping out of the forest at the end of County Road No. 28 where the RAV4 waited alone at the trailhead.
Not a soul was around, as Lupe relaxed in the RAV4. While SPHP heated up a can of chicken and dumplings for dinner, the cliffy S face of Windy Mountain was illuminated by early evening sunlight. A beautiful end to a wonderful breezy day spent happily roaming the spacious highlands on the way to and from Bennett Peak. (End 6:16 PM)
Links:
Next Adventure Prior Adventure
Lupe’s Scrollable GPS Track – Sheep Mountain & Bennett Peak (ascent)
Lupe’s Scrollable GPS Track – Bennett Peak & Windy Mountain (descent)
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